Yes, Sym, but he asked how the RCC views salvation, a definition spread out over 2,188 passages. The concept of Salvation isn’t complex, but the doctrine goes pretty deep. I wanted to give him a good answer, citing the catechism, but I was in to much of a rush for all of that. Well, lets get started. Of course, we all know salvation is the forgiveness of sins and restoration of your relationship with the father (direct quote from Catechism glossary), through the blood sacrifice of his only Son, Jesus Christ. But, that part is a no brainer. You where talking about more details about the specific believes of he RCC, right? Well basically, Aw, I’m going to let the Catechism speak for it self. I‘ll list the passage number, and what it says, you can look it up, if you‘d like:
169- God alone gives salvation, of course. This is clearly stated for all to see, as the first sentence is “Salvation comes from God alone.”
830- The means of Salvation are Confession of faith, sacramental life, and an ordained ministry with apostolic succession.
1129- Sacraments of the New Convent, which are Baptism and Communion, are required. Transubstantiation is just the fancy name behind the Catholic’s belief of what happens in the “Mystery of the Eucharist.” But, lets not get into an anamnesis debate, I’m sick of hearing about it, lol. While partaking in the Lord’s Supper is required, believing in the transubstantiation theory is not. This is one instance of where the phrase “effective, but not valid.” comes in. It is all in 1362-1381 if you want to read about it. Doesn’t have much to do with Salvation, but it explains transubstantiation and why it is believed.
1257- This directly addresses the fact that Baptism is required. And., that is pretty much what it said: “Baptist is required for salvation”
1816- Faith is required. This one can get really confusing. Reading the passage alone would almost lead one to believe it is about Work being require, when in fact, it is the tail end of a 3 passage discretion of Faith.
This is the latest Edition, revised by Pope John Paul the II, scripture in text and citations, if you want them. You can find the full text online, I think. Just google it. The only problem with that is the online version may not have the scripture citations. And believe me, they are very important in understanding the Catholic point of view.
On a side note, 817-819 does a nice job explaining the Roman Catholic stance on Protestantism. Basically, they believe both sides of the original issue handled it very poorly, the Catholic Church being at fault for most of it, but both sides here wrong. However, the RCC doesn’t see the sins as inherited, and views the communities resulting from these protests, and “accepts them with respect and affection as brothers.” To goes on to say “All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the lord.” They see not problem with Protestant salvation, and seek a unity among the Denominations. The catechism is kind of tricky to navigate. A lot of confusion comes from people trying to read and understand it on their own, without any kind of experience or aid from someone with knowledge of it. Even Catholics have a hard time!
And this is an especially tricky topic. The word “Protestant” doesn’t appear anywhere in the Catechism, and there is no direct connection in the Sections on Salvation that address salvation in Protestant churches. You have to go to the section of Church Unity to find out about Protestantism. If I hadn’t read that passage just the other day, I wouldn’t have found it now! The Catechism only state Mary is required for salvation by those who take it out of context. The report of Mary’s worship has been great exaggerated. There are 2 passage people like to use when attacking the belief of Mary. 969 is a more popular one, and it talks about her in a manor that is talks about all saints, she is an intercessor, and prays that we do not lose our walk. And everyone forgets about 970, which explains that Mary’s function doesn’t diminish Jesus, but displays his power. The second one is 1172, which is nothing more then an explanation of why the Liturgical year has a small part sectioned off for Mary. This would not seem odd to any Catholic, or anyone else on a Liturgical system, because the point of the Liturgical year is to go thru the life of Christ, and being born of a Virgin (and being born PEROID) is an important factor in the human life cycle. But, I have to ask you to keep in mind not to judge all of us. Between the Roman Church, all Eastern Rites, the Byzantine Rite, the Polish Nation rite, and all the rest, the only one who believe in the Mary doctrine is the RCC. The rest of us think it foolishness. She say she wanted the lords will when the Angel asker her, big deal! She was like what, 14? 17? If a big glowing man showed up at my home and said I was going to get pregnant as a virgin, I’d do to scared to disagree or debate!!!!!!! lol
Ok, now that I covered the basics...
Well, that was fun. Hope this was helpful, and not to vague. Let me know if you need clarification on anything.
Well said, Sym. I wish more people would get that, we are hear to serve. It is called “service” for that reason! The preacher and P&W are not the show. The whole sanctuary is God’s personal show. God isn’t sitting in the balcony watching the Preacher in stage, he is sitting in Heaven watching all of us. Sunday morning is game day, and the Preacher isn’t the only player. People want the spirit of God in their church, well, he isn’t going to some to listen to the Preacher talk about something He already knows, and has been trying to get through our heads for ages. He is going to come to see all his Children. Service isn’t about you. That is why alter calls are AFTER service!
