Catholicism Is Not Biblical Christianity
I don’t want to write this. I reap no reward or derive any joy from pointing out the theological problems in Catholicism. However, I strongly believe that it is essential for us to understand the similarities and differences between various religious groups and denominations. If nothing else, it helps us to be more discerning in our spiritual relationships. We must know whether Catholicism is biblical Christianity or not.
Commonly, Christians don’t care to delve too deep into anyone else’s beliefs. If someone says she is a “Christian” than she’s a Christian. Sadly, calling oneself a Christian doesn’t make it so. Believers need to have caution about being too eager to be ecumenical. That is, we shouldn’t stand arm and arm under the banner of Christ with those whose gospel is false. Unfortunately, it appears Catholicism teaches a false gospel. So, let’s take a closer look.
I Don’t Have A Problem With Catholics
Let’s begin by clearing the air. I am not picking on Catholics. My beef is with Catholicism, not the people sitting in Mass every Sunday. As it stands, one of the best women I’ve ever met is Catholic. She is a wonderful friend, loving wife, caring mother, and dutiful sister and daughter. I just also believe her Catholic faith is unbiblical. We truly can love and care about people while disagreeing on topics this significant. At least, that was the way it was long, long ago… Maybe one day we’ll get back to that.
Why Point Out The Unbiblical Christianity Of Catholicism?
First, this post is the beginning of a series that will examine various faiths and denominations. Learning about others’ beliefs helps us understand our own better. Plus, it can help our witness to others if we understand their faith.
Second, Catholicism is common in Christian circles. People quickly assume that it is biblical Christianity because Catholics love Jesus. It looks all right at a quick glance, therefore, Catholicism often gets a pass in mixed Christian company.
Lastly, the Catholic Church is huge. Global estimates suggest there are approximately 1.2 billion Catholics in the world. Roughly, 22-23% of the U.S. populations identifies as Catholic. Chances are you will interact with many Catholics throughout your lifetime. Why not get to know what they believe?
Similarities Between Catholicism and Biblical Christianity
Catholicism and biblical Christianity share a few very important beliefs. These beliefs are so essential to the Christian faith that many struggle to accept that Catholics can believe them but not be Christian.
1. Sin
Sin is when we break God’s Law, and it separates us from Him. We are born as fallen people because of the sin committed by Adam (Romans 5:12).
2. Jesus
We believe in the deity of Christ (John 1:1; John 10:30), and that He is God’s only Son (John 3:16). We also believe in the death, burial, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ through which man can be saved (1 Peter 1:3).
3. Trinity
This belief if often rejected or misunderstood by those outside the Christian faith. The Trinity is the idea that we have one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17).
Despite these incredibly important core Christian beliefs, Catholicism departs from Scripture and, as a result, departs from biblical Christianity. I will not be doing a deep study on Catholicism today. There are libraries filled with books on the intricacies and history of the Catholic Church, but all that is not our focus today. Instead, I am going to look at what I see as some of the nonnegotiable beliefs the Catholic Church holds. The following Catholic beliefs exclude Catholicism from biblical Christianity.
Catholicism Vs. Biblical Christianity
1. Authority
The Bible
Don’t Catholics read the Bible? Yes, they do, but it’s the Catholic Bible. This isn’t just a Bible with Catholic images thrown in for effect. It has a significant difference. The Bible has sixty-six books (39 Old Testament, 27 New Testament). The Catholic Bible, on the other hand, has seventy-three books. The extra seven books are often referred to by Protestants as the Apocrypha. They are also known as deuterocanonical books. (Say that fast five times!) Outside of Catholicism, the Apocrypha are not accepted as canon.
The Pope
Aside from having a different Bible, the Catholic Church also does not look to it as the sole source of authority and truth. Catholicism turns to the Pope, as well. He has several titles such as Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Vicar of Jesus Christ, and Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church.
As you can see from the humble and unsuspecting names the Pope has, he commands a great amount of power and authority in the Catholic Church. Essentially, he answers to God alone, and he directs the bishops and churches around the world through his mandates and leadership.
Other Authorities
Besides the Catholic Bible and the Pope (as well as priests and bishops), Catholicism has a few other sources of authority.
Sacred Traditions
The Second Vatican Council equated sacred traditions, though unbiblical, as equal to the Word of God.
Nineteen Councils
Arguably, the most well-known council is the Council of Trent. It took place between 1545-1563 as a response to the Protestant Reformation. Ultimately, the Catholic Church deemed the belief that one is justified by faith alone (by no works of our own) as heresy. The Council of Trent also damned anyone who rejected the Apocrypha. Additionally, though the process was reformed, indulgences were confirmed as a legitimate practice through the Catholic Church. There are more highlights for anyone interested.
