tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16783132.post113614762751209200..comments2023-03-29T04:38:09.319-07:00Comments on My Journey Into the Catholic Faith: Final words on Free WillAnnabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12195596975035514562noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16783132.post-1136947456614298012006-01-10T18:44:00.000-08:002006-01-10T18:44:00.000-08:00Great post on Calvinism. You understand it to a d...Great post on Calvinism. You understand it to a degree, but seem to miss some of the most crucial elements. See: http://www.desiringgod.org/library/topics/doctrines_grace/doc_grace_index.html for some good discussions.<BR/><BR/>Regarding the associate pastor's conversion. If you listen to Kevin share his salvation experience, you will hear that he had a very Catholic - not Baptist, or biblical view of salvation. That's why it didn't "take." He was trying to work his way along in righteousness. It is a treadmill that will eventually, if you seriously pursue it, wear you out. He did not pursue an "immediate profession of faith" - he was trying to will his way to heaven. Yes, he believed in God's grace - he had a Catholic view of it - he was trying to cooperate with God rather than repent of his self-effort. He believed that he could do good works to ensure his salvation. It wrecked his life. Sin is too powerful and God is too holy for man to work his way to salvation. Martin Luther came to the same conclusion because of the Roman view of salvation. The view of salvation Kevin repented of was a very Catholic view. His life is full of joy and freedom, forgiveness and righteouness that is obviously not of himself. Ephesians 2:1-10 is one of the most clear expressions of this Gosple. Note what God does. Note what man is incapable of achieving through works because of the power of sin. Where do works come in to play? Post salvation. They are the expression of faith and grace, not the means of attaining salvation. <BR/>Titus 3:5-7: He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.Bret Capranicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03664375981043603874noreply@blogger.com