I'm writing this page in reply to non-Catholic Christians with whom I cross electronic paths with on Facebook and other social media outlets, and, who request Scripture references to back up my arguments supporting the Catholic faith.
In this case, the answer as to why the concept of 'salvation by faith alone' taught by Luther is a big error – it is a long one, so I've placed it in a page here (despite the light-hearted title of this blog) since there is more space on a blog page which is easier to read.
(Note: I'll be using Douay-Rheims Bible quotes and reference numbers).
I'll begin by bringing up a smidgen of history: the Christian Bible as one big book didn't exist in the beginning of the Church, it took awhile to compile, and, it was the Catholic Church under the pope in Rome that put the Bible together in the first place.
Those who leave the Catholic Church end up ripping the Bible apart so they no longer have to follow what is truly Catholic in it, like Luther, he cut out the bits that didn't fit with his 'salvation by faith-alone' viewpoint so he didn't have to follow the doctrine that, yes, you must 'do work' if you expect salvation.
It is not enough to simply believe in Christ to be saved, even Christ pointed this out.
But, what I will start out with first: the Epistle of St. James the Less, the Apostle.
Luther, who believed in the infallibility of the Scriptures and who
claimed he was 'reforming the Church', then cut out a book of the
Bible the contents of which were declared necessary for salvation, a book written by Christ's own cousin, chosen by Christ to be an
Apostle, and who was taught by Christ Himself, and, one of the first
bishops of the Church - the first bishop of Jerusalem.
Yeah. That makes a lot of sense.
Was St. James so 'corrupt' and 'incorrect' that he needed to be cut out?
Of interest, St. James' epistle, as well as the Epistles of the Apostles Peter, Jude and John, were called the 'universal' aka 'CATHOLIC' Epistles because they were written for ALL the faithful throughout the world, and not addressed simply for one group of the faithful people as is the case with St. Paul's epistles to certain cities, people etc.
So, consider that - Luther cut out an important text intended for ALL the faithful, (among other books from the Bible).
What did Luther disagree with?
Well, considering he taught the grave error that 'faith alone is necessary for salvation', it has to be this:
St. James wrote that salvation also requires action on the part of the believer as well, aka, charitable work.
The Apostle exhorts all the faithful do not be forgetful hears of the word, but DOERS of the word:
“For if a man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he shall be compared to a man beholding his own countenance in a glass. (I.e. a mirror) For he beheld himself, and went his way, and presently forgot what manner of man he was. But he that hath looked into the perfect law of liberty, and hath continued therein, not becoming a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; this man shall be blessed in his deed.(...) . Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation: and to keep one's self unspotted from this world. ”
(James 1: 23-25. 27)
So, you must be a doer of works and deeds to be blessed, and he points out 'pure' religion is accomplishing charitable works, and therefore is required, like visiting and taking care of orphans and widows.
St. James also says if you do not do any works of mercy, you will be judged without mercy, and, faith without good works is a dead faith. Faith alone will not save you before God's tribunal. It is the same as the devils who are damned, they have a 'dead' faith, they believe in God, but yet are lost:
“For judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy. And mercy exalteth itself above judgment. What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him? And if a brother or sister be naked, and want daily food: And one of you say to them: Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it profit? So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself. But some man will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without works; and I will shew thee, by works, my faith. Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (St. James 2: 13-20)
Then we see St. Peter, the Head of the Apostles, wrote in his universal epistle to ALL the faithful that God the Father will judge everyone according to the work they do, work is expected even after having been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, and it is holy work that is expected: a believer must work to be holy as God is holy, especially because the faithful are redeemed at such a high price, the Blood of Christ:
“Because it is written: You shall be holy, for I am holy. And if you invoke as Father him who, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every one's work: converse in fear during the time of your sojourning here. Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things as gold or silver, from your vain conversation of the tradition of your fathers: But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and undefiled, (1 Peter: 16-19)
Then see what St. Paul wrote to the Philippians:
“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, (...) with fear and trembling work out your salvation." (Phil. 2:12)
St. Paul also wrote to the Galatians:
“Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting. And in doing good, let us not fail. For in due time we shall reap, not failing. Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” (Gal. 7-10)
Therefore, St. Paul, Luther's favorite, also taught one must work out their salvation with fear and trembling, and we have to do good works while there is yet time! If you do not 'sow' good works, there will be no reward to reap.
