How Are We Saved? - An Interview Between Ben Shapiro And Roman Catholic Bishop Robert Barron

Is salvation “works-based” or “faith-based” or “love-based”?  In Acts 17:11 the apostle Paul gives us a clear answer: "We must test the teaching and the teacher against Scripture."

It isn't about what Judaism, Roman Catholicism, or any of the Protestant churches teach.  It is about what the Bible teaches.  And if your church, any church, teachings are in full alignment with what the Bible teaches - you are in the right church.  If what your church teaches varies from what the Bible teaches, then it might be time to look around for a new church home.

In the video below Ben Shapiro, who practices Judaism, interviews Roman Catholic Bishop Robert Barron regarding what his church, the Roman Catholic church, teaches about salvation.  Bishop Barron tells us that the Five Solas are not quite accurate. 

He tells Ben Shapiro, "If Luther had said 'Gracia Primo' (Grace first) he would have been right."   Then he tells Shapiro, "It is Grace and cooperation with Grace."  In other words, God's Grace and Jesus Christ's death on the cross are not sufficient to save us.   We must work, i.e., cooperate with God in love, to be saved.

Since Bishop Barron mentioned the Five Solas, what are the Five Solas of our Christian faith?

1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)
2. Sola Fide (faith alone)
3. Sola Gratia (grace alone)
4. Solus Christus (Christ alone)
5. Soli Deo Gloria (to the glory of God alone)

Did God leave room for one more Sola, Gracia Primo (Grace first)?  Not really.  What does the Bible say about salvation?

Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

And also these Scripture passages define our salvation:

Ephesians 1:13, 4:30, "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed (indwelled) with the Holy Spirit of promise,  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

John 20:29-31, "Jesus said to him, 'Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'  And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."

John 1:12-13, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

Galatians 2:16, 21, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. .  .  . (21) I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

The Bible is very clear that salvation, eternal life, is attained "by grace through faith" alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).  In other words, "Sola Gratia (grace alone) by Sola Fide (faith alone)"

The following excerpt is from the Ben Shapiro / Bishop Robert Barron interview.  You decide for yourself if the Judaism view or the Roman Catholicism view align with the Biblical view:

Last Sunday Roman Catholic Bishop Robert Barron appeared on the Ben Shapiro Show.  Shapiro is a well-known conservative pundit and a practitioner of the Jewish religion.   Shapiro shared with Bishop Barron that, as a practicing Jew, people from outside his religion often claim that he will not go to Heaven.  Shapiro then asked Bishop Baron a pointed question about salvation:  "What’s the Catholic view of who gets into Heaven and who doesn’t?"

Before he allowed Bishop Barron to answer, Shapiro noted that he attempted to obey the 10 Commandments in his life and sought to promulgate Judeo-Christian virtues.  Shapiro stated that he felt like he lived a “good life.”   Shapiro asked the Bishop, “What’s the Catholic view of me?”

Bishop Barron provided a Roman Catholic answer.  He claimed that, according to the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, someone “outside the explicit Christian faith could be saved” through sincerely following his conscience.  He refereed to the Christian faith as merely “the privileged route.” 

Barron went as far as to claim that sincere Atheists could be saved.  The Catholic religion, Barron claimed upon inquisition from Shapiro, that Roman Catholicism was neither “works-based” nor “faith-based” but “love-based.”

https://www.facebook.com/officialbenshapiro/videos/288775041778411/

I will agree with Bishop Barron on one issue.  Yes, an atheist can be saved - and yes, everyone can be saved.   So how can they be saved?

Jesus, in the Bible, gives us a very clear path to Eternal Life.  Everyone, Whoever, will come to the Father through Him - no other path.

John 3:14-15, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but HAVE eternal life."

John 3:16, "For God so loved the WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him should not perish but HAVE everlasting life.

John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. NO ONE comes to the Father except through Me."

The Bible is God's clearly written "Users' Manual For Eternal Life."  It is up to each of us to read it and follow it - and if we do, we WILL HAVE eternal life in Christ.

One last thought, "Your life may be the only Bible some people will ever read.  Make sure it reads well."

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

Click on the image to enlarge: