Called to Communion God's Freedom
5 snips
Jan 28, 2026 Discussion of assurance of salvation and tensions in certainty. Examination of sacraments and objective grounds for assurance. Conversation about divine providence, human freedom, and Thomistic vs Molinist views. Debate over demonic possession and loss of sanctifying grace. Notes on Bible translation choices and the value of studying Church history and personal witness.
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Subjective Assurance Has Limits
- Protestants often claim absolute subjective certainty of future salvation based on an internal trust in Christ rather than objective signs.
- David Anders argues this subjective assurance is unstable and can become circular or paradoxical.
Objective Grounds For Assurance
- Catholics claim real assurance but grounded in objective realities like Christ's work, the Church, and the sacraments rather than interior feelings.
- Anders emphasizes relying on external signs such as the priest's absolution instead of inward self-examination.
Don't Overuse Confession For Daily Stress
- If you lack a mortal sin of which you're conscious, you are not canonically required to go to confession.
- Anders advises pregnant, stressed mothers not to assume ordinary frustration requires confession.
