Re: Has Jack Van Impe officially converted to Catholicism?

I agree with you that this is not a simple matter of a difference of opinion about secondary issues. How exactly a person can be saved is the thing that decides between mere denominational differences and an outright false gospel.

Is the RCC gospel true or false? How can we tell? As you pointed out, not by looking at works, but by looking at doctrine. Not the beliefs or practices of the average member, but at the leadership and official teachings.

By that standard, the RCC teaches a false gospel. They say "salvation by faith PLUS", not "salvation by faith", and the difference between them is the difference between heaven and hell. Paul lamented to the Galations that they had so quickly turned away from the true gospel of salvation by faith alone, and were trying to add works to the mix. He also said that if anyone preaches such things, "let them be anathema" (accursed). But the RCC pronounces "anathema" on any who believe the Biblical gospel of faith plus nothing.

Salvation is by faith alone, in Christ alone. His work is Finished, and we cannot add to Jesus' sacrifice by repeating it or participating in it. We can only accept it, not partake in it, as many in the RCC insist is the case with the Eucharist. Whether the Eucharist is a repeated sacrifice in addition to the finished work of Jesus on the cross, or a participation in that one sacrifice, it is unbiblical.

If we cannot identifiy a false gospel, then how do we know we're spreading the true one? The true gospel does not include anything beyond faith in the Jesus of the Bible who paid for our sins in full. Anthing that does so is false, and any religion that preaches a false gospel is not a denomination but a false religion.

Paul said he rejoiced in the fact that the true gospel was being spread, even if sometimes from impure motives. But the important point is that it was the gospel, not the gospel PLUS. We cannot accept the excuse that "they also say salvation by faith", because it is a false gospel.
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