In case I was unclear, the decisions at Trent and other councils still hold today.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
This book is a summary of Catholic beliefs and was promoted by Pope John Paul II in 1992. Some refer to the CCC as a religious instruction manual for Catholicism.
Biblical Christianity leans on the Bible for authority while Catholicism has added man-made sources. In short, Catholic leaders have made themselves the authority.
2. Mary
Christians across denominations agree that Mary was a virgin when she was pregnant with Jesus. The virgin birth is an important part of the story of Jesus Christ’s arrival to mankind. However, she was still just a woman. A faithful woman who was especially chosen by God, but yet, still just a woman. The Catholic Church has taken Mary and turned her into an almost Christ-like entity in its faith.
According to the CCC, Mary was a perpetual virgin, but the Bible mentions His siblings (Mark 6:3; Matthew 13:55; Luke 8:19; Galatians 1:19). Mary must have eventually consummated her relationship with Joseph.
Additionally, the CCC teaches that Mary was born sinless and lived a sinless life. This is absurd, of course, because she was 100% human and no person is righteous (Romans 3:10).
The Catechism also claims Mary suffered along with Christ on the cross. To be clear, there is no suggestion she was literally on the cross, but she, allegedly, suffered, too. I will relent that watching that horror would break any mother’s heart, but Mary’s suffering is likened to Jesus’ suffering in the CCC.
Finally, Catholicism teaches to pray to Mary. For example, the bride in a Catholic wedding prays to Mary to bless the bride as a wife. Most disturbingly, according to the Catechism, Mary “will deliver our souls from death.” Only one can do that, and His name is Jesus!
As a side note: Praying to dead people is not biblical. In fact, it is an abomination and forbidden. Communicating with the dead is addressed several times in the Bible (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Leviticus 20:6,27; 1 Samuel 28:5-18; Isaiah 8:19-20).
3. Idolatry: An Unbiblical Catholic Practice
Praying to Mary is undoubtedly idolatry, but it doesn’t end with her. Praying to the saints is a common practice in Catholicism. Do you remember the advertisement for the iPhone in 2009 that coined “there’s an app for that?” Well, in Catholicism there’s a saint for that. Patron saints are dedicated to a particular geographical area, profession, or group of people. The Catholic Church teaches these saints will protect and aid members of these areas and groups when we pray to them for help. Some examples include patron saints for animal rights activists, beekeepers, and pyrotechnicians.
We also see practicing Catholics praying to statues of these saints and placing immense spiritual power and significance into what they would call relics. These items are often treated at the source of power. Need healing? Pray to an image of Saint Raphael the Archangel. Meanwhile, an individual following biblical Christianity would cut out the middleman and pray directly to Jesus. However, in Catholicism, these idols are treated like lucky charms and talismans that are worn and placed around the house for protection.
Saints
Saints in the Catholic Church are unbiblical, in and of themselves, even without the patron saint situation. Catholicism gives the Pope the final say when with saints. He ultimately gives his approval. Prior to that, however, the process of becoming a saint (aka: canonization) is a lengthy five-step process that relies heavily on the works of the potential saint (who is dead at the time of canonization).
The Bible, on the other hand, does not describe sainthood as an earned status. Quite the opposite! All believers, who are believers through grace and faith in Jesus Christ, are saints (Psalm 30:4; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 26:10).
As you can see, Catholicism relies on prayers to the dead and objects suspected of being imbued with special spiritual power. The Catholic Church teaches its members to turn away from Christ with their worship and focus it toward other people and objects. This is idolatry.
4. The Unbiblical Priesthood
In the Catholic Church priests are of the utmost importance. Catholics believe they are the mediator between themselves and God. All Christians should confess their sins, on this we can agree, but Catholic teaching says that we must confess to a priest. This is how we are to be forgiven.
The Bible disagrees with the Catholic approach. Matthew 27:51 says, “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom;…” This moment has great significance for believers. That veil separated the first and second rooms of the Temple of Jerusalem, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, respectively.
The Holy of Holies contained the Ark of the Covenant which embodied the presence of God. The High Priest sprinkled sacrificial blood on the Mercy Seat in this room once a year for the forgiveness of sins of God’s people. The veil was a literal and metaphorical separation between God and His people. That is, it was until it tore in half when Jesus died on the cross. Believers, thanks to Jesus’ work on the cross, have direct access to God. The Bible agrees.
