Are We Justified By Faith Or Works Or Both?

Roman Catholics & the Eastern Orthodox church believe that works are a part of justification.
The Eastern Orthodox church says that justification is by faith & works.
Roman Catholics believe same.
Both have a false gospel.
The Bible says that those who teach a false gospel are to be cursed (Galatians 1:9).
This is serious.

Here are just a couple of the sources where the EOC & Roman Catholics get it wrong:

Eastern Orthodox
Decree 13

We believe a man to be not simply justified through faith alone, but through faith which works through love, that is to say, through faith and works.  But [the idea] that faith can fulfill the function of a hand that lays hold on the righteousness which is in Christ, and can then apply it unto us for salvation, we know to be far from all Orthodoxy.  For faith so understood would be possible in all, and so none could miss salvation, which is obviously false.  But on the contrary, we rather believe that it is not the correlative of faith, but the faith which is in us, justifies through works, with Christ.  But we regard works not as witnesses certifying our calling, but as being fruits in themselves, through which faith becomes efficacious, and as in themselves meriting, through the Divine promises {cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10} that each of the Faithful may receive what is done through his own body, whether it be good or bad.

Roman Catholics
Council of Trent, Canons on Justification

CANON XXIV.-If any one saith, that the justice received is not preserved and also increased before God through good works; but that the said works are merely the fruits and signs of Justification obtained, but not a cause of the increase thereof; let him be anathema.

.

Many Roman Catholics cite James 2:24 as their authority for their view - regardless that the Bible has so many passages and individual verses that show that their understanding of that passage is incorrect. The overwhelming evidence of justification by faith alone could make a head swim by finding them all.

I realize that it can be confusing as to what James meant, because at first, it may seem to contradict so many other portions of Scripture.

I have been reading through the book Holiness by J.C. Ryle, and something he said really stood out to me.

"We are frequently told that a man is "justified by faith, without the works of the law," by Paul.  But not once are we told that we are "sanctified by faith, without the deeds of the law."  On the contrary, we are expressly told by James, that the faith whereby we are visibly and demonstratively justified before man, is a faith which "if it has not works is dead, being alone." (James 2:17.)  I may be told, in reply, that no one of course means to disparage "works" as an essential part of a holy life. It would be well, however, to make this more plain than many seem to make it in these days."  - J.C. Ryle

James 2:24 is in a context that is demonstrating that a living faith will produce works that prove to men that our faith is a real faith and not a said faith.
That particular verse in James is speaking of a different kind of justification that is before man & not the being declared righteous by faith kind of justification before God.
Many many verses make it clear that we cannot be justified before God by our works.
Romans 4, Romans 5:1, Ephesian 2:8-10, & Romans 3:28 are examples.
Plus, Galatians warns against those who were trying to add the works of the law back in.
.  
Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?  Galatians 3:3 NASB

Works are the fruit of a living faith, but they don't make the faith efficacious.
Faith is a gift of God - not of works.
Forgiveness of sins is not a result of our works either.
Unlike what the EOC teaches, works are witnesses to a living faith & have to do with sanctification.
Works can't add a thing to what Christ did on the cross...not physical baptism, church, or communion, etc.
Works are evidence of a life being transformed by the Holy Spirit.
We don't keep ourselves saved or help make ourselves declared righteous by works.
Justification and sanctification go together, but they are also distinct.
A true Christian is given the desire to obey Christ and to fight against sinful desires.

"The only righteousness in which we can appear before God is the righteousness of another — even the perfect righteousness of our Substitute and Representative, Jesus Christ the Lord.
His work, and not our work — is our only title to Heaven.
This is a truth which we should be ready to die to maintain."
- J.C. Ryle

"Justification is the reckoning and counting a man to be righteous for the sake of another, even Jesus Christ the Lord.
Sanctification is the actual making a man inwardly righteous, though it may be in a very feeble degree."   - J.C. Ryle

Justification is the act of God for us and is not easily discerned by others.
Sanctification is the work of God within us and cannot be hidden in its outward manifestation from the eyes of men.   - J.C. Ryle

J.C. Ryle quotes are from:
https://www.gracegems.org/Ryle/holiness1.htm
https://www.gracegems.org/Ryle/holiness3.htm

Added Food For Thought For Christians: 
Created For Good Works - Voice of Reason Podcast

Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Coptics - Are Any of These Christian Groups?

I have had quite a bit of discussion with Roman Catholics this past week, but in recent times the Eastern Orthodox Church has also been mentioned due to Hank Hanegraaff's joining one.

I used to listen to him many years ago.  He was off in some areas back then, but now the truth has been made evident of where he now stands by his joinng the EOC.

In addition, violent attacks on Coptic churches have brought them into the news and to the public's attention in recent times as well.

Are any of them really part of the true church as Scripture defines it?

They would all claim to be, but....

Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Coptic churches all require works in addition to faith in order to be truly saved.  

This is not the Gospel found in Scripture. 

The Pharisees & Judaizers fell under the same type of error.  

The Pharisees added traditions of men and legalism.  

The Judaizers much like the groups I'm writing about were a faith plus works group, and Paul opposed Peter when he gave into that sort of thing.

Galatians 5:4 talks about people trying to be perfected by law.

While Catholics think that trying to add good deeds to being saved & adding the law are different, I now ask how so?  

Salvation is not as a result of works...of any kind!

The Bible demonstrates we are saved by faith apart from the works of the Law.
Galatians 2:21; Romans 10:4; Galatians 2:16; Romans 11:6; Romans 4:5; Galatians 3:5-6; Philippians. 3:9; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-6; Romans 5:1

The Bible teaches we are saved by faith which produces works. 

(See Philippians 2:13 & Ephesians 2:10.)

God prepared works for the believer, but we don't add one smidgeon to the work Christ has done.

There is an eternal difference between trusting in faith plus works & trusting in Christ's work alone.

Lest you think that I believe that a person can have faith without works, I do believe that faith without works is dead.

When James 2:21 talks about justification, he is talking about the justification (the visible evidence of a living faith) before man.

Otherwise, the Bible would contradict itself (which it never does).

Faith is demonstrable to other people by seeing the fruit of faith.

True faith is obedient.

Works will be judged, but it won't be for the purpose of gaining entrance to Heaven or time off from a mythological place called Purgatory. 

Sanctification is something that starts at conversion, and sanctification is a process nd a work of the Spirit.

Holiness is something that Christians grow in, but we can't manufacture it.

False Churches Tell Us That Only They Can Interpret Scripture

The Gospel according to the church Fathers 

Sola Scriptura Distinctive

What is wrong with the Mass?

Questions for Roman Catholics

Why 66 books?  

Why The Eastern Orthodox Church is not better than Roman Catholicism

The Orthodox Church Denies The Imputed Righteousness of Christ

You cannot distinguish truth from error without Scripture  (2 Timothy 3:16; Proverbs 30:5; Hebrews 4:12).

Was Teresa Really A Saint?

The Roman Catholic Church is declaring "Mother" Teresa a "saint."
So, the Gospel Coalition decided to tell us what they think we should know about her in such a way as we are mostly left to our own discernment to figure out what's wrong ( in this article).
To their credit they admit her views are "irreconcilable with the gospel."

Those already discerning will quickly see what is wrong with Teresa's views shared in their article, but it would have been much better to go over each section of it - pointing out what is wrong for the many who are not discerning.

Even where the writer pointed out how Christians feel (in the TGC article),  I almost felt he was talking about someone else.
I notice he did link to Tim Challies' post about Teresa.
True Christians actually wouldn't have wanted Teresa to be evangelistic, because we want people to become true Christians.
God saves people through hearing the Word of Christ.

I believe we are in a time much like in J. C. Ryle's ...  people are majorly trying to blur the line between Christianity and Roman Catholicism.
We are now in a time where many people (like Rick Warren for example) are calling Catholics "Christians," and praising the seemingly "good" works Catholics have done.
People like Beth Moore want to include Catholics as another group of Christians.
Russell Moore was willing to meet with the pope for a discussion on marriage.

