Are Catholics Saved by Works?

Joe Heschmeyer explores the role of works in salvation and Catholic teaching on the Treasury of Merit.
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[@SailorSabol]

If you’re talking about Catholicism and you think anything is the backbone of our faith other than the Eucharist you’ve immediately disqualified yourself from knowing what you’re talking about

[@FourKidsNoMoney]

Referring to anything as "the spine" is vague enough anyways... our belief in the resurrected Christ could be considered the spine, or that He established one true Church, it's not a terribly helpful or precise wording from the protestant haha

[@mikekayanderson408]

The spine or the foundation or the platform for Christianity is Christ! He is the ROCK upon which the church is built! Jesus and who HE is= the Son of the Living and one true aged! Born of a Virgin. Truly God and truly Man! That He was sinless! That he was totally obedient. That He died as a propitiation for our sins once with no more sacrifice required! Who saves completely with no help from man or dead saints! He rose from the dead. Who received a glorified body. That He ascended into Heaven - where HE intercedes for believers- no one else in heaven except the Holy Spirit intercedes ! That He will come again to judge the living and the dead! Whom We are to put our faith in to be saved! And you put a false, invented, man made sacrifice of the mass, a piece of bread that remains a piece of bread no matter how long a priest prays over it- and which you worship as Christ - which is the height of idolatry- and totally unscriptural as your main point of faith! Yes it may be the main belief or spine or backbone of Catholicism - but not of genuine Christianity! You have just admitted that Jesus is not your main focus of faith but the Eucharist! Plus I would guess all the other false doctrines of the Roman institution.

[@mikekayanderson408]

so your main focus and point of faith and hope is not Jesus Christ - and HIM ALONE as Scripture teaches - but the invented eucharistic mass of the Catholic Church - this is you backbone! interesting!!!!! It may be for a catholic but for a Christian it is Christ Alone - He alone saves, with no more sacrifices needed on a catholic alter or in a catholic mass! and do not say it is not a sacrifice because your Catechism says = it is a victim = Christ = an atoning sacrifice = it is in propitiation for sin! So much for ignoring al the Scriptures that say Christ died once! No more sacrifice needed! So for Christians it is Christ that is the foundation and reason for the Church and faith. For you it seems to be the eucharist a piece of bread is your Jesus, which you bow down and worship! No matter how long a priest prays over the wafer it still remains a wafer and nothing more!

[@Holesdontexist]

Even the eucharist isn't the backbone. What of the other sacraments, of union with God (of which the eucharist is one part).

[@Holesdontexist]

​@mikekayanderson408 The eucharist is Christ, to have faith in the eucharist is to have faith in Christ. Also I am glad you admit Jesus was a Catholic, as he invented the eucharist.

[@hyreonk]

You forgot my favorite verse on the topic! Colossians 1:24 "Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church." This floored me when I was in RCIA, and my priest shared it with me. Instantly leveled all objections I had to the treasury of merit.

[@PalermoTrapani]

That is a good one to site. I agree. I would also add another from Saint Paul. 1 Cor 9:22-23 "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings". So Saint Paul is winning the weak and he by all means save some! Oh boy, when you add that to Saint Paul calling himself a a father in 1 Cor 4:15 " For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel". Man the protestants before long are going to call Saint Paul a heretic as their theology can't harmonize either of the 2 passages above. Cheers and God Bless.

[@marknutter2533]

Joe, I have a non-denominational Christian in my class for OCIA and I'm going to send this to him to review, because you explain justification and grace way better in 1 hour than I could do in 3 hours. Well done!

[@sivad1025]

Would also recommend Trent Horn's "Not So Simple Protestant Plan of Salvation." It's like 20 minutes and single handedly opened my mind to the Catholic theory of justification as a Protestant.

[@TheKidneyAndTheStone]

@marknutter2533 I never got why people practiced a different religion and send their kid to catholic school

[@gregorybarrett4998]

Hi, Mark. For your consolation, I point out that what we see is Joe's one hour presentation, but what we don't see is his years of formation generally, his hours of research for specific content and understanding, and his further hours of crafting his presentation for the most efficient sequence, idiom, script, and manner.

[@LaEsoterica]

​@@TheKidneyAndTheStonecost-effective alternative to private school? At least this person is in OCIA; they might come into the Church! 🎉

[@femaleKCRoyalsFan]

Something I have noticed a lot more since I started reading the Bible daily for the last couple of years first with the Bible in a year podcast and then on my own… There sure are a lot of New Testament Bible passages that talk about being judged about what you did “during your life”.

[@classicalteacher]

You will be judged for being a KC Royals fan by the merits of their wins.

[@mikekayanderson408]

Yes! But if a person is saved they will not lose their salvation! Jesus has already taken that judgement for their sins! What is judged is what they did for the Kingdom of God once saved = works. Some build with gold and silver, some with wood hay and stubble - how did you use the talents God has given you? But this has nothing to do with final salvation!

[@BabyDingo]

@@mikekayanderson408 What happened to the goats from Matthew 25?

[@mikekayanderson408]

@@BabyDingo they were not saved - just thought they were! Many people go throughout their lives sitting in and attending church but are not saved! They think they are but they are mistaken for one reason or another- no real conversion has taken place and that is brought about by an act of God not us!

[@HAL9000-su1mz]

@@mikekayanderson408 ZERO credibilty. NOT Christian!

[@jonatasmachado7217]

At every Mass, Catholics, beating their chests with their hands, confess their sins to God and to the entire Church, and ask for the intercession of all the Saints and cry out for God’s forgiveness. Furthermore, they affirm that they are not worthy of Jesus entering their dwelling place and recognize that just one word from him is enough for them to be saved. Where is the belief in salvation through one’s own works?

[@matt8637]

I am not Catholic, but this entry from the Catholic Catechism 2010 seems to suggest salvation is also by works of faith: "2010 Since the initiative belongs to God in the order of grace, no one can merit the initial grace of forgiveness and justification, at the beginning of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life. Even temporal goods like health and friendship can be merited in accordance with God's wisdom. These graces and goods are the object of Christian prayer. Prayer attends to the grace we need for meritorious actions." This part in particular: "Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed ... for the attainment of eternal life."

[@seanmalone6487]

Ex-Protestant here. When I was a 5-Point Calvinist Evangelical, I thought that faith-alone was the only way to understand salvation. Anything, literally *anything*, that contradicts that in any way, even if it only seems to, would immediately be flagged as "works-based salvation." However, years before I left Protestantism, I came to see in the Bible command after command to do good works. Especially 2 Cor 5:10, which explicitly says we will be judged by what we've done in the body. I was still opposed to anything other than faith-alone, but I started to emphasize doing good works to my friends as part of our faith. That's when this extreme and thoroughly reactionary tendency to slam and denounce any kind of emphasis on works became really annoying to me. People would point to Heb 11:6 ("without faith it is impossible to please God"), and I would say, "Ok, but now that we *do* have faith, we *can* please God. So... since we have faith, let's go please God!" I was called a heretic for this, even though many who denounced me this way were concerned about being good people and helping the poor. Basically, as soon as Evangelicals like I used to be hear something that doesn't sound like faith-alone, they immediately shut their ears and close their minds; they've written you off as a heretic and have no inclination to be charitable to your views. If you encounter someone like this, don't sweat it. Engage in dialogue if you want, otherwise just walk away and don't worry about it.

[@BensWorkshop]

@@matt8637 See for example, Galations 5:6, 1 Corinthians 13, and a lot of the Biblical quotes mentioned in the video.

[@BensWorkshop]

@@seanmalone6487 I often note in debates that many Protestants quote scripture like Satan. As in a verse or two at a time. You need to look at the whole message, not just a 10 x 10 pixel part of the picture but the whole picture.

[@HAL9000-su1mz]

SALVATION: Grace through faith. JUDGMENT: Christian works of charity. 100% of biblical references to our JUDGMENT are on our works.

