[Long] Are there any point-by-point refutations of this Prot anti-Catholic document?

[AlNg]

The refutation is for my sake.

According to the article:
“The Bible says that NO AMOUNT of good works can save us”

Let’s take a look at what Jesus said:
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

 

[De_Maria]

ERROR 2: Wrong Gospel, Wrong Message of Salvation

**Catholics, since childhood are taught that to get to heaven one must keep the sacraments,

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

the mass,

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

and do good works.

Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

This is different from the Bible’s definition of the Gospel.

Actually, no. It is exactly the definition of the Gospel which is taught throughout the Bible. The reason being that the Bible is a Catholic book.

 

[De_Maria]

Question: What is the Gospel?

The word, “gospel”, means “good news”.

Jesus Christ proclaimed a gospel which was very good news to the Jews. The Gospel of the Kingdom.

Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

The Jews were awaiting the coming of the Messiah. When the Messiah came, they expected to see great miracles and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth.

And that is exactly what Jesus did. He healed many and provided many signs. And He also established the Kingdom of God on earth. It is called the Catholic Church. This is Christ’s Eucharistic Kingdom.

**Answer: “I declare unto you the Gospel … how that Christ died for our sins … that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the scriptures …” **
(1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

All true. The Catholic Church Teaches all of that in Sacred Tradition and in her Scriptures.

The Gospel message saves us: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believes …” (Romans 1:16)

Yeah. That includes the Sacraments. It is through the Sacraments that Jesus Christ pours out upon us His saving grace:

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;…

Therefore the Gospel is that: Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again. We are saved when we believe this message, receiving Christ as our Savior. This means that we must trust Christ’s blood sacrifice on the cross as being the full payment for all our sins.

We must also participate in that sacrifice by partaking of His Flesh and Blood in the Holy Eucharist:

John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Paul strongly warns against preaching or believing “another Gospel” in Galatians 1:6-9. “So say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, LET HIM BE ACCURSED.” (Galatians 1:9)

Yea. And the Protestants teach another Gospel. That is why their errors were anathematized in the Council of Trent.

 

[De_Maria]

Paul strongly warns against preaching or believing “another Gospel” in Galatians 1:6-9. “So say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, LET HIM BE ACCURSED.” (Galatians 1:9)

Question: What is this OTHER FALSE Gospel?

You’ll have to go to Gal 3 to get the answer from St. Paul. Here’s what he says:

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, … 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

So, What is this OTHER FALSE Gospel?

According to the Protestant reading of that verse, it is salvation by works. As is confirmed below:

Answer: Any idea saying that we can earn salvation by our good works.

But Protestants read the Bible as though St. Paul was talking to modern men. They disregard the fact that St. Paul was talking to First Century Jews and Gentiles who had never heard of Martin Luther or the Protestant Reformation.

So, let’s go over that excerpt and see what St. Paul was actually saying.

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

The Galatians are a group of Gentiles. The reason that St. Paul has come to see them is because they have been approached by a group known as the Judaizers. They are Jewish Christians who believe that Gentiles have to submit to the Law of Moses before they can become Christians.

That doesn’t sound like a big deal. Unless you know that Jewish males have to be circumcised. Do you know what that means? If not, go here.

We have to jump to Gal 5 to see that this is what St. Paul is concerned about:

Gal 5: 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

So, what does that mean? St. Paul is referring to the fact that Jesus set up a Sacramental system. It is through the Sacraments that we receive grace. But, the Jews do not receive grace through the Law. They will, but the grace is deferred to Judgment day. You can see that in the Jews which are highlighted in Hebrews 11. Heb 11:39-40 says:

Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

So, that’s why St. Paul said:

2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

The flesh is a reference to the flesh that is snipped off in circumcision.

cont’d

 

[De_Maria]

cont’d

4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Ministereth to you the Spirit. What does that mean? That is a reference to the Priesthood. It is they, who provide us the Bread of Heaven. The Eucharist.

6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

So, what does that mean? That is a reference to the Sacraments. Let’s take Baptism for example. In Baptism, we approach the fount of grace in an attitude of humble faith. When God sees the faith in our hearts, He says, “they believe” and He accounts it to us as righteousness.

This is why, we, Catholics are also described as children of Abraham. But there’s a difference in the New Testament. Then, He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit and we are born again, the children of God. Abraham didn’t receive that gift.

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

No man is justified by the law. But no one who does not keep the Law, is justified. Do you see the difference? Here’s how St. Paul says it:

Romans 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

I don’t know why that seems confusing to a lot of people. But, St. Paul is merely saying that we don’t justify ourselves. God justifies those who obey Him and do good to their fellow man. He does not justify those who do not do good to their fellow man. See Matt 25:31-46

 

[GKMotley]

Yep, to both observations.