St. James, St. Peter and St. Paul didn't make this up.
As mentioned, Christ Himself showed faith alone is not enough to get you into Heaven.
When
Christ spoke about what criteria He uses to judge who will be damned
or who will be saved, He spoke of actions of charity, aka, works of
mercy. His Judgement will be made public before the whole word at the End of Time:
“And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty. And all nations shall be gathered together before him, and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in: Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.
Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me not to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you covered me not: sick and in prison, and you did not visit me. Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to thee? Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me. And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting.” (Matt. 25: 31-46)
Observation: Christ spoke of the separation of the sheep from the goats, aka, what will save or damn you, right after He taught the following parable of the unprofitable servant who 'believed' in his Master all right, the servant knew the Master was someone to be feared, (a symbol of believing God, even the devils believe and fear God as St. James wrote,) but the unprofitable servant did nothing with the talent given him, he buried it. He didn't work to increase the talent, and all was taken away from him and he was cast into the exterior darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth– the symbol of Hell. God expects His servants to produce, and He expects a high return:
"For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods; And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five. And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two. But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord's money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown, and gatherest where thou hast not strewed. And being afraid I went and hid thy talent in the earth: behold here thou hast that which is thine. And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not strewed: Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received my own with usury. Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that hath ten talents. For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away. And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 25: 14-30)
Christ also shows in the parable of Lazarus and Dives that those who have the means yet refuse to help the poor are in serious danger of hellfire for their omission to do good works:
“There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen; and feasted sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, full of sores, Desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table, and no one did give him; moreover the dogs came, and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died: and he was buried in hell. And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom: And he cried, and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, to cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame. And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that thou didst receive good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted; and thou art tormented.” (Luke 16: 19-22)
Christ told another parable to show that a soul that does not produce after the graces it received through the faith will be like a unfruitful and useless fruit tree that will be pulled up and thrown into the fire if it fails to give fruit:
“A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down therefore: why cumbereth it the ground? But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it. And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” (Luke 13: 6-9)
Christ expects his followers to produce and bear fruit, and just sitting there looking pretty isn't going to get you anywhere for long! God will give you a chance, the saints in Heaven and the just on earth may intercede on your behalf and give you some time, but after awhile, if you only produce green leaves, aka empty words of praise with no fruit, you will be cut down
“This people honoureth me with their lips: but their heart is far from me. And in vain do they worship me ...” (Matt 15: 8-9)
Compare this with the fruitless fig tree Christ actually cursed as He was heading to Jerusalem - it failed to bear Him fruit, even out of season. Then, notice what Christ taught the apostles after they noticed the fig tree withered -- one must have FAITH, AND GOOD DEEDS, such as forgiveness of your enemies, which is a spiritual act of charity, or you will not be forgiven:
"And when he had seen afar off a fig tree having leaves, he came if perhaps he might find any thing on it. And when he was come to it, he found nothing but leaves. For it was not the time for figs. And answering he said to it: May no man hereafter eat fruit of thee any more for ever. And his disciples heard it. (…) And when evening was come, he went forth out of the city. And when they passed by in the morning they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter remembering, said to him: Rabbi, behold the fig tree, which thou didst curse, is withered away. And Jesus answering, saith to them: Have the faith of God. Amen I say to you, that whosoever shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed and be cast into the sea, and shall not stagger in his heart, but believe, that whatsoever he saith shall be done; it shall be done unto him.[Therefore I say unto you, all things, whatsoever you ask when ye pray, believe that you shall receive; and they shall come unto you. And when you shall stand to pray, forgive, if you have aught against any man; that your Father also, who is in heaven, may forgive you your sins. But if you will not forgive, neither will your Father that is in heaven, forgive you your sins. “
(Mark 11:13-14, 19-26)
So, we are to produce even out of season, aka, do what 'goes against the grain' so to speak if we truly wish to be perfect, such as forgiving our enemies. Christ said we are do TO DO GOOD to those who hate and persecute us, again there is another action, which is a GOOD WORK:
“But I say to you, Love your enemies: do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you: That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who maketh his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and raineth upon the just and the unjust.
