Premise: The Catholic Church is necessary for Protestant Salvation

[brb2]

“Objectively and practically considered she is the ordinary way of salvation, the single and exclusive channel by which the truth and grace of Christ enter our world of space and time. But, those also who know her not receive these gifts from her; yes, EVEN THOSE WHO MISJUDGE AND FIGHT AGAINST HER, PROVIDED THEY ARE IN GOOD FAITH, AND ARE SIMPLY AND LOYALY SEEKING THE TRUTH WITHOUT SELF-RIGHTEOUS OBSTINANCY.
Though it be not the Catholic Church itself which hands them the bread of truth and grace, yet it is CATHOLIC BREAD THAT THEY EAT. And, while they eat of it, they are, without knowing it or willing it, incorporated in the supernatural substance of the Church. Though they be outwardly separated from the Church, THEY BELONG TO ITS SOUL. …
The more consciously and completely we all of us exhibit the spirit of Christ, the more certainly will that hour of grace approach, when the veils will fall from all eyes, when we shall put away all prejudice and misunderstanding and bitterness, when we shall once again as of old extend to one another the hand of brotherhood, WHEN THERE SHALL BE ONE GOD, ONE CHRIST, ONE SHEPHERD AND ONE FLOCK.”

Which German Theologian penned this Ecumenical hope of reversal of the Protestant cleavage and reunification of the Mother Church ?

 

[O.S.Luke]

Sounds like Karl Adam. Is that from Spirit of Catholicism (I think that was the title of the book)?

 

[cthulhubryan]

Karl Adam?

 

[Publisher]

I am perfectly content for Catholics to hold to their beliefs. If they believe I cannot be “saved” except through their…“patronage”, I’m fine with it.

I will stand before God and give account of myself…for myself and no other. There is One who has made promises to “never leave nor forsake” me. There is One who has said “My grace is sufficient…” In scripture I read that “Neither death nor life nor angels nor pricipalities…nor height nor depth nor any created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.”

I do not believe the Catholic church is necessary for my salvation…but if the church does…I am grateful for their concern and prayers.

 

[O.S.Luke]

Adam spoke out against the Nazi regime while a professor at Tubingen. Very well respected in Catholic and Protestant theological circles alike. But I am not sure he is where the quote brb2 posted above came from.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Was it Joseph Ratzinger? Whoever it was, it reflects how I view the issue.

 

[JonNC]

I am perfectly content for Catholics to hold to their beliefs. If they believe I cannot be “saved” except through their…“patronage”, I’m fine with it.

I will stand before God and give account of myself…for myself and no other. There is One who has made promises to “never leave nor forsake” me. There is One who has said “My grace is sufficient…” In scripture I read that “Neither death nor life nor angels nor pricipalities…nor height nor depth nor any created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.”

I do not believe the Catholic church is necessary for my salvation…but if the church does…I am grateful for their concern and prayers.

I was going to state something similar. No need to now.


Jon

 

[brb2]

Sounds like Karl Adam. Is that from Spirit of Catholicism (I think that was the title of the book)?

Yes, you nailed it !

O.S. Luke is the DUKE

A must read for all Catholics and Protestants. It has all the deeper truths from the Deposit of Faith. It’s available in paperback … '97 yr, by Crossroads Publ. Co.

 

[Guyonthestreet]

But, those also who know her not receive these gifts from her; yes, EVEN THOSE WHO MISJUDGE AND FIGHT AGAINST HER, PROVIDED THEY ARE IN GOOD FAITH, AND ARE SIMPLY AND LOYALY SEEKING THE TRUTH WITHOUT SELF-RIGHTEOUS OBSTINANCY.
Though it be not the Catholic Church itself which hands them the bread of truth and grace, yet it is CATHOLIC BREAD THAT THEY EAT. And, while they eat of it, they are, without knowing it or willing it, incorporated in the supernatural substance of the Church. Though they be outwardly separated from the Church, THEY BELONG TO ITS SOUL. …

Can anyone point me to some reading materials on where the Catholic church came to this conclusion in the first place?

This seems to be saying, whether I know it or not, so long as I’m earnestly seeking Truth, I belong to the soul of the catholic church

Interesting.

 

[brb2]

This seems to be saying, whether I know it or not, so long as I’m earnestly seeking Truth, I belong to the soul of the catholic church

.

 Therefore the Church expressly distinguishes between "formal" and "material" heretics.   A "formal" heretic rejects the Church and its teaching absolutely and with full deliberation; a "material" heretic rejects the Church from lack of knowledge, being influenced by false prejudice or by an anti-Catholic upbringing.
 St. Augustine forbids us to blame a man for being a heretic because he was born of heretical parents, provided that he does not with obstinate self-assurance shut out all better knowledge, but seeks the truth simply and loyally.   
Declared Pope Pius IX in an allocution of the 9th December, 1854 ....." It must be regarded as true, that he who does not know the true religion is guitless in the sight of God so far as his ignorance is invincible".    
                                                             [pg. 172, 174 ... The Spirit of Catholicism]

 

[brb2]

Can anyone point me to some reading materials on where the Catholic church came to this conclusion in the first place?

.

From the very beginning, as St. Matthew testifies Matt. 18:17] the necessity for salvation of belonging to the one fellowship was established on the basis of an express saying of our Lord’s: “If a man willl not hear the Church, let him be to thee as the heathen and the publican,” that is, regard him no longer as a Christian.
pg. 161 of K. Adam’s book.

 

[O.S.Luke]

Yes, you nailed it !

O.S. Luke is the DUKE .

Actually, I went to Emory, not Duke… (sorry… that’s a Methodist joke).

Karl Adam was kind of the Catholic version of Dietrich Bonhoeffer; they both spoke out against the Nazi regime and endured a lot of suffering because of it.

I read some of Adam’s work in seminary, and liked it very, very much. I think I am going to go back and reread it now!

Thanks for this posting this thread and quote, BRB2.