Catholic Salvation Plan
by JWing
Catholicism is lately has made some big waves recently, with the selection of a new pope whom some think might be the very last pope. Needless to say they have a massive following. Most Catholics remain such because they were born Catholic. But with all its pomp ,one has to wonder just what Catholicism offers its adherents. Ask any Catholic, they would probably say it offers a method for getting to heaven by things one can physically do. But few know exactly what all those are. When asked, priest would often refer you to the Catholic Catechism. So for all of you who wonder, let me just list them all and where they are found.
I am also going to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition Bible (NRSVCE) since the clergy cites it as the approved Scripture of the Church and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
I am also going to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition Bible (NRSVCE) since the clergy cites it as the approved Scripture of the Church and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
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Simply put, if anyone follows all of these perfectly you are guaranteed heaven eventually, according to the Catholic Church. However, no truthful Catholic, no matter how devoted or good can say they are, can meet these requirements especially not the last one.
Galatians 3:10 (NRSVCE)
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law.” Romans 13:10 (NRSVCE) Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. James 2:10 (NRSVCE) For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. |
Therefore the Catholic Scripture says you stand condemned and cursed. And according to the Catechism, perfect law-keeping is necessary for salvation. So in other words anyone who has gone is doomed to Hell according their rules.
Well doesn't the priest's or Church's absolution fix that?
Catholicism says they use a combination of Scripture and Tradition. Tradition says you just need to pay a priest or the Church enough money (buy an indulgence) to be absolved of the sin of breaking any of the 10 commandments. But what does the Catholic Scripture say?
Well doesn't the priest's or Church's absolution fix that?
Catholicism says they use a combination of Scripture and Tradition. Tradition says you just need to pay a priest or the Church enough money (buy an indulgence) to be absolved of the sin of breaking any of the 10 commandments. But what does the Catholic Scripture say?
Leviticus 17:11 (RSVCE)
For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement, by reason of the life. Hebrews 9:22 (NRSVCE) Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. |
So does that mean we have to go back to sacrificing animals?
At this point Catholicism and her traditions can offer no answer, as they have no blood sacrifice for pay for sins. The Scriptures make it clear in the Old Testament and the New that the blood of animals had to be offered on a yearly basis. This means that it pushed forward the ever growing sin debt up one year but never ever paid for it. It is kind of like paying the interest payment on a credit card debt without ever being able to pay down the principle. In order for you to pay off the sin debt tho you must die yourself, both physically and eternally. Fortunately the Scriptures does have an answer for this problem. The answer is Christ Jesus.
At this point Catholicism and her traditions can offer no answer, as they have no blood sacrifice for pay for sins. The Scriptures make it clear in the Old Testament and the New that the blood of animals had to be offered on a yearly basis. This means that it pushed forward the ever growing sin debt up one year but never ever paid for it. It is kind of like paying the interest payment on a credit card debt without ever being able to pay down the principle. In order for you to pay off the sin debt tho you must die yourself, both physically and eternally. Fortunately the Scriptures does have an answer for this problem. The answer is Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 10:3 (NRSVCE)
3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year. |
Won't the praying to & adoration of the Virgin Mary or Hail Marys get Jesus to forgive me?
Catholicism has elevated Mary to a status of co-mediator with Jesus. Recent Church tradition even has her exalted to such a degree that she is now considered an ever virgin, immaculately conceived (born without original sin or sinless), and ascended into heaven. None of these notions are found anywhere, even within the Catholic Scripture. And if that wasn't enough, the Catholic Scripture torpedoes any notion of having more than one mediator. |
1 Timothy 2:5 (NRSVCE)
For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, |
Obviously with Jesus as the only mediator to between God and man, praying to saints are equally baseless. For more information on what the Catholic Scriptures actually say about Mary, click here.
Isn't Heaven merited by good works? Doesn't God just weigh our good & bad deeds?