[@1901elina]

The fact that the first Biblical verse Joe went to was from Jesus's preaching just reminded me of what I think about Protestant theology - they seem to focus almost solely on Paul and not that much on Jesus's words. When I converted from atheism, I was open to both Protestantism and Catholicism. In fact, the first few apologists I listened to were Protestant, but I was also reading through the gospels for the first time, and as nice as their faith alone proposition sounded, it wasn't matching what I was reading in the gospels at all.

[@John_Six]

Glad you left atheism. Peace of Christ to you.

[@ji8044]

Catholicism focuses on Paul as well. Without Paul, ALL the followers of Jesus for the last 2,000 years would have been Jews.

[@chasnikisher7006]

​@@ji8044 Care to explain your assertion? Who did Jesus tell His Apostles to go to?

[@daviddabrowski01]

That’s exactly right. And what’s worse, they get Paul completely wrong. Even Peter says this in his epistle and I’m paraphrasing, “Paul is difficult to understand and many have been lead astray by their wrong interpretation”

[@IG88AAA]

@@ji8044 Well I think the OP was saying Protestants latch on to Paul, and ignore much of Jesus’s teachings. I don’t think he was saying anything about Catholics not focusing on Paul. On your point about all followers of Jesus being Jews, wasn’t it Peter that received the revelation about gentiles being allowed in the covenant?

[@vtaylor21]

At the beginning of the video, a Protestant talked to another Protestant about Catholic teaching. He said the teaching of merit is the spine of Catholic teaching. That is one big echo chamber. They act like they know what they're talking about, and they give a huge misconception (calling merit the spine is the example). At least try to dialogue with a Catholic if you want to discuss Catholic issues.

[@John_Six]

It's a perfect example of protestantism. The lady doesn't know what he's talking about. The "pastor" tells her what it means even though he doesn't know what he's talking about either. Then she takes his word for it without questioning him.

[@ekatrinya]

​@@John_SixProtestants do not understand scripture through a pastor. We listen to the word proclaimed from a pastor. But we understand the scriptures because of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit teaches you the scriptures, you will be able to spot bad doctrine. Scripture says that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. It doesn't say man will lead us into all truth.

[@iggyantioch]

Why is there a different doctrine depending on the Denomination. Church of Christ say Baptism saves Reformed say faith alone. Does the Holy Spirit say yes to both.

[@TheCatholicNerd]

​@@ekatrinyaI would challenge you on the ability of everyone to understand scripture unaided by the Church. If you look at the differences and beliefs between Protestants, honestly Lutheran seem closer to Catholics than they do to Baptists. Does baptism save? Can you baptize an infant? Is the Eucharist a symbol or the true body and blood of Christ? Do you need bishops? Are gifts of the spirit like speaking in tongues still giving out or did they cease after the apostolic generation? Is there a rapture? Will there be a period of dispensation? My point is that every Protestant out there believes that they are interpreting scripture by the Holy Spirit and some of them obviously are right and some of them obviously are wrong. While the Holy Spirit can certainly guide you, the Holy Spirit does not guide individuals in matters of doctrine. The Holy Spirit certainly guides you in your life and moral decisions, and it can certainly enlighten you, but I would say the Holy Spirit inspires the church as a corporate body rather than individuals when it comes to discerning true doctrine. Christ promised that the church will be indefectible, not individual members.

[@FiatVoluntasTuaAmen]

The Catholic Church states that "neither faith or works merit the grace of Justification"

[@kerry8506]

This is my favorite channel, and it’s not because you’re such a charming, handsome, well-dressed man. It’s the content and your expert handling of it. Yet another well laid out case, Joe.

[@TheShard1771]

The same! For all the above reasons!

[@RV19871]

Hi, thank you so much for your articulate presentation! Being raised in Protestantism and having been baptised last year as a.Catholic , I’m so eager to understand what our faith is about and it’s not so easy to have access to a priest, catechism is an hour once a week when you are lucky and reading the catechism is one thing but listening to people like you that link together different passages of the Bible, the Tradition and such interesting explanations is God-sent 🙏🏻🌹🌟 I am sending you my warmest thoughts from France, Que Dieu, le tres Haut, vous bénisse !

[@BensWorkshop]

Welcome home!

[@tsitsifloramunikwa5468]

“Faith-alone Paul” really made me laugh out loud😂😂😂. In all seriousness I think Paul is tired of Protestants pinning Sola Fide on him😂, I imagine him pondering how they continue to misunderstand him when he is so clear.

[@DanielAluni-v2t]

I think St.Paul may be behind so many Protestant theologians being led to the truth of Catholic doctrine, since he first laid the bulk of it out in his letters.

[@JuanGonzalez-kb3gm]

Remember Peter warned about Paul’s teachings, that people would ill interpret them

[@sivad1025]

Paul is kicking himself that he put all the hard teachings in the last 3 chapters of Galatians and the feel good parts in the first 3. He did not prophesy how badly reading skills would decline over time

[@matt8637]

No. Paul is the author of Roman 3 and 4. He understands what is being said.

[@notnotandrew]

Protestant here. I have a lot to think about now! Good stuff, Joe. My initial feedback is that the catechism really ought to use clearer language on matters such as merit (which coheres with proper theology only if understood as what is owed based on a promise made, not as an indebtedness based on something given which was lacking) and how the saints "attained their own salvation" or "saved their brothers." Joe's interpretation of these things is much more agreeable than I ever would have expected. But the way that he explained them was not at all what I would see upon the first reading of the catechism, or second, or third, or fiftieth. If there is a living authority with the power to clarify such things, I feel that it is obligated to do so.

[@matt8637]

I completely agree. Catholic authorities constantly and continually allow for ambiguity on so many matters. Their explanations employ countless words that too frequently leave people in confusion. At least in my opinion. Have you watched Ruslan interview Catholics on his channel. He does a pretty good job at interacting and showing the ambiguities.

[@champagne.future5248]

@@matt8637 The Catechism and official Church documents are not apologetics addressed to Protestants. They are the most precisely worded theological documents in history, written as part of a cohesive tradition spanning centuries. If they don’t answer your questions in every instance it’s because they are answering other questions. However the answers you need can still be found, which is how Joe was able to create this excellent video, addressed to Protestants

[@Zamalandre]

@@champagne.future5248 I agree with you. And as a Catholic, I also think Joe is very helpful for Catholics et Protestants to see things clearer. We all need, Catholics and Protestants, well-formed people to explain us words used in the Catechism. Because the Catholic point of view expressed in the Catechism actually makes sense and is biblical and apostolic. Protestants need to known what they’re protesting against, Catholics need to know what makes them Catholic.

[@PaxTheSamurai]

I feel like it's a typical 'makes-sense-to-some-but-not-others', which is typical in any kind of communication. I also feel like there is a delicate balance with wording anything...if you get too specific, you sound like you're excluding certain things, but too broad and it invites misinterpretation. Additionally, as @champagne.future5248 notes, it's also not an apologetics document so it doesn't include that style which might help some understand positions clearer. So I can't completely disagree with you, honestly. It takes some work to suss out the meanings, sometimes. But I'm grateful that I get to live in the internet age. There are a bunch of sources of info that can help out for folks like me that need a bit more instruction to really understand. That's part of the fulfillment for me, though.

[@matt8637]

@@champagne.future5248 There is too much confusion. Even the Sedevanticatist and Traditionalists can see this clearly in a lot of places.

[@alexanderkaufman3575]

I like to say that we are saved by grace which moves us to faith, then inspires us to works. Framing it in a way that has faith and works flowing from God's gift of grace.

[@matt8637]

I like this. However, I don't know if my comments are being posted.

