Gratitude & Thanksgiving

As I continue to study the Book of Romans and wrestle with the complex, interrelated topics of salvation, I turn to the Catechism of the Catholic Church to try to understand the Catholic teaching and make sense of the differences brought about by the Protestant reformation. Below are my notes on the topic of Justification, along with CCC references. THE OVERAL L PICTURE as I try to understand it, so far...   JUSTIFICATION - God makes us right with Him Justification is God's gift to humanity, His gracious action by which He forgives our sins, reconciles us to Himself and makes us inwardly righteous. J ustification is conferred through Baptism,  Baptism is the sacrament of faith It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who justifies us. Moved by grace, man turns toward God and away from sin, thus accepting forgiveness and righteousness from on high.  Hence, justi fication is at the same time the acceptance of God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ and through ...

As I continue to study the Book of Romans and wrestle with the complex, interrelated topics of salvation, I turn to the Catechism of the Catholic Church to try to understand the Catholic teaching and also to make sense of the differences brought about by the Protestant reformation. Below are my notes on the topic of Judgment, along with CCC references. THE OVERALL PICTURE as I try to understand it so far... The Catholic Church approaches the topic of Judgment in two angles The Last Judgment   The Particular Judgment THE LAST JUDGMENT CCC 1038–1041 teaches that the Last Judgment will reveal the ultimate truth of each person’s life , calling all to conversion and inspiring hope in Christ’s return.    CCC 1038–1041 presents the Last Judgment as a definitive revelation of God’s justice and mercy , a moment when the ultimate meaning of human life and history will be understood.  The doctrine of the Last Judgment underscores the importance of living a life of love, mercy,...

I started to study the Book of Romans and am wrestling with the complex, interrelated topics of salvation. I turn to the Catechism of the Catholic Church to try to understand the Catholic teaching and also to make sense of the differences brought about by the Protestant reformation. I am trying to form an overall picture of the concepts of Salvation, justification, righteousness, sanctification and judgment, and took notes: THE OVERALL PICTURE as I try to understand it so far...

As I began a new program studying the Book of Romans, I found myself wrestling with the question of faith and works in Catholic and Protestant teaching. I initially approached the subject with the intention of clarifying for myself  the Catholic position. But as I read more deeply into the debate, I came to realise that there is actually far more common ground between Catholics and Protestants than the debate might suggest. The following are notes I have distilled from my reading and reflections. Note: Protestantism encompasses a wide range of denominations and theological traditions, with differences in how faith, justification, sanctification and works are understood. The Protestant view referred to here below are broad generalisations reflecting the classical/mainstream Protestant position. ----------------------------- COMMON GROUND Both Catholics and Protestants believe that salvation begins with God's grace, not human achievement. “For by grace you have been saved through f...

Psalm 83: O God, Arise Against Our Enemies (Communitarian Lament) (No longer used in the Catholic Mass nor in the Liturgy of the Hours) 1 A song, an Asaphic psalm. 2 O God, no silence[/rest] for You!  Do not be mute and do not be quiet, God. 3 For, look, Your enemies rage [growl],  and those who hate You lift their heads. 4 Against Your people they devise cunning counsel  and conspire against Your protected ones. 5 They have said: “Come, let us obliterate them as a nation,  and the name of Israel will no longer be recalled.” 6 For they conspired with a single heart,  against You they sealed a pact [covenant]— 7 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,  Moab and the Hagrites, 8 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,  Philistia with the dwellers of Tyre. 9 Assyria, too, has joined them,  has become an arm for the sons of Lot.Selah 10 Do unto them as to Midian, as to Sisera, as to Jabin at the Wadi Kishon.   11 They were destroyed at En-Dor, they turned into...