There are so many compromising or completely caving into a false unity, and Rome would love to lull people into thinking that there really is very little difference of importance.
They want us to think the Reformation was a mistake, and they want people to come back into the fold.

When people are persecuted in other countries, they often are called "Christians" when they are Catholic.
We must not blur the lines of distinction, and we really need to learn why this is wrong!
Roman Catholicism has not only erred, they have a false "gospel" that doesn't save.
Whatever came of people who considered the pope as an anti-Christ?

This was my reply on social media to TGC's post:

Teresa had the wrong Gospel, and people who have the wrong Gospel are not saints. 

Only true Christians are saints...all true Christians are...and we didn't earn it in any way. 

I have gotten tired of Christians praising Teresa over the years. 

All our righteousness is as filthy rags. 

People need to study about the Reformation and why it was needed. 

In the 1800s people began to go back to ritualism and J.C. Ryle decried it. 

We should spend more time on studying the truth and evangelizing the living rather than remembering the idols of the unbelieving world. Let's remember true saints instead....or read Hebrews 11!

I did some blog posts in the past on why Christianity and Roman Catholicism are not the same thing (some links may be outdated):

Mary

Inerrancy 

Transubstantiation / Hermeneutics

Peter

A Different Gospel

Christianity vs. Roman Catholicism

Here is a great link (not by me) to share with those who are Roman Catholics:

Truth For Catholics

By Faith Alone Or Faith Plus Works?

Can anybody help someone else get into Heaven?

No man can by any means redeem his brother
Or give to God a ransom for him—
For the redemption of his soul is costly,
And he should cease trying forever—
Psalm 47:7-8 NASB

There would be no reason for the Gospel, if a mere man (like a pope) could get people into Heaven before or after death.

And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,
Hebrews 9:27 NASB

So, it is the Gospel that people need to hear while on earth which is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).  


Only Jesus, fully God and fully man, was able to redeem sinful people. 

Pardon for sin can only be purchased by God, yet Jesus had to also be fully a man (Hebrews 2:17) as well as God  the Son (John 5:21) to take the sins of mankind upon Himself.

And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
Revelation 5:9 NASB

All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; 
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.
Isaiah 53:6 NASB

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;                                                    
1 Peter 3:18 NASB

By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10:10 NASB

Not one person can be saved without God regenerating them (Titus 3:5-6).  Faith is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christians are born  from above of the Spirit.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

“Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

John 3:3-8 NASB

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,  whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Titus 3:5-6 NASB

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
John 6:63

Christ's death was sufficient.

Hebrews 9 and so many other passages makes it clear that Christ died once for all.

He isn't continually being sacrificed for sin in communion.

The death for all doesn't mean everyone who ever lived on the planet, but it means that He died for all the sins of anyone who would ever believe.   

He died for all the sheep that God gave Him, as He is like a Shepherd with a flock that He tenderly cares for.  He will never lose those who are truly of His flock.

If you repent of sin that enslaves you and that will send you to the just eternal judgment in the fires of Hell, and if you turn to trust in Christ's death for your sin - then you will be a part of God's sheep saved by grace.  Genuine Christians will desire to obey Christ, but good deeds can never earn a bit of your salvation.  A true believer has died to sin, so we are now able to follow Christ.  If someone claims to have Christ, but they don't act any differently....they don't truly belong to Him.

Some may say, "I'm justified by faith and works."  

If that is you, it is a confusion of what James meant about Abraham being justified by works.  Works are the fruit of salvation.  They are not the root.  
The Spirit empowers a true Christian to be able to do good works, because He indwells the true believer.  
It was Abraham's faith (believing God) that was reckoned to him as righteousness.  
It wasn't any set of good deeds he did that helped earn him Heaven.

Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” 
John 6:28-29

God passed over sins from the past of those who were looking forward to a salvation that was not yet completed on earth (Romans 3:25).
Abraham's actions only proved that his faith was genuine and alive (James 2:26). 
Please don't confuse the cart of good works with the horse of faith.