[@TheKidneyAndTheStone]

@@alexanderkaufman3575 Jesus always mentioned that your faith has saved you. The woman with the hemorrhage, the guy that got lowered in the house from the roof, the roman soldier who told Jesus about the family member that needed healed and proclaimed that all Jesus had to do is say it and he would believe it. Just a few examples

[@alexanderkaufman3575]

@@matt8637 Your reply to me was posted

[@alexanderkaufman3575]

@TheKidneyAndTheStone We are saved by faith. But we cannot stop there. If we became friends, what kind of friendship would it be if we never did anything for each other, never called each other, never invited the other person over for dinner, never bought each other birthday gifts? Am I "earning" the friendship? No! I cannot earn what I already have. But as Scripture tells us, how can we have faith apart from works? But also how can we have works apart from grace? Jesus does say we are saved by faith, Catholics have no issue with this. But Jesus also says that we need to have an active faith, that we need to do the will of father. He says just having faith, just professing Jesus as Lord ISN'T enough. On a separate note, Jesus also says repeatedly that the Eucharist is His Body and Blood. In fact, He says as such 5 times in a row in John 6. So, for Protestants, either Jesus doesn't always mean what He says and is disingenuous, or Protestants pick and choose what they listen to. Protestants love to leave when Jesus gives a hard teaching. But are totally on board when Jesus says something that is easy to do (such as having faith).

[@MariaDoll]

@@TheKidneyAndTheStone Faith always comes first, then grace - the assistance from the Holy Spirit to avoid sin

[@PeterFalconero]

Joe, I really appreciate your videos, and how you make very clear Catholic teaching. I am Catholic but was Protestant for many years and I always believed, as most Protestants I know, that rewards were on top of and separate from salvation, that some saved will be rewarded more than others.

[@classicalteacher]

I was in a crazy charismatic church for awhile before converting. They preached about how many crowns we would get in heaven. I was Lutheran before so that idea was new to me. It seems with each new prot group that reinvents Biblical theology, they get little nuggets of truth.

[@DanielAluni-v2t]

Saved by grace, transformed by love, developed by works.

[@RickJaeger]

​@@classicalteacherIt does seem like, in the fevrish rush to get away from this or that part of a different Protestant sect, new Protestant or neo-Protestant (or *non*-Protestant) sects keep accidentally reïnventing parts of the Catholic faith.

[@BensWorkshop]

@@RickJaeger Very true.

[@BensWorkshop]

Welcome home!

[@jess96154]

Another great video. You do such a great job explaining complex topics in a simple way. Thanks Joe!

[@gainsofglory6414]

As a Catholic, I know if I want to learn more truth about a subject of the faith, I don't go to our catechism, our magisterium, our priests, laity or apologists. No, I go to a random protestant salesmen on a talk show speaking to a bobble head. I'm sure he will describe the topic with 100% accuracy, and back his takes with super, duper accurate interpretations of scripture. Being sarcastic for fun. Jokes asside, his concerns are valid given the traditions he knows and partakes in, and I hope he sees this and reaches out for a discussion.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

"Of coooooourse!"

[@kwing6017]

facts

[@soulosxpiotov7280]

You have this wrong. You listen to what the Protestant says, maybe even take it with a grain of salt, HOWEVER YOU GO TO THE SCRIPTURES TO CHECK TO SEE IF THAT PROTESTANT IS CORRECT. Us Evangelicals / Fundamental Baptists are not the final filter, nor your priest NOR ROME, but the WORD OF GOD, the Scriptures.

[@gainsofglory6414]

@soulosxpiotov7280 I'm not talking about the truth or falsehood of church doctrine, I'm talking about an accurate representation of what that doctrine is, what the faith actually says. Example being, I would go to the church magisterium to learn what a doctrine actually is and what they believe. I would not go to a random protestant pastor who misrepresents that belief entirely to a talk show host who just nodd along instead of correcting the person. And I say that charitably, they may just not know. Not saying its intentional. If you make up your own version of the doctrine, of course you will never find it in scripture. But you will find the real version there.

[@soulosxpiotov7280]

@@gainsofglory6414 I think you're argument has to do with misrepresentation, and it actually goes both ways. Do note however, many Roman Catholics don't know what their own church teaches, and actually many if not most don't agree with what they know their church teaches. Interestingly, 'Joe' sounds almost Protestant, however I would recommend to him to do a study on RCC# 2010. Different rankings and rewards in heaven by faith PLUS works is not the same thing as faith PLUS WORKS to get into heaven in the first place, and this is what us Evangelicals /Baptists prioritize as a discussion, since, well, we don't want people to go to hellfire forever.

[@emilycahow]

Thank you thank you thank you for addressing this!

[@denisemullarkey5117]

I converted from Beptist to Catholicism when I was twenty eight

[@janeyount8412]

God bless you! 🙏🌹

[@BensWorkshop]

Welcome home!

[@aplcc323]

Welcome home!!

[@tsitsifloramunikwa5468]

Joe, your content is top tier! Thank you, and God bless you.

[@jean-mariehendricks7399]

As a 20+ year protestant now converting to Catholicism, I can say that what I notice when it comes to protestant conversations regarding sola fide, and James 2:26 in particular, is that the negate the last sentence in James 2:26, which states: "even the demons believe and tremble." Well, by protestant logic, if all you need is faith and/or belief in God the Father and Jesus Christ the Messiah, then you've done no more than what the demons already do, and they are NOT saved! If evidence of your faith is not required, then logic would dictate that the demons are, in fact, as saved as someone who believes in sola fide. And that is completely contrary to what God's word says about the fallen angels!! Think about it!!

[@michaelbeauchamp22]

That's a great point. Another one I notice is that some Protestants say that the justification in view is "justification before men," and has nothing to do with the judgments of God. Yet, verses 8-13 are clearly about God's judgments. The entire chapter is about God's judgment really

[@jean-mariehendricks7399]

​@@michaelbeauchamp22well said and thank you for pointing that one out, as well. Praise be to God and with your spirit.❤❤

[@bejamen14]

Historical Protestantism believes sola fide is more than just intellectual belief. It includes knowledge, assent , and trust.

[@MichaelAChristian1]

Jesus Christ took on seed of Abraham not the nature of angels. Devils can't be Saved. Further you missed first part of verse. If thou believest THOU DOEST WELL. Are you saying James is saying the devils are "doing well"? No. These people not doing works are doing well for believing. The devils are not saved or doing well. Further they are not believing in Jesus Christ to save them but trying to be like the most high. James 2 is about respect of persons here. Further if you just apply the false doctrine to James 2 then Abraham would STILL not be Saved and could "lose it" that week. It's the false "never saved doctrine".

[@BensWorkshop]

Welcome home!

[@Varuni-f6x]

Beautifully explained. Thank you

[@TheGenFem]

I am always flabbergasted by how many “if/then” statements there are in Scripture yet people believe in “faith alone”

[@matt8637]

The key is to understand what Reformational Christians mean by the term "faith alone". I would recommend reading the Westminster Confession of Faith on Justification. You will get a better and more well-read understanding. We never say works are not involved in final salvation. We have sanctification, which involves works, and more. The key is to read the best representatives of Reformed Christianity in order to understand it well. Hope that helps.

[@TheGenFem]

@@matt8637 not everyone who proclaims “faith alone” are Reformation Protestants, though. I’ve had some peculiar convos with more nondenominational, evangelical types. For all their faults, the Reformers were at least pretty clear with their ideas. But the teaching has taken a strange turn in the last 500 years.

[@HAL9000-su1mz]

@@matt8637 I'd rather listen to Satan. Get it direct.

[@Spsz6000]

@@HAL9000-su1mzat least if I listen to Satan I can go to confession, but if I listen to a reformed man and pray the sinners prayer oh boy.

[@HAL9000-su1mz]

@ Jesus as thought experiment! The name that now saves merely by saying it! Even if cussing!

