No Salvation Outside the Church?

[SobolII]

Supergirl:

Hey everyone-
I’m sorry if this has already been addressed a million times, but I couldn’t seem to find anything on this searching through the website. I’m a member of an internet community, and trying to explain to a Jewish man what exactly the Church’s teaching is on salvation for non-believers. Not exactly an easy task. Do you have any resources, such as articles written in easy language, for me that I can give him? Thanks!

Scripture says there is no salvation for the unbeliever. Scripture, always the best place to go for the answers.

 

[pilchard]

What is the status of the Council of Florence? The quote given in this thread is pretty clear cut - but it is certainly not what I thought the situation was

It firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, but will depart “into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels” [Matt. 25:41], unless before the end of life the same have been added to the flock.

I don’t see how you can get around that one. I don’t see how the above can be credibly “expanded upon” or “developed”

So - help!!!

What’s the answer?

 

[JKirkLVNV]

pilchard:

What is the status of the Council of Florence? The quote given in this thread is pretty clear cut - but it is certainly not what I thought the situation was

I don’t see how you can get around that one. I don’t see how the above can be credibly “expanded upon” or “developed”

So - help!!!

What’s the answer?

The only way I’ve been able to reconcile it is that they are a part of the Church whether they will or nil, by virtue of their baptism and profession of faith. "Christ’s Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church." In other words, all who will be saved will be saved by the virtue of the Catholic Church, through the Catholic Church. I take great comfort from this, as I’m the only Catholic in a family of devout and faithful Protestants who love Christ and sincerely seek to follow Him, but who do not believe the teachings of the Catholic Church and who never will.

It’s perfectly reasonable to assume that teaching can be explained or clarified. The Church distinguishes between “formal” heretics and “material” heretics. The former are those whose heresy is their own responsibility (Martin Luther, for example), the latter someone born into a schismatic group (a devout Lutheran in Des Moines, Iowa).

If you read the CCC, the section on invincible ignorance is in the context of people who’ve never heard of Christ, or the Gospel, or the Church. The Orthodox and the Protestants are dealt with in the section before.

 

[Michael_Francis]

Thanks to all who have participated.
This thread is now closed.