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It presents complex subjects in a clear, straightforward manner that is easy to understand. It confronts troubling issues with compassion and objectivity. This book is thoroughly documented. In addition to source books, it gives references to Internet articles and pictures. You can check them out for yourself and draw your own conclusions. Come explore the world of Catholicism, where grace can be “merited,” and people atone for their sins by doing penances. We will travel through history and meet some fascinating people (both good and bad). And we will look at some official Catholic documents that show a surprising side of the Catholic Church.
Please print this Home Page and Chapter 1 (“Hiding Behind Words”) and give them to your pastor.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mary Ann Collins entered the convent because she wanted to be close to God. She gradually realized that some Catholic doctrines are contrary to Scripture. She left the convent and became a Protestant Christian, and she finally found the relationship with God that she had been seeking all along.
Hiding Behind Words
What happens if two people are talking, and they use the same vocabulary, but they have a different dictionary? What if the same word means quite different things to them? They may think that they understand one another when, in reality, they have no idea of what the other person is thinking. They may think that they are in agreement about something when they actually disagree. This can happen between Catholics and Protestants. For example, let’s look at the word “grace.” According to the Bible, salvation cannot be earned. The Apostle Paul said: “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)
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us...” (Titus 3:5) However, according to Catholic doctrine, if people do good works, and they fulfill certain specified requirements, then they can merit a “divine reward” from God. This is a doctrine of earning spiritual things by doing good works. The liturgical ritual for baptizing infants includes a prayer asking God to give grace to the water in the baptismal font (the water that will be used to sprinkle the infant). So for Catholics, “grace” is something that can be given to inanimate objects, such as water. When I was a Catholic, this made sense to me, because I was used to accepting whatever the priest said without question. Now that I am a Protestant, and I have some understanding of Scripture, the idea is incomprehensible. In the Bible, grace seems to be a simple thing. But somehow the Catholic Church makes it seem complicated and mystifying. The “Pocket Catholic Dictionary” has a complex, technical, threeparagraph definition of “grace” that ends by recommending that the reader also look at entries for actual grace, efficacious grace, habitual grace, justifying grace, sacramental grace, sanctifying grace, and sufficient grace. It also has entries for “baptismal graces” and “state of grace.” Here is an example of how Protestants can think that they understand Catholicism, when they really don’t. A Catholic priest wrote to me saying that the Catholic Church teaches that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. He failed to mention something. It teaches that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ--PLUS being baptized, going to Mass on Sundays, receiving communion at least once a year, going to confession at least once a year, believing the official doctrines of the Catholic Church, and dying in a state of grace. (In America, Mass on Saturdays can be substituted for Mass on Sundays.) Until the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), popes openly declared that there is no salvation apart from the Pope. That involves more than faith in Jesus Christ. Modern popes taught that salvation comes through Mary. According to the “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” Mary has a “saving office” and her intercession brings us our salvation. In 1993, Pope John Paul II said that Mary “obtains for us divine mercy.” Words can cause confusion. For example, Catholic theologians speak of three degrees of homage, which have Latin words. “Latria” is the kind of worship that is due to God alone. “Dulia” is appropriate for honoring the saints. “Hyperdulia” is appropriate for honoring Mary. It is higher than “dulia,” but not “latria.” Because of these three words, Catholic theologians say that Catholics do not worship Mary. However, in the real world, these theological distinctions don’t work. Most Catholics have never heard of these words. Of those who have, how many know how to apply them in practical ways? Catholics are not taught how to engage in “hyperdulia” without crossing a line that results in actually practicing “latria” towards Mary without realizing it. When I was a Catholic, sometimes people would ask me about praying to Mary and the saints. I used to say that I was just asking them to pray for me, like I would ask a friend. But there is a difference. When I talk to my friends, I am talking to people who are alive--not people who have
died. The Bible tells us that we should not communicate with dead people, that we should not seek the dead on behalf of the living. (Isaiah 8:19; Deuteronomy 18:11-12) So what I said was misleading. However, I didn’t realize it at the time. Some ways of using words can result in statements that are technically correct, but the result is misleading. Here is an example. For centuries, the Catholic Church would not allow the Bible to be translated into English. It was only available in Latin. A Catholic apologist told me that this made no difference, because the common people were illiterate. They were unable to read and write. They would not have been able to read the Bible even if it had been available in English. However, during Mass, the priests read passages from Scripture out loud. Even people who can’t read are able to understand what they hear. If the Scripture passages had been read in English, then the people would have understood them. When the Bible was finally translated into English, it was kept in a church. All day long, men took turns reading the Bible out loud, while crowds of people listened.
PRACTICAL CONSEQUENCES OF MISLEADING VOCABULARY
I have an Evangelical friend who has seriously studied Catholicism. He had an urgent, practical need for the information, because he married a Catholic woman. At the time that he married her, he believed that Catholicism was “just another valid form of Christianity.” He attended Mass with his wife on Sundays. After a while, he began to feel that something was wrong. Then he started investigating Catholicism. This is what my friend Jeff has to say: “Today's ecumenical movement draws many Protestants and Roman Catholics together, because they believe that they share a common faith. The Protestants believe that there are outward differences, but the faith is the same. The Catholics believe that their faith is Biblical, and that Protestants are just separated brothers and sisters who need the Mother Church in order to experience the fullness of the faith. When you look into it, though, you'll find that the majority of Protestants and Catholics are unfamiliar with the history and official doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, and, indeed, unfamiliar with the Bible. They prefer to get along with one another in matters of faith, rather than to investigate, understand, and contend for the Gospel of Christ, as laid out in the Bible, and to compare it with official Catholic doctrine. As a result, many Roman Catholic teachings remain out of view for the average church-goer and mass-attendee. Those who do earnestly investigate Catholicism, and compare it with the Bible, find that some of the language appears to be the same, but the definitions, beliefs, applications, and perspectives behind this language are anything but the same. They also find a multitude of additional layers and dimensions to Roman Catholicism that they would never have imagined.” (Jeff Lawlor, used by permission.) In Jeff’s case, the situation worked out. His wife became an Evangelical Christian. Jeff and his wife are in agreement about how to raise children, where to go to church, and how to practice their religion in their home.
I have corresponded with many suffering Christians whose situation did not work out well. After they married a Catholic, they discovered that Catholicism is radically different from what they thought it was. Because of that, they are no longer able to attend Mass, or to instruct their children in the Catholic faith. They have discussed their problem with their Catholic spouse, but their spouse remains loyal to the Catholic Church. As a result, their home is full of conflict and confusion, and their children suffer because of it. Because these people didn’t understand the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism back when they were courting, they and their children are suffering today. Verbal confusion can result in serious practical consequences.
Was the Early Church Roman Catholic?
The Roman Catholic Church claims that the early Christians were all Roman Catholics and that (aside from the Orthodox Church) all Christians were Roman Catholics until the Protestant Reformation. It also claims that the Apostle Peter was the first Pope, ruling from Rome. But do these claims stand up to the test of history? Or are they false credentials? There is historical evidence that the Roman Catholic Church began with Emperor Constantine. Many Protestants believe that, throughout Church history, there have been many true Christians who were not Catholics, and these Christians were often killed by the Catholic Church. They also believe that Peter was just one of the apostles.
On October 28, 312 A.D., the Roman Emperor Constantine met with Bishop Miltiades. (Catholics would later refer to him as Pope Miltiades, but at the time he was known as the Bishop of Rome.) Miltiades was assisted by Silvester, a Roman who spoke educated Latin and acted as interpreter. The previous day, Constantine had seen a sign in the heavens: a cross in front of the sun. He heard a voice say that he would conquer in the sign that he had seen. Constantine painted crosses on the shields of his soldiers. They won an important battle. He believed that the victory was due to the power of the sign he had seen. He asked for two of the three nails that were used to crucify Jesus. One nail was made into a bit for his horse. Another nail was made a part of his crown, signifying that Constantine ruled the Roman Empire in the name of Jesus. He allowed Miltiades to keep the third nail. The fact that Constantine saw the cross and the sun together may explain why he worshiped the Roman sun god, while at the same time professing to be a Christian. After his “conversion,” Constantine built a triumphal arch featuring the sun god (the “unconquered sun”). His coins featured the sun. Constantine made a statue of the sun god, with his own face on it, for his new city of Constantinople. He made Sunday (the day of the Roman sun god) into a day of rest when work was forbidden. Constantine declared that a mosaic of the sun god (riding in a chariot) represented Jesus. During Constantine’s reign, many Christians followed the Emperor’s example and incorporated worship
of the sun god into their religion. They prayed kneeling towards the east (where the sun rises). They said that Jesus Christ drives his chariot across the sky (like the sun god). They had their worship services on Sunday, which honored the sun god. (Days of the week were named in honor of pagan gods.) They celebrated the birth of Jesus on December 25, the day when sun worshipers celebrated the birthday of the sun, following the winter solstice. Historians disagree as to whether or not Constantine actually became a Christian. His character certainly did not reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ. Constantine was vain, violent and superstitious. He worshiped the sun god. He had little respect for human life. He was known for wholesale slaughter during his military campaigns. He forced prisoners of war to fight for their lives against wild beasts. He had several family members (including his second wife) executed for questionable reasons. Constantine waited until he was dying before asking to be baptized. Historians disagree as to whether or not he actually was baptized. Constantine wanted to have a state church, with Christian clergy acting as civil servants. He called himself a bishop. He said that he was the interpreter of the Word of God. He claimed to be the voice that declares what is true and godly. According to historian Paul Johnson, Constantine saw himself as being an important agent of salvation, on a par with the apostles. Bishop Eusebius (Constantine’s eulogist) relates that Constantine built the Church of the Apostles with the intention of having his own body be kept there along with the bodies of the apostles. Constantine’s coffin was to be in the center (the place of honor), with six apostles on each side of him. He expected that devotions honoring the apostles would be performed in the church. Constantine expected to share the title and honor of the apostles. Constantine told Bishop Miltiades that he wanted to build two Christian basilicas, in honor of the Apostles Peter and Paul. He offered a large, magnificent palace for the use of Miltiades and his successors. Miltiades refused. He could not accept the idea of having Christianity be promoted by the Roman Empire. Constantine rode off to war. By the time that he returned in 314 A.D., Miltiades had died. Bishop Silvester was Miltiades’ successor. Silvester was eager to have the Church be spread, using Roman roads, Roman wealth, Roman law, Roman power, and Roman military might. Constantine officially approved of Silvester as the successor of Miltiades. Then he had a coronation ceremony for Silvester and crowned him like a worldly prince. This was the first time that a bishop had ever been crowned. Before Constantine’s “conversion,” Christians were persecuted. Now, instead of facing persecution, Bishop Silvester lived in luxury. He had a beautiful palace, with the finest furniture and art. He wore silk brocade robes. He had servants to wait on him. Near his palace was a basilica that served as his cathedral. This luxurious building had seven altars made of gold, a canopy of solid silver above the main altar, and 50 chandeliers. The imperial mail system and transportation system were placed at Silvester’s disposal. It was now possible to have worldwide church councils. Have you read the Book of Acts and the Epistles? If so, compare the Church, as portrayed there, with the Church of Bishop Silvester. Here is how the Apostle Paul described the kinds of things that he had to endure, as a leader in the early Church: “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” (2 Corinthians 11:24-27)
After Constantine’s “conversion,” the Church was radically changed. Suddenly, being Christian resulted in power, prestige, and promotion (whereas previously it had resulted in persecution). Suddenly, by the Emperor’s decree, Christianity became politically correct. As a result, ambitious people joined the Church for worldly reasons. The Bishop of Rome was supported by the military might, political power, and wealth of the Roman Emperor. Worldwide church councils were convened. This was the birth of the Roman Catholic Church. It was created in the year 314 A.D. by Emperor Constantine and Bishop Silvester.
A TALE OF TWO BISHOPS
The degree of change that Constantine caused in the Church can be illustrated by looking at the lives of two Bishops of Rome. Let’s go back in history to look at the life of Bishop Pontian, who died 76 years before Constantine’s “conversion.” Then we will compare Pontian’s life with the life of Bishop Silvester. (The following information about Bishops Pontian and Silvester comes from several sources. See Note 9.) Pontian became the Bishop of Rome in the year 230 A.D. He was made bishop suddenly and unexpectedly, when his predecessor was arrested and killed by Roman authorities. On September 27, 235 A.D., Emperor Maximinus decreed that all Christian leaders were to be arrested. Christian buildings were burned. Christian cemeteries were closed. The personal wealth of Christians was confiscated. Bishop Pontian was arrested the same day. He was put in the Mamertine Prison, where he was tortured for 10 days. Then he was sent to work in the lead mines of Sardinia. When prisoners arrived at Sardinia, iron rings were soldered around their ankles, linked together with a six-inch chain that hobbled them. A tight chain around their waist was fastened to their ankle-chain in such a way that they were permanently bent over. The prisoners worked for 20 hours a day, with four one-hour breaks for sleep. They had one meal of bread and water per day. Most prisoners died within six to fourteen months from exhaustion, malnutrition, disease, beatings, infection, or violence. Some went insane or committed suicide. Pontian only lasted four months. In January, 236 A.D., Pontian was killed. His body was thrown into the cesspool. What happened to Pontian was not unusual. Many Christians were sent to the Sardinian lead mines, or persecuted in other ways. If a man accepted the position of being a Christian leader, he knew that his life from that time on was likely to be short and painful. There were 14 Bishops of Rome in the 79 years between Pontian and Silvester. Then along came Constantine. In the year 314 A.D., Emperor Constantine crowned Silvester as Bishop of Rome. Silvester lived in luxury, with servants waiting on him. Constantine confessed his sins to Silvester and asked for his advice. Silvester presided over worldwide Church councils. He had a splendid palace and a sumptuous cathedral. He had power, prestige, wealth, pomp, and the favor of the Emperor.
Silvester died in December, 336 A.D. He died peacefully, in a clean, comfortable bed, in the Roman Lateran Palace. He was surrounded by well-dressed bishops and attended by Roman guards. His body was dressed in ceremonial robes, put in an elegant casket, and carried through the streets of Rome in a solemn procession. He was buried with honor and ceremony, attended by leading members of Roman society. It is understandable that many Christians would have preferred an officially approved status for the Church. But what was the result? Before Constantine, the Church was a band of heroic men and women who were so committed to serve the Lord Jesus Christ that they would endure any hardship. After 314 A.D., the Church became infiltrated by opportunists who were seeking power and political advancement. Church leaders were no longer in danger of persecution. Rather, they enjoyed power, prestige, and luxury. Did the Roman Empire surrender to Christianity? Or did Christianity prostitute itself in order to gain benefits from the Roman Empire? The temptation for an ungodly alliance with the Roman Empire was very great. But at what cost?
In 380 A.D., Emperor Theodosius published an edict requiring that all Roman subjects profess the faith of the Bishop of Rome. Those who refused were considered to be “heretics.” Jews, pagans, and “heretics” were subject to harsh punishments. In 390 A.D., Bishop Ambrose excommunicated Emperor Theodosius. In order to be restored to the Church, the Roman Emperor had to do penance for eight months. Theodosius complied. It is amazing how much power the Roman Catholic Church gained in 76 years. Constantine promoted the Church by giving it special benefits, but Theodosius forced people to become Roman Catholics. He imposed harsh punishments on anybody who disagreed with the Bishop of Rome. Constantine asked for advice from Bishop Silvester, but Theodosius obeyed orders given by Bishop Ambrose. Catholicism was now the state religion of the Roman Empire. The Roman Catholic Church, which was born under Emperor Constantine, had now become so powerful that a bishop could give orders to the Roman Emperor.
FROM MARTYRS TO “HERETIC” HUNTERS
Emperor Constantine and Bishop Silvester created the Roman Catholic Church in the year 314 A.D. Forty years later, Augustine was born. He became a bishop and a “doctor of the Church.” He lived from 354 to 430 A.D. Augustine insisted that it was right and necessary to use force to bring about unity among Christians. He said that “heretics” should not just be expelled from the Church. Rather, they should be compelled to denounce their beliefs and conform to “orthodoxy,” or else be destroyed. This became the basis for the Inquisition. It was used to justify killing “heretics” throughout the history of the Catholic Church.
During the century following Constantine, the Roman Catholic Church went through an amazing transformation. Catholics became “heretic” hunters. They killed people who disagreed with them. By the time of the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church burned people at the stake for translating the Bible into the language of the common people. They even burned people for reading the Bible in Latin. (See the chapter, “Hunting ‘Heretics.’”) The Book of Acts tells how the high priest and the Jewish leaders put the Apostles in prison. They wanted to kill them, because the Apostles told people about Jesus. Gamaliel, a respected rabbi, urged them not to persecute the Christians. He said: “And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” (Acts 5:38-39; see Acts 5:17-40) Jim Jones was a religious leader who ordered his 900 followers to commit suicide. They obeyed him. Jones and his followers demonstrated that Gamaliel was right. They destroyed themselves. Their religious movement died with them. The men who translated the Bible into the language of the common people also demonstrated that Gamaliel was right. The Catholic Church was unable to suppress the translation of the Bible. That is why people like us, who are not Latin scholars, are able to read the Bible today. How does the persecution of “heretics” compare with the picture of Jesus that we see in the Gospels? Did Jesus try to force people to conform to His teachings? With amazing patience, Jesus kept on teaching the crowds of people, healing the sick, and demonstrating the love and the power of God. When His disciples didn’t understand His teachings, He explained them. (Luke 8:5-15) When the rich young man turned away from Jesus, He didn’t rebuke him or threaten him. He let him go. (Matthew 19:16-22) Many of Jesus’ disciples left Him. Jesus asked the Twelve: “Will ye also go away?” (John 6:67) He didn’t threaten them or rebuke them. He didn’t try to force them to believe what He taught them. He left them free to believe or not believe, to stay or to leave.
LEGENDS AND TRADITIONS
I was taught that, when he was a boy, George Washington chopped down a cherry tree and confessed his transgression to his father. Parson Weems’ biography of George Washington is the source of that story. According to modern historians, the cherry tree event never happened. I was quite surprised to hear that, because I had never questioned the story. Some people say that Parson Weems deliberately created the cherry tree legend some time between 1800 and 1809. But perhaps Parson Weems wasn’t deliberately deceiving people. Perhaps he was simply passing on a story that he believed to be true. Either way, modern biographers of George Washington say that the cherry tree episode never really happened. If we hear a story repeated often enough, then we tend to believe it. The idea of questioning it becomes almost unthinkable, because the story is so familiar and so widely accepted. I believe that something similar has happened with the Catholic Church’s stories about Peter. These traditions have been repeated so often that many people never question them. (See the chapter, “According to Tradition.”)
THE “EARLY FATHERS”
Catholic apologists often quote the “Early Fathers” in support of Catholic doctrines, the papacy, and other Catholic claims. Who were these people? There were many early Christian leaders, including priests, bishops, and scholars. There were a lot of these men. They had a wide variety of opinions on religious matters. Their theological differences were as widely varied as those of theologians from different denominations are today. So one person finds some Early Fathers to support one position, and another person finds some other Early Fathers to support the opposite position. But it’s not a level playing field. Among all of those early Christian leaders, who decided which ones qualified to be called Early Fathers? The Catholic Church. There is also the problem of knowing which documents are authentic. Some documents were forged. They were falsely attributed to Early Fathers, in order to give them credibility. In addition, some genuine documents were changed by forgers, in order to give credibility to papal claims of power and authority. Sometimes these altered documents wound up saying the opposite of what they had originally said. (See the chapter, “Forged Documents and Papal Power.”)
According to Roman Catholic doctrine, popes and Catholic church councils are infallible. This means that, whenever they make official declarations concerning matters of faith or morals, God supernaturally protects them from making errors. Infallibility applies to all Roman Catholic popes and church councils: past, present, and future. What happens if a pope or a Catholic church council makes an “infallible” declaration that directly contradicts the “infallible” declaration of another pope or church council? Truth does not contradict truth. Therefore, if the “infallible” pronouncements of the popes and Catholic church councils really are infallible, they will never contradict other “infallible” pronouncements. So if there is even one contradiction, then the doctrine of infallibility cannot be correct. The claim for papal infallibility does not stand up to the test of history. Pope Zosimus (417-418 A.D.) reversed the pronouncement of a previous pope. He also retracted a doctrinal pronouncement that he himself had previously made. Pope Honorious was condemned as a heretic by the Sixth Ecumenical Council (680-681 A.D.). (This means that Pope Honorious made doctrinal statements that are contrary to Roman Catholic doctrine.) He was also condemned as a heretic by Pope Leo II, as well as by every other pope until the eleventh century. So here we have “infallible” popes condemning another “infallible” pope as a heretic. In 1870, the First Vatican Council abolished some “infallible” papal decrees. It also abolished some decrees of two “infallible” Catholic Church councils. The doctrine of the Assumption of Mary states that Mary was taken bodily up to Heaven. This was officially declared to be a dogma of the Roman Catholic faith on November 1, 1950. Therefore, every Roman Catholic is required to believe this doctrine without questioning it. However, as we will see, the teaching of the Assumption of Mary originated with heretical writings that were officially condemned by the early Church.
In 495 A.D., Pope Gelasius declared that the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary is a heresy, and that people who teach it are heretics. In the sixth century, Pope Hormisdas declared that anyone teaching this doctrine is a heretic. Two “infallible” popes both declared that this doctrine is a heresy. Then, on November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII (another “infallible” pope) declared that the same doctrine is official Roman Catholic dogma, which all Catholics are required to believe. So before November 1, 1950, any Catholic who believed in the Assumption of Mary was a heretic (because of “infallible” declarations of popes). But after November 1, 1950, any Catholic who failed to believe in the Assumption of Mary was a heretic (because of the “infallible” declaration of Pope Pius XII). In 1864, Pope Pius IX “infallibly” declared that the idea that people have a right to freedom of conscience and freedom of worship is “insanity,” “evil,” “depraved,” and “reprobate.” He also declared that non-Catholics who live in Catholic countries should not be allowed to publicly practice their religion. In 1888, Pope Leo XIII “infallibly” declared that freedom of thought and freedom of worship are wrong. The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) produced a document called, “Declaration on Religious Liberty,” which states that all people have a right to freedom of religion. Now I certainly agree with the idea of freedom of religion. However, it totally contradicts the “infallible” declarations of Popes Pius IX and Leo XIII. It also contradicts the Council of Trent, the killing of “heretics,” the Inquisition, the burning of people who translated the Bible into English, and the persecution of Protestants during the Protestant Reformation. Freedom of religion also contradicts modern Canon Law (1983). Canon 1366 says that parents are to be punished if they allow their children to be baptized in a “non-Catholic religion” or taught to observe it. The reference to baptism shows that this means Christian religions that are not Roman Catholic. Here the Catholic Church is on the horns of a dilemma. If it says that people have a right to freedom of religion, then it admits that it is not infallible. If it says that it is infallible, then it admits that it really does not believe that people have a right to freedom of religion. The Catholic Church can claim infallibility, or it can claim that it has seen the error of its ways and it now supports freedom of religion. But it can’t have it both ways. Two Roman Catholic organizations have found contradictions between “infallible” doctrinal declarations of the Second Vatican Council and “infallible” doctrinal pronouncements of Pope Pius IX. The conservative group (True Catholic) concludes that, therefore, the Second Vatican Council must not be legitimate. The liberal group (Women Priests) concludes that, therefore, Pope Pius IX taught “errors.” Either way, there are contradictions between official doctrinal declarations of an “infallible” pope and an “infallible” church council. True Catholic also claims that Pope John Paul II has taught 101 things that are contrary to “infallible” Catholic doctrines that were declared by “infallible” popes and church councils. They conclude that John Paul II is therefore a heretic. According to Canon Law, that would mean that he is not a valid pope. So they call him an antipope. If John Paul II is not a valid pope, then the papal chair has been vacant. In order to rectify this situation, True Catholic has elected a pope. On May 20, 1998, Pope Pius XIII was elected.
So we now have two men who claim to be Pope: John Paul II and Pius XIII. It seems that having two men claim to be Pope at the same time is not confined to the Middle Ages.
The Roman Catholic Church was created by Emperor Constantine and Bishop Silvester in the year 314 A.D. Peter did not act like a Pope and he did not describe himself as having any special authority. In the Church meeting that is described in chapter 15 of the Book of Acts, James appears to be the person in authority. He makes the final decision. The Bible shows Peter as being in Jerusalem, not in Rome. There are “infallible” doctrinal declarations that contradict one another. Therefore, the doctrine of infallibility is not valid. The contradiction of “infallible” doctrines has caused some very conservative Catholics to believe that John Paul II is not a valid pope and the Second Vatican Council was not a valid council. It has also caused some very liberal Catholics to believe that Pope Pius IX taught doctrinal errors.
Was Peter a Pope?
