Introduction to the Reformation: Part 2 of 2

Teaching of the Reformation

Scripture alone (sola scriptura)

   The reformers believed that Scripture was the only source of Christian revelation. The cry of the Reformation was “sola scriptura” or “scripture alone.” Scripture, not tradition or the words of mere men, was and is God's sole authority in the church. The word of God is inspired, sufficient, infallible, and authoritative. The Apocrypha was not thought to be inspired or canonical. The scriptures were proclaimed and translated in the languages of the people. The word of God was being heard, read, treasured, obeyed, understood, preached, and sung. Regular people, not the educated alone or priests, were able to read the Bible for themselves. This was unheard of before the Reformation. The Reformation was also a revival!

   I will not reproduce quotations from the reformers here. They went back to the scriptures, so that will be what I do- quote the word of God. Note also that the word “alone” is key to the doctrines of the Reformation. Rome will not use the word “alone.” Without that word, the doors are opened to a myriad of corruptions, errors, heresies, false-hopes, and false-conversions. With the word “alone” those doors are shut and sealed. They serve to guard the bride of Christ from unchaste suitors and adulterous evils. That one word changed the world. That one word turned the world upside down. Praise God!

Quotations from Scripture

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (Ps. 19:7-11)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Ps. 119:105)

And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2Pet. 1:19-21)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2Tim. 3:16-17)

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2Tim. 4:1-4)

Christ alone (solus Christus)

   Christ alone is the mediator between God and man. He is the Prophet, Priest, King, Head of the church, and only Savior. Christ offered himself in the place of sinners as the one and only perfect sacrifice for sin. There is no need for a continual sacrifice. Salvation is to be found only in Christ. Salvation is found in the person and work of Christ, not in a ceremony, traditions, works, or the church.

Quotations from Scripture

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus... (1Tim. 2:5)

Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. (Acts 3:22)

The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. (Heb. 7:23-28)

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1Pet. 2:24)

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Grace alone (sola gratia)

   Salvation is only by the grace of God. Salvation is God's free gift accomplished by the death and resurrection of Christ.  This is the work of God alone- man does not cooperate with God or add to his salvation. This salvation is wrought by the Spirit through the proclamation of the gospel. Man does not merit the grace of God by observing the sacraments. Salvation is by grace alone, not by grace and the works of man.

Quotations from Scripture

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ---by grace you have been saved- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph. 2:4-9)

[W]ho saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel... (2Tim. 1:9-10)

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? (Rom. 10:14-15)

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Tit. 2:11-14)

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Tit. 3:4-7)

Faith alone (sola fide)

   Justification by faith alone was the central issue during the Reformation. The very gospel was at stake. If the gospel was at stake, then souls were at stake as well. That was the case back then, and still remains the case today. Protestants and Catholics proclaim a radically different gospel. Ironically, the doctrine of justification by grace through faith in Christ and his imputed righteousness alone is proclaimed primarily in the epistle to the Romans- the very name of the church (Roman Catholicism) that denies and corrupts it.

   Justification is only by faith in the person and finished work of Christ. Salvation is merited only by Christ and must be accepted by faith. Sinners are declared righteous by God because of Christ's righteousness being imputed to them as a free gift. Faith is the believing, resting, receiving, and trusting Christ and his righteousness. This act of faith is not a work- faith itself is the gift of God. Also, justification is not sanctification. The justified are progressively sanctified, or made more like Christ. Those who are declared righteous will slowly be made righteous by the Spirit working in them. Justification cannot be lost or undone. Those whom God justifies, he will glorify.

Quotations from Scripture

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. (Rom. 3:21-25)

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith... (Phil. 3:8-9)

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2Cor. 5:21)

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned-every one-to his own way;and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Is. 53:5-6)

God's glory alone (soli Deo gloria)

   God gets all the glory. There is no glory reserved for man, the church, the dead, other sacrifices, sacraments, or any other person, being, or thing. God does all things for his honor and glory. This includes creation, salvation, the spread of the gospel, the destinies of mankind, the life of the church, and the conquering of sin, Satan, death, and evil. God is jealous for his glory- he will not give it to another.

