but.. may i ask a question, because i always get different
answers from catholics. my gf, feels that even though a person
rejects Jesus as Lord and Savior, he can still goto heaven.
is that a catholic teaching, or is she just mistaken?
i ask this, because.. we actually argued about this. and she
told me she believes that even if someone doesn't trust Jesus for
salvation, and dies, he still can goto heaven, because God is a
merciful God. And she affirms that a catholic priest taught
that
i understand and accept that, even among protestants, there are
many slightly different doctrine, but we all agree that Jesus is
the only way to salvation, so being disturbed by her answer (i told
her she can't just anyhow change the rules of how the game is
played, to suit how she think God is. While God is merciful, He is
also holy and just. Sin is still sin, and sin must be punished by
death. He could only extend His mercy to us, and keep His standard
of holiness through Jesus' death)
so being disturbed, i asked a friend, who is also dating a
catholic, and have really explored the catholic faith rather
throughly, whether is it true that catholics believe that, and she
said no, catholics don't.
so.. bottom line is, i have 2 different opinions to this very
fundamental truth. So, I don't really want to care about doctrine,
because doctrine is quite influenced by man.. I just want to know
if we agree on fundamental truths - trinity, Jesus's died and rose
again, paying for all of mankind's sin, and we are saved by grace -
which develops the fruit of salvation, which are good works, and
love for others.
this can only be confirmed by catholics honestly answering
this,
one day (i don't think this will ever happen), a catholic priest
decides to build a church, but didn't built any idols, would the
catholics feel it's no big deal - after all, it's still a church,
or would they make noise about it - like because they feel that
something is missing.
Your gf is absolutely right and your other friend is not. So
there are no 2 opinions about this and I am very sure. Think about
it, you agree that God is great, forgiving, loving etc.....why
would He want to condem one of His own children to hell just
because he is not a christian? This especially if the child is a
good one who is always loving and giving to others?
As converts, we have many ancestors (some must be good people
right?) and why would we want to worhip a "god" that will send all
our ancestors to hell?
Having said that, it does not means that we contradict that
Jesus is the only way to salvation.... He is.
Jesus is the only one tasked by God to judge and He told us
exactly what we need to do in Mt 25:31-46 Last Judgement. It is
about love and charity that we do that will qualify us to be sheep.
I.E. sheep are true disciple of Christ who listen and act on His
words (read Mt 7:21-27 and Lk 13:25-28).
Unfortunately, we are not saved by grace alone.....because St
Paul never said so. This also drive the big divide in doctrines
preached. Read Jas 2:14-26 which to my understanding is that it
disturb Martin Luther so much that he actually removed the entire
book of James from the bible he preached.
St Paul said in one of the letters (I need to go and find if you
must have the quote) that we are judged according to the Gospel he
preached and those with law will be judged by the laws and
something to that effect.
Depending on how you want to understand and read the bible,
salvation is indeed by faith and deeds. Not when we profess our
faith or faith alone.
When we profess our faith, it is an indication that we accepted
Christ. Having done that, we need to co-operate with Him so that He
can accept us into the Kingdom of God. How? By listening and
following His Words like I mentioned earlier (read Mt 7:21-27 and
Lk 13:25-28).
When we all die, we will meet with Jesus (regardless if we
believe Him or not) and face our judgement. The questions He will
asked is what He told us in Mt 25:31-46. Our answer determine where
we go......
And there is this strong views also about purgatory.....the word
was never mentioned in the bible (just like the word Thrinity) but
the idea was as in the bible and you can read them up on the
following:
(2 Macc. 12:44-45), (Matt. 5:25-26), (1 Cor. 3:13-15), (1 Peter
3:18-20), (Rev. 21:27)
and that gives all who are imperfect (we all are) a chance to be
purify by God so that we can finally enter into His Kingdom.
I hope my answer can satisfy you but I am really not trained to
do so. The best place you can have a better understanding and know
what Catholics is about is the RCIA.
You can go and join one as there are no obligation and you can
stop anytime. Or take a copy of the bi-monthly Catholic News and
check for talks that are relating to what you want to know and
attend them.