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;” (emphasis mine)
1 Peter 2:9
The Seven Sacraments
A major component of the work a priest does is the administration of the Seven Sacraments. They are as follows:
Baptism
This involves sprinkling holy water on a baby’s head for salvation.
Confirmation
This is a coming of age and formal, voluntary admission into the Catholic Church.
Confession
It is as it sounds. Catholics confess their sins to a priest in order to be absolved of them.
Holy Communion/Eucharist
We’ll talk more about this soon, but generally, it is a reenactment of the Last Supper.
Marriage
In the Catholic tradition, marriage is between a man and a woman. They should both be Catholic, and a priest should be the one who marries them.
Holy Orders
This refers to when men are ordained into the clergy.
Anointing of the Sick
This sacrament is often the last an individual will receive. It is meant to heal physically and/or spiritually as the Lord wills it.
Here’s the thing… The Seven Sacraments simply comprise a list of works. We don’t need priests to keep us on good spiritual terms. We don’t need to work for our standing with Christ.
“And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” (emphasis mine)
Hebrews 10:11-14
Jesus sat down because the work was completed. The priests stood, doing their work while never being able to truly take away sin. Christ, on the other hand, finished the job with His sacrifice. Catholic priests, try as they might, cannot and need not play mediator in our relationship with God. Jesus gave us access to the Father through that last blood sacrifice on the cross.
5. Baptism
Baptism in the Catholic Church is traditionally done to babies by sprinkling holy water on their heads. This act offers salvation for the infant.
Baptism Won’t Save You
The Bible has zero examples of infant baptism. The Bible also displays no need for baptism in order to be saved in various places. The most common example of this is found in Luke 23:33-43 with the account of the thief on the cross. Long story short, a thief being crucified next to Jesus comes to faith, and Jesus tells the thief they will see each other in Paradise that very day.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says that we are not saved by works, but the Catholic take on baptism is that it saves. Well, that’s a work if we think we are doing it for salvation. We can do nothing but receive salvation as a gift.
Let’s also look at what Paul says about baptism in 1 Corinthians.
“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”
1 Corinthians 1:17
Simply put, Paul was dealing with believers experiencing division over who baptized them, and verse 17 is part of his response. Notice what he says about baptism. Christ didn’t send him for baptisms. He was sent to preach the gospel. Clearly, the gospel takes preeminence over baptism. Why? Well, baptism gets you wet, but the gospel of Jesus Christ saves.
6. Purgatory
Purgatory is a place Catholics believe saved people go when they die to undergo purification and suffering for their sins. It is not a permanent place because eventually these people move on after they have suffered enough and finished their sanctification process.
The Catholic Church teaches that other Catholics can pray for those in purgatory and even pay “indulgences” to shorten the time served in purgatory. You can try, but you will find no mention of purgatory or anything like it in the Bible. You will find this, though.
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
Hebrews 9:27-28
So, we die and then we face judgment. At death, our chances have run out. We either face the great white throne judgement before being cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15), or we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ before spending eternity in the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:10). Purgatory simply doesn’t exist, despite how comforting it may be to think we can help loved ones get into Heaven.
Purgatory is another way that the Catholic Church undercuts Christ’s power to save by indicating we need to work off our sin debt rather than Jesus’ payment on the cross being enough. Plus, the indulgences are a handy fundraiser for the Catholic Church, as well.
7. Holy Communion/Eucharist
In Luke 22:18-20, Jesus takes part in what is known as the Last Supper. He tells those with him to do this “in remembrance of me.” This indicates that when we participate in this Communion or Lord’s Supper, depending on your denomination, we are to remember Him who will not be there in body. The Catholic Church went the complete opposite direction with this.
The Mass is set up around this Holy Communion. This is a sacrament that counts positively towards the Catholics who participate. Mass is pretty much all about this sacrament. It is understandable that it is so important to the Catholic faith because of transubstantiation. Catholicism teaches that the bread is literally Christ’s body, and the wine is literally His blood.
This should bother…everyone. Why did He come and accomplish the work of the cross if He would just need to do that again and again and again through a church ritual? Was Jesus lying when He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30)? The blood sacrifices had come to an end thanks to Christ being the spotless lamb who died for our sins. However, the Catholic Church wants to relive it weekly.
Holy Communion is a perfect example of man trying to earn salvation after it has already been given freely without works attached.
8. Salvation
This is the crux of the argument against Catholicism being biblical Christianity. All the other issues with the Catholic Church hinge on the Catholic teaching on salvation.
