Salvation & Justification
We
Do Not Stand Alone
Todd von Kampen
From
the Editor
Marcus Grodi
Returning
Home
Rick Ricciardi
One
Saving Action
Dwight Longnecker
A
Voice From A Catholic Pulpit
Fr. Michael DeTemple, O.P.
How
ARE Catholics Saved?
Catechism
The
Early Church Fathers on Salvation
Chris Erickson
Did
Paul Teach Justification by Faith ALONE?
Robert Sungenis
Not
By Faith Alone
James Akin
Or
Is There Something Else?
Marcus Grodi
Justification
By Faith
Dr. William Marshner
Before
You Object...
Fr. Ray Ryland
Other Journals
From the Editor
Welcome to the third edition of the Coming Home Journal
One day as Jesus "was setting out on his journey, a man (in fact, a very rich man we learn later) ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good?…’" (Mark 11.17f)
This very familiar opening question and response between a sincere inquirer and our Lord illustrates one of the most important yet confusing and divisive issues in Christianity. What more important question is there in our faith and ministries than "What must I do to be saved?" Whether people ask this boldly and directly like this humbled rich young man, or whether they seek it subtly or even subliminally, is this not the core question of the Gospel: lost in sin, blindness and rebellion, how can one be made acceptable to God?
But what salvation actually means or is, or who needs it, or what one must do to get it, or whether one can lose it or not, are all highly debated issues amongst Christians of different traditions. As a result, often in today’s ecumenical discussions, where the emphasis is more often on "speaking in love" rather than "speaking the truth in love," the answer to these questions can be as evasive as Jesus’ initial response.
But Jesus completed his response very concisely, first reminding this sincere young inquirer, whom Scripture says He loved, to keep "the commandments," and then further to "go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me" (Mk. 10.18-21). Seems clear enough. But how have the many, divergent Christian traditions interpreted this and implemented this into doctrine, dogma, mission and practice?
Probably the most poignant personal experience which brought this home to me was when, as a Senior Minister of a large Presbyterian congregation, I was seated beside the hospital bed of an elderly man who was certainly only days, maybe hours, from meeting his Maker. As I sat there wondering what words were appropriate, his soon-to-be-widow broke the silence and asked, "Pastor, is my husband going to heaven?"
Normally I might have merely grasped her hand and passed on the proverbial Presbyterian response, but becoming more concerned about the cacophony of conflicting Christian voices on this and other issues, I sat paralyzed in silence. I realized that if I were instead a Methodist or a Lutheran or an Assembly of God or a Baptist or a High-Church Episcopalian or a low-church Church of God minister, I would be giving different even conflicting reasons why this man might or might not be saved.
I can’t remember what my answer was, but I do know that it was the recognition of the confusion that exists over this centrally important issue that convinced me I could not remain a Protestant pastor.
This edition of the CHJournal addresses this theme from many angles—from the more personal telling of conversion stories, to summaries of the teachings of the Early Church Fathers and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, through articles dealing directly with the apologetic issues under debate. Some articles are more basic, others are fairly academic. I hope that in the mix at least one will help clear up any doubts or myths as to what the Catholic Church truly teaches and has always taught on Salvation and Justification. I wish I had known this, not only when I was sitting beside the dying man and his wife, but when I had the great privilege and responsibility of preaching the Gospel week after week to my Protestant congregations.
As we’ve said from the beginning of our work, the goals of the Coming Home Network International and this journal are not to proselytize, but rather to explain in clear terms the truth about and the truths of the Catholic Church. Most of our authors for this edition of the CHJournal are converts to the Catholic Church, some having been Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian or Assembly of God ministers. It is our prayer that these articles and stories are an encouragement to your faith. If you have any questions or comments, please either contact us or the person who gave you this free journal. We want to do whatever we can to help those outside the Catholic Church, those who have left the Church, or those who are lifelong Catholics but have lost the "joy of their salvation," to discover the great joys and truth of the Catholic Faith.
May the Father richly bless you as you seek to follow Jesus His Son, through the loving guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Sincerely In Christ,
Marcus C. Grodi
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