Catholicism and Sin

I. Introduction: No easy way to say “this is what Catholics believe.” What is presented here is the official Roman Catholic doctrine based on their official writings. During the course of the study we will notice some of the reactions to these views by Calvinist reformers. You will see that they often went to the other extreme in their efforts to restore the Catholic Church. We will then compare these teachings to the Bible.

II. Sin in the Life of the Individual

A. Original Sin

B. Chart 1 : Catechism 405 Note that the individual is not wholly corrupted. This stands in contrast to the Calvinist teaching Chart 2 : Quote about complete depravity

C. What does the Bible say?

D. Luke 18:15-16: “Of such is the kingdom of God. Ezekiel 18:20f – “The soul that sins, it shall die.”

E. Personal Sin

F. Personal sins are separated into grave and venial sins; serious and not so serious sins.

G. Grave: “Destroys charity in the heart of man by grave violation of God’s law” –Catechism of the Catholic Church, (pub1994) 1855

H. Three conditions ( Chart 3 – List of characteristics)

I. Specified in the 10 commandments (Catechism 1858) Committed with full knowledge Committed with complete consent

J. Venial: “Allows charity to subsist even though it offends it”

K. Can be committed willingly or ignorantly. Chart 4 – quote part of 1863

L. Bible does not teach different levels of sin.

M. Explain all sins will separate

N. 21:8 - In the lake of fire there are cowards (not grave).Galatians 5:19-21 – Other “venial” sins that condemn

III. Penalty of Sin

A. Eternal Consequences

B. Catholic doctrine teaches that one who commits a grave sin without repentance will be eternally separated from God. However, if one commits venial sins—even if he does not repent—he will not be eternally separated from God because those sins will be cleansed in Purgatory.

C. Double Consequence of Sin

D. To understand Purgatory, we must first understand the double consequence of sin.

E. Charts 5 and 6 (The double consequence of sin)

F. Sin requires a restoration of communion with God and the Church. Yet a temporal residue is left which must be “purged” either on earth or in Purgatory. Restoration of communion is realized by acts of penance.

G. Penance (after baptism)

H. Penance can broadly categorized as: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving Chart 7 : Quote Catechism-1435

I. Means of forgiving sin

J. Eucharist ( Chart 8) Reading Scripture ( Chart 9) Praying the Liturgy of the Hours and the Our Father ( Chart 10)

K. Seasons and Days of Penance

L. Like the Jubilee celebration (last one was in 2000) When we went to St. Paul’s Cathedral we were shown doors that were only opened during the Jubilee year. Penitents who crossed the threshold through those doors and took mass would have their sins forgiven. Times of fasting and pilgrimages

M. Confession to a priest

N. Chart 11 : Required, Catechism 1456 Chart 12 : Determines penance, Catechism 1448, 1460 Chart 13 : Provides absolution, Catechism 1449, 1461 This process restores the penitent to God’s grace and with the community of the church. Chart 14 : Process summarized, Catechism 1480 But this only restores the communion with God and the Church, the temporal sin remains (Review Chart 6 )

O. Purgatory

P. In purgatory, the dead person is purified of sin’s attachment to our nature (Review Chart 5)

Q. Removing the temporal punishment

R. Burns off in the course of time and the purified soul goes to heaven.

S. Indulgences

T. Chart 15 : Defined, Catechism 1471 Chart 16 : Picture of purgatory and the Church’s treasury There is this great treasury of good works and prayers of Jesus, Mary, and the saints. By works, one can access the good works in the church treasury (like cashing a check) Catechism 1475: “A perennial link of charity exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in purgatory and those who are still pilgrims on earth.” One can even act on behalf of the dead.

U. One can gain indulgences by donations to the Church.

V. ” As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from Purgatory springs.” This was a prime reason for Martin Luther’s “protest” against the Catholic Church to reform her practices (hence the Protestant Reformation).The sale of indulgences was a very lucrative business; it built St. Peter’s Cathedral but has been denounced by some Catholics as an abuse of the indulgence system. Former Catholics, such as Charles Chiniquy, recount abuses of the indulgence/Purgatory system for wealth.

W. Purgatory was debated by Catholic scholars but was made a formal part of the Catholic doctrine with the Council of Trent

X. Review of Sins, Purgatory, and Removal ( Chart 17)

Y. Bible view of sin and removal ( Chapter 18)

Z. Baptism completely removes sin. No distinction in scripture between temporal punishment and restoration with God and the church

A. Purgatory is not mentioned in the Bible.

B. Thief on the cross did not have to stop off in Purgatory before going to Paradise. Rich man and Lazarus: Lazarus awoke in Paradise. Fixed gulf.

C. After baptism, pray for forgiveness of sins.

D. Acts 8:1 John 2:1 – Confess our sins The good works and prayers of faithful people have nothing to do with our standing before God. Our natures change at death, our earthly nature is left behind.

E. Understand Reformation outrage and Calvinistic reaction

F. Went too far, can do nothing related to your salvation.

IV. Catholicism and the Forgiveness of Sin by Rhodes Davis