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| anselmusjmj commented on SCIENCE CATCHING UP WITH CATHOLOCISM?
It is interesting to note that JAMES chapter 2 is the ONLY place in the Bible where the words “faith alone” appear, and James 2 is the most famous book of the Bible for understanding that it is by BOTH faith and works that we are saved. God and His Grace are what save, but it is our faith and works which “connect us to” that saving Grace. Going back…. it is interesting to note that there are two important words in front of “faith alone,” as found in any valid New Testament, and those words are “not by”. Providential and Ironic. Anselmus |
ABYSSUS ABYSSUM INVOCAT / DEEP CALLS TO DEEP 
Thank-you Anselmus. The name Anselm is dear to me as I once pondered a vocation to the Benedictines at Saint Anselm Abbey in Manchester, New Hampshire. The kind hearted Abbot at the time is now a Bishop. You are right in what you say and I was not aware of this. I did not mean to be judgmental against my separated brethren who lived in Nazi Germany for only God can judge the heart. And Catholics too fell under the spell of Adolf Hitler. By the grace of God there were many martyrs to the faith among both Catholics and Protestants. I was only trying to point out a weakness in the doctrine of “sola fida.” I would not even presume to judge the soul of brother Martin Luther or brother John Calvin although I cannot accept most of their key doctrines.
And I would note that many of my brother and sister Catholics have innocently or not so innocently fallen into a habit of thinking along the lines of ‘sola fida,’ in the sense that they believe that just by bearing the name ‘Catholic’ they no longer have to fear God and work out their salvation in fear and trembling. I live in a rough neighborhood where there are many criminals. In the Walmart store I often hear them brag about their crimes in front of their own children. And yet they would never fail to make the sign of the cross when passing a Catholic Church. And many have tattoos of rosaries, images of Jesus and the blessed Mother on their arms and hands. Since I myself am a sinner I cannot say what is in their hearts. But I just want to point out that ‘sola fida’ is not an idea that is restricted to our separated brothers. ‘Sola fida’ as a doctrine is extremely harmful to the anti-abortion movement. At least that’s what I feel. Faith without love is not really faith.