Romans 2:12-14

[Hibernian]

General Protestant theology has that if one has no knowledge of Christ (through their own ignorance) they have no possiblity of going to heaven. They are automatically bound for hell. This would include people in all in 3rd world counties, separate continents (especially before modern travel) etc., etc., ad infinitum.

My understanding of Catholic theology is that what Paul is saying in Romans 2:12-14, is that, through no fault of their own, they can adhere to the law written on their hearts (Concience - Natural Moral Law - C.C.C. #'s 1954-1960 at
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P6U.HTM
and have a *possibility *of salvation. Through no fault of their own, they did not receive the gospel, but followed the Natural law (God’s will) - to the best of their ability - in their hearts. Of course, once one hears the gospel, and are empowered by the Holy Spirit, and have an obligation to believe (in full sense) in Christ. If they do not, then they are in mortal error.

Of course I do not promote this, and do not present it as a work-around in promoting Christ. It does not stop the necessity of evangelism. The Way, the Truth, the Life must be brought to everybody, no exceptions.

I have been having (friendly, and over coffee) debates with a couple of Protestant’s (one a pastor), and do not want to misrepresent Catholicism.

Am I correct?

Suggested references would be welcome.

 

[SPOKENWORD]

Hibernian:

General Protestant theology has that if one has no knowledge of Christ (through their own ignorance) they have no possiblity of going to heaven. They are automatically bound for hell. This would include people in all in 3rd world counties, separate continents (especially before modern travel) etc., etc., ad infinitum.

My understanding of Catholic theology is that what Paul is saying in Romans 2:12-14, is that, through no fault of their own, they can adhere to the law written on their hearts (Concience - Natural Moral Law - C.C.C. #'s 1954-1960 at
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P6U.HTM
and have a *possibility *of salvation. Through no fault of their own, they did not receive the gospel, but followed the Natural law (God’s will) - to the best of their ability - in their hearts. Of course, once one hears the gospel, and are empowered by the Holy Spirit, and have an obligation to believe (in full sense) in Christ. If they do not, then they are in mortal error.

Of course I do not promote this, and do not present it as a work-around in promoting Christ. It does not stop the necessity of evangelism. The Way, the Truth, the Life must be brought to everybody, no exceptions.

I have been having (friendly, and over coffee) debates with a couple of Protestant’s (one a pastor), and do not want to misrepresent Catholicism.

Am I correct?

Suggested references would be welcome.

Every non believer will come before the Lord for judgement. When one dies , On that day they will be judged according to His Law[10 commandments],and sentenced immediatlly. The Law is written on every mans heart so there is no excuse.

 

[Fidelis]

If I were at home with my Catechism handy, I would look it up for you but a good place to start is to look in the back of the CCC where the books of the Bible are referenced. Look up the reference for this passage and I think it may be helpful to you.

BTW, I think your explanation is spot on to what (I understand) the Church teaches about this.

 

[Dr_M]

To sum up wha tthe Church teaches on the subject manner is this:

To those knowing that the Catholic Church, and what she teaches, and they ignore it, they’re going to hell.

To those who do not know what the Church teaches, if they do follow the commandments in their heart, there’s a possiblity of Salvation.

You’re judged off of what you know

 

[rciadan]

To sum up wha tthe Church teaches on the subject manner is this:

To those knowing that the Catholic Church, and what she teaches, and they ignore it, they’re going to hell.

To those who do not know what the Church teaches, if they do follow the commandments in their heart, there’s a possiblity of Salvation.

You’re judged off of what you know

You are judged off of what you do, as stated by Jesus in my signature. If what you do is contrary to what you know: well, Jesus has “special” feelings for hypocrites.

 

[Nita]

From the Catechism:

VI. The Necessity of Baptism

1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. …
God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.

1258 The Church has always held the firm conviction that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith without having received Baptism are baptized by their death for and with Christ. This Baptism of blood, like the desire for Baptism, brings about the fruits of Baptism without being a sacrament.

1259 For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament.

1260 “Since Christ died for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to all the possibility of being made partakers, in a way known to God, of the Paschal mystery.” Every man who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it, can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity.

1261 As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus’ tenderness toward children which caused him to say: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,” allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church’s call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.

Nita