This was definitely a worthy study to do because I am surrounded by many Catholics in my life. My mom was raised Catholic but is now a Christian. My husband's mom was raised Catholic and my pastor was raised Catholic who is now a Christian. Allll their family is Catholic. So I've learned a lot about it. I was visiting a friend's site when I realized she was Catholic. She was talking about it and invited some people to leave comments. I left a comment on my beliefs about it. Naturally, some Catholics weren't too happy about it and addressed me a few times. ;) That is okay. It's to be expected. It is a subject some Christians are afraid to address. After doing much study of my own, the best study I can ever give you would be "Are Roman Catholics Christians" By the chick Tracts. It would only take 5 minutes to read it. It will even give you the original history of the religion that even some Catholics don't know about. It will also give you scripture from the Bible so we can see for ourselves what God's word says about it. THAT is what really counts. These days a lot of people are wanting to mix Christianity in with Catholicism. Just to clear it up. :D I know there are different branches of Catholics. But.. it all comes from the same source. The little booklet will tell you the original history. Pretty scary! Later added: I understand what some are saying. :) That they have known people to get saved in the Catholic church. In fact, when my husband was a teen, he attended the youth group of a Catholic church. They only prayed to Jesus as the Bible said to and kids were getting saved. He said it was awesome! Once he got into the regular mass it was completely different. I do believe people can get saved. However, I will never delve deeply into any studies other than the bible. Many people have been "talked into" other religions. To this day, I have never had a Catholic compare their beliefs, step by step to me, just using The Holy Bible. They can't. They can't because it is unbiblically sound. Lies have been around a long time. The best lies are those that are mixed in with some truth. That has been going on since Adam and Eve, all the way back in the garden. Satan mixed in lies, with truth, and Adam and Even fell into it. I will only listen to scripture out of the bible. The bible says, "Let God be true and every man a liar". The best study you could ever do is compare Catholic rituals to God's Word. Not to attack. This is just a study I have looked into for a long time and I've had people around me have questions so I decided to address. That is what a blog is for. A journal. :)
14 comments:
I try to just give my perspective on it when I'm out and about. My dad's family is all Catholic.
I would encourage you to increase your research about Catholicism. I used to have the same viewpoint as you, but I was to the point of believing that Catholicism was on the brink of Satanism. When I went to Bible college at an Evangelical University, I had to take a required Roman Catholicism course. After reading a good chuck of the actual Catechism, also the book Catholic and Christian, and meeting with a priest for 3 hours for an assignment...I realized that although there are many differences between Catholic and Evangelical beliefs, there are also many similarities. I even became comfortable enough with the religion to marry a Roman Catholic and join a Roman Catholic church. I go to church on Sunday, and I hear the word of God straight from the Bible. I hear the salvation message. I hear about the Holy Spirit. I hear prayer for our brothers and sisters. Most of all...I have been in God's presence and know how to recognize it as I grew up in the Evangelical church. I feel God's presence there. People are getting saved. People are going to Heaven...
Think about this: Divide and conquer. I believe that dark forces are trying to divide believers to further evil purposes. We could debate for hours about when someone should be baptized...if it's okay to ask Mary to intercede on our behalf the same way we ask Jesus to intercede, if Mary was an ever-virgin or not...we could debate for years! I don't think God wants people with different beliefs to constantly be picking at each other's beliefs and arguing theology. I think He wants us to work together, love each other, respect each other, not judge each other. If we could do that, many wars would not be happening right now.
Anyways, I read your blog sometimes...found the link on myspace...I like to read about your kids since I don't have any....and I thought I would comment in this, I hope that's okay! Good luck in your journey and take care!
I understand what you are saying. :) In fact, when my husband was a teen, he attended the youth group of a Catholic church. They only prayed to Jesus as the Bible said to and kids were getting saved. He said it was awesome! Once he got into the regular mass it was completely different. I do believe people can get saved. However, I will never delve deeply into any studies other than the bible. Many people have been "talked into" other religions. To this day, I have never had a Catholic compare their beliefs, step by step to me, just using The Holy Bible. They can't. They can't because it is unbiblically sound. Lies have been around a long time. The best lies are those that are mixed in with some truth. That has been going on since Adam and Eve, all the way back in the garden. Satan mixed in lies, with truth, and Adam and Even fell into it. I will only listen to scripture out of the bible. The bible says, "Let God be true and every man a liar".
I see where you are coming from, I might even agree. But, I would encourage you to read Barbara's journey at MommyLife. In the last year she has converted from Evangelical to Catholicism and it's a more common switch than you'd think. On her blog you can read her whole journey by starting here...http://www.mommylife.net/archives/catholicism/
I've learned alot from her - let me know what you learn.
Kristin, I love you! But... I don't want to waste my time reading her journey. The bible says in the end days, many will be deceived. People have itching ears. It is sooo important to reference everything we believe off the bible. If the church I go to starts twisting scripture, I would leave in a heartbeat. I still can't get anyone to list all their Catholic believes and show me scripture for each one. No one can. Sure they might be able to find one. The one that someone finally gave me made no sense as to what they were trying to say. Even Satan quotes scriptures to believers to confuse them. He always mixed truth in with lies from the very beginning. The bible says Let God be true and Every man a liar. Cursed is the one who adds or takes away from the scriptures. For me to go read anything other and try to take it as gospel truth would dangerous for me spiritually. Because I've already decided that I believe in God's Word as a whole. It doesn't matter what other books there are, or quotes from priests or nuns, I choose only to believe God's Word. These are the days of great deceptions. Any religion that believes so many things that are directly against not only God's Word, but against God's very Commandments, I have to run as far away as possible. That is what's so great about the bible. All I have to do is match it up to God's Word to see it as a false doctrine. I am sad she has turned from God's Word to believe what used to be a long ago Baal worshipping religion. In fact, most catholics don't even know the history of their church. It is quite scary.
Thank you for that website link, Kristin, I look forward to checking it out and reading about another person who has gone from an Evangelical church to Catholic Church as I have.
I do understand wanting to use the Bible only to defend Catholic beliefs. The biggest problem I have seen with people doing this is that some do