   God is manifoldly glorified, beyond compare, in the wrath-absorbing, atoning death of his Son and our enjoying the benefits of it, and worshiping God because of it, and suffering the sin-slaying effects of it, and becoming more like Christ as a result of it, and desiring more of the Spirit that was given as a gift purchased by it, and aching to conquer the enemies that were defeated and doomed by it, and hungering for sweeter communion that was made possible by it, and thirsting for more of God's glory that was revealed by it, and longing to be in the presence of the thrice holy, majestic, sovereign, beautiful, Lord of the universe that was accomplished by it.

   God is not glorified when his chief means of being magnified is marred and mutilated beyond recognition. When the doctrine of Christ and his salvation is altered, God cannot be pleased. The redemption of fallen humanity is the central theme throughout Scripture. When God is replaced by man in the scheme of salvation, man is deified and receives all the glory that belongs to God. When, by false religion, man is deified, God is humanized. God is not glorified when his glory is given to creatures, or when the efficacy of Christ's death is rendered insufficient and given to a ceremony, or when Mary is elevated to a sinless position as mediator, or when a mere man is elevated to Christ's vicar, or when the work of Christ is rendered impotent and the works of man are declared sufficient.

Quotations from Scripture

I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. (Is. 42:8)

I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. (Is. 43:6-7)

For my name's sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. (Is. 48:9-11)

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Rom. 11:33-36)

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, 'Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!' And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ^'Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.' (Rev. 4:8-11)

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.' Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!' And the four living creatures said, 'Amen!' and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Rev. 5:8-14)

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!' And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, 'Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.' (Rev. 7:9-12)

Results and effects of the Reformation

1. If there was no Reformation, there would have been no pilgrims, and therefore, no America.
2. Before the Reformation, the Catholic church governed Europe; the Reformation affected politics, law, and government by causing a separation between church and countries.
3. The word of God was translated into the languages of the people; before the Reformation, the Bible was only available in Latin.
4. Protestant denominations were formed due to religious freedoms brought about by the protests and reforms.
5. There was a tremendous increase in biblical scholarship, theological books, commentaries on Scripture, biblical and exegetical preaching, biblical schools, confessions of faith, godly music, and literacy.
6. There was an increase in scientific investigation; prior to the Reformation, the Catholic church controlled all investigations and endeavors.
7. The Reformation resulted in the freedom to follow individual conscience; people were freed from religious bondage.
8. The Reformation led to the rediscovery of the gospel and an increase in missions.
9. The Reformation impacted the economy by stressing a hard work ethic and godliness in all vocations.
10. The Reformation stressed biblical and doctrinal accuracy which culminated in the priesthood of all believers, biblical leadership, the word of God centralized, biblical worship, and justification through faith alone by grace alone in Christ alone as found in Scripture alone for the glory of God alone.

   Truly, the Reformation was used by God for the glory of God. Protestants must continue to thank God for removing the darkness and revealing the light. He raised up godly men and gifted them in order to invoke change in the religious climate. And change occurred. It must continue to occur. The Reformation is not over. As long as the bride of Christ is on earth, she remains imperfect and weak, vulnerable and susceptible to error and attack. She must continue to be purged of all evil and sin.

   The Reformation is not over. It must continue. It is an ongoing work. We must not stop or give in. There remains false gospels and false religions in the world. Many name the name of Christ but deny him by their doctrine and actions. We Protestants must stand on the shoulders of the giants that came before and by the grace of God and for the glory of God, lead the church into holiness, doctrinal purity, gospel accuracy, biblical literacy, and Trinity centered worship. We must proclaim that the scriptures alone teach salvation in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, all for the glory of God alone. To God be the glory, now and forever, amen! Soli Deo gloria.

Introduction to the Reformation: Part 1 of 2

Introduction to the Reformation

Introduction

   Why study the Reformation? Why look at the Catholic church before and during the Reformation? As Protestants, we study the Reformation and Roman Catholicism to better understand where we came from, where we are going, what we believe, and why we believe it. We also learn from the past in order to not repeat it. Knowing history, especially the Reformation era, will serve as a guide to lead, a template to emulate, a harbinger to warn, a mirror to reflect, and a tool to sharpen. The Reformation and studies of the reformers do not take the place of Scripture. But, they do serve as examples to follow. We must learn from those who came before and not make the same mistakes.

