Supernatural Grace is primarily understood as Christ's efficacious work on the cross. As Catholics we believe that we can experience this Grace through the Sacraments, but that is not all. This Grace from God works in the hearts of men to enable them to make an act of faith and to do the good works he has prepared for them to do. We believe that a man is judged based on his faith, but also on his works - see the sermon on the mount. But both are gifts from God. The Catholic understanding is that all of these things are rooted in the one-time Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Everything is tied to that one event, the sacraments receive their power from that one event.

I will do as you ask, and define what I mean that Catcholics believe we are saved by Grace alone.

In accordance with Catholic Dogma, I believe two things very concretely: the free will of man to choose the Salvation God offers, and God's supernatural Predestination of certain people to the Security of Heaven. Remember that nothing I will say compromises either of these things.

I believe that no man can come to God, make an act of faith, do a good work, or anything of the like without the Supernatural Grace of God enabling him to do so. I also believe that there is nothing I can do to merit Salvation. I rest solely on the Grace of God in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for my sins.

As the Council of Trent states: If anyone says that divine grace through Christ Jesus is given for this only, that man may be able more easily to live justly and to merit eternal life, as if by free will without grace he is able to do both, though with hardship and difficulty, let him be anathema.

The Bible supports this belief (I.Cor.1:30-31). Grace alone.

Neil wrote:
Alan H.: Glad to oblige:
www.fahayek.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1119&Itemid=0
Be forewarned: the speech was to an academic (not a popular) audience. Key concept: de-Hellenization (which he blames the Reformers for instigating)
Near the bottom, a vital stmt.: "listening to the great experiences and insights of the religious traditions of humanity, and those of the Christian faith in particular, is a source of knowledge"
So truth can be found outside of Scripture (contra Col. 2:2-3), per evidentialism. No wonder few "Protestant" eyebrows were raised.

Wayne M. wrote:
Papist,
You gave some links. It is easy to refer someone somewhere else to find the answer. What we would like to know is what you believe and can you explain grace and grace alone in your own words?

Also, someone questioned if I even have time for my Bible if I'm posting all these links. Frankly, yes. When do I do that? When I'm not typing out all the arguments again for you when you can just as easily read it off a link.

Just because I'm Catholic and I read outside sources, doesn't mean I don't read my Bible. Let's be fair here. If we assume that anyone who posts links doesn't read their Bible, we're being rediculous. Personal attacks aren't merited just because I posted a link. If so, there are plenty of protestants just as guilty.

And, hey. At least I read what they posted!

http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/GRACALON.htm

thank you for your remark. I appreciate it. I know that we all have disagreements, and yes, some of them are serious. I never mean to down-play the differences.

On the Deutero-canonicsls:

http://web.archive.org/web/20050205115644/catholicoutlook.com/objapoc1.php

And for the record - we don't believe in a different Jesus.

Albert - The Bible does give the Church the authority. Jesus gave the Apostles authority: "whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven," etc. These Apostles chose successors, down to this very day. It's in the Bible. Such as when Matthias was chosen to take the bishipric left empty by Judas.

However, the idea of Sola Scriptura? Faith Alone? Now those are traditions of men- particularly started by Luther and propogated by other reformers. Those are not found in Scripture. You have to do a lot of stretching to prove those things. I am in Christ's Church.

You protestants are not the judge of all men, and thank goodness for that. "Man looks on the outward appearance; God looks on the heart."

For one, such as me, those books are the Inspired, Infallible word of God because they are part of the Bible. For you they are not.

I'm not in here to "prove" I'm right and you're wrong. I used to be a protestant, and still enjoy listening to sermons, etc. When seeing some of the extremely ignorant, hateful, and I would also add prideful comments on some of the message boards, I was disturbed by the lack of Christian charity.

As a Catholic Christian, I believe that the people posting on this site should not be so quick to judge when it is obvious that they do not know the facts.

I know most of you think you have Salvation in a box under your pillow and that Catholics have their feet already planted in Hell. But even if you were right about that, how in the world do you expect to win converts when all that pours out of your mouths is hate?
But this whole attitude I've witnessed here again is the same reason I joined myself to the Catholic Church. They have fruit.

Fellow Saint wrote:
Papist, in my reading of Catholic literature I am certain there was mention that if a holy day of obligation is missed without worthy cause it's a sin. Did I read wrong? True faith will have good works, but not those recommended by the papacy.

Jessica Dawson wrote:
The Mormons and the Catholics praying to the dead on the behalf of the living does not sit well with me.
Isaiah 8:19 And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?

Fellow Saint wrote:
Well there are good works we don't have to do and those are the works imposed by the RCC. Yes, Jesus did say if we love him to keep his commandments. Did he also command indulgences and observations of holy days with the threat of sin on one's soul if those days aren't observed? I don't think so.

I want to point out that you did just agree that works are necessary. Catholics do not teach a "Works only" gospel though. We acknowledge that the Bible teaches that living faith and good works are inseperable. Not so far-fetched.

Do you think you will gain more crowns of glory for such misinformed rantings?

AntiVaticanistAmerican wrote:
I agree with "Cliff Leckey from N. Ireland".
The TRUE "CATHOLIC/UNIVERSAL" Church [People/General-Assembly] of Jesus Christ is SPIRITUALLY United ALREADY [HERE on PLANET EARTH (BY ALMIGHTY GOD, THE SON, HIMSELF) AND IN HEAVEN TOO !]:
So...
QUESTION: Who ARE these IMPOSTERS? ! ? ! ?
ANSWER: These/Those IMPOSTERS are "MYSTERY (MAGISTERIUM) BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER ('CHURCH') of HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Revelation 17:5