A conversation I recently had with a Roman Catholic priest recalled the old saying, “All roads lead to Rome.” While this quote originally referred to the network of roadways built by the Roman Empire, the same could be applied theologically to spiritual departures from the truth of salvation.

Normally I do not stop and talk with Roman Catholic priests, but after finishing some errands, I drove past Holy Name Catholic Church. I noticed that the nice-looking church building appeared to have about eight to ten good-sized classrooms and a gym. The church is centrally located in the area near the residences of some members of Second Reformed Protestant Church and where other members tend to be moving. I could tell from the signs that the church is no longer using the building as a school and that a private daycare is currently occupying the space. And I surmised from the small number of cars in the parking lot that the building appeared to be underutilized.

So I stopped in at the rectory, and the administrative assistant led me into a conference room to meet with Father Patrick. After the usual pleasantries I inquired concerning the possibility of renting the school building for our church and school.

When Father Patrick asked for some background information about our group, I explained to him that I am a member of a church that formed about three years ago and that when God formed us as a church, he also formed a school for our children.

Father Patrick seemed somewhat taken aback by my explanation and inquired as to the reason God had formed us as a church.

I explained that the church of which we were former members had adopted the false doctrine of salvation that said that we experience fellowship with God through faith, on the basis of what Christ has done, and in the way of our obedience.

Father Patrick immediately embraced the doctrine as his own and responded, “Well, there’s nothing wrong with that!”

And I said, “Exactly! But I’m not Roman Catholic!”

Father Patrick immediately smiled understandingly and said, “Well, I think it would be better if all of us who trust in Jesus would just set aside our hobbyhorses and get along.”

That was a very familiar sentiment, and one that I still hear repeatedly from members of the denomination that drove us out. And I found it fascinating that Father Patrick understood immediately what I meant when I responded that I am not Roman Catholic.

Father Patrick’s statement made me think, “What is the essence of the hobbyhorse to which he referred? the hobbyhorse for which so many have either gained or lost their earthly lives?”

The essence of the doctrine that is being downplayed as a hobbyhorse is the doctrine of salvation, specifically concerning how sinful man is reconciled to a holy God.

God manifests his eternal power and Godhead to all men, so that they are without excuse.

19. That which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. (Rom. 1:19–20)

Throughout history men have known that they need to be reconciled to God. Father Patrick was correct when he asserted that members of both the Roman Catholic Church and Reformed churches claim to “trust in Jesus.” But do they really trust in Jesus? The division between the true and false church always comes down to this: who Christ is and what he has accomplished.

The Roman Catholic viewpoint concerning sinful man and the work of Christ is the following:

Man is a sinner and in need of special grace from God. Jesus Christ, by his sacrifice, has secured the reconciliation of man and God. All who receive the benefits of Christ’s work are justified, but the key, as in traditional Catholic teaching, lies in the way the benefits of Christ’s work are applied. Christ won grace; the church imparts it. Aquinas taught that Christians need the constant infusion of “cooperating grace,” whereby the Christian virtues—above all, love—are stimulated in the soul. Assisted by this cooperating grace, a Christian can do works that please God and gain special merit in God’s sight.¹

The Roman Catholic Church confesses, “Christ won grace; the church imparts it,” and, “Christians need the constant infusion of ‘cooperating grace,’ whereby the Christian virtues—above all, love—are stimulated in the soul.”

The Protestant Reformed Churches confess, “We experience fellowship [salvation] with God through faith (instrument), on the basis of what Christ has done (ground), and in the way of our obedience (way of conduct or manner of living).”²

Antithetically, the Reformed Protestant Churches confess, “Salvation is of the Lord.”

Over against the cacophony of new doctrines that withhold different benefits of salvation (which flow to the elect by grace through faith) from the believer unless and until he first performs good works is the testimony of scripture in Romans 11:6: “If by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

The first benefit of salvation that the Protestant Reformed Churches withhold unless and until good works are performed is fellowship with God (which is salvation). To that withholding is added the benefit of assurance (which is the elect sinner’s by faith) and the forgiveness of sins, and recently added is the confirmation of the assurance of justification.

Over against the Roman Catholic and Protestant Reformed lie that salvation can only be experienced by the elect through the lethal mixture of grace-enabled works is the testimony of scripture in Ephesians 2:8–9:

8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.