[@juliesmith3257]

This is the absolute best explanation I have heard that addresses most of the misconceptions and wording between Protestants and Catholics. @ShamelessPopery I would like to hear you add on the major difference that Protestants have on our souls after death- I have discovered that all the Protestants I have talked to believe that when a person dies, their soul goes to heaven, and has no real need for anything connected to earth, which in turn means they do not need prayers/hear prayers/pray for us because they are in perfect happiness with no wants/needs or negative/sad feelings anymore. I think this really makes the conversation of purgatory/praying for dead/asking for prayers from saints is a giant hole in understanding explanations.

[@j897xce]

What up Joe. Your work for the kingdom is underappreciated. We met in Salt Lake at Seek, i was the local dude with the FLDS friend. Wish we could come talk with you, converts are awesome and we have cool books. Peace and love to your family. Hot chicken on me!

[@marknovetske4738]

I think you did an excellent job of explaining a complicated topic! Thanks 🙏

[@KeepItPG123]

I find it interesting how many non-Catholics try to elucidate catholic teachings and history. These podcasters *could* ask a catholic about their own theology, but oftentimes they go to non-Catholics. Why is that?

[@irritated888]

Unfortunately, a great many of them are fallen away catholics and think they understand what the church teaches. Like the cross examined guy and Mark Driscoll.

[@catholicguy1073]

Echo chamber, get affirmation for what they say

[@matt8637]

For the same reason Catholics don't ask informed, theologically educated Reformed Christians about their views. Echo chamber.

[@mattb4249]

@@catholicguy1073 Goes both ways.

[@DanielAluni-v2t]

The best way to look at the Bible is to say that the Bible is thoroughly Catholic. The New Testament was written for, by, and to a Catholic audience.

[@uncle_Samssubjects]

and the Protestant bible was revised for the New world slaves, so they have a slave mentality.

[@livia.2016]

Every time they say "There's nowhere in the Bible" or "You cannot find it in the Bible", the first thing that comes to my mind is that they are reading into the Bible and I also think of what the physicist Niels Bohr said: "Stop telling God what to do". They say that kind of things, then comes their agenda. But anyway, I think you do a good deed trying to shed light on these matters.

[@livia.2016]

By the way, I think this channel is great because you always explain things with good manners and Pope Francis said let us not grow tired of doing good. I'm thinking a lot about it lately because sometimes I just don't want to hear the protestant nonsense anymore. I don't have that patience because I learn one silly idea after another. It's like a labyrinth of cookie cutter stupidity. The last one was that people are free to sin because Jesus already paid the bill. I just cannot take this kind of thoughts.

[@steveimhoff5646]

Joe-- this a brilliant explanation. Really gets to heart of what “appears” to be conflicting biblical passages. Merit is definitely not explained clearly enough ( from my experience anyway) in the Catholic Church. I don’t remember a clear explanation of this in my childhood CCD classes. Not saying it didn’t happen; could very likely be it was over my ability to understand in childhood?? I’ve even heard some people say “Paul and the 4 Gospels teach a different salvation “. You clearly show that’s a misconception of Paul’s epistles. Paul himself clearly teaches cooperation with Gods grace through faith. Your explanation is excellent.

[@borquelepork1057]

You just keep on making fantastic content, may God bless you all.

[@dynamic9016]

Really appreciate this video...Insightful 🙏

[@alissarehmert2502]

I learned a lot in this video. Thank you, Joe! :)

[@tigerjazz61]

Wow! Great presentation Joe! Very well explained! Thank you.

[@AndrewLane-pm2ro]

It blows my mind that Protestants claim that "our justification is by faith alone", when James 2:24 literally states that our justification is "NOT by faith alone"!! It was this sort of blatant denial of Scripture that led me away from Protestantism and into the Catholic Church.

[@matt8637]

You will find that Catholics deny many of the promises of God to keep us and save us until the end. Same deal in a different direction.

[@AndrewLane-pm2ro]

@matt8637 Protestants under Christianity and Catholicism as poorly as they understand the Bible. Tell me, how can you claim that you're justified by faith alone when James 2:24 clearly says a man is justified "NOT by faith alone"?

[@AndrewLane-pm2ro]

@matt8637 Please explain how you can say you're justified by faith alone when James 2:24 clearly states that a man is justified "NOT by faith alone"?

[@Andrew5158]

@@AndrewLane-pm2ro James 2:14-26 states: "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[e] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.." People cannot earn their way into heaven. People need to accept what Jesus has offered, but not just that alone. If a person doesn't do anything differently, then they are not a Christian and won't get into heaven. Empty belief, as demons have, is worthless. Christians are to try to act as best they can, but that is because they are Christians. Christians don't earn their way into heaven. Jesus paid our penalty, and to have salvation, people need to be reborn into Christians. Christians will act differently, and when Christians do good, they get according rewards in heaven, which are separate from salvation.

[@tonyl3762]

This is welcome addition/counterbalance to what Akin and Horn tend to emphasize. Good works don't save us, but there are certain obligatory good works that are necessary to retain/keep our salvation by faith based on Mt 25. Mortal sins of omission are a real thing.

[@nocturne2029]

Thank you so much for this video Joe. With this better understanding of the treasury of merit, I am given so much hope and even more motivation to become holy! I want to get to heaven and drag my loved ones up there with me, and this understanding gives me the confidence that such a thing could be achieved. Thank you!

[@SteveSturdivant-y5z]

Another amazing video , so much Truth in it !!!! As an Protestant ( who loves Catholicism ) let me say that we were taught and believed in , degrees of punishment and heavenly rewards ( beyond that of Salvation ) Love your videos , Joe , please keep them coming !!! God bless your ministry !!!

[@BensWorkshop]

At around 47:00 Trent outlines the legal principle of estoppel (Old English word) where someone acts in reliance on a promise. If the court finds one (common law jurisdictions) them the promisor is estopped from going back on his promise. This is a principle from the Court of Equity (as was). Great video Joe, and a great explanation!

[@kwing6017]

a video on indulgences their scriptural basis and development through the years would be nice.

[@dizzynoggin]

Thanks again, Joe. I had never heard "treasury of merit" before today.

[@norala-gx9ld]

Looking forward to this. The Treasure of Merit is one of the biggest barriers to me returning to Catholicism. It’s always struck me as an outrageous and preposterous sacrilege.

[@elizabethking5523]

@norala-gx9ld, ❤️ Come Home friend! 😀The Catholic Church is waiting for you! 🙏🏻

[@norala-gx9ld]

@ Thanks, we shall see!

[@greenmonk]

I grew up in a Free Grace theological framework and the idea of "heavenly treasure" is very much a part of that tradition, just only applied to our sanctification. When we cooperate with God's grace in our sanctification, we earn heavenly rewards that we will attain in the future Kingdom of God. I think the synthesis in Catholic doctrine between Justification and Sanctification, as opposed to the Protestant compartmentalization of these two processes is more of the reason that leads to some of this confusion. I agree that people definitely overly spiritualize the biblical talk of rewards and actually end up suggesting a MORE works based salvation by doing so.

[@Mkvine]

Excellent presentation Joe. One of the best I’ve seen on the topic!

[@damnedmadman]

Excellent episode ❤️

[@JH_Phillips]

Thank you, Joe!

[@n41698m]

Another banger by Joe. I saw the title and thought “treasury of merit, eh kinda boring”. But I just had a feeling that if I watched it would be interesting and enlightening and edifying. Correct across the board. You have a gift, Joe. Thank you for using it to build up Christ’s Church.

[@ArtBigotti919]

Thank you Joe! God bless!

[@SteveSturdivant-y5z]

Thanks!

[@shamelesspopery]

Wow, thank you!

[@RedRoosterRoman]

I like to think about it- that a person in a state of grace (by grace) has Christ abiding in Him, "for it is Christ that lives not I" So any good deed we do by grace becomes the equivalent as if Jesus was here on earth doing the action

[@darrylswanson7547]

Very helpful video Joe. Thank you.

[@cozyhomemakingvibes]

Outstanding video. Thank you, Joe.