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
Romans 11:6 NASB

Works are an outworking of the salvation the Christian already has, not a cause of it (Philippians 2:13). 
The only work that saves is the work God did.  The dead cannot respond without God giving life. 

Previous Post On Faith & Works

Hypergrace, Capitulation To Rome, & Dangerous Music Associations

Hypergrace

It came to my attention awhile back that Elyse Fitzpatrick has changed in the last few years.  It is something worth considering, and we must always strive to discern between the right and almost right in our thinking.  Shortly after the following post came the sad announcement from Tullian.  Nobody is immune to temptation.

Regeneration & Hypergrace  by Jeremiah Johnson and Wayne de Villiers on GTY


Avoiding Teachers Who Capitulate to Rome

A couple years ago Rick Warren endorsed a book called Catholics, Come Home.
We as Christians need to avoid Rick Warren, and all who try to blur distinctions, because Roman Catholicism is not another denomination of Christianity.  I have now seen that Rick Warren & T.D. Jakes went to see the Roman Catholic pope during the U.S. visit.
Rick is not the only one who has blurred distinctions.  Many people either are uneducated about church history, or they intentionally compromise truth wanting people to love them instead of Christ.
Here is a good link to share with Roman Catholics (as well as my past blog series).

Truth For Catholics

Guilt By Musical Associations

Recently Hillsong has been open in its capitulation on Biblical morality by allowing fellowship with people who continue in their sin without regard for church discipline.
Many people use Hillsong music in church.  I've even shared songs (though usually if not always with disassociation).  We need to think very carefully about using their music, especially as it may draw people to the people who wrote them.  That is why I tend to try to distance myself many times when I do share music.

Hillsong and The Issue of Association

Why Christianity And Roman Catholicism Are Not The Same Thing Part 6

This is my wrap up of my series on Roman Catholicism vs. Christianity.

Tradition and church leadership do not have an equal place with the authority of the very words of God Himself.

There is still the need to guard what has been entrusted as Timothy was told by Paul in the Bible (1 Timothy 1:20) and to accurately handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

1 Corinthians 4:6 says not to exceed what is written.

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!"  Galatians 1:8 NASB

That is a strong warning!

Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.  Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.  Proverbs 30:5-6

2 Tim. 3:16-17 lets me know that it is the Word of God that is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction & training in righteousness...that the man of God man be adequate equipped for every good work.

The Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edge sword... (Hebrews 4:12)

Is the Bible Alone Sufficient for Spiritual Truth?

Psalm 146:3 lets me know not to trust in mortal man in whom there is no salvation.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’   “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’  Matthew 7:21-23

Let us never forget that truth, distorted and exaggerated — can become the mother of the most dangerous heresies! - J. C. Ryle

Link from a former pastor of mine from many years back.

Roman Catholicism 


Truth That Saves

Why Christianity & Roman Catholicism Are Not The Same Thing Part 5

Responding to the idea of transubstantiation

When Jesus served the first communion / Lord's Supper He was right there for the disciples to see.
It is quite obvious that He was speaking symbolically about the bread and the wine being His body and blood..
Jesus was the One who gave the cup and bread to the disciples, so clearly He didn't ask them to grab His hand and take a bite out of it.  He wasn't teaching cannibalism.
Tell me, do you taste literal flesh when you eat the bread, or do you taste bread?
Jesus is God and able to do real miracles.  If He wanted people to eat His literal flesh and blood, then He could have made that happen...but He didn't and doesn't.

Does God have literal wings? Psalm 91:4
Correct Biblical hermeneutics is very important in understanding Scripture.  It is true that when the plain sense makes sense you don't need to seek another sense.  However, in the Bible there are things like poetry, figures of speech, metaphors, parables, etc.  as well as literal historic accounts.

Jesus Christ is called the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29), but did He suddenly turn literally into a dumb animal?  No!
Christians are also described as sheep.  That doesn't make us literally woolly animals.

Nicodemus was told he must be born again or he would not see the Kingdom of God in John 3 . Nicodemus thought Jesus meant physically (John 3:4), but that was not the case.  He needed to be born from above (and not as a literal physical baby).