Peter did not describe himself as being a high and mighty Pope, with authority over the entire Church. Rather, he called himself “a servant.” (2 Peter 1:1) According to “Strong’s Concordance,” the word means, “a slave.” Peter also referred to himself as a fellow “elder.” (1 Peter 5:1) Rather than claiming special authority for himself, Peter said that all believers are a “royal priesthood.” He said: “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” (1 Peter 2:9) In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John confirmed Peter’s statement that all true believers are priests. (Revelation 1:5-6; 5:9-10; 20:6) (Catholic Bibles refer to the “Book of Revelation” as “The Apocalypse.”) Peter (supposedly the first Pope) prohibited the attitudes and practices that have been prevalent in the papacy. He said that leaders must not act like lords (people with rank, power, and special privileges) and they must not seek wealth (“filthy lucre”). Peter described himself as being an elder, like the other elders. He said: “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:1-3)
How does Peter, as portrayed in the Bible, compare with the Pope? Peter was a humble fisherman. The Pope is a monarch who sits on a throne. When he celebrates a Pontifical Mass, the Pope enters the sanctuary seated in a portable throne that is carried on the shoulders of uniformed men. As head of the Catholic Church, the Pope controls immense wealth, with widespread investments around the world. The wealth of the Vatican is amazing. Catholic theologians claim that Jesus built the Roman Catholic Church on the Apostle Peter. They base this on Matthew 16:18, where Jesus told Peter: “And I say unto thee, That thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Let’s look at the context of this statement. The Bible says, “He [Jesus] saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.... Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.” (Matthew 16:15-18, 20) Does the rock on which the church is built represent Peter, or does it represent Jesus Christ? Peter himself answered this question. He said that the rock is Jesus. In the Book of Acts, the high priest and other Jewish leaders questioned the apostles concerning a man who had been healed. The Bible describes this confrontation: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:8-12) Peter also referred to Jesus as the cornerstone in his first epistle. He described the church as a building made up of many stones (the individual believers) and founded on Jesus, who is the chief cornerstone. Peter said: “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 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...” (1 Peter 2:3-9) So the Catholic Church says that Peter is the rock. But Peter declared that Jesus is the rock. Jesus Himself said that He is the rock. He told a parable about a vineyard, with tenants who refused to give a portion of their fruit to the owner of the vineyard. The owner sent servants. The tenants beat some servants and killed others. Finally, the owner sent his own son. The tenants
killed him. Jesus concluded the parable by quoting Psalm 118:22-23, which says that the cornerstone was rejected by the builders. This parable describes how God sent prophets to Israel, but the Israelites rejected them. Then God sent His Son, and the Israelites rejected Him and killed Him. They thought that He was worthless. They did not realize that He was of foundational importance to them. In the context of this parable, the stone can only refer to Jesus. It cannot possibly refer to Peter. Jesus said: “And again he [the lord of the vineyard] sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?” (Mark 12:4-11; see Mark 12:1-12. Also see Matthew 21:33-46 and Luke 20:9-19) Look at the context of Jesus’ statement. He was on His way to Jerusalem to be crucified. He had already said: “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem: and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” (Matthew 20:1819) In the parable of the vineyard, Jesus was predicting His own death. In that context, Jesus said that the son who was killed by the tenants was the cornerstone. The Apostle Paul said that the church is built on all of the apostles (not just Peter) and that Jesus is the cornerstone. He also said that Jesus Christ is our spiritual rock. Paul wrote: “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22) “...for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4) In Romans 9:31-33, Paul said that Jesus was a rock of offense for the Israelites, because they tried to be saved by works of the law, instead of by faith. In the New Testament, there are three Greek words for “stone.” “Lithos” means a stone like a millstone, or a stumbling stone. The other two words are “petra” and “petros.” “Vine’s Expository Dictionary” says that “petra” means, “a mass of rock.” It says that “petros” means, “a detached stone or boulder.” It also says that “petros” means, “a stone that can be thrown or easily moved.” In Matthew 16:18, the word for Peter is “petros,” a detached stone that can easily be moved. The word for the rock on which the church is built is “petra,” a mass of rock. Other examples of the
use of “petra” show what a huge mass of rock is meant by the word. They include the man who built his house on rock (as opposed to sand) and the tomb where Jesus’ body was placed. (It was carved out of a rock.) (See Matthew 7:24-27 and 27:60.) Have you ever climbed up a rocky mountain? You are standing on a huge rock (the mountain). This is a “petra.” As you climb up this massive rock, you pass many smaller rocks, varying in size from small stones to large boulders. The smaller rocks are detached. They can be rolled down the mountainside. That kind of rock is a “petros,” which is the name that Jesus gave to Peter. Did Peter act like he was in charge of the early Church? The Book of Acts describes a controversy about whether or not gentile converts to Christianity should be required to be circumcised and to follow the Jewish dietary laws. Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to confer with the apostles about it. (Acts 15:2-4) Peter and other people spoke. (Acts 15:7-13) Following a period of silence, James (not Peter) made the final decision in the matter. He called it a “sentence.” According to “Strong’s Concordance,” the word means a judicial sentence, a decree, or a judgment. The Bible says: “And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me...Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” (Acts 15:13, 19-20 ) This is the last mention of Peter in the Book of Acts. The Book of Acts is the history of the early Church up until a few years before Peter’s death. If Peter was “the first Pope,” and the officially recognized head of the Church, would we not expect that the Biblical history of the early Church would have said more about him? The Book of Acts says nothing about Peter being in authority over the whole Church. It shows no connection between Peter and Rome. Acts 28:14-15 tells how Paul met with the “brethren” in Rome, but it makes no mention of Peter. As we shall see, when Paul met with Peter in Jerusalem, Peter was identified by name. Acts 2:14 and Acts 8:14 say that Peter was in Jerusalem. Acts 9:36-43 says that Peter went to Joppa, which is near Jerusalem. In chapter 10 of the Book of Acts, Peter is still in Joppa. Acts 11:2 says that Peter returned to Jerusalem. Joppa is about 30 miles from Jerusalem. If the Book of Acts records this much detail about Peter’s visit to a nearby town, wouldn’t it tell us if Peter went all the way to Rome? Particularly since it does tell us that Paul went to Rome. Acts 15:1-20 tells how Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to meet with the “apostles and elders” of Jerusalem. Peter is identified as being one of the apostles of Jerusalem. The Bible says: “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise
them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.” (Acts 15:1-7 ) The Apostle Paul identified Peter as being an apostle in Jerusalem. He said: “Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.” (Galatians 1:18-19 ) The Book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul. He addressed it to “all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints...” (Romans 1:7) In Romans 16:1-15, Paul greeted 26 people by name. He never mentioned Peter. If Peter was the leader of the Church in Rome, then why didn’t Paul mention him? Paul wrote five letters from a Roman prison (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 2 Timothy, and Philemon). He never mentioned Peter. The man who stayed with Paul in Rome, to help him and encourage him, was Luke--not Peter. (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11) Paul only mentioned Peter in one of his epistles. In Galatians 1:18-19, Paul said that he went to Jerusalem to see Peter and James. In Galatians 2:8, Paul said that he preached to the gentiles and Peter preached to the Jews (the “circumcision”). In Galatians 2:11-15, Paul recounted how he publicly rebuked Peter, because Peter had become so intimidated by the Judaizers that he “walked not uprightly.” Evidently, Paul’s public correction of Peter did not cause a problem between them. Peter loved and respected Paul as a brother. He exhorted the Church to heed Paul’s wisdom. Peter said: “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things...” (2 Peter 3:15-16 ) In the next chapter, you will read about some popes. Please compare their behavior, attitude, and demeanor with that of Peter. If you were Peter, would you want them to say that they represent you?
The Roman Catholic Church paints a picture of an orderly series of popes--a chain of succession-who faithfully followed in the footsteps of the Apostle Peter. If even one of these men was not a valid Pope, then the chain is broken. What does it take to be a valid Pope? What does the Bible say are the minimum requirements for Church leaders? In order to be a Pope or a cardinal, a man must first be a bishop. Therefore, a Pope must at least meet the Biblical requirements for being a bishop. The Apostle Paul gave Timothy and Titus instructions regarding the necessary qualifications for
bishops. He told them: “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker [not violent], not greedy of filthy lucre [money]; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:2-7 ) “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker [not violent], not given to filthy lucre [money]; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” (Titus 1:7-9) We are going to look at some popes and compare their lives with the Biblical qualifications for being a bishop. In the process, we will learn about some distressing things. However, we should not be surprised. Jesus told us that there would be tares among the wheat. (Matthew 13:24-30) He also warned us that there would be wolves among the sheep. (Matthew 7:15) So did the Apostle Paul. (Acts 20:29-30) Every church has had its share of tares and wolves. However, the Catholic Church claims to have apostolic succession--an unbroken chain of valid popes that goes all the way back to the Apostle Peter. My reason for telling you about these “wolf” popes is to demonstrate that some popes were not even valid bishops, let alone valid popes. And that breaks the “chain” of succession. I apologize for putting you through this, but I can’t adequately make my point without giving you this information. If you don’t want to read about these things, then skip to the heading “Imperial Popes.” Pope Honorius reigned from 625 to 638 A.D. He was condemned as a heretic by the Sixth Ecumenical Council (680-681). He was also condemned as a heretic by Pope Leo II, as well as by every other pope until the eleventh century. In 769, Pope Stephen IV came to power with the help of an army that conquered the previous Pope. Stephen gave orders for his papal rival to be flogged, have his eyes cut out, have his kneecaps broken, and be imprisoned until he died. Then Pope Stephen sentenced a second man to die a slow, agonizing death, by having pieces of his body cut off every day until he finally died. Pope Leo V only reigned for one month (July 903). Cardinal Christopher put Leo in prison and became Pope. Then Christopher was put in prison by Cardinal Sergius. Sergius killed Leo and Christopher while they were in prison. He also killed every cardinal who had opposed him. Pope John XII reigned from 955 to 963. He was a violent man. He was so lustful that people of his day said that he turned the Lateran Palace into a house of prostitution. He drank toasts to the devil. When gambling, he invoked pagan gods and goddesses. He was killed by a jealous husband while in the act of committing adultery with the man’s wife. In the tenth century, a wealthy Italian noblewoman named Marozia put nine popes into office in eight years. In order to do that, she also had to get rid of reigning popes. Two of them were strangled, one was suffocated, and four disappeared under mysterious circumstances. One of the popes was Marozia’s son; he was fathered by a Pope. In 1003, Pope Silvester II was murdered by his successor, Pope John XVII. Seven months later,
John was poisoned. Pope Benedict VIII reigned from 1012 to 1024. He bought the papacy with bribery. He kept a private force of “pope’s men” who were known for torture, maiming, and murder. When Benedict VIII died, his brother seized power and became Pope John XIX. He had himself ordained a priest, consecrated as a bishop, and crowned as pope, all in the same day. John died under suspicious circumstances. In 1095, Pope Urban II called for a Crusade to take Jerusalem (the “holy land”) back from the Muslims. This was a “holy war.” The Pope said that Crusaders would have full remission of their sins, and if they died in battle they would be martyrs. As the Crusaders went through Europe on their way to Jerusalem, they slaughtered European Jews. When they reached Jerusalem, they were brutal in their conquest of the city. Many Muslims were beheaded, but some were tortured and then burned to death. This began a conflict between Islam and the West that is still going on today. Later popes called for other Crusades. At first they targetted Muslims, but the Fourth Crusade (in 1198) was against Orthodox Christians in Constantinople. Pope Benedict IX reigned from 1032 to 1044, in 1045, and from 1047 to 1048. He became Pope through bribery. He squandered the wealth of the Papacy on prostitutes and lavish banquets, and he had people murdered. The citizens of Rome hated Benedict so much that, on two occasions, he had to flee from Rome. Benedict sold the papacy to Pope Gregory VI. As part of the deal, he continued to live in the Lateran Palace, with a generous income. Benedict filled the Lateran Palace with prostitutes. In 1298, Pope Boniface VIII ordered that every man, woman, child, and animal in the Italian town of Palestrina be slaughtered. He was known for torture, massacre, and ferocity. Pope Clement VI reigned from 1342 to 1352. He ordered the slaughter of an entire Italian town. He lived a life of luxury and extravagance. He openly admitted that he sold church offices and he used threats and bribery to gain power. Clement purchased a French palace, which became famous for its prostitutes. Pope Alexander VI (the Borgia Pope) reigned from 1492 to 1503. He was known for murder, bribery, and selling positions of authority in the Catholic Church. He enjoyed luxurious living. The art book “Treasures of the Vatican” shows a portrait of him wearing gold vestments that are covered with jewels. They look like pearls, emeralds, large rubies, and other jewels. His tiara (the papal crown) is gold, with three rows of large jewels on it. Alexander had four children by mistresses. His son Cesare was known for the kinds of murderous intrigues that make good opera plots. According to “The Oxford Dictionary of Popes,” Cesare and Alexander killed people and seized their property. Pope Alexander was so hated that when he died, the priests who came to say prayers for him were driven away by the palace guards, and his body was left unattended. Pope Julius II reigned from 1503 to 1513. He became Pope through bribery. He was ruthless and violent. He had a reputation for lust, drunkenness, rages, deception, and nepotism. Pope Leo X reigned from 1513 to 1521. He mixed paganism with Christianity. He had performances of Christ’s crucifixion and ancient mythology. He filled Rome with splendid Church processions and statues of Greek gods and goddesses. He put a statue of himself in Rome’s Capitol, to be saluted by the public. Pope Gregory VII reigned from 1073 to 1085. He required kings and emperors to kiss his foot. Gregory and his successors used forged documents in order to expand the power of the papacy. Some Roman Catholics tried to expose these forgeries, but they were excommunicated for it.
However, the Orthodox Church kept records and wrote detailed information about the forgeries. (For more information about this, see the chapter, “Forged Documents and Papal Power.”) Simony was rampant among clerics. It was commonplace for priests to pay money in order to become bishops and abbots. Pope Gregory VII said that he knew of more than 40 men who became Pope by means of bribery. Pope Innocent III reigned from 1198 to 1216. He said that the Pope is the ruler of the world and the father of princes and kings. He claimed that every priest and bishop must obey the Pope, even if the Pope commands something evil. Pope Innocent wanted to get rid of the Albigensian “heretics” who lived in France. He forced the King of France to kill hundreds of thousands of French citizens. Albigensians and Catholics lived together in the same area in France. Pope Innocent commanded that every person in the region, including the Catholics, be killed. This was called the Albigensian Crusade, or the Albigensian Massacre. The Pope gave the Albigensian Crusaders a special indulgence that was supposed to guarantee that, if they died in battle, then their sins would be remitted, and they would go to Heaven. Would you want any of these men to be your pastor? Sometimes two or more men would claim to be Pope at the same time. All of these claimants to the papacy had followers. Eventually, one contender would be declared to be Pope and the other would be declared to be an antipope. For centuries, Roman Catholic books differed as to which men they considered to be the genuine popes. However, today there is much more agreement about which men were popes and which men were antipopes. According to “The Catholic Encyclopedia,” there were 30 antipopes. None of these men met the biblical requirements for being an ordinary bishop, let alone Pope. Therefore, they were not valid popes. There are so many breaks in the chain of apostolic succession that it is not a chain at all. There is one Biblical qualification for being a bishop that most popes have not met. The Apostle Paul said: “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife...One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (1 Timothy 3:2, 4-5) Paul said that even deacons should be married men whose home lives demonstrated their ability to rule the Church. He instructed Timothy as follows: “Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.” (1 Timothy 3:12 ) Pope Gregory VII wanted to increase the power of the papacy. For reasons of politics and power, he abolished clerical marriage. In 1074, he passed laws requiring that priests be celibate, and he got rid of married priests. As a result, since 1074, no Pope has been able to meet the Apostle Paul’s requirement for bishops. Now I realize that some individuals (such as the Apostle Paul) are called to be celibate. I could understand a few exceptions to the rule. But for nearly a thousand years, not one Pope or cardinal
or bishop has been able to meet Paul’s qualifications for being a bishop. Lord Acton was a nineteenth century historian. He said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The popes that I described demonstrate that principle. The problem is our fallen human nature. None of us really knows how we would behave if we suddenly had tremendous wealth and power. We all need to follow the example of David, who prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)
Jesus told us that Christians in leadership should be humble, self-sacrificing men with a servant’s heart. He said: “Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you; but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28) In the year 314 A.D., Pope Silvester was crowned by Emperor Constantine. (At the time, Silvester was known as the Bishop of Rome, but Catholics refer to him as Pope Silvester.) The Roman Emperor wanted to promote Christianity. The Pope wanted to have the favor of the Roman Emperor, instead of being persecuted. This alliance between Pope and Emperor created the Roman Catholic Church. Constantine gave Pope Silvester a beautiful palace and a magnificent cathedral. Instead of being a humble bishop, Silvester lived like a Roman nobleman. He had wealth, power, prestige, and the favor of the Roman Emperor. The power and influence of the Roman Empire were at the Pope’s disposal. Churchmen wore purple robes, reflecting the purple of Constantine’s court. That was an external change. The most important change was an internal one. Under Pope Silvester, the internal structure of the Church took on the form and practice and pomp of the Roman Empire. Popes dressed and acted like Roman emperors, and they had the same imperial attitude. They lived in luxury and they wanted to rule over both Church and state. Imperial papacy reached its peak during the Middle Ages. Popes were rich and powerful, and they ruled over kings and emperors. A well known example is the public humiliation of the Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Gregory VII.[22 Gregory declared that the Pope has the right to depose kings and emperors, to make laws, and to require secular rulers to kiss his feet. He said that nobody has the right to judge the Pope. Gregory also declared that, because of the merits of Saint Peter, every duly elected Pope is a saint. (Because of that, some people refer to him as the Pope who canonized himself.) Pope Innocent III reigned from 1198 to 1216. He called himself the Ruler of the World. He wore a gold crown covered with jewels. He sat upon a purple throne. His clothes sparkled with gold and jewels. His horse was covered with scarlet. Kings and churchmen kissed his foot. The Inquisition persecuted people who disagreed with him. Innocent became the most powerful man in the
world. Pope Boniface VIII reigned from 1294 to 1303. He said that he was Caesar, the Roman Emperor. His crown was covered with over 200 costly jewels (rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and large pearls). Boniface sought to further increase the Pope’s power and authority. In his encyclical, “Unam Sanctam,” he said that the Catholic Church has authority over national governments. He also declared that salvation depends on being subject to the Pope. Purple dye used to be extremely expensive. The color was a symbol of wealth and power. Purple was worn by Roman emperors and by Roman Catholic popes. During the Middle Ages, wealthy popes used gems and purple stones in papal architecture. The purple came from porphyry (a stone that has crystals embedded in a purple groundmass). Pope Paul II reigned from 1464 to 1471. He enjoyed luxurious living and had a tiara of gold that was covered with jewels. He had “Bacchanalian parades” that revived the pagan “carnival games” of ancient Rome. After the games, the people gathered in front of the Pope’s palace to eat, and then the Pope stood on his balcony and threw money to the crowd. In 1464, he introduced the use of scarlet as a symbol of wealth and power. He called it “Cardinal’s Purple,” because it was worn by his cardinals. Scarlet became a luxury dye during the Middle Ages. (Catholic cardinals still wear scarlet.)  The Pope is an absolute monarch in the Vatican. He sits on an ornate throne. You can see pictures of the throne online. Cardinals are called “princes of the church.” They are citizens of the Vatican, in addition to being citizens of their homelands. Popes, cardinals and bishops wear gold and jewels. They wear rings and crosses. The Pope has a special ring known as the “Ring of the Fisherman.” He also has magnificent pontifical rings that he wears on special occasions. Cardinals have rings of sapphire and gold. They often have additional rings of their own choosing. Popes, cardinals, and bishops wear gold and jewels. They wear rings and crosses. The Pope has a special ring known as the “Ring of the Fisherman.” He also has magnificent pontifical rings that he wears on special occasions. Cardinals have rings of sapphire and gold. They often have additional rings of their own choosing. For special occasions, popes, cardinals, and bishops wear vestments that are decorated with gold or made of gold cloth. (This is cloth that is actually made of real gold.) Some vestments are studded with jewels. Even the gloves of high-ranking churchmen are decorated with gold. Such imperial splendor was prevalent during the Middle Ages, but it still exists today. During the Middle Ages, gloves were sometimes studded with jewels. But even in recent times, they are decorated with gold. Pope Pius XII reigned from 1939 to 1958. He had gloves and shoes that were decorated with gold. Some of his shoes had jewels on them. Popes wear ermine (an expensive fur often worn by royalty). They have a special cape called a mozzetta that is trimmed with ermine. For solemn occasions, popes use a portable throne called a “sedia gestatoria.” It is a richly adorned chair that is covered with silk. Long rods go through gold-covered rings. The throne is carried by twelve uniformed footmen. When the Pope celebrates solemn pontifical Mass in Saint Peter’s
Basilica, he arrives in state, preceded by a procession of cardinals, bishops, and prelates. The Pope is carried on the “sedia gestatoria,” with a canopy over him, and special fans made of white feathers on either side of him. Pope Pius XII reigned from 1939 to 1958. When Vatican officials came into his presence, they had to kneel while speaking with him, and leave the room walking backwards. When he telephoned Vatican officials, they had to drop to their knees with the phone in their hand and remain kneeling while they spoke to him. This was going on in 1958. That is less than 50 years ago. Pope Pius XII reigned from 1939 to 1958. When Vatican officials came into his presence, they had to kneel while speaking with him, and leave the room walking backwards. When he telephoned Vatican officials, they had to drop to their knees with the phone in their hand and remain kneeling while they spoke to him. This was going on in 1958. That is less than 50 years ago. The Pope has a huge, luxurious palace. The Pontifical Palace, the Sistine Chapel, and Saint Peter’s Basilica are filled with priceless paintings and statues. The architecture is rich and ornate. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was painted by Michelangelo. In addition, there are 22 Vatican museums that are full of art treasures. You can see pictures of all of these things online. Words are inadequate to convey the rich architectural complexity and the artistic elegance of the Pope’s palace, chapel, and church. Their opulence defies description.
Forged Documents and Papal Power
What we now call popes were originally bishops of Rome (one bishop among brother bishops from other cities). Then they became popes, with power over the entire Catholic Church. Then they became so powerful that they were able to depose kings and emperors. They became so powerful that they were able to force kings use their secular might to enforce the Inquisition. In 1870, the Pope was declared to be infallible. Hans Küng is a Catholic priest and a theologian. He was a theological consultant to the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). However, in 1979, he was disciplined by the Vatican because he opposed the doctrine of papal infallibility. According to Küng, historical research shows that, starting as early as the fifth century, the popes “decisively extended their power with explicit forgeries.” These forged documents were used to change people’s perception of the history of the papacy and of the Catholic Church. They created false credentials and an illusion of antiquity. For example, if a Pope wanted to depose a king, he could cite a forged document that said that an early pope had done the same kind of thing. This would establish a false precedent to justify his actions.
One of the most famous forgeries is the “Pseudo-Isidorian Decretals,” which were written around 845 A.D. (They are also known as the “False Decretals.”) They consist of 115 documents that were supposedly written by early popes. “The Catholic Encyclopedia” admits that these are forgeries. It says that the purpose of these forged documents was to enable the Church to be independent of secular power, and to prevent the laity from ruling the Church. In other words, the purpose of the forgeries was to increase the power of the Pope and the Catholic Church. In addition to documents that were total forgeries, many genuine documents were altered. Forged material was added to 125 genuine documents, in order to increase the power of the Pope. Many early documents were changed to say the opposite of what they had originally said. One of the forgeries is a letter that was falsely attributed to Saint Ambrose. It said that if a person does not agree with the Holy See (the Vatican), then he or she is a heretic. This is an example of how papal power was promoted by fraudulently claiming the authority of highly respected Early Fathers. Another famous forgery from the ninth century was “The Donation of Constantine.” It claimed that Emperor Constantine gave the western provinces of the Roman Empire to the Bishop of Rome. The Pope used it to claim authority in secular matters. When Greek Christians tried to discuss issues with the Church in Rome, the popes often used forged documents to back their claims. This happened so frequently that, for 700 years, the Greeks referred to Rome as “the home of forgeries.” For three hundred years, the “Pseudo-Isidorian Decretals” and other forgeries were used by Roman Popes to claim authority over the Church in the East. The Patriarch of Constantinople rejected these false claims of primacy. This resulted in the separation of the Orthodox Church from the Roman Catholic Church. In the middle of the twelfth century, a monk named Gratian wrote the “Decretum,” which became the basis for Canon Law (the legal system for running the Roman Catholic Church). It contained numerous quotations from forged documents. Gratian drew many of his conclusions from those quotations. He quoted 324 passages that were supposedly written by popes of the first four centuries. Of those passages, only 11 are genuine. The other 313 quotations are forgeries. In the thirteenth century, Thomas Aquinas wrote the “Summa Theologica” and numerous other works. His writings are the foundation for scholastic theology. Aquinas used Gratian’s “Decretum” for quotations from church fathers and early popes. Aquinas also used forged documents that he thought were genuine. The importance of Thomas Aquinas’ theology can be seen in the encyclical of Pope Pius X on the priesthood. In 1906, Pius said that, in their study of philosophy, theology, and Scripture, men studying for the priesthood should follow the directions given by the popes and the teaching of Thomas Aquinas. William Webster wrote the book, “The Church of Rome at the Bar of History.” He is a former Catholic. Webster has an online article called, “Forgeries and the Papacy: The Historical Influence and Use of Forgeries in Promotion of the Doctrine of the Papacy.” It gives detailed
information about the “Pseudo-Isidorian Decretals” and other forged documents, showing their influence on the power of the papacy, and on the theology of the Catholic Church. Four quotations from Webster’s article are below. (They are used by permission.) Webster writes: “In the middle of the ninth century, a radical change began in the Western Church, that dramatically altered the Constitution of the Church, and laid the ground work for the full development of the papacy. The papacy could never have emerged without a fundamental restructuring of the Constitution of the Church and of men’s perceptions of the history of that Constitution. As long as the true facts of Church history were well known, it would serve as a buffer against any unlawful ambitions. However, in the 9th century, a literary forgery occurred that completely revolutionized the ancient government of the Church in the West. This forgery is known as the “Pseudo-Isidorian Decretals,” written around 845 A.D. The “Decretals” are a complete fabrication of Church history. They set forth precedents for the exercise of sovereign authority of the popes over the universal Church prior to the fourth century and make it appear that the popes had always exercised sovereign dominion and had ultimate authority even over Church Councils. “...The historical facts reveal that the papacy was never a reality as far as the universal Church is concerned. There are many eminent Roman Catholic historians who have testified to that fact as well as to the importance of the forgeries, especially those of “Pseudo-Isidore.” One such historian is Johann Joseph Ignaz von Dollinger. He was the most renowned Roman Catholic historian of the last century, who taught Church history for 47 years as a Roman Catholic. [Webster quotes extensively from Dollinger.] “...In addition to the “Pseudo Isidorian Decretals” there were other forgeries that were successfully used for the promotion of the doctrine of papal primacy. One famous instance is that of Thomas Aquinas. In 1264 A.D. Thomas authored a work entitled “Against the Errors of the Greeks.” This work deals with the issues of theological debate between the Greek and Roman Churches in that day on such subjects as the Trinity, the Procession of the Holy Spirit, Purgatory and the Papacy. In his defense of the papacy Thomas bases practically his entire argument on forged quotations of Church fathers...These spurious quotations had enormous influence on many Western theologians in succeeding centuries. “...The authority claims of Roman Catholicism ultimately devolve upon the institution of the papacy. The papacy is the center and source from which all authority flows for Roman Catholicism. Rome has long claimed that this institution was established by Christ and has been in force in the Church from the very beginning. But the historical record gives a very different picture. This institution was promoted primarily through the falsification of historical fact through the extensive use of forgeries as Thomas Aquinas’ apologetic for the papacy demonstrates. Forgery is its foundation.” There is a website with several articles about the Catholic Church’s used of forged documents. These forgeries were one of the causes of the “Great Schism” between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. Forged documents are the foundation of the power of the papacy. They also had a significant influence on Catholic theology and Canon Law.