[@jonathanstensberg]

Still utterly baffling how someone reads the gospels-let alone the rest of scripture-and still manages to be Protestant. The Gospel is Catholic; deal with it.

[@BensWorkshop]

Oddly I read a comment from a former atheist who decided to become Christian. He was watching Protestant apologetics whilst reading the Gospels and couldn't see what they were saying matched the Gospels in any way. He became Catholic.

[@BensWorkshop]

Many thanks Joe. I will have to rewatch.

[@nibs1989]

Baptist here: Up until 13:13, totally (almost) agree. I don't know what people you are referring to, but we definitely don't believe everyone's reward is the same. And, we definitely believe in a treasure in heaven. We believe that any and all works done in faith, down to offering a drink in the name of the Lord is rewarded. We also believe that God rewards us for deeds that are "not good" and that for some believers, they will be saved "yet so as by fire." We will be judged based on our works. Those who had great works of faith will have great rewards and will shine as the stars of heaven. But, those who had no works, few works, or just small works, will receive a reward in accordance to what they did. We do have a heavnly treasure made available to us according to Ephesians 1. Those are all spiritual blessings that are bestowed upon us by the grace of God through the Holy Spirit. We are to live out our lives in fear and trembling, knowing the terror of the Lord, and are to work out our own salvation. That is, to furnish an empty house. You have the house guaranteed, or at least the foundation. But, we are to do something with our salvation. We are saved "unto good works" (Ephesians 2:10). If you don't have good works...things will be a little rough on judgment day.

[@batglide5484]

Seems like a lot of mental gymnastics required to read eternal security into scripture when it isn’t found. Our faith isn’t a faith of either/or it’s a faith of both/and. If you profess faith in God and then do acts of evil, you risk damnation. That is clear from Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

[@nibs1989]

@batglide5484 Ephesians 1 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. If the Spirit is our earnest, and by the Spirit we cry Abba Father, and if we are sealed by Him, as God's purchased possession, and we are sealed "until the redemption of the purchased possession," then as the Scriptures indicate, we are secured by the Spirit for a set term. If nothing can separate us from the love of God, and if it is God that works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure, then we understand that this is by the Spirit. He is our Paraclete, our intercessor, praying to the Father on our behalf. His presence in us seals us as God's own. And, He will never disown His children. We have eternal life already (1 John 5:13). Eternal security does not depend on me, as my salvation does not either. It is God's work that saves me, makes me His own. I receive it by faith, a faith that is rightly put in the God who is just and the justifier of the ungodly. No one reads eternal security into the text, that is learned through exegesis. Nothing is more sacred than Scripture other than God Himself. All of the warnings about not falling into sin are valid. We have no right to sin. We cannot continue in sin if we have been freed from sin. And, a person who is God's child will not be allowed by God to continue without chastening. None of that removes salvation. You cannot lose something that was never yours to gain. Now, all men have the opportunity to be saved. The atonement is sufficient for all men. Christ died for all the ungodly, but not all are saved. One can lose the gift offered by dying in unbelief. Once received, it cannot be lost, but if one does not receive it, or even outright rejects and rejects it, it is possible that God would deny such a person a chance to come to repentance again. A true believer cannot become truly apostate. John made that clear when he said, "they went out from us because they were not of us." The Spirit will not allow someone to deny Christ in that way, in their heart. Peter denied Christ publicly, but he went out and wept sorrowfully. Judas betrayed Jesus, but committed suicide. They each revealed what they were. Judas was antichrist, Peter was a man weak in his faith, but broken by his sin. Godly sorrow works repentance. Peter sorrowed after a godly sort. Judas fell and destroyed himself. This is one way a true believer and an apostate reveal themselves. Judas was always apostate. He always had a devil. Christ gave him every chance to believe, and even let him see the power of Christ, but he still rejected it. It all came down to the kind of faith they had. One was partial, the other was not. The children of light and the children of darkness are revealed by their works. By works we are justified as righteous in this world, but not before God. By works our faith is made perfect, but faith has to begin somewhere. Just as Isaac would not have had a son to offer had he not believed God. Abraham offered Isaac on the altar with the same faith he had when God told him to number the stars. That same faith was made perfect when he acted on it. He was already righteous, but he could be justified in saying he had faith, because he lived it. That's saving faith. It believes God to the point that it becomes tangible. It is visible and active in the world. A "faith" that isn't is no different than the belief of demons. Mere mental assent to a fact is not faith. True trust from the heart in God is.

[@seanmalone6487]

I appreciate your position and how well you have articulated it. I used to believe everything you said for all of my 20's. Well done! But I hope you see that you're almost all the way to the treasury of merit. The only part you're missing is the Communion of the Saints, in this case specifically belief in the Church Triumphant; which is, albeit, a large part. The statements you have made above would make sense from an individualistic perspective, but, if you employ the grammatical-historical-cultural hermeneutic without bias, you'll realize that 1st century culture was definitely not very individualistic (which means Paul was most likely not thinking that way). Especially when it's taken into account that the vast majority of the second person pronouns in the NT, and particularly in Paul's letters, are plural, you'll find that the Catholic position on these things actually holds up better even when using (unbiased) Protestant hermeneutics. It's more likely that someone from the first century would be thinking mystically and communally (as is the case in the doctrine of the Communion of Saints) than along the lines of modern, post-Enlightenment individualism.

[@nibs1989]

@seanmalone6487 If I've followed what you have said clearly, there is a question that comes to mind. While it is true that for a person like Paul and for an early Christian that community thinking was much more the norm (take, for example, the first church at Jerusalem having "all things common,") that does not preclude individual merit and judgment. The concept of individuality may even stem from the idea of "Individual soul liberty." The concept finds is strength in the words of Paul. Now, Paul was very counter-cultural in his teaching. This is especially evident in the Pauline house codes in Ephesians and Philippians. So, Paul and the Apostles teaching an individual responsibility would be counter cultural, perhaps. Paul taught that "we must all give an account," at first this seems like a group thing. But the terms of judgment that come immediately after, and that are indicated in Revelation, indicate that we will all be judged by our individual merit. If we are to be judged individually, then that seems to eliminate a group judgment. And if there is no group to be judged as such, then that would exclude any necessity for a collective merit, since it will not be judged. For example, Paul said that each individual was to give an account for himself (Romans 14:12) In the Greek he specifically uses the individual pronouns: ἄρα οὖν ἕκαστος ἡμῶν περὶ ἑαυτοῦ λόγον δώσει τῷ θεῷ. Peri heautou - about himself Hekastos - each one These terms are strictly related to the individual. 1 Corinthians 3 is particularly strong in this regard. It places the responsibility on the individual for the status of his own life. It is not a group effort that is in view. He is also referring to Salvation as well and then what follows. 1Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master-builder I laid a foundation, but someone else builds on it. And each one must be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each builder’s work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done. 14 If what someone has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If someone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as through fire. So, an individual is in view here. His merit is that which he has built on the foundation. The foundation is Christ, faith in Him, his name written in the book of life. This foundation is in heaven and is the place of one's inheritance. We can have an inheritance but also waste the life we were given in Christ. That is the wood, hay, and stubble. Good works of faith and love are the gold, silver, and precious stones. This indicates that there are varying levels and qualities of good works. Some are more valuable than others, but they will withstand the fire. This is the merit we will be judged on. If someone had absolutely nothing to show, but had the foundation, he is still in heaven....but he will be poor in a sense, and he will not shine as the stars of heaven. There will be a lot of dim bulbs, a lot of empty foundationers, and a lot of people who had a little bit, and a few will have a lot to show for their eternal life. This also connects directly to Ephesians 1. We receive all spiritual blessings in heavenly places when we receive the Spirit. He is the earnest of our inheritance. So, once you have him you have the inheritance secured. This is the foundation in heaven upon which you then build your life of faith. The entrance and securing of that place comes only when one believes the Gospel: Ephesians 1:13-14 And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation), when you trusted in him, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory. When someone believes they are sealed. That is also the time that all spiritual blessings in Christ are applied to the believer because it is also the moment someone is baptized by the Spirit into Christ (not the same as water baptism - also not what charismatics confuse to be speaking in tongues). 1 Cor. 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, whether we are slaves or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. It is by the Spirit that we are baptized into Christ. Because of this Baptism spiritually we are to then follow in a physical baptism. What happens to us spiritually should also have a physical correspondent. The Lord's Supper also is a picture of this. When we eat, we also picture having received Christ as we would our necessary food. (But as many as received him, to them he gave the power to become the children of God, even to those that believe in His name.) So, since we receive Christ individually, we also will be judged individually, each on his own merits. There are no collective merits to gather one into heaven because those all pertain to Christ. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy he saved us" Titus 3:5 No collective merits are in view. Only Christ's individual righteousness can save humanity. Is there a treasury of merit? Absolutely. But no one will give an account for what's on my foundation except for me. Bishops do have to give a separate account because of their spiritual authority. They have to give an account for how they led the church. However, that is still their own account.

