Every so often when the discussion of which religious groups “qualify” as Real Christians®, Roman Catholicism will eventually be brought up. Though the Bible allows for leeway in regards to some aspects of religious practice (Romans 14), too much variation inevitably places a religious Christ-following group outside traditional Christianity making it another religion all together i.e., Jehovah’s Witnesses, LDS (Mormon), and I believe Roman Catholicism as well. Below I will cite official and authoritative Roman Catholic (RCC) documents in an effort to show why I believe the Church has fallen into apostacy, as well as other questionable endorsed practices which I find concerning.
One repetitively clear concept taught in the New Testament is that salvation is not something to be earned.
- For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23)
- for by His wounds you were healed (1 Peter 2:24)
- if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly (Galatains 2:21)
- But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness (Romans 4:5)
- Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law (Romans 3:28)
- For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13)
Official RCC teaching is that good works and adherence to the Law is required for salvation.
- Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life (Catholic Catechism Paragraph 2010)
- Moved by the Holy Spirit, we can merit for ourselves and for others all the graces needed to attain eternal life, as well as necessary temporal goods. (CC 2027)
- The Council of Trent teaches that the Ten Commandments are obligatory for Christians and that the justified man is still bound to keep them; The Second Vatican Council confirms: “The bishops, successors of the apostles, receive from the Lord . . . the mission of teaching all peoples, and of preaching the Gospel to every creature, so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments (CC 2068)
- For, on behalf of those who fall into sins after baptism, Christ Jesus instituted the sacrament of Penance […] Concerning which penitence it is written; Be mindful whence thou art fallen; do penance, and do the first works. And again; The sorrow that is according to God worketh penance steadfast unto salvation. And again; Do penance, and bring forth fruits worthy of penance. (Council of Trent, Session 6, Chapter 14)
- 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. (Council of Trent, Session 6, Canon 9)
- If any one saith, that justifying faith is nothing else but confidence in the divine mercy which remits sins for Christ’s sake; or, that this confidence alone is that whereby we are justified; let him be anathema. (Council of Trent, Session 6, Canon 12)
Another essential doctrine is that only through Jesus are we saved.
- Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins (John 8:24)
- This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (John 17:3)
- Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6)
- And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12)
The RCC, however, has accepted and endorsed pluralism: the idea that one need not be a professing Christian in order to be saved.
Finally, those who have not yet received the Gospel are related in various ways to the people of God. In the first place we must recall the people to whom the testament and the promises were given and from whom Christ was born according to the flesh. On account of their fathers this people remains most dear to God, for God does not repent of the gifts He makes nor of the calls He issues. But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place amongst these there are the Mohammedans who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on the last day will judge mankind. Nor is God far distant from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, for it is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things, and as Saviour wills that all men be saved. Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life. Whatever good or truth is found amongst them is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel. She knows that it is given by Him who enlightens all men so that they may finally have life. But often men, deceived by the Evil One, have become vain in their reasonings and have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, serving the creature rather than the Creator. Or some there are who, living and dying in this world without God, are exposed to final despair. Wherefore to promote the glory of God and procure the salvation of all of these, and mindful of the command of the Lord, “Preach the Gospel to every creature”, the Church fosters the missions with care and attention. (Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution On The Church, 16)
Roman Catholics are constantly having to deal with accusations that they raise Mary, Jesus’ mother, to a position of deity. This accusation isn’t unfounded, however. Pope Pius IX writes in Ineffabilis Deus “the most holy Virgin, united with him by a most intimate and indissoluble bond,
was, with him and through him, eternally at enmity with the evil serpent, and most completely triumphed over him, and thus crushed his head with her immaculate foot”. The reference is to a passage in Genesis where Jesus is said to crush the head of the serpent.
In his Supremi Apostolatus, Pope Leo VIII tells us that “It has always been the habit of Catholics in danger and in troublous times to fly for refuge to Mary, and to seek for peace in her aternal goodness; showing that the Catholic Church has always, and with justice, put all her hope and trust in the Mother of God.”
Pope Leo XIII doesn’t make it any better. The Octobri Mense: “With equal truth may it be also affirmed that, by the will of God, Mary is the intermediary through whom is distributed unto us this immense treasure of mercies gathered by God, for mercy and truth were created by Jesus Christ.(6) Thus as no man goeth to the Father but by the Son, so no man goeth to Christ but by His Mother. How great are the goodness and mercy revealed in this design of God!” This is contrary to the testimony of the New Testament which thoroughly attests that we are free to come to Jesus unfettered by anyone or anything.