In God’s Own Words
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 14:6
No other gods, plans, works, or otherwise can reconcile us to God. Just Jesus.
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
Philippians 3:9
The Law cannot earn us righteousness. It can only show us how we fail to meet God’s standards. Righteousness is through Christ alone.
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
Romans 11:6
Salvation cannot be from grace and works. Catholicism wants people to accept the grace of God while adding our own works, but that’s not possible. It’s grace, or it’s works. Jesus is enough, or He is not.
The Catholic Church teaches that we can rely on Jesus, but we also need Seven Sacraments, our good works, sacred traditions, and help from dead saints and mediator priests. Catholics are left hoping they are doing enough, that they’re good enough. Working, working, working. That is the central piece of Catholicism. It isn’t Christ. It’s work.
Can Biblical Christians Yoke With Catholics?
Well, yes and no. Can we be friends? Absolutely! Catholics are people just like all other people. We can be friends, work together, belong to community groups together, etc. I’m definitely not recommending the banishment of Catholics from our lives.
On the other hand, we cannot join together on spiritual things. The argument is usually for coming together on issues we can agree on, such as abortion. However, I would not even join a Catholic group for pro-life work because I believe the Catholic Church promulgates a false gospel.
Anyone who wants to know about salvation will hear about sin, repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ if that person talks to me. If that same person talks to a member of the Catholic Church, she will hear some of what I would say along with specifics about Catholicism. It would be Jesus and… Truth and salvation would be taught through Scripture and man-made traditions.
Aren’t we similar enough, you might ask? No. The issues I have brought up in this post are not secondary or tertiary. These are gospel essentials. It is the difference between the message of Christ and the message of man. So, how could I justify standing hand in hand spiritually with someone whose gospel is a lie? I couldn’t.
Final Thought
Ecumenism is a beautiful idea. I would love to stand alongside Christians from different churches and serve Christ together. The truth, however, is that we wouldn’t necessarily be serving the same Christ. Christians, we need to ask ourselves if the “Christians” we are yoking with are sharing the gospel we know from the Bible or not. If not, then approach their teachings with a critical eye and discernment. Actually, we ought to do that with everyone.
After carefully examining the Catholic faith (and having belonged to it for a time), I can confidently say that Catholicism is not biblical Christianity. As always, let’s continue to sin His grace.
Let me know your experiences or thoughts about Catholicism. Did you know how much Catholicism strayed from Scripture?
Note: I have received plenty of comments from Catholics who offered criticism or rebuttals of this post. I address some of those comment HERE:
Responding To Your Feedback: Part 6 (The Catholic Edition)
January 26, 2024
Every so often I receive comments on my blog posts and emails from readers who want to share their input on what I have written. Although many are supportive and friendly, plenty of others are critical, mean-spirited, inaccurate, or some combination of those attributes. On occasion, I do not respond to emails or approve comments because I don’t see how the exchange could be edifying. All that said, I would like to acknowledge some of these comments and emails when it seems appropriate. “Responding to your feedback” posts will be written directly to the author, but I will keep the individual anonymous by assigning him/her a nickname. Welcome to the Catholic edition!
The Comment For Today
I typically address one comment I have received and respond to it for this series, but I’m going to do things a little differently this time around. Each and every single week, my post, Catholicism Is Not Biblical Christianity, is my most read piece of content. I’m shocked so many people have seen it, but I suspect it became more visible to readers when some pretender on Twitter (now X) literally copied and pasted it to her account as if she had written it. Well, she had to deal with a lot of haters while I had an uptick in views. Eventually, though, folks figured out where to place the blame for what had been written about the Catholic Church. Me!
I have received many comments and emails defending the Catholic faith and telling me just how wrong I am. Some have been short, rude, and to the point. Others have been more along the lines of academic dissertations from former pastors and pseudo-intellectuals. None of them, however, have proven Catholicism aligns with God’s Holy Word, and I think it’s time to publicly address some of these arguments.
The Comments
Rather than share one comment with you all, I’m going to combine the comments I have received and address the common questions and rebuttals people have offered me. The quotes will be paraphrased instead of direct quotes from readers so that I can address the issues more broadly for a wider audience.
My responses will be written as if to one person for simplicity’s sake. Let’s call my fictional commenter “John Paul.” Today, I’ll address just five of the common responses I have received concerning Catholicism. In all likelihood, I’ll respond to others in a future post.