For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have? do not even the publicans this? And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more? Do not also the heathens this? Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matt. 5-44-48)
So, to become perfect as He is perfect, which He expects, God expects good deeds as He Himself does good deeds, even for the evil ones who despise Him, He is not a God of inaction or idleness, which is a sin.
St. John the Baptist taught the same thing – action is required for salvation if you do not wish to be like an unproductive tree that will be cut up and cast into the fire:
“For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying: What then shall we do? And he answering, said to them: He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do in like manner. (Luke3: 9-11)
Christ also said that if the hypocritical Pharisees gave alms, which is a good work for the poor, despite practicing their useless man-devised, hand and pot washing rituals, then they would really have been made clean, but they forgot how God judges and they passed over God's charity:
“And the Lord said to him: Now you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but your inside is full of rapine and iniquity. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without, make also that which is within? But yet that which remaineth, give alms; and behold, all things are clean unto you. But woe to you, Pharisees, because you tithe mint and rue and every herb; and pass over judgment, and the charity of God.” (Luke 11: 39-42)
Not everyone who believes in the Lord and cries out to Him with their lips will be close to Him, for they fail to DO what is commanded:
“This people honoureth me with their lips: but their heart is far from me. And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and commandments of men.” (Matt. 15:8-9)
'Salvation by faith alone' is a dead faith and vain worship, and therefore a commandment of a man. It is certainly not in the Gospels as you can see.
True, we of ourselves cannot save ourselves, only Christ can and did open Heaven to us by His Passion. Christ said apart from Him we can do nothing:
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
unless it abide in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me.
I am the vine: you the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him,
the same beareth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and
shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire,
and he burneth." (John 15: 4-6)
And yet, if we wish to abide in His love in order to bear fruit, we must DO as He commands:
"If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; as I also have kept my Father's commandments, and do abide in his love." (John 15:10)
Doing His commandments also means loving our neighbor as ourselves, which is the greatest commandment.
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with thy whole heart, and with
thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind, and with thy whole strength.
This is the first commandment. And the second is like to it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31 )
Acts of mercy are acts of love to our neighbors. If we wish to be shown mercy, show mercy to others, which requires action, good deeds.
"All things therefore whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets." (Matt. 7-12)
"In what measure you shall mete, it shall be measured to you again, and more shall be given to you." (Mark. 4:24)
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (Matt. 5-7)
Therefore, Christ has shown that belief alone is not enough.
Below are the 7 Corporal and 7 Spiritual works of Mercy a Christian is expected to practice if they hope to obtain mercy at God's tribunal:
To feed the hungry.
To give water to the thirsty.
To clothe the naked.
To shelter the homeless.
To visit the sick.
To visit the imprisoned, or ransom the captive.
To bury the dead
Just as the corporal works of mercy are directed towards relieving corporeal suffering, the aim of the spiritual works of mercy is to relieve spiritual suffering.
The Spiritual works include:
To instruct the ignorant.
To counsel the doubtful.
To admonish the sinners.
To bear patiently those who wrong us.
To forgive offenses.
To comfort the afflicted.
To pray for the living and the dead.
“You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt.5: 14-20)
Remember, Christ said the Pharisees honoured God with their lips only, but failed to do good deeds, such as giving alms to the poor, therefore they remained 'unclean' in His sight.
“Charity covereth all sins." (Proverbs 10:12)
"But before all things have a constant mutual
charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins."
(1 Peter 4:8)
“He that hath the substance of this world, and shall see his brother in need, and shall shut up his bowels from him: how doth the charity of God abide in him? ... My little children, let us not love in word, nor in tongue, but in deed, and in truth.” (1 John 3: 17-18)
“Charge the rich of this world not to be high-minded, nor to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, (who giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy,) To do good, to be rich in good works, to give easily, to communicate to others, To lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the true life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