Undermining the Bible
The Roman Catholic Church claims that it gave us the Bible. However, as we shall see, this claim does not stand up to the test of history. The Old Testament was written by God’s inspired prophets, patriarchs, psalmists, judges and kings. It was faithfully copied and preserved by Jewish scribes. The Old Testament of modern Protestant Bibles contains the same books as the Hebrew Bible. The New Testament was written by Christian apostles. None of them were Catholics, because there was no Roman Catholic Church at the time. This was over two centuries before Constantine’s “conversion” and the formation of the Roman Catholic Church in 314 A.D. (See the chapter, “Was the Early Church Roman Catholic?”) The early Church did not have the New Testament as we know it. Rather, individuals and local congregations had portions of it. They would have one or more of the Gospels, some of the letters that Apostles had written, and perhaps the Book of Acts or the Book of Revelation. Why weren’t all of these books collected in one place? Look at what the books themselves say. Individual apostles wrote them for specific audiences. The Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts were written for Theophilus. (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1) Most of the Epistles were written to specific churches or to specific individuals. (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:2; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 1:1-2; 3 John 1:1) The early Christians expected that Jesus would return for His Church at any moment. As a result, they didn’t see the need for long-term planning for future generations. Furthermore, Christians were persecuted by the Romans. When your life is in constant danger, it is difficult to collect writings that are scattered all over the Roman Empire. So it took time to collect all of these writings, decide which ones were authoritative Scripture, and make complete sets of them. By the time of Origen (185-254 A.D.), there was general agreement about most of the New Testament. However, there was disagreement as to whether the following six epistles should be part of the New Testament: Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude. This was 60 years before the “conversion” of Emperor Constantine and the formation of the Roman Catholic Church. The Council of Carthage was held in 397 A.D. By then, there was general agreement as to which books belonged in the New Testament. The Council made a list of these books. It described the books that had already been accepted as being authoritative Scripture. In other words, the Council of Carthage did not create the canon of the New Testament. Rather, it just described the canon that already existed. The Catholic Church did not give us the Bible. However, Catholic monks helped preserve the Bible by copying it. As we will see, the Catholic Church kept the Bible in Latin. This prevented people from reading the Bible in their own language. Most people didn’t know Latin. Therefore, they had to depend on priests to read the Bible for them and explain it to them. They were not able to check what the priests taught against Scripture. The Catholic Church changed the Bible. In 1548, at the Council of Trent, it added the Apocrypha to the Bible. The apocryphal books contain passages that are used to justify some Catholic doctrines, such as praying for the dead. (The Apocrypha are discussed later in this chapter.)
KEEPING THE BIBLE IN LATIN
Under Roman rule, Latin became a universal language. So when the Bible was originally translated from Greek and Hebrew into Latin, that made it more available to people. However, with the collapse of the Roman empire, Latin was spoken less and less. In time, only scholars understood it. The vast majority of people no longer spoke it. Starting about 1080, there were many incidents where the Pope, Church councils, or individual bishops prohibited the translation of the Bible into the language of the common people (the vernacular). Laymen and Laywomen were forbidden to read the Bible in their native language, unless a bishop or an inquisitor gave them permission in writing. In 1517, seven people were burned at the stake for teaching their children to say the Lord’s Prayer in English. In 1536, William Tyndale was burned as a heretic for translating the Bible into English. In 1555, John Rogers and Thomas Cranmer were burned at the stake for translating the Bible. Men and women were also burned for reading the English translation of the Bible. Laymen were not even allowed to read the Bible in Latin. Reading the Bible was considered to be proof that someone was a heretic. Men and women were burned at the stake for reading the Bible in Latin. People were so hungry to know what the Bible said that, when an English translation of the Bible was finally made available, crowds of people filled the church where it was kept. Men took turns reading the Bible out loud. As long as there was daylight, men kept reading the Bible out loud, while the crowds listened.
STRUGGLING WITH LATIN
When I became a Catholic, the Mass was still in Latin. I knew some Latin, because I had studied it for three years in college. At High Mass, portions of the Bible were sung in Latin. The Bible was a large, ornate book. The priest would cover it with incense, bow before it, and sing the Scripture verses in Gregorian chant. The music was beautiful and the ceremony was impressive. However, I could not understand the Scripture verses that were sung. With my three years of college Latin, I could sometimes understand the meaning of a word or a phrase. However, that did not enable me to understand the Scripture passages. The end result reminds me of the Andy Warhol painting of a can of Campbell’s tomato soup. You can read about it. You can study the picture. If you are an artist, you can paint a copy of it. You can do everything except eat the soup. But why does Campbell’s make tomato soup? So that people will eat it. And why did God give us the Bible? So that people will read it, understand it, and be transformed by it.
TRANSLATING THE BIBLE
The first English translation of the Bible was made in 1382 by the followers of John Wycliffe, with his help and inspiration. An improved version was completed in 1388. Wycliffe’s followers were known as Lollards. They were severely persecuted. Wycliffe’s translation of the Bible had to be copied by hand, which is a slow process. Most of the copies of Wycliffe’s English Bible were destroyed.
A century and a half later, the Tyndale-Coverdale Bible was published in 1535. William Tyndale and Bishop Miles Coverdale translated the original Greek and Hebrew texts into English. Their Bible was published in Germany, where Tyndale had taken refuge. The printing press had been invented. This enabled Tyndale and his followers to produce copies of their English Bible faster than they could be found and destroyed. Tyndale was burned at the stake. Forty-seven years later (1582), the first Catholic translation of the New Testament into English was published. The Catholic translation of the Old Testament was published in 1609. These translations were not from the original Greek and Hebrew. Rather, they were from a Latin translation of the Bible.
CONDEMNING BIBLE SOCIETIES
In 1846, and again in 1849, Pope Pius IX officially declared that Bible societies are “crafty enemies” of the Catholic Church and of humanity in general. Why? Because they translate the Bible into the language of the common people, and they give Bibles to anybody who wants them. On September 3, 2000, Pope Pius IX was beatified. This is the last step before becoming a canonized saint. In 1864, Pope Pius IX officially declared that the idea that people have a right to freedom of conscience and freedom of worship is “insanity,” “evil,” “depraved,” and “reprobate.” He also declared that non-Catholics who live in Catholic countries should not be allowed to publicly practice their religion. In 1888, Pope Leo XIII declared that freedom of thought and freedom of religion are wrong. According to the Catholic doctrine of infallibility, these are infallible statements. Therefore, they cannot be reversed. This is not ancient history. My great-great-grandparents were alive in 1864.
ADDING TRADITION TO SCRIPTURE
The Roman Catholic Church officially states that Catholic tradition is equal in authority to the Bible. Catholic tradition is difficult to define. The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” says that it is the various expressions of worship and belief of the Catholic people. But what does that mean? The religious beliefs and practices of modern Catholics are quite different from those of Catholics in the Middle Ages. (Do you know any modern Catholics who wear relics in order to ward off demons, or who pay money for indulgences to get their loved ones out of Purgatory?) Yet the Catholic definition of tradition encompasses all of these beliefs and practices. Let’s narrow it down to modern Catholics in the United States, which is where I live. I know Catholics who devoutly believe that wearing a Brown Scapular at all times (even in the shower) will get them into Heaven. I know other Catholics who consider that to be superstitious nonsense. Using the pious practices of the Catholic people for a standard is like measuring things with a rubber band. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for putting tradition on a level with Scripture. He said that they nullified the Word of God for the sake of their traditions. Jesus said:
“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the traditions 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.” (Mark 7:7-9 ) “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” (Mark 7:13 ) “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:8-9 ) The Apostle Paul didn’t think much of the traditions of men, either. He warned the Christians of his day: “Beware lest any man spoil [ruin] you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
Forbidding People to Interpret the Bible for Themselves
According to the “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” Catholics are required to find out how the Catholic bishops interpret Scripture passages, and they are to accept what the bishops teach “with docility,” as if it came from Jesus Christ Himself. In other words, they are not allowed to believe what they read in the Bible without first checking it out with the Catholic Church. They are not allowed to use their own judgment, or to follow their own conscience. They are required to believe whatever the bishops teach, without questioning it. This attitude is exemplified by a statement that was made by Cardinal Hosius, who presided over the Council of Trent (1545-1564). Hosius wrote that, apart from the authority of the Catholic Church, the Bible would have no more importance than “Aesop’s Fables.”
The Apocrypha are books that occur in Catholic Bibles, but not in Protestant ones. They were never part of the Hebrew Bible. The Jews never considered them to be canonical. In 1548, the Council of Trent declared that the Apocrypha are canonical (part of inspired Scripture) and it anathematized anybody who believes otherwise. (An anathema is a solemn ecclesiastical curse.) Jesus and the Apostles quoted from the Old Testament hundreds of times, but they never treated any of the apocryphal books as being authoritative. The apocryphal books themselves never claim to be the Word of God. The books of “Tobit” and “Judith” contain serious historical inaccuracies. Following is a summary of the main events in the “Book of Tobit.” My references to chapters and verses are those of the Revised Standard translation of Tobit. There is a wide variation in translations of Tobit, including differences in essential matters. There are also historical and geographical inaccuracies in the “Book of Tobit.” For example, Sennecherib was not the son of Shalmaneser. (Tobit 1:15) He was the son of Sargon the Usurper.
SUMMARY OF THE BOOK OF TOBIT
One night, Tobit slept outdoors, with his face uncovered. He slept by the courtyard wall. There were sparrows on the wall and bird droppings fell into Tobit’s eyes. As a result, a white film formed over his eyes and he became blind. The physicians were unable to help him. (Tobit 2:910) A maiden named Sarah was reproached by her maids, who accused her of strangling seven husbands before they consummated their marriage with her. This was attributed to a demon named Asmodeus. (Tobit 3:8) The angel Raphael was sent to heal Tobit’s eyes, to bind the demon Asmodeus, and to give Sarah in marriage to Tobias, the son of Tobit. (Tobit 3:17) Tobias (Tobit’s son) was traveling with the angel Raphael (who appeared in the form of a Jewish man named Azarias). A fish leaped up from the river and tried to swallow Tobias. Then the angel told Tobias to catch this fish. He caught it and threw it on the land. Then the angel told Tobias to cut the fish open, and to keep the heart and liver and gallbladder. He said that smoke from the heart and liver would drive demons and evil spirits away. He also said that, if a man’s eyes are covered with white films, then having them be anointed with the fish gall would heal him. (Tobit 6:1-9) Tobias was afraid to marry Sarah, because seven husbands had died in her bridal chamber. The angel told him to take burning incense, and to put the heart and liver of the fish on it, in order to make a smoke. He said that when the demon smelled the smoke, he would flee and never return. (Tobit 6:11-17) Tobias married Sarah. He put the heart and liver of the fish upon burning incense. When the demon smelled the odor, he fled, and the angel bound him. Tobias and Sarah went to sleep. Sarah’s family was greatly relieved the next morning when both of them were still alive. (Tobit, chapters 7 and 8) Tobias and his new wife went to Tobit’s home. The angel Raphael told Tobias to take the fish gall with him and to rub it on his father’s eyes. Tobias followed the angel’s instructions, and Tobit’s eyes were healed. (Tobit 11:2-16)
COMMENTS ON TOBIT
Does this sound like inspired Scripture to you? Does it reveal God’s nature and character, and His ways of dealing with His people? Does it inspire you to want to know God better? Does it give you strength and courage to be a faithful Christian? If the “Book of Tobit” was added to the Bible, would that increase your confidence in the rest of the Bible? Would it help you trust the reliability and authority of Scripture? Would it increase your motivation for reading the Bible?
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE BIBLE
God gave us the Bible--not the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church has been double-minded about the Bible. On the one hand, Catholic monks helped preserve it by copying it during the Middle Ages. On the other hand, the Catholic Church kept the Bible in Latin, and it killed scholars who translated the Bible into the language of the common people. In addition, it changed the Bible by adding the Apocrypha to it. According to the “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” Catholics are not supposed to interpret the Bible for themselves. Rather, they are supposed to accept “with docility” whatever their bishops tell them about it. This is treating the Bible as if it is too dangerous for ordinary men and women to read, unless their understanding of it is constantly filtered through the lens of Catholic doctrine and official explanations.
THE BIBLE IS A PRICELESS TREASURE
I live in America, where Bibles are plentiful and inexpensive. It is easy to take them for granted. However, right now, while you are reading this, there are Christians who are risking their lives to give Bibles to people. The ministry Open Doors has couriers who daily risk their lives to smuggle Bibles into countries where Christians are persecuted. I recently read about a man who was sentenced to death, because he gave a Bible to a Muslim. Courageous men and women paid for the Bible with their blood. William Tyndale was burned at the stake for translating the Bible into English. Men were burned at the stake for teaching their children to say the Lord’s Prayer in English. Men and women were burned at the stake for possessing an English translation of the Bible. We cannot comprehend the price that was paid to give us the Bible in our own language, or the great privilege of being able to read it without fear. Here is what the Psalms say about the Bible. When you read the terms, “the law of the Lord,” “the testimony of the Lord,” “the statutes of the Lord,” and “the judgments of the Lord,” remember that these are Old Testament terms for the written Word of God. May God give us this kind of passion for the Bible! Look at the love and loyalty and gratitude in these Scripture passages: “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:7-11) “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3) “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” (Psalm 119:9-16)
“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.” (Psalm 119:8993) “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Psalm 119:165) According to “Strong’s Concordance,” the word “offend” in Psalm 119:165 means an enticement, or a stumbling-block. It is something that ruins people, or causes them to fall. So according to this Scripture verse, if we love the Word of God, then it will bring us peace, and it will protect us from temptation and destruction. The Bible is indeed a priceless treasure!
The Council of Trent
The Council of Trent anathematized every Christian who disagrees with any detail of Catholic doctrine. These anathemas have never been revoked. An anathema means that the Catholic Church has placed someone under a solemn, ecclesiastical curse. There is a solemn ritual for doing this. It is done by the Pope, assisted by 12 priests. According to the words of the ritual (which you can read in “The Catholic Encyclopedia”) the “criminal” is consigned to hell. However, if he repents and submits to the Catholic Church, then the Pope can remove the anathema. The anathemas of the Council of Trent go into effect automatically if people believe things contrary to Catholic doctrine, as defined by the Council. They do not require a ritual. The Council of Trent (1545-1564) was the Roman Catholic Church’s response to the Protestant Reformation. It denounced every single doctrine that was proposed by the Protestant Reformers. It declared that any person who believes even one of these doctrines is “anathema” (anathematized by the Catholic Church). It also defined Catholic doctrines, detail by detail, and declared that anybody who denies even one of these details is anathema. These doctrines include: the authority of the Pope, the practice of indulgences, veneration of Mary and the saints, the use of statues and other “sacred images,” and the belief that Jesus Christ is literally and fully present (body, blood, soul, and divinity) in every crumb of consecrated bread and every drop of consecrated wine. So the Council of Trent anathematized all Protestants. There are 125 anathemas. These are doctrinal declarations of the Council of Trent that are sandwiched between two statements. The opening statement is: “If any man...” The closing statement is: “...let him be anathema.” The doctrinal statements and the anathemas are so interwoven that they cannot be separated. I don’t have permission to use quotations from the Council of Trent, so I will use a statement about a well-known children’s book as an example. Applying the language of the Council of Trent to “Mother Goose Rhymes,” you could say: “If any man does not believe that the cow jumped over the moon,
let him be anathema.” You can read the declarations of the Council of Trent for yourself. They were published as a book. It can be ordered through regular bookstores. You can also read it online. (The Notes give Internet addresses.)
OFFICIAL MODERN ENDORSEMENT OF THE COUNCIL OF TRENT
The declarations and anathemas of the Council of Trent have never been revoked. On the contrary, the decrees of the Council of Trent are confirmed by both the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and the official “Catechism of the Catholic Church” (1992). The documents of the Second Vatican Council cite the Council of Trent as an authority for doctrinal statements, both in the text and in the notes. The “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church” states that the Second Vatican Council “proposes again the decrees of” three previous councils, one of which is the Council of Trent. The “Decree on the Training of Priests” says that the Second Vatican Council continued the work of the Council of Trent. When the Second Vatican Council began, Pope John XXIII said that he accepted what the Council of Trent declares about justification. (It declares that any person who believes that we are saved by faith alone is anathema.) He also confirmed all past anathemas against “false doctrine”--in other words, the Protestant doctrines that were condemned by the Council of Trent. Every Catholic clergyman who participated in the Council signed a document affirming the declarations of the Council of Trent. The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” was written for the purpose of summarizing the essential and basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. It was approved by Pope John Paul II in 1992. It has been published in many languages. The English translation was released in 1994. The “Catechism” has numbered paragraphs. Therefore, statements can be located in any language, and in any edition of the book. The Council of Trent is mentioned in 75 paragraphs of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.” It is always mentioned in a positive, authoritative way. Some paragraphs mention it two or three times. Paragraph 9 says that the Council of Trent was the origin of Catholic catechisms. The other 74 paragraphs that mention the Council of Trent cite it as an authoritative source that supports their doctrinal statements. (You can verify this online. The Note tells how.)
THE ANATHEMAS OF THE COUNCIL OF TRENT CANNOT BE REVOKED
According to the “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” the Catholic doctrine of infallibility applies not only to the Pope, but also to Catholic Church Councils. This includes the Council of Trent. As a result, the official statements of the Council of Trent are considered to be infallible. This means that they cannot be changed. Therefore, the anathemas of the Council of Trent cannot be revoked. The Catholic Church may find it expedient not to call people’s attention to these anathemas, but it cannot revoke them. Both the Second Vatican Council and the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” confirm the decrees of
the Council of Trent. These decrees contain the anathemas. So the anathemas are part of the doctrinal package, whether or not the Catholic Church chooses to talk about them.
Augustine lived from 354 to 430 A.D. He had a vision of an ideal society, with the Roman Catholic Church at its center, governing all aspects of human life. His ideal society required conformity in belief and practice. Augustine taught that it was right and necessary for the Catholic Church to make this happen, even if it meant coercing people to comply. This laid the theological foundation for persecuting “heretics” and for the Inquisition. For over a thousand years, the Roman Catholic Church hunted down “heretics” and killed them. Some of these “heretics” were people with strange beliefs. However, as we shall see later, many of them were Bible-believing Christians. Jesus predicted that true Christians would be rejected, persecuted, and killed. He told His disciples: “...yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” (John 16:2) For the Roman Catholic Church, “heresy” means to “obstinately” doubt or deny any official Catholic doctrine. This definition is given in Canon 751 of the “Code of Canon Law,” which is the body of laws used to govern the Catholic Church. Doctrines that have often been disputed include the authority of the Pope, Purgatory, indulgences, the veneration of Mary and the saints, and transubstantiation (the doctrine that the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ are literally and fully present in every fragment of consecrated bread and every drop of consecrated wine). Some Catholic doctrines conflict with the plain meaning of Scripture. As a result, people who read the Bible for themselves are likely to doubt or dispute those doctrines. One way of solving that problem is to prevent laymen from reading the Bible. The Catholic Church took that approach for hundreds of years. Starting about 1080, there were many incidents where scholars wanted to translate the Bible into the language of the common people, but it was forbidden by the Pope, Church councils, or individual bishops. William Tyndale was burned as a “heretic,” because he translated the Bible into English. People were burned as “heretics” for owning or reading his translation.
For centuries, Christians were forbidden to possess the Scriptures in any language, including Latin. Reading the Bible was considered to be proof that someone was a heretic. Men and women were burned at the stake for reading the Bible in Latin. With the Protestant Reformation, the Bible was translated into English, German, and other languages. With the invention of the printing press, Bibles became so plentiful that they could no longer be suppressed. That is why people like us, who are not Latin scholars, are able to read the Bible today.
Who were some of the Christian “heretics” who were persecuted by the Roman Catholic Church? I would like you to meet the Waldensians. When “heretics” were hunted, their writings were confiscated and burned. What we read about their beliefs was written by their enemies. As a result, it is often difficult to know what they really did believe. We do know what the Waldensians believed. Some of their writings survived. In some ways, the Waldensians were similar to the Franciscans. Both groups taught the value of poverty and simplicity. They both had poor, humble, itinerant preachers, who were barefoot and wore humble peasant clothing. As we shall see, the Pope examined the Waldensians and found no heresy in them. However, another Pope reversed that decision. Who were these courageous men and women who endured centuries of persecution for their faith?
The Waldensians are also known as Waldenses or Vaudois. Dr. Bill Jackson made an in-depth study of them in his book, “The Noble Army of ‘Heretics.’” He visited the valleys where the Waldensians lived and he studied their original documents. One of the most famous Waldensians was Peter Waldo (1140-1218), a wealthy merchant of Lyons, France. He asked a priest how to live like Jesus Christ. The priest told Waldo about a conversation that Jesus had with a rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22). Jesus told the young man what to do, and Waldo guided his life by those words. Jesus said: “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” (Matthew 19:21) Waldo made financial provision for his family, gave the rest of his money to the poor, memorized Scripture, and began preaching. There is strong evidence that the Waldensians began long before Peter was born, and that Peter was given the surname Waldo because of his association with them. The Waldensians traveled in pairs, preaching the Gospel. They were humble people who believed in “apostolic poverty.” They were barefoot, owning nothing, and they shared all things in
common. Their teaching was orthodox, but they were considered to be a threat, because they set standards that made many members of the Catholic clergy look bad by comparison. The humility and voluntary poverty of the Waldensians were a striking contrast to the pride and luxury of the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church. A prime example of this was Pope Innocent III. He reigned from 1198 to 1216, which was during Waldo’s lifetime. Innocent wore clothes covered with gold and jewels. He made kings and cardinals kiss his foot. He said that the Pope is below God, but higher than the rest of mankind. Another example is Pope Boniface VIII, who reigned from 1294 to 1303. He said that he was Caesar, the Roman Emperor. His crown was covered with over 200 costly jewels. Boniface declared that nobody could be saved unless he or she was subject to the Pope. Waldo’s beliefs were founded on the Bible, especially the Gospels. He believed that there was no need to interpret the Bible, because it spoke clearly for itself. All that was needed was to make the whole of Scripture available to the people. Waldo was French, so he commissioned two priests to translate the Bible into French, starting with the Gospels. As soon as the first Gospel (Matthew) had been translated, Waldo applied it to his life and began preaching it to the people. In 1179, Pope Alexander III found no evidence of heresy among the Waldensians. However, because they were laymen, he ordered them not to preach unless they were requested to do so by a bishop. The Archbishop of Lyons ordered Waldo to stop preaching. Waldo replied: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) He kept on preaching. The Archbishop excommunicated him. Then, in 1184, Pope Lucius III excommunicated Waldo and his followers. In 1211, more than 80 Waldensians were burned at the stake for “heresy.” This was followed by centuries of persecution. Because they were persecuted, the Waldensians went underground and spread to other countries, especially Italy, Switzerland, and Austria. The magnitude of their persecution is shown by the fact that in one year, in Italy alone, 9,000 Waldensians were killed, and another 12,000 were put into prison, where most of them died. In spite of this, somehow the itinerant Waldensian preachers were able to maintain links throughout Europe. In the sixteenth century, the Waldensians joined the Protestant Reformation. In 1848, the Italian government granted them emancipation. Finally, they were free from persecution (except for a brief period, when Mussolini persecuted them during World War II). In spite of everything, there are still Waldensian churches today.
One of the things that was used to try to suppress the Waldensians and other “heretics” was the Inquisition. It began in 1180, four years before Waldo and the Waldensians were excommunicated by the Pope. From 1180 to 1230, the Catholic Church enacted legislation (Canon Law) against heresy. It created a permanent tribunal, staffed by Dominican friars, which became known as the Inquisition.
The Inquisition used procedures that were banned in regular secular courts. It used anonymous informers. People were allowed to accuse their personal enemies. When men and women were accused of heresy, they were not allowed to know who their accusers were, or what crime they were accused of. They were not allowed to have anybody defend them. The Inquisitors used torture to get accused people to “confess.” Once a person was accused, some kind of punishment was inevitable. If secular officials were reluctant to punish the victims, then the officials were accused of heresy, which meant that they also became victims of the system. In other words, they were blackmailed into doing the dirty work of the Inquisitors.
There was a wide variety of Christian “heretics.” On the one hand, there were the Waldensians, who were simple, humble people. They were just trying to live according to Biblical principles. But when told not to preach, they continued preaching. On the other hand, there were people like Wycliffe who said things that made the Pope angry. But did Jesus and his Disciples kill people for saying offensive things? They could have. Elijah called down fire on people. (Luke 9:54-55) When thinking about the Inquisitors, we need to be careful not to “monsterize” them. These men believed that the Pope spoke for God. They were under a vow of obedience, and they believed that they had to do whatever they were told to do. From their point of view, they were doing their duty, and they were trying to protect the Catholic Church from being harmed by false teaching. Only God knows their hearts. Only God is capable of rightly judging the men who did those things. During World War II, Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsy were sent to a Nazi death camp because they hid Jews in their home. At first, Corrie hated the Nazis. She saw them as monsters. But Betsy saw them as trapped, tormented men and women. She forgave them and she prayed for them, even when they were cruel to her and whipped her. She told Corrie to forgive them, and eventually Corrie was able to, by the grace of God. Betsy died in that camp. Corrie was released due to a “clerical error” (i.e., God’s intervention). After the war, Corrie helped establish places for helping prisoners of the death camps. She also helped establish a place to help the Nazis. There was a Dutchman named Jan Vogel who betrayed Corrie’s family and many other Dutch people. He was caught and sentenced to death. When Corrie found out about it, she wrote to him, telling him that she forgave him, and telling him about God’s love and forgiveness. Jan Vogel became a Christian a week before he was executed. Betsy Ten Boom saw the Nazis from God’s perspective. With God’s grace, we can do the same for other people who do harmful things, whether they be the Inquisitors of long ago, or people today. Jesus told us to love everybody, even our enemies. (Matthew 5:44) And He is able to enable us to do it. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)
The Roman Catholic Church claims that it goes back to the time of Jesus Christ. However, as we have seen, it only came into being in 314 A.D. when Emperor Constantine and Bishop Silvester made an alliance. There is evidence that Evangelical Christians, with beliefs similar to those of modern Baptists, were around in the second century, more than a hundred years before the Roman Catholic Church was created.For a fascinating and informative study of early Evangelicals, read Dr. Bill Jackson’s book, “The Noble Army of ‘Heretics.’” Malachi Martin was a Catholic priest, an eminent theologian, and a professor at the Vatican’s Pontifical Institute. He describes the wide variety of beliefs and practices within the early Church. He says that there was as much variety back then as there is between different denominations now. Catholic apologists portray Protestant churches as being unstable, constantly splitting into new denominations, and full of wide-spread disagreement. They contrast this with the Roman Catholic Church, which they portray as being solid and unified. They say that when people interpret the Bible for themselves, it results in chaos and division, as shown by the many Protestant denominations. They conclude that, therefore, Protestantism doesn’t work, and interpreting the Bible should only be done by the Catholic hierarchy. In other words, Protestants should become Catholics. However, the picture of Protestant division, and the picture of Catholic unity, are both greatly exaggerated. The “chaos” is an illusion. And the resulting conclusion is therefore not valid.
