Document written by Paul Swonger.

Introduction

• Does the Catholic Church teach we can be justified under Mosaic Law? No.
• Does the Catholic Church teach we can be justified without God's grace? No.
• Does the Catholic Church teach we can work our way into faith? No.
• Does the Catholic Church teach true faith has works? Yes. (cf. James 2:17, 2:21, 2:24 )
  

The Catholic teaching on Justification is perhaps the single most misrepresented concept by Church opponents. This document will give a very simple and indeed Bible based defense of the Catholic position, perhaps (for the purposes of this document) most importantly, dispelling common misrepresentations. I will discuss merit, grace, works and faith. This document has been created specifically to address the common charge against the Catholic Church that essentially amounts to "Catholics believe God owes them salvation because of their works". This representation of Catholic Soteriology is absolutely false.

Scriptural Considerations with Catholic Commentary

Below are select verses from Sacred Scripture dealing with the concept of Justification. I will present the verses, with George Leo Haydock's Catholic Commentary in bold, green text. My own commentary will follow, in normal text.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you are saved through faith: and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God.

Faith is the beginning, foundation, and the root of justification, and the first of all other virtues, without which it is impossible to please God. (Bristow)

Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, that no man may glory.

Man can do no work independent of Christ's grace to obtain Justification. Faith results from grace, justification in turn results from this true faith. As Paul refers to "works", we must bear in mind the context. This is not a condemnation of "works" such as are discussed and instituted as commandments by Christ in Matthew 25:36. It is a clear statement stating justification without grace is impossible, even if we were to obey without fail, the "works of the law" which Paul here, and so frequently references (cf. Romans 3:27, Romans 9:32, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:2). The concept that he's teaching is fundamental to the new covenant. The law of faith will justify (cf. Romans 3:27). The Decalogue (Ten Commandments), or Mosaic Law, will not save you. We must reconcile this with the whole of scripture, including most importantly the second chapter of the book of James.

James 2:24 Do you see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only?

James here is obviously not contradicting Paul in Ephesians 2:9, but at length in Chapter 2 of his Epistle, discusses the measure of true faith. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17) he says, thus the requirement for works inherent in salvation, which is to say if your faith have not works, it is dead. Not as if those works are of ourselves, apart from grace afforded us by Christ on the cross, nor are they acts that cause God to owe us anything. This work James discusses merits (meritum de condigno) in the sense the Church has clearly defined, graces not owed, but rewarded us out of Christ's nature, which is merciful and giving. This should not be mistaken for some anti-reformation post hoc qualification. The distinctions made in both grace and merit are present in patristic tradition no later than the last centuries of the Patristic era (against the Pelagians and Semipelagians).

Conciliar Decrees Examined

"If any one saith, that man may be justified before God by his own works, whether done through the teaching of human nature, or that of the law, without the grace of God through Jesus Christ; let him be anathema." Council of Trent, Session VI, Canon I, January 13, 1547

External Links

Catholic Encyclopedia Article Justification:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08573a.htm