Dear Catholics,
I'm writing this because of a conversation I'm having on Facebook with some Catholics (Catholics referenced in this writing are Roman Catholics unless otherwise I identified). I had intended to stop conversing with them as the cold war between Catholics and non-Catholics continues ad infinitum. Catholics are as adamant that they are God's one true church as Muslims are that they are Allah's one true religion.
Why do Catholics call their popes the vicars of Christ? Do they think that Jesus needs a substitute here? Is the church, is the believer not able to be taught, guided and led by the Holy Spirit? Why do they call him Father and even Holy Father ignoring what Jesus said:
Matthew 23:9 (ASV) And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, even he who is in heaven.
Why do they believe Mary to be a perpetual virgin when the four gospels and New Testament give no evidence of that, and give instead evidence that Mary gave Jesus half brothers through Joseph. Isn't it sufficient that she was a virgin when she conceived Mary by the Holy Spirit? Isn't it sufficient that that she said by the Holy Spirit that all generations would call her blessed?
I could speak about transubstantiation, purgatory, the celibate priesthood, indulgences, papal infallibility, the baptism of infants, the ritual repetition of prayer, prayer to the "saints" (some of whom may not in fact be in heaven at all) prayers to Mary (who is undoubtedly in heaven), relics, statues, rosaries, lighting candles, penance, and more... none of these being necessary for salvation, for sanctification, for purification or for ministry. None of them have any literal basis in the Old or New Testament, only allegorical interpretations derived of a very few verses.
Yet the controversy so frequently discussed is faith and/or works. This is an important matter because what is believed by Catholics and non-Catholics concerns salvation and eternal life. Faith is a work. John 6:29 (WEB) Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe (have faith) in him whom he has sent.” Faith requires work, effort. "...faith works by love" (Gal. 5:6).
But works without faithworking by love cannot save us. They are dead works.
Altogether too many Roman Catholics and other denominations fail to emphasize that faith is a work, a work of believing, trusting and loving God. The demons believe there is but one God and they shudder and tremble. Why? Even they trust that their fate is sealed forever in the coming torment of the lake of fire.
Like bookends Paul wrote in the Book of Romans of "obedience to the faith."
Romans 1:5 (ASV)
5 through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake;
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 16:25-27 (ASV) 25 Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, 26 but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.
How does one obey the faith? By rituals? Or by the giving effort, by working at THE GREATEST commandment: Loving the Lord their God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength?!! And then by loving their neighbor as they love themselves. And this second lesser commandment is simply kept by doing unto others as we would have them do unto us.
Matthew 28:18-20 (ASV)
18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
We are to observe what Jesus commanded His eleven Apostles. What does it mean to observe, in this case to observe all that Jesus commanded them? It turns out that observe is a very powerful word here.
From Mounce’s definitions:
τηρέω
tēreō
to keep watch upon, guard, Mat 27:36; Mat 27:54; Mat 28:4; Act 12:6; to watch over protectively, guard, 1Jn 5:18; Rev 16:15; to mark attentively, to heed, Rev 1:3; to observe practically, keep strictly, Mat 19:17; Mat 23:3; Mat 28:20; Mrk 7:9; Jhn 8:51; to preserve, shield, Jhn 17:15; to store up, reserve, Jhn 2:10; Jhn 12:7; 1Pe 1:4; 2Pe 2:4; 2Pe 2:9; 2Pe 2:17; to keep in custody, Act 12:5; Act 16:23; to maintain, Eph 4:3; 2Ti 4:7; to keep in a condition, Jhn 17:11-12; 1Co 7:37; 2Co 11:9; 1Ti 5:22; Jas 1:27.
The Eleven were charged with making disciples who would keep watch upon, guard, protect, he, observed practically and keep strictly, preserve and shields, to store up and reserve, to keep custody of, to maintain, to keep in a [good and original] condition.
