Are Catholics and Protestents Really that Different in their Understanding of Salvation? Dr. Matthew Bates
Apr 14, 2025
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Matthew W. Bates, a New Testament professor and author, dissects the nuanced views of salvation between Catholics and Protestants. He examines the concept of Jesus as the 'rescuing king' and challenges misconceptions, particularly regarding faith and works. Bates emphasizes the need for ecumenical dialogue and clarification on grace, especially in Catholic theology. He also introduces the New Perspective on Paul, providing fresh insights on justification, and encourages a collaborative approach toward understanding salvation across traditions.
The podcast emphasizes Jesus's role as a rescuing king, redefining the gospel as both a royal declaration and an invitation to salvation.
Faith is reinterpreted as allegiance to Jesus rather than mere belief, promoting a relational commitment that shapes one’s understanding of salvation.
The discussion explores how Catholics and Protestants can find common ground in the gospel narrative, fostering greater unity despite historical doctrinal differences.
Deep dives
Understanding the Gospel as Kingship
The central theme of the gospel is understood as the proclamation that Jesus is the rescuing king. This assertion underscores that the term 'Christ' reflects a deeper meaning of kingship, rather than being merely an identifier for Jesus. When the New Testament authors summarize the gospel, they convey that Jesus fulfills the role of a Jewish king brought forth amidst the nations, with the implication of a universal significance. This kingship includes the notion that Jesus's role is not just to save individuals but also to claim victory over evil forces and the dominion of sin and death.
Faith as Allegiance
The concept of faith is redefined as more than mere belief; it is characterized as allegiance to Jesus as king. This approach differs from prior debates in Christian circles that emphasized faith in a more individualistic and transactional manner. Instead, the argument posits that allegiance involves a relational commitment to the kingship of Jesus, which can be seen in both historical and contemporary contexts. This model furthers the discourse on salvation by integrating the necessity of personal commitment to Christ alongside historic theological discussions.
Biblical Context for Evangelion
A thorough exploration of the term 'euangelion' reveals that it was used in various contexts before the emergence of Christianity, often connected to royal announcements or significant news. The podcast highlights a structured approach to uncovering how the biblical authors employed this term by analyzing key New Testament texts. Key gospel summaries illustrate that its usage aligns with announcements of a new ruler or military victories, thus embedding the concept of Jesus’s kingship within the definition of the gospel. This investigation ultimately establishes that the New Testament formulates the gospel as both a royal declaration and an invitation to participate in God's redemptive plan.
Addressing Controversy Within Salvation Discussions
The discussion acknowledges the inherent controversies surrounding interpretations of salvation, particularly in reference to justification by faith. While the author affirms that justification remains pivotal in Christian doctrine, the model posited frames it as a result of allegiance to Christ rather than its own standalone gospel message. This outlook provoked criticism from some who hold to traditional systematic understandings, suggesting that such a framework could infringe on established theological precepts. By insisting that justification is a corporate and not solely an individual aspect of the gospel, new pathways for understanding faith and works emerge, but also raise questions about traditional calvinistic conclusions.
Pathways to Ecumenical Dialogue
The podcast emphasizes the potential for Catholics and Protestants to converge around a unified understanding of the gospel through scriptural engagement. Both traditions are said to agree on essential elements of the gospel's message despite historical disputes over doctrinal specifics. By focusing on the shared proclamation that Jesus as king leads to salvation, the argument posits that clearer definitions may facilitate progress toward greater unity between the traditions. This successful dialogue depends on continuing the exploration of theological nuances without diluting core biblical tenets, ultimately contributing to constructive ecumenical relationships.
Matthew W. Bates (PhD, University of Notre Dame) is a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois. He is the author of Gospel Allegiance, Salvation by Allegiance Alone, and Why the Gospel?, which won a 2024 Christianity Today Book Award and was named the 2024 Resource of the Year by Outreach magazine, and Beyond the Salvation Wars, which forms the topic of our conversation. Bates also cofounded and cohosts the popular Bible and theology podcast OnScript.