Responding To Your Feedback
Dear John Paul,
Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful response to my post claiming that Catholicism is not, in fact, biblical Christianity. I would like to begin by apologizing if anything I said hurt you. My goal is not to harm individuals when I point out the errors of the Catholic faith. I want to warn people who are entrenched in a religion that teaches unbiblical doctrine that they are trusting in a man-made system which offers no salvation. You may not agree with me, but I pray that you understand my heart on the issue. I’m pained to see so many wonderful and sincere men and women pulled into lies when the Truth is so easy to access.
At the time I am writing this, you have raised fourteen objections or concerns about what I said regarding Catholicism. Please, forgive me for limiting my response to only five for today. Let’s dive in.
Responding To Your (Catholic) Feedback – Comment 1:
“Please, understand Catholic history involves many martyrs who died so that you would know Christ. Think of all the hospitals and schools started by the Catholic Church. Do you think a person as amazing as Mother Teresa could have possibly been a part of a church that was not established by Christ?”
To begin, I’d like to remind you that the stance you are disagreeing with is that Catholicism is not biblical Christianity. Nothing you have said here even addresses that subject. This argument and others like it are, at best, a distraction from the actual conversation. Are you doing this because you don’t know how to defend your Catholic faith? Do you genuinely believe that who has been a Catholic affects the biblical validity of the religion? Nonetheless, I’ll engage with your comment with the understanding that this piece of feedback is neither here nor there concerning the original subject. (But it’s the most popular type of response I receive.)
Martyrs
Let’s talk about martyrs. Let me just say that I am always sad about martyrs for any cause. Persecution and death for one’s faith is a unfortunate affair, but I also understand that it can be a part of the Christian walk. In fact, persecution for Jesus’ sake is a blessing.
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:10
Does dying for one’s faith make that faith correct, though? Some folks claim that only Christians have been martyred, but that is absolutely false. For one, many people who fall under the overly broad umbrella term Christian are not actually Christians. For instance, the LDS Church is heretical yet they claim to be a Christian denomination. Therefore, if a Mormon is martyred, then she would be a non-Christian martyr. Do you follow that?
Secondly, other religions around the world face persecution. Jews, for example, are decidedly not following after Jesus, yet they have a long history of persecution and death due to their religious beliefs. I’m positive there have been martyrs from nearly every religion at some point in history. So, does this make all faiths with martyrdom true? Answer: No.
Let’s not forget those who purpose to die for their faith such as Muslim suicide bombers. Is their willingness to die for their faith an argument for the legitimacy of Islam? Answer: Also no.
Catholic martyrs may stir up compassion in my heart, they do not prove your religion is biblical.
Hospitals And Schools
Doing “good” things doesn’t prove a religion as true. How many adulterers, thieves, liars, blasphemers, etc. give large sums of money to charitable causes like hospitals and schools? Should we look at those people as admirable in character and trustworthy because they helped open hospitals and schools? Of course not. So, why does a Catholic hospital or school somehow tell us anything in particular about Catholicism? For example, how does a new maternity ward support the doctrine of transubstantiation?
Essentially, I’m saying there is no connection between the Catholic faith and an institution putting up a community building with its name plastered on the front. Sure, these might be welcomed additions to the community, but they are completely void of biblical significance.
Mother Teresa
I know Mother Teresa is highly regarded by Catholics and the world at large. She was a humanitarian who, as far as I can tell, loved people and cared for others’ needs. But where you see a saint, I see a pitiable woman who was deeply indoctrinated in a false religion and working endlessly to earn Heaven. I’m not downplaying her work among the needy, but I do question what she believed. Full transparency: I have no idea what spiritual condition she was in when she died. So, I am not saying she was or was not saved. However, I think the answer to that question is less clear than Catholics say.
Time Magazine reported on Mother Teresa after her death. In letters that were read after her passing, she expressed severe loneliness and darkness. She admitted that her smile was a “cloak that covers everything.” A longer quote from Time Magazine reveals Mother Teresa felt no presence of God in her life for nearly fifty years.
“That absence seems to have started at almost precisely the time she began tending the poor and dying in Calcutta, and—except for a five-week break in 1959—never abated. Although perpetually cheery in public, the Teresa of the letters lived in a state of deep and abiding spiritual pain. In more than 40 communications, many of which have never before been published, she bemoans the “dryness,” “darkness,” “loneliness” and “torture” she is undergoing. She compares the experience to hell and at one point says it has driven her to doubt the existence of heaven and even of God.”
Time Magazine, 2007
Mother Teresa, though she did many things we might define as “good” or “admirable,” described her spiritual life as torturous. Really, if you think about it, she didn’t appear to have a spiritual life. She simply completed works and deeds.
Universalist or Catholic?