[@seanmalone6487]

@@nibs1989 This is, I think, the 7th time I've tried to post this, but it keeps disappearing. If you have been able to see all my other attempts at posting this same reply, I apologize but I cannot see them from my end and it seems like YT does not recognize their existence. It's very frustrating. Anyway, what I've been trying to say is this: I love everything about this reply. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Exposition from Moody Bible Institute (Spring '17, Spokane Campus), where I also learned Koine. I still keep my UBS4 at my bedside. I also just graduated with an M.Div. from University of Northwestern in St. Paul, MN (Spring '24). So, believe me, I'm very familiar with everything you've laid out, and I commend you for articulating it so well. At this point I would rather correspond via email, as YT comment sections are limiting. My email is [e-mail]. Shoot me an email if you'd like to talk more.

[@martaghebregziabiher372]

God bless you Joe. Thank you for your explanation.

[@ednewcomer]

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. Revelation 22:12

[@matt8637]

"The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life." Revelations 22:17

[@ednewcomer]

@@matt8637 Conversion --> transformation --> union with Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2:20

[@matt8637]

@@ednewcomer I think we are talking about different things, now, speaking past one another. I am speaking about being saved by God's free grace. This is from the Catholic Catechism, section 2011. It sounds like this reality has some place and location in Catholic thought. "After earth’s exile, I hope to go and enjoy you in the fatherland, but I do not want to lay up merits for heaven. I want to work for your love alone…. In the evening of this life, I shall appear before you with empty hands, for I do not ask you, Lord, to count my works. All our justice is blemished in your eyes. I wish, then, to be clothed in your own justice and to receive from your love the eternal possession of yourself."

[@ednewcomer]

@@matt8637 All that is true. My point is this: What does God expect from us? Does grace help us to live a virtuous life?

[@BensWorkshop]

@@ednewcomer Yes. 💯the point. We are the Body of Christ on earth and through us he acts.

[@timrichardson4018]

Love the distinction between debt and promise. God, by his nature, wants to bless and reward us. He is internally consistent and thus faithful to himslef and the promises he makes. So, yes, we can say God owes us what he promised, not because of any external principle of justice that God is subject to, but on the basis of his own faithfulness. We have reason to hope for and expect God to reward us as he said he would. It's not because we have a debt over God's head, but because God himself has promised it to us. In this way, what God gives is both a gift and a reward. All of this shound be extremely comforting, that God has done everything possible to provide for our salvation and glorification with help from all sides, directly from himself and our brothers and sisters.

[@machariagithu3056]

Great video Joe. Could you address witch hunts and trials on another video? I feel as though there's too much misinformation around this topic and the role of the Church. Thank you and God bless👍👍

[@catholicguy1073]

Protestant Churches in Germany burned some 65,000 women during that time period. They are foolish to try and take the moral high ground.

[@AndrewLane-pm2ro]

The following passage of Scripture clearly demonstrates the salvific merit of works: “I know your WORKS ... I have not found your WORKS perfect in the sight of my God .... Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have NOT SOILED THEIR GARMENTS; and they shall WALK WITH ME IN WHITE, for they are WORTHY. He who conquers shall be clad thus in white garments, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life; I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels." (Rev 3:1-5)

[@emilyzlockard]

Joe really went above and beyond. And we all benefit.

[@Pilgrimofhope7]

Thanks for this video. I’m a Catholic and I learned a lot.

[@ArchetypeGotoh]

I don’t understand how the Protestants get Titus so wrong. St Paul, alive and writing to other people currently alive, says “no works (of the law) done by us merited Jesus coming down to save us.” How do they stretch that into “and therefore, no work of charity, even if mandated by Christ since he came down, has any effect on whether or not you have the obedience of faith?” It’s literally not a question of “do works matter or not”, it’s a matter of reading comprehension. What the Jews did before Christ is not the same as what Christians have been told to do after Christ. How is this hard?

[@matt8637]

This might be helpful from the Catholic Catechism, section 2011, the second part. It actually sounds a little Prostestant/Reformed, if you know what I mean. 😉 It is a quote from Therese of Lisieux: "After earth’s exile, I hope to go and enjoy you in the fatherland, but I do not want to lay up merits for heaven. I want to work for your love alone…. In the evening of this life, I shall appear before you with empty hands, for I do not ask you, Lord, to count my works. All our justice is blemished in your eyes. I wish, then, to be clothed in your own justice and to receive from your love the eternal possession of yourself."

[@PaxTheSamurai]

Awesome quote, there! I actually named my daughter after St. Therese. I like the way this one sounds.

[@TheCatholicNerd]

24:15 You're reminding me of something that I've thought about for quite some time. This message really needs to be preached about heavenly rewards. I think a lot of Catholics are under the same impression that heaven is going to be the same for everyone because you hear some things from some Catholics like " hey man, I'm just shooting for purgatory. I'm going to get in by the skin of my teeth.". That is such a terrible idea! You need to be in it to win it, not that you win your salvation, of course, but we should not aspire to be the least in the Kingdom of heaven, but be as great as we can be (without comparing our Holiness to the Holiness of others because that is the wrong attitude). In other words, this whole discussion about merit needs to happen in more parishes to teach people that they should strive to be a saint.

[@jean-mariehendricks7399]

I agree, too many focus on the reward, rather than the rewarder. Our sole focus should be on serving Him and submitting to His will, period.

[@testingmysoup5678]

It really doesn't fit with individualism, protestantism is against anything collectivist that's why it's the precursor to atheism. But the notion of saving someone or being saved because of someone else is just so beautiful even though we see that everyday with the crucifixion.

[@ekatrinya]

Believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ over believing in works based salvation is a precursor to atheism?

[@sebastijank98]

@@ekatrinya No. He clearly stated that it is the individualism that Protestantism preaches.

[@ekatrinya]

​@@sebastijank98I don't see how believing that Christ's work alone is sufficient and we cannot individually add to it is individualism. Scripture says our works are like dirty rags. I don't want to give my dirty rags to Christ. I want Him to enable me to do good works through me with His Holy Spirit producing the works - the fruit of the Spirit. The gospel of ones own individual works being added to Christ's work seems like the ultimate individualism.

[@classicalteacher]

Christianity is a communal religion. It's never been "Jesus and me". Christians are a family with our Father in heaven through the immutable mark He gives us in baptism.

[@sebastijank98]

@@ekatrinya You said “I” a lot here. That’s very Protestant and so individualistic, getting to determine what you think how things should be. We submit to God and teachings of His Holy Church. We don’t get to define what and how we want it the way you did

[@leahs.3447]

Thanks for this episode, exactly the information I was looking for! If you have time will you do an answer to Jordan Coopers recent episode where he attacks fr mike schmitz on the papacy and the canon. Thank you!

