B
Bill_Jackson
Guest
Pope’s encyclical on sola fide
A number of Protestants think the pope’s statements on Sola Fide are contrary to usual Catholic doctrine. This is one quotation from the pope that rules out any idea of his deserting classic Catholicism. He said,
“That is why Luther’s expression “sola fide” is true if faith is not opposed to charity, to love. Faith is to look at Christ, to entrust oneself to Christ, to be united to Christ, to be conformed to Christ, to his life.”
He is saying that “faith alone” cannot be opposed to the works of charity. While you have sola fide, you must also do the corporal works of mercy, etc., that are necessary for salvation. Therefore, sola is not sola anymore.
He also says that as well as trusting Christ, one must be conformed to Christ (one would suppose this is by his good works and attitudes).
Protestants believe to be conformed to Christ should be the goal of every Christian, but this conformity does not enhance our salvation, nor can the lack of it negate our salvation.
Catholic teaching has always been that good works inspired by faith are necessary, and a faith that opposes these is not saving faith.
A number of Protestants think the pope’s statements on Sola Fide are contrary to usual Catholic doctrine. This is one quotation from the pope that rules out any idea of his deserting classic Catholicism. He said,
“That is why Luther’s expression “sola fide” is true if faith is not opposed to charity, to love. Faith is to look at Christ, to entrust oneself to Christ, to be united to Christ, to be conformed to Christ, to his life.”
He is saying that “faith alone” cannot be opposed to the works of charity. While you have sola fide, you must also do the corporal works of mercy, etc., that are necessary for salvation. Therefore, sola is not sola anymore.
He also says that as well as trusting Christ, one must be conformed to Christ (one would suppose this is by his good works and attitudes).
Protestants believe to be conformed to Christ should be the goal of every Christian, but this conformity does not enhance our salvation, nor can the lack of it negate our salvation.
Catholic teaching has always been that good works inspired by faith are necessary, and a faith that opposes these is not saving faith.