Q: I’ve heard that Catholicism is not Christianity, on the basis that: a) Baptism is not required for salvation; b) Catholics require a long process to maintain salvation, dependent on works, while Christianity should not require that; c) The verse “faith without works is dead” has been misinterpreted to mean “works are required,” rather than “if your faith does not manifest in your actions, you should examine your heart and consider if you are truly saved.” My sources are incredibly one-sided. I do not doubt that there can be Christianity in the Catholic Church. However, the above reasons make me worry for the salvation of my Catholic friends! Please help me to understand. – Lucy
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
A: Before addressing your questions, it’s good to point out that we as Catholics have a duty to safeguard our faith.
You mention that your sources are incredibly one-sided. You might be exposing your faith unnecessarily to things that are causing you to question your faith. This is not good.
If you want to grow in your faith, it helps to spend more time with Vatican documents and trusty websites such as Catholic Answers, Ascension Press and Aleteia.
As to the points you ask about:
a) Baptism is not required for salvation. We emphasize the importance of baptism because Jesus did. “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
What your “one-sided sources” might have in mind are teachings such as the Second Vatican Council document Lumen Gentium, which said, “Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience” (No. 16).
I’d invite you to read the full section in that document for context.
b) Catholics require a long process to maintain salvation, dependent on works, while Christianity should not require that. Jesus doesn’t say that attaining salvation will be easy. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many” (Matthew 7:13).
St. Paul made it clear good works can have a bearing on salvation. “[God] will repay everyone according to his works: eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works” (Romans 2:6-7).
Jesus, too, was explicit about those who neglect works of charity, in the parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46).
Anyone who thinks the road to salvation needs to pay more attention to what Jesus and St. Paul taught.
c) The verse “faith without works is dead” has been misinterpreted to mean “works are required,” rather than “if your faith does not manifest in your actions, you should examine your heart, and consider if you are truly saved.”
As for importance of works, I’d point you to the preceding paragraphs.
In any case, we should never presume that our salvation is guaranteed, even if we are performing good works. A man who helps the poor but cohabits with his girlfriend, for instance, is putting his soul at risk.
Even St. Paul, no slouch in the faith, said, “I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:4).
The upshot is: We can hope that we will attain salvation if we try to live in accord with God’s will. This includes having a strong prayer life and sacramental life and, yes, doing works of charity.
But we should avoid presumption. We should never think that we are beyond temptation and will glide into heaven.
