My Big Question for Defenders of 'Sola Fide'

In this episode, Trent reveals the one question he has for defenders of justification by faith alone that shows this theology is incoherent and overly complicates the plan of salvation God gave us through the Catholic church.

00:00 Intro
00:56 Sola Fide Defined
05:06 The Big Question
07:05 Did Your Salvation Stick?
09:18 Evidence of Being a Christian
10:59 Standard of Authentic Faith
14:53 Over-complication
17:55 Moving Forward

[ucheodozor]

"This channel cannot grow by faith alone!" 🤣🤣🤣 I never thought Trent was this funny.

[child_of_weakness]

This is exceedingly true. As someone who had severe OCD and scrupulosity, the idea of "enough good fruits" tormented me for so long. I thought the idea of salvation being a process and something that could be lost would make my OCD worse, but it was the opposite. Since accepting more historical Christian beliefs (and biblical!) My obsessive worry has been replaced with a stronger confidence in Christ

[nobodyinteresting]

I am currently a Protestant, raised in a non denominational church, and if I’m completely honest, I have been obsessively worrying about my own salvation for a long time, exactly as Trent says here. I stumbled upon pornography at 12 and have been essentially addicted for over a decade, and the Protestant line that truly saving faith leads to works has made me doubt the nature of my own faith constantly ever since. It always seemed to me that I was being asked to assume that the Lord would one day free me from my sin, rather than have faith that he already has.

Between Trent and Matt Fradd constantly releasing videos like this one that seem to address my every concern in logical, loving ways, I’m starting to wonder if the Lord is trying to tell me something.

[DomiNares]

I’ve been watching Trent Horn, Brand Pitre, Steve Ray, Fr. Chris Alar, and Bishop Barron videos lately and my Catholic faith is getting stronger and stronger. Thanks for all your hard work! Please pray for the growth of Catholic faith in my country Indonesia 🇮🇩🙏🏽

[CJP.-pqkr]

So disappointed in the people of Ohio today. Disgusting result and so depressing.

[RangerGrant]

Former evangelical youth pastor here... just came into the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church this year on Pentecost Sunday 🙌 Thanks Trent and team for content like this. Your resources were (and still are) a huge part of my conversion.

I witnessed this Protestant version of "scrupulosity" a LOT with parishioners and students. There were plenty of folks who got "re-saved" at camps and retreats. And because baptism is typically viewed as only symbolic, there were even folks being "re-baptized."

I started to realize that we were longing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation because, through it, Christ provides an objective way of knowing that you are forgiven and restored to right relationship with Him and the family of God.

[philippedersen]

Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura is just "Sola my opinion"

[joshuabenes]

I'm a simple man. I see a Counsel of Trent video and I watch it. Always great content!! I've learned a ton. And, you and a number of others have been a big part of my decision to join the Catholic church. Currently in O.C.I.A. and looking forward to full communion.

[SUPERHEAVYBOOSTER]

This podcast does not work by faith alone you need to subscribe 😂😂😂

[gunsgalore]

7:15 "Maybe when you gave your life to Christ at Vacation Bible School in the fourth grade, you weren't serious enough to make that decision, and so your salvation didn't really stick."

I think you just put like 94% of the people in my area into an existential crisis.

[littleway]

This is exactly why my husband converted to Catholicism. He grew up a baptist PK and prayed “the prayer” when he was 7. But he often feared as a child and young man that his prayer wasn’t valid, so he prayed the prayer in panic often. The Church’s teachings helped make sense of salvation.

[JW-sgtt]

I have recently been getting back into my Catholic faith, going to mass early so that I can join in praying the rosary and staying after for adoration. Also been singing a lot more in mass too. Every time I feel so refreshed and I love it! Now I can see why people love the Catholic Church! I love being Catholic! God knows what’s best for us, that’s why He gave us the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Praise Jesus!

[christopherfleming]

Trent nailed it! I'm glad I'm a catholic now.

[karendaniels]

When i converted to Catholicism i had so many well meaning protestants concerned about my salvation now... i said "if you believe in faith alone than why are you worried about my salvation now that i am catholic? I have faith in Jesus..." i find it confusing when protestants think Catholics arent Christian...

[KevinDay]

This question has actually been on my mind a lot lately even in discussions with other Protestants.

My absolute shortest answer possible is: whatever works God chooses to do through you.

I'm frankly so tired of *both* sides focusing so hard on how any individual can know they are saved, whether by producing enough "evidence" or having a "genuine" enough faith. The Bible's way of putting it is just, "God saved you." And how do I know that? "He sent his Son to die for you." You're never expected to worry about the question, "But how do I know his atonement is applied specifically to me personally?" Just believe it and get to work in your new Christian life. Baptism and the Eucharist are ways he has told you your sins are forgiven and you are his child. They're something he does for you, not something you did in obedience to earn anything.

Groups that have focused too hard on evidence and works have ended up making up fake works that are supposed to please God alone to the neglect and even isolation from all other humans. Women wearing skirts and not cutting their hair, not watching TV or playing sports or going to theaters or drinking alcohol, paying money to the church organization, door knocking to get people to come to church, etc.

The kinds of works the Bible actually talks about are aimed horizonatally, not vertically. You don't need to do anything for God because he already did everything for you. Now go love your neighbor and actually help them, don't just "pray" for them.

[josephjackson]

Sometimes I think the Sola Fide position where you can only be saved once really only applies to the Virgin Mary. She was saved through Christ before she ever sinned and has been saved her whole life. Any other Christian cannot say the same.

[Joker]

If I have the faith to move mountains but have not love, I am nothing at all.

[livingstranger]

This was the sticking question that led me away from Protestantism and into Catholicism.

[HumanDignity]

I agree with everything that Trent said, and I would like to add that sometimes doing good works even when we’re not in the mood to do them can be good for us and help us grow spiritually. I like that every Sunday is a Holy Day of obligation because on the days I just want to stay in my PJs and skip Mass, I still go, and I am always glad I went. Also, caring for others even when we don’t feel like it helps us to grow, learn, and become more mature.

[bhgtree]

Thanks Trent, as a Catholic theres nothing better then a good Confession. I struggle with the 'preparation' for Confession and often wonder am I thinking of everything, but after Confession I feel so happy I went and feel 'renewed' to do better in future.