Question No. 6
Hello,
1. I am a catholic and I want to become a member of CFD. How?
2. How will I answer if someone will ask me about our faith with good works doctrine? Particularly this: Before Christ died, he was accompanied by two thieves and one of the thieves believed on Jesus on that particular time and Jesus said that he (the thief) will be with Jesus in the paradise. How can we defend our claims of faith + good works??? pls. answer me asap... btw, more power to all cfd's. I wish I could be part of the defenders sooner...
-cyril
1. I am a catholic and I want to become a member of CFD. How?
2. How will I answer if someone will ask me about our faith with good works doctrine? Particularly this: Before Christ died, he was accompanied by two thieves and one of the thieves believed on Jesus on that particular time and Jesus said that he (the thief) will be with Jesus in the paradise. How can we defend our claims of faith + good works??? pls. answer me asap... btw, more power to all cfd's. I wish I could be part of the defenders sooner...
-cyril
Answer
Hi Cyril,
If you want to be a member of the Catholic Faith Defenders, you have to first under go a Catholic Doctrine Seminar. By the way where are you located?
If someone ask you about faith and works, you have to present the Catholic position accurately. Most Protestants believe that we earn our salvation by doing good works but that is not the case. Catholics perform good works because we put our faith into action (Gal.5:6), because faith must be accompanied by good works. In Mt.7:21 Christ warned us that not all who calls him "Lord, Lord" can enter the kingdom of God, but he who does the will of the Father in heaven. The will of the Father is for us to live a life full of good works Eph.2:10; Rom.2:7. In James 2:24,26 it tells us that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone and faith without works is dead, therefore faith and works are inseparable. The thief on the cross is a favorite argument used by Protestants to prove that salvation is by faith alone. Their logic goes like this, the thief believes in Christ he performed no good works, thus he is saved by faith alone. However, to believe itself is already a good work, in Acts 16:31-32 the jailer ask Paul "what must I do to be saved?" and Paul replied "believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved". Going back to the question of the jailer he said "what must I do", "do" is something you perform by action and Paul said "believe", therefore to believe itself is an action, it is a good works. When the thief believed in Christ, his act of believing is already a good work. Therefore in the cross his faith and good work is inseparable. In Mt.25:31-46 in the second coming of Christ we will be judge not according to our faith but in our good works.
-Isahel
If you want to be a member of the Catholic Faith Defenders, you have to first under go a Catholic Doctrine Seminar. By the way where are you located?
If someone ask you about faith and works, you have to present the Catholic position accurately. Most Protestants believe that we earn our salvation by doing good works but that is not the case. Catholics perform good works because we put our faith into action (Gal.5:6), because faith must be accompanied by good works. In Mt.7:21 Christ warned us that not all who calls him "Lord, Lord" can enter the kingdom of God, but he who does the will of the Father in heaven. The will of the Father is for us to live a life full of good works Eph.2:10; Rom.2:7. In James 2:24,26 it tells us that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone and faith without works is dead, therefore faith and works are inseparable. The thief on the cross is a favorite argument used by Protestants to prove that salvation is by faith alone. Their logic goes like this, the thief believes in Christ he performed no good works, thus he is saved by faith alone. However, to believe itself is already a good work, in Acts 16:31-32 the jailer ask Paul "what must I do to be saved?" and Paul replied "believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved". Going back to the question of the jailer he said "what must I do", "do" is something you perform by action and Paul said "believe", therefore to believe itself is an action, it is a good works. When the thief believed in Christ, his act of believing is already a good work. Therefore in the cross his faith and good work is inseparable. In Mt.25:31-46 in the second coming of Christ we will be judge not according to our faith but in our good works.
-Isahel
Question No. 5
hello! i'm a fan of rock music. from slow to heavy rock. before, i listen even to those with bad (for the catholics) lyrics as long as it is rock, or metal music. but now i'm selecting those with good lyrics and not the ones that are against my faith. question, is listening to slow rock to heavy metal music as sin, regardless of the lyrics?
Answer
Well pertaining to music there is nothing wrong in listening to any type of genre as long as it does not contain lyrics that is contrary to the Catholic Faith such us obscene languages, Atheistic tendencies, advocates anti-life phrases. But it is always recommended to listen to music that is healthy to the soul. (Gregorian Chants and other types of liturgical music.)