BASIC UNITY AMONG PROTESTANTS
There are some beliefs that define Christianity. These include things such as the Incarnation (Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man), the Atonement (Jesus Christ died for our salvation), the Resurrection of Jesus, the Second Coming of Jesus, and the authority of Scripture. These are not negotiable. Any person who does not believe them is not a Christian. (There have always been people who claimed to be Christian, but who weren’t. The Apostle Paul called them “false brethren” in 2 Corinthians 11:26 and Galatians 2:4.) Some things are negotiable. These include things such as the form of baptism, the kind of worship music, the form of church structure and organization, defining the relationship between free will and predestination, and beliefs about what will happen during the End Times. These are important issues. They can affect the quality of a person’s Christian life, but they do not determine whether or not a person is a Christian. These are areas in which Christians can agree to disagree. Differences among genuine Protestants (as opposed to “false brethren”) occur in the second area, the negotiable things. These differences could be compared to flavors of ice cream. There are many kinds of ice cream, but they are all ice cream. They aren’t pie, or cake, or salad. In real life, people know the difference between eating ice cream and eating something else. Some Catholic apologists say that there are 25,000 different Protestant denominations.. Dr. Eric Svendsen has made an in-depth study of this claim. There is no valid foundation for it. His book,
“On This Slippery Rock,” has a chapter about it, which you can read online. Dr. Svendsen also has an online article about diversity in Catholic beliefs. I looked up “churches” in the “Yellow Pages” of my local telephone directory. There were listings for Catholic churches, Orthodox churches, a few cults, and 73 varieties of Protestant churches. Some Protestant listings seemed to be variations of the same thing. For example, there were nine different listings for Baptist churches. Let’s compare this to something in everyday life. There is a huge difference between cats and dogs and horses. Now, if you narrow it down to dogs, there are many different varieties. Within each variety, there are subgroups. For example, there are different kinds of collies and different kinds of poodles. Catholic apologists act as if the differences in Protestant churches are like the major differences between cats and dogs and horses. In reality, they are like the differences between different kinds of dogs (variations in the same kind of thing.) Often, they are like the differences between different kinds of poodles, or different kinds of collies (small variations in things that are essentially the same).
WIDE DIVERSITY AMONG CATHOLICS
The appearance of unity among Catholics is misleading. There are actually major differences in theology and practice. However, no matter how much they disagree, they call themselves by the same name (Roman Catholic) and they say that the Pope is their leader. This gives a false impression of unity. In spite of verbally saying that the Pope is their leader, there are Catholic priests and theologians who openly defy the Pope’s authority. Malachi Martin wrote about some of them in his book, “The Jesuits: The Society of Jesus and the Betrayal of the Roman Catholic Church.” There are also some radical feminist nuns who openly defy the Pope. (They are discussed later in this chapter.) There are conservative Catholics who want to go back to the way that things were done before the Second Vatican Council. This includes having Mass said in Latin. One conservative Catholic group believes that Pope John Paul II is not a valid pope, because he has promoted heresy (things that are contrary to Catholic doctrine that was “infallibly” declared by previous popes). There are Catholic theologians who teach liberation theology, which equates “salvation” with armed revolution. There are gun-toting Catholic priests who fight alongside communist guerillas, working for communist revolution. I first heard about them from a Latin American friend who personally witnessed the destruction and confusion that they have caused. As we will see, some Catholic priests and nuns teach things that are clearly contrary to foundational Christian beliefs, such as the Atonement. (Jesus died to save us from our sins.) Yet they are still allowed to teach in the name of the Catholic Church, and to hold positions of influence and authority.
The Catholic Church has traditionally been a champion of the sanctity of life. However, some Catholic priests at a prestigious Catholic university are actively working to undermine the sanctity of human life, both theoretically and in practical ways.
Georgetown University is run by Jesuit priests. It is the home of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, which is headed by a Jesuit priest. Some of its faculty members are also Jesuit priests. The Kennedy Institute of Ethics actively promotes abortion and euthanasia. It is also working to have “death” be redefined to include people in “irreversible” comas, so that doctors can get better quality organs for transplants. This is documented in the book, “Culture of Death,” by Wesley J. Smith. The Kennedy Institute of Ethics trains doctors, nurses, lawyers, legislators, teachers, and hospital administrators. Every summer, it gives an Intensive Bioethics Course, which is attended by people from around the world. It has branches in Asia and Europe. According to the woman I spoke with, it has the most comprehensive library of bioethics literature in the world.
NEW AGE TEACHINGS AND PRACTICES
The “New Age” is actually a resurgence of old paganism that has been “westernized” and dressed up in modern vocabulary. It denies foundational Christian doctrines and basic Christian morality. It is also contrary to the official teaching of the Catholic Church. However, in spite of this, there are Catholic priests and nuns who openly promote New Age beliefs and practices. This is an area in which there is a wide diversity of beliefs among Catholics. I have an online article called “New Age Catholicism”. It has detailed, carefully documented information about this. Most of it comes from Catholic books and Catholic websites. I am only giving a small sample of that information here. There are some radical feminist nuns who participate in pagan rituals, and worship “the goddess.”  You can read about it in Donna Steichen’s book “Ungodly Rage: The Hidden Face of Catholic Feminism.” She is a Catholic journalist who spent 12 years getting first-hand information in order to write this book. Randy England is Catholic. He wrote “The Unicorn in the Sanctuary: The Impact of the New Age on the Catholic Church.” According to England, New Age concepts are taught at Catholic retreats, prayer workshops, and educational conferences. Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk. He taught that every form of mystical experience is valid, no matter what its source. He praised Hinduism and Buddhism. Merton wanted to see the religions of the world become united. Some priests and nuns are teaching trusting Catholics to do Hindu meditation, to use visualization techniques, and to cultivate spirit guides. Randy England says that spirit guides are demons. Therefore, a person who cultivates spirit guides is actually invoking demons and inviting them to control his or her life. A Jesuit priest teaches priests, nuns, and lay Catholics to do Eastern meditation, using spirit guides. Priests and nuns teach prayer techniques that are not prayer in the Christian sense at all. Rather, they result in altered states of consciousness, and susceptibility to demonic influence. A Franciscan priest teaches Catholics to “manipulate” reality with the assistance of “spirit beings” (demons). He is especially influential with nuns. Catholics are taught that their “spirituality” will be improved by New Age techniques such as yoga, practices from Eastern religions, and occult meditation. Some Catholic schools no longer teach the Ten Commandments and foundational Christian doctrines, such as the Resurrection.
Catholic authority figures are teaching beliefs and practices that are opposed to Catholic doctrine. They use the name of the Catholic Church, but they teach things that are opposed to Catholicism. In the world of business, this would be called false advertising, or fraud.
Another area of diversity is beliefs about some old-fashioned, Catholic devotional practices. I will illustrate this with one example. Can Catholics be sure of getting into Heaven if they wear a specific religious item, which shows devotion to Mary? Modern theologians and apologists will probably tell you: “Of course not!” However, as we will see, there are Catholics who believe that Mary will protect them from Hell if they follow her directions. There is an old saying that, if Jesus won’t let you into Heaven by the front door, then Mary can get you in through the back door. According to tradition, on July 16, 1251, the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock, holding a Brown Scapular (two pieces of brown cloth attached by strings). She promised him that any person who dies wearing the scapular will not go to Hell. This promise is for people who belong to the religious order of the Carmelites, or who are associated with them. Catholics can be enrolled into the Carmelites by any Carmelite or authorized Catholic priest. In 1965, Pope Paul VI encouraged all Catholics to wear the Brown Scapular and pray the Rosary. Catholics who wear the Brown Scapular can also qualify for the “Sabbatine Privilege,” if they fulfill certain religious requirements. The “Sabbatine Privilege” is a promise that if they go to Purgatory, Mary will get their Purgatory time shortened. There are other Catholic devotional practices that have promises attached to them. They often involve the use of medals, rosaries, pictures, different kinds of scapulars, chaplets, and specific prayers. There is a “five-way medal” that consists of a cross, with medals at the end of each of the four arms. This enables people to wear a cross, and four different medals, at the same time, in a neat and orderly way. There are also “four-way medals.” (You can see them online.) I have known Catholics with a wide range of approaches to these devotional practices. Some considered them to be old-fashioned, or even superstitious. Others took them quite seriously. I knew one woman who was so devoted to praying the rosary that, even when she was carrying on a conversation, her rosary beads were going through her fingers. You can go to online Catholic stores to see pictures of medals, chaplets, scapulars, statues, holy cards, bottles for holy water, and other religious objects. (The Notes give some website addresses.) If you have never seen such things before, you may be surprised at what you will find.
Roman Catholic seminaries have a wide diversity of teaching and practice. Some of them teach traditional Catholic doctrines, morality, and piety. However, many do not. Michael S. Rose is a devout Catholic and a professional investigative reporter. He wrote the book, “Goodbye, Good Men: How Liberals Brought Corruption into the Catholic Church.” It is a plea for reform in Catholic seminaries. You can read the book’s Introduction online. You can also read book reviews, and feedback from seminarians and priests who read the book. I encourage you to check this out for yourself.
Rose interviewed over 150 people. His book only shows the tip of the iceberg, because many men were afraid to let him write about their experiences. Others allowed him to write about them, but insisted that he change their name to protect them. Chapter 5 (“The Heterodoxy Downer”) tells of seminary faculty members who denied doctrines that are absolutely foundational to Christianity, or taught things that are contrary to basic Christian doctrine and morals. Following are some things that were taught by faculty members in seminaries: 1. 2. 3. 4. The death of Jesus was not a sacrifice for our sins. The Atonement never happened. The Bible should not be taken seriously. God is a woman. (A nun taught this.)
One seminary taught Matthew Fox’s “creation-centered spirituality,” which denies the existence of sin, the Atonement, and other foundational Christian doctrines. It teaches many New Age beliefs. It says that Christianity needs to get rid of any beliefs that hinder it from being united with pagan religions. It promotes a one-world religion. Fox is a priest who works in close association with a witch, a Voodoo priestess, and a shaman. Some seminarians were required to engage in New Age practices, including using Ouija boards, tarot cards, and crystals. One seminarian sued his seminary for false advertising. He said that it claimed to be Catholic, but it wasn’t. This kind of doctrine and behavior is contrary to what is taught in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church.” It demonstrates the wide diversity of belief and practice among modern Catholics.
THE PROBLEM OF MISTAKES
Should men and women interpret the Bible for themselves? They might make mistakes. This is a problem, because nobody is immune from making mistakes. But mistakes can be corrected. We serve a living God, who loves us. He is able to correct us if we get off track. Look at these prayers from the Bible: “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults.” (Psalm 19:12) “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” (Psalm 119:133) “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) Men and women who study the Bible and interpret it for themselves may sometimes make mistakes. But if people do not know the Bible well, and they are not used to understanding Scripture for themselves, then they will be easily persuaded by authority figures who teach unbiblical things. In order to test a teaching, people need something solid to compare it to. Catholics are used to trusting priests and nuns, and accepting whatever they teach them. Catholics have not been taught how to compare teachings with what the Bible says, in order to test whether or not the teachings are Scriptural.
The possibility of making mistakes is something that we have to deal with all the time. For example, there are no perfect parents. Fathers and mothers make mistakes. But that doesn’t mean that children should be raised by “experts,” in institutions, instead of being raised at home by their parents. “Experts” make mistakes, too. The learning process always involves the risk of making mistakes. Hebrews 5:14 says that it is “by reason of use” that people “have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” In other words, it takes time and practice to learn to discern things for ourselves. But God expects us to do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says: “Prove [test] all things; hold fast that which is good.” In other words, test everything, and only keep what is good. Romans 8:28 says that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” That includes our mistakes. God is big enough, and powerful enough, and loving enough to make even our mistakes work out for our good. He is able to keep us from falling. (Jude 1:24) The Catholic approach says: “You might make a mistake. I’ll do your thinking for you.” This puts people at the mercy of priests and bishops, who make mistakes (as we all do). It becomes especially serious if a Pope makes a mistake and imposes his mistake on the entire Catholic Church. The Protestant approach says: “Even if you do make a mistake, our God is able to turn it around and use it for good. Do your best, and with the guidance of the Bible and the Holy Spirit, you will be able to grow into a mature Christian.” This approach has a self-correcting procedure. Even if a spiritual leader makes a doctrinal mistake, there are others who will check it against Scripture and point out the error. Therefore, people are not at the mercy of mistakes made by others.
Although Catholics have a common name, and acknowledge a common leader, there is actually a wide variety of beliefs and practices within Roman Catholicism. For a concrete example of this, compare Mother Teresa of Calcutta with radical feminist nuns who worship “the goddess” and participate in pagan rituals. Although there are variations in Protestant churches, genuine Protestants (as opposed to “false brethren”) are in agreement about the foundational doctrines of Christianity. Their differences concern the negotiable areas that are mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, and the practical application of how to nurture, develop, and express our Christian life.
According to Tradition
We often hear the expression, “according to tradition.” But how reliable are these statements? The following illustrates that people’s confidence in these traditions can be disproportionate to the evidence supporting them. According to tradition, around 40 A.D., the Apostle James (the Greater) was in Saragossa, Spain. He was discouraged, because his mission had failed. Mary appeared to him. She gave him a pillar (column) of jasper wood and a small wooden statue of herself. She also told him to build a church in her honor. This is considered to be the first apparition of Mary. However, there are some problems with this story.
In the first place, this seems to be contradicted by Scripture. The Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Romans about 57 A.D. This was about 17 years after Mary supposedly appeared to the Apostle James in Spain. Paul said that he wanted to go to Spain (Romans 15:24, 28). A few verses earlier, Paul said that he made a practice of only preaching the Gospel where it had not been preached before. He told the Roman Christians: “Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.” (Romans 15:20-21) When Paul went to cities, he went to preach the Gospel, or to strengthen churches that he had already established. Why would Paul want to go to Spain, if the Apostle James was already ministering there? Paul said that he did not want to “build upon another man’s foundation.” In the second place, in 40 A.D., Mary may well have been alive. (It was only a few years after Jesus was crucified.) If she was alive, then how could she “appear” to anybody? In the third place, the early Christians didn’t have churches. They met in people’s homes. (See Acts 2:46; Acts 20:20; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; and Philemon 1:2. These verses all refer to churches that met in people’s homes.) The Book of Acts ends around 60 A.D., when Paul was in Rome. There is no record of any church buildings. (This is about 20 years after Mary supposedly appeared to James and told him to build a church in her honor.) Furthermore, starting with the stoning of Stephen, Christians were killed for their faith. It is basic common sense that people who are being killed for their faith do not want to call attention to their religious gatherings. That is not a good time to build church buildings. According to tradition, in the eighth century, a hermit “discovered” the body of the Apostle James (the Greater) in Saragossa, Spain. This discovery is questionable in view of the fact that the Catholic Church has a history of fraudulent relics. (Relics are bodies of saints, or portions of saints’ bodies. They can also be items that are closely associated with saints, such as clothing. They also include things such as pieces of the cross on which Jesus was crucified.) Relics were important for raising money. A cathedral without a relic of a saint lacked an important source of revenue. Therefore, cathedrals had a strong motive for finding some way to produce a relic of a well-known saint. Fraudulent relics were sold. People dug up bodies from graveyards and pretended that the corpses were saints. This enabled them to sell the bodies as relics. Selling relics was a profitable business. They were highly valued, because they were believed to have spiritual power to protect people from demons, to give them victory in war, and to bless them in other ways. People wore small relics on chains around their necks, as charms for protection. Churches were built over the bodies of saints. Important relics drew pilgrims, which brought money. Bodies of saints were stolen, and portions of them were sold for money. Kings and bishops took great risks to steal the bodies of important saints. Towns that had relics prospered and expanded. A great cathedral was built in Saragossa, in honor of Our Lady of the Pillar. (It is in an area of Saragossa known as Campostella.) It is a major pilgrimage site. The wooden statue of Mary, and the pillar (the column of jasper wood), can be seen on special occasions.
The cathedral in Saragossa has a statue of Mary that wears clothing. It wears a crown of gold and diamonds. It has a wardrobe of clothes that are embroidered with gold and studded with jewels. According to tradition, the head of the Apostle James (the Greater) is buried in Jerusalem, in the Cathedral of Saint James. This conflicts with the Saragossa tradition. However, it seems to be consistent with Scripture. King Herod had James killed in Jerusalem. (Acts 12:1-2)
The Numbers Game
People tend to be impressed with size. “Bigger” and “better” often go together in advertising slogans. But is this how God sees things? Can we assume that the Roman Catholic Church must be right, because it is so big? Goliath was huge, powerful, and a seasoned warrior. He was admired by the Philistines and feared by the Israelites. People were impressed with Goliath, but God wasn’t. God used a young shepherd named David to kill the giant. (1 Samuel 17:1-54) When Gideon fought the Midianites, he started out with 32,000 men. That sounds like an impressive number, until you read that the Midianite soldiers were a multitude that filled the valley like a plague of locusts. But God told Gideon that he had too many men, and he was to send home every man who was afraid. Two-thirds of Gideon’s men left (22,000 out of 32,000). Then God disqualified all but 300 of the 10,000 men who remained. That left Gideon with only 300 men, which was only one percent of his original soldiers. (Judges 7:1-9) In God’s eyes, which men were the faithful soldiers through whom He could do miracles? The 31,700? Or the 300 who defeated the Midianites? If you read what happened, you will see that God was with the one percent. Could the difference be even greater than a hundred to one, and still have God be with the minority? Well, what if the 31,700 had decided that, because the 300 were different, they must be “heretics,” and therefore they should be killed? Jesus spoke about a large crowd of people, who go the wrong way, to their destruction. He compared it with a small group of people, who go the right way, which leads to life. Jesus exhorted His listeners, saying: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) If you look at the context in which Jesus said this, He was speaking to the multitudes in Israel. These were not pagans who served horrible demon “gods.” These were God’s chosen people, in covenant with Him, the people who had the Scriptures, the people to whom God had sent the prophets. And Jesus warned them that there was a broad, popular way, which most people would choose, that would lead to destruction.
Jesus spoke of Godly people who would be despised, and false people who would be widely accepted. He said: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12) “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:26) Obviously, being part of a small minority that is spoken against does not necessarily make people right. Jim Jones claimed to be a Christian leader, but he turned his church into a cult. He was dead wrong. He led his followers to destruction. My point is that you cannot use numbers to decide whether or not religious leaders are right. We need to see if their teachings agree with Scripture. Our plumb line is the Bible, not the calculator.
What Is Our Source of Authority?
Ever since Martin Luther’s cry of “sola scriptura” (Scripture alone is our authoritative source of spiritual truth), there has been an on-going debate between Catholics and Protestants as to whether our source of authority is the Bible alone, or the Bible plus “Tradition.” (I will discuss tradition and the doctrine of infallibility later in this chapter.) God gave us the Bible to teach us, to guide us, to correct us, and to enable us to lead Godly lives. Through the Bible, God reveals Himself and His ways to us. Scripture says: “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) “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105) “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” (Psalm 19:7-8) “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) “...[R]eceive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21) “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Psalm 119:131)
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Isaiah 40:8) “Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89) If Christianity really works, then it has to work under all circumstances. That includes working for new converts who are isolated in prisons, with no Bible and no other Christians to help them. That kind of thing happens today in some Muslim nations. You can read about it in the newsletter of Open Doors (a ministry for persecuted Christians). You can get their newsletter through their website. (Information is in the Notes.) God has provided for such situations. He sent the Holy Spirit, who helps us remember things (especially Scripture), and enables us to understand the things of God. (See John 14:26 and 1 Corinthians 2:9-13.) It is through prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that we are able to understand Scripture. Jesus said: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26) “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth...” (John 16:13; see John 16:7-15) “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:11-12) If we do not have access to the Bible, God has made provision for us to be able to learn what we need to know directly from Him. He has already provided us with what we need for life and godliness. The Bible says: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises...” (2 Peter 1:3-4) “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:27) It is valuable to have Bibles and pastors and teachers. If they are available, then we should be grateful for them and benefit from them as much as possible. But if those things are not available, then God is powerful enough to enable us to live Godly lives without them. God is able to keep us from falling. (Jude 1:24) It does not depend on our circumstances. It depends on God. And He is faithful.
The Catholic Church officially states that Catholic tradition is equal in authority to the Bible. According to the “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” “tradition” consists of various expressions of worship and belief of the Catholic people. As a result, tradition keeps changing. It is different at different periods in history, and it varies from place to place. For example, Catholic religious practices that are common in third world countries (such as Latin America, Africa, or the Philippines) would probably seem strange to Catholics who have a western world view. Tradition keeps shifting. It is unwritten, and it cannot be pinned down. Therefore, it is like a magician’s hat--theologians can pull anything they want to out of it. They can also ignore anything that is inconvenient. Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees, because their traditions nullified the Word of God. He used Scripture to measure the validity of their religious traditions. He was distressed, because the religious leaders of his time considered their traditions to be equal in authority to Scripture. Jesus said: “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:8-9; see Matthew 15:1-9) “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.” (Mark 7:7-9; see Mark 7:1-13) The Bible clearly tells us that we are not to add to Scripture or take away from it. We need to stay with what has been written. It says: “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32) “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2) According to these Scripture passages, if people make additions to Scripture, then they will wind up disobeying God. The Bible says: “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5-6) If we add to God’s words, then He will rebuke us and call us liars. We will have misrepresented Him. When we meet God face to face, we will want to hear Him say: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” But if we add to His words (Scripture), then we may hear Him say something like: “Liar! You misrepresented me!”
If we say that tradition is equal in authority to Scripture, then we can no longer use Scripture to test tradition, as Jesus did. Instead, we are allowing tradition to determine how we interpret Scripture. Either this is “adding to Scripture,” or else it is perilously close to it. Revelation 22:18-19 warns that adding to God’s words can cause a person to have his or her name be removed from the “book of life.”
Protestants say that the Bible is infallible. Catholics say that the Pope is infallible. The Catholic doctrine of papal infallibility is based upon Matthew 16:18, in which Jesus told Peter: “And I say unto thee, That thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” A huge doctrine, with immense historical consequences, has been built upon this one short verse. The question is, does the rock on which the church is built represent Peter, or does it represent Jesus? As we saw in Chapter 3 (“Was Peter a Pope?”), the rock is Jesus. Human beings are sinful and can be deceived. Therefore, some kind of supernatural protection is needed in order to prevent the gates of hell from prevailing against the Church. According to the Catholic Church, God provided this protection by making the Pope infallible. According to the Bible, God provided this protection by giving us the Holy Spirit. Jesus, when talking to His disciples about his impending crucifixion, said: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (John 16:7) “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth...” (John 16:13) The doctrine of infallibility results in having people act like young children, who accept without question whatever they are told. This is contrary to the Bible, which tells us to test things for ourselves, to discern things, to compare things with Scripture so that we won’t be deceived. The Bible commends the people of Berea, because they “searched the Scriptures daily” in order to “see whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:10-11) God wants His people to check everything against Scripture. Paul’s epistles constitute about one-fourth of the New Testament. He was a Scripture scholar. (He had been a prominent Pharisee.) He had been to the Third Heaven, where he had seen mysteries that he was not allowed to tell us about. (2 Corinthians 12:2-4) But the Bible does not criticize the Bereans for questioning what the Apostle Paul taught them. Rather, it commends them for checking it out for themselves by comparing his teaching with Scripture. The Bible tells us to test everything. It says: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) According to “Strong’s Concordance,” the word “prove” means, “to test.” God requires that every man and woman test all things. We are responsible for testing things ourselves.
However, the Catholic Church teaches that only the Magisterium of the Church (the Pope, and the bishops in communion with him) has the right to interpret Scripture. It says that people like you and I (and the Bereans) are not supposed to interpret Scripture for ourselves. Where does the Catholic approach leave Christian prisoners in countries where there is persecution? All they have to go on is prayer and their memory of Scripture. They can’t read a Bible. They can’t consult with a priest or a bishop. They are often doing well if they get to see any Christians at all. Would God set up a system that doesn’t take care of His most faithful followers-the people who are willing to pay the highest price to serve Him? Of course not! Catholicism teaches that Christians are supposed to “receive with docility” any directives given to them by Catholic Church authorities. That doesn’t sound like the Berean men who studied the Scriptures, to see whether or not what the Apostle Paul taught them was Biblical. Rather, it sounds like a young child who accepts without question whatever his parents tell him. I believe that is precisely what Jesus warned us against when He told us: “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9) In 1854, Pope Pius IX declared the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The Pope said that if people “dare” to even think anything contrary to this dogma, then that disagreement will shipwreck their faith, cut them off from the Catholic Church, and make them become “condemned.” He said that if people outwardly express disagreement, then they are subject to punishment. The Pope’s reference to punishment is significant, because a man had been executed for heresy 28 years before this papal bull was issued. Did Jesus treat people like that for disagreeing in their hearts with something that He or the Apostles told them? When the rich young man turned away from Jesus, He didn’t rebuke him or threaten him. He let him go. (Matthew 19:16-22) Many of Jesus’ disciples left Him and no longer followed Him. Jesus asked the Twelve if they also wanted to leave. (John 6:67) He didn’t threaten them or rebuke them. He didn’t try to force them to believe what He taught them. He didn’t try to make them stay with Him. He didn’t manipulate them or put emotional pressure on them. Jesus left them free to believe or not believe, to stay or to leave. If Jesus didn’t demand that people believe His teachings, then how can anybody else validly do it? Nobody else has the depth of understanding, or the purity of doctrine, or the purity of heart, that Jesus did. There was one occasion when James and John wanted to call down fire on some Samaritans who wouldn’t listen to them. Jesus rebuked them, saying: “You know not what manner of spirit ye are of.” (Luke 9:55-56; see Luke 9:51-56.) Look at how Jesus responded to “doubting Thomas.” All of the Apostles except Thomas had seen Jesus after the Resurrection. Jesus had repeatedly told his Disciples that He would be crucified and then resurrected on the third day. In spite of that, Thomas said that he wouldn’t believe unless he put his finger into the holes from the nails and put his hand into the wound in Jesus’ side. When Jesus appeared again, did He rebuke Thomas? Did Jesus call down curses and
anathemas on Thomas, for not believing what the Apostles had said? No. He invited Thomas to put his finger into the nail holes and to put his hand into the wound in His side. In other words, Jesus invited Thomas to check it out for himself. Then He commended Thomas. (See John 20:24-29) Look at a theological confrontation that is described in Galatians 2:11-16. Peter made a decision that was theologically incorrect. Paul publicly corrected Peter. We have no record that Paul was rebuked for this. He certainly wasn’t embarrassed by it, because he used the incident as a teaching illustration in his Epistle to the Galatians. According to the Catholic Church, Peter was the first pope. However, if you read Peter’s epistles, he did not speak as if he had any special status. Look at how he described himself. “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” (1 Peter 1:1) “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.” (1 Peter 5:1) “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:1) This is not the language of a high and mighty Pope, who lords it over the Church. Peter did not set himself apart as being in a higher position of authority than the other apostles. He did not even describe himself as being more important than the average believer. Peter told us that all Christians are specially chosen and of great value. He said: “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5) Peter said that every Christian man and woman is a priest. He said that our spiritual sacrifices are acceptable to God.