The reason the reformers we're so adamant about sola scriptura (only the scriptures) and sola fide (only by faith) should be clear. They HEARD with their own ears what Jesus commanded them in Matthew 28:18-20. The believed that this was a first and mandated work of faith given by the Christ their Savior Jesus. They saw truly that “whatsoever” (everything) Jesus had already commanded the disciples was of first importance. And so they began to write down everything they could remember that Jesus commanded them. The result? First the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, then the Book of Acts, then the letters of Paul, Hebrews, James, John and Jude. And by special means the Book of the Apocalypse, The Revelation of Jesus Christ. This they did because of their faith in Christ and their Love of God. We have THOSE ELEVEN who obeyed Christ’s command, and all that guarded the scriptures they wrote down to thank for The New Testament. Likely they contributed to the guarding and preservation of the Old Testament as well. And yes, after these eleven died, others, even some in Rome, preserved their original manuscripts and copied them. Thank You Lord Jesus and all.
Why did they obey Jesus and do this? Because they LOVED Him, and Father and Holy Spirit. As well as proof of God's love for all mankind, the scriptures Old and New, 66 books, are an extraordinary testimony of the apostles love for God and for His Words. They are replete with Jesus' Words and they are all God breathed (inspired). They are evidence that many following the apostles also loved God and the scriptures. And perhaps even more so they are powerful evidence that God was himself keeping the scriptures safe through their work. We have many many more ancient manuscripts of the scriptures that we do of ancient literature and documents.
All the immense cathedrals and stained glass, great sculptures and works of art, scarlet and purple robes, gold and silver furnishings, do they show love for God or for neighbor?
Are not God and neighbor loved more by the preaching of the gospel than any other thing? More than anything I can think of it takes faith and work to first understand what God has done from the garden of Eden to this present day and to the end of time and then declare it in such a way and to provoke men, women and children to seek God who in Christ seeks all men. Not all are called or able to preach.
1Corinthians 12
12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life].14 For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 16 If the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. 19 If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be? 20 But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; 23 and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 while our more presentable parts do not require it. But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it.27 Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. 28 So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal].And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].
1 Corinthians 13
1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. 2 And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing. 3 If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all. 4 Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. 5 It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. 6 It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. 7 Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].8 Love never fails [it never fades nor ends].
Do Roman Catholics love God? I believe some do. Do they love other Roman Catholics? Most of them are very loyal to each other and their church. BUT
Do they love protestants? I'm not going to defend all protestants, certainly many protestants have not loved Catholics. There are some reasons for that. Some the lovelessness arise out of disputes over doctrine. Some of it is a reaction to the antisemitism found in the very early Gentile Christian churches. Some of it arises out of the remembrance of inquisitions against the Waldenses. There is the matter of the Spanish Inquisition and the forced conversion of Jews. There is the very grave matter of the sexual abuse of children by Roman clergymen, clergymen whom the church refuses to remove from positions of authority and proximity to children. The Roman Catholic church seems inordinately rich having even its own very influential bank. Followers of Christ not following Rome are not flawless sinless people. So many are so quick to judge and contemn and even condemn one another. Why? Sin has made us blind and deaf to TRUTH.
Matthew 11:16-19 (ASV) But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the marketplaces, who call unto their fellows 17 and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn. 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon. 19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! And wisdom is justified by her works.
Isaiah 59:2
(ASV) but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear.
(BBE) But your sins have come between you and your God, and by your evil doings his face has been veiled from you, so that he will give you no answer.
(BSB) But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.
(CEV) Your sins are the roadblock between you and your God. That's why he doesn't answer your prayers or let you see his face.
(ESV) but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
(ISV) Instead, your iniquities have been barriers between you and your God, and your sins have concealed his face from you so that he won't listen.
(KJV) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
(TLV) Rather, your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God. Your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.
(YLT) But your iniquities have been separating Between you and your God, And your sins have hidden The Presence from you—from hearing.
All the immense cathedrals and stained glass, great sculptures and works of art, scarlet and purple robes, gold and silver furnishings, do they show love for God or for neighbor? Without a doubt there are many in the Roman Catholic Church serving the needs of humanity, the poor and the sick and the hungry. But are they feeding the spiritual needs of their people? Are they feeding the spiritual needs of the lost?
Are they feeling the Roman Catholic flock as Jesus commanded Peter? Peter's commission was to preach the gospel to the circumcision, to the Jews. Paul's comission was to do the same for the gentiles.
