Daily Defense Podcast
#341 How Many Good Works? - Jimmy Akin
Dec 7, 2023
In this episode, Jimmy Akin, an Apologist and Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, clarifies the Catholic Church's stance on justification by faith and works. He addresses the misconception that Catholics can't have assurance of salvation due to the requirement of good works. Akin emphasizes that the Church does not use the phrase 'justification by faith and works' and discusses how the Church actually teaches that there is no condemnation for those who are truly buried together with Christ through baptism.
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Quick takeaways
- The Catholic Church teaches that once a person is initially justified, they do not have to perform a specific number of good works to enter heaven, as long as they have not committed deliberate mortal sin.
- Good works are seen as the result of God's transformative work in our lives and are a response to the love and grace bestowed upon believers through initial justification, ultimately rewarded by God.
Deep dives
Assurance of Salvation for Catholics
Contrary to the perception that Catholics cannot have assurance of salvation due to the belief in justification by faith plus works, the Catholic Church teaches that once a person is initially justified, they do not have to perform a specific number of good works to enter heaven. The only way to lose the state of justification is through deliberate mortal sin. As long as individuals have not committed mortal sin, they can be assured of their salvation. However, this does not negate the importance of good works in the Christian life, as they are seen as flowing from the love God pours into our hearts at initial justification and will ultimately be rewarded by God.
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