Please help me defend the faith - part 2

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… continued from 'Please help me defend the faith - part 1

*The RCC has condemned our pastor, me and most of our congregation to hell because we believe in the sufficient Savior to save, we believe that we are saved by grace through faith unto good works-works that are the grateful, loving, obedient product of our faith.

We talked about Merit and I said I would give you some info., here are a few teachings about merit.
(I will look up the difference of condign and congruous merit per Rome and get that to you)

Merit: Latin word merces, “hire,pay,reward”
j.pohle The Catholic encyclopedia”merit” volx,page 202 “that property of a good work which entitles the doer to receive a reward from him in whose service the work is done”

Merit
2006 The term “merit” refers in general to the recompense owed by a community or a society for the action of one of its members, experienced either as beneficial or harmful, deserving reward or punishment. Merit is relative to the virtue of justice, in conformity with the principle of equality which governs it.
2010 Since the initiative belongs to God in the order of grace, no one can merit the initial grace of forgiveness and justification, at the beginning of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life.

To be saved in the Roman system you must become righteous within yourself (self-righteous)efore you are justified. The Roman system includes sanctification as a necessary prerequisite to obtain eternal life where the Protestant view separates justification and sanctification. God saves the wicked and then the work of sanctification begins and it ends at our glorification.

CCC1459 Many sins wrong our neighbor. One must do what is possible in order to repair the harm (e.g., return stolen goods, restore the reputation of someone slandered, pay compensation for injuries). Simple justice requires as much. But sin also injures and weakens the sinner himself, as well as his relationships with God and neighbor. Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused.[62] Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must “make satisfaction for” or “expiate” his sins. This satisfaction is also called “penance.” __

I am thankful to Jesus that He was my scapegoat who took ALL my sins away and nailed them to the cross and will remember them no more.

CCC980 it is through the sacrament of Penance that the baptized can be reconciled with God and with the Church:
“Penance has rightly been called by the holy Fathers ‘a laborious kind of baptism’ This sacrament of Penance is necessary for salvation for those who have fallen after Baptism, just as Baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have not yet been reborn.

(I read an article written by a Jesuit Priest that stated that the doctrine of penance was established by a translation error. The Bible said do repentance, but it was wrongly translated do penance- have not checked that out though)

1371 The Eucharistic sacrifice is also offered for the faithful departed who “have died in Christ but are not yet wholly purified,” so that they may be able to enter into the light and peace of Christ:

1477 “this treasury includes as well the prayers and good works of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They are truly immense, unfathomable, and even pristine in their value before God. In the treasury, too, are the prayers and goods works of all the saints, all those who have followed in the footsteps of Christ the Lord and by his grace have made their lives holy and carried out the mission the Father entrusted to them. In this way they attained their own salvation and at the same time cooperated in saving their brothers in the unity

Question: I asked this the day we met. How is someone beyond perfection? The treasury is filled with the works (their holiness)of the saints,(along with Christ’s) these works are shared with others who have not yet reached perfection-if we need to be perfect ourselves, how do we have holiness to share?

This holiness that is in the “Churches Treasury” is imputed to those who are in need (through indulgences)
I am condemned to hell by the Roman Church because I believe that Christ’s righteousness is imputed to me, yet Uncle Harry’s good works can be imputed to me by me obtaining indulgences or someone else obtaining indulgences on my behalf.

The CCC states that the treasure is of infinite value, if this is true why does the Pope make individuals suffer in Purgatory when he has the authority to transfer the needed merit to someone to get them out?
A comment about Purgatory: In the Catechism 1031, sites 1 Cor. 3:15 as the scripture that teaches about Purgatory. Pleas read 1 Cor. 3, it is the Saints works that are being judged (v13), the saint is saved, but the good works that God planned for him before time began are being tested. If we do not do the works, or if we do them with the wrong motives or are “poor workman” because we do not handle the Word of Truth correctly then those works will show that they had no true value, and they are burnt up. This judgment is to evaluate believers works for the purpose of receiving rewards-sins are not being expiated (sins were expiated on the cross).