And Boettner has been dealt with on line regularly. Googling Boettner list shows some such, as well as some folk who think it’s really history. Keating’s book is a good place to start.

 

[De_Maria]

Note that three times we are told that we are not saved by keeping the WORKS of the law.

But are we ever told that those who keep the works of the Law, are not saved? No.

In fact, we are told that those who keep the Law are saved.

Romans 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

In other words, doers of the law will be saved. Justified means made righteous in the eyes of God. Anyone who is righteous in God’s eyes, is saved.

And we are told that those who do not keep the works of the law, are not saved.

Matthew 19:17 …: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

The Commandments are God’s law.

Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

cont’d

 

[De_Maria]

cont’d

Other verses that say the same thing are as follows:

Ephesians 2:8-10
**Galatians 3:2, 10, 11, 26, 5:4 **
Philippians 3:9
**Romans 3:20, 28, 4:5 11:6 **
Titus 3:5
The Bible says that NO AMOUNT of good works can save us.

I’m going to go through these, one at a time. But let me start with Titus 3: 5

Titus 3:5 not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit,

And they will stress that this verse says that God saves us, “not because of any righteous deeds”. And it does say that. But, if you read the entire thing, perhaps you have already seen the problem. The problem is that they stop reading too soon. There’s a lot more. Let me break it down and unpack it.

5 not because of any righteous deeds we had done

Read it carefully. It doesn’t say, “Doers of good deeds will not be saved”. Nor, “people who don’t do good works, will be saved”. Nor, “even people who commit evil deeds and do not repent, will be saved”.

It says, “not because of any righteous deeds which WE HAVE DONE”. What does that tell you?

It tells me that this verse is not about those people who have not done any good works.

St. Paul is clearly concerned only with the set of people who who have done good works. It is these people who are being saved by God’s mercy. There’s a principle which Protestant follow which says that Scripture interprets Scripture. With that in mind, let’s look at Matt 25:31-46.

Remember the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats?

Who were the Sheep? They were the people who did good deeds.

Who were the Goats? They were the people who did not do good works.

So, when St. Paul says, “not because of any righteous deeds we had done”. Which group is he talking about. “good deeds we had done”. He is talking about the Sheep. And he is numbering himself amongst them.

So, when dealing with Titus 3:5, we can dispense with the Goats. We can dispense with the people who did not do good works. God is not going to pour out His mercy to save them.

Are you with me?

Ok, so now we can go through the rest of Titus 3:5.

but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit,

We are not saved by the works we have done. We can’t save ourselves no matter how good we are. But God doesn’t save people who don’t do good. God only saves those who do good because of His mercy.

And He pours out His mercy through Baptism which is the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Follow?

 

[webmasterpdx]

That book mentioned is very good (I have a copy). However, to deal with all of these you’d have to google each one. Put the word catholic as the first word in the search and you’ll find the answers from the right perspective. This is a similar list to yours, and when you look at the catechism they reference, you’ll find their understanding is in error. Roman Catholic Church false teaching list | carm.org
You can get the catechism numbers here… Catechism of the Catholic Church
In addition, do the google thing to get further details.
The biggest problem with their views is first and foremost, they forget that the bible is tradition itself. God didn’t write it personally…humans did. Their tradition of bible literalism is less than 200 years old. God didn’t stop dealing with man after John wrote revelation on Patmos.

 

[De_Maria]

Other verses that say the same thing are as follows:

Ephesians 2:8-10
Galatians 3:2, 10, 11, 26, 5:4
Philippians 3:9
Romans 3:20, 28, 4:5 11:6
Titus 3:5
The Bible says that NO AMOUNT of good works can save us.

Ok, we just explained Titus 3:5, above. Let’s break down Eph 2:8-10, next.

Ephesians 2:8 (King James Version) 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

This is a beautiful verse, which is frequently mistaken for a teaching on faith alone, but needs to be understood in light of Catholic Doctrine, in order to be understood properly. You see, it is a succinct way of saying, “By the Sacraments, are we saved, not by the Commandments or any other righteous works, lest anyone should boast. It is the gift of God to all who obey His Will.”

8For by grace are ye saved

The main idea being addressed here is that we are saved by God by His Grace which is poured out to all the faithful, in the Sacraments.

through faith;

Again, because it God’s grace and mercy is only poured out to the faithful. And that faith itself is a form of grace. This is why it says “by grace, through faith”.

and that not of yourselves:

Remember where in Titus 3:5 it says, “not by the righteous deeds we have done”? Not of yourselves means, “Not by the righteous deeds you’ve done”.

it is the gift of God:

And that idea is confirmed here. Faith doesn’t come from us, it is a gift of God. A gift which He only gives to those who do righteous deeds.