Question No. 4
Hello! I'm a catholic. i almost became an ADD convert because of searching for the truth, but later on realized that some ADD teachings are false, and so i went back searching within my own religion the catholic. and thank God a lot of my questions is mind were answered by the Catholic church! although some more question remain in my mind because of the so many attacks from other religions that i learned and now i have to be enlightened about. here they are:
1) may i ask, isn't it that the sacraments are supposed to be free? so why then is the church put a tag price on the wedding and baptism? on of the priests said it's not a price but an offering. how can an offering have a tag price? i had my wedding 3 years ago in Santuario de San Antonio Forbes Park and it cost me 25000. if it were an offering, then the amount should come from the people, not from the church, right? we were taught to be a cheerful giver, not a forced giver. if it really is a free sacrament then, does it mean that i can have a wedding for free in Santuario de San Antonio? i know there are free mass weddings, but I'm talking about a particular church which i particularly selected. i know it's in a prestigious location and air-conditioned so i understand that it asks a bigger price than other catholic churches, but again, the sacraments are supposed to be free and it's up to the person to decide which amount to give, so why does the church give a price for a free sacrament? same with baptism? (cost me 3000 for my baby)
2) next question is this, where in the catholic teaching says that non parishioners must give more. as a non parishioner of Santuario de San Antonio, i was asked to 25000 for my wedding! that's the price for non parishioners. if you are a parishioner you pay only 20000. and also where in the catholic teaching does it say that non-parishioners must get their own priest if they want to have their wedding celebrated in their church? Santuario de san antonio has its priests celebrate wedding mass for their own parishioners only. if you are a non parishioner like me, get your own priest. why is there a discrimination? we are all Catholics, right? thanks and i hope for your response!
-Richard
1) may i ask, isn't it that the sacraments are supposed to be free? so why then is the church put a tag price on the wedding and baptism? on of the priests said it's not a price but an offering. how can an offering have a tag price? i had my wedding 3 years ago in Santuario de San Antonio Forbes Park and it cost me 25000. if it were an offering, then the amount should come from the people, not from the church, right? we were taught to be a cheerful giver, not a forced giver. if it really is a free sacrament then, does it mean that i can have a wedding for free in Santuario de San Antonio? i know there are free mass weddings, but I'm talking about a particular church which i particularly selected. i know it's in a prestigious location and air-conditioned so i understand that it asks a bigger price than other catholic churches, but again, the sacraments are supposed to be free and it's up to the person to decide which amount to give, so why does the church give a price for a free sacrament? same with baptism? (cost me 3000 for my baby)
2) next question is this, where in the catholic teaching says that non parishioners must give more. as a non parishioner of Santuario de San Antonio, i was asked to 25000 for my wedding! that's the price for non parishioners. if you are a parishioner you pay only 20000. and also where in the catholic teaching does it say that non-parishioners must get their own priest if they want to have their wedding celebrated in their church? Santuario de san antonio has its priests celebrate wedding mass for their own parishioners only. if you are a non parishioner like me, get your own priest. why is there a discrimination? we are all Catholics, right? thanks and i hope for your response!
-Richard
Answer
Richard,
Allow me to address your question one at a time. On question number 1 you are correct that the Sacraments are for free, the Church does not charged or put a price on the Sacraments. What we are paying is not the Sacrament(s) per se but the facilities in the Church (lights, Aircon etc.) as a matter of fact there are free weddings and baptisms celebrated by the Church every month (in some parishes). I cannot comment for Santuario de San Antonio but the way I see it (on my opinion), the parish charged you with such an amount for two reasons 1.) As a rent for the venue of the wedding/baptism 2.) In order to support the charity works of the parish. On question number 2 there is nothing in the teaching of the Church that non parishioners must give more than parishioners. However a parish or a diocese has the authority to create and implement rules within the parish or diocese. Since you are not under the jurisdiction of the parish priest of Santuario de San Antonio, in accordance with Canon 1110 of the Code of Canon Law you have to provide a priest in which either one of you is under his jurisdiction. It is not a discrimination but a proper implementation of Church laws. I hope you are satisfied with my answer if not I can refer you to someone else to whom you can talk to about these concerns.