Jerry, I will stop now, I have thrown a lot at you, I considered including scripture that repudiates the teachings of Rome, but what I pray is that you continue reading the Bible, be a Berean. Read John, Romans and Galatians, (read the entire Bible) these books teach about Christ, faith, works, justification, and the place of the law As I read Galatians for the first time I knew I could substitute Judeizers for the Roman church. I once was leading my son and others to hell, I now understand mercy, grace and forgiveness. He who has sinned much has been forgiven much and loves much-I did not talk with you out of a desire to have a polemic debate, but because I believe with all my heart, mind and soul that if you become a priest you too will be leading children and others to hell.
Jerry I love you and am praying for you. Please, please listen to God through the Scriptures, pray to understand the truth.
If you ever want to talk, I am here.

Soli Deo Gloria,*
 
Well it is good that she is reffering to the CCC when she sent you that email, many people do not do that.
go to www.scripturecatholic.com for some scriptual evidence of our beliefs. Tell her that purgatory is not a dogma it is a doctrine, so it is not something a Catholic really has to believe.
Jesus followed the 10 commandments, so I dont know why she doesnt think they are important? Why would the be discussed in the NT at all if they werent important?
Salvation through works is something we believe in. I personally dont see how if someone kills tons of people, and doesnt truly repent will go to heaven. Ask her if without repentence that person should go to heaven? Because she is basically saying Jesus forgave all our sins when he died, and that you need to repent your sins to become one with God again.
I dont know what she meant by the article about the Priest, everyone is supposed to do penance for their sins, even Protestants whether she believes that or not.
She ACTUALLY needs to read her bible. She is right about Galatians and Romans speaking about salvation, but after almost finishing a bible study on Galatians (Catholic Scripture Study by Jeff Cavins) it REALLY points to our beliefs. Jeff Cavins (a Catholic convert) states at the beginning of the study, that this book really points away from the Protestant view on things.
What type of Protestant is she anyways? I kinda feel like she is attacking you and trying to get you to convert, I dont know if you have emails like this often. But if you need to, maybe you should take a break from her for awhile. Its a shame she thinks she found so many faults in the Catholic church.
 
c. 30-33 - The death and resurrection of Jesus
c. 35 - The conversion of Paul
40s or 50s - James
c. 45-49 - Paul’s first missionary journey
Sometime between 48 and 58 - Paul writes Galatians
c. 50-53 - Paul’s second missionary journey
50s - Paul writes Titus
50s or 60s - Mark written (based on oral tradition set down by Peter).
50s or 60s - Matthew written
51 - Paul writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians
c. 53-57 - Paul’s third missionary journey
Spring of 55 - Paul writes 1 Corinthians
56 - Paul writes 2 Corinthians
c. 57 - Paul writes Romans
c. 60 - Paul writes Colossians, probably while in prison in Rome
c. 60 - Paul writes Philemon, probably while in prison in Rome
c. 60 - Paul writes Ephesians, probably while in prison in Rome
c. 61 - Paul writes Philippians, while in prison in Rome
Early 60s - Luke written
c. 60-70 - The Didache is written.
c. 62 - Paul is free
c. 62-64 - Luke writes Acts
c. 62-64 - Paul writes 1 Timothy
July 18-19, 64 - The Great Fire of Rome. Emperor Nero blamed the Christians, and a great persecution ensued.
Mid 60s - 1 Peter written
c. 64-68 - Paul writes 2 Timothy from prison
c. 67-68 - 2 Peter
c. 68 - Hebrews is written
June 9, 68 - The death of Nero. Sometime between the Great Fire of Rome and the death of Nero, both Peter and Paul were martyred.
c. 69 - Jude
70 - The Seige of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple
c. 70-80- The Epistle of Barnabus is written.
c. 85 - John written
Late First Century - 1, 2, and 3 John
95- The Epistle of Clement is written…
c. 95-96 - John writes Revelation
c. 60-120- The writings of Papias (only fragments remain).
c. 105- The Epistles of Ignatius are written as he heads for Rome for execution.
c. 105-125- The Epistle of Polycarp is written.
c. 125-130- The Letter to Diognetus is written.
c. 125-130- The Epistle of Aristides is written.
c. 130- The Martyrdom of Polycarp is written.
c. 130-150- The Shepherd of Hermas is written.
c.100-165- The writings of Justin Martyr, much of it written in the 130s.

