The Catholic and Evangelical Viewpoint Debate #6

Today we will review the final topic we are addressing from the book Letters Between a Catholic and an Evangelical.

Final Salvation

Fr. John: What does it take to go to heaven? Catholics believe:

Heaven is not so much a place, but the consummation of our betrothal to Christ. When we die, we will be judged on our love (CCC1022). Our actions in this life-good deeds and sacraments-show God that we want to marry Him, i.e. be with Him forever in heaven. Hell manifests God's love and mercy. The damned choose hell, rejecting heaven and their relationship to God. One doesn't go to heaven by default. Wasting talents-the grace God offers us-or not responding to the needs of others, risks eternal damnation. God is all-holy; nothing unholy can enter His presence; so, complete holiness is needed to enter heaven; thus, we must be purged of any remaining unholiness, or choose hell. This purification process is called purgatory. After having believed and been baptized, we are still free to sin and abandon God's favor, like the prodigal son. If we do sin, God gives us the sacrament of confession.

Pastor Jim: As evangelical Christians, we confess our sins directly to God. The Catholic Church, on the other hand, teaches that after baptism, Catholics must confess to a priest every serious sin they commit. Why is this necessary? Would you explain what Rome means when it says that Catholics receive eternal life "as a reward...for their good works and merits"? When New York Times asked cardinal John O'Connor of New York whether he knew if he were going to heaven, he answered:

Church teaching is that I do not know, at any given moment, what my eternal future will be. I can hope , pray, do my very best-but I still do not know. Pope John Paul II doesn't know absolutely that he will go to heaven, nor does Mother Teresa of Calcutta..."

Why cannot even model Catholics know whether or not they will make it to heaven? Having the assurance from God's Word that we are forgiven, at peace with God, and will spend eternity with Him in heaven is something we cherish as evangelical Christians. I heard on the radio last week that the Vatican announced that it will be making Josemaria Escriva, a founder of Opus Dei, a saint. I understand this means they think he is in heaven. How do they know this?

My thoughts: As we draw to a close on topics from this book, I encourage you to read the entire book as both sides present their cases very well. I do not believe there is a purgatory and do believe in John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. I think how the Pharisees were viewed indicates God wants relationships rather then religion. I hope this series of blog posts bring you closer to God.