CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT DISTINCTIONS: SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND OUR DIFFERENCES

Charlie A. Roy Peoria Notre Dame High SchoolDiocese of Peoria – Summer Institute 2003

UNDERSTANDING THE ORIGIN OF THE DIFFERENCE

All Religions seek to provide the answer to some fundamental problem.

Examples Islam – moral ignorance Buddhism – suffering Hinduism – cycle of Samsara

Christianity and the fundamental problem SIN

THE DOUBLE EFFECTS OF SIN

Separation from God The dignity of the

offended. Distance from God and

humanity. Fundamental human

dilemma Can’t redeem ourselves Can’t bridge the gap

Attachment to Sin Human element Stuck in Sin Enjoy what we do

GOD HINTS OF HOW THIS PROBLEM WILL BE SOLVED

Genesis 3:15 – Proto –Evangelium “I will put enmity between you and the

woman……her seed shall smash the head of the serpent.”

Genesis 22:13 – Ram caught in the thickets Leviticus 16:21 - The Scapegoat concept Isaiah 53 – The Suffering Servant Songs

JESUS IS THE ANSWER

Why Jesus? Divine and human Capable of bridging the infinite gap of sin Accomplishes our atonement or at-one-ment

with God. Why does he have to die?

Only way out of a covenant is death. Crucifixion = greatest moment of love ever

where God offers himself for our fault upon the cross.

The paradox of Christianity – a stumbling block

AMAZING EVENTS WITH JESUS’ DEATH

Vale of the temple is torn in two Gate falls down – recorded by Josephus

CATHOLIC VIEW OF SALVATION

Salvation = Sonship 1 John 3:1

“See what love the Father has given us that we have become children of God, and so we are”

Galatians 4:4-7 “But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his

Son, born of a woman, born under the law to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons”

2nd Peter 1:4 “by which he has granted to us his precious and very

great promise that we might escape from corruption that is in the world and become partakers of the divine nature”

Catechism 459, 460

SACRAMENTAL ECONOMY

Sacraments prefigured in OT rituals. Sacraments predicted by the prophets

Ezekiel 36:25-28 Sacraments give sanctifying grace to us-

grace a share in the life of God. Deep sea diving analogy.

Heaven is not a natural state Need supernatural grace etc. to live there

WHAT ABOUT GOOD WORKS?

Not Pelagian. We do not earn grace. By the effects of grace we keep the Ten

Commandments Our Good works are rewarded

UNDERSTANDING MERIT

Strict merit Legal Contracts / purchases

Congruent merit Expected but not required

Tipping, holding the door open for someone

Condign merit Based on a promise This is the type of merit we are talking about.

Titus 3:8, Matthew 10:42, Timothy 3:16-17

HEAVEN IS NOT COMMUNISM

Differing degrees of glory. St. Therese and the bucket analogy.

Everyone expands their own capability to mirror God’s love.

Some respond better than others. In heaven everyone as happy and holy as they

can be.

TO BE IN HEAVEN

Need God’s grace. Need to be holy Second effect of sin: attachment

God’s remedy Confession

Absolution = forgiveness Penance severs the attachment to sin.

GRACE BUT ATTACHED TO SIN

Catholic Understanding of Purgatory Where is it in the Bible?

2nd Maccabbees 12:46 1st Corinthians 3:15 2nd Timothy 1:16-17

SUMMARY OF CATHOLIC VIEW OF SALVATION

Only possible because of Christ Grace possible and offered through

Sacramental Economy We become sons and daughters of God Salvation by impartation: God’s grace

imparted to us. Our actions don’t earn us heaven but they

are meritorious before God.

BACKGROUND OF PROTESTANT REVOLUTION

Rise of Nominalism William of Ockham – stresses the all

powerfulness of God. “God could have crucified a donkey to atone for our sins.” Heavy Islamic influence.

Gabriel Biel: Luther’s professor extends Nominalism to Theology and stresses God usually acts in a predictable way and rewards those who do their asolute best

Black Plague 1/3 of population dies 90% of clergy

LUTHER’S TEACHING

Romans 3:28: “ Man is saved by faith apart from works of the Law”

Faith imputes righteousness. Luther’s dung analogy

We switch places with Christ on the cross. We are essentially horrible and our faith covers

us like snow covering a dung heap Misreading of the crucifixion – Psalm 22 key.

LOGICAL OUTCOMES OF SALVATION BY IMPUTATION

Purgatory Instant justification provides no means for losing the

attachments to sin. Cult of the Saints

No need for intercessors. Mortal and Venial Sin

Faith only- “I could commit adultery a thousand times a day and still go to heaven”

Confession – not needed after theology regarding attachment to sin is abandoned. Luther’s comment.

No Free Will – so damaged we can only sin. Double Predestination –logical outcome of no free

will.

SOLA SCRIPTURA

Scripture alone is needed not the Church’s authority to interpret the Scriptures.

Anyone can interpret as well as anyone else. Catholic View

Magesterium of the Church interprets Scripture 2nd Peter 1:20 “No scripture or prophecy is a matter of

one’s own personal interpretation.” 2nd Peter 3:16 “Peter warns many in his own day are

twisting the scriptures to their own ends. Matthew 18:17-18 “If he refuses to listen tell it to the

Church.” Acts 8:30-31 “Phillip interprets the scroll” Acts 15 Council of Jerusalem

NATURAL OUTCOMES

Splintering of denominations 22,000 now exist in North

America Clergy lose authority to

teach. Everyman for themselves.

SUMMARY

One small difference in view of salvation leads to large difference over time.

Differences rest with: Sola Fidei, Sola Scriptura, and the Priesthood of all believers.