Theres some history of our church…

Ignatuis says about the Eucharist:

Take note of those who hold heterodox opinions on the grace of Jesus Christ which has come to us, and see how contrary their opinions are to the mind of God. . . . They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins and which that Father, in his goodness, raised up again. They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their disputes
Letter to the Smyrnaeans 6:2-7:1.

. . . and are now ready to obey your bishop and clergy with undivided minds and to share in the one common breaking of bread – the medicine of immortality, and the sovereign remedy by which we escape death and live in Jesus Christ for evermore
Letter to the Ephesians 20.

look what Clement of Rome has to say about Saved by Faith and Works, and Not Faith Alone:

“Seeing, therefore, that we are the portion of the Holy One, let us do all those things which pertain to holiness, avoiding all evil-speaking, all abominable and impure embraces, together with all drunkenness, seeking after change, all abominable lusts, detestable adultery, and execrable pride. ‘For God,’ saith [the Scripture], ‘resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.’ Let us cleave, then, to those to whom grace has been given by God. Let us clothe ourselves with concord and humility, ever exercising self-control, standing far off from all whispering and evil-speaking, being justified by our works, and not our words.”
Clement of Rome, Epistle to the Corinthians, 30.

“For what reason was our father Abraham blessed? Was it not because he wrought righteousness and truth through faith?”
Clement of Rome, Epistle to the Corinthians, 31.

“All these, therefore, were highly honoured, and made great, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness which they wrought, but through the operation of His will. And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Clement of Rome, Epistle to the Corinthians, 32.

Father Frank Chacon and Jim Burnham, in ‘Beginning Apologetics 1 (www.catholicapologetics.com) say;

“Please note that the Early Church always accepted the Bishop of Rome as the head of the Church. Around AD 80, the Church of Corinth deposed it’s lawful leaders. The fourth bishop of Rome, Pope Clement I, was called to settle the matter even though St. John the Apostle was still alive and much closer to Corinth than was Rome.

St Irenaus, who was taught by St. Polycarp (a disciple of St. John the Apostle), stresses that Christians must be united to the Church of Rome in order to maintain the Apostolic Tradition. He then lists all the bishops of Rome up to his time.

For 250 years the Roman Emperors tried to destroy Christianity through persecution. In the first 200 years of Christianity, every Pope but one was martyred-the Romans certainly knew who the head of the Church was!”

St. Ignatius of Antioch (AD 110) appointed by St. Peter also recognizes Rome’s Primacy.

I got all of this from this thread forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=367564
 
… continued from 'Please help me defend the faith - part 1

The RCC has condemned our pastor, me and most of our congregation to hell because we believe in the sufficient Savior to save, we believe that we are saved by grace through faith unto good works-works that are the grateful, loving, obedient product of our faith.
I wasn’t aware the RCC has (or even CAN) condemn anyone to hell.
 
Well it is good that she is reffering to the CCC when she sent you that email, many people do not do that.
go to www.scripturecatholic.com for some scriptual evidence of our beliefs. Tell her that purgatory is not a dogma it is a doctrine, so it is not something a Catholic really has to believe.
kristan, Purgatory is very much a Church teaching that must be assented to be all Catholics.
 
kristan, The Catechism regarding Purgatory:
1030 All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.
1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.606 The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:607
As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.608
1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."609 From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.610 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:
Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their father’s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.611
 
kristan, Purgatory is very much a Church teaching that must be assented to be all Catholics.
I was at this what the church believes meeting one time, and a deacon told someone that who said they do not believe in purgatory. We are only required to believe Dogmas not Doctrines. I’m not saying I dont believe… but thats what he said, and I looked it up. Like Mary’s immaculate conception and assension are dogmas, so they are required.
 
I was at this what the church believes meeting one time, and a deacon told someone that who said they do not believe in purgatory. We are only required to believe Dogmas not Doctrines. I’m not saying I dont believe… but thats what he said, and I looked it up. Like Mary’s immaculate conception and assension are dogmas, so they are required.
kristan, as the Catechism makes clear, this is very much a part of the Catholic faith and must be assented to; it is not an option to disbelieve. Whatever the deacon said, you either heard incorrectly or he misspoke - unfortunately, that’s too often the case.