John Paul, the woman you are pointing to in order to validate the Catholic faith appears to not have been a theologically consistent Catholic. The biography Mother Teresa: Her People and Her Work quotes her as saying, “If in coming face to face with God we accept Him in our lives, then we are converting. We become a better Hindu, a better Muslim, a better Catholic, a better whatever we are. … What God is in your mind you must accept.” This quote is in complete opposition to Catholic teachings.
Works Don’t Save
Mother Teresa is one of those impossible to replicate standards Christians and the world likes to point to for how to be a “good person” and “get to Heaven.” Well, if works get a person to Heaven, then Mother Teresa is the top of the list, isn’t she? I have bad news for anyone depending on earning salvation, though. You can’t. Actually, not just you. None of us can. We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior, and that work was finished for you with Jesus’ death on the cross and His empty tomb. You can’t save yourself, but we’ll get deeper into that topic later.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
Although there are many figures in Catholicism who are commendable and who display positive character traits, they are not evidence for Catholicism being biblical. They are just people who need to be born again just like anyone else. Our faith ought not be in the people of this world but rather in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Responding To Your (Catholic) Feedback – Comment 2:
“The idea of “Bible alone” is a relatively new idea that occurred around the time of Luther and the Reformation.“
It appears that you also don’t quite understand what people mean when they say “Bible alone.” That’s all right, though. I want to clarify these things so that I make more sense to you.
Martin Luther And The Reformation
The term sola scriptura (i.e., Bible alone) was, in fact, adopted and popularized during the Reformation. Martin Luther wanted to see confirmation in the Bible for any church teachings he would adopt, and he ultimately rejected a great deal of what he saw in the Catholic Church such as the unholy grifting scheme we know as “indulgences.”
Sola scriptura was a call for Christians to stop taking church leaders at their word, and to seek out the Truth in God’s Word. John Paul, you are claiming that this is the first time we see this belief in Christian history. But you’re wrong. And kind of right. “Bible alone” is not written in the Bible. Of course, “Trinity” is not there either. Is that a false doctrinal belief someone made up? Nope. The Trinity is evident throughout Scripture, and Christians gave the concept a name. Sometimes, we need to look at the whole of God’s Word to understand an idea. (OK…we should always do that, actually.)
Scripture Supports Sola Scriptura
Well, sola scriptura is supported in the Bible. Here are a few examples.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
This sure makes it sound like God intends the Bible to be enough to practice our faith and be sanctified, doesn’t it?
“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Acts 17:10-11
How many times have you heard someone say this? “Be a Berean Christian and examine the Scriptures for yourselves?” The Early Church did not just take what the Apostles said with no critical thinking or discernment. Believers compared it to what they had of God’s Word at the time to ensure that what they were told aligned with what God had already told them. They weighed the teachings from the Apostles against the Word, not the other way around.
“I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.” (emphasis mine)
1 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)
So, this sounds a lot like Paul saying his version of sola scriptura. Don’t go beyond what is written… How else can you take that but to mean the final word on our faith is the Holy Bible?
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” (emphasis mine)
Mark 7:6-9
This is Jesus Himself speaking, and it should make Catholics tremble because that sounds 100% like Catholicism. It is filled with man-made traditions, repetitive prayers said in vain to people other than God, and deep love and connection for the traditions of the religion over the love of God’s Word.
Reformers may have given us a concise way to express this biblical truth, but sola scriptura has always been God’s standard, friend.
Responding To Your (Catholic) Feedback – Comment 3:
“The Apostle Paul makes it clear in 1 Timothy 3:15 that even though our Holy Bible is sacred, it is the Church that is the pillar and foundation of truth.”
Thank you, John Paul, for using the Bible to make your point. I feel like we can have a real conversation about biblical Christianity when we include the Bible in our discussion. I hope others are taking notes from you. Despite that praise, I do have to wholeheartedly disagree with you. Why don’t we read your reference?
“I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”
1 Timothy 3:14-15 (ESV)
These verses are commonly used by Catholics to “prove” that the Catholic Church is the ultimate authority of spiritual knowledge, but these can’t be understood cherry-picked out of context like that.
First, let’s take note that this comes at the end of a chapter focused on qualifications for church leaders. Two such qualifications are to be the husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2) and to manage his home and children well (1 Timothy 3:4). I’d say those are odd qualifications for church leadership if God intended the Catholic Church to be His Church…seeing as priests aren’t allowed to marry…
Second, we won’t find instances in the Bible where man and his teachings are elevated to a place of irrefutable truth. We are encouraged to seek confirmation of teachings in the Word (Acts 17:10-11), reject false doctrine (Mark 1:3-7) , mark and avoid false teachers (Romans 16:17-18), and be more concerned with what is being taught than who is teaching it (Galatians 1:6-8).