   The Reformation was a major movement that aimed at reforming or purifying the Roman Catholic Church. The dates for the reformation are approximately 1517-1648; there were attempts at reforms prior by John Huss, John Wycliffe and others. The reformation was both positive and negative. It was positive toward the truth but negative toward error and falsehood. Philip Schaff provided a helpful summary:

Romanism and Orthodox Protestantism believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and in one divine-human Lord and Saviour of the race. They accept in common the Holy Scriptures and the ecumenical faith. They agree in every article of the Apostles' Creed... But Romanism holds also a large number of 'traditions of the elders,' which Protestantism rejects as extra- scriptural or anti-scriptural; such are the papacy, the worship of saints and relics, transubstantiation, the sacrifice of the mass, prayers and masses for the dead, works of supererogation, purgatory, indulgences, the system of monasticism with its perpetual vows and ascetic practices, besides many superstitious rites and ceremonies.

Protestantism, on the other hand, revived and developed the Augustinian doctrines of sin and grace; it proclaimed the sovereignty of divine mercy in man's salvation, the sufficiency of the Scriptures as a rule of faith, and the sufficiency of Christ's merit as a source of justification; it asserted the right of direct access to the Word of God and the throne of grace, without human mediators; it secured Christian freedom from bondage; it substituted social morality for monkish asceticism, and a simple, spiritual worship for an imposing ceremonialism that addresses the senses and imagination rather than the intellect and the hearts. (History of the Christian Church, vol. 7, pg. 5)

   At the heart of the Reformation was the desire to purify the church of God, rid it of corruption, remove false doctrine and traditions, and get back to the scriptures and biblical and Christ-centered worship and practice The Reformation centered around a series of questions: What must man do to be saved? How can a sinner be justified before a holy and righteous God? Who defines the gospel? Who or what has authority in the church? Who interprets Scripture?

Corruption in the Catholic church

   There were many ungodly and iniquitous things happening within the Catholic church prior to and during the Reformation. The church was corrupt. Often, the rottenness began at the top and flowed down. This was one of the major motivations of the Reformation- to purge the church of its abuses and unbiblical practices and teachings. Not every church was corrupt, nor did the corrupt churches have all of the degenerate implementations mentioned below. These abuses were widespread, but not all of the church or its leaders were corrupt in all of these matters. And, those who were corrupted, were not necessarily corrupted in all of these areas. Nonetheless, the church was polluted and needed purifying. Listed are a few of the prominent corruptions:

-Simony: the sale of church offices; led to unqualified people becoming bishops and cardinals

-Pluralism: the holding of more than one office at a time; based on money and led to abuses and irresponsibility

-Absenteeism: officials not participating or accomplishing duties but still receiving payment and privileges

-Indulgences: the sale of salvation; absolution and forgiveness for money; led to many abuses; took advantage of the poor in order to gain wealth or finance construction.

-Nepotism: favor shown to relatives; unqualified people elevated to positions above other more qualified people

-Immorality of papacy: some popes had affairs, children out of wedlock, and concubines

-Clerical ignorance and immorality: many priests were illiterate; accepted sexual favors for absolution

Teaching of the Church of Rome

Scripture, authority, Magisterium, and councils

   The Roman Catholic Church believes the scriptures to be the inspired word of God. However, they add a number of books to the canon and elevate traditions to the level of Scripture. As a consequence, their many extra-biblical traditions are seen as authoritative along with the word of God. The sole authority does not belong to Scripture alone, but is shared between the Magisterium, councils, and the Bible. Scriptures can only be interpreted by the magisterium, which includes bishops and popes. The result- a monopoly on the interpretation and application of the word of God and control over the masses.

   Quotations will be reproduced from actual Catholic sources in order to show that what is written is indeed taught by the church. Three sources will be consulted. The Council of Trent met between 1545 and 1564. The primary task of the council was to solidify the church's teaching. These meetings took place during the height of the Reformation and may be seen as an answer to the teachings of the reformers or a counter-reformation. Vatican II will be referenced. This council met during the early 1960's. Finally, the Catechism of the Catholic Church will be sited. This is the most modern and complete source of the Catholic church and its doctrine having been written in 1994.

   These three have been selected because they represent the Catholic faith during the time of the Reformation through today. These demonstrate what the church believed and taught five hundred years ago, and also what they continue to teach. The Catholic church that exists today is the same church that existed during the Reformation. In fact, other doctrines and false beliefs have been added since, so in actuality, it is not the same church. The church that exists today may be worse and more corrupt!

