Theocast
Do Catholics Believe in Grace? (Responding to Fr. Mike Schmitz)
April 15, 2026
Summary
Do Roman Catholics really believe in salvation by faith? In this episode, Jon Moffitt interacts with a video from Father Mike Schmitz on faith, works, and grace. You will see why definitions matter when it comes to salvation and how different traditions understand faith and justification. This conversation walks through key passages and historical teaching to clarify where agreements and differences exist. The goal is to help you clearly distinguish between the Protestant view of justification and what the Roman Catholic Church has traditionally taught. If you want a deeper understanding of faith, grace, and works, this episode will help.
Topics
- Father Mike Schmitz on faith, works, and grace
- Why definitions matter for salvation, faith, and justification
- Key passages and historical teaching on agreements and differences
- Distinguishing the Protestant view of justification by faith
Links
- James (Saved by works) Episode
- Philip Anthony Mitchell
- The Bible According to Jesus — how Jesus teaches us to read the Scriptures
- Theocast Community
- Rest — free ebook on faith vs. faithfulness
- Partner with Theocast
Transcript
Edited machine transcript — may contain errors
[00:00:01]Do Roman Catholics believe that you are saved by faith?
[00:00:05]Yes, they do.
[00:00:07]But we need to define what saved me and what do they mean by faith.
[00:00:12]Today I interact with Friar Mike Schmidt's video about works versus grace and what does the Roman Catholic Church teach.
[00:00:21]Hopefully, this is helpful.
[00:00:22]We go through a lot of passages, we look at a lot of history.
[00:00:25]It's a longer video, but hopefully, this will help explain the difference between what a Protestant view of justification is and what the Roman Catholic traditionally has taught.
[00:00:34]Stay tuned.
[00:00:36]Ever read the Bible and walk away feeling like you're failing?
[00:00:39]No matter how hard you try, you're never measuring up.
[00:00:42]That's not a motivation problem, that's a reading problem.
[00:00:45]Most people have never been taught how to read the Bible the way Jesus taught it.
[00:00:49]So when they hear things like, be perfect, deny yourself.
[00:00:53]Take up your cross.
[00:00:54]They assume it's all about trying harder.
[00:00:56]But what if that's not what Jesus was doing at all?
[00:00:59]What if the law isn't meant to fix you, but to reveal your need for a savior?
[00:01:04]And what if the gospel isn't advice, but an announcement of what Christ has already done for you.
[00:01:10]That's the difference between law and gospel.
[00:01:12]And once you see it, everything changes: clarity, rest, and confidence.