This is a common misconception most people. They assume that when placed on a balance, their good deeds in life would far out weigh their bad deeds. We all assume God would employ this method to determine our eternal residence of Heaven or Hell, and welcome us into Heaven This is based on the assumption that all people are born inherently good. However, the Scriptures would be the first to disavow us any notion that humans are born good.
This is a common misconception most people. They assume that when placed on a balance, their good deeds in life would far out weigh their bad deeds. We all assume God would employ this method to determine our eternal residence of Heaven or Hell, and welcome us into Heaven This is based on the assumption that all people are born inherently good. However, the Scriptures would be the first to disavow us any notion that humans are born good.
Psalm 51:5 (RSVCE)
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 58:3 (RSVCE) The wicked go astray from the womb, they err from their birth, speaking lies. Jeremiah 17:9 (RSVCE) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it? Romans 3:23 (RSVCE) since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 5:12 (RSVCE) Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned |
The problem is compounded for Catholics with their Catechism.
"No one can MERIT the initial grace which is at the origin of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we can MERIT for ourselves and for others all the graces needed to attain eternal life, as well as necessary temporal goods," (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), par. 2027).
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Merit is, according to the CCC, par. 2006, "...the recompense owed by a community or a society for the action of one of its members, experienced either as beneficial or harmful, deserving reward or punishment...". This means that merit is something owed, like a wage or a paycheck earned by one's work. In contrast, grace is something not owed, but unmerited favor. Therefore, the teaching is contrary to God's word regarding grace and justification.
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Romans 6:23 (RSVCE)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8 (RSVCE) For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God-- |
So what must we do to really be saved and go to heaven?
Surprisingly the answer is extremely simple but requires us to loose any idea of being deserving of Heaven and realizing that we are all sinners, no matter the degree of sinfulness. This mean, upon our own merit, the scales of justice would be tipped heavily and irreconcilably out of our favor. Instead we must repent of our sins (turning 180 degrees from them), and accept Jesus death and resurrection on the cross for them. This way we trust in Jesus, and only Jesus, to in grace forgive us all our sins.
This alone saves us and nothing else. Communion will not. Baptism will not. Hail Marys will not. Prayers to dead saints or Mary will not. Absolution will not. Purgatory will not. Animal sacrifices will not. Indulgences will not. Absolution by priests, bishops, cardinals, and popes will not. Good works will not. Even crawling up steps til your knees bleed will not. The Scripture are crystal clear.
Surprisingly the answer is extremely simple but requires us to loose any idea of being deserving of Heaven and realizing that we are all sinners, no matter the degree of sinfulness. This mean, upon our own merit, the scales of justice would be tipped heavily and irreconcilably out of our favor. Instead we must repent of our sins (turning 180 degrees from them), and accept Jesus death and resurrection on the cross for them. This way we trust in Jesus, and only Jesus, to in grace forgive us all our sins.
This alone saves us and nothing else. Communion will not. Baptism will not. Hail Marys will not. Prayers to dead saints or Mary will not. Absolution will not. Purgatory will not. Animal sacrifices will not. Indulgences will not. Absolution by priests, bishops, cardinals, and popes will not. Good works will not. Even crawling up steps til your knees bleed will not. The Scripture are crystal clear.
Acts 16:31 (NRSVCE)
They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Romans 10:9 (NRSVCE) because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. |
Won't you accept Jesus today and know that God says you are saved and will go to heaven for sure? If you'd like to, pray this prayer:
Dear Lord God. I know I am a sinner and need your gift of salvation from my sins. I BELIEVE IN JESUS, the Son of God, as my personal Savior. I believe that His death on the cross and resurrection provides forgiveness for ALL my sins past, present, & future. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart and life. I hereby trust in Jesus FINISHED WORK alone, and NOT upon me & my "good works", as sufficient to make me right with you and fit for Heaven. Please forgive ALL my sins and come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Seal me with your Holy Spirit until the day you come to take me home. In your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
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