Quotations from sources

[S]eeing clearly that this truth and discipline are contained in the written books, and the unwritten traditions which, received by the Apostles from the mouth of Christ himself, or from the Apostles themselves, the Holy Ghost dictating, have come down even unto us, transmitted as it were from hand to hand; (the Synod) following the examples of the orthodox Fathers, receives and venerates with an equal affection of piety, and reverence, all the books both of the Old and of the New Testament- seeing that one God is the author of both- as also the said traditions, as well those appertaining to faith as to morals, as having been dictated, either by Christ's own word of mouth, or by the Holy Ghost, and preserved in the Catholic Church by a continuous succession. (Trent, Session 4, pg. 18)

But if any one receive not, as sacred and canonical, the said books entire with all their parts, as they have been used to be read in the Catholic Church, and as they are contained in the old Latin vulgate edition; and knowingly and deliberately contemn the traditions aforesaid; let him be anathema. (Trent, Session 4, pg. 19)

It is clear therefore that, in the supremely wise arrangement of God, sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture and the Magisterium of the Church are so connected and associated that one of them cannot stand without the others. Working together, each in its own way, under the action of the one Holy Spirit, they all contribute effectively to the salvation of souls. (CCC 95)

Church and the mass

   Rome teaches that there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church. It is the Catholic church that posses and gives grace in the sacraments and the mass, and teaches the word and traditions which reveal the example of holiness. The mass is viewed as a celebration wherein the elements of the Eucharist (bread and wine) actually become the body and blood of Christ and are viewed as another sacrifice on the behalf of the living and the dead. Therefore, the mass is a continuation of Christ's sacrifice on the cross; there is no salvation without it. It is through the mass that Christ communicates his grace to his church. It is to the Catholic church that belongs salvation and the grace of God because they possess the truth of Christ's continual sacrifice.

Quotations from sources

If any one saith, that in the mass a true and proper sacrifice is not offered to God; or, that to be offered is nothing else but that Christ is given us to eat; let him be anathema. (Trent Session 22, pg. 158)

If any one saith, that the sacrifice of the mass is only a sacrifice of praise and of thanksgiving; or, that it is a bare commemoration of the sacrifice consummated on the cross, but not a propitiatory sacrifice; or, that it profits him only who receives; and that it ought not to be offered for the living and the dead for sins, pains, satisfactions, and other necessities; let him be anathema. (Trent Session 22, pg. 158-159)

It is Christ himself, the eternal high priest of the New Covenant who, acting through the ministry of the priests, offers the Eucharistic sacrifice. and it is the same Christ, really present under the species of bread and wine, who is the offering of the Eucharistic sacrifice. (CCC 1410)

By the consecration the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is brought about. Under the consecrated species of bread and wine Christ himself, living and glorious, is present in a true, real, and substantial manner: his Body and his Blood, with his soul and his divinity. (CCC 1413)

As sacrifice, the Eucharist is also offered in reparation for the sins of the living and the dead and to obtain spiritual or temporal benefits from God. (CCC 1414)

Merit and the sacraments

   Rome teaches that no one can merit salvation or justification at the beginning of conversion. However, believers can then merit grace for themselves and others needed for sanctification and eternal life. What God begins, man must finish. Grace is earned through the sacraments. These sacraments are powers that come from the body of Christ and give life. So, the sacraments, seven in number, are necessary for salvation.

   What this means is that salvation in the Catholic church must be earned. It is a works based salvation. Rome will deny this, but it cannot be avoided. Catholicism teaches that God initiates conversion, but then it is up to the Catholic to continue to earn his favor by celebrating the mass and observing the sacraments. One can never know if they have done enough. It is never enough! Catholics believe and teach that they must then suffer in purgatory for their sins. It follows then, that Christ's atonement is insufficient, that man must work to be saved, and a Catholic can never have assurance. What a horrid and joyless religion. There is no hope and there can be no salvation if it depends on depraved men and women to “save” themselves.

