Subject: "Once Saved Always Saved" |
Bible Note: Hello, Lisa. How do you distinguish between salvation and forgiveness of sins? Also, Constantine did call the Council of Nicea, but he did not write the creed himself. You have correctly stated that a lot of the differences between Catholics and Protestants hinge on the Protestant Reformation. Don't feel out of place for not knowing about the Reformation; I would say that most 21-st century Protestants couldn't comment on it very thoroughly at all either, despite the fact that for us it should be considered one of the most important periods of history. For a very thorough understanding of the Reformation, I recommend a book entitled "Faith Alone" by R.C. Sproul. It comes from a Protestant perspective, but gives a very fair presentation of the view of the Catholic side of things as well. To sum it up briefly, the difference between the Reformers and the Pope centered around the word "alone." The Reformers held that Scripture alone is our sole authority for faith and practice as Christians. Rome holds that the church's official pronouncements also carry the same weight as Scripture. The Reformers held that we are saved by God's grace alone. Rome holds that we are saved by our own merit, assisted by God's grace (which usually means receiving the sacraments). Catholicism holds that we do need grace, but denies that on our own we can never merit salvation in the slightest from a holy God. The Reformers held that we are saved through faith alone. Works are important to Protestants, but they do not form the basis of our justification (being declared righteous by God). This is in keeping with Ephesians 2:8-10, where we see that Christians are saved FOR good works, but that the salvation that comes by God's grace through faith is a gift, completely unearned (and unearnable) by sinful humanity. In keeping weith that, our faith must be in Christ alone. It is his sacrifice once for all (and not any repetition of his sacrifice in the Mass) which serves as the complete payment for the sins of those who trust in Him completely. Nothing else but Christ's sinless life, substitutionary death, and Resurrection makes sinners justified before a holy God. Some Reformers such as myself hold that baptism and communion are sacraments, but Protestants do not see them as something that makes a person bound for heaven. Lastly, we hold that God has accomplished our salvation ultimately for His glory alone. Those are what are called the five "solas" of the Reformation, coming from the word in Latin for "alone": Sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christus, sola Scriptura, and soli Deo gloria. Even if you come away disagreeing with the Protestant view, it is always helpful to analyze the differences between the Reformers and Rome, and realize that each party held the other to be teaching damnable doctrine. In other words, both parties saw this difference to be so essential that one could not be saved if one rejected their view. Hope this helps a little. Church history is a fascinating study, because above all things it shows our sovereign God at work through (and in spite of) a fallen humanity. --Joe! |