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Does Roman Catholicism Teach Salvation by Grace?

Does Roman Catholicism Teach Salvation by Grace?

Michael Havercamp (a practicing Catholic and YL’s Director of Catholic Relations) states that Roman Catholics believe in salvation by grace. “Once in a while, a Protestant will suggest that Catholics believe salvation comes from works, not faith. But just like Protestants, Catholics believe we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.” This is a classic case of same words, different worlds. This statement is meant to put Protestants at ease and make them feel comfortable collaborating with Roman Catholics for the sake of the gospel. But is the statement really true? Do Catholics believe in salvation by grace?

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrOctober 14, 2024roman catholicism, The Reformers, The Reformation, Salvation by grace alone, 5 Solas

The Benefit of Christ’s Death: Rediscovering a Reformation Treasure (II)

The Benefit of Christ’s Death: Rediscovering a Reformation Treasure (II)

Today there is a strong temptation to disregard and no longer talk about the law. Perhaps this is because, as The Benefit of Christ points out, if we talk about the law then we must also talk about sin, condemnation, God's wrath and judgment, and even hell. Instead, it is preferable to talk only about God's love and how we are all brothers and sisters and all children of God.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrSeptember 23, 2024roman catholicism, Protestant Reformation, The Benefit of Christ's Death

The Benefit of Christ’s Death: Rediscovering a Reformation Treasure (I)

The Benefit of Christ’s Death: Rediscovering a Reformation Treasure (I)

The Benefit of Christ’s Death was first printed in Venice, Italy in 1543 at printing press of Bernardo de' Bindoni. It was immediately a huge success, and a reprint was issued the same year, just a few months later. As the historian Salvatore Caponetto notes, "the short book was amongst the best-sellers of the sixteenth century" (p.8).

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrSeptember 1, 2024roman catholicism, Protestant Reformation, Aonio Paleario, Inquisition, The Benefit of Christ's Death

Aonio Paleario: A Forgotten Reformer

Aonio Paleario: A Forgotten Reformer

It is very certain that there were the elements of a great Reformation in Italy, during the forenoon of the sixteenth century. Italy had a roll of noble reformers contemporary with Luther and Calvin. To Italy was given the Bible in the language of the people; a gospel literature began to spring up on their soil. Mighty men labored to bring the Italian church back to the ancient faith that existed when Paul preached, Nero persecuted, and Ignatius suffered. Yet how little is known of them!

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrAugust 10, 2024roman catholicism, Protestant Reformation, Aonio Paleario, Inquisition

The synodal mission marches on, but sin remains left behind

The synodal mission marches on, but sin remains left behind

The total absence of sin from the Instrumentum laboris speaks volumes concerning the Roman Catholic Church’s current understanding of synodality and mission. Any attempt to justify its absence is white noise. Biblically speaking, there is no justifiable reason whatsoever to write extensively on being missionary and never mention sin once. It demonstrates with clarity that the mission of the Synodal Church is not the gospel mission of the Bible.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrJuly 10, 2024roman catholicism, Evangelicalism, synodality, synodal church, sin

"The Bishop of Rome": Is Change Coming to the Papacy?

"The Bishop of Rome": Is Change Coming to the Papacy?

Is the evangelical church ready to respond to the invitation and implications of The Bishop of Rome? Is it clear on its theological convictions and identity, and does it understand those of Rome? Is there clarity concerning Rome, or is it a blind spot for the evangelical church that creates more confusion than clarity? Is it ready to stand firm on the truths of the biblical gospel which were recovered by the Reformers and then rejected by Rome? The Bishop of Rome suggests this day is perhaps coming, and the church must be ready. Is your church ready?

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrJune 21, 2024roman catholicism, Evangelicalism, Year of Jubilee, Indulgences, bishop of rome

Indulgences: Alive and Well in Roman Catholicism

Indulgences: Alive and Well in Roman Catholicism

Evangelicals should immediately recognize the offense that indulgences are to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Indulgences are alive and well in the Roman Catholic Church. The Year of Jubilee is fast approaching. In your church or in your family are there those who might be attracted by a pilgrimage to Rome or to a shrine to obtain something that only Christ can obtain for us?

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrMay 17, 2024roman catholicism, Evangelicalism, Year of Jubilee, Indulgences

Obrigado Portugal: Notes from a Recent Visit

Obrigado Portugal: Notes from a Recent Visit

Near and far at the same time. Religiously and culturally, Portugal has a similar profile to Italy, where the Reformanda Initiative is based. A historically Catholic country steeped in Counter-Reformation Catholicism, only in the last century has it opened up to the evangelical witness that has taken root in Pentecostal, Brethren and Baptist church families.

Read, Leonardo De Chirico, Clay Kannard, Reid KarrReid KarrMay 7, 2024roman catholicism, Pope Francis, Portugal, Evangelicalism

Mercy before Sin, or Sin before Mercy?

Mercy before Sin, or Sin before Mercy?