DANGERS OF INFALLIBILITY
Jesus warned us against deception. He said: “...Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matthew 24:4) Paul warned us against deception. He also warned us that it is dangerous to accept doctrines in the way that children do. He said that it makes people susceptible to deception. Paul said: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” (Ephesians 4:14) “Beware lest any man spoil [ruin] you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
If every Christian reads the Bible, and checks things out against Scripture (as the Bereans did), then the devil has a problem. He and his demon cohorts will have to deceive each and every Christian individually. However, if people are required to accept whatever the Pope says “with docility,” then the devil’s job is much easier. If he can just deceive the Pope, and get the Pope to declare something unbiblical to be official doctrine, then the devil will have successfully deceived everybody who is under the Pope’s authority. The Apostle Peter was so deceived by the devil that Jesus rebuked him, saying: “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Matthew 16:23; also see Mark 8:33 and Luke 4:8) The devil successfully deceived Peter concerning an important matter of faith (the death and resurrection of Jesus, as prophesied by Jesus Himself). So how can the popes (who claim to be the successors of Peter) say that the devil is incapable of deceiving them?
A Catholic historian said: “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” When you give any one man (the Pope) or group of men (the Magisterium) the power to define what people are required to believe in order to be able to go to Heaven, then you invite abuses of power. History is full of examples of this abuse of power. (See the chapters “Hunting ‘Heretics’” and “The Popes.”) There are popes who came to power by murder, by armed conquest, or by buying the papacy. The behavior of some popes was obviously contrary to the Biblical requirements for Christian leaders. For example, Pope Stephen IV condemned a man to be killed by having little pieces of his body cut off of him every day, until he died. Alexander VI (the Borgia Pope) was known for sexual immorality and murder. Pope Benedict IX practiced witchcraft and Satanism. These are extreme cases. Obviously, most popes are not like that. But some were. And there is no guarantee that it won’t happen again. David Yallop wrote the book, “In God’s Name: An Investigation into the Murder of Pope John Paul I.” Vatican insiders asked Yallop to investigate the death of John Paul I, because they suspected that he was murdered. Yallop did his homework. His information comes from interviews with Vatican insiders and Mafia gangsters. He gives a revealing and disturbing picture of life in the Vatican. Throughout Church history, there have always been tares among the wheat and wolves among the sheep. I realize that scandals are not limited to the Catholic Church. There have been many scandals in Protestant denominations. But Catholic corruption is more deadly, because the Catholic Church claims to be infallible. That claim makes wolves in sheep’s clothing far more dangerous. It gives them great power over the minds and lives of other people.
I have a challenge for you. It will require some work on your part, but it will be worth the effort.
I have discussed the question of our source of authority. Now, I want to demonstrate it to you. You have thought about the issue. Now, I want you to personally taste the difference between Scripture and Roman Catholic tradition. I can’t do this for you. You have to experience it for yourself, in order to understand. Before reading the rest of this chapter, please ask God to give you wisdom and discernment. (James 1:5) I want you to read some statements by Pope Pius IX. They are from his encyclical, “Ineffabilis Deus.” I don’t have permission to quote the statements, so I can’t put them in this book for you. However, you can read them online. Some Internet addresses are below. If they don’t work for you, then you can do an Internet search for “Ineffabilis Deus.” http://www.pax-et-veritas.org/Popes/pius_ix/ineffabi.htm http://www.naorc.org/documents/ineffabilis_deus.htm http://www.geocities.com/apologeticacatolica/ineffabilis.html http://www.legacyrus.com/library/Vatican/ImmaculateConcept.htm http://www.newadvent.org/docs/pi09id.htm Please read the sections, “The Definition” and “Hoped-for Results.” They are near the end of the encyclical. You can find them quickly by searching the web page for “The Definition.” (When you have the encyclical online, go to EDIT. Select FIND. Type “The Definition.” Then hit ENTER.) “Hoped-for Results” comes immediately after “The Definition.” We are going to compare what Pope Pius IX said about Mary, with what the Bible says about her. In reading the material, please pay attention to the tone of the writing, as well as to the contents. Please notice how the Pope speaks--his attitude, his bearing, his approach towards his readers, and the general tone of his writing. Please notice how you feel while you are reading the encyclical. Sometimes we can “sniff” things that our intellects don’t pick up. We have expressions reflecting that. For example: “There’s something fishy going on.” It means that something doesn’t smell right--I don’t know what’s wrong; I can’t explain it; but there is something wrong here. I’ll give an example from my own life. When I was a Catholic, I used to recite certain special prayers in order to earn indulgences on behalf of the “poor souls in Purgatory.” One day, while I was doing it, something just didn’t feel right about it. I stopped doing it. Months later, I realized that reciting prayers is not praying. If my reason for saying the prayers was to earn indulgences (rather than sharing my heart with God), then I wasn’t praying. Years later, I realized that Purgatory doesn’t even exist. My “sniffer” picked up the problem long before my mind understood it. I’m asking you to activate your “sniffer” when you read this encyclical. You can ask God to help you do it.
This papal bull is as official as they can get. It is an “infallible” pronouncement of Catholic doctrine. The Pope who wrote it is on his way to becoming a canonized saint. Pope John Paul II beatified him on September 3, 2000. Beatification is the last step before canonization.
Have you read the material from the encyclical? If so, then please read what the Bible says about Mary, the mother of Jesus. The first two chapters of the Gospel of Matthew, and the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke, have information about the infancy of Jesus, and the time when He was in the Temple, asking questions of the religious leaders. Those Scripture passages are too long to quote here. You can read them in your own Bible. I have quoted all of the other Scripture passages about Mary, the mother of Jesus. (In searching for the word “Mary,” I found more references to other women named Mary than I did for Jesus’ mother.) Some women went to the tomb after Jesus was crucified. They included women named Mary, but Jesus’ mother is not mentioned as being one of them. (The Gospels refer to her as “Mary the mother of Jesus.”) Matthew 28:1 refers to: “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary.” Mark 16:1 says that they are: “Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome.” Luke 24:10 refers to: “Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them.” Aside from the infancy and childhood of Jesus, the following Scripture passages are the only ones that refer to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Here is what the Bible says about her: “While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50) (Also see Mark 3:31-35 and Luke 8:19-21.) “Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.” (Matthew 13:55-57; also see Mark 6:1-6 and Luke 4:16-31.) “And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:27-28) “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the
governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” (John 2:1-11) “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” (John 19:25-27) “Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Phillip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” (Acts 1:12-14) “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” (Galatians 4:4) The Scripture passages that I just quoted, plus the first two chapters of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, are all of the passages that refer to Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Bible doesn’t tell us much about her.
I asked you to read two sections from the Pope’s encyclical. The first one was, “The Definition.” It has two parts: the actual definition of the dogma, and a warning not to doubt or disagree with the dogma. How did you feel when you read the warning? What was the tone of the warning? What was the Pope’s attitude towards his audience? The second section that I asked you to read was, “Hoped-for Results.” How did you feel when you read it? What is the tone of the writing? What is the Pope’s attitude towards Mary? How did you feel when you read the quotations from Scripture? (If you are not used to reading the King James version of the Bible, then you might want to read those passages in your own Bible, in the translation that you are familiar with.) What is the tone of the Scripture passages? What is the attitude towards Mary? What is the approach towards the readers? How much prominence does the Bible give to Mary? Compare that with what the Pope said about her. In the section of the encyclical called, “Hoped-for Results,” what did the Pope say about Mary? We know that she was the mother of Jesus. What else did the Pope say about her? Are any of those statements supported by what the Bible says about her? You may have noticed that the Pope said that Mary would enable the Catholic Church to “reign.” He said that, because of Mary, Rome would rule from “the river” all the way to the “ends of the earth”--in other words, throughout the world. (“The river” refers to the Tiber River, which is in
Rome. The Vatican is located next to the Tiber River.) Look at Mary, as portrayed in the Bible. Would she want to create a super-power that would rule over the nations?
It is worth noting that, in the Bible, the last thing we hear about Mary, the mother of Jesus, is in the first chapter of the Book of Acts. She was in the upper room, with about 120 people, before the Holy Spirit came upon them on the Day of Pentecost. Galatians 4:4 does refer to her, but only to say that Jesus was “made of a woman.” It is a way of referring to the Incarnation of Jesus, rather than giving new information about Mary. Scripture tells us about a woman who gave Mary special prominence and praise. It also records what Jesus had to say about it. The Bible says: “And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:27-28 ) Please ask God to give you His perspective about the passages that you read from the papal encyclical. If you are a Catholic, then you may be so familiar with this kind of writing that you don’t notice what it really says. If that is the case, then please read the section, “Hoped-for Results,” again. Read it slowly. Think about what it says. There is a lot at stake here. The Apostle Paul said: “Beware lest any man spoil [ruin] you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
Jesus promised us that the gates of Hell will not prevail against His Church. That requires the supernatural intervention of God. According to the Bible, God has done this by sending us the Holy Spirit to teach us and to guide us. (John 14:26; John 16:13) According to the Catholic Church, God has done this by miraculously protecting the popes from making mistakes when they make pronouncements about faith or morals. This idea has a natural appeal. We would all like to have magical protection from error. Also, it is nice to be able to be passive spectators, receiving “with docility” whatever our superiors teach us, without having to face the responsibility of checking it out for ourselves. But, attractive or not, this idea is not supported by Scripture or by Church history. (For a discussion of historical inconsistencies, see the section on “Infallibility” in the chapter, “Was the Early Church Roman Catholic?”) What is our source of authority? God. His primary way of communicating with us is through the Bible. He sent the Holy Spirit to enable us to understand the Bible. If we don’t have access to a Bible (as is the case with some persecuted Christians), then God has other ways of teaching us,
guiding us, and directing us. No matter what our circumstances are, God is willing and able to keep us from falling. (Jude 1:24)
Faith Versus Works
The Bible makes it clear that we are only saved by faith. No amount of good works is able to save us. Scripture says: “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 ) “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” (Romans 11:6) “...according to the power of God, Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began...” (2 Timothy 1:8-9) Once we have become born-again Christians, our faith should result in a changed heart, which will express itself in good works. Genuine faith will influence our entire life: our thoughts, our desires, and our actions. It should result in love and gratitude towards God, love for our fellow Christians, having a desire to serve and obey the Lord, and wanting nonbelievers to know Jesus Christ. The Apostle James said: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18) Talk is cheap. It is easy to say a prayer or to say that we have faith. If faith does not result in obeying God, then it may not be genuine faith. Jesus said: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46) Salvation comes through faith. Genuine faith expresses itself in love, obeying God, and doing good works. Good words do not save us. However, they can be evidence of a faith that saves us. Good works are the fruit of salvation--not the cause of it.
In the Epistle to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul addressed the problem of the “Judaizers.” These were Christians who believed that, in addition to faith in Jesus Christ, Christians needed to be circumcised and follow the laws of Moses. Paul said:
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7) Paul said that if people rely on good works for their salvation, then the death of Jesus Christ does not benefit them. If we could be saved by following the law, then it would not have been necessary for Christ to die for us. Paul said: “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:21) The problem with trying to fulfill the law is that it is impossible. Nobody can fulfill all of it all of the time. The Apostle Paul wrote: “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree...” (Galatians 3:10-13) According to the Bible, our righteousness can only come from Jesus Christ--not from our own efforts to make ourselves righteous. If we try to earn our salvation by means of our own good works, then we wind up rejecting the salvation that God wants to freely give us. The righteousness of Christians comes through Jesus Christ. We are not capable of establishing our own righteousness by fulfilling the law, or by doing good works. Paul said: “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” (Romans 4:3-8) “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:2-4) The Apostle Paul discussed the problem of “Judaizers.” These men said that circumcision was necessary for salvation, and that Christians should follow the Jewish law. Paul called that slavery. He said that the end result is that people fall from grace, and Christ’s death on the cross does not benefit them. Paul exhorted the Christians in Galatia, saying: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5:1-4) The Catholic Church has some things in common with the Judaizers. It says that, in order for people to be saved, in addition to having faith in Jesus, they must also obey laws (official declarations of popes and church councils) and participate in religious rituals (the sacraments).
The Good Thief
Jesus was crucified between two thieves. Luke’s Gospel gives some very interesting information about one of those thieves. (He is called a “malefactor,” which is an old-fashioned word for a criminal.) The Apostle Luke wrote: “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou are in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43) The thief went to Heaven the day that he died. There was no Purgatory. He went straight to Heaven. The thief had faith in Jesus. He recognized Jesus’ Godly character. He believed in Jesus. Because of that, he believed what Jesus said about Himself. While he and Jesus were both hanging on crosses, in agony, it sure didn’t look like Jesus was a King. It sure didn’t feel like it. But the thief’s faith in Jesus was stronger than his feelings. The thief asked Jesus to have mercy on him, to help him. And Jesus responded by promising that the thief would go to Heaven with Him--that very day. The thief wasn’t baptized. He didn’t receive the “last rites” or the “sacrament of reconciliation” (“confession”). He didn’t do any good works to merit salvation. He didn’t do any penances. He didn’t go see a priest. He didn’t obey a Pope. All he did was have faith in Jesus and ask Him for mercy. And he loved Jesus. That is shown by how he rebuked the other thief for mocking Jesus and speaking against Him. Faith and love and a plea for mercy--it was as simple as that. Jesus once called a little child to him and He used that child as a sermon illustration. He said: “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4) It takes humility to ask Jesus to save us, instead of trying to earn our own way into Heaven by doing good works. It takes the simplicity and humility of a child to just love Jesus, and trust Him, and ask Him to make it right for us. In this passage, Jesus warned us about the danger of becoming “adults” who are so sophisticated and so complicated that we are no longer able to receive salvation from Him with the simple faith and trust and love of a little child. Catholicism is full of rules, and rituals, and complicated theology. It is full of trying to be good enough to earn your way into Heaven by doing things--going to Mass, receiving the sacraments, doing good works, obeying the Catholic Church, being devoted to Mary, praying to saints, etc.
But the Bible talks of simple faith, like a child--and like the thief on the cross. He just believed and asked Jesus to help him. And he went straight to Heaven with Jesus.
Devotion to Mary
As a faithful Catholic, and later as a nun, I was devoted to Mary. The prayers and practices were so familiar. They were taught to me by sincere people. I prayed the rosary, including rosary novenas. I wore a Brown Scapular and a Miraculous Medal. I visited shrines that honor Mary. I had beautiful statues of Mary. I attended special services where we prayed to Mary and recited a litany of titles honoring her. I read books about apparitions of Mary, and dreamed of visiting Lourdes and Fatima. I participated in processions honoring Mary. A statue of Mary was put on a platform that was decorated with flowers. There were poles on the platform, so that men could carry it. The men walked through the streets, carrying the statue on the platform. We walked behind the statue, singing songs in Mary’s honor. Was this worship? At the time, that question never occurred to me. Now, looking back on what I did, I believe that it was.
How can you tell what a person’s real priorities are? Watch what he or she does when faced with a life-threatening situation. Pope John Paul II was shot by an assassin on May 13, 1981. While the ambulance was rushing him to the hospital, the Pope did not pray to God or call on the name of Jesus. Instead, he kept saying, over and over: “Mary, my mother!” Polish pilgrims placed a picture of Our Lady of Czestochowa on the throne where the Pope normally sat. People gathered around the picture. Vatican loudspeakers broadcasted the prayers of the rosary. When the Pope recovered, he gave Mary all the glory for saving his life, and he made a pilgrimage to Fatima to publicly thank her. Another test of a person’s priorities is what he or she does with money. Jesus said: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34) Some statues of Mary wear real crowns, which are made of gold. Vast sums of money are spent on some special statues of Mary. For example, a cathedral in Saragossa, Spain, has a statue of Mary that wears a crown made of 25 pounds of gold and diamonds, with so many diamonds that you can hardly see the gold. In addition, the statue has six other crowns of gold, diamonds, and emeralds. It has 365 mantles that are embroidered with gold, and decorated with diamonds and other jewels. It has 365 necklaces made of pearls and diamonds, and six chains of gold set with diamonds.
In Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, preparations are underway to construct a 305-foot statue of Our Lady of the Rosary. (It will be as large as the Statue of Liberty.) There are also plans for chapels,
conference rooms, apartments, a food court, observation decks, and radio and TV stations. The statue will be part of a 500-acre “Mystical City” complex. It is traditional to have processions in honor of Mary. They range in size from a few dozen people to multitudes. At Fatima, Portugal, crowds of over a million people gather on the anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima. The celebration includes a procession of a million people, who follow a statue of Mary and sing songs praising her. One traditional prayer in Mary’s honor is the “Hail Holy Queen,” which is known in Latin as the “Salve Regina.” It is traditionally included as part of praying the rosary. Please read this prayer and ask yourself: “Does this sound like worship?” It says: “Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping, in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.” Alfonsus de Liguori (1696-1787) was a principal proponent of the Marianist Movement, which glorifies Mary. He wrote a book called, “The Glories of Mary,” which is famous, influential, and widely read. In this book, de Liguori says that Mary was given rulership over one half of the kingdom of God. He said that Mary rules over the kingdom of mercy, and Jesus rules over the kingdom of justice. De Liguori said that people should pray to Mary as a mediator, and look to her as an object of trust for answered prayer. The book says that there is no salvation outside of Mary. Some people suggest that these views are extreme, and not representative of Catholic Church teaching. However, instead of silencing de Liguori as a heretic, the Catholic Church made him a canonized saint. In addition, he is a “doctor of the Church” (a person whose teachings carry weight and authority). Furthermore, his book is openly and officially promoted by the Catholic Church, and his teachings have influenced popes. Pope Pius IX reigned from 1846 to 1878. He said that our salvation is based upon Mary. Pope Benedict XV reigned from 1914 to 1922. He said that Mary, with Christ, redeemed mankind. The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” says that Mary has a “saving office” and her intercession brings us our salvation. (“Catechism,” paragraph 969.) A lay movement called “Vox Populi” (Voice of the People) gathers signed petitions to send to the Pope, seeking to have him officially declare that Mary is Co-Redemptrix. This doctrine says that Mary and Jesus are Co-Redeemers. (I have seen photographs of crucifixes that show Jesus hanging on one side of the cross, and Mary standing on the other side. She isn’t nailed to it, but visually, she looks as essential to our salvation as Jesus does.) Over six million signatures have been sent to the Pope, representing 138 countries and all seven continents. This doctrine is supported by over 40 cardinals and 600 bishops worldwide. The Catholic Church exalts Mary as an idealized, larger-than-life, perfect mother. However, the Bible shows that, at one point, Mary misunderstood Jesus’ ministry. Mary and Jesus’ brothers tried to make him stop ministering. This is described in Mark 3:20-35. The first two verses say:
“And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.’” (Mark 3:20-21) According to “Strong’s Concordance,” the Greek word that is translated “friends” has a variety of meanings, including “kinsmen.” However, we don’t have to depend on the exact meaning of the word here, because it will be made clear in verse 31. “Strong’s Concordance” defines “lay hold on” as “to use strength, i.e. seize or retain.” It defines “beside himself” as “become astounded, insane.” In other words, these people thought that Jesus didn’t know what he was doing. They intended to take charge of the situation. Verses 22 through 30 describe a confrontation that occurred between Jesus and the scribes. Then we get back to the people who thought that Jesus was “beside himself” and intended to “lay hold on” Him. The Bible says: “There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.” (Mark 3:31-35)
COMPARING SCRIPTURE WITH CATHOLIC DOCTRINES ABOUT MARY
My sources for this section are the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” and the Bible. The “Catechism” summarizes the essential and basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. It was approved by Pope John Paul II in 1992. It has numbered paragraphs, which makes it easy to find things. It is available online with a search engine. You can search by paragraph numbers or topics. (Information is in the Notes.) For each doctrinal category, I will indicate the Catholic doctrine, followed by the appropriate references from the “Catechism.” (I will say “Catechism” followed by the relevant paragraph numbers.) I will follow this with quotations from the Bible that relate to the doctrine. The last book in the Bible is called the “Book of Revelation” in Protestant Bibles. It is called the “Apocalypse” in Catholic Bibles. I will refer to it as “Revelation.”
Catholic doctrine says that Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin, from the first instant of her conception. (“Catechism” 491, 492, 508). However, according to the Bible, Mary knew that she needed a savior. The Bible records Mary’s words to her cousin Elizabeth: “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour ” (Luke 1:46-47) The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was first introduced by a heretic (a man whose teachings were officially declared to be contrary to Church doctrine). For centuries, this doctrine was unanimously rejected by popes, Fathers, and theologians of the Catholic Church.
Catholic doctrine says that Mary, “the All-Holy,” lived a perfectly sinless life. (“Catechism” 411, 493, 508) However, according to Scripture, all people have sinned. The Bible says: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God...” (Romans 3:23) “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy...” (Revelation 15:4) “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one...” (Romans 3:10) There is only one exception, one sinless person. Jesus Christ is the only human being who was never soiled by sin. The Bible says: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth...” (1 Peter 2:22) The Bible tells us that the parents of John the Baptist were “righteous before God” and that they were “blameless.” (Luke 1:6) If Mary was sinless, wouldn’t the Bible have told us so? It says that she was “highly favoured” and that God was with her. (Luke 1:28) But it does not say that she was sinless. Mary herself said that she needed a Savior. If God was her Savior, then Mary was not sinless, because sinless people do not need a Savior. The Bible describes it as follows: “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” (Luke 1:46-47) In the Book of Revelation, when they were searching for someone who was worthy to break the seals and open the scroll, the only person who was found to be worthy was Jesus. Nobody else in Heaven or on earth (including Mary) was worthy to open the scroll, or even look inside it. (Revelation 5:1-5)
Catholic doctrine says that Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus. (“Catechism” 499, 510) However, the Bible says: “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” (Matthew 1:24-25) “Till” (until) means that, after that point, things changed. Joseph did eventually “know” Mary (have sexual relations with her). (See Genesis 4:1, where Adam “knew” Eve, and she conceived, and had a son.) In addition, “firstborn son” implies that there were additional sons.
Mary and Joseph had at least six children. The Bible names four brothers of Jesus. It also says that he had sisters. The Bible says: “And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?” (Matthew 13:54-56; also see Mark 6:2-3) When I was a Catholic, I was taught that the word for “brothers” in this passage was a general term that could refer to any kind of kinsman, including cousins. I was taught that Mary was not the mother of these “brothers,” and therefore these “brothers” did not interfere with her virginity. The Hebrew language has a general term that can mean brothers, cousins, or other kinsmen. However, the New Testament was not written in Hebrew. It was written in Greek. The Greek language is very precise. It makes it quite clear whether or not people have the same parents. According to “Strong’s Concordance,” the Greek word used here for the “brothers” of Jesus is “adelphos.” It means, “from the same womb.” These are men who have the same mother. “Adelphos” is also used to describe the brothers of Jesus in Matthew 12:46; John 2:12; John 7:3; and Acts 1:14. “Adelphos” is used to describe “James the Lord’s brother” in Galatians 1:19. “Adelphos” is also used to describe the brothers Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:18), and the brothers James and John (Matthew 4:21). “Adelphe” (the feminine form of “adelphos)” is used to describe Jesus’ sisters (Matthew 13:56) The Greek language has another word that is used for relatives who don’t come from the same womb. The word “suggenes” is used to describe Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth (Luke 1:36). “Suggenes” means, “a blood relative.” Some people who were raised Catholic may wonder why I am talking about Greek and Hebrew words, because they remember hearing the Bible read in Latin during Mass. The Old Testament was written by Israelites who spoke Hebrew and Aramaic. It was written primarily in Hebrew, with some Aramaic. (Jews in modern Israel still speak Hebrew.) The New Testament was written in Greek. This was the common language of the people who lived in the eastern area of the Mediterranean Sea. Greek had been widely spoken since the reign of Alexander the Great. In the fifth century, Saint Jerome translated the Bible into Latin. Until the Second Vatican Council (19621965), the Bible was read in Latin during Mass. Greek is a very precise language. The Greek words used for “brothers” and “sisters” in Matthew 13:54-56 make it clear that Mary was their mother. So why does the Catholic Church insist that she wasn’t? Perhaps it is because of Saint Augustine. His essay, “On Marriage and Concupiscence,” influenced the Catholic Church for 1,500 years. Augustine said that if couples have intercourse in order to have children, without wanting to gratify their sexual desires, that is good. If they want to have children, but they also want to gratify their sexual desires, then that is a forgiveable sin that is allowable within marriage. If they want to gratify their sexual desires, and they don’t want to have children, then what they are doing is as bad as adultery or prostitution. Since the marriage bed was thought to be sinful, it is not surprising that Catholic theologians did not want to think of Mary as being a normal wife.
MOTHER OF GOD
Catholic doctrine says that, because she is the mother of Jesus, and Jesus is God, Mary is therefore the Mother of God. (“Catechism” 963, 971, 2677). However, this is opposed to Scripture. The Incarnation means that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. Mary was only the mother of Jesus as man. She was not the mother of Jesus as God. According to the Bible, the world was created through Jesus. This was long before Mary was born. Scripture says: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds...” (Hebrews 1:1-2) “For by him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things [including Mary] were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16-17) Jesus existed before the world began. He created everything (including Mary). Jesus came first-not Mary. Jesus said: “And now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” (John 17:5)
MOTHER OF THE CHURCH
According to Catholic doctrine, Mary is the Mother of the Church. (“Catechism” 963, 975). However, this is not seen in the Bible. The Book of Acts gives a picture of a group of people praying together. Mary is mentioned as one of them, but nothing indicates any special prominence. The Bible says: “And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Phillip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” (Acts 1:13-14) Mary was probably in the Upper Room when the tongues of fire fell upon the 120 disciples. However, she is never mentioned again in the Book of Acts, which is our only historical record of how the Church was born. She is also not specifically identified in the epistles. Paul did send greetings to “Mary,” but that was a common name. The Gospels and the Book of Acts refer to “Mary the mother of Jesus,” in order to distinguish her from other women named Mary. It is notable that John, who took Mary into his home after Jesus was crucified, did not mention her in his epistles. He only mentioned her twice in his Gospel (the wedding at Cana and the crucifixion of Jesus). John mentioned Mary Magdalene more often than he mentioned Jesus’ mother.
Catholic doctrine says that, at the end of her life, Mary was taken up (“assumed”), body and soul, into Heaven. (“Catechism” 966, 974) However, there is no biblical reference to the assumption of Mary. The Gospel of John is generally believed to have been written around 90 years after Jesus was born. If Mary had been supernaturally assumed into Heaven, wouldn’t John (the disciple that
Mary lived with) have mentioned it? When Enoch and Elijah were taken up to Heaven, the Bible recorded it. With Elijah, it was recorded in some detail. (See Genesis 5:24 and 2 Kings 2:1-12.) The Assumption of Mary was officially declared to be a dogma of the Roman Catholic faith in 1950. This means that every Roman Catholic is required to believe this doctrine without questioning it. However, as we will see, the teaching of the Assumption originated with heretical writings that were officially condemned by the early Church. In 495 A.D., Pope Gelasius declared that men who taught that Mary was assumed into Heaven were heretics. In the sixth century, Pope Hormisdas also condemned men as heretics for teaching it. “Infallible” popes declared the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary to be a heresy. Then, in 1950, Pope Pius XII (another “infallible” Pope) declared it to be official Roman Catholic doctrine.