It does seem that Roman Catholicism says: Sit in OUR pews, get wet in OUR water, study OUR catechism, believe OUR teachers, be confirmed by OUR clerics, confess to OUR priests eat and drink OUR bread and wine, be married by OUR priests, and be anointed with OUR oil when nothing else can be done for you... then you will go to OUR heaven. Is the Roman Catholic church the way to God? Is she the way to heaven?
Then said Jesus unto them again, "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.
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
"But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
"The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
"As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."
Also
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 (KJV)
Jesus the Messiah is the door through which we enter the kingdom. He is the only way we can take to the Father.
Some say humorously, there's the right way, the wrong way and the Army way. It could be said there's the right way, the wrong way, the army way, the Roman Catholic way, the Eastern Orthodox way, the Coptic way, the Anglican way, the Protestant way, the Baptist way, the Methodist Way, even the Pentecostal way and today the Evangelical way. But JESUS is THE WAY, the ONLY WAY to the Father. And when we believe God and trust Christ we are joined to His assembly and begin our journey toward the eternal Kingdom of God, the Very Kingdom of Heaven. This journey is the work of faith Jesus spoke of in John Ch. 6:
John 6:28-29 (ASV)
28 They said therefore unto him, What must we do, that we may work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Jesus is God's way. The evangelists God ordains in the church bring the lost outside the Kingdom to it's threshold where Christ opens the door to them. They come inside and dwell believing, having faith, trusting that He, His Father and Holy Spirit are able to do what they have promised. Roman Catholics should let God keep his promises and not make promises they cannot keep.
Jesus is God's way. We know this from the 66 books of the Bible. We no also that he is the truth and the life, the king of Israel, the Savior of those who trust him, the foundation and the builder of his church, heaven's King, and the central and most important person of whom Paul wrote:
5… Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:5-13 (ASV)
Note !!!
“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure…”
Paul’s apostolic team commending the Thessalonians for their work of faith and their labor of love.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 (ASV) We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father; 4 knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election, 5 how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake.
Paul rebuked the Galatians who were turning back from works of faith
Galatians 5:6 (ASV) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
If Protestants and Catholics ever hated one another it was surely seen in Northern Ireland. Hopefully that war is forever over. It was as political as it was religious. The conflict between Catholics and the Anglican began in the 1634. The conflict between Catholics and the reformers began circa 1517. Catholic France began persecuting the Huguenot Christians, killing 60 of them on March 1st 1562 and martyring between 2000 and 3000 of them on Saint Bartholomew's Day in the same year. They were persecuted for over 100 years. In 1685 200,000 Huguenots fled France avoiding renewed bloodshed attributed to Louis the14th, France's Catholic King.
I have never heard this observed by anyone but likely it has been by someone. It is something to think about. The allies and the axis nations that fought two world wars are called Christian nations!!! In World War II with the exception of China the allies were all Christian nations. The axis nations with the exception of Japan we all Christian nations. World War I was a bit different but the core opponents were all Christian nations. So I have to wonder and ask:
Have England, France, Germany, Russia, Italy ever been Christian nations? If so how could they possibly fight against each other in such bloody wars? Has America ever been a Christian nation? Some Colonial English Christians returned to England rather than fight with the American colonies against the British crown. Why? See Romans 13: 1-7 and 1Peter 2:13-17.
Although the USA has many christian churches including many Catholic churches we would do well to remember Jesus words to Peter after he cut off the year of the servant of the high priest, "Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Matthew 26:52
Matthew 10:34-42 (ASV) Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law: 36 and a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward: and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward.
I think it will be good for the differences between Catholics and non-Catholics to remain in the arenas of civil discussions, and it would be better if these discussions were motivated not so much as a desire to convert to doctrine and tradition as to provoke love for God and for each other. God is love and love never fails. What I believe is urgent for Catholics is that they judge the history of their church, the doctrines it has promulgated and the fruits it has born. The is urgent for non-Catholics as well. As individuals we are called to examine ourselves and to speak the truth and love. Paul wrote the following scripture portion to a church divided. Some were following one man and some another, and it's not known how many cliques, sects, schisms, factions, heresies there may have been Corinth when he wrote this.
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (ESV) But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine [approved ASV] among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
Understanding what Paul is saying and why would be very helpful to all in understanding why we do not see the unity of heaven and the churches on this earth today.