-Bro. Isahel
Allow me to address your question one at a time. On question number 1 you are correct that the Sacraments are for free, the Church does not charged or put a price on the Sacraments. What we are paying is not the Sacrament(s) per se but the facilities in the Church (lights, Aircon etc.) as a matter of fact there are free weddings and baptisms celebrated by the Church every month (in some parishes). I cannot comment for Santuario de San Antonio but the way I see it (on my opinion), the parish charged you with such an amount for two reasons 1.) As a rent for the venue of the wedding/baptism 2.) In order to support the charity works of the parish. On question number 2 there is nothing in the teaching of the Church that non parishioners must give more than parishioners. However a parish or a diocese has the authority to create and implement rules within the parish or diocese. Since you are not under the jurisdiction of the parish priest of Santuario de San Antonio, in accordance with Canon 1110 of the Code of Canon Law you have to provide a priest in which either one of you is under his jurisdiction. It is not a discrimination but a proper implementation of Church laws. I hope you are satisfied with my answer if not I can refer you to someone else to whom you can talk to about these concerns.
-Bro. Isahel
Question No. 3
What are the usual materials that Catholic leaders used in teaching about faith and morals? - Diane Torres
Answer:
Well the usual materials used by Catholic leaders in their ministry are the following;
a) Catechism of Trent
b)Catechism of the Catholic Church
c) Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma (by Dr. Ludwig Ott, this is available at TAN BOOKS.)
d.) Conciliar Decrees of Vatican Council II
e.) Papal Encyclicals (Especially Humane Vitae of Pope Paul VI and Evangelium Vitae of Pope John Paul II)
You can get these references from St. Paul's Publication (except for Catechism of Trent and Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma)
What are the usual materials that Catholic leaders used in teaching about faith and morals? - Diane Torres
Answer:
Well the usual materials used by Catholic leaders in their ministry are the following;
a) Catechism of Trent
b)Catechism of the Catholic Church
c) Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma (by Dr. Ludwig Ott, this is available at TAN BOOKS.)
d.) Conciliar Decrees of Vatican Council II
e.) Papal Encyclicals (Especially Humane Vitae of Pope Paul VI and Evangelium Vitae of Pope John Paul II)
You can get these references from St. Paul's Publication (except for Catechism of Trent and Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma)
Question No. 2
Why is the Catholic Church the true Church? - Elias Arzadon
Answer:
The Catholic Church is the true church because it is the only Church that Christ himself founded. In Matthew 6:33 Christ said, "seek first the kingdom of God", but what is the kingdom of God here on earth? And where do we find God's kingdom here on earth? The kingdom of God here on earth is none other than the Catholic Church. The prophet Daniel prophesied the God will establish His kingdom here on earth, "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed nor shall this kingdom be left to another people. It will crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever." (Dan.2:44). Prior to Christ's public ministry John the baptist proclaims that the kingdom of God is at hand "Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near." (Mt.3:2). And during Christ's public ministry he founded the Church and named Peter as the rock foundation of the Church, "And I tell you, you are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Mt.16:18-19). Notice that Christ said my "church" (singular) not "churches" (plural), This proves that there is only one true Church that Christ founded. And historically speaking only the Catholic Church can trace her origin into the time of the apostles and prior to 1100 A.D the Catholic Church is the only Christian church. The early Church Fathers identified the Catholic Church as the true Church of Christ. The Church that Christ founded in 33 A.D and the Catholic Church are fundamentally the same.
Follow your bishop, every one of you, as obediently as Jesus Christ followed the Father. Obey your clergy too as you would the apostles; give your deacons the same reverence that you would to a command of God. Make sure that no step affecting the Church is ever taken by anyone without the bishop’s sanction. The sole Eucharist you should consider valid is one that is celebrated by the bishop himself, or by some person authorized by him. Where the bishop is to be seen, there let all his people be; just as, wherever Jesus Christ is present, there is the Catholic Church (Letter to the Smyrneans 8:2 [A.D. 110]).
When finally he concluded his prayer, after remembering all who had at any time come his way – small folk and great folk, distinguished and undistinguished, and the whole Catholic Church throughout the world – the time for departure came. So they placed him on an ass, and brought him into the city on a great Sabbath (The Martyrdom of Polycarp 8 [A.D. 110]).
The Catholic Church possesses one and the same faith throughout the whole world, as we have already said (Against Heresies 1:10 [A.D. 189]).