Catholic doctrine says that people should invoke Mary as Advocate and Mediatrix, and her prayers contribute to our salvation. (“Catechism” 969). It says that we can trust Mary to take care of our concerns and our petitions. (“Catechism” 2677) However, according to the Bible, Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and mankind. Scripture says: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus: Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 ) “Wherefore he [Jesus] is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25) “In whom [Jesus] we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” (Ephesians 3:12) If Jesus is constantly interceding for us, and He is able to save us “to the uttermost” (utterly, completely), then He doesn’t need Mary’s help. If we can approach God with “boldness” and “confidence,” because of our faith in Jesus, then we don't need Mary’s help, either.
QUEEN OF HEAVEN
Catholic doctrine says that God has exalted Mary in heavenly glory as Queen of Heaven and earth, and she should be praised with special devotion. (“Catechism” 966, 971, 2675) However, in the Bible, “Queen of Heaven” is the title of a pagan goddess. God was angry with His people for worshiping her, and He brought judgment on them because of it. (Jeremiah 7:17-20; Jeremiah 44:17-28) The Bible makes it quite clear that only God’s name (not Mary’s) is to be exalted. It says: “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.” (Psalm 148:13) When people tried to give Mary special honor and pre-eminence, because she was His mother, Jesus corrected them. The Bible describes this incident, saying: “And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:27-28)
Jesus is saying that we should not give special honor to His mother. What matters is that we hear and obey the Word of God. We need to concentrate on that. Jesus’ response clearly shows that He did not want people to be distracted by giving undue honor or attention to Mary. In chapters four and five of the Book of Revelation, we are given a quite detailed picture of Heaven. God is seated on the throne, surrounded by 24 elders and four living creatures. The Lamb (Jesus) is standing in the center of the throne. Thousands upon thousands of angels circle the throne, singing God's praises. And Mary is not in the picture at all. If she is the Queen of Heaven, then why is she not mentioned?
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
How did modern Catholic doctrine about Mary wander so far away from what the Bible says? Two reasons are: (1) the importance given to Catholic tradition; and (2) the doctrine of papal infallibility. The Catholic Church officially states that Catholic tradition is equal in authority to the Bible. (“Catechism” 80, 84, 97) This tradition is based on the religious practices and beliefs of the Catholic people. (“Catechism” 78, 113, 2650, 2661) Therefore, it is constantly subject to change. It is also subject to unchristian cultural influences. Because tradition is difficult to define, Catholic theologians can make it appear to mean whatever suits their purposes at any given moment. The Early Fathers used Scripture as the standard against which they tested Catholic tradition. The modern Catholic doctrine that Catholic tradition is equal in authority with the Bible is contrary to the writings of the Early Fathers. According to Jesus, Scripture is the plumb line for measuring everything else. He judged religious traditions by comparing them to Scripture. When religious traditions contradicted Scripture, he condemned them. The Bible says: “Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 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. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” (Mark 7:1-13 ) This shows clearly that nothing is equal in authority to Scripture. The Bible stands alone as the standard by which all other things are to be judged. According to the official teaching of the Catholic Church, Catholic men and women are not allowed to believe what they read in the Bible without checking it out with the Catholic Church.
They are required to find out how the Catholic bishops interpret a passage, and they are required to accept what the bishops teach, as if it came from Jesus Christ Himself. They are not allowed to use their own judgment, or to follow their own conscience. They are required to believe whatever the bishops tell them, without questioning it. (“Catechism” 85, 87, 100, 862, 891, 2034, 2037) The Catholic Church teaches that the Pope is infallible whenever he makes an official decree on matters of faith and morals. According to Catholic doctrine, it is impossible for the Pope to teach false doctrine. Catholics are expected to obey the Pope without question, even when he is not making an “infallible” statement about doctrine. They are expected to submit their wills and minds to the Pope without question. (“Catechism” 87, 892, 2037, 2051)
APPARITIONS OF “MARY”
Something has been appearing to people. It claims to be the Virgin Mary. Often only one person, or a few people, can see it. In some places, many people can see it. These apparitions are sometimes accompanied by supernatural manifestations, such as physical healings. Some apparitions (such as the ones in Lourdes and Fatima) have been officially approved by the Catholic Church. Official approval means that Catholic Church hierarchy has decided that an apparition is a valid supernatural event, the thing that is appearing is the Virgin Mary, and nothing that the apparition has said or done is contrary to Catholic doctrine. If these really are supernatural events, how do we know that they don’t come from the devil? The Bible warns us that the devil can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and he can cause deceptive supernatural events (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Millions of Catholics make pilgrimages to places where “Mary” has appeared. Pope John Paul II has encouraged this, by visiting many apparition sites himself. He has a special devotion to Our Lady of Fatima (an apparition that appeared in Fatima, Portugal). When Pope John Paul II was shot, he prayed to Mary, instead of praying to God. He believed that Mary saved his life. The Pope made a pilgrimage to Fatima to thank her, and to consecrate the entire human race to her. The video, “Catholicism: Crisis of Faith,” shows the Pope bowing down before a statue of Mary and kissing its feet. Millions of pilgrims go to shrines that honor apparitions of Mary. Every year, fifteen to twenty million pilgrims go to Guadalupe in Mexico, five and a half million go to Lourdes in France, five million go to Czestochowa (Jasna Gora) in Poland, and four and a half million go to Fatima in Portugal. Special dates draw huge crowds. On August 15, half a million pilgrims go to Czestochowa. On October 13, a million people go to Fatima. On December 12, 1999, five million pilgrims went to Mexico, to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. Are these pilgrims worshiping Mary? You can observe them and come to your own conclusions, thanks to the video, “Messages from Heaven.” (You can watch it online.) If you watch the video, you will see the Pope bow in front of a painting of Mary and cover the area with incense. You will see a million pilgrims walking in a procession, following a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, and singing songs in Mary’s honor. You will see several million people in a procession following a painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe. You will see the largest assembly of bishops and cardinals since the Second Vatican Council, gathered together to join Pope John Paul II in solemnly consecrating the entire world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Our minds can be deceived, and so can the minds of bishops and popes. Only the Bible is totally trustworthy. The Bible warns us: “Beware lest any man spoil [ruin] you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8) “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12; also see Proverbs 16:25) When religious traditions conflict with the plain meaning of Scripture, then we need to discard those traditions. We cannot afford to do otherwise, because our eternal destiny is at stake.
The Presence of God
Some Catholics have asked me how I can have peace or joy without the Eucharist (Catholic communion). There are two answers to this question. First, the Bible says that we can have peace in a way that has nothing to do with taking communion. It is based on relationship, rather than sacraments. Scripture says: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3) “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7) Second, there are some problems with the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation. According to this doctrine, when a Catholic priest consecrates bread, it literally turns into the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. The same thing is said to happen when a Catholic priest consecrates wine. When I was a Catholic, I went to communion as often as possible. I also prayed in front of the Tabernacle (an ornate container where consecrated communion wafers are kept.) I believed that Jesus was in there. I wanted to be with Him. When I was a Catholic, I sometimes attended special services called Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. A large, consecrated Host (communion wafer) was put in a Monstrance. (This is a large, ornate, metal container, in the basic shape of a sunburst. It has a stem and a base so that it can stand up.) The Monstrance looked like it was made of gold. It had a circular chamber in the middle, which held a large, round Host. The front of the chamber was glass, so you could see the Host. Visually, it looked like gold rays were coming out of the Host. (You can see pictures of Monstrances online.) The priest put the Monstrance on the altar. We worshiped the Host, believing that it was Jesus Christ. There were special prayers and special songs in honor of the Host. At the end of the service, we had Benediction. The priest held the Monstrance and made the sign of the cross with it. We believed that Jesus Himself was blessing us.
There are some Biblical reasons for not believing that the bread and wine are literally transformed into Jesus Christ. Many things could be said about that, but I will only mention one of them-Jesus’ use of symbolic language. Jesus often used metaphors and symbolism. For example, Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:7-9) However, we don’t believe that Jesus literally is a door. We don’t ritually walk through sacred doors in order to be saved and become part of Jesus’ flock. Even if consecrated bread really did turn into Jesus Christ, it would only bring His presence for a short time. This is what would happen when you took communion. You would eat the consecrated bread. Because of that, Jesus would be inside of you, but only until the bread was digested. Once the bread was gone, then Jesus would also be gone. If you only took communion at Mass on Sundays, then Jesus would be inside of you for a few hours on Sundays. The rest of the time, He would be gone. This is not what we see in Scripture. Jesus promised to stay with us, to be with us all the time. He said: “...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20) Jesus said that a time would come when we would realize that He truly lives in us, and we truly live in Him. He said that He would abide in us (live in us). Jesus said: “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” (John 14:20) “Abide in me, and I in you...” (John 15:4) Jesus expects Christians to dwell in Him, and to have Him dwell in them. Jesus should be our home. We should be His home. This should be a normal part of Christian life. The Bible tells us that God will be with His people and that He will be in His people. This does not depend on circumstances, or on consecrated bread. Rather, it depends upon our personal relationship with God. Scripture says: “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:15) “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith...” (Ephesians 3:17) “...He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 1:9) “...God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16) “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16) “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)
There are countries where Christians are being persecuted. Some Christians have been killed because of their faith. Others have been put in prison. If Christian prisoners are unable to take communion, does that prevent Jesus from being in them? Would He make His presence depend on circumstances over which persecuted Christians have no control? Would Jesus deny His presence to His most faithful followers--the people who paid the highest price to be faithful to Him--right when they need His presence the most, because of the hardships that they are enduring? Christianity works everywhere, for all people, regardless of their circumstances. It works for persecuted Christians who are in prison, and who have no access to communion. Having God’s presence in our lives does not depend on our circumstances. It depends on our relationship with God. If we truly love God, then He will be with us. He will abide in us, which means that He will take up permanent residence in us. That is why the Apostle Paul says that we are God’s Temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16) God actually dwells in us.
I believe that the Catholic mystics were sincere men and women who loved the Lord. However, I also believe that they were deceived. It can be seen in the connection that many of them made between suffering and intimacy with God. They give a distorted picture of the nature and character of God. The following brief statements are based on my recollection of some Catholic books that I read years ago. (When I was a Catholic, I looked to the mystics to show me how to be close to God. I read their writings, and books written by biographers who admired them.) Later in this chapter, I will give more detailed information. You can verify it at some Catholic websites that are described in the Notes. Saint Catherine of Sienna said that Jesus Christ was her novice master. However, supposedly under the direction of Jesus, she regularly whipped herself until the blood ran down her back. Saint Teresa of Avila recounted an incident when she was sick, in pain, and feeling miserable. According to Teresa, Jesus told her that He deliberately makes His friends suffer. Saint John of the Cross said that the “dark night of the soul” (intense spiritual and emotional suffering) is necessary for intimacy with God. There is a practical problem with that. If you expect to go through intense suffering, the devil will be delighted to accommodate you. If you welcome the suffering, because you believe that it is a sign that you are becoming closer to God, then the devil has your permission to keep on causing it. How do we treat our babies? Do they have to prove their devotion by suffering? Is that a requirement for having us hold them and show them love? Of course not. We just love them. Would God the Father do any less for His children?
Suffering is part of life. Jesus said that, in this world, we will have tribulation. (John 16:33) God can use all things (including suffering) for our good. (Romans 8:28) But suffering is not a price that we pay in order to be close to God. God gives His love freely. We cannot earn it. Saint Francis of Assisi said that it was “perfect joy” to be cold, hungry, rejected, and verbally abused. He glorified pain, suffering, and poverty. At the end of his life, Saint Francis had the stigmata. These are visible, bleeding, painful wounds that occur in the same locations as the wounds that Jesus Christ suffered on the cross. They are wounds in the hands and feet and side. They can also include wounds in the back (from whipping) and head (from the crown of thorns). Francis’ disciples considered the stigmata to be a sign of God’s great love for Francis. Other people have also had the stigmata. One modern example is Padre Pio, who regularly whipped himself. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 says that the devil is able to work signs and lying wonders. He would be capable of causing the stigmata, especially if people desire it, because they consider it to be a sign of God’s favor. The stigmata are supernatural, and they imitate the wounds of the crucifixion. However, that does not mean that they come from God. They could come from the devil. Moses, Joshua, the prophets, John the Baptist, and the Apostles had an extraordinary level of intimacy with God. Did these men whip themselves? Did they do penances to mortify their flesh? Did any of them have the stigmata? These men suffered, but they did not glorify suffering, and they did not deliberately seek it. Their suffering was the kind that Jesus told us to expect. Jesus said: “...because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” (John 15:19) “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” (John 15:20. Also see Matthew 5:11-12; Matthew 5:44-45; and Matthew 10:22-23) This is suffering, but it is not sought after, and it is not self-inflicted. It is the natural result of the world’s rejection of Jesus Christ and His followers. Jesus described it when He said: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19) The Bible tells us to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4) and to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This is because of our confidence in God, who promised to make everything work out for good for people who love Him (Romans 8:28). It has nothing to do with glorifying suffering. The Bible tells us to rejoice when we endure hardship and suffering, because it will bear good spiritual fruit in our lives. (See James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 1:7.) This is not a glorification of suffering. Rather, it is following in the footsteps of Jesus, who was willing to endure the cross, because of the good that would result from it. Jesus was willing, but He wanted to avoid it if He could. In the Garden of Gesthemane, He asked if there was any other way. (Matthew 26:39)
When Jesus was on earth, He went around healing people. He taught His disciples to heal people. He said that His followers would heal people. Jesus said: “And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues: They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:17-18) How could Jesus spend his ministry on earth healing people, and teaching His disciples to heal people, and then tell Catherine of Siena to repeatedly whip herself? The whipping is not consistent with the character of Jesus, as shown in the Gospels. The Gospels say that Jesus was “moved with compassion.” (Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14; Mark 1:41; Mark 6:34) Compassionate people do not deliberately cause suffering for their friends. The experiences of Catherine of Sienna, Teresa of Avila, and Francis of Assisi are not consistent with the compassion of Jesus. At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus described His mission. He quoted from Isaiah 61:1. He said: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4:18) Does this sound like someone who wants people to whip themselves until the blood runs down their back? Does this sound like someone who would make people endure the torment of the stigmata? It is good to want to be wholehearted and fervent in serving God. We can see examples of this in the Bible. Read some of Paul’s prayers. Look at the way that Paul would be writing about a subject, and mention God, and just have to write about the goodness and glory of God. Logically, it interrupts his discussion of the issue. Emotionally, it shows that Paul was so passionate about God that sometimes he just couldn’t help himself--he just had to stop what he was doing (even in the middle of a thought) and speak about the glory of God and His incredible love for us. Now that is a passionate man. That is a man who loves God with everything in him. Read the Psalms. Look at David’s passion for God. We can share in David’s rejoicing and his wholehearted worship and praise.
THE APOSTLE PAUL
The Apostle Paul had extraordinary visions and revelations. He was caught up into Paradise and he heard things that he was not allowed to reveal to anyone. God gave Paul a “thorn in the flesh,” in order to prevent him from becoming proud, because of these amazing revelations. Scripture does not tell us what the “thorn” was, or whether it involved physical pain. Paul begged God to remove it, but instead of getting rid of it, God said: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9; see 2 Corinthians 12:1-10) When Paul realized that this was part of God’s plan for his life, then he not only accepted it, he demonstrated that he truly had learned to be content no matter what his circumstances were. (Philippians 4:11) He showed that he had learned to rejoice in the Lord always and to give thanks in all circumstances. (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
God will allow pain if it is necessary for a person’s spiritual health. But only God is qualified to judge whether such a thing is necessary, and, if so, what form it should take. This is not even remotely related to self-inflicted pain, penances, and “mortifications” of the flesh. There is a world of difference between rejoicing in spite of pain, and seeking pain. Paul was a very disciplined man. He had to be, in order to fulfill God’s call on his life. Paul said: “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1 Corinthians 9:27) The New International Version says: “I beat my body daily.” According to “Strong’s Concordance,” the word for “keep under” can mean beat or buffet (either one blow, or many blows). It also has a metaphorical sense of subduing something into compliance. This is reflected in the words “keep under” of the King James Version. Would Paul have to subdue his body and force it to comply? Let’s see what shape his body was in. Paul told the Christians in Corinth: “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” (2 Corinthians 11:23-27) I asked a chiropractor what Paul’s back would be like after it was repeatedly whipped, beaten with rods, and hit with stones. The chiropractor couldn’t speak. His face showed horror, and he shuddered visibly. Finally, he said: “I don’t want to even think about it.” Have you ever had back pain when you had to do something? You have to force your body to obey, in spite of the pain. Paul probably had to do that many times every day. He must have often had to fight the desire to quit ministering, so that he could minimize the pain, instead of making constant demands on his body. Paul said: “in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often.” He spoke of often being tired, in pain, and sleepless. (According to “Strong’s Concordance,” “watchings” means, “sleeplessness.”) Some of Paul’s sleeplessness may have been the result of praying at night, or working late hours at his trade of tent making. But pain also keeps people awake. Paul spoke of being sleepless immediately after saying that he was often in pain. So Paul’s statement about keeping his body under has nothing to do with whipping himself, or beating himself, as a penance or mortification. Paul did not glorify being whipped. When he was able to avoid it, he did. When the Romans were about to flog him, Paul said: “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?” (Acts 22:25; see verses 24-29) And immediately, the Romans backed off, and they did not harm him.
MYSTICS AND PAGANISM
Catholics are not the only mystics. There are also Hindu mystics, Buddhist mystics, and Muslim mystics. Therefore, mystical experiences do not necessarily indicate that a person has encountered the God of the Bible. They don’t even indicate that a person is a Christian. Thomas Merton was Catholic monk. He taught that every form of mystical experience is valid, no matter what its source. He praised Hinduism and Buddhism. Merton wanted to see the religions of the world become united. Some Catholic priests and nuns teach prayer techniques that are not prayer in the Christian sense at all. Rather, they result in altered states of consciousness, and susceptibility to demonic influence. A Catholic priest named Anthony de Mello gives workshops that introduce Catholics to Eastern prayer and meditation techniques. He wrote, “Sadhana: A Way to God: Christian Exercises in Eastern Form.” The book’s cover shows Jesus on the cross and a person seated in the lotus position, meditating at the foot of the cross. There are some Evangelical pastors who promote Catholic mysticism. As a result, it is is impacting main-line Protestant denominations. You can read about these men, and their influence, in Ray Yungen’s book, “A Time of Departing: How a Universal Spirituality Is Changing the Face of Christianity.” Since Catholic mystics are influenced by pagan mysticism, this is bringing a pagan influence into Protestant churches.
SOME CATHOLIC MYSTICS
I thought you might like to meet some Catholic mystics. The following information all comes from Internet articles. Most of them are on Catholic websites. Information about these articles is given in the Notes. I am summarizing the information as the mystics described it. If they say that they talked to Jesus, then that is what I will write. Because there are so many statements of this kind, it would become cumbersome and repetitious if I tried to qualify them. I use the term “saint” to show that people have been canonized by the Catholic Church. However, in the Bible, all Christians are called saints. (See Acts 9:13, 32, 41; 26:10; Romans 1:7; 8:27; 12:13, 25, 26, 31; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 6:1, 2; 14:33; 16:1, 15; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 8:4; 9:1, 12; 13:13; Ephesians 1:1, 15, 18; 6:10; Philemon 4:22; Colossians 1:2, 4, 12, 26; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Timothy 5:10; Philemon 1:5, 7; Hebrews 13:24; Jude 1:3, 14.)
BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux was a Cistercian monk and an abbot. He was devoted to the Virgin Mary, and he was influential in spreading devotion to her. Bernard is a “doctor of the Church,” which means that the Catholic Church highly values his teachings. In the Middle Ages, he was known as the “cithara of Mary,” an instrument that sang her praises. (A cithara is a stringed instrument like a lyre.) He wrote about Mary’s supposed role as our mediator. Bernard promoted veneration of Mary as the Queen of Heaven. Because of his writings, Bernard’s devotion to Mary had a profound influence on Catholic spirituality. There is a painting that shows Bernard kneeling in front of Mary, as Queen of Heaven, crowned with stars, floating in Heaven, and accompanied by angels.
Bernard said that, whenever people are in danger, or going through trials, they should call upon Mary. He said that we should walk in Mary’s footsteps, and she should be our guide. He claimed that Mary will protect us from deception, and protect us from falling. There is a “mystical legend” that Saint Bernard was praying in front of a statue of Mary. The statue showed Mary nursing the infant Jesus. Bernard prayed: “Show yourself a mother.” Then the statue came to life. Mary pressed her breast and squirted milk into Bernard’s mouth. There are 27 works of art commemorating this, including a painting by Murillo.
CATHERINE OF SIENA
Saint Catherine of Siena chose to live in a small, dimly-lit room, which was three feet wide and nine feet long. She whipped herself three times a day with an iron chain. She slept on a board. At first, she wore a hair shirt, but then she replaced it with an iron-spiked girdle. She fasted, often living on little food except what she received when she went to communion during Mass. She meditated. She lived in isolation, only leaving her room to go to church. Sometimes she was tormented by visions that she knew to be demonic. For three years, she had “celestial visitations,” and conversations with Jesus Christ. In 1366, Catherine had a mystical experience involving the Virgin Mary and Jesus. They appeared to her. Mary took Catherine’s hand. Mary held Catherine’s hand up to Jesus. Then Jesus placed a ring upon Catherine’s hand and “espoused her to himself.” (This is called “spiritual espousals.”) Catherine could always see the ring, but it was invisible to other people. Following a series of mystical experiences, including a “mystical death,” Catherine entered public life. She wrote letters to princes and Vatican officials. During the Black Plague, she helped take care of plague victims. In 1375, Catherine received the stigmata. However, although she felt the pain, other people were not able to see them. This is unusual, because the stigmata are usually visible and gory, and they can usually be verified by doctors. Catherine said that she asked God to prevent them from being outwardly visible, and He granted her prayer. Saint Catherine of Siena is a “doctor of the Church,” which means that the Catholic Church highly values her teachings and revelations. She is a canonized saint, which means that Catholics are encouraged to study her life and be guided by her example, her teachings, and her writings.
JULIAN OF NORWICH
Lady Julian (or Juliana) of Norwich was a contemporary of Catherine of Siena. She wanted to have an intense understanding of what Christ suffered during His crucifixion. She also wanted to receive the “last rites” (the sacrament given to Catholics who are in danger of dying). She believed that the “last rites” would enable her soul to be fully cleansed by God, so that she could be more fully consecrated to Him. In order to achieve this, she asked God to give her an illness that would bring her to the point of death, without having her actually die. In 1373, Julian became seriously ill. She received the “last rites.” Suddenly, her pain went away. Then she had a series of 16 visions, which she wrote down.
TERESA OF AVILA AND JOHN OF THE CROSS
Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross were Carmelites. This religious order is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. She is considered to be the patron of their order.
According to tradition, in 1251, the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock, holding a Brown Scapular (two pieces of brown cloth attached by strings). She promised him that any person who dies wearing the scapular will not go to Hell. This promise is for people who belong to the religious order of the Carmelites, or who are associated with them. Teresa and John lived 300 years after the Brown Scapular was given to Simon Stock. Devotion to Mary, and belief in the effectiveness of the Brown Scapular, were a foundational part of their training as Carmelites. Therefore, it influenced their writings and their understanding of their mystical experiences. Teresa said that all of her nuns “belong” to the Virgin Mary. Teresa’s love for Mary is scattered throughout her writings. John of the Cross was also known for his devotion to the Virgin Mary. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross are studied by a Buddhist/Christian cult that considers them to be a prophet and prophetess. The cult also studies the Kabbala (Cabala). (The Cabala is important to occultists.) Evidently, pagans can identify with the mystical experiences and writings of Teresa and John.
MADAME JEANNE GUYON
Madame Guyon advocated “quietism,” which involves becoming so passive that you become indifferent to everything, including eternal salvation. The will becomes completely annihilated. The person is supposed to be so totally absorbed in the divine love of God that he or she has no more desire for anything. This passive state of the soul is supposed to enable God to act within it. This sounds more like Buddhism than Christianity. The New Testament is full of action terms such as “strive,” “wrestle,” “weapons of our warfare,” “resist,” and “make every effort.” Madame Guyon said that she had reached the point where she was no longer capable of sinning. She said that sin involves self, and she had become free of self. Therefore, she could no longer sin. However, the Bible says: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10)
The Catholic mystics loved God. They were zealous. They had supernatural experiences. However, because they were Catholics, their understanding of the Bible was distorted by unbiblical Catholic doctrines and pious practices. Therefore, they were poorly equipped to discern whether or not their mystical experiences were from God For example, Catherine of Sienna believed that Jesus wanted her to whip herself until the blood ran down her back. Jesus, as portrayed in the Gospels, would never have done that. Although Catherine was sincere and devoted, she was mistaken. She had a distorted picture of God’s nature and character. The Bible warns us that the devil can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and he can cause deceptive supernatural events (2 Thessalonians 2:9). How can we know which experiences of the Catholics mystics were from God, and which ones were counterfeits from the devil? All we have are writings from people who trusted those
experiences. We weren’t there to observe things that might have caused us to interpret them differently. Some modern Catholic contemplatives, such as Thomas Merton, believe that all mystical experiences are valid, including those of pagan religions. In their search for mystical experiences, these people have abandoned the God of the Bible. The Bible says that pagan gods are really demons. The Apostle Paul said: “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” (1 Corinthians 10:20) By embracing mystical experiences from pagan gods, these contemplatives are engaging in “fellowship with devils.” This shows that mystical experiences can be dangerous. It is good to have passion and zeal for God. We can ask God to set our hearts on fire with love for Him. We can ask Him to reveal Himself to us. We can spend time with Him, praying and worshiping and rejoicing in His love for us. We can follow the example of Joshua, who loved to stay in the Tent of Meeting, in the presence of the Lord. We can follow the example of David, who delighted in God and sang songs (psalms) to Him. God wants us to know Him better and love Him more. He will help us do it. We need to turn directly to God--not to second-hand experiences of people we don’t know.
Mixing Paganism with Christianity
Pope John Paul II mixes paganism with Christianity. In October, 1986, the Pope convened and led a multi-faith service at Assisi, Italy. Leaders of pagan religions participated and publicly prayed to their gods. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, animists, and Zoroastrians participated in this service. So did an Orthodox patriarch and some Protestant leaders. (A picture and some articles are online.) The video, “Catholicism: Crisis of Faith,” has film footage of this service. You can see and hear the Dalai Lama chanting, African shamans calling on their gods, and Muslims chanting from the Koran. The altar that was used for the service had a statue of Buddha on top of the Tabernacle (an ornate container for consecrated bread). Catholics believe that consecrated bread is literally the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. Putting a statue of Buddha on top of the Tabernacle is, in effect, elevating paganism above Jesus Christ. (A picture is online.) In 2002, the Pope convened another multi-faith service in Assisi. Leaders of pagan religions participated in the service. The Pope met with a Buddhist patriarch and told him: “Buddhism is a religion of salvation.”