9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Again, “not by the righteous works we have done”.

If we combine verse 8 and 9, we see that we are not saved either because of our faith or our works. Our salvation is the Gift of God. Jesus Christ died on the Cross because He loves us. Not because of anything we did.

cont’d

 

[De_Maria]

cont’d

10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

This verse has a subtle meaning which we need to explore.

1st. We are His Workmanship-All mankind was created by God. If we read Genesis, we see that God rested after He created us on the sixth day.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

2nd. Created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

All mankind was created in and through Christ Jesus. He is the first and the last. We were created in Him and without Him nothing was made.

Col 1:15-16 15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

3rd. Jesus Christ, God created us unto good works. What good works are those? The Ten Commandments.

Exodus 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

4th. Therefore, we were always supposed to be doing good. From the moment we are born.

5th. God saves those who do good in obedience to His will.

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Therefore, we are saved by faith and works. Not by faith alone.

James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

 

[De_Maria]

Galatians 3:2, 10, 11, 26, and Gal 5:4

I don’t really understand why the author skipped through the entire 3rd chapter and only posted one verse from chapter 5, unless he knew that the rest of the verses contradicted his theories.

But, let’s see.

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

The Galatians are a group of Gentiles. The reason that St. Paul has come to see them is because they have been approached by a group known as the Judaizers. They are Jewish Christians who believe that Gentiles have to submit to the Law of Moses before they can become Christians.

That doesn’t sound like a big deal. Unless you know that Jewish males have to be circumcised. Do you know what that means? If not, go here.

We have to jump to Gal 5 to see that this is what St. Paul is concerned about:

Gal 5: 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

So, what does that mean? St. Paul is referring to the fact that Jesus set up a Sacramental system. It is through the Sacraments that we receive grace. But, the Jews do not receive grace through the Law. They will, but the grace is deferred to Judgment day. You can see that in the Jews which are highlighted in Hebrews 11. Heb 11:39-40 says:

Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

So, that’s why St. Paul said:

2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

The flesh is a reference to the flesh that is snipped off in circumcision.

4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Ministereth to you the Spirit. What does that mean? That is a reference to the Priesthood. It is they, who provide us the Bread of Heaven. The Eucharist.

cont’d

 

[De_Maria]

cont’d

6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

So, what does that mean? That is a reference to the Sacraments. Let’s take Baptism for example. In Baptism, we approach the fount of grace in an attitude of humble faith. When God sees the faith in our hearts, He says, “they believe” and He accounts it to us as righteousness.

This is why, we, Catholics are also described as children of Abraham. But there’s a difference in the New Testament. Then, He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit and we are born again, the children of God. Abraham didn’t receive that gift.

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

No man is justified by the law. But no one who does not keep the Law, is justified. Do you see the difference? Here’s how St. Paul says it:

Romans 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

I don’t know why that seems confusing to a lot of people. But, St. Paul is merely saying that we don’t justify ourselves. God justifies those who obey Him and do good to their fellow man. He does not justify those who do not do good to their fellow man. See Matt 25:31-46

12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

What does that mean, “the law is not of faith”?

St. Paul is contrasting the Law of Moses to the Sacraments of Jesus Christ.

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

If we live according to the Law of faith, as opposed to the Law of Moses, we will be saved. Let’s skip over to Gal 5:

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Any action that is based on love or any of these virtues, is a good deed. And those who act in this way, do not receive the curses associated with the Law of Moses. See the curses in Scripture.

cont’d

 

[De_Maria]

cont’d

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

This is a description of the Sacraments, where we proclaim our faith in Jesus Christ and receive the outpouring of grace by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

That’s a big block of text. But it all joins together. Again, St. Paul is comparing the New Covenant to the old. And showing how it is the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham.

Question: What is the New Covenant? New Covenant and New Testament mean the same thing. Is the New Covenant a book of the Bible? Is it the New Testament Bible? No.

The rite of Communion with Christ is the New Covenant. Because when we receive Communion, we:

1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

The only time the words, “New Testament” or “New Covenant” are used in Scripture, Jesus uses them to describe Communion.

Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Matthew 26:28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

cont’d

 

[De_Maria]

cont’d

19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

This block of text has a lot of things in it. But, it is mainly a reference to the Old Testament Jews and the fact that even the righteous ones, sinned. So, they couldn’t be saved during their lifetime. They had to wait for Jesus Christ to establish the Covenant of faith. See Heb 11:39-40 for more.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Now, we get to how the Law, the Ten Commandments essentially, lead us to Christ. If you remember Titus 3:5, those who obey the law, do good and righteous deeds. And they are the ones who are justified by their faith. Not the ones who don’t.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Now let’s turn again to Gal 5. Now that we are under faith, we walk by the Spirit and do the righteous deeds of God. And so, we are no longer under the Law of Moses.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, those who are justified will do their best to do righteous deeds in obedience to Christ:

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

And, as I said above, this was all Sacramental Teaching. Showing that we, Catholics, profess our faith in God in the Sacraments. Thus we show that we are the children of Abraham.

 

[De_Maria]

Ok, let’s go to Phil 3:9, now. But let’s get some context:

Phil 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

I have sacrificed many things for Christ. And I used to believe that I had not made a profit.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

But now I know that all things that I’ve given up were crap when compared to the beauty of the knowledge of Christ.

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Therefore, I will not obey my desires, but do that which is right in the eyes of God.

As you can see, this is about sacrifice and doing the right thing before God. Now, if you don’t believe me, just go back to the previous chapter. Here is one of the verses:

Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

All men, righteous or wicked, will recognize the authority of Christ.

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Everyone will know that Jesus is God.

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Therefore, make sure to obey God and do the works which He requires. Because you know that those who disobey God, will be condemned.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Because if you obey God, it is really God working through you.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Therefore, don’t complain, but do those things cheerfully.

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

That you may be saved from amongst the wicked people of the world.

 

[Spyridon]

@JimG

An EXCELLENT book.

Should be mandatory reading for anybody converting to Catholicism from Evangelical/fundamentalist type Protestantism.

Karl Keating “Catholicism and fundamentalism”.

 

[De_Maria]

Note that three times we are told that we are not saved by keeping the WORKS of the law.
Other verses that say the same thing are as follows:

Ephesians 2:8-10
Galatians 3:2, 10, 11, 26, 5:4
Philippians 3:9
Romans 3:20, 28, 4:5 11:6
Titus 3:5

The Bible says that NO AMOUNT of good works can save us.

We’ve gone over:

Titus 3:5 post #28

Ephesians 2:8-10 post #30

**Galatians 3:2, 10, 11, 26, 5:4 ** post #32

Philippians 3:9 post #36

Now, let’s go over **Romans 3:20, 28, 4:5 11:6 **

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans 11:6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

It sounds as though he’s got us hands down, doesn’t it. Scripture seems to say that we are justified by faith alone. But, he’s left out a great deal of context.

He started in Romans 3 for a reason. If he had started in Romans 2, here’s what Scripture says:

Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

What? So which is it? Are we saved by our works or by our faith alone?

Neither. But God saves those who do good works.

cont’d

 

[De_Maria]

cont’d

Ok, so let’s look at Romans 3 and 4 in more detail. Those are the chapters that Protestants stick to in order to support faith alone. But, they fall flat if they ever roam out of certain phrases. The problem is, that the rest of the chapters and the rest of the book, supports the Catholic Teaching of salvation by faith and works.

Romans 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

Why be a Jew? Is there an advantage?

2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

Sure. The Jews are the chosen people of God, to whom He gave the Prophets and the Scriptures.

3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

So what if some Jews do not believe in God. That doesn’t mean that God doesn’t exist nor that God is not a fair and loving God.

4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Always have faith in God and distrust those men who deny Him. Thus, you will be proven righteous.

5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

Our sinfulness proves that God is righteous. Is God wrong for punishing us?

6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

And if God doesn’t have the authority to punish us for doing wrong, then why will He judge the world at the end?

7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

But if my sin proves Him right, why is my sin bad?

8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

In fact, some people think that way. They think that good may come from evil. They think that they can do wrong and bring about good.

9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

But, are we better than the sinners?

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

No, we are all sinners. All of us are selfish and seek our good.

cont’d

 

[De_Maria]

cont’d

13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

And there are some men who have turned completely away from God and deny Him outright.

19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

And that is the reason for the Commandments. Everyone who commits sin, lives under the law. Those who live according to the Spirit of God, are not under the law. Let me correlate this to another Pauline saying:

Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

What is the righteousness of God which is manifested without the law? It is the fact that God rewards those who have faith in Him, even without the benefit of prophets and Scriptures. By this is meant someone like Abraham, who had not heard of God nor did he have access to Scripture when he was justified.

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

God will likewise reward the Romans, who were not Jewish at the time of the writing of this epistle, if they have faith in Jesus Christ and submit to the Sacraments.

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Even though all men have sinned, they can repent.

cont’d