“O Virgin most holy, none abounds in the knowledge of God except through thee; none, O Mother of God, attains salvation except through thee; none receives a gift from the throne of mercy except through thee.” — Pope Leo XIII, ADIUTRICEM.
“As she suffered and almost died together with her suffering and dying Son, so she surrendered her mother’s rights over her Son for the salvation of the human race. And to satisfy the justice of God she sacrificed her Son, as well as she could, so that it may justly be said that she together with Christ has redeemed the human race.” from Pope Benedict XV INTER SODALICIA
“From our earliest years nothing has ever been closer to Our heart than devotion-filial, profound, and wholehearted-to the most blessed Virgin Mary. Always have We endeavored to do everything that would redound to the greater glory of the Blessed Virgin, promote her honor, and encourage devotion to her.” … “For, God has committed to Mary the treasury of all good things, in order that everyone may know that through her are obtained every hope, every grace, and all salvation” Pope Pius IX UBI PREMUM
“The development, desired by us, of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is an indication of the Church’s genuine piety. This devotion fits — as we have indicated above — into the only worship that is rightly called “Christian,” because it takes its origin and effectiveness from Christ, finds its complete expression in Christ, and leads through Christ in the Spirit to the Father. In the sphere of worship this devotion necessarily reflects God’s redemptive plan, in which a special form of veneration is appropriate to the singular place which Mary occupies in that plan.[4] Indeed every authentic development of Christian worship is necessarily followed by a fitting increase of veneration for the Mother of the Lord”
[…]
“When the liturgy turns its gaze either to the primitive Church or to the Church of our own days it always finds Mary. In the primitive Church she is seen praying with the apostles[28]; in our own day she is actively present, and the Church desires to live the mystery of Christ with her: “Grant that your Church which with Mary shared Christ’s passion may be worthy to share also in his resurrection.”[29] She is also seen represented as a voice of praise in unison with which the Church wishes to give glory to God: “…with her [Mary] may we always praise you.”[30] And since the liturgy is worship that requires a way of living consistent with it, it asks that devotion to the Blessed Virgin should become a concrete and deeply-felt love for the Church, as is wonderfully expressed in the prayer after Communion in the Mass of September 15: “…that as we recall the sufferings shared by the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may with the Church fulfill in ourselves what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ.””
[…]
“The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is an intrinsic element of Christian worship. The honor which the Church has always and everywhere shown to the Mother of the Lord, from the blessing with which Elizabeth greeted Mary (cf. Lk. 1:42-45) right up to the expressions of praise and petition used today, is a very strong witness to the Church’s norm of prayer and an invitation to become more deeply conscious of her norm of faith.” — Pope Paul VI, MARIALIS CULTUS
The 15 promises of Our Lady of Fatima to Christians who recite the Rosary though not Official RCC, I dont think, it is uncondemned.
The Catechism teaches that Mary “conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death” (CC 966), and that the all-holy Virgin Mary is “the example of holiness” (CC2030).
In their entirity, the above Papal works are varitable essays of worship to Mary. In them she is virtually equated with God himself. In addition to the words in RCC writings, altars are erected to Mary and they are regularly bowed down to. They are kissed and prayed to. Is there any wonder why Roman Catholicism is viewed as outside Christianity?
Finally, the rampant superstitious activity which is endorsed and uncondemned is very disconcerting. Examples include:
- Crucifixes used to bless or ward off evil
- Scapulars and Rosaries which are prayed and chanted over
- Medals and pendants of saints which are used as protection, to bless, and ward off evil
- Genuflection to crosses, crucifixes, and statues
- Use of statues
- The sign of the cross
- Lighting candles, ringing bells, burning of incense
- Planting statues in yards for blessing
- Making shrines of statues of Mary and the Saints
- Veneration of relics
The examples really could continue and much more documentation exists for my above observations as well. For the sake of space, I have omitted the subjects of purgatory, indulgences, mandatory confession to priests, the magisterium, the papacy, and other practices of the RCC which are either endorsed or not condemned which would cause me to conclude the RCC has veered from Christianity into apostacy. Most, if not all questionable RCC practices are condemned in the Bible itself, which has led to the church opening the Canon to include the Apocrypha, the catechism, and the magisterium, subjugating the rest of the Bible to all three in order to justify their practices.
To any Catholic readers, were you aware of these official RCC documents making these proclamations? If so, how do you defend them?
