Dec 15,
2016 | 8:05 AM(Photo: Shane
Idleman)
I recently
had the privilege of meeting a priest of a large parish in Southern California.
The purpose of our conversation was to discuss the role of tradition in light of
Scripture. Granted, some tradition is beneficial if it lines up with
Scripture.
I have
Catholic friends who are devoted to God — they are pillars in our community. I
attended a Catholic High School and loved the faculty. I desire peace with all
men, but the Bible also encourages me to boldly and confidently present a
scriptural basis for truth.
1. There
cannot be two absolute authorities. In the same way that we cannot believe both
the Bible and the Book of Mormon, we cannot believe the Bible and many
traditions that are not grounded in Scripture but actually contradict it. Jesus
said that we can make the word of God of no effect by our traditions (cf. Mark
7:13).
The church
is the "pillar and support of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15) — it comes under the
truth, it's not equal to it. We believe in apostolic succession in that we
believe what the first Apostles believed. The word Protestant comes from the
word "protest". Protestants want the Church to return to the authority of
Scripture alone.
2. Adoration
of Mary. When the government and the church united toward the end of the 4th
century, the departure from biblical truth increased. Mary was eventually hailed
as co-redeemer and mediator; her perpetual virginity and immaculate conception
are still upheld.
Granted, not
all Catholics view Mary as a co-redeemer, but the study of Mariology suggests
otherwise. Antipater of Bostra, a father of the Council of Ephesus, wrote this
about Mary, "Hail, you who acceptably intercede as Mediatrix for
mankind".
The Catholic
doctrines of "Perpetual Virginity" and "Immaculate Conception," teach that Mary
maintained her virginity and was conceived without sin. But the Bible teaches
that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (cf. Romans 3:23).
This teaching elevates Mary.
Historical
Christianity teaches that Mary was highly favored, but she does not play a role
in redemption, nor should we pray to her. We believe that Jesus is the only way,
the only truth, and the only life. No one comes to the Father except through Him
(cf. John 14:6 ).
3. The
Papacy, Priests, Communion, and Christ. The Bible says that we do not need an
additional mediator or priest because Jesus is our only mediator (cf. Hebrews 4:15 ). Salvation comes
through Christ alone: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that
not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" ( Ephesians 2:8 ).
Scripture is
the final authority, but Catholicism promotes submission to the teachings of the
Pope, bishops, and traditions that often contradict Scripture. Followers are
encouraged to lean on Papal interpretation for the answers. Confirming this, the
priest that I interviewed said that decrees from the papacy are equal with
Scripture.
As an altar
boy, I believed that only the priest could administer communion as "alter
Christus" (another Christ), but the Bible says that this can be done by any
believer (cf. Mark 14:22-25). Peter taught the priesthood of all believers (cf.
1 Peter 2:5).
The purpose
of communion is to examine our lives and remember Christ's death. The Bible does
not teach transubstantiation — the belief that the bread and wine used in
communion physically change into the actual flesh and blood of Jesus as an
ongoing sacrifice. The controversial text in John 6:50 about consuming Christ's
body and blood, refers to partaking and belonging to Him. Jesus said earlier in
that discourse not to labor "for the food which perishes, but for the food which
endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you"
(6:27).
The priests
in the Old Testament were encouraged to marry, but Catholicism encourages
celibacy. 1 Timothy 4:1-3 says that in latter times some will depart from the
faith by forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from certain
foods.
God calls
qualified men (elders) to lead the church in submission to Christ, not one
central power (cf. 1 Timothy 3). One of the qualifications of a leader is to be
the husband of one wife and to lead his home well.
4. Purged in
purgatory. Many remain dependent on the Church to relieve suffering in
purgatory. According to Catholicism, purgatory is a temporary place where the
soul is purged (purified) in preparation for heaven. Although sins are forgiven
periodically through confession and penance, the punishment still remains. But
the Bible says that Christ is an all sufficient Savior — He paid the full price
on the cross. Suggesting that we need purging after death contradicts Christ's
finished work on the cross (cf. Hebrews 10:14).
The priest I
interviewed suggested that purgatory is the best way to deal with shame and
guilt. But Acts 3:19 states otherwise, "Repent, and be converted so that times
of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord." Peace is a byproduct of
repentance — having Christ as Lord and Savior. No additional penalty or purging
remains. He paid the full price.
5. Salvation
by works. Through taking the sacraments, infant baptism, church membership,
praying to Mary and the saints, confessing to a priest, and so on, does the
Church promote salvation through works?
Catholicism
teaches that good works help to maintain our righteousness before God. But the
Bible says that we are justified because of Christ's work on the cross. There is
nothing additional to work for. We "work out" our salvation with fear and
trembling, but we don't "work for" it, nor do we maintain
it.
When my
mother was 12, and Catholic, she lost her father in a car accident. She recounts
nightmares of struggling to pull her father from hell. Did he die in a state of
sin without confession and penance? Was his fate sealed? The Bible says that if
we confess our sins to God that He will forgive us and purify us (cf. 1 John
1:9).
Many speak
of feeling tremendous guilt and anxiety for this very reason — did they "do"
enough. The Bible is clear: As believers, we can stand before God because our
sin debt is paid in full — no intercessor, mediator, penance, or work can add to
Christ's complete work. Repentance, obedience, and full surrender is what He
asks.
True peace
comes from a true relationship with Christ. Do you have peace? Do you truly know
Him?
"If you
confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has
raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" ( Romans 10:9 ).
Protestant
or Catholic, you don't want to live your life with a question mark
here.
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