Christians are God's temple.  Do we physically turn into a building?  

There was a time when reading and having a Bible for yourself was not only discouraged, but people were killed for putting Scripture into the languages and hands of the people.

Since many people now have access to Bibles (though not all),  my desire is for people everywhere to read the Bible for themselves and not check their brains at the door of a church.

The Bereans were noble-minded for reading the Scriptures to see if things were so.  Why?
Because leaders in the church are fallible human beings who left unchecked can help people to Hell by their heresies.

Please watch this VIDEO by a friend who was formerly a Roman Catholic for more on transubstantiation.

Why Christianity And Roman Catholicism Are Not The Same Thing Part 4

Peter
In the Bible, there is no mention of a Pope having the leadership role over all of the church.

There are elders & deacons prescribed in the Bible for leadership in the church  (as well as pastors and teachers, etc.).
Obviously, apostles in early times were part of the leadership of the church as well.
The Levitical priesthood was no longer practiced in the OT way in the Biblical early church  - since Jesus is the High priest (Hebrews 6:20) and all believers are priests (1 Peter 2:9 ).

Peter was one of many apostles.
He had much authority among Jewish believers while Paul had much authority among the Gentile believers.

Peter is not the chief cornerstone of the church.
Believers are a holy temple built on the prophets and the apostles with Jesus as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2).

Peter was not infallible.
In Galatians 2:11-13,  Paul opposed Peter to his face.  If Peter was supreme, would Paul have had that right?  Peter also called himself a "fellow elder" in 1 Peter 5:1.

Peter was a man who sinned like all of us do.
Jesus said something like, "Get thee behind me, Satan" to Peter at one time, and Peter also denied Jesus 3 times.  Peter was chosen as a disciple and apostle, but there is nothing in the Bible showing that Peter was the authority over the other apostles.

What about being called the rock?
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus called Peter "Petros", but He used the word "Petra" to refer to the truth about Himself (which Peter had just confessed...that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God). 
We know that Peter was only one of the people used for the foundation of God's household based on what I read in Ephesians 2:20.
Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 5:23-24).
You can read more about the stone/rock interpretations HERE.

God's Words are true and inspired, so as a Christian I cannot trust in man but in God.
The Bible warns about wolves coming in & false prophets bringing destructive heresies.
God did use Peter, and even used him to write some of His Word, but only the inspired Word of God is what we can rely upon as pure truth).

"Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.  John 17:17 NASB

...Christ did not redeem His church with His blood that the Pope might come in and steal away the glory!  He never came from heaven to earth and poured out His very heart that He might purchase His people so that a poor sinner, a mere man, should be set upon high to be admired by all the nations and to call himself God’s representative on earth!  Christ has always been the head of His church. - Charles Spurgeon

Why Christianity And Roman Catholicism Are Not The Same Thing Part 3

Mary 

Jesus actually did not place Mary in a higher place than any other person who believed.
God did show her favor, but it was not due to sinlessness.
Everyone is born dead in their trespasses and sins.  Even Mary was not sinless. (Romans 5:12; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Psalm 51:5; 1 John 1:8; Romans 3:23)
Nobody can be good enough to get to Heaven.  Not even Mary. Luke 1:46-48 has her rejoicing in God her Savior.  She needed a Savior...and she calls herself a bondslave...just like Paul called himself one.

https://carm.org/mary-unclean-offered-sacrifice-for-sin

In Luke 11:27-28 when a woman was saying blessed be the womb that bore you, etc. Jesus actually contradicted the lady.  In Luke 8:21 He did not place Mary above anyone else who heard His words and obeyed them (in Matthew 12:48 as well).  Stephen was also "full of grace" (Acts 6:8), so Mary is not above other believers on that account either.
Also, the Bible claims that there is one mediator between God and man in 1 Timothy 2:5. That mediator is Jesus.
Jesus taught his disciples to pray... not to his mother or dead saints.
People have to go with what the Bible teaches. When sacred tradition and the Pope contradict what God has said in His Word, then what?  Whose words are infallible?

