Salvation Question

[steve_b]

I am discussing Church teachings with a non Catholic and he asked me this.

“” I’ll ask you one question though- do you believe that an individual can attain eternal salvation by picking up a bible, reading the scriptures, and following the doctrine found there without any other resources?""

I am not sure what the Church’s teaching is on this. I think it is possible, but would be near impossible with our tendency to rationalize our sins and try and minimize their gravity.

He also tossed this out when I answered and quoted the Sacred Traditions vs bible only quotes.

""2 Tim 3 explicitly states that with the scriptures the man of God is “perfect” and “thoroughly furnished to every good work”. It mentions no other necessary thing for a Christian. “”

The NT context is, all 27 books were written in by and for the Catholic Church. One therefore, can’t just pick up a bible, follow it, without becomming Catholic and remaining Catholic.

 

[rcwitness]

So now your friend has to make decisions about what (s)he accepts or rejects, as you say, without other resource…

This touches on, what I see as, the key aspect of the issue.

For complete bible alone theory, as your friend suggests, to be possible, a person has to be completely free of any Christian doctrine outside Holy Scriptures! Once the influence and knowledge of doctrine ( and i mean any oral Traditions or Church interpretations…whether Catholic or non-Catholic) outside Scripture alone is present, then someone cannot claim they as an ndividual through Scripture alone has led them to sufficient salvation.

However, if someone happens to be in this hypothetical vacuum and then given only strictly Scripture alone…then of course, they are given the Word of God and the aid of the Holy Spirit provided they believe in it and remain in its commandments. For it would be through no fault of their own for not seeking out the fullness of Jesus in His Church (namely, Baptism/Communion/and interpretaion of the prophecy of Scripture).

Also, ask him if he baptized himself. And suggest to him to study St. Paul’s conversion and confirmation into the Church. He was divinely revealed Jesus, then sent to the Church for healing, Baptism, and laying on of hands in order to receive the Holy Spirit!!,

Peace,
Michael