Quotations from sources

If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law were not all instituted by Jesus Christ, our Lord; or, that they are more, or less, than seven, to wit, Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Order, and Matrimony; or even that any one of these seven is not truly and properly a sacrament; let him be anathema. (Trent Session 7, pg. 54)

If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law are not necessary unto salvation, but superfluous; and that, without them, or without the desire thereof, men obtain of God, through faith alone, the grace of justification;-though all (the sacraments) are not indeed necessary for every individual; let him be anathema. (Trent Session 7, pg. 54)

If any one saith, that by the said sacraments of the New Law grace is not conferred through the act performed, but that faith alone in the divine promise suffices for the obtaining of grace; let him be anathema. (Trent Session 7, pg. 55)

Sacraments are "powers that comes forth" from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in his Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant. (CCC 1116)

The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation. ^"Sacramental grace" is the grace of the Holy Spirit, given by Christ and proper to each sacrament. the Spirit heals and transforms those who receive him by conforming them to the Son of God. the fruit of the sacramental life is that the Spirit of adoption makes the faithful partakers in the divine nature by uniting them in a living union with the only Son, the Savior. (CCC 1129)

Justification and works

   Rome combines or adds sanctification to justification. Justification is granted through baptism. The fruit of justification is not a declared righteousness (as Protestants believe), but the establishment of cooperation between God and man which results in merited grace in order to increase grace and love, attain eternal life, and gain temporal goods such as health and friendships. Rome's view of justification is not permanent; it may be undone by committing mortal sins (sins that destroy sanctifying grace and causes the supernatural death of the soul, as opposed to venial sins which do not destroy sanctifying grace and the soul remains alive). Justification then, in Catholicism, is conditional and dependent upon the faithfulness of the person. Grace, as noted above, is communicated through the sacraments and is necessary in order to be justified.

Quotations from sources

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. (Trent Session 6, pg. 47)

If any one saith, that he, who has fallen after baptism, is not able by the grace of God to rise again; or, that he is able indeed to recover the justice which he has lost, but by faith alone without the sacrament of Penance, contrary to what the holy Roman and universal Church-instructed by Christ and his Apostles-has hitherto professed, observed, and taught; let him be anathema. (Trent Session 6, pg. 48)

If any one saith, that, after the grace of Justification has been received, to every penitent sinner the guilt is remitted, and the debt of eternal punishment is blotted out in such wise, that there remains not any debt of temporal punishment to be discharged either in this world, or in the next in Purgatory, before the entrance to the kingdom of heaven can be opened (to him); let him be anathema. (Trent Session 6, pg. 48)

Justification includes the remission of sins, sanctification, and the renewal of the inner man. (CCC 2019)

Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ. It is granted us through Baptism. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who justifies us. It has for its goal the glory of God and of Christ, and the gift of eternal life. It is the most excellent work of God's mercy. (CCC 2020)

The pope, Mary, and the saints

   The pope is viewed as the Vicar of Christ (Christ's priest on earth), the pastor of the entire Catholic church, supreme, and possessing universal power over the church. Mary is revered with a special devotion. She is called the Mother of God and has been elevated to the place of co-Mediatrix (mediator along side of Christ). The saints are those who are more closely united to Christ. They intercede with the Father for believers and proffer or give their merits that they earned while on earth.

All of this is unbiblical. There is not a shred of evidence in Scripture that the church is to be ruled by a pope. Scripture knows nothing of Mary being a redeemer along side of Christ. Nor are merits transferred from saints to sinners. The heights to which the Catholic church has soured are repulsive. This is what happens, however, when Scripture is replaced with the teachings and traditions of men.

Quotations from sources

The holy Synod enjoins on all bishops, and others who sustain the office and charge of teaching, that, agreeably to the usage of the Catholic and Apostolic Church, received from the primitive times of the Christian religion, and agreeably to the consent of the holy Fathers, and to the decrees of sacred Councils, they especially instruct the faithful diligently concerning the intercession and invocation of saints; the honour (paid) to relics; and the legitimate use of images: teaching them, that the saints, who reign together with Christ, offer up their own prayers to God for men; that it is good and useful suppliantly to invoke them, and to have recourse to their prayers, aid, (and) help for obtaining benefits from God, through His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who is our alone Redeemer and Saviour; but that they think impiously, who deny that the saints, who enjoy eternal happiness in heaven, are to be invocated; or who assert either that they do not pray for men; or, that the invocation of them to pray for each of us even in particular, is idolatry; or, that it is repugnant to the word of God; and is opposed to the honour of the one mediator of God and men, Christ Jesus; or, that it is foolish to supplicate, vocally, or mentally, those who reign in heaven. Also, that the holy bodies of holy martyrs, and of others now living with Christ,-which bodies were the living members of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Ghost, and which are by Him to be raised unto eternal life, and to be glorified,-are to be venerated by the faithful; through which (bodies) many benefits are bestowed by God on men; so that they who affirm that veneration and honour are not due to the relics of saints; or, that these, and other sacred monuments, are uselessly honoured by the faithful; and that the places dedicated to the memories of the saints are in vain visited with the view of obtaining their aid; are wholly to be condemned, as the Church has already long since condemned, and now also condemns them.