The Pope visited Benin. He apologized for the fact that westerners have rejected African religions, including voodoo. Some Catholic priests have written books that mix Catholicism with ancient pagan religions or modern New Age paganism. Anthony de Mello wrote “Sadhana, A Way to God: Christian Exercises in Eastern Form.” Bede Griffiths wrote “Cosmic Revelation: The Hindu Way to God,” and “The Other Half of My Soul: Bede Griffiths and the Hindu-Christian Dialogue.” Aelred Graham wrote “Zen Catholicism,” and “Conversations: Christian and Buddhist.” George Maloney wrote “Mysticism and the New Age.” John J. Heaney wrote “The Sacred and the Psychic: Parapsychology & Christian Theology.” In America, there is a Catholic-Hindu “house of prayer.” It has a statue of Shiva (the Hindu god of destruction), a statue of Buddha, and a crucifix. People who come there use mantras and Eastern meditation techniques. The “house of prayer” is popular and is usually filled to capacity. The local archbishop approves of it, and his diocese supports it financially. In India, there is a Benedictine monastery that is modeled after a Hindu ashram. The members of the community admire Hindu gods and goddesses. The founder (Bede Griffiths) says that Hindu temples are a “sacrament.” He teaches that Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims are all “brothers in Christ.” Catholic theologian Richard Grigg believes that Americans should replace the God of the Bible with “the Goddess.” He wrote the book, “When God Becomes Goddess: The Transformation of American Religion.” This mixture of paganism and Christianity can be seen in the artwork of the Sistine Chapel. It is the Pope’s private chapel, but it is as large as a church. Michelangelo painted the ceiling. It has pictures of patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and pagan prophetesses (sybils). Near the entrance of the Sistine Chapel, there is a painting of Greek philosophers. (You can see pictures online.) This mixture can also be seen in the 22 Vatican museums. Some of them have Christian artwork. Others have statues of pagan gods and goddesses. According to the Bible, these are idols, and they should be destroyed. However, the Vatican has preserved them and put them on public display. (Pictures are online.)[11 Saint Peter’s Basilica is the church of the popes. It is one of the largest churches in the world. There is a circular courtyard in front of it, with an obelisk in the center of the courtyard. (You can see pictures online.) Obelisks are associated with pagan religions. This particular obelisk is also associated with the slaughter of Christians. It was originally in the Circus of Nero (the Circus Maximus), where Christians were fed to the lions. In 1587, Pope Sixtus V had it moved to the center of the circular courtyard in front of Saint Peter’s Basilica. The Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica are much like the Catholic church. They are large, expensive, ornate, and impressive. And they mix paganism with Christinity.
There is a hidden agenda behind ecumenism. As we shall see, official Roman Catholic documents from the Second Vatican Council show that the purpose of ecumenism is to bring Protestants into the Roman Catholic Church.
VATICAN II AND ECUMENISM
The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) wrote 16 official documents. It also gave some groups of experts the task of working out the details of how to apply the principles and directives of the Council. These groups of men wrote official “post conciliar” documents to more fully elaborate what had been written by the Council. The conciliar and post conciliar documents are published together in a two-volume work. The Council’s “Decree on Ecumenism” states that ecumenical activity cannot result in changing any aspect of the Catholic faith. This foundational principle is reflected in the post conciliar documents dealing with ecumenism. For example, Post Conciliar Document No. 42 says that the purpose of ecumenism is to transform the thinking and behavior of Christians who are not Catholics, so that eventually all Christians will be united in one Church. It states that unity means being “in the Catholic Church.” In other words, “unity” means that Protestants and Orthodox Christians will become Roman Catholics. From the Vatican’s perspective, the goal of ecumenism is to undo both the Protestant Reformation and the “Great Schism” (the separation of the Orthodox Christians from the Roman Catholic Church). Rome wants her “separated brethren” to come back under the authority of the Pope. In order to make Catholicism more palatable for Protestants, the Catholic Church made some changes in appearance. The priest faced the people, instead of having his back to them. The Mass was said in the language of the people, instead of Latin. Statues became less prominent in Catholic churches. Because of these changes, Protestants could feel more comfortable attending Mass. There no longer seemed to be a cultural gulf between Protestants and Catholics. The fasting requirements were relaxed. Except for special days during Lent, Catholics were allowed to eat meat on Fridays. They could now eat with their Protestant friends on Fridays, without requiring special food (fish or a vegetarian meal). Removing this cultural gap got rid of a barrier between Catholics and Protestants, thereby encouraging ecumenism. However, in spite of all these changes in surface appearance, official Catholic documents show that the Catholic Church really has not changed much. There is an old saying, “semper eadem” (“always the same”). It means that Rome never changes. She may change her image for strategic reasons, but behind the scenes, she remains essentially the same.
The Council of Trent anathematized every Christian who disagrees with any detail of Catholic doctrine. These anathemas have never been canceled. (See the chapter, “The Council of Trent.”) The modern, ecumenical approach of reaching out in a friendly, respectful way to Protestants (“separated brethren”) seems inconsistent with the anathemas of the Council of Trent. In 1302, Pope Boniface VIII declared that no person can be saved unless he or she is subject to the Pope. In 1849, and again in 1863, Pope Pius IX declared that no person can be saved outside of the Roman Catholic Church. According to the Catholic doctrine of infallibility, these are infallible statements. (This is online.) Therefore, they cannot be reversed. Freedom of religion is opposed by modern Canon Law (1983). Canon 1366 says that parents are to be punished if they allow their children to instructed in, or baptized in, a “non-Catholic religion.” The reference to baptism shows that this refers to Christians. Protestants and Orthodox Christians are “non-Catholics.” During the Protestant Reformation, Protestants were punished for their “non-Catholic religion.” Penalties included imprisonment, torture, and being burned at the stake. (See the chapter, “Hunting ‘Heretics.’”) The modern Catholic approach to ecumenism seems inconsistent with the doctrine that there is no salvation outside of the Roman Catholic Church. It also seems inconsistent with modern Canon Law.
THE POPE SPEAKS
In his opening speech to the Second Vatican Council (1962), Pope John XXIII said that the Catholic Church has always opposed “errors” (disagreement with Catholic doctrine). He said that in the past, the Catholic Church often condemned “errors” with great severity, but now it “prefers” to use mercy rather than severity. The Pope said that the Catholic Church is presently dealing with “errors” by doctrinal debate rather than by “condemnations.” Rome’s present preference for a gentler approach to people who disagree with Catholic doctrine may explain the apparent discrepancy between the Council of Trent and ecumenism. The Catholic Church is presently engaging in ecumenical dialog with Protestants, calling them “separated brethren,” and speaking as if it respects their beliefs. But at the same time, behind the scenes, official Catholic documents declare that Protestants are damned to Hell because of their beliefs.
Catholicism Behind the Veil
There is an old saying that when the Catholic Church is in the minority, then it is as meek as a lamb. When it has equality, then it is as sly as a fox. When it is in the majority (and therefore in a position of power), then it is as fierce as a tiger. If you want to know what something really is, then look at how it behaves when it is in a position of power, and it is therefore able to do what it really wants to do. When the Catholic Church was at the height of its power, popes behaved like Roman Emperors, living in luxury, and exercising great political power. (Pope Innocent III was called the ruler of the world.) Can you imagine Jesus or the Apostles allowing themselves to be dressed in ornate clothing, and carried on a portable throne, on the shoulders of uniformed men? Would they wear jeweled crowns and dress like Roman nobility? Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Popes required kings and emperors to kiss their feet. For centuries, the Catholic Church kept the Bible in Latin, even though some scholars wanted to translate it into the language of the common people. As a result, most people were not able to understand the Bible. Men who translated the Bible into English were burned as “heretics.” People who read, or owned, even a small portion of an English Bible were burned at the stake. As a result, most people were not able to compare Catholic doctrines with Scripture. This helped maintain the power of the Catholic Church. According to the Bible, Christians are supposed to use Scripture to test the teachings of authority figures. The Catholic Church reversed this. It requires Catholics to interpret Scripture according to the direction of Catholic authority figures. Christians who disagreed with Catholic doctrine were often imprisoned, tortured, or killed. There were massacres and persecutions. The Inquisition was established. It killed “heretics” for over 600 years. This was “fierce tiger” catholicism at its height. The Inquisition’s last execution was in 1826. The Office of the Inquisition still exists, but it changed its name in 1965. According to modern Canon Law (1983), the Catholic Church still claims the right to “coerce” people who fail to comply with it. The Catholic Church claims the primary allegiance of its members. In 1867, Pope Pius IX declared that Austria’s new Constitution was null and void. He ordered Austrian Catholics to try to undermine their constitution. (It allowed freedom of religion and weakened the power of the Catholic Church.) He ordered Catholic clergy in Austria to be willing to go to prison in order to increase the power of the Catholic Church. The same attitude can be seen in American bishops and cardinals. They violated American law in order to protect the public image of the Catholic Church. They knew that some priests were sexually molesting boys. Instead of reporting the priests to civil authorities, they covered up the crimes and moved the priests to new locations. Cardinals are citizens of the Vatican in addition to being citizens of their homeland. Their primary allegiance is to the Vatican. The Catholic Church presently engages in ecumenical dialog with Protestants, calling them “separated brethren.” But at the same time, it confirms the decrees of the Council of Trent, which condemned all Protestants. Ecumenism was officially promoted by the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). According to official documents from that Council, the purpose of ecumenism is to get Protestants to become Catholics. This is “sly fox” Catholicism.
It’s working. Since 1993, over 480 Protestant pastors have converted to Catholicism. Hundreds more are seriously considering it. The rate of conversions per year is increasing. An entire Protestant church converted to Catholicism. In addition, an Evangelical church seems to be heading in that direction. Their last retreat was led by a Catholic priest, and their pastor is going to that priest for “spiritual direction.” What’s the bottom line for the Catholic Church? Rome wants to reverse the Protestant Reformation.
Some people may face emotional turmoil or difficult decisions as a result of what they have read in this book. Therefore, they will need Scriptural strength to get through some tough times. Jesus told us that tribulation is a normal part of Christian life. He said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Few people have faced the level of personal hardship that the Apostle Paul endured. He was whipped with 39 stripes on five occasions. He was beaten with rods on three occasions. He was stoned and left for dead. He was shipwrecked three times. He often endured weariness, pain, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, cold, and inadequate clothing. (2 Corinthians 11:24-27; Acts 14:19) But Paul saw things from the perspective of eternity. Because of his eternal perspective, he described his suffering as being light and temporary. Paul said: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) Paul’s perspective on suffering, danger, and tribulation was that, because of the love of Jesus Christ, we can overcome it all. Paul’s life was a testimony to the fact that we really can do all things, because Jesus Christ gives us strength, and God’s grace really is sufficient for us. (See Philippians 4:13 and 2 Corinthians 12:9.) If we truly love God, and eternity is real to us, then we can draw strength and courage from Paul, who said: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39) These promises are conditional. They only work if Jesus Christ is your Lord and your Savior. If He isn’t, then please read the following section about Eternal Life. It comes right after this Afterword. If you are unsure whether or not you are a born-again Christian, please read it. This issue is so important that you need to know for sure where you stand.
Some people were baptized as an infant, or confirmed and baptized when they were young. Some people prayed a “sinner’s prayer” when they didn’t fully understand what they were doing. If you are one of those people, then you can strengthen and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ. Please read the section about Eternal Life. Please consider giving a copy of “Catholicism Unveiled” to your pastor. Ecumenism has caused many pastors to lose their awareness of the radical differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. One reason is linguistic confusion. Catholics and Protestants have different understandings of some key words. For example, according to Catholic doctrine, “grace” is something that can be given to inanimate objects, such as water. ******* Have you ever ridden on a train or a subway? I’ve been on many of them. Sometimes waiting in the station has been pleasant. Sometimes it has been tedious, tiresome, and frustrating. The important thing is not what happens in the station. What really matters is getting on the right train, heading for the right destination. Earth is like a train station. Our time here may be difficult or pleasant. It is often a mixture of the two. The important thing is our eternal destination. Are we heading for Heaven or for Hell? God has promised that, if we truly love Him, then he will enable us to do whatever is necessary, and endure whatever happens to us. The Bible says: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God...” (Romans 8:28) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) No matter what happens, we can have joy now and hope for the future. God is faithful, and He loves us. The God who made the earth has always loved us. Before we drew a breath, our heart was known. God created us to live with Him forever, To sing and dance with joy before His throne. Our time on earth is hard, but it is fleeting. No matter how things seem, God’s always there. He’ll guide us and protect us and watch over us, And take away each tear and fear and care. And when the toil and pain and fear have ended, When sorrow's gone, and all we know is love, Then we and God will celebrate forever, Rejoicing with the saints in Heaven above.
This article has two sections. I wrote the first part. The second part is an article which was written by Dr. Joe Mizzi. He has graciously allowed me to use it. He also gave me permission to make some editorial changes, so that the style would be consistent with the rest of my book. If you want to quote from Dr. Mizzi’s article, you will need to get permission from him. You can contact him through his website, Just for Catholics. http://www.JustforCatholics.org Dr. Mizzi’s article speaks about sin. I have met Americans who don’t even know that there is such a thing as sin. They don’t believe that there is such a thing as good and evil. However, during the terrorist attack of September 11, most people recognized that evil really does exist. If you have been taught that everything is relative, and that there is no such thing as sin, please try to remember how you felt when you saw the towers of the World Trade Center being destroyed.
Only Jesus Can Save Us
Mary Ann Collins
The Bible makes it very clear that there is no salvation apart from believing in Jesus Christ. In spite of this, I have heard Christian preachers say that people who believe in non-Christian religions can be saved by those religions, and that non-Christians are our brothers and sisters. There is a natural appeal to such thinking. Most of us know people who are not Christians. We want them to go to Heaven. We want to feel that they are also children of God. However, the Bible makes it very clear that there are two kinds of people: children of God and children of the devil. (Matthew 5:9; Luke 20:36; John 8:44; John 11:52; Romans 8:16; Galatians 3:26; 1 John 3:10) We should love and respect non-Christians. But we are not helping them if we give them a false assurance of salvation, when they are not saved. If we really do love these people, then we need to pray for them, and tell them about Jesus. The Bible makes it very clear that, apart from faith in Jesus Christ, there is no salvation. There is no other way but Jesus. The Bible says: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26) “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see
life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18) In the Garden of Gesthemane, Jesus prayed to the Father, begging His Father to spare Him from having to drink the cup of suffering. (Matthew 26:39; 26:42) If there was some other way to save us, don’t you think that the Father would have told Jesus? Don’t you think that Jesus and the Father both intensely wanted to find some other way to save us? But there was no other way. In order to save us, Jesus had to go through the agony of being mocked, humiliated, abandoned, betrayed, tortured, and killed. And He loves us so much that He was willing to do it for us. If there was some other way, then why did Jesus die for us? If doing good works, or being nice, or having good intentions, or non-Christian religions, or anything else could do the job, then Jesus didn’t need to die for us. Nobody in his right mind would go through that kind of suffering, if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. And no loving father would allow his son to go through it, if it could be avoided. There is no other way. That’s why Jesus died for us.
What Must I Do to Be Saved?
Dr. Joe Mizzi
We all have our share of trouble and suffering. The root of all our misery is sin, because it separates us from God and brings upon us His displeasure. Moreover, Judgement Day is approaching and sinners are in danger of everlasting fire in Hell. Various religions promise deliverance and life. However, we are not interested in human opinions, because Scripture warns us that: “the world by wisdom knew not God.” Rather, we should seek God's message, recorded for us in His book, the Holy Bible. We are convinced that, by the Scripture, we can arrive at a sound knowledge of salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15). This article briefly explains God's plan of salvation. Read it attentively, and pray for illumination. Only the Lord Jesus is able to open your mind to understand His Word. Don't give rest to your soul before you are able to answer correctly this vital question: “What must I do to be saved?”
Many people act as if they have no need of salvation. They seem satisfied as they are. This is
utter folly. One may be healthy, intelligent, and have wealth and friends. All these things come to an end. Your heart will find no rest before you come to know God personally. In Him alone is the fullness of joy. We all need to be saved, for the simple reason that we are all sinners. Every one of us is burdened with a double-edged problem: bad conduct, and a bad heart.
God is the Creator and Lord of all things. Since He created us and is keeping us alive, we are under obligation to love Him with all our hearts, to obey and worship Him. But from the beginning, we have rebelled against His rule, and acted according to our whims. Offences such as lying and stealing are not directed merely against man. Above all, we defy God, saying, in effect: “Though I know what is right in Your sight, I willfully disregard You. I do whatever I want to do, and I shall not submit to Your commandments!” We tend to minimize sin and imagine that we aren't so bad after all. Ultimately, though, we cannot mock God. “After thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” (Romans 2:5) Please be honest with yourself before God. Are you concerned about your moral record? You will be judged not only by your actions but also by the words that you have spoken. (Matthew 12:3637) How will lies, manipulation, gossip, and dirty jokes look on Judgment Day? Search your conscience thoroughly; remember your past sins and the sins that you continue to hold in your heart. You are accountable for all you've done and said. You are held responsible, not by me or any mere human being, but by God, the Judge of the world. The sword of justice is hanging over your head. When God so desires, you will be summoned to appear before His tribunal, to give an account of all your actions. And without His salvation, you will be condemned to everlasting punishment in Hell.
A Bad Heart
Besides our sinful conduct, we have to face another problem: we have a bad heart. We are miserable because of what we are, as well as what we do. Adam, the first man, was created righteous and holy, but as soon as he fell into sin, he became a sinner. And just as a seed from a bad tree sprouts into a similar bad tree, even so, we, the descendants of Adam, are conceived in sin. “By one man's disobedience many were made sinners.” (Romans 5:19) The Lord Jesus referred to our corrupt heart. He said: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.” (Mark 7:21-22) The human heart is the wellspring out of which is drawn out the filth that pollutes us. Note well that Jesus didn't say: “For from without, from the pressures of society, and from a defective upbringing, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, and so forth.” Modern psychology assumes that man is basically good at heart, but our Master pinpoints the human heart as the source of our evil. “For from within, out of the heart of men,” come all sorts of sins and iniquity. We may congratulate ourselves for the “good” deeds that we do. But we need to realize that even the apparently noble actions of an unsaved person proceed from an evil heart. Scripture warns us: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9) What do you expect to come out of a corrupt heart? Good or bad deeds? Jesus answered: “Do men gather
grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?” Surely not! Do not suppose, then, that you are able to please God. Do not imagine that you have the strength within yourself, if you will, to turn from your sin to obey God. Just as the earthworm hides away from the light, and burrows deep in the darkness of the ground, even so, the sinner flees from the brightness of the glory of God's majesty. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” (Romans 3:10-11) You will never come to Christ for salvation unless God draws you by His grace. “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” (John 6:44) I won't be surprised if you reject these overwhelming truths. You may say: “I'm not that bad!” You may protest: “Admittedly, I make a few mistakes, but to say that I deserve Hell is ridiculous. Neither do I believe that I have a bad heart. I am a good person. If I will, I am able to obey God.” Such language verifies the darkness and deception of the heart. Whoever speaks that way is not refuting a human opinion, but the judgement of God upon him. Friend, what do you think about yourself? Are you guilty or not? Are you good or evil? I hope that God will give you the grace to be honest with yourself. You are completely dependent on God to give you a new heart ,and to forgive you your debt.
The Gospel is good news for the sinner: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15) But before we speak of Christ's redemption, we need to be warned about certain alleys that promise life, but in fact, lead to perdition.
Not by the Law
A good number of people expect to be saved because they do their utmost to obey God's commandments and perform good works. I have asked several persons the following question: “When you appear before God, why do you think He should allow you to enter Heaven?” In almost every case, I got the same answer: “Because I try to obey the commandments, and help my neighbor. The important thing is that you live a good life.” If it were possible for us to be saved by our own efforts, why did Christ come into the world? Why did He suffer and die? If it were possible for us to become righteous by our personal obedience to God's Law, then Christ died in vain! The commandments cannot save us, for the simple reason that we do not obey them as we should. On the contrary, the broken commandments testify that we are guilty sinners. Scripture warns us that nobody will be accounted as righteous in God's sight by the deeds of the Law. The Law only makes us aware of our sinfulness. (Galatians 3:21-22) Like a mirror, the Law reveals the dirty face, but it cannot clean it. If you desire cleansing from your sins, you must look elsewhere. Redemption cannot be obtained from Mount Sinai. Forgiveness is only found on Calvary.
Not by Works
Our good works cannot qualify us for salvation. We cannot make amends for our evildoing by trying to balance it with good deeds. Our moral debt cannot be paid by doing good works, by penances, or by performing religious rituals. Scripture teaches that the wages of sin is death, and
without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:22) Besides, Scripture states that the children of God are saved by His grace, and not by their own good deeds. “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) Many people entertain wrong ideas about the grace of God. They think that they merit grace by something they do. Now, if we can obtain salvation by the merit of our own moral attainments, God would be indebted to us, for “to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.” (Romans 4:4) But God is indebted to nobody. God saves the sinner, not on account of human merit, but simply because He chooses to be good and kind. Salvation is a free gift. If you had to pay for a gift, it would not be a gift at all. Thank God, salvation is a gift of grace, and the Christian is always boasting about the goodness of God. I often encounter this objection: “If this is so, then I need not do any good, and I can be saved just the same.” But such reasoning is fallacious. It only shows that the Gospel is not yet understood as it should be. The children of the heavenly kingdom are saved “not by works,” but “for good works.” (See Ephesians 2:8-10) Good works are the purpose, and not the cause, of salvation. God first saves a person and gives him a new heart that naturally produces much fruit for His glory. To illustrate: two men give ten dollars to charity. It appears that both did the same deed, but their motives were totally different. The first did so, thinking he would obtain merit for salvation. The second knew how much God loves him, and therefore he willingly helps others. The first one is a Pharisee; the second one is a child of God.
No Other Name
Without hesitation, the apostle Peter claims that Jesus Christ is the only Savior: “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) Sadly, many Catholics behave as if they are not content with Christ alone. They also call upon the name of Mary, or one of the saints. Now Mary is the mother of our Lord, according to the flesh, and all generations will call her blessed. But Mary is not the savior or the mediator. Mary did not die on the cross in atonement for our sins. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6). I appeal to all the devotees of Mary to take heed to the Word of God. You cannot invoke the name of Jesus, and the name of Mary, for your soul's salvation. There is only one name through which we may be saved: the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Certainly, we are meant to follow Mary's example and, like her, to trust in the Lord God for our salvation. Then, with her, we will be able to sing: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” (Luke 1:46-47)]
The Lord Jesus Christ
“What must I do to be saved?” Scripture gives this answer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:30-31) Christ invites sinners: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Who is Jesus? What special work has he accomplished so that I should entrust myself to Him for my salvation? Why should the sinner flee unto Him? Scripture gives us a number of valid reasons.
Come to Jesus because He Is the Christ
When man rebelled against the Creator, God promised him the Deliverer (the Messiah, or the Christ), and at the appointed time, He sent His only-begotten Son to this earth. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies that were written about Him centuries before His birth. He came from the seed of Abraham and king David; He was born of a virgin in the town of Bethlehem; at His crucifixion, His hands and feet were pierced; He was buried in a rich man's grave; and He was resurrected from the dead. To confirm His mission, Jesus performed countless miracles. He healed all types of diseases. He restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and health to paralytics. He even called the dead back to life. When asked if He were the Christ, Jesus responded: “The works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.” (John 5:36) Jesus of Nazareth is definitely, and doubtlessly, the Christ, the Savior sent down from Heaven.
Come to Jesus because He Is the Eternal Son of God, the Lord of Glory
He was with the Father and the Holy Spirit from all eternity, and like the other two persons of the Trinity, Jesus has all authority, knows all things, is everywhere present, and gives life to whom He desires. Everything was made by Him, and He holds all things by His powerful word. The Lord Jesus rules over all creation as Lord of lords, and King of kings. When He walked among us, Jesus confessed: “I and the Father are one.” His hearers understood Him perfectly. They retorted: “Thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” (John 10:29-39) They supposed He was blaspheming, and accordingly pursued Him to His death. Others believed Him and worshiped Him. They lived and died for Him. Come to Him, then, to adore and obey Him forever.
Come to Jesus because He Is the Lamb of God Who Takes Away the Sin of the World
For long centuries, God taught His people that the way of reconciliation is bespattered with blood. The thousands and thousands of animals slain during the Old Testament are a vivid testimony that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. Obviously, these sacrifices of lambs and calves were a picture of Christ, the Lamb of God, who for us, and for our salvation, became man by the power of the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary. He came to give His life as a ransom for many. Jesus became personally responsible for the sins of His people. He paid for their sins, once for all, on the cross of Calvary. “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)
Can you claim with conviction: “Christ died for me”? It would be nonsense to say that Christ died for your benefit, and at the same time to continue in bondage to a sinful lifestyle. Again, it would be illogical to say that Christ died for your salvation and at the same time not to trust in Him alone. Jesus came to give His life for His sheep, that is, for those who hear His voice and follow Him. He died for their sake alone; to them alone He grants eternal life.
Come to Jesus because He Is the High Priest Appointed by God
During the Old Testament, the Jewish people had the temple in their midst, yet they were not allowed to come into the holy presence of God. They were in need of the priests who served as intermediaries between them and God. This also is a picture of spiritual truth. God does not dwell in temples made with hands; His throne is in Heaven. Neither can a human priest, who is himself a sinner, intercede for us before God. But Christ is the perfect priest, who entered Heaven to intercede for His people, on the merits of His shed blood. “This man [Jesus], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:24-25) Again, Christ does not intercede for all and sundry. Christ prays only for those given to Him by the Father. “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” (John 17:9) I do not point this out to discourage you, but to have you surrender every false hope. Come to God through this unique Priest; then you will know that you have an Advocate before the Father in Heaven.
Come to Jesus because He Who Humbled Himself unto the Death of a Cross Is Risen from the Dead
If He were a fake and a liar, death would have sealed His end. But Christ rose from the grave, victorious over Satan, sin, and death. The apostles and many others testify that they saw Him alive after His passion. The Holy Spirit confirmed their witness by granting them the power to perform signs and wonders, as recorded in the pages of the New Testament. Everything He had taught is true: He is the Christ, the Deliverer sent down from Heaven, the only begotten of the Father, and therefore equal with the Father. The redemption wrought on Calvary is complete and finished; His sacrifice is accepted by God the Father. Christ died once, and now He lives forever and ever. I am not urging you to believe in an ideal, a philosophical system, or a religion. I'm extending an earnest invitation: “Come to a living Savior!”
