Rachel Evans
Catholicism is the largest denomination of Christianity, with about 60% of Christians being Catholic. Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics. Catholics follow the teachings of Jesus Christ through the church, which they consider the path to Jesus. They believe in the special authority of the Pope, whom they consider the leader of the Catholic Church, and whose role is to interpret the Bible. Catholics believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and that the Catholic Church defined the canon of Scripture and what it meant to be a follower of Jesus Christ. However, critics argue that the Catholic Church teaches many doctrines that contradict the Bible, such as apostolic succession, worship of saints or Mary, infant baptism, and purgatory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholics believe the Bible is the inspired word of God | The Bible is God's self-revelation, inspired and written without error |
| The Catholic Church defined the canon of Scripture | The Catholic Church defined what it meant to be a follower of Jesus Christ |
| Catholics believe in the special authority of the Pope | The Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church |
| Catholics believe in the worship of saints or Mary | Saints are exemplars of how to follow Christ |
| Catholics believe in infant baptism | Catholics believe that infants are wicked, defiled sinners condemned to hell until baptised |
| Catholics believe in transubstantiation | The Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ |
| Catholics believe in apostolic succession | The Catholic Church is based on the teachings of the Apostles |
| Catholics believe in the sacramental system | The central sacrament is the Mass |
| Catholics believe in purgatory | Purgatory is a place for the dead who are being purified |
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What You'll Learn
- Catholics believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, but followers of Christ say Catholics misinterpret it
- Followers of Christ say Catholics borrow ideas from pagan religions, such as prayer beads
- Catholics believe in the special authority of the Pope, which followers of Christ may not
- Catholics believe in the worship of saints, which followers of Christ say is unbiblical
- Followers of Christ say Catholics are saved by works, not faith
Catholics believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, but followers of Christ say Catholics misinterpret it
Catholics believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. From the beginning of Christianity, the Catholic Church defined the canon of Scripture, deciding which books would be included in the Bible. Over the centuries, the Church has preserved the Bible and other written works in its monasteries and libraries. The Catholic Church also claims that Christ established it, and that its authority to teach in his name is supported by his resurrection.
Followers of Christ who disagree with Catholic teachings argue that the Catholic Church's interpretation of the Bible is incorrect and that its practices contradict the Bible. They point to specific doctrines, such as apostolic succession, worship of saints or Mary, prayer to saints or Mary, the pope/papacy, infant baptism, transubstantiation, plenary indulgences, the sacramental system, and purgatory, as being unsupported by Scripture and based on Catholic tradition.
Catholics, on the other hand, argue that their interpretation of the Bible is correct and that their practices are rooted in Scripture. They believe that the Bible is inspired, but that it must be interpreted within the context of tradition and the teaching authority of the Church. They also argue that the Bible itself does not explicitly claim to be the sole source of truth or interpretation.
Additionally, Catholics believe that Jesus established the Church and that its teachings are to be trusted. They argue that the Bible, as a historical book, attests to the existence of the Catholic Church and its features, such as the papacy, hierarchy, priesthood, sacraments, and teaching authority.
The disagreement between Catholics and followers of Christ who disagree with Catholic teachings centres around the interpretation of Scripture and the authority of the Catholic Church. Catholics believe that their interpretation is correct and that the Bible is inspired by God, while followers of Christ argue that the Catholic Church misinterprets the Bible and contradicts its teachings.
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Followers of Christ say Catholics borrow ideas from pagan religions, such as prayer beads
The Catholic Church has been accused of borrowing ideas from pagan religions, including the use of prayer beads. While it is true that the early Christians did adopt many elements of paganism, this was often a result of cultural exchange and the need to blend into Roman society.
The use of prayer beads is one example of this. The earliest reference to a rosary is in the Hindu "Jain Canon" from 456 AD, and the practice was also adopted by Islam and Buddhism. By the time it was adopted by Catholics, it had been a part of many different religious traditions for hundreds of years.
Another example of Catholic practices with potential pagan origins is the sign of the cross, which is said to have originated in Babylon as a grand charm before prayer. The Vestal Virgins of Pagan Rome wore the same "T" symbol on their necklaces, and it can also be found on the garments of Catholic priests today.
Similar rituals to the Catholic Eucharistic rite have also been observed in ancient Egypt and in the Mithraic Mysteries, a mystery cult practised in the Roman Empire in 300 BC. In both cases, the idea of transubstantiation was present, with priests consecrating cakes that were believed to become the flesh of a god.
In addition to specific rituals and symbols, a number of Catholic holidays and myths are thought to be based on pre-Christian fertility festivals. For example, the Winter Solstice was a sacred event in pre-Christian Roman religions, and the festival of Saturnalia was celebrated in a similar way to how Christmas is today. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is believed to have roots in the pre-Christian Roman celebration of Lupercalia, which honoured the god of fertility.
Despite these apparent borrowings from pagan religions, it is important to note that the Catholic Church has had a significant influence on the preservation and development of Christian beliefs and practices. The core beliefs of the Catholic faith are found in the Nicene Creed, which centres on the worship of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Catholics believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and it was the Catholic Church that defined the canon of Scripture and preserved the Bible through its monasteries and libraries.
Furthermore, while some may argue that the Catholic Church leads people away from a genuine faith relationship with Christ, there are many Roman Catholics who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. These Catholic Christians may disagree with some of the unbiblical teachings of the Church, but they remain Catholics due to family tradition, peer pressure, or a desire to reconnect with their spiritual home.