What Is The Foundation?
The Bible doesn’t contradict itself, and there is another place in Scripture that clearly states who the foundation is in the Christian faith. It’s not the Pope, priests, or congregants. The foundation is Jesus Christ.
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 3:11
As for the foundation and pillars in 1 Timothy 3:15, “the church” Paul references here is the Body of Christ. The believers. The Church (i.e., Christians) holds up the truth to the world. We are sharing the gospel and demonstrating the Christian life. This statement comes at the end of a long list of expectations for church leadership, and this makes complete sense because proper conduct is essential from leaders if the Church is going to present the truth to the world around us well and without hypocrisy.
As is often the case, Catholic apologists will use proof texts to make claims about the Catholicism’s authority and God-ordained status in the world. However, just add context and more Scripture to interpret the text, and the argument becomes nonexistent.
Responding To Your (Catholic) Feedback – Comment 4:
“The problem is that you are using your lens to try and understand our worldview. Protestants have no concept for things like the veneration of Mary or intercession of the saints, so you borrow from your worldview. Thus, you accuse Catholics of worshiping Mary or using saints as mediators between us and Jesus. Both are absurd and tired clichés.“
Pot, have you met Kettle? Your criticism of my worldview can also be turned around to you, can it not? You claim to understand my views and have assumed my ability to understand your faith, yet I am the one with the lens problem. OK…
Everyone is working from her own worldview. That can’t be avoided. But let’s not pretend that approaching the world with a particular set of beliefs and values somehow makes an individual incapable of learning new things or approaching information with an open mind. Why even engage with people in debate or bother to educate anyone if they can’t possibly learn and understand?
I can only ask you to believe me that I do not approach Catholicism with a closed mind. I don’t approach these conversations with an unwillingness to learn. In fact, I am desperate to understand where Catholics are coming from in order to have better discussions, and I have spent copious amounts of time reading Catholic materials and studying out both sides of Catholic claims. I’ve landed where I have concerning the Catholic Church because the Bible doesn’t supported it. End of story.
Careful With Protestantism
Catholics appear to divide Christianity into Catholic and Protestant, and that makes sense in some ways. On the other hand, you’re throwing a lot of denominations into one pot because they aren’t you. I’d call it a classic case of Us vs. Them. Protestantism usually includes Anabaptists, Anglican, Baptists, Congregational, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, Quaker, and Reformed. A quick glance at these groups and you will likely notice that they range from slightly different from one another to how-are-these-both-allegedly-Christian? Personally, I could not, in good conscience, worship with the majority of the Protestant denominations on that list.
With that in mind, I suggest you spend some time learning about differing denominational beliefs before you come at a non-Catholic Christian with your assumptions about our worldview. My worldview and Christian walk, for instance, is in no way similar to a Quaker woman or many Pentecostal believers. Yet, you place us together as if we view life, Catholicism, or even the Bible the same way. That, my friend, is absurd and cliché of you.
My “Absurd” Claims About Catholics
According to nearly all dictionaries, to worship is to show reverence and adoration and/or to honor with religious rites. With that definition, Mary fits the bill. You may change the words around to make it sound like I’m wrong, but you’re doing exactly what I have accused you of doing. For example, Catholic weddings include a time for the bride to pray to Mary (at the foot of her statue in the instances I witnessed) in hopes that Mary will assist the bride in helping her be a good wife. Then, of course, we have the oft-repeated prayer whether it be for penance after confession or during the rosary – “The Hail Mary.”
John Paul, you used the word veneration. That term means to regard with respect or reverence. The Bible is clear from beginning to end on who is to receive our honor and praise. God is the sole recipient of reverence. And you can say Catholics don’t worship Mary, but my previously mentioned examples are clear-cut acts of worship.
“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you,for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Revelation 15:4 (ESV)
Intercessors
It’s just prayers, though, right? No! Prayer is an act of worship. Some Catholics are praying directly to Mary. I know this because they say so. My own father has told me about praying to Pope John Paul II in a time of need, and he even attributed the answered prayer to the deceased pope.
For those of you who split hairs by claiming Mary and the saints are just intercessors, where do you find any basis for this in the Bible? Don’t tell me “historically some guy was doing it well before people were calling themselves Baptists, so…” In which verses have you seen believers praying to the those who have passed?