Why is the Catholic Church the true Church? - Elias Arzadon
Answer:
The Catholic Church is the true church because it is the only Church that Christ himself founded. In Matthew 6:33 Christ said, "seek first the kingdom of God", but what is the kingdom of God here on earth? And where do we find God's kingdom here on earth? The kingdom of God here on earth is none other than the Catholic Church. The prophet Daniel prophesied the God will establish His kingdom here on earth, "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed nor shall this kingdom be left to another people. It will crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever." (Dan.2:44). Prior to Christ's public ministry John the baptist proclaims that the kingdom of God is at hand "Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near." (Mt.3:2). And during Christ's public ministry he founded the Church and named Peter as the rock foundation of the Church, "And I tell you, you are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Mt.16:18-19). Notice that Christ said my "church" (singular) not "churches" (plural), This proves that there is only one true Church that Christ founded. And historically speaking only the Catholic Church can trace her origin into the time of the apostles and prior to 1100 A.D the Catholic Church is the only Christian church. The early Church Fathers identified the Catholic Church as the true Church of Christ. The Church that Christ founded in 33 A.D and the Catholic Church are fundamentally the same.
Follow your bishop, every one of you, as obediently as Jesus Christ followed the Father. Obey your clergy too as you would the apostles; give your deacons the same reverence that you would to a command of God. Make sure that no step affecting the Church is ever taken by anyone without the bishop’s sanction. The sole Eucharist you should consider valid is one that is celebrated by the bishop himself, or by some person authorized by him. Where the bishop is to be seen, there let all his people be; just as, wherever Jesus Christ is present, there is the Catholic Church (Letter to the Smyrneans 8:2 [A.D. 110]).
When finally he concluded his prayer, after remembering all who had at any time come his way – small folk and great folk, distinguished and undistinguished, and the whole Catholic Church throughout the world – the time for departure came. So they placed him on an ass, and brought him into the city on a great Sabbath (The Martyrdom of Polycarp 8 [A.D. 110]).
The Catholic Church possesses one and the same faith throughout the whole world, as we have already said (Against Heresies 1:10 [A.D. 189]).
Question No. 1:
Give me Completely teachings of Catholic Contra Faith Alone. Thanks
-Eriolle Lee
Answer:
The Protestant doctrine of faith alone was invented by Martin Luther, it did not originate from Christ or any of his apostles.
Between 1520 and 1530, Luther worked out the basic theological tenets
that became the articles of faith for his new church and subsequently for all
Protestant groups. (A History of Western Society 6th ed., Mckay, page 457)
Not only that this doctrine is a Protestant invention, it is also highly unbiblical. The entire context of James chapter 2 discusses the relationship and inseparability of faith and good works. In James 2:24 it explicitly contradicts Luther's faith alone doctrine when St. James stated "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone". Recalling the words of Jesus Christ in Mt.7:21 wherein he warns those who have faith alone but does not have good works; "Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven." And what is the will of the Father in heaven? The will of the Father in heaven is to put our faith in action (cf. Gal.5:6) by doing good works (Cf. Eph.2:10, Romans 2:7, Mt.35:21-46). The devil has faith (cf. James 2:19) but what differs us from the devil is that we put our faith in action by doing good works while the Devil has faith alone and does not have good works.
-Bro. Don
Give me Completely teachings of Catholic Contra Faith Alone. Thanks
-Eriolle Lee
Answer:
The Protestant doctrine of faith alone was invented by Martin Luther, it did not originate from Christ or any of his apostles.
Between 1520 and 1530, Luther worked out the basic theological tenets
that became the articles of faith for his new church and subsequently for all
Protestant groups. (A History of Western Society 6th ed., Mckay, page 457)
Not only that this doctrine is a Protestant invention, it is also highly unbiblical. The entire context of James chapter 2 discusses the relationship and inseparability of faith and good works. In James 2:24 it explicitly contradicts Luther's faith alone doctrine when St. James stated "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone". Recalling the words of Jesus Christ in Mt.7:21 wherein he warns those who have faith alone but does not have good works; "Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven." And what is the will of the Father in heaven? The will of the Father in heaven is to put our faith in action (cf. Gal.5:6) by doing good works (Cf. Eph.2:10, Romans 2:7, Mt.35:21-46). The devil has faith (cf. James 2:19) but what differs us from the devil is that we put our faith in action by doing good works while the Devil has faith alone and does not have good works.
-Bro. Don