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Catholics believe in the special authority of the Pope, which followers of Christ may not
Catholics believe that the Pope, as the successor of Peter, is the spokesman for the whole church. This belief is based on the doctrine of papal infallibility, proclaimed by Pius IX in 1870, which states that the Pope, as the ""head of the college of bishops", has the supreme authority to define doctrines concerning faith and morals for the entire church. The Pope's pronouncements in this capacity are considered immune from error and are to be believed by the universal church. This doctrine is based on the belief that the Catholic Church is the true church established by Jesus Christ and that its bishops are the successors of the apostles, with Peter, and therefore the Pope, having a special role among them as the preserver of unity.
Followers of Christ who are not Catholic may disagree with the special authority of the Pope for several reasons. Firstly, they may argue that the Pope's claim to be Christ's "vicar on earth" or substitute is not supported by Scripture. They may point to instances in the Bible where Peter demonstrates impetuousness and a lack of understanding, such as in Matthew 16:22-23 and Luke 9:33, to question the idea that the Pope has a special authority as Peter's successor. Additionally, they may highlight periods in history, such as the Great Papal Schism in the early 1400s, when multiple individuals claimed to be the Pope, as evidence of the corruption and fallibility of the papacy.
Another reason for disagreement with the Pope's authority is the belief that the Catholic Church's teachings and practices contradict the Bible. For example, some teachings unique to Catholicism, such as apostolic succession, the worship of saints or Mary, infant baptism, and transubstantiation, are seen by some as unbiblical and based on Catholic tradition rather than the Word of God. Followers of Christ outside of Catholicism may also disagree with the Catholic Church's interpretation of Scripture and its claim to have the final say on all matters, including the Bible. They may argue that the church's interpretations and traditions should not be placed above the Scripture itself as the ultimate authority.
Furthermore, some followers of Christ may disagree with the Pope's authority due to their understanding of salvation. While Catholicism teaches that man must work in cooperation with God to achieve justification, Protestants and other Christian denominations generally hold that salvation is determined by personal faith in Jesus alone. This difference in understanding salvation is a significant point of contention between Catholics and other Christians.
Finally, some may disagree with the Pope's authority due to their personal experiences or perceptions of the Catholic Church. For example, individuals may have left the Catholic Church because they felt constrained by its rules or disagreed with specific doctrines. Additionally, some may perceive the Catholic Church negatively due to historical or contemporary controversies associated with it. These factors can influence individuals to question the authority of the Pope and seek spiritual fulfillment outside of the Catholic Church.
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Catholics believe in the worship of saints, which followers of Christ say is unbiblical
Catholicism has been accused of being a false religion, with unbiblical beliefs and practices that contradict the Bible. One of the main points of contention is the worship of saints, which followers of Christ say is unbiblical.
Catholics highly respect Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, and believe that she holds the highest place in Heaven, after Jesus. They believe that Mary and the saints can intercede on their behalf with God due to their closeness to Him. Catholics may pray to saints, asking for their prayers and guidance to live a more Christ-like life. For example, St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost items, and St. Jude is the patron of desperate causes. This practice is known as saintly devotion and is an integral aspect of the Catholic faith.
However, Catholics argue that they do not worship saints or statues of saints and Mary. They believe that the honor given to saints and Mary is different from the worship given to God. In Christian theology, the term "worship" is reserved exclusively for God, and Catholics use the term "venerate" to describe the respect shown to saints. The Greek term "dulia" refers to the honor given to saints, while "hyperdulia" indicates the special honor given to Mary.
The practice of saintly devotion is rooted in the historical tradition of the Catholic Church, providing a sense of continuity and connection with its historical roots. It is embedded in the Apostle's Creed, which sums up the core beliefs of Catholics. The recognition of saints, their feast days, and the construction of churches and shrines in their honor are all part of Catholic tradition.
While some critics argue that praying to saints is unbiblical, Catholics claim that their practices are supported by Scripture. They believe that the Bible indicates that honor is due to saints (Matt. 10:41b) and that Mary, as the Mother of God, found favor with Him (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 491).
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Followers of Christ say Catholics are saved by works, not faith
The Catholic Church teaches that salvation is a process of becoming holier over time, through God's grace and works done in faith. This is in contrast to the belief held by some Followers of Christ that salvation is by faith alone.
The Catholic Church points to the Bible to support its teachings on salvation. For instance, in James 2:22, "You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works", and in James 2:24, "A man is justified by works and not by faith alone".
Catholics also interpret Paul's letters as supporting their view. In Galatians 5:14, Paul speaks about Christians fulfilling the law by following the command to "love your neighbour as yourself". He explains that we must show the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:16-26) and bear one another's burdens (Gal 6:1ff) as a way of fulfilling the "law of Christ" (Gal 6:2). According to Catholics, Paul's teaching comes down to this: our own works can never justify us, but works that grow out of faith in Christ are part of our justification.
However, Followers of Christ interpret Paul's letters differently. They argue that Paul stresses that salvation comes through faith alone. For example, in Galatians 2:15-16, Paul says, "We ourselves...who know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified". In Romans 4:2, Paul writes, "For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God".
Despite these differences in interpretation, it is acknowledged that there are genuine believers who attend Roman Catholic churches. These Catholic Christians are believers despite what the Catholic Church teaches, not because of what it teaches.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics believe that good works follow salvation but do not precede it. They believe that telling people that good works save people insults the work of Christ on the cross. If good works could save humanity, there would be no need for Jesus to die on the cross.
Catholics believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, but it is not the only source of truth. They believe that God's revelation is entrusted to the Apostles and their successors, so the Word of God is revealed in both Scripture and Tradition.
Catholics believe that Mary remained a virgin for her entire life. They refer to Scripture for evidence of Mary's perpetual virginity, including passages from Ezekiel, Luke, Mark, and John.
