Like many of you, I am surrounded by catholic brothers and sisters who love the Lord. Over the years though, my heart has broke for those that hold some of the following beliefs as essential to their salvation. It is my opinion, based on scripture, that by doing so they run the risk of elevating religion over Christ. In other words, prioritizing the things we can do as humans above the work Christ did on the cross. All of this seems to come as a result of putting more stock in people, based on church traditions, than scripture alone.
It should be publicly noted as well that I don’t consider myself smarter than century’s of leaders within the Catholic Church, all I’m doing is weighing what I’m hearing against scripture and coming to my own decision. This has been especially difficult in past days when I ministered to youth that were often associated with Catholicism. They would ask the same difficult questions and I would do my best to get them to think for themselves based on clear scripture, rather than push my own tradition or conclusion. I hope this research is presented the same. I’m not trying to think for you, only point to scripture.
Saints
Catholic tradition defines a saint as a Good Person.
So... once you've been baptized and confirmed- you're a saint (no disagreement) but the key difference is that they believe that the person has a continuous duty to perform works to PROVE how good they are. Then to be canonized as a saint in death, they vote on it and thus play God.
The ONLY good In a person is the justification from the cross. That is what makes us all saints. (a)
They then pray to these saints for their petitions. (b)
Verses (a): Romans 3:9-31, 2 Corinthians 5, 1 Corinthians 1:2, John 5:24
Verses (b): John 19:30, Romans 8:34, 1 John 2:1, 1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 7:25
Opinion (b): When I get to Heaven, my only focus will be on the Lord Jesus Himself. With all do respect, and as sad is it may be to hear this side of heaven, I won’t be thinking about anyone else. That is my belief based on heaven being a complete absence of tears and sorrow. How could that be, if I’m more focused on you more than Him. The presence of Jesus is what makes Heaven.
Mary
In 1950 pope pius officially proclaimed the doctrine of the assumption: that Mary is without sin, set apart (she wasn't just a human), the ACTUAL mother of God (not just earthly Jesus), thus the queen of heaven. Quite a jump and aptly named doctrine.
Verses: Luke 1:48-49, John 1:1-18, Hebrews 1
The Pope & a hierarchy of men
The Catholic Church claims that they can trace the Pope all the way back to Peter, and further claim that it was Jesus’ idea when he said that He would build His Church on this rock. The problem with this argument is not a record of Church leaders throughout the first century (I could personally care less), but rather the simple supremacy of authority. It’s not uncommon for the Pope to publicly state that his opinion is higher than scripture. On that note, that’s not uncommon in any denomination, which is why scripture must be the supreme authority.
Verses: 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 John 1:9, Isaiah 40:8, John 14:26, Revelation 22:18-19
From Foxes book of Martyrs
Ad 36-600
Lots of persecution from pagans
-Things like emperor Nero blaming Christians for burning Rome
Circa 1200
The Inquisition began instating Church authorities such as the pope- persecution swung from pagans to “The Church.“ A big part of this was the proclamation that the deity of Christ was made up (denouncing the trinity).
John Wycliffe led a charge of opposition against the Inquisition (Church actions incompatible with scripture) and was declared a heretic and martyred (1377-1384).
The Inquisition remained in effect until the early 19th century (1834 in Spain and 1821 in Portugal) when it was renamed The Congregation of the Holy Office, then once more renamed in 1965 to The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It is said that today it has the more positive task of furthering right doctrine rather than “censuring” heresy. This is important for me, because it highlights what so many governments are guilty of; taking authority in crisis and then never going back. This is what Wycliffe called out early and Luther shook up successfully. The idea that despite Luther’s remarks the Vatican refused to alter course, shows that it had become more about the hierarchy of man and less about the glory of God. In other words, and I’m well aware this is strong language, the Catholic institution is a modern day Pharisee.
What was so bad about Martin Luther? You decide. He believed:
Sola scriptura (Scripture alone)
Solus Christus (Christ alone)
Sola fide (faith alone)
Sola gratia (grace alone)
Soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone)