Once Saved, Always Saved?

In this series on inviting the act of faith and what Catholics can learn from Evangelicals on the subject, I want to take a look at a common Evangelical doctrine that is often referenced in conjunction with the invitation to faith. This is the "once saved, always saved" doctrine. In short, this doctrine says that once one has made the act of faith, once one has given their life to Christ and accepted him as savior, one's status as "saved" can never be lost. (Post 3/8 on "Inviting the Act of Faith")

Faith: The Pledge of Salvation

When we consider justification (being made right with God), there are two agents involved - God and man. And there are two actions involved, one proper to each of these. On the part of man, there is the act of faith. But faith in itself is incapable of producing justification for it is an act of man* (albeit one that is made possible by grace). Justification requires an action on God's part, an action that actually produces the change in man. Justification happens when the faith of man is met by the justifying action of God. (Post 2/8 on "Inviting the Act of Faith")

Evangelization, TheologyJim SchusterDecember 21, 2013baptism, conversion, evangelicals, faith, justification, protestants, sacraments, salvation, page 1Comment

Inviting the Act of Faith

This post is intended to be the first in a series of posts on faith. Two things have led me to embark on this project. The first has to do with the problem that Sherry Weddell highlighted in her book Forming Intentional Disciples, namely that your average Catholic is unaware of the importance and necessity of making an explicit act of faith in Jesus Christ. The second inspiration behind this series comes from my love of listening to certain Evangelical sermon podcasts and considering their approach to inviting this act of faith. (Post 1/8 on "Inviting the Act of Faith")

Evangelization, TheologyJim SchusterDecember 14, 2013evangelicals, faith, justification, salvation, page 1 Comments

Demystifying Discipleship

It seems that the language of "discipleship" has gained a new prominence in Catholic circles, and this is a very good thing. Catholics are becoming more and more comfortable with the terminology of discipleship, but I have encountered a discomfort among many Catholics with one particular aspect of discipleship.

EvangelizationJim SchusterNovember 13, 2013discipleship, mentoring, page 1Comment

Walking Past the Battle Lines

EvangelizationJim SchusterSeptember 30, 2013earning the right to be heard, evangelization, kerygma, pope francis, page 1Comment