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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
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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