Romans 3:28 (Protestants & Catholics)

 (Romans 3:28)"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law."  (ESV)

To justify means to declare righteous.  This verse plainly teaches that justification is by faith alone.  In fact Martin Luther in his German translation of the Bible translated this phrase in Romans 3:28 as justified by faith alone.  We stand righteous before God by faith alone in Christ alone.  This is the Protestant position.  

But the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church declares that if anyone holds that justification is by faith alone let him be anathema (cursed, condemned).  Roman Catholicism holds that justification is by faith plus works.  God and man work together to accomplish salvation.  

Roman Catholic teaching is in clear contradiction of Romans 3:28.  The Roman Catholic Church has condemned the true gospel and is proclaiming a different gospel.  The Catholic gospel has God and man sharing the glory.  Salvation is the work of God alone and all the glory belongs to him.  Justification is by faith alone in Christ alone.  

(Romans 4:5)"And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness," (ESV)

Parts Of God?

 In recent days we have seen the Trinity defined as one God comprised of three co-equal parts.  At best this is sloppy theology, at worst this is heresy.  

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not parts of God.  The Father is not 1/3 God, the Son is not 1/3 God, and the Spirit is not 1/3 God.  The members of the Trinity are persons, not parts.  There is one God in three persons.  There is one essence or being and three persons.   Each member of the Trinity is a distinct person who is fully and completely God.  Each person of the Trinity is co-equal and co-eternal.  

Theology should never be done in a sloppy way.  The doctrine of the Trinity is foundational to Christianity.  Christians and especially Christian leaders should take great care to get things precise and right because theology matters.