Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site decwrl.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxb!mhuxn!mhuxm!mhuxj!houxm!whuxlm!harpo!decvax!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-lymph!arndt From: arndt@lymph.DEC Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: RCs and WORKS Message-ID: <542@decwrl.UUCP> Date: Tue, 12-Feb-85 09:58:37 EST Article-I.D.: decwrl.542 Posted: Tue Feb 12 09:58:37 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 13-Feb-85 04:57:40 EST Sender: daemon@decwrl.UUCP Organization: DEC Engineering Network Lines: 28 While some of my best friends are RCs (Roman Catholics) and I wouldn't want my daughters to marry one, I still must make a comment on their behalf. The Roman Catholics have one of the STRONGEST posititons on salvation by grace alone of all the Christian groups! It is in the statements that come from the Council of Trent (and remember, the statements of the Councils ARE authoritive for the RC Church!). The Council of Trent was called in response to the Reformers charges that the Church was weak on the whole issue of 'works' and that it should be 'sola fide', faith alone, that was needed for salvation. Well, the statements of the Council, if you look them up, say "anyone who says that salvation comes from works or a mixture of grace and works, IS CURSED!!" That's more than some modern protestant groups! The 'grace' of the 'Saints' comes into play for those ALREADY saved. Not for sinners. It is true, that like every other religious group, the Catholic laymen often don't know the 'law' of the Church, but the official stand of the Church is VERY clear on this point. At the Council of Trent there were centain members who were pushing for reform, after all the reformers were Catholics themselves - Luther was put out of the Church - and it is speculated that if the Council had not been shortened by the outbreak of war we might see a very different Roman Catholic Church today! Regards, Ken Arndt