Featured Essentials of the faith

I would not say they possess the essentials of the faith. Both groups would agree with some orthodox christology, but if you take their theology as a whole you are left with a decidedly non-Christian faith. Both groups you mentioned teach a works based soteriology.

 

Let us say, for arguments sake, that the Apostles creed contained all the essentials needed to be in the Christian faith. If the the Apostles Creed was a zero sum game, so be it. But it is not. What the early church confessed in the Apostles Creed the Roman Catholic Church corrupted. I do not think it is necessary to list all their errors, do you?

 

To be seen as being a "real chrsitian church", MUST adhere to saved by Grace alone, thru faith alone, and submit to Bible ONLY authority for faith/practice, both of those churches do neither!

 

again, arguing for either cal/arm would be "in church" debate, as both would still be teaching saved by grace , thru faith alone, and both adhere to just the scriptures...

Those 2 tests would seperate the chaff from the wheat!

 

There is a difference between a false teaching and a false gospel. I believe synergism propagates a false teaching in its understanding of God's sovereignty and human responsibility. That false teaching does not necessarily result in a false gospel. Many synergists believe salvation is still by grace through faith in Christ alone. I am thankful for that happy inconsistency. Monergism preaches the same gospel. It differs over God's primacy in election. It creates heated debates between both camps, and broken fellowship, but it does not add works to the gospel. If you believe it does, then with all due respect, that is a problem you will have to work out.

Romanism adds works to faith. That is not just a false teaching, it is a false gospel that lacks the power to save.

 

yes, for BOTH calvinists/Arminianists still affirm saved by grace alone, thru faith alone, just differing on HOW that process is actually accomplish, while Roman catholics who adhere stauchly to their teaching on it are in a fasle/different gospel!

 

Did you expect they would state otherwise?

 

Great! Then let them abandon Petrine succession, baptismal regeneration, and embrace the five solas (sarcasm used for effect). Seriously, do not go by what individual Romanists tell you. The Vatican has its official teaching.

 

Water baptism is a sign only of the thing signified. Baptismal regeneration requires more than Sola Fide. Ergo, works. Petrine succession (the papacy) continues the authority of the apostles and allows for the Pope's ex cathedra.

 

I believe that there is more in the atonement than most of us realize! But what I have learned from scriptures is that it is our faith in the complete work that Christ accomplished! His birth..sinless life...death...resurrection..and coming again!