Tiber Talk #1: What was the Primary Issue of the Reformation?

Editor's Note: This is the first entry in an ongoing series of blog articles dealing with Roman Catholicism, from a reformed perspective. "Crossing the Tiber" or "swimming the Tiber" is a reference to protestants choosing to convert to Rome, since the Tiber River is commonly associated with the Vatican.

One thing that I've noticed in my discussions with Roman Catholics is that it's very easy to get off in the weeds. What is the main issue that divides Reformed Protestants and Catholics? Indulgences? Mary worship? Transubstantiation? I would suggest that the dividing line exists at a more fundamental level.

The nature of the gospel is really the key issue here. Many protestants can become confused when first encountering Rome's claims about the grace of God. It's quite common for reformed folks to think that Catholics don't believe in grace at all, but rather it's a works-based system. The truth of the matter is quite a bit more nuanced. Both the reformed and catholic paradigms affirm the necessity of grace in salvation, but the reformers clashed with the Romanists by demanding that grace was also sufficient for salvation as well. In other words, salvation is by grace alone.

To demonstrate this, we shall now turn to the Council of Trent (1545-1563), an ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church which was convened in order to counter the teachings of the Reformation. In it, Rome put forth the idea that salvation is a cooperation of grace and works, after the initial (prevenient) grace received at conversion. From Session VI, Chapter V:

The Synod furthermore declares, that in adults, the beginning of the said Justification is to be derived from the prevenient grace of God, through Jesus Christ, that is to say, from His vocation, whereby, without any merits existing on their parts, they are called; that so they, who by sins were alienated from God, may be disposed through His quickening and assisting grace, to convert themselves to their own justification, by freely assenting to and co-operating with that said grace: in such sort that, while God touches the heart of man by the illumination of the Holy Ghost, neither is man himself utterly without doing anything while he receives that inspiration, forasmuch as he is also able to reject it; yet is he not able, by his own free will, without the grace of God, to move himself unto justice in His sight. Whence, when it is said in the sacred writings: Turn ye to me, and I will turn to you, we are admonished of our liberty; and when we answer; Convert us, O Lord, to thee, and we shall be converted, we confess that we are prevented by the grace of God. (emphasis mine)

This is key to the Roman Catholic gospel, that one's own works actually cooperate with the work of God in salvation. Inherent in this is a confusion of justification with sanctification, that we are progressively justified over time, and so must strive to remain in a state of grace in order to avoid a lengthy stay in purgatory. In addition to stating this, Rome goes even farther by pronouncing an anathema (cursing) of anyone that teaches otherwise. From Session VI, Canon IX:

If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema.

By taking such a stance, it is my contention that Rome has anathematized the true gospel. There are certainly other problems with Rome's teachings, but this one is central to the divide that separates those on either side of the Tiber. It is not my purpose today to prove from the Scriptures that salvation is by grace alone, but rather only to show that the Catholic system is far different in terms of how it describes justification. It is a difference worth considering!

Many thanks go out to Dr. James White of Alpha & Omega Ministries, as his teaching has been quite formative for me on this and many other issues. Check out his content here!