Reformation Remembrance – Indulgence is the first of three studies of the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. Tis the season for the Reformation! October 31st marks the anniversary of the nailing of the 95 theses to the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany. For the next three weeks we’ll be looking at some of the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church that are still around today. Our first topic will be indulgences.
New Teaching?
The concept of penance might be a new one to you. If you have grown up in a church that teaches that you are forgive by grace through faith, the thought of having to make satisfaction for your sin is foreign to your soul. Good. There is nothing good that can come from this doctrine of works.
There are three parts to penance:
- Contrition – sorrow over sin (this is good 👍)
- Confession – confession your sins (also good 👍)
- Satisfaction – doing something to make up for you sin (horrid doctrine that detracts from Jesus’ work of redemption 👎)
- There are many different ways to make satisfaction, such as watching a Christmas Mass, climbing the Reek in Ireland, read Scripture for 30 minutes, OR purchase an indulgence
Declared Not Guilty
The teaching of justification is summarized (and condemned) very well by the council of Trent: Why would the Roman Catholic Church condemn this teaching? It goes against the intricate system of works developed over the centuries by the Roman Catholic Church.
If anyone says that justifying faith is nothing else than trust in God’s mercy, which remits sin for Christ’s sake, or that it is this trust alone which justifies us, let him be damned. (Council of Trent, Session VI, Canon 12)
It is only God’s mercy which remits sin for Christ’s sake. It is only trusting in Jesus which justifies us. We are not damned. Roman Catholic doctrine is completely opposed to to the doctrine of justification.
Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
Want to hear more? Watch this week’s study, the first in our study of the Roman Catholic Church – Reformation Remembrance – Indulgence.
Please click HERE for the Bible class slides.