Moreover, that the images of Christ, of the Virgin Mother of God, and of the other saints, are to be had and retained particularly in temples, and that due honour and veneration are to be given them; not that any divinity, or virtue, is believed to be in them, on account of which they are to be worshipped; or that anything is to be asked of them; or, that trust is to be reposed in images, as was of old done by the Gentiles who placed their hope in idols; but because the honour which is shown them is referred to the prototypes which those images represent; in such wise that by the images which we kiss, and before which we uncover the head, and prostrate ourselves, we adore Christ; and we venerate the saints, whose similitude they bear... (Trent Session 25, pg. 233-235)

The Lord made St. Peter the visible foundation of his Church. He entrusted the keys of the Church to him. the bishop of the Church of Rome, successor to St. Peter, is head of the college of bishops, the Vicar of Christ and Pastor of the universal Church on earth. (CCC 936)

The Pope enjoys, by divine institution, supreme, full, immediate, and universal power in the care of souls. (CCC 937)

But while in the most Blessed Virgin the Church has already reached that perfection whereby she exists without spot or wrinkle, the faithful still strive to conquer sin and increase in holiness, and so they turn their eyes to Mary: in her, the Church is already the "all-holy." (CCC 829)

"All generations will call me blessed": The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship. The Church rightly honors the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs.... This very special devotion ... differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration. The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an epitome of the whole Gospel, express this devotion to the Virgin Mary. (CCC 971)

We believe that the Holy Mother of God, the new Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in heaven to exercise her maternal role on behalf of the members of Christ. (CCC 975)

The intercession of the saints. Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness.... They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus.... So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped. (CCC 956)

The witnesses who have preceded us into the kingdom, especially those whom the Church recognizes as saints, share in the living tradition of prayer by the example of their lives, the trans-mission of their writings, and their prayer today. They contemplate God, praise him and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth. When they entered into the joy of their Master, they were put in charge of many things. Their intercession is their most exalted service to God's plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world. (CCC 2683)

Scripture: Unity

Scripture: Unity

   Not only is the Bible inspired, inerrant, infallible, sufficient, authoritative, clear, and necessary, it is one. The word of God forms a cohesive unit. Scripture reveals a consistent and unified drama where God takes center stage and acts upon his creatures and creation with his glory and the salvation of sinners as the plot.

    Authorship of Scripture demonstrates unity. The Bible developed over fifteen centuries and in three languages. But its message and history is intricate and precise. The fact that there is unity in a book as diverse as the Bible is proof that God is the Author. Only God could take something so different and complex and make it coherent, ordered, and seamless.

    The Bible was composed by over forty different human authors. These writers were each unique. They had various backgrounds, strengths, weaknesses, educations, circumstances, and abilities. They were kings, fishermen, tax collectors, prophets, shepherds, learned, and unlearned. These writers did not know each other or collaborate. Yet, all of their writings are unified and correspond with each other even though they were separated by time and space, culture and language, circumstances and providences. And look at the result. We have sixty-six books that form a unit, but were all written differently and with divergent styles. The collection includes historical narratives, poetry, songs, prayers, prophecies, apocalyptic literature, parables, sermons, letters, and genealogies.

   It is truly astounding, then, that Scripture is unified. If we were to try to duplicate this today, there is no telling what we would end up with. Think of it- if we were to take forty people who spoke three languages, put them in separate places with no contact with one another, and tell them to write a religious text, the result would be chaos- further proof of divine authorship of the Bible.

    The Bible is unified in its theology. It is not surprising that the word is consistent in doctrine. With the Lord of Glory overseeing this monumental project, there was no chance of errors, inconsistencies, contradictions, or inaccuracies. God and his nature, creation, God's will and purpose, angels, demons, the Son, the Spirit, the deity and humanity of Christ, the deity of the Spirit, salvation, covenants, man, sin, to name a few doctrines, are revealed and discussed in various ways by different authors in varying contexts, but with precision and accuracy. There are no contradictions. In fact, the Bible builds on what had come before. The Lord revealed himself progressively which resulted in conformity and perfect agreement between authors and content. Amazing! But, what would we expect? Our God is awe-inspiring.

