5 Solas

 The 5 Solas of Reformed tradition can be a kind gateway drug to the Catholic Church. 

1. Sola fide 

Faith alone.

Alone from what?  Free of what? Free of the Catholic Magisterium. Free of the Catholic Church. Free of the Pope. 

2. Sola scriptura

Scripture alone

Alone from what? Free of What? Free of the Catholic Magisterium. Free of the Catholic Church. Free of the Pope. 

3. Sola gratia

Grace alone

Alone from what? Free of what? Free of the Catholic Magisterium. Free of the Catholic Church. Free of the Pope. 

4. Solus Cristus

Christ alone.

Alone from what? Free of what? Free of the Catholic Magisterium. Free of the Catholic Church. Free of the Pope. 

5. Soli deo gloria

To God’s glory alone. 

Alone from what? Cut off from what? Cut off from the Catholic Church. Cut off from the Pope. 

Sounds appealing. Who doesn’t love freedom? ...but all Protestant groups have a problem establishing their authority. If a Christian can cut himself or herself off from the Teaching Magisterium, the Catholic Church, and the Pope, then what? Freedom all the way down.

There’s no backstop, as my friend TVD says. There’s no referee. Every man and woman a pope. 

Yes. There are Catholic groups that have cut themselves off from the Pope and try to stay Catholic somehow. The results are similar to what happens in Protestantism-schism all the way down. 

Does that mean that all non-Catholic Christians are going to Hell? Heavens no! The Magisterium has a coherent answer even for that. 

Look up the term Separated Brethren. 

Check out the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well. 

Anyway, that’s my thought.