Sola Fide?

[Hoonbaba]

Hi guys,

I was just wondering: What do Catholics think about 'sola fide'? (i.e. 'faith alone')

In other words, when a nonbeliever becomes a believer, is faith in Christ the essential part of becoming saved (i'm referring to initial regeneration, not 'standing firm' until the 'end')?

I think we sorta discussed this but I don't know if I got a clear answer.

-Jason

 

[VOW]

To Jason:

Luther was the one who originally attached the "Sola" onto "fide." (If I've got my history right from Wolseley!) Luther's apparent concern was his obsession with the practices of indulgences. And there's no argument, the indulgences scandal was a black eye to the Catholic Church. It's something that happens once politics and power get involved in the spiritual.

It is faith which saves you. You are granted Grace from God, but your Free Will to choose to accept the Grace gives you faith. As you mentioned, that sets your feet on the path of righteousness.

But you gotta MOVE DEM FEETS. And that's where the "works" argument comes to play. Faith without works is dead. Faith won't move your feet. If you stand there in place and don't begin your journey to eternity, you'll die.

I guess you could say that the sale of indulgences was looked upon as a way for the wealthy or the nobility to avoid walking the path; they figured for enough money, they could HIRE someone to carry them to Heaven. Luther kicked the hired help off the path, but he didn't tell folks they still had to WALK.


Peace be with you,
~VOW

 

[Hoonbaba]

Originally posted by VOW
To Jason:

Luther was the one who originally attached the "Sola" onto "fide." (If I've got my history right from Wolseley!) Luther's apparent concern was his obsession with the practices of indulgences. And there's no argument, the indulgences scandal was a black eye to the Catholic Church. It's something that happens once politics and power get involved in the spiritual.

It is faith which saves you. You are granted Grace from God, but your Free Will to choose to accept the Grace gives you faith. As you mentioned, that sets your feet on the path of righteousness.

But you gotta MOVE DEM FEETS. And that's where the "works" argument comes to play. Faith without works is dead. Faith won't move your feet. If you stand there in place and don't begin your journey to eternity, you'll die.

I guess you could say that the sale of indulgences was looked upon as a way for the wealthy or the nobility to avoid walking the path; they figured for enough money, they could HIRE someone to carry them to Heaven. Luther kicked the hired help off the path, but he didn't tell folks they still had to WALK.


Peace be with you,
~VOW

Hi VOW,

In terms of the initial regeneration process, would Catholics agre that faith is where it begins?

God bless!

-Jason

 

[Anise]

Here is a quote that might be what you are talking about:

we are therefore said to be justified by faith, because faith is the beginning of human salvation, the foundation and root of all justification, without which it is impossible to please God

Trent

Under the topic of baptism is where a Catholic usually mentions regeneration. And for an adult, their own personal faith is a required part of the whole baptism thing. Baptism is called the sacrament of faith. The nuance that makes it hard to answer your question is that there is the initial response to God and the drawing the person to God and also there is the infused gifts faith, hope, charity poured into our hearts that comes at the moment of being reborn.

 

[VOW]

To Jason:

GRACE is where it begins!

It's hard for folks to understand those who practice infant baptism, but that is like a passing of the torch to the next generation. It's a family chain of faith, where the parents and godparents profess to God to raise the child in the Church. Godparents are sworn to step in for the parents, to insure that the child will be raised with a faith. They have no legal standing, unless the parents make provisions in their wills, and the entire practice is more for show these days than anything else. But the original intention was to make sure the child is not taken away from the baptismal faith by any failure on part of the parents.

There are many steps in the education of the child, and each one is faith promoting. Typically, the first step after Baptism is First Communion. My chidren were attending Parochial School at the time of their First Communions, and religion is a subject taught just like arithmetic or history. At second and third grade, these children are taught to understand the miracle that occurs at the Mass, that the bread and the wine become the Real Body and Real Blood of Jesus. They learn to have respect and reverence for the Eucharist, and it is intended to set them on the path of learning about their faith.

Confirmation happens at the High School age. I watched the changes in my daughter when she took the classes; its a two-year program. My son is in the first year now. It's incredible! I can't say enough for it, and for the youth ministers who give so openly of themselves to IMBUE these young people with the Holy Spirit.

It all begins with Grace.


Peace be with you,
~VOW