I believe that to be a true Christian, you believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who I believe to be our messiah--our savior. Many of these teachings were pertaining to our everyday life, as to what we should do to better glorify God and the such. However, one stands out, being the one which is the basis for our discussion right now.
That is, as it is stated in the bible, "God so loved the world that gave his own son, and whoever believes in him shall not parish, but have everlasting life." This principal, this salvation from God through Jesus Christ, is the basis for CHRISTianity. And so, to be a true Christian, you believe that salvation is not gotten through the church, or by works, but by faith in Jesus Christ, and by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Herein lies my problem with Catholocism.
From everything, and anything, I've heard about the Catholic doctrine, this is NOT the basis for salvation. Instead, according to the Catholic church, salvation is received through the church. This salvation is received through certain works (the specific name for such works escapes me at the moment). It is through these works, then, that the salvation from God is "channeled" of sorts through the church, and then to the people.
It is this salvation through the church, and not directly through faith in Christ, that leads me to say that Catholocism and Christianity do not coincide. Christianity states that we are saved through our faith in Christ alone, and Catholocism states that we are saved through the church.
So, there you have it.
|