Roman Catholics say they don't worship Mary, but do they?

http://www.gotquestions.org/worship-saints-Mary.html

Lying, stealing, covetousness, hate, gossip, lust are all sins deserving of eternal judgment in Hell.  A dead corpse cannot do a thing to help save itself from God's just wrath (Eph. 2 & Col 2).   Even Mary needed a Savior.

Who and what are you trusting in for salvation?  It can't be Mary. She needed the Gospel too.
What then is the Gospel?

The Gospel

Why Christianity & Roman Catholicism Are Not The Same Thing Part 2

A Different Gospel: 

The Bible teaches salvation is by faith in Christ alone.
Roman Catholicism requires works as part of  / necessary for salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9 lets us know that salvation  is by grace through faith.  Even that is not of ourselves. It is the gift of God ...not as a result of works lest any man should boast.
Christians believe we are saved unto good works but works themselves are not meritorious towards our being saved.
Remember the thief on the cross...he could not work or be baptized.

Here are some other Scripture references that show salvation is not of works: Titus 3:5-6. Galatians 2:16, (By the works of the law no man is justified) Romans 3:2-28, and Galatians 5.
Believing that we are not saved by works doesn't mean that Christians believe that we can just pray a prayer and live any way we want to afterwards.
Works only prove that the faith given by God exists in the Christian.  Works don't merit salvation or grace, but they are evidence of the reality of what God has done and not we ourselves.
The Bible says we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  For just as the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.  Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.  The verses I'm taking from are about those who are already Christians.  God is the one who begins a good work in Christians, and He is the one who will be faithful to complete it.  The Bible doesn't tell me to work for my salvation.
(Ephesians 2:10; James 2:26; Philippians 2:12-13)



The James Controversy:

Some may think that James contradicts salvation by grace through faith (alone) and it not being of works, but it actually does not negate the other Scriptures. The Word of God never truly contradicts itself though we may struggle to comprehend at times.  Much of what I already shared really already covers this (James 2:26).
Please check out this explanation:
Does James 2 contradict Romans 4?

John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

Why Christianity & Roman Catholicism Are Not The Same Thing Part 1

Some people assume Christians and Roman Catholics are the same - just belonging to different denominations.  Others realize that one or the other has got to be in error.

The things that separate Christians from Roman Catholics are our views of the authority of Scripture and the Gospel message itself (with a lot of other important issues I plan to delve into in future posts).
They are the differences between truth and error - the destiny of Heaven or Hell.  People have been willing to be killed and have actually been martyred as Christians in the past over the issues, so this is very serious.


Today I want to start with questions about the authority of Scripture: 

How was the canon of Scripture discovered to be Scripture?
(Also, Why the Apocrypha is not in the Bible)

Can there be confidence that the Bible today is accurate? 

Did the Roman Catholic Church give us the Bible? 


Timeline of Biblical Inerrancy - click on the names to see info. 

Problems with Roman Catholic Sacred Tradition: 

If Roman Catholic Sacred Tradition contradicts the Bible, which will you believe - Sacred Tradition or the inspired Words of God?   God's Words should not be added to (Prov. 30:6)
So, when Sacred Tradition claims Mary is a mediator, faith alone in Christ alone is considered anathema (https://carm.org/council-trent-canons-justification) , that grace can be merited,  and that Muslims adore the one, merciful God, do you believe Sacred Tradition or the Bible (which contradicts these claims)?
For a more complete list of Roman Catholic teachings and Bible verses which contradict them: https://carm.org/list-of-roman-catholic-false-teachings


We know that the Bible warns about the traditions of men (Colossians 2:8) ...plus that the Pharisees & Judaizers were confronted over human traditions added. What is your absolute source and standard of truth?   Are you trusting in a council or a creed or a pope as being on par with the inspired Words of God Himself???

Psalm 19:7-9 ...The law of the Lord is perfect (this means whole or complete or sufficient in the Hebrew. The Word of God is clearly sufficient: http://www.gty.org/blog/B140421/discernment-and-the-sufficiency-of-scripture 

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  Matthew 4:4 ESV

Dangers of Inclusivism & When Does Regeneration Take Place?