[@andrewcinamella6610]

Awesome job Joe. You really hit this one. On a funny note I used to promise my kids donuts for good behavior in mass also. I have since stopped this since they have grown up a little and don't need this type of incentive. Last week on the way out of mass my middle one (14) asks why don't we get donuts anymore? 😂. They only forget chores they remember everything else. Lol

[@voiceoftheast]

Hi Joe, a great book on this is Charity by Gary Anderson. I would highly recommend this for anyone interested in the topic. He uses Old and New Testament sources to cover the Treasury of Merit and its origins in the Jewish tradition. Enjoy!

[@Ebreeze1976]

Yes we are Saved by Works! The Works of Jesus Christ on our own Works! ❤️✝️

[@charlesjoyce982]

The works of believers are also the works of Jesus Christ.

[@Ebreeze1976]

@charlesjoyce982 no Charles they are not. The works that Jesus Christ are the Gospel of Jesus Christ! They are not are works! In the Bible, Jesus talks about the works the Father gave him to do in John 5:19 and John 17:4. John 5:19 Jesus says, "I only do the works that I see the Father doing, for the Son does the same works as his Father". John 17:4 Jesus says, "I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do". Explanation In John 5:19, Jesus says that he can only do what he sees the Father doing. In John 17:4, Jesus says that he has completed the work that the Father gave him to do.

[@charlesjoyce982]

@@Ebreeze1976 and the bible also says that the works believers do are God's own works -- we are His handiwork.

[@charlesjoyce982]

​@@Ebreeze1976 I thought we were His handiwork.

[@Ebreeze1976]

@charlesjoyce982 Believers are His handiwork, but His works are Completely separate from anything we do!

[@crekow]

Well said, Joe! (as always)

[@garyr.8116]

Thanks for bringing to light the Genesis 19:29 (God remembered Abraham and saved Lott ) and Job 41:7b-8 ( God tells Jobs friends He won't listen to their prayers until Job intercedes for them) passages - I had forgotten about those, even though I always remember the Mark 2:1-5 one! (Jesus forgives/heals paralytic on FRIENDS faith) . POWERFULL STUFF !!

[@gentlegiants1974]

Joe, How would you respond to someone who objects to this by referencing the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard? The seeming "egalitarianism" and lack of differentiation in wages despite the differences in labour and effort on the part of the workers? In my evangelical days I heard sermons citing this passage in this context to refute Catholicism.

[@SoCal9705]

Great video on a confusing topic! 👍

[@NTNG13]

Very ideal that the treasury language/motif is a particular of the Gospel of the Tax-Collector.

[@marksiewert8344]

Time 5:48 Explicit presentation of the gross American protestant opinion. Total lack of understanding and use of ridiculous protestant definitions. Very sad to watch such prideful protestant error.

[@mikekayanderson408]

We have to watch and listen to prideful catholic error when Joe et al keep saying we have everything wrong or can’t understand things in the Bible. So it’s a two way street!

[@amaneyugihanako-kunofthesi8849]

Good Day to you, Joe! Maybe you can tackle this in a future video but could you do an in-depth video of Biblical Textual Criticism? You can shoehorn in some Protestant or Atheistic misunderstandings or argument which uses Biblical Textual Criticism but I just like to see your take on it, and how we Catholics ought to understand what Biblical Textual Criticism is and whether it would affect our Faith and our understanding of Sacred Scripture or not. You can also cover the Coherence-Based Genealogical Method in that video if you want, as it is the latest method in which current Biblical Textual Criticism is done, at least by insitutions such as the Institut für Neutestamentliche Textforschung or INTF. Either way, Thanks in advance! (P.S I know I said "Biblical Textual Criticism" like many times now, so I'm sorry if it seemed repetitive!)

[@vinciblegaming6817]

49:00 - ok... I never even thought to think in terms of trusting in a not yet realized promise. Of course, there's that sense of the almost, not-yet, already...

[@Malygosblues]

Is it weird that the Treasury of Merit is the only way that makes the parable of the talents make sense to me?

[@mattb4249]

Really? It makes more sense that it is about stewardship and advancing the Kingdom since that is what Christ Jesus was talking about.

[@Malygosblues]

@mattb4249 I don't see a contradiction. Paystubs usually don't contradict the existence of a business.

[@laurenatkinson1892]

As a Catholic, this was incredibly helpful for my own faith.

[@champagne.future5248]

Absolutely brilliant presentation of Catholic doctrine. I wish I could send this to every Protestant. It makes me wonder how they ended up with sola fidei in the first place and how it has lasted so long

[@brittanydeyoung4846]

Well you can go read our catechism if you really wanna understand it… but you don’t, you’d rather have division

[@champagne.future5248]

@ I actually do want to learn a lot more about Protestant theology, but it’s overwhelming because there’s so many churches. Which catechism do you mean?

[@brittanydeyoung4846]

@ the Westminster or Heidelberg catechism, that’s what traditional reformed use

[@champagne.future5248]

@@brittanydeyoung4846 thank you. I do very much want more unity

[@brittanydeyoung4846]

@ okay thanks for being kind. Most people are so hateful to my tradition

[@einarrjamesson9643]

100,000ft take here but seems to me the biggest misunderstanding about "works" between Catholics and Protestants is good works vs works of the Law

[@vtaylor21]

I noticed that Protestants think merit and reward mean the person worked hard to earn something. That is not true. The definitions for merit and reward don't always imply earning something based on what you did. They could also mean you are being rewarded out of the love of the person giving the reward.

[@marksiewert8344]

Yes, classic example of protestant prideful error, selective redefinition of common theological and everyday language. Very sad to watch.

[@vinciblegaming6817]

Or they think the works asked if us are viewed by us as valuable enough to earn salvation... That's something I had to deal with a lot as a kid. I wanted to do what was right because it was pleasing to God... But others thought I did it to try and earn my salvation. I wasn't concerned about earning anything... I just wanted to give God what I had... That's the treasury of merit. My desire to love others and pray for others and serve others and sacrifice for others, working for their salvation, is something that comes from my desire to love God back... By loving those HE loves.

[@ekatrinya]

The disconnect seems to be where the good originates. Protestants believe that anything good in us is the Holy Spirit enabling us to produce fruits of the Spirits. Our own good works are dirty rags, as scripture says. It actually implies our works are like dirty menstrual cloths.

[@vinciblegaming6817]

@@ekatrinya yeah... In my experience as a protestant, that meant our works were undesirable and disgusting to God... But it's just their objective value. It's like the objective value of the Widow's mite vs the bags of gold dropped off by the wealthy... God's infinite value and the value of what he has done for us has a greater difference to the bags of gold than the bags of gold to the Widow's mite... Yet the Widow's mite (that likely couldn't even purchase rags) brings God pleasure and joy because she offers what she has. Just because our works, compared to Christ's work, are like dirty rags, doesn't mean he doesn't take joy in them when offered from a grateful, loving, and trusting heart. It just means they aren't going to earn us salvation.

[@IG88AAA]

@@ekatrinyaCan you tell me where the Bible calls our works dirty rags?

[@ajayjosemedia]

This was awesome dude

[@sojournerfarmsgoats4930]

Thank you I was just wondering about this! How do the merits of the saints get applied to us after we are dead though? The biblical examples appear to be of people who have direct contact with each other in life, how does that work afterwards?

[@killianmiller6107]

The way I think about it is like this: the church is the body of Christ, of which Christ is the head and the faithful are the members, and we are told that one part of the body cannot say to another part “I have no need of you.” With this in mind, it makes sense that the good of the “hands” of the body benefit not just the hands but also the “feet,” etc. lest we say the feet have no need of the hands; and in the same way, mysteriously, the merits of one can benefit another in the church. God wills our participation in his work of redemption.