To non-Catholic readers, besides what I have cited above, what concerns do you have about the teachings of the RCC? Please include documentation, mere assertions will not suffice.
_______________
UPDATE: This post has been updated to include a portion from the comment section.
Sifting Reality 
John, I have issues with this post on a number of levels.
First, let’s be clear that beliefs of a CHURCH are not the same as beliefs of an INDIVIDUAL. God doesn’t save us through our church affiliation or church doctrinal statement. Salvation is God’s gift to individual people.
Second, I take issue with the way you over-simplify the message of the New Testament. This is very, very common in evangelical churches today. (which I count myself a member of) First, you write: “One repetitively clear concept taught in the New Testament is that salvation is not something to be earned.”
I only partially agree with you.
Have you read James chapter 2? (“faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”)
Have you read Matthew 31:25-46? (“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…”)
How about Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly ‘I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!’”
How about John 5:28: “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out – those who have done good will rise to live and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
But probably the biggest disagreement I have with you is about the idea of pluralism. I agree that probably the RCC has taken this too far, but I think that evangelicals today have also taken it too far in the opposite direction. There are numerous passages in the Bible that appear to support the idea that people are held accountable for whatever measure of truth has been revealed to them – that God can (and will) save some people who don’t accept Jesus in this lifetime. I’ll give you some examples:
John 5:21-23: “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.”
John 5:26: “I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”
John 10:39,41: “For judgement I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind….If you were blind you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”
John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father known me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. **I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
John 16:22: “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.”
1st Timothy 4:10 “10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people,and especially of those who believe.”
1st John 2:2: “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only,
but also for those of the whole world.”
Romans 2:12-16: “12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God JUDGES PEOPLE’S SECRETS through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.”
These verses, taken together with the ones you quoted, paint a much more nuanced picture of what happens to those who don’t believe. There are many other verses beyond these.
I’m afraid that many evangelical churches today have “watered down” the message of the Bible into an easy “formulaic” version of salvation. God didn’t define a formula by which we are saved. He describes a RELATIONSHIP by which we are saved. Ultimately, HE is the judge of whether or not someone has the relationship or not. I suspect that when we get to Heaven someday, there will be many “non-Christians” who are in Heaven and, likewise, many people that we thought were professing Christians who end up in Hell.
Turning the gospel message into a neat little formula is a very dangerous thing in my opinion. The statements by the RCC are just recognizing that reality is far more complicated than we sometimes like to believe.
Tumeyn
Thank you for this response. At work now I have neither the time or the resources to address your comment in a thorough manner. I will however do so later tonight. Each verse you cite has a context which does not allow for a faith + works salvation message though.
John, please don’t feel the need to respond verse-by-verse. I can easily come up with more verses. I came up with those just in 20-30 minutes this morning. I completely realize that there are alternative ways to interpret those verses based on context, other verses, etc. But my point is that the verses you quote are not in isolation. There is a broad picture being painted throughout the New Testament that is much more nuanced that many Christians are led to believe.
As a former Catholic, growing up in a Polish WWII era familial culture, I had a lot of assumptions about what was “Catholic” and what was “cultural.” Though I no longer consider myself a Catholic, I do still have a lot of respect for the Church. I also find there are a lot of misconceptions, and I admit to being flabbergasted the first time I heard someone claim that Catholics aren’t really Christians.
One of the misconceptions is that Catholics worship icons, Mary, etc. The proper word is venerate. Yes, Catholics hold Mary in a particularly high place (especially to Poles – the entire country was dedicated to her, and most Polish homes have photos of Matka Boska Czestohova in their homes). We had blessed candles, palm fronds, water and rosaries. My brother built a kapliczka for my mother with a largish statue of Jesus in it.
While I do agree that some people take “veneration” too far, and for some, I would consider their behaviour more like superstition, Catholics in general do not worship objects. Nor do they worship saints. They see life after death as an active one, and that saints – people who already had great influence on God’s behalf in this world – can intercede on our behalf from the next. As for objects, it is what they symbolize that is important. Symbols have their own psycological power. Catholics don’t believe that a statue of Jesus really is Jesus, but a statue (or a crucifix, a rosary, a candle) helps focus the mind and heart. Also, throughout the Bible, God worked through objects; the Ark of the Covenant, the burning bush, the staff of Moses, oil that never burned away, food that never ran out. The objects are a tool. Very special tools, and respect is shown to those tools because of what they symbolize, but they are still tools.
