There is a common heresy exspoused by many, whether they are Christian or not that they can earn their way to heaven. Many Protestants that I know think that this is exactly what the Catholic Church teachs its adherants. They believe that Catholics believe that they can “merit” or earn their way to heaven.
The problem with this thinking is that the modern definition of merit is not exactly what it means in Catholic Theology. The greek word for merit was used first in the second century as a synonym for reward. Sometimes the term “doctrine of reward” is used instead of ”doctrine of merit”. They are the same doctrine. (Catholic Answers Merit and Rewards)
There are three types of merit in Catholic theology. Let us first review the three types.
1.)Congruent Merit:It is fitting for something done to be rewarded but it is not obligated to be rewarded.
2.)Condign Merit:It is where there has been a promise of a reward for something done so there is an obligation for that reward to be given.
3.)Strict Merit:With Strict Merit the obligation for a reward exsist, however, the value of the reward is equal to the work done.(Catholic Answers Merit and Reward)
Christ is the only one who can achieve Strict Merit. As human beings we are only able to achieve condign merit. These would be acts performed by the Grace of God that are pleasing to God. God has promised a reward for these kind of “works”.
Rom 2:6-11 ESV which is not a Catholic Translation
6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking [1] and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.
Gal 6:6-10 ESV
6 One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
In a future post I will show how the term of merit/reward was used early on in the Church.
One final note:If anyone wishs to see the discussion that I am having with my Protestant friend and the viewers of his blog goto http://www.salvo-noodle.com. He has issued a challenge to myself and I have accepted it. The challenge is to use the Protestant Bible Alone to discuss the topics of my choice. Faithful Catholics are more than capable of answering these kind of challenges as the Bible is THE book of the Church. We have an obligation to read it, to know it and to answer any challenges that come.
Please pray for me as I take on this challenge.
St. Jerome pray for us.