All the teachings of the Church are not presented for our belief through the use of papal infallibility as done with the definitions of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; this is perhaps why you are thinking that what must be believed must come to us only through the same manner of the infallible definitions of these two Marian doctrines.
 
=pinky1414… continued from 'Please help me defend the faith - part 1
The RCC has condemned our pastor, me and most of our congregation to hell because we believe in the sufficient Savior to save, we believe that we are saved by grace through faith unto good works-works that are the grateful, loving, obedient product of our faith. 😊[added by PJM]

Soli Deo Gloria,
Hi pinky, thanks for posting.*

As one who reads the bible, I’ll offer you opportunity to agree or disagree with these statements Just mark them T [true] or [F] for false. After you do I will try to explain and defend the Catholic position which you seem not quite to understand:)

Everything in the Bible is true [although not everything may be factual?]

All of the Bible is the Inspired Word of God?

One must accept all that the Bible teaches or NONE of what the Bible say and teaches?

One may choose to self interpet the Bible?

One may make a personal choice to chose only what one desires to believe in the Bible?

Christ founded and instituted only One Christian Church?

The Bible speaks about One Body, One Faith, One Baptism?

God has the right to found His Church and set up its form of Governance?

God did set His Church with His specific form of Governance?

If you’d care to add comments or bible reference to support you’re position, God Bless you:thumbsup:

Love and prayers,

Pat*
 
kristan, as the Catechism makes clear, this is very much a part of the Catholic faith and must be assented to; it is not an option to disbelieve. Whatever the deacon said, you either heard incorrectly or he misspoke - unfortunately, that’s too often the case.

All the teachings of the Church are not presented for our belief through the use of papal infallibility as done with the definitions of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; this is perhaps why you are thinking that what must be believed must come to us only through the same manner of the infallible definitions of these two Marian doctrines.
hmm. This is strange, everyone left that meeting thinking that it is an option to believe or not to believe in it. I believe in it, so it doesnt change my view much. But I stand corrected!!
 
hmm. This is strange, everyone left that meeting thinking that it is an option to believe or not to believe in it. I believe in it, so it doesnt change my view much. But I stand corrected!!
kristan, there are far too many teachers of the Catholic Faith who will have a LOT to answer for come the Day. I do hope you misheard the deacon, but if you are sure you heard him correctly you should tell your pastor about this if you are still in that parish.

God bless! 🙂
 
… continued from 'Please help me defend the faith - part 1

*The RCC has condemned our pastor, me and most of our congregation to hell because we believe in the sufficient Savior to save, we believe that we are saved by grace through faith unto good works-works that are the grateful, loving, obedient product of our faith.
*

pinky, since your friend puts herself forward as an expert on the content of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, you might ask her to tell you on which page you can find the condemnation of her pastor, herself and her congregation. If she actually read the Catechism she would see that it most definitely doesn’t. Some Protestants seem to take a perverse pleasure in believing that the Catholic Church condemns everyone but it’s card-carrying members to Hell; it’s as if they want such condemnation so as to justify their separation from the Church.
We talked about Merit and I said I would give you some info., here are a few teachings about merit.
(I will look up the difference of condign and congruous merit per Rome and get that to you)
 
=FCEGM;5624377]pinky, since your friend puts herself forward as an expert on the content of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, you might ask her to tell you on which page you can find the condemnation of her pastor, herself and her congregation. If she actually read the Catechism she would see that it most definitely doesn’t. Some Protestants seem to take a perverse pleasure in believing that the Catholic Church condemns everyone but it’s card-carrying members to Hell; it’s as if they want such condemnation so as to justify their separation from the Church.
She hasn’t understood what the Church means by merit - probably doesn’t want to, but gives this a try:
God bless you in you efforts with her!
Pinky dear friend,

I’m as well versed with the Catholic Catechesim as I am with THEE Bible. If you have specific issues you’d care to have us address for you, we are in the ready mode.👍

*As an FYI, the ONLY ONE who can “condem you to hell” is you! It’s your life and and your decisions that will make the determination. God only affirms it. But in Christian charity, I can tell you that the beliefes you espouse are not biblical; NOT found in the Bible. You might wish to get clairifaction? 🤷

Love and prayers friend,*
 
Dear Frances,

Thank you so much for your reply and help,
blessings,
jerry
 
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