Come to Jesus because He Is Good and Merciful
When He lived among us, He welcomed all who came to Him: children, old men, women, the rich and poor, the wise and the ignorant. He warmly received the rejected sinner, the outcast of society. They all came to Him, and He didn't turn them away. The thrilling story began to be written in the Gospel, and continues to this day. Millions still come to Him and they testify that the Lord Jesus embraced them in his loving arms. His promise is true to you as well: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John
Come to Jesus…because He Is Coming Again
The first time, He came in humility, in poverty, and weakness. Christ will one day come back to earth in power and great glory. When He is revealed from Heaven, who will He be for you? Will He be the angry Judge, who will condemn you to go away from Him, to suffer everlasting punishment in Hell? Or will He be your Savior and your everlasting joy? It depends on whether you had responded to His call to turn to Him.
Come to Christ
To receive forgiveness and eternal life from the Lord Jesus, you need to repent and trust in Him. It would be vain to simply admit your guilt, if you do not repent. Again, it would be pointless to know about the love and power of Christ, if you do not rely on Him. The message of the Gospel is: “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21) Genuine repentance is conceived in a broken heart. You have every reason to be sorrowful, considering how often you have challenged God by your sinful deeds. You ought to admit before Him that He is right to condemn you, and that you deserve the punishment of Hell. Yet repentance is much more than sorrow. Repentance is forsaking your sinful will and committing yourself to follow Christ as your Lord. The prodigal son arose and abandoned his reckless, sinful life. He wended his way back to his father. Like him, come back home to serve the Lord God all the days of your life. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7) Repent, and believe in Christ. True faith is a wholehearted trust in the Lord Jesus. Take heart and go to Him, now. Don't try to present your own merits. Instead, go to Him just as you are, with all your guilt and shame. Call upon His name and ask for mercy. Ask Him to forgive you on account of the blood that He shed on the cross. If you genuinely trust in Him alone, you will be able to pray: “Lord Jesus, you, and you alone, are my Savior. I have no faith in myself or in anyone else. You alone are my only hope.” Are you burdened by your sins? Do you realize that you can never find deliverance by your own strength? Abandon, then, all hope in yourself; but do not turn away from the God of mercy. Come to Christ. Come with a repentant heart, trusting in Him exclusively. As you do so, you will find rest for your soul. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart any more. Jesus is calling to you: "Come to Me!"
A Personal Word to the Reader
You may still have doubts and questions about the way of salvation. I encourage you to keep praying and searching the Scriptures. I am willing to help you the best way I can. So please don't hesitate to write and discuss any questions. Perhaps, you now understand the Gospel, and the Lord has granted you repentance and faith in Christ Jesus. Now you don't depend on anything you do, your own goodness, any saint or religion. Now you rely by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is your one and only Savior. I rejoice
with you, and praise God for his grace. This is the beginning of an exciting journey, and the end is even better: Heaven! Your desire is to follow the Lord and to glorify Him. The Christian life is not a bed of roses. Yes, He gives joy unspeakable, but His wise providence will also lead you through much sorrow and pain. That is the way we mature. May I encourage you to daily read the Bible with an attitude of reverence. God is speaking to you! Listen well! And pray to our heavenly Father. Go to a private place, and open your heart to God. Thank and praise Him. Confess your sins, and pray for yourself and others. Also, you want to join with a Bible-believing local assembly of Christians. We are members of a body, the church, and we need each other. The Lord wants you to be baptized in the name the Triune God, and thereafter to partake of the bread and wine to remember his sacrifice for us. The teaching and preaching of the Word is invaluable for every Christian to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and give you peace. Copyright 2003 by Dr. Joe Mizzi. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Appendix E Testimonies of Former Catholics
Stan Weber www.stanweber.com/_wsn/page4.html Oliver McAllister www.angelfire.com/ky/dodone/Oliver.html Mary Hertel (a former Roman Catholic nun) www.bereanbeacon.org/test2.htm Doreen Sawchak www.angelfire.com/ky/dodone/sawchak2.html Bill Casey www.angelfire.com/ky/dodone/Casey.html Peggy O'Neill (a former Roman Catholic nun)
www.bereanbeacon.org/Peggy_ONeill.html Jacqueline (a former Roman Catholic nun) www.arabicbible.com/testimonies/Jacqueline.html Mary Ann Pakiz (a former Roman Catholic nun) www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-r010.html Richard Bennett (a former Roman Catholic priest) www.bereanbeacon.org/testimony.html Joseph Cherucheril (a former Roman Catholic priest) www.bereanbeacon.org/Tesimony_Joseph_C.html Joseph Tremblay (a former Roman Catholic priest) www.bereanbeacon.org/JosephTremblay.htm
Appendix F History and the Catholic Church
I recommend the book, The Church of Rome at the Bar of History, by William Webster (Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1995). Webster is a former Catholic. His book shows that many modern Catholic practices and doctrines contradict the teachings of the early Church.
Forged Church Documents
Thomas Aquinas relied on forged documents, but he thought that they were genuine www.christiantruth.com/forgeries.html An article about the Medieval Papacy. It includes a good summary of information about forged documents and their use to increase papal power. www.christianchronicler.com/history1/medieval_papacy.html An article about the use of forged documents in developing papal power. The author is a former Jesuit priest. www.remnantofgod.org/x-jesuit.htm www.crusadeforcatholics.com/newpage63.htm Canon Law and forged decretals
jmgainor.homestead.com/files/PU/PF/cld.htm Liber Pontificalis (Book of the Popes). These biographies of popes contain forged material. jmgainor.homestead.com/files/PU/PF/lp.htm The Donation of Constantine. This is a famous forgery jmgainor.homestead.com/files/PU/PF/doco.htm A forged document which was attributed to the Council of Nicaea jmgainor.homestead.com/files/PU/PF/6c.htm More forged documents jmgainor.homestead.com/files/PU/PF/sf.htm Articles about false Decretals www.britannica.com/eb/article-eu=34257 www.bartleby.com/65/fa/FalseDec.html www.encyclopedia.com/html/F/FalseD1ec.asp concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-eu=389494
Information about some corrupt popes members.aol.com/jasonte/papacy.htm An article about the Medieval Papacy. It includes information about corrupt popes and ways in which they increased their power. www.christianchronicler.com/history1/medieval_papacy.html An article written by a skeptic. He uses corrupt popes to try to discredit Christianity. He is wrong about Christianity, but he has some good historical information. www.geocities.com/paulntobin/papacy.html Pope Alexander VI: his personal faults and his political skills itrs.scu.edu/students/winter03/bukestead/pope.html history.boisestate.edu/hy309/papacy/alexandervi.html A long article with some detailed information about Pope Alexander VI (the Borgia Pope). www.goacom.com/overseas-digest/Religion/Church%20History/history11.html An article about Pope Alexander VI, the Borgia Pope.
www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/history/borgias/2.html-sect=6 An article about Cardinal Cesare Borgia, the son of the Borgia Pope. www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/history/borgias/3.html-sect=6 If those addresses didn't work for you, then go to the address below. It has a search engine. Do a search for "Borgia." www.CrimeLibrary.com Two articles about Pope John XII www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0826379.html www.slider.com/enc/28000/John_XII_pope.htm The Development of Papal Power www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/2104/papal_power.html Popes said that there is no salvation apart from the Pope www.reachingcatholics.org/pastpopes.html
The Sale of Indulgences
Official Instructions for the Sale of Indulgences www.aloha.net/~mikesch/instruc.htm Tetzel's Sale of Indulgences www.aloha.net/~mikesch/tetzel.htm
Text of the Fourth Lateran Council's decree regarding treatment of heretics www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/lat4-c3.html www.historyguide.org/ancient/3canon_b.html The Medieval Inquisition jmgainor.homestead.com/files/PU/Inq/mi.htm The Spanish Inquisition jmgainor.homestead.com/files/PU/Inq/si.htm The Roman Inquisition
jmgainor.homestead.com/files/PU/Inq/ri.htm A study of the history, theology, and methods of the Inquisition www.sundayschoolcourses.com/inq/inqcont.htm "The Inquisition: A Study in Absolute Catholic Power" la.znet.com/~bart/inquis.htm
The Crusades gbgm-umc.org/umw/bible/crusades.stm The First Crusade and the bloodbath in Jerusalem gbgm-umc.org/umw/bible/crusades.stm#first jmgainor.homestead.com/files/PU/Cru/1cr.htm The Fourth Crusade and the pillaging of Constantinople gbgm-umc.org/umw/bible/sack.stm jmgainor.homestead.com/files/PU/Cru/4cr.htm The Albigensian Crusade (the Albigensian Massacre) jmgainor.homestead.com/files/PU/Cru/albcr.htm The Reconciliation Walk. Some Christians walked the route of the Crusades and repented for the atrocities that were committed by the Crusaders. www.soon.org.uk/page15.htm www.reconciliationwalk.org/crusades.htm www.reconciliationwalk.org/jpost970626.htm
Opposing the Bible
Rules issued by the Council of Trent regarding forbidden books. The general public was forbidden to read the Bible. Only certain special people were allowed to read it. www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/trent-booksrules.html Protestant Bibles, and Bibles which were translated into the language of the common people without permission from the Catholic hierarchy, were banned by the Inquisition. They were on their Index of Forbidden Books. I have divided the address into two sections, because of its width. www.justforcatholics.org/a79.htm The Catholic Church's historical and theological approach to the Bible
www.angelfire.com/ky/dodone/Bible.html William Tyndale translated the Bible into English. His Bibles were burned. Tyndale was burned at the stake. Between 1400 and 1557, over a thousand English men and women were burned at the stake for reading, or possessing, English Bibles. www.williamtyndale.com/0crimesofwilliamtyndale.htm More information about Tyndale and the Bible. When the King of England authorized an English translation of the Bible, it was kept in a church. All day long that church was crowded with people. Men took turns reading the Bible out loud while the people listened. justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/260.html Information about Tyndale and Wycliffe www.prca.org/books/portraits/tyndale.htm The burning of John Hus and his books. (Hus believed the Bible. He influenced Tyndale.) www.lawbuzz.com/cherished_rights/freedom_speech/hus_burns.htm
Saint Peter's Basilica and the Circus Maximus
This travel narrative describes Saint Peter's Basilica and the Circus Maximus (the Circus of Nero). A picture of Saint Peter's shows the obelisk from the Circus Maximus, in the center of a great circular courtyard, in front of Saint Peter's. www.aerenlund.dk/rom/rome_day3.html Gladiators, the Roman Circus, and Christians. I have divided the address into two sections, because of its width. www.christianity.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/ 0,,PTID4859%7CCHID45%7CCIID142387,00.html "Tacitus on the Christians." This historical document describes how Christians were killed in the Circus Maximus. www.livius.org/cg-cm/christianity/tacitus.html An article about the Obelisk from the Circus Maximus. In 1587, Pope Sixtus V had it dug up and placed in the center of the circular courtyard in front of Saint Peter's Basilica. itsa.ucsf.edu/~snlrc/encyclopaedia_romana/circusmaximus/obelisk.html Pictures of the Obelisk in front of Saint Peter's Basilica. (If you click on the small pictures you will see large ones.) www.christusrex.org/www1/citta/B-Exterior.html
Saint Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel
A series of 14 web pages, with color pictures of Saint Peter's Basilica, the Pontifical Palace, and the Vatican Gardens. Each page has a number of small pictures that give different perspectives and details. If you click on them you will see large pictures. www.christusrex.org/www1/citta/0-Citta.html If this address doesn't work for you, then go to the home page and click on "Vatican City." (In October, 2003, it was near the bottom of the page. If you don't find it there, then search the page.) The home page is below. If the address doesn't work, then do an Internet search for "Christus Rex." www.christusrex.org A series of 27 web pages, with color pictures of the Sistine Chapel. Three of these web pages have pictures of prophets and sybils. A sybil is a pagan prophetess. www.christusrex.org/www1/sistine/0-Tour.html If this address doesn't work for you, then go to the home page and click on "The Sistine Chapel." (In October, 2003, it was near the bottom of the page. If you don't find it there, then search the page.) The home page is below. If the address doesn't work, then do an Internet search for "Christus Rex." www.christusrex.org Three pictures of The School of Athens, by Raphael. It shows a number of Greek philosophers. The painting is near the entrance of the Sistine Chapel. www.artchive.com/artchive/R/raphael/school_athens.jpg.html www.christusrex.org/www1/stanzas/S2-Segnatura.html un2sg4.unige.ch/athena/raphael/raf_ath4.html Another picture of The School of Athens. I have divided the address into two sections, because of its width. www.vatican.va/museums/patrons/documents/ vm_pat_doc_12101999_raphael_en.html A series of 22 web pages, with color pictures of the Vatican museums. A number of them have statues of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian gods and goddesses. www.christusrex.org/www1/vaticano/0-Musei.html If this address doesn't work for you, then go to the home page and click on "The Vatican Museums." (In October, 2003, it was near the bottom of the page. If you don't find it there, then search the page.) The home page is below. If the address doesn't work, then do an Internet search for "Christus Rex." www.christusrex.org
Appendix G Doctrinal Issues
I recommend the book, The Gospel According to Rome, by James G. McCarthy (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1995). McCarthy is a former Catholic. His book is easy to read. It is thoroughly documented from Catholic sources. The presentation is gentle and compassionate. There are some excellent articles on the Internet about doctrinal issues relating to Catholicism. I have grouped them into categories. If you have difficulty getting one of these articles, then go to the home page and look for it. To find the home page, copy the Internet address of the article. Then delete everything in the address that comes after "com," "net," or "org." I have deleted "http://" from the Internet addresses. That makes them shorter and easier to read. Some Internet addresses are too wide for the pages of this book. In those cases, I have divided them into two sections. I will always tell you when I have divided an Internet address
"The Bible is a Unique Book" www.justforcatholics.org/a18.htm "The Bible is the Word of God" www.justforcatholics.org/a45.htm "Did the Early Christians Have the Bible? www.justforcatholics.org/a126.htm "What Is Sola Scriptura?" www.justforcatholics.org/a74.htm "Why the Bible Alone?" www.justforcatholics.org/a54.htm "2 Timothy 3 and Sola Scriptura" www.justforcatholics.org/a151.htm "Disagreement among Protestants and Sola Scriptura" www.justforcatholics.org/a87.htm
"Does the Church Give Authority to the Bible? www.justforcatholics.org/a24.htm "Private Interpretation of the Bible" www.justforcatholics.org/a79.htm "The Bible about Mary" www.justforcatholics.org/a20.htm "Infallible Interpreter of the Bible" www.justforcatholics.org/a148.htm "The Apocrypha Contradicts Scripture" www.justforcatholics.org/a109.htm The Catholic Church's historical and theological approach to the Bible www.angelfire.com/ky/dodone/Bible.html "Sola Scriptura" www.pro-gospel.org/articles/solascriptura.php "The Certainty of the Written Word of Truth" www.bereanbeacon.org/CertaintyWrittenWordTruth.html "Are the Apocrypha Quoted in the New Testament?" www.justforcatholics.org/a63.htm
"Jesus Christ Is Sufficient to Save Sinners Completely" www.reachingcatholics.org/save_sinners.html "Crucial Questions for Catholics" www.catholicconcerns.com/Crucial.html "No One Can Merit the Unmerited Favor of God" www.reachingcatholics.org/unmerited.html
"Are Works Necessary for Salvation?" www.justforcatholics.org/salvation_works.htm "The Sacrifice of Christ" www.justforcatholics.org/cross.htm "Justified by Faith Alone" www.justforcatholics.org/faithalone.htm "Justification" www.pro-gospel.org/articles/justification.php "It Is Finished" www.pro-gospel.org/articles/finish.php "Salvation: God's Graciousness in Christ" www.bereanbeacon.org/Justification.html "The Biblical Teaching of Justification" www.christiantruth.com/gospeljustification.html "The Roman Catholic Teaching on Salvation and Justification" www.christiantruth.com/gospelrcsalvation.html "Salvation, God's Graciousness in Christ" www.bereanbeacon.org/Justification.html "Salvation, Not in the Sacramental System, But in Christ Alone" www.bereanbeacon.org/sacramentalsystem.htm
"Was Peter a Pope?" www.justforcatholics.org/a89.htm "Five Historical Realities That Are Against an Early Papacy" members.aol.com/jasonte2/five.htm
"The Corrupt Papacy" members.aol.com/jasonte/papacy.htm "The New Testament's Denial of the Papacy" members.aol.com/jasonte2/newtest.htm "Early Post-Apostolic Denials of a Papacy" members.aol.com/jasonte2/denials.htm "No Papacy in the Early Church" members.aol.com/jasonte2/nopapacy.htm "Who Holds the Keys?" www.pro-gospel.org/articles/key.php "The Patristic Exegesis of the Rock of Matthew 16:18" www.christiantruth.com/fathersmt16.html "The Claim and Boast to Have the Keys of the Apostle Peter" www.bereanbeacon.org/Popedom_II.html
"The Sacrifice of the Mass" www.justforcatholics.org/a102.htm "The Eucharist" www.justforcatholics.org/a04.htm "A Present Sacrifice for Sin?" www.justforcatholics.org/a13.htm "The Eucharist in the Early Church" www.justforcatholics.org/a34.htm "I Am the Bread of Life" www.justforcatholics.org/a11.htm
"The Mass: From Mystery to Meaning" www.gnfc.org/mass.html "Eucharistic Adoration: Worship or Idolatry?" www.reachingcatholics.org/eucharistic_adoration.html "The Priesthood" www.bereanbeacon.org/priesthood.htm "The Eucharist: A Biblical Review" www.catholicconcerns.com/Eucharist.html
"Baptism" www.justforcatholics.org/a62.htm "Born Again By Baptism?" www.justforcatholics.org/a70.htm "Baptism and Original Sin" www.justforcatholics.org/a25.htm
"Confession of Sin" www.justforcatholics.org/a39.htm "Forgiveness Through a Priest" www.bereanbeacon.org/Forgiveness_through_a_Priest.html
"Purgatory or Christ?" www.justforcatholics.org/a93.htm "Suffering in Purgatory" www.justforcatholics.org/a12.htm
"Sacred Tradition" www.justforcatholics.org/a77.htm "Tradition and the Magician's Hat" www.justforcatholics.org/a169.htm "Traditions" www.pro-gospel.org/articles/traditions.php "Rome's New and Novel Concept of Tradition" www.christiantruth.com/livingtradition.html
"The Bible about the Virgin Mary" www.justforcatholics.org/a20.htm "Christian Attitude toward Mary" www.justforcatholics.org/a05.htm "The Rosary" www.justforcatholics.org/a07.htm "The Immaculate Conception" www.justforcatholics.org/a69.htm "Is Mary Our Mother?" www.justforcatholics.org/a47.htm "Is Mary a Mediator?" www.justforcatholics.org/a78.htm "Mary Worship" www.justforcatholics.org/a64.htm "The Doctrine of the Assumption"
www.justforcatholics.org/assumption.htm "Mary around the World." This is a series of articles about how Mary is venerated in various countries. www.angelfire.com/ky/dodone/MaryLawson.html "The Assumption of Mary" www.christiantruth.com/assumption.html "Past Popes Taught Destructive Heresies" (no salvation without Mary) www.reachingcatholics.org/pastpopes.html "Do You Know Mary?" www.reachingcatholics.org/knowmary.html "Mary Who?" www.reachingcatholics.org/marywho.html "Hail Mary?" www.reachingcatholics.org/hailmarymd.html "Mary and Catholicism" members.aol.com/jasonte/mary.htm "Mary in Roman Catholicism" members.aol.com/jasonte2/mary2.htm "Apparitions Exposed" www.pro-gospel.org/articles/apparitions.php
The Brown Scapular
The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel www.rc.net/lansing/ctk/cc/ocds1.html The Brown Scapular www.cin.org/saints/brownsca.html The Rosary, Brown Scapular, and the Sabbatine Privilege
Fifteen Promises made by an apparition of "Mary" to Catholics who recite the Rosary. Indulgences promised by the Catholic Church for praying the rosary. rosarycreations.com/rosarypromises.htm Fifteen promises of the Rosary and twelve promises of the Sacred Heart www.memorare.com/devotions/promises.html
The Miraculous Medal
The Miraculous Medal (picture and description of the apparition) www.cammonline.org/pages/miraculousMedal.html Apparition Chapel in Paris. Two million pilgrims come every year. www.cammonline.org/pages/appritionChapel.html Novena Prayers to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal www.cammonline.org/pages/novena.html
Veneration of Statues
"Venerating Statues" (article with links to pictures) www.catholicconcerns.com/Statues.html Nuns venerating a statue of Mary (picture) www.op-stjoseph.org/nuns/angels/picpages/procession.htm
Statues that Dominate Chapels
NOTE: If you have difficulty getting any of these pictures, then go to the website of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and take their "virtual tour." The Internet address is below. If it doesn't work for you, then do a search for the shrine's name. Some of these have prayers to Mary in addition to showing the picture. www.nationalshrine.com Chapel of Our Lady of Siluva www.nationalshrine.com/NAT_SHRINE/tour_u32.htm
Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal www.nationalshrine.com/NAT_SHRINE/tour_u04.htm Statue of Mary, Mother of Mankind (many candles are in front of the statue) www.nationalshrine.com/NAT_SHRINE/tour_c37.htm Chapel honoring the apparition of Mary to Saint Catherine Laboure www.cammonline.org/pagesShrineTour/shrine05En.html
Infant of Prague
NOTE: The Infant of Prague is a statue of Jesus as an infant. It is kept in a church in Prague, Chezchoslovakia. It has 70 sets of elaborate clothes and a crown made out of real gold with real jewels. Nuns dress the statue and take care of it. Miracles are attributed to this statue. Replicas of the statue can be found in Catholic churches around the world. If you have difficulty getting any of these pictures, you can do a search for "Infant of Prague," or for "Infant of Prague + picture." Article with pictures showing nuns changing the clothes of the statue karmel.at/prag-jesu/english/eng/saticken.htm Article with a picture of a cardinal carrying the statue www.medjugorjecenter.org/prague/page2.htm Article with pictures showing details of the crown and some of the clothes karmel.at/prag-jesu/english/eng/muzejen.htm Article with several pictures and history of the statue karmel.at/prag-jesu/english/eng/jezuleen.htm History of the Infant Jesus of Prague www.cwo.com/~pentrack/catholic/infhist.html
Statues with Gold Crowns
This article has four pictures of statues wearing gold crowns. Three of them are wearing expensive and elaborate clothing. It also has pictures of two processions with statues. One of them is the candlelight procession in Fatima, Portugal, with a million people. www.aloha.net/~mikesch/baruch.htm Statues of Mary wearing crowns and clothing. I have divided the address into two sections, because of its width.
www.sspxasia.com/Newsletters/2001/Oct-Dec/ Procession_in_honour_of_Our_Lady_of_the_Rosary.htm A statue of Mary with baby Jesus. Both wear crowns and clothing. www.aloha.net/~mikesch/crown.htm
Crowning Statues of Mary
NOTE: The liturgy of the Catholic Church includes an official ritual for crowning statues of Mary. Following are addresses of web pages that show pictures of this. It is done at all levels, ranging from the Pope to classes in Catholic schools. Pope John Paul II crowning a statue of Mary. (There are seven pictures with descriptions.) www.aloha.net/~mikesch/crown.htm Crowing ceremony at a cathedral. (Click on small pictures and you will see large ones.) www.cathedralcarmel55.org/mary-crowning1/pages/reaux-grandaughter.htm Crowning ceremony at a fifth grade class of a Catholic school www.stfrancisvernon.org/Crowning5th.htm
Processions with Statues
"Millions in Mexico Gather for Marian Feast" (2.5 million people, October 1999) www.cwnews.com/news/viewrec.cfm-RefNum=11317 Our Lady of Guadalupe (8 million people in Mexico City, December 2001) www.e3mil.com/vm/index.asp-vm_id=1&art_id=930 A procession in the United States honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. hemi.ps.tsoa.nyu.edu/archive/studentwork/colony/reed/procession.htm Another procession in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe www.laprensa-sandiego.org/archieve/december14/PARADE.HTM A church procession honoring Mary. (Click on the pictures to enlarge them.) www.olphparish.org/mayprocession2000.htm
Overview of Recent Canon Law
"Has Roman Catholicism Changed? An Overview of Recent Canon Law"
According to Canon Law, Catholics are still required to abstain from eating meat every Friday www.catholic-pages.com/life/fridaymeat.asp In 1997, American bishops met to discuss whether or not to again require Catholics to abstain from eating meat on all fridays. (The term "abstinence" in these articles refers to abstaining from eating meat.) www.news-star.com/stories/111297/lfe_bishop.html www.cin.org/archives/al-bushra/199711/0069.html www.ncregister.com/Register_News/060103_3.htm www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/4152/meatless.htm www.geocities.com/Heartland/2964/meatless.html www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm-recnum=6264 www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm-recnum=6281 www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm-recnum=6281 Rules about eating meat on "meatless days" if Catholics have dinner with non-Catholics www.cmri.org/adsum02-1a.html Eating fish on Fridays. www.cin.org/users/james/questions/q034.htm Information about days when fasting is required, and what Catholics are allowed to eat on those days www.traditio.com/cal.htm
Appendix H Books, Videos, and Websites
The books are all available at Amazon.com. The book authors and video producers are all former Catholics. With one exception, the websites are all by former Catholics.
James G. McCarthy, The Gospel According to Rome: Comparing Catholic Tradition and the Word of God. James G. McCarthy, Talking with Catholic Friends and Family: Understanding How They Think and Feel, Why They Trust in Tradition, What the Bible Teaches Mike Gendron, Preparing Catholics for Eternity
William Webster, The Church of Rome at the Bar of History
VIDEOS and DVDs
The following are available as both videos (VHS) and DVDs. You can get them from D&K Press, which ships all over the world. You can order them by phone or online. Phone: (800) 777-8839 http://www.DKPressChristianBooks.com Catholicism: Crisis of Faith . You can get the video in either English or Spanish. The DVD has several languages on it. This video had a real impact on my life. Messages from Heaven . This deals primarily with apparitions of Mary. The DVD has several languages on it.
Catholic Concerns (my website). This has dozens of articles and some online books. http://www.CatholicConcerns.com Just For Catholics (Dr. Joe Mizzi, a former Catholic). This has numerous articles in eight languages. It also has some eBooks. http://www.JustForCatholics.org Christians Evangelizing Catholics (Dr. Bill Jackson, a former missionary to Ireland). This has numerous articles, testimonies, and some online books. You can look up subjects alphabetically. Dr. Jackson does public speaking. You can contact him through his website. http://www.DoDone.org Proclaiming the Gospel (Mike Gendron, a former Catholic). This has articles, testimonies, online audio tapes, and a chat room. Mike Gendron does public speaking. So does Rich Kris, who is associated with him. You can contact them through the website. http://www.pro-gospel.org Good News for Catholics (James McCarthy, a former Catholic). This has articles, booklets, and excerpts from books. http://www.gnfc.org Reaching Catholics for Christ. This has articles and audio tapes. http://www.ReachingCatholics.org/mainpage.html