Category Archives: salvation

Transfiguration of the Covenant The Old Testament laws were part of the Old Testament Covenant. Certainly the moral law is still in force, since the eternal moral law is the Justice of God. But the disciplines of the Old Covenant … Continue reading →

The Salvation Theology of Extremist Muslims This post is not about devout moderate Muslims. I have great respect for Islam as practiced by moderate peaceful Muslims. They love God and neighbor. They seek to do good and to avoid doing … Continue reading →

It is easy enough to find Scripture quotes to support the simplistic position that the Jews are not saved by following the law: “For in his presence no flesh shall be justified by the works of the law.” (Romans 3:20) … Continue reading →

Can a faithful Roman Catholic today adopt St. Thomas’ position on salvation theology? No, he cannot. For Saint Thomas died over 700 years ago. If a Catholic today were to adopt St. Thomas’ position on any theological question, with no … Continue reading →

1. The gift of salvation cannot be limited to those who explicitly believe in Christ and have entered the Church. 2. Since salvation is offered to all, it must be made concretely available to all. 3. Above all, the state … Continue reading →

Is the Pope your Teacher? Most Catholics do not consider the Pope to be their teacher. Most Catholics do not consider the Magisterium to be their teacher. They have a set of beliefs, partly taken from sinful secular society, partly … Continue reading →

We live in a very sinful world. Even many of the members of the Church on earth are very sinful. By the grace and mercy of God, great sinners can avoid eternal punishment by contrition and confession, or by perfect … Continue reading →

An Ecumenical Council has taught “extra ecclesiam nulla salus” — outside the Church [there is] no salvation — definitively and infallibly. So this teaching is a dogma. But what does it mean, exactly? Fourth Lateran Council: “There is indeed one … Continue reading →

In order to be saved, a human person must be a member of the universal Church. Fourth Lateran Council: “There is indeed one universal church of the faithful, outside of which nobody at all is saved, in which Jesus Christ … Continue reading →