   Not only does the Bible demonstrate unity with its authorship, but it is united in its theme and message. It is remarkable that both testaments write on the common theme of Christ and his redemption. The Old Testament foreshadowed the coming of Christ and his work in types, shadows, promises, prophecies, and ceremonies. The New Testament recorded key events in the life of Christ and looked back on his work in an effort to expound and proclaim it for the masses. There is a remarkable unity between the testaments. Scripture, as a whole, has Christ as the subject, redemption as the theme, the cross as its message, and the glory of God as its goal.

   Allow me to close by simply quoting Scripture. Think, ponder, meditate, and worship as you read the word of God. Stand in awe of God and be thankful for his revelation to man. Praise him for the inspiration, infallibility, inerrancy, sufficiency, clarity, and unity of his word. Don't take Scripture for granted. We have access to the mind and heart of God- the God who created and sustains all things for his glory and the good of his children. Men have given their lives for the word of God. Christians all over the world wish they had Bibles. Take advantage of the privilege you have!

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (Jn. 5:39).

“ For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me” (Jn. 5:46).

“ And he said to them, 'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?' And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Lk. 24:25-27).

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.' Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:25-36).

“ And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: 'Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name-by faith in his name-has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.' And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness” (Acts 3:12-26).

“When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, 'Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, 'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'-for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.' And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:23-31).

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ^'For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?' 'Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:33-36).

Scripture: Content

Scripture: Content

   What is the contents of Scripture? What does Scripture contain? God has spoken, but what did he say? Generally, God has revealed himself and his wrath against sin through creation (Rom. 1). Specifically, in the word of God he revealed how to escape his wrath through the good news of Jesus Christ. The content of Scripture, then, is God's revelation of himself and his salvation. This includes God's attributes, acts, law, and gospel.

   God has revealed himself throughout Scripture. The word of God overflows with rapturous descriptions of our great God! Stand in awe before the Lord. Bow down before him, put your lips to the dirt and humbly worship at the feet of the King.

God is the Creator- “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1).

He is Almighty- “When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly'” (Gen. 17:1-2).

God revealed himself as I Am to Moses- “God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you'” (Ex. 3:14-15).

God is merciful, gracious, and just- “ The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.'” (Ex. 34:6-7).

The Lord is holy- “For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44-45).

God is eternal- “'I am the Alpha and the Omega', says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty'” (Rev. 1:8).

The Lord revealed himself as faithful- “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1Cor. 1:9).

God is a jealous God- “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deut. 4:24).

God is King- “To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1Tim. 1:17).

God is sovereign- “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Ps. 115:3).

God is said to be love- “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1Jn. 4:16).

And God is covenant keeping- “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob” (Ex. 2:24).

   Not only does Scripture reveal God, but it also proclaims his amazing acts. The Bible records the works of the Lord.

God created- “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1).

God redeemed- “Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel” (Is. 41:14).

God judged- “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts” (Mal. 3:5).

God sent the Son- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16).

God delivered up Christ for sinners- “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32)

The Lord crushed Christ- “Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand” (Is. 53:10).

   Scripture reveals the law of the Lord. God has made himself and his works known. However, he did not leave man without standards or boundaries. He wrote his law on the hearts of mankind and then had them committed to stone.

God put his law in the hearts of man- “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them” (Rom. 2:15).

The Lord gave his law to his people- “And God spoke all these words, saying, ^'I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's'” (Ex. 20:1-17).

   God has revealed himself, his works, and his law within the pages of Scripture. But that is not all. God reveals the gospel in the Bible. We find the saving message of God through Christ in both testaments. Sinners are brought near to God; God forgives and cleanses. What an amazing revelation!

God shines light into the hearts of men- “For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Cor. 4:6).

The gospel was given to Paul- “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:11-12).

The good news of the gospel is sent with the power of the Spirit- “Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” (1Thess. 1:5).

   The good news of God's salvation through Christ is seen throughout Scripture. Sinners can be made right with God through the person and work of Christ the Son and the power of the Spirit. What a glorious message from a glorious God! The holy, sin-hating God forgives repentant sinners who trust in Christ and his sacrifice for sin. It sounds to good to be true. This is the message of God's word. It may sound unbelievable, but believe it, your eternal life depends on it!