Other comments I’ve received have informed me that the saints in Heaven are perfected now and have more access to God. Therefore, they are good choices for intercessors. Again, where do see a precedent for such behavior. I will admit that this line of thinking makes sense for Catholicism because the Catholic Church has placed priests, bishops, cardinals, and popes between you and God. Why not throw some saints in the group, too? If you have direct access to Jesus through prayer, why not just pray to Him?
Speaking To The Dead
The Word never gives us a positive picture of speaking to the dead. Rather, the Bible addresses speaking to the dead in a negative light and commands against it (1 Samuel 28:7-19; Deuteronomy 18:10-13). Shouldn’t there be some sort of caveat for praying to Mary if there is such negativity surrounding the idea?
“A man or a woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.”
Leviticus 20:27 (ESV)
Mary Doesn’t Possess God’s Abilities
Finally, what makes you think Mary (and other saints) can hear our prayers? God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. That’s a powerful combo that makes God able to, well, be God. Meanwhile, Mary couldn’t possibly hear/know the prayers of the billions of people on Earth. Even glorified with the Lord, she has limitations.
I mean this with love, John Paul. You don’t need to and should not pray to Mary. She is a human woman who God chose for an extraordinary purpose. She was a wonderful role model for faithfulness, obedience, and love, but she is no more than that. Repent of this idol worship, and give all your worship energy to the One True God.
Responding To Your (Catholic) Feedback – Comment 5:
“Catholics don’t believe in a works-based salvation.”
I am always stunned to hear a Catholic tell me that she doesn’t believe in works for salvation. The Bible tells us that salvation is a gift from God, and that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). I can’t earn salvation or ever be good enough to get myself into Heaven. Meanwhile, as a believer, I do good works because I’m compelled to as I grow in Christlikeness. The book of James discusses works as a necessary part of the Christian life, and he describes them as evidence of our salvation (James 2:14-26). So, works are a part of the Christian life, but they don’t save. You say you believe that, but here are a few examples of why I don’t think you do.
1. Infant Baptism
I have never met a Catholic who, in a one-on-one conversation, did not attribute baptism, at least in part, to salvation. I often hear arguments in public venues from Catholics that I’m wrong about this, but I’m not the only one who believes the Catholic Church teaches this concept.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, baptism is “necessary for salvation” (CCC 1257). So, it looks like the Catholic Church agrees with me on this one.
If I have to complete a task to be saved, we call that works-based salvation.
2. Confirmation
This is the sacrament “in which the Holy Ghost is given to those already baptized.” In this case, a teenager takes classes for a year to be confirmed in the Catholic Church. Then, the church holds a special service in which the priest anoints those being confirmed with oil. This sacrament is sometimes called perfecting or completing.
That looks like a work to me because people are the ones doing the work. Also, that’s not how one is indwelled with the Holy Spirit. We are either believers and have the Holy Spirit, or we aren’t Christians and the Spirit is not in us. Christians don’t proceed through steps of salvation such as baptized as an infant, receive Eucharist beginning in second grade, and then being confirmed in eighth grade. We are born again and sealed with the Holy Spirit at that time.
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
Romans 8:9
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Ephesians 1:13-14
3. Losing Salvation
The very idea that a believer can lose her salvation suggests she can earn it, too. Think about it. What happens when she loses that salvation? How does she get it back? And how did she lose it to begin with? Or better yet, what was she doing to keep it? The responsibility of salvation falls onto the individual when one can lose it and get it back. This just becomes a works salvation. And if you can lose your salvation, you will. No Catholic can have any assurance that she will one day be with the Lord while holding this belief. It’s more of a fingers-crossed faith.
The biggest concern, though, is that this belief is completely unbiblical.
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (emphasis mine)
John 10:28
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (emphasis mine)
1 John 5:11-13
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (emphasis mine)
Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
Final Thought
John Paul, some of what I said probably feels harsh or unkind, but I know the most loving and caring thing I can do is warn you that the Catholic Church is not teaching an accurate gospel. You don’t have to add the extra traditions, saints, sacraments, and whatnot. In fact, to do so is sin.
I know there is a comfort and spiritual feeling in Catholic churches because of the beautiful setting and liturgical style, but none of that saves, friend. It’s all a show in which people can put on religion, but it isn’t biblical. Go back to the basics, and read the gospels. Then slowly work your way through Acts. It won’t take long to see the Catholic Church has stepped way out of God’s Word and into its own thing. But it’s not too late to find a Bible preaching church. Please, consider examining what you’ve been taught through the lens of the Bible. You won’t regret it.
All right, everyone. How would you respond to John Paul?
