joining RCC

[JRKH]

I appreciate your response. Can you tell me what the difference is between WELS and RCC? The wels site even says it considers itself catholic with a small c. However the only definitive difference I have seen is the definition of good works which even now I don’t understand.

I can’t answer about the difference between WELS and RCC…but as for groups considering themselves small “c” Catholic…there are actually a couple. Lutherans do and so do Anglicans. I believe that it has to do mainly with the idea that they aren’t really “new” churches, but rather are reformed (read corrected) versions of the one universal church.
This may explain why it has been possible recently for the Catholic Church to enter into fruitful dialogue with both groups.

As to “good works”, there again I’m not sure I can tell you what the difference is. Could you post the WELS definition?

Peace
James

 

[4loveofJesus]

Welcome home!

Continue to open your heart & allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Be not afraid to draw closer to Our Good Lord Jesus Christ & His Church, the Catholic Church.

Praying for you and for all always.

 

[underwhelmed]

I can’t answer about the difference between WELS and RCC…but as for groups considering themselves small “c” Catholic…there are actually a couple. Lutherans do and so do Anglicans. I believe that it has to do mainly with the idea that they aren’t really “new” churches, but rather are reformed (read corrected) versions of the one universal church.
This may explain why it has been possible recently for the Catholic Church to enter into fruitful dialogue with both groups.

As to “good works”, there again I’m not sure I can tell you what the difference is. Could you post the WELS definition?

Peace
James

As far as I know WELS lutherans as I currently am, do not believe in good works getting you into heaven. By faith alone. I took the following from the wels.net website. Significant differences between the Catholic Church and ours include: the papacy, the nature and role of Mary, invocation of the saints, the doctrine of purgatory, transubstantiation, use of the Apocrypha and tradition as sources of doctrine, and justification through a combination of faith in Christ and good works.
As Lutherans, we love to speak about the forgiveness of sin that we have in Christ. If people realize that they have complete forgiveness through Christ, they will see why there can be no purgatory for Christians. If they understand that we are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus, they will understand why we do not need to pray through saints as mediators

 

[JRKH]

As far as I know WELS lutherans as I currently am, do not believe in good works getting you into heaven. By faith alone. I took the following from the wels.net website. Significant differences between the Catholic Church and ours include: the papacy, the nature and role of Mary, invocation of the saints, the doctrine of purgatory, transubstantiation, use of the Apocrypha and tradition as sources of doctrine, and justification through a combination of faith in Christ and good works.
As Lutherans, we love to speak about the forgiveness of sin that we have in Christ. If people realize that they have complete forgiveness through Christ, they will see why there can be no purgatory for Christians. If they understand that we are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus, they will understand why we do not need to pray through saints as mediators

Thanks.
Just addressing this matter of works. This separation between faith and works is a false one - left over from issues at the time of the reformation. Actually the words “faith alone” only appear together in the Epistle of St James (ch 4 I think) where it says we are NOT saved by faith alone and goes on to talk about the necessity of works - or more accurately - of a faith that works.

Peace
James

 

[Jon_S_1]

Thanks.
Just addressing this matter of works. This separation between faith and works is a false one - left over from issues at the time of the reformation. Actually the words “faith alone” only appear together in the Epistle of St James (ch 4 I think) where it says we are NOT saved by faith alone and goes on to talk about the necessity of works - or more accurately - of a faith that works.

Peace
James

Actually James Chapter 2

Galatians 5:6 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Exactly what the Catholic Church teaches! Faith working through love.

 

[JRKH]

Actually James Chapter 2

Galatians 5:6 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Exactly what the Catholic Church teaches! Faith working through love.

Thanks for the correction.