The only problem I see kuniochi is that the veneration is only different from worship by name. Its the same actions. But even if, there are I believe catechism paragraphs and other official catholic documents which command and praise worship of Mary.
” veneration is only different from worship by name. Its the same actions. ” It’s not action that define either; it’s the intent and the emotions the define the terms.
As for official commands to worship Mary, I haven’t gone looking, but I’ve never encountered it. Praise is something else entirely, of course.
I could have added this from Pope Leo XIII: “O Virgin most holy, none abounds in the knowledge of God except through thee; none, O Mother of God, attains salvation except through thee; none receives a gift from the throne of mercy except through thee.” — Pope Leo XIII, ADIUTRICEM.
Or, “As she suffered and almost died together with her suffering and dying Son, so she surrendered her mother’s rights over her Son for the salvation of the human race. And to satisfy the justice of God she sacrificed her Son, as well as she could, so that it may justly be said that she together with Christ has redeemed the human race.” from Pope Benedict XV INTER SODALICIA
Or, “From our earliest years nothing has ever been closer to Our heart than devotion-filial, profound, and wholehearted-to the most blessed Virgin Mary. Always have We endeavored to do everything that would redound to the greater glory of the Blessed Virgin, promote her honor, and encourage devotion to her.” … “For, God has committed to Mary the treasury of all good things, in order that everyone may know that through her are obtained every hope, every grace, and all salvation” Pope Pius IX UBI PREMUM
The 15 promises of Our Lady of Fatima to Christians who recite the Rosary though not Official RCC, I dont think, it is uncondemned.
Or, “The development, desired by us, of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is an indication of the Church’s genuine piety. This devotion fits — as we have indicated above — into the only worship that is rightly called “Christian,” because it takes its origin and effectiveness from Christ, finds its complete expression in Christ, and leads through Christ in the Spirit to the Father. In the sphere of worship this devotion necessarily reflects God’s redemptive plan, in which a special form of veneration is appropriate to the singular place which Mary occupies in that plan.[4] Indeed every authentic development of Christian worship is necessarily followed by a fitting increase of veneration for the Mother of the Lord”
“When the liturgy turns its gaze either to the primitive Church or to the Church of our own days it always finds Mary. In the primitive Church she is seen praying with the apostles[28]; in our own day she is actively present, and the Church desires to live the mystery of Christ with her: “Grant that your Church which with Mary shared Christ’s passion may be worthy to share also in his resurrection.”[29] She is also seen represented as a voice of praise in unison with which the Church wishes to give glory to God: “…with her [Mary] may we always praise you.”[30] And since the liturgy is worship that requires a way of living consistent with it, it asks that devotion to the Blessed Virgin should become a concrete and deeply-felt love for the Church, as is wonderfully expressed in the prayer after Communion in the Mass of September 15: “…that as we recall the sufferings shared by the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may with the Church fulfill in ourselves what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ.””
“The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is an intrinsic element of Christian worship. The honor which the Church has always and everywhere shown to the Mother of the Lord, from the blessing with which Elizabeth greeted Mary (cf. Lk. 1:42-45) right up to the expressions of praise and petition used today, is a very strong witness to the Church’s norm of prayer and an invitation to become more deeply conscious of her norm of faith.” — Pope Paul VI, MARIALIS CULTUS
How anyone can read encyclicals on Mary and not come away with worship is just unreasonably stubborn to cling to the distinction without difference between devotion/veneration and worship.
Kunoichi
I should have been more clear, when I said command to worship, I didnt mean you’d find something that said “you must worship…” But that she deserves it.
Hallo there everyone.i personaly believe that in the roman catholic church is many true christians deceived.1)our salvation can not be earned by works.2)the fact that Jesus had died for our sins also do not give us the right to break Gods law espesialy the 2nd comandment that say that we ouht not to bow to a statue and the 4rt comandment concerning SABBATH holy keeping. 3)if we realy believe that the bible is the only holy written word of God then we ouht to deny the roman teaching of sunday observance.4)through our personal relationship with Jesus we will grow love for God and that love will lead to obedience to Gods Holy Law.5)there are 2 extremist. 1)the jews want to uplift the law and crucify Jesus 2)the modern church of today want to uplift Jesus but want to crucify obedience to the law 6)there ouht to be a balance to be maintained.obedience is the living proof that we love Jesus and the grace of God is the proof of our love for us.only throug a relationship with Jesus we will out of grattitude obay God.
