One would think you'd be more familiar with the Epistle of James, which Catholics so gleefully use to, as they think, tear apart the holy doctrine of justification by faith alone. Here's what James wrote: "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one [point], he has become guilty of all" (James 2:10). What does this mean for Catholics who want to deny that eternal death comes upon all sinners, from the greatest to the least?
Scripture states that not all sin is unto death:
[color:"0000FF"]James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.[/color]
Sin
when it is FINISHED brings forth death. There is the beginning of sin, but then there is the end. Example: one might look at pornography, which is a sin. But as all sexual addicts will tell you, it doesn't stop there. Sin has to "finish" with the addict, and lead him into deeper and deeper currents of sin. Finally, he is out committing adultery, which is a mortal sin. This is the idea of sin leading to death.
[color:"0000FF"]1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.[/color]
"sin a sin which is
not unto death Okay, your turn. What does that men if not that there are certain gradiants of sin, some not as serious as others and not all "unto death".
[color:"0000FF"]1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.[/color]
Same thing.
"'In whom, though now ye see Him not, ye believe, and believing, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory;' into which joy many desire to enter, knowing that 'by grace ye are saved, not of works,' but by the will of God through Jesus Christ."
Salvation is by grace through faith. That is a very Catholic teaching. What is not the teaching of the Bible and the Catholic Faith is that salvation is by "faith alone" as Luther and Calvin taught it.
But just so we are talking on the same wavelength, would you define for me how you believe that the Catholic Faith teaches "works salvation?" Thank you.
Which "church," Ed? The Church which is ruled over by the Pope in contradiction to the proclamation of Scripture regarding who is our High Priest?
Go back to Matthew 21: 33 - 46 and study the parable. There has only ever been one "eclessia" upon the earth. The same eclessia which was the Jewish nation in the Old Covenant is now the "new nation" (Gal. 6: 16) in the New Covenant which has been given the administration of the kingdom of God on earth.
The kingdom which has always been on earth is the temporal kingdom. It is to be replaced some day by the eternal kingdom. At that time, the office of the Holy Father will no longer be needed. The King will return and reign in person. In the meantime, He must have a prime minister who rules in His stead.
Why are there differing opinions WITHIN the Catholic Church regarding the meaning and primacy of sacred tradition?
I can't understand why Protestants cannot grasp a simple fact of life: the OFFICIAL teaching of the Catholic Church both doctrinally and morally, is found in the Catechism. Those who disagree with it are REBELS!! What do you not understand about that? There is but ONE OFFICIAL BODY OF TEACHING! Anyone holding any different opinion is of a rebellious spirit and needs to repent.
Unfortunately, as I have heard from our priest, this spirit of individualism is rampant in America, UNLIKE OVER IN THE UKRAINE and other European countries. I am not denying that even in Europe there are rebels, but it is not nearly as pronounced there as it is here.
Hope to get your answer soon on the "works salvation" issue. If it is what I think it will be, we shall have an interesting discussion.
Cordially in Christ,
Brother Ed
