Pope Benedict XVI - "faith alone is true"!

[hawkeye]

From your post…

Thus in Corinth the term “πάντα μοι έξεστιν” (I can do what I like) was widespread. It is obvious that this interpretation is wrong: Christian freedom is not libertinism; the liberation of which St Paul spoke is not liberation from good works. (part 1)

 

[2nd_Adam]

From your post…

What is your motive for good works? Are you trying to merit God’s favor for your good works? Or do you walk in the good works prepared for you to do because you love God?

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. - Paul

 

[Doxiemom]

Ok, which comes first…grace or faith…?

By grace we have faith and by faith we have grace…???

Are they mirror images of each other?

My faith in Jesus Christ allows me to participate in the forgivness,( which is grace) offered to me through His Passion.

And as long as the Holy Spirit remains in us and throughout the world. grace can be obtained.

It really seems as if some catholics are none too happy that Benedict stirred up this hornet’s nest. You are not at all comfortable with it.

I think it is a happy day for catholics. Your salvation is in your faith in Jesus Christ.

 

[Chancellare]

Pope Benedict XVI agreed with Martin Luther on the truth of faith alone!

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20081119_en.html

“For this reason Luther’s phrase: “faith alone” is true, if it is not opposed to faith in charity, in love. Faith is looking at Christ, entrusting oneself to Christ, being united to Christ, conformed to Christ, to his life”. - Pope Benedict XVI

There goes logic down the drain again!

It’s like saying:
A+B+C = D
A=B+C+A
Therefore
A=D
In which case, he implies that B=0 and C=0.

But this kind of thinking is endemic among those whose agenda gets the better of their ability to think.

 

[2nd_Adam]

There goes logic down the drain again!

It’s like saying:
A+B+C = D
A=B+C+A
Therefore
A=D
In which case, he implies that B=0 and C=0.

But this kind of thinking is endemic among those whose agenda gets the better of their ability to think.

Does it bother you that I rejoice in what Pope Benedict taught in regards to the doctrine of justification according to Paul?

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

What is your motive for good works? Are you trying to merit God’s favor for your good works? Or do you walk in the good works prepared for you to do because you love God?

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. - Paul

Paul told us one motivational factor that is effective:

Romans 2
6God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

Does it bother you that I rejoice in what Pope Benedict taught in regards to the doctrine of justification according to Paul?

The problem is your attempt to distort his teaching.

It is good to look for common ground where it exists, however.

 

[2nd_Adam]

Paul told us one motivational factor that is effective:

Romans 2
6God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

We can’t pull a single verse out of the book of Romans and come to a conclusion which is contrary to the entire book of Romans. When you follow the systematic presentation of Paul in Romans, you will find that Romans chapters 1 and 2 are all about universal condemnation, consisting of the bad news of God. The good news of God or the gospel is revealed in chapter 3. Do you see how your single verse of Romans 2:6 is out of context from the book of Romans.

 

[2nd_Adam]

The problem is your attempt to distort his teaching.

It is good to look for common ground where it exists, however.

I have always challenged all Catholic Christians to consider the entire teaching of Pope Benedict on justification according to Paul. I don’t think the word “if” changes anything in regards to the truth of justification according to the Epistles of Paul. I think Catholics tend to bring other ideas into what the Pope taught within the context of Paul. I know the words of “faith alone” causes hostility on Catholic Forum sites.

 

[Canto]

I have always challenged all Catholic Christians to consider the entire teaching of Pope Benedict on justification according to Paul. I don’t think the word “if” changes anything in regards to the truth of justification according to the Epistles of Paul. I think Catholics tend to bring other ideas into what the Pope taught within the context of Paul. I know the words of “faith alone” causes hostility on Catholic Forum sites.

If does change things. It clarifies the Pope’s remarks.

 

[rinnie]

No. It is by the grace of God that we are saved, which leads us to faith and good works. We are not saved by faith alone.

Now that is Catholic teaching! That is what I try SO HARD to get across to them but it gets by-passed all the time.

Nothing I repeat Nothing is possible without Grace, Faith without grace is impossible. Good works without Grace is impossible.

Everything Good comes from God and starts with GRACE. I said it earlier. GRACE ALONE okay. But never faith alone without Grace, its not possible.

 

[rinnie]

I have always challenged all Catholic Christians to consider the entire teaching of Pope Benedict on justification according to Paul. I don’t think the word “if” changes anything in regards to the truth of justification according to the Epistles of Paul. I think Catholics tend to bring other ideas into what the Pope taught within the context of Paul. I know the words of “faith alone” causes hostility on Catholic Forum sites.

It really does Adam. Because we as Catholic’s believe that it all starts with Grace. Faith it to believe in something do you not agree. But what gives you that Faith to believe in something. It has to be the Grace of God.

Grace and Faith are very different Adam. Thats the problem. Grace is a free gift that we cannot earn and do not deserve from Christ. With that Grace we acquire Faith. Without that Grace there is not faith. So faith alone is impossible for a Catholic to accept. Why because all good things come from Christ through Grace, Not faith.

 

[2nd_Adam]

If does change things. It clarifies the Pope’s remarks.

The explaination of “if” would still be acceptable by the majority of Protestants who embrace justification by faith alone according to Paul.

 

[2nd_Adam]

It really does Adam. Because we as Catholic’s believe that it all starts with Grace. Faith it to believe in something do you not agree. But what gives you that Faith to believe in something. It has to be the Grace of God.

Grace and Faith are very different Adam. Thats the problem. Grace is a free gift that we cannot earn and do not deserve from Christ. With that Grace we acquire Faith. Without that Grace there is not faith. So faith alone is impossible for a Catholic to accept. Why because all good things come from Christ through Grace, Not faith.

I am proclaiming that we are saved by grace alone through the instrument of faith alone by the merit of Christ alone… therefore, the glory goes to God alone. Faith alone is just a shortcut for what I just wrote. Faith is the instrument in which the grace of God flows to us. Even through the Eucharist, you must have faith that you are recieving the grace of God through the Eucharist, correct?

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

The explaination of “if” would still be acceptable by the majority of Protestants who embrace justification by faith alone according to Paul.

That makes no sense.

If it is faith alone then there is no “IF”.

A living faith compells us to follow.

If you don’t follow, then your faith alone will not save you.

 

[Chancellare]

Does it bother you that I rejoice in what Pope Benedict taught in regards to the doctrine of justification according to Paul?

Bothered by someone’s rejoicing in applying wrong logic on BXV!'s statement?
No. Not at all.

 

[Chancellare]

I know the words of “faith alone” causes hostility on Catholic Forum sites.

We all know it does not appear in the Bible either. So why should anyone become hostile to anyone, except when one insists it does?

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

We all know it does not appear in the Bible either. So why should anyone become hostile to anyone, except when one insists it does?

Actually, I must correct you. The words faith alone do appear in the bible:

James 2
24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

 

[2nd_Adam]

That makes no sense.

If it is faith alone then there is no “IF”.

A living faith compells us to follow.

If you don’t follow, then your faith alone will not save you.

A faith that is alone, without a growing affection and love for God in Christ is a dead faith (james 2) and is not a faith from above, but it is a faith from below where the demons believe a shudder.

 

[Chancellare]

Actually, I must correct you. The words faith alone do appear in the bible:

James 2
24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

I must have typed too fast. I was trying to say that justification by faith alone is not in the Bible.