After thinking, researching and listening to things regarding two issues, I want to share some conclusions that I've come to.  This is coming from a female writer who does not want to sinfully instruct men.  This is not meant to be authoritative so much as an opinion piece after researching Scripture and other online resources.

Issue One:  When does regeneration take place?  Does it take place right before belief, or can it happen to a baby who doesn't know the Gospel?
Regeneration by definition seems to refer to the new birth of when someone is spiritually transformed from death to life.
There are verses that seem to put this together with the renewing of or being born of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-6; John 3:3-8) and that the preaching of the Word of God is involved as the seed used (1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18; Romans 10:17). 
I do not believe that a person could be regenerated years before they actually repent and believe the Gospel except if you are just referring to the future plan of God and His view of what will be as already accomplished.  The idea of years between regeneration rather than immediately before belief would make no sense, since by definition regeneration is a new birth as well as it seems to imply a change of heart .

This leads me to my the other issue that started me off down this path.  I was listening to the Cross Conference and heard Kevin DeYoung mention that there are some Calvinists who believe in inclusivism.  Certainly that is not the majority of us, but I wanted to investigate the subject because of my grave concern after reading in the past someone suggesting that somebody's infant could already be regenerated.  Now, I'm not saying that some people can't hear the Gospel and be saved at a young age, but without a profession of faith there is no reason to think that a baby has had a spiritual birth.  Doubly so when they have not heard the Gospel from anyone.

Many years ago I heard someone who thought that perhaps someone could be saved only responding to what they knew of God (probably thinking of creation) without hearing the Gospel.  Well, that is a dangerous fantasy, and the Bible makes it clear that faith comes by hearing (the Word of Christ - Romans 10:17).  So, while it might make somebody feel good, we have to stick with what we know of Scripture and the truth and not feelings.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.  John 14:6 NASB

Fairness would be that we would all face God's just wrath, because we rebel against and suppress the truth that we do know. 
I do believe that every person that God has chosen will be regenerated and repent, so in one sense His salvation work is completed by His divine plan and summoning.  This is accomplished though by the means He decrees which is through the proclamation of the Gospel, His regenerating and sanctifying work, His death and resurrection (satisfying of His just wrath against sin), mercy, grace, and the people that He sends out to be disciple makers in the world.

Inclusivism has also been taught by Catholics, Billy Graham, and many others who stray from Scripture to varying degrees...from unbelievers, heretics, and confused Christians.  It is dangerous!
 

"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."  Acts 4:12 NASB

 

Excellent Links I Hope You Won't Want to Miss

Once again I'm sharing some links that I think are really excellent.


You Don't Use the Whole Horse (This one is really about Rick Santorum.)  - Douglas Wilson
This blog post points out some important issues to think about when making your decision about who to vote for.

Proposition 8 and the New Standard of No Standard  -  Robin Schumacher
I really thought this did a fantastic job of explaining how people make a judgment on moral issues and what should be the basis of our standards and laws.

Introverted - Tim Challies
Really this describes me pretty well, only I may be even more introverted that Tim.  I do not believe I have the talent that he has for writing and blogging, but that's okay.  I'm just me.  This posting he did is really interesting to listen to or read.  Yes, there is an audio version choice.  Please check it out.

Are Roman Catholics Christian - Matt Slick
This is excellent, and it's something that I think a lot of people need to think about.   I find it difficult to respond to people who are Catholics, and I realize I need to be careful now in how I state things.  I do try to be careful generally, but I can make mistakes about commenting my assumptions when I've seen others do the same...like stating for a fact someone isn't a Christian.  Normally I'm fairly careful, but I did have to backtrack just a little recently by letting it be known that I hoped that the person was (and that the person would leave the church if the person was). I still believe what this article mentions about people who hold to the official teachings.  My mistake was stating something as fact.  Still, everything else I said was true, and I need to just be careful not to say as fact what I just think is true.