[@Collins12246]

Joe, thank you so much for this video. I have a question. How about someone saying: I can see how a saint's merit can benefit the living when those Saints are alive on this earth. But when they're dead, is there any scriptural concept that talks about their merit applied to the living?

[@bengoolie5197]

I would then ask where in the bible does it say that any Christian doctrine must come from the bible?

[@John_Six]

The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. When we die in Christ we are alive in Christ. There is no verse that says when we die (bodily) we are cut off from the church which is the living body of Christ. You can't separate the Head (Christ) from His body. I'm no theologian like Joe, but this would be my reply.

[@Collins12246]

@@bengoolie5197 I feel sometimes you shouldn't just jump and say things like this. There may actually be scriptural backups for such and because of this emphasis of always taking the discussion into sola scriptura, you miss those scriptural backups

[@bengoolie5197]

@@Collins12246 I am not sorry you feel that way. It is just something you will have to work through for yourself.

[@Collins12246]

@@bengoolie5197 So, in ur understanding, there's no passage that supports that idea? You must have to resort to the sola scriptura debate?

[@harrygarris6921]

Protestants misunderstand salvation as a kind of process or mechanism rather than properly understanding it as a relationship of love for and trust in the God man. The idea that a relationship of love could somehow be attained through working is kind of ridiculous on its face, that’s not what a relationship is.

[@TheCrusades1099]

You have to WORK to make a relationship WORK. " Hey man! Hows your relationship with Jane?" " It's not WORKING out" So clearly you need to WORK for a relationship to WORK.

[@harrygarris6921]

@ yeah, relationships can take work at times. But they’re not founded on works.

[@vinciblegaming6817]

​@@harrygarris6921I don't think that's true, either. We love Christ because he first loved us, for while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The right relationship begins with Christ's work. The relationship between God and man begins with God's work in creation.

[@vinciblegaming6817]

I think Protestants understand quite easily it's about relationship. It's just they tend to think (or communicate) that they can have a relationship without having to give anything of themselves. That's a kind of work.

[@ekatrinya]

​@@vinciblegaming6817Protestants understand that what is given - good works - are the RESULT of salvation. The result of Christ working in their life. The Holy Spirit works through us and that is when you see fruits of the Spirit. Good works are not things that we do that originate inside of us and are added to the work of Jesus to give us salvation. Protestants give all the glory to Jesus and do not take any for themselves. The good news of the gospel is the work of Jesus Christ. The good news of the gospel is not the opportunity of sinners to join in on the saving work of Christ. Scripture says our good works are like dirty rags although the more literal translation is dirty menstrual cloths.

[@barrytanner9778]

The Book of James… Read it, Love it and embrace it.

[@aaronmeehan4324]

Thank you

[@ednewcomer]

God promises rewards for faithfulness during trials, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in faith. 1 Peter 1:6-7:

[@jt06061]

Hi Joe, can you make a video reacting to Kyle’s new video on “The Catholic Worship problem”? Thanks

[@Muellenbach67]

Good morning!

[@captaincampalot]

I’m absolutely certain no feathers will be ruffled in the comments section.

[@doinic09]

100% (if tony doesn't show up)

[@John_Six]

23:26 Same with Luke 12:47-48 these 2 servants are punished, but not cast away with the unbelievers like verse 46.

[@shiannebrown2853]

Joe, would you be able to explain the difference between justification and sanctification? As a non-denom Protestant I am taught the “once saved always saved” doctrine of justification and that works are only tied to sanctification which is separate from justification. Can you explain the catholic view of this? I am considering converting but this teaching is a small roadblock in my understanding and a point of major disagreement for my husband. Thank you! Great video by the way! I learned a lot!

[@batglide5484]

The Catholic position is that justification is a _process._ Catholics agree that through faith and baptism we receive initial justification. As our lives progress we have the opportunity to participate in Gods grace and experience justification in the future. In a special way we are both Justified in the past and capable of justification in the future. Indeed, anyone can lose their salvation through mortal sin. But we can also get it back through absolution of our sin in the sacrament of reconciliation. Catholic theology is a theology of both/and not either/or. We are justified and we _need_ justification all the same.

[@emilyzlockard]

55:16 “When we're talking about good works that God is rewarding, these are not things we are doing for God apart from grace. No. These are the workings of God's grace through our cooperation, a cooperation He makes entirely possible.” (See also, Ephesians 2:8-10 :)

[@notavailable4891]

People who say we are saved absolutely by faith and not works are just missing the obvious problem: believing is a work. You choose to believe and then you actively believe. To be truly consistent, God would have to save you regardless of whether you believe or not, you just get saved and then maybe you will do good works because God chose to save you without your consent or faith.

[@charlesjoyce982]

This is a point Ive made many times to Protestants. So at least one "work" is necessary for salvation. Then the scripture says if you believe with your heart and confess with your mouth -- you will be saved. So does that mean two works are now necessary -- 1. Believing, 2. Confessing with mouth?

[@matt8637]

But don't forget this part of the Catholic Catechism. It is the second part of section 2011: "After earth’s exile, I hope to go and enjoy you in the fatherland, but I do not want to lay up merits for heaven. I want to work for your love alone…. In the evening of this life, I shall appear before you with empty hands, for I do not ask you, Lord, to count my works. All our justice is blemished in your eyes. I wish, then, to be clothed in your own justice and to receive from your love the eternal possession of yourself." It sounds like Romans 3 and 4.

[@randycarson9812]

*THE TREASURY OF MERITS PROVED FROM SCRIPTURE* _The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field...you have to know where to look._ The Bible does not explicitly use the term "Trinity," yet Christians widely embrace the doctrine because it is a coherent explanation of scripture's teachings about God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Similarly, the concept of the Treasury of Merit is not explicitly laid out in scripture but is formulated by interpreting and synthesizing biblical themes, such as: Heavenly Treasure: Jesus speaks of storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21), implying that good works have lasting spiritual significance. The Communion of Saints: Scripture presents believers as interconnected within the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), where the faith and actions of one can benefit others (e.g., intercessory prayer, James 5:16). Merit Through Christ: Catholic theology understands all merit as originating in Christ, whose infinite sacrifice empowers the saints' good works (Philippians 2:13). This aligns with Paul's teaching that believers can "work out" their salvation with God’s grace (Philippians 2:12).

[@georgegreen711]

25:37 Not quite, brother. None of the Magisterial Reformers said that Baptism is a mere symbol or ritual and is not a salvific means of grace. However, such a teaching is very much a part of the descendants of the Radical Reformation/Anabaptists today, such as in Baptist or Non-Denominational theology, though Baptists did have a higher view of the Sacraments in previous centuries. Baptism, whether as an infant or as a new believer only becomes effectual when joined with saving faith, as saving faith produces obedience and worship to God in spirit and in truth, which includes righteous living and good works.

[@Ashton_Speaks]

Oh I love that shirt!

[@johninpa8336]

Ephesians 2:8-10, where it says,“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” So what I see here is the initial one-time event of faith that comes via a gratuitous gift of grace from God that does not involve presupposed works that merit us AND we need to continue (by our free will) the ongoing works of charity that God puts out there for us to do. God gets the glory for our acts of love initiated by Him! Therefore our good works are really God’s works, not ours. This is so as Paul tells us because, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

[@johninpa8336]

Galatians 5:6,“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. The faith that justifies us is a faith working through love, not faith alone. This is one of the best summaries of Catholic teaching. Faith and love (manifested by works) are always connected. Faith (a process of the intellect initiated by God’s grace) and love (an action) are never separated in the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14,“Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Your every act should be done with love.” Ephesians 3:17,“That Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts; that being rooted and founded in love,” 1 Thessalonians 3:6, “But just now Timothy has returned to us from you, bringing us the good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us and long to see us as we long to see you.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3, “We ought to thank God always for you, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more, and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater.” Faith in action. Revelation 2:4-5,“Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. The Lord admonishes those of faith who fail to continue to do loving works.