2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.                 KJV

Catholicism
By: Ju. Georgeff

1. History: The Roman Catholic Church

The history of the church of Rome is very diverse. There are many channels that flow both into and out of this great historic world shaping religion. There is not a single part of this globe where its presence has not been felt. And likewise there is almost no philosophy from which Rome does not derive something. It is probably the most influential as well as the most influenced religion that has ever existed. Its origin is considered to be found in the teachings of Christ Himself. But within the first 4 centuries A.D. the changes that took place in the church through the influence of its “Fathers” and the many events surrounding the fall of the city of Rome brought many changes into the young church. This eventually changed the church into much of its present form. Little by little the doctrines and practices of the church changed by the incorporation of many pagan beliefs. Holidays, festivals, and many other practices were accepted in order to create unity between groups. The further from the time of Christ one goes in the study of the Catholic church the further the teaching of the church departs from the teaching of Christ. What the church is today is much different than it was in the time of Luther and Calvin, and even more different than it was in the time of Augustine and Clement of Rome. The history of the Roman Catholic Church is one of compromise after compromise.

2. Authority: Tradition (Man) and Scripture (God)

The source of truth for a Catholic is two-fold: First, the Word of God as seen in the Scriptures along with the Apocrypha are seen as God's Word to man. Secondly, the traditions of the church, the writings of its fathers, and the edicts of the many popes determine the meaning of scripture and affirm and prescribe truth. In 1545 the Council of Trent officially declared this to be so. They had, however, been operating under the authority of tradition for many centuries before. Such a position runs contrary to the Word of God. Jesus himself dealt with this same thinking in His own day. He severely reprimanded the Pharisees for their adherence to their traditions rather than to the Law alone. Jesus said, “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men." (Mark 7:8) In this same way the Roman Catholic Church elevates the opinions of its men to the level of God! Such a teaching replaces the absolute standard of God and replaces it with the whims and fancies of mere men! Ultimately the traditions have a higher standing than scripture today. In the mind of the Catholic scripture can only be interpreted correctly by the traditions of men. And once the views of man become the standard it is only a short time before all truth is ultimately lost. All must be subject to God for He is the standard!

3. Savior: Mary and Christ

Who is the savior of Rome? Catholics claim Christ as their Savior. But then in addition to Christ, Mary His earthly mother is considered to be “co-redemptrix” by the church. Mary is elevated to the level of Christ and the becomes Redeemer with Him. She is seen by the church as the “Mother of God” or the “Queen of Heaven” and is venerated (worshiped) as such. This can be seen in Catholic art where she is portrayed more often than Christ. Rome teaches that she was born without original sin (called the Immaculate Conception) and that she was perfect and sinless just as Christ. This, as with their source of authority, contradicts direct statements from the Bible. Romans 3:10-18 says that all are sinners and there is no one who is righteous. Mary is said to have a “saving office” in the revised Catholic Catechism and is also titled “Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.” In contrast the Bible states very clearly that Christ is the only way (John 14:6), the only Savior, and adding to the Work of Christ is not only incorrect but an offense to the very quality of the Work Christ accomplished on the cross. To elevate any man, or woman, to the level of God is to bring Christ down. No where in scripture is Mary given any place other than to be the one favored by God to bring the Savior into this world. She is no more deity than any man.

4. Salvation: Through the Sacraments

A Catholic sacrament is seen as “a rite that mediates divine grace”. It is an outward means of attaining grace from God. They are viewed as additions to the work of Christ on the cross, which is the main means of grace. There are 7 sacraments in the Catholic Church. They are: Baptism, the Eucharist, Confirmation, Ordination, Reconciliation of a Penitent (confession), Anointing of the Sick, and Matrimony. These were formally instituted at the Council of Trent in 1545. The Church uses these sacraments in addition to the work of Christ as a means of attaining/keeping salvation. Once again the Church of Rome goes against the revealed Word of God. In numerous passages in scripture salvation is proclaimed as through Christ alone by faith alone apart from any external work of man. All the work was done by Christ. These sacraments effectively add works to the grace of God which eliminates the all-sufficiency of Christ's work for us and makes salvation no more of grace! Romans 11:6 states, “But if it [salvation] is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” The Catholic Church sees salvation as “I do my best and God will do the rest” when in fact God would say “I have done the best and all you do is rest!”

5. Salvation: Through the Eucharist/Transubstantiation

This specific sacrament is considered to be the most important to any Catholic, for without it salvation cannot be attained or kept. It is the taking of the bread and the wine at every Mass. The Eucharist, or the “Blessed Sacrament” as it is often called, is much different than the Protestant “Lord's Supper” or “Communion” which is seen as a memorial of Christ's death rather than a reenactment of His death as it is with the Eucharist. The Eucharist could be considered as a “reapplication” of Christ's death upon the partaker. It provides more grace which the original death of Christ was unable to do. It is claimed that when the bread and the wine are taken they actually become the very body and the very blood of Christ. This is called the doctrine of “Transubstantiation”. Without this reapplication of the sacrifice of Christ we would be without hope in this world. This sacrament has been used by the church in the past to hold entire empires under its control by simply threatening excommunication which would remove the sin covering blood of Christ. As with so much of Catholic doctrine this one also opposes many statements in the Bible. When Christ died on the cross His final statement was “It is finished”. His sacrifice was complete! Hebrews 10:14 confirms that “by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Those who have placed their faith in Christ are perfect according to His perfect sacrifice! No other work, sacrament, or ritual is needed to make him anymore perfect than he is! Once again this doctrine strips Christ of the glory of His perfect and complete work!