Sin before mercy makes the gospel a reality and makes it good news. Mercy before sin obscures the gospel and rewrites the biblical narrative, making it man’s word, and not God’s.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrJanuary 9, 2024roman catholicism, Pope Francis, same-sex relationships, blessings, mercy, sin

Pope Francis and the Blessing of Same-Sex Couples: What Does it Mean?

Pope Francis and the Blessing of Same-Sex Couples: What Does it Mean?

Although it means nothing officially, the BBC is right; the Pope’s blessing of same-sex unions is a step in the right direction for the LGBT community. You can rest assured, however, that it will not be enough. Once that door is cracked open, it is a matter of time before it is pushed further open. This is why doctrinal clarity is a blessing for the church, and why it is necessary. Once it is abandoned and God’s Word alone ceases to provide the doctrinal parameters for the church, it is only a matter of time before theological confusion ensues. What we are seeing in the RCC is clear evidence of this.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrDecember 19, 2023roman catholicism, Pope Francis, Children at Vatican, same-sex relationships, blessings

We are Superheroes: A Clear Message from Pope Francis to 7,500 Children

We are Superheroes: A Clear Message from Pope Francis to 7,500 Children

Imagine you are a church leader, and you have the opportunity to speak to 7,500 children from 84 different countries on one single occasion. What an opportunity that would be! What would you say? What would your message be to those children? For Pope Francis this scenario became a reality on November 6th, as he had the privilege of hosting 7,500 children in the Vatican.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrNovember 8, 2023roman catholicism, Pope Francis, Children at Vatican

Synodality and its Ambiguous Path

Synodality and its Ambiguous Path

From an Evangelical perspective, it remains clear that the theological foundation of the Synodal Church will not permit any real and meaningful reform in the Roman Catholic Church. The primary reason for this is the authority to which the Synodal Church submits while charting its path forward.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrNovember 1, 2023Synodal, roman catholicism, Synodal Church, synodality

Pope Francis in Mongolia: An Evangelical Reflection

Pope Francis in Mongolia: An Evangelical Reflection

Evangelicals must not fall into the trap of believing that altruism is an antonym of theological conviction and clarity. That is certainly not the case. In fact, the Gospel of Jesus Christ suggests that true altruism is best expressed in the faithful proclamation of the biblical Gospel, especially the parts of it that offend fallen human nature.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrSeptember 12, 2023reid karr, fratelli tutti, Pope Francis, Mongolia

Same Words, Different Worlds in Action

In a recent article in Christianity Today, an influential Evangelical pastor in London by the name of Nicky Gumbel, praised the Roman Catholic Church for “leading the way in evangelization.” Gumbel pointed to Pope Francis’s 2013 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of The Gospel) as an excellent roadmap for Christians in understanding evangelization.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrAugust 12, 2023reid karr, fratelli tutti, joy of the gospel

Evangelical Reflections on the "Instrumentum Laboris" of the Synodal Church: Reflection 3

It is very difficult to make sense of and define the Synodal Church’s understanding of Gospel proclamation and mission.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrJuly 13, 2023reid karr, synodal path, Instrumentum Laboris, fratelli tutti

With the Eucharist at the Center of our Lives?

With the Eucharist at the Center of our Lives?

“If you are the same at the end of the Mass, as you were at the beginning, something is wrong.” These are the words of Pope Francis in a recent appeal to the Roman Catholic faithful to place the celebration of the Eucharist at the center of their lives.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrJuly 7, 2023reid karr, fratelli tutti, eucharist

Evangelical Reflections on the "Instrumentum Laboris" of the Synodal Church: Reflection 2

According to Rome, regeneration occurs the moment the sacrament of baptism is administered. This is the entry-point to the sacramental life and economy of the Roman Catholic Church. This, however, is problematic from an evangelical perspective.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrJune 28, 2023reid karr, synodal path, Instrumentum Laboris, fratelli tutti

Evangelical Reflections on the "Instrumentum Laboris" of the Synodal Church: Reflection 1

Evangelical Reflections on the "Instrumentum Laboris" of the Synodal Church: Reflection 1

Evangelicals need to be aware of what is taking place so that they are equipped to understand the implications of synodality. The following reflections are by no means exhaustive, but simply provide food for thought for the evangelical church as the synodal process continues.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrJune 25, 2023Reid Karr, pope francis, Instrumentum Laboris, synodal path

A Brief Reflection on “The Meeting on Human Fraternity”

A Brief Reflection on “The Meeting on Human Fraternity”

The Evangelical church ought to take note of this and understand what is at stake with statements such as the Declaration on Human Fraternity. It is not an anomaly, but consistently reflects Vatican II. Peace and fraternity are admirable endeavors, but not at the expense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrJune 20, 2023Reid Karr, pope francis, verbum domini, dei verbum, human fraternity

Synodality, Reform, and the Roman Catholic Church of the Third Millennium

Synodality, Reform, and the Roman Catholic Church of the Third Millennium

While certain aspirations of the Synodal Path being proposed by Pope Francis seem admirable, it presents several concerns for the evangelical church. Let us briefly consider two.

Read, Reid KarrReid KarrMay 30, 2023Reid Karr, pope francis, synodal path, lumen gentium, Christifedelis