Its clearly taught in the New Testament than salvation must be earned by results and works. In the gospels we can found:
Matthew 3:8
Matthew 3:10
Matthew 5:16
Matthew 7:16-27
Matthew 12:33
Matthew 13:8
Matthew 13:23
Matthew 21:43
Mark 4:20
Luke 3:8-9
Luke 12:47-48
Luke 19:12-26
Luke 6:43-49
Luke 8:15
Luke 13:9
John 3:19-21
John 6:27
John 8:39
John 10:37
John 14:12
John 15:2
John 15:5
John 15:8
Johnt 15:16
Isu
How about we take them a couple at a time. Clearly that was from a list you found, so quote say, 2 of them and we’ll examine them to see if they are actually claiming salvation is something to be earned. I already see that many of them say no such thing.
John.
I didn’t found that list. I made it by searching for “fruit” and “work” words (in Spanish). I wrote the numbers because I don’t know which translation are you using, but probably it will have a similar sense.
The need of good works and fruits is Jesus’ common speech in Jesus.
Do you have faith in Jesus if you don’t do what he tells him to do? If you don’t, you don’t have faith in him.
Matthew 7:19-21.
Just because a passage deals with”fruit” and “work” associated with reward doesn’t mean it is required for salvation. Why would you offer the list if you hadn’t checked the references for their context?
They are not associated with reward but associated with what truly believers do.
Matthew 7:19 clearly states that if you don’t produce good fruit you will be destroyed. Giving good fruits is required for salvation.
The idea is shown in other parables in Gospels.
The passages appear to be observations. Jesus says IF you love me you will keep my commands, Further more the Bible says true believers WILL exhibit fruit. The passages are making the true statements that if you have no fruit you will be destroyed…making reference to the fact that unbelievers do not show fruit. I dont see a ‘you must have fruit to get to heaven’ thats a significant distinction.
They are not mere observations. I agree that says true believer will exhibit fruit, so if you don’t show fruit you are not a true believer (Matthew 7:20). Fake believers, those who don’t show fruit, will be destroyed (Matthew 7:19).
I see “you must have fruit to get to heaven” because if you don’t you are not a true believer and will be destroyed (Matthew 7:19).
Matthew 7:21 and Matthew 7:26-27 are clearly addressed to you.
the passages say a true believer will have fruit. It is evidence of salvation, not a requirement of.
Having fruit is a requirement of salvation (Matthew 7:19).
Are you a Christian, Isu?
If so, are you ok with contradictions in the Bible?
Also: Matthew 3:10
Destruction is a consequence of not having fruit. Not having “not fruit” is a consequence of being “destroyed”.
Don’t change subject.
I have shown that according to Jesus’ words, having fruit is a need to salvation.
I’m not changing the subject. I’m pointing out that your understanding of the passage creates EXPLICIT contradictions in the bible. I am asking if you are a Christian, and if so, are you OK with that?
It helps make my point that you are misunderstanding the passages.
Which contradiccion?
That salvation is obtained by faith?
There is non because true faith comes along with giving fruits.
You are the one misunderstanding, for example, Romans 3:28, which in context it is a reference to Jewish Law compliance (circumcision is mentioned).
Romans 4, for example, says explicitly that salvation is given to the one who does not work, but believes. Galatians 2 says that salvation is not somethig earned. Passages say if salvation is earned then it isnt a gift but something that is owed.
Adding works to salvation is a dangerous game. How many good works do you need to earn it? Are you doing enough good works?
In Romans 4:5 is also talking about Jewish Law. The same to Galatians 2:1. Salvation is a gift but not for everyone, not for those who don’t give fruit (Matthew 7:19).
It’s not me but God who will evaluate me.
Removing good working is against Jesus’ teachings.
Saying that one who will do constantly evil instead of good and will be saved by saying Jesus is the Christ is nonsense. Remember Matthew 7:21.
Have you read the following verses?
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
It actually says people who appeal to their deeds on the day of judgement are not saved.
It actually says: only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven [will enter the kingdom of heaven]
The one who does good, the one who gives fruit.
Do you have an explanation as to why they cite their works and Jesus says he never knew them?
You seem to be isolating the verse from the larger passage.
Yes, they cite their works as being done in his name having faith in him (they call him Lord) but Jesus reject them for being evildoers, when in his name they should be gooddoers.
I’m not isolating the larger passage, nor isolating the meaning in the general context of the Gospels.
That’s a strange interpolation.
It’s an explanation, as you asked, not an interpolation.