Gordon H. Clark: Quote of the Day: Rome Teaches the Cross Is Insufficient

. . . Rome teaches that although Christ’s sacrifice is necessary to salvation, it is not sufficient. -- Gordon H. Clark

The Reformed doctrine is that although some sins are more heinous than others, none is “venial,” but all are deadly in that they all deserve the wrath and curse of God. That baptism makes us actually just before God, and that, at least sometimes, we do not sin even venially in our good works, is bad enough. But what is worse, Romanism also teaches that a sinner can do more than God requires of him. These so-called works of supererogation are deposited in the Treasury of the Saints and are later issued, by order of the Pope, to other sinners who have not done enough. In this way Rome teaches that although Christ’s sacrifice is necessary to salvation, it is not sufficient. Additional human merits must be added. The distribution of these extra merits and the forgiveness of sin now depend on the Romish substitute for repentance, namely the sacrament of penance. Canon VI says,

If anyone denieth either that sacramental confession was instituted or is necessary to salvation, of divine right; or saith that the manner of confessing secretly to a priest alone...is alien from the institution and commands of Christ, and is a human invention, let him be anathema.

Gordon H. Clark (2013-03-04T05:00:00+00:00). What Is The Christian Life? (Kindle Locations 367-376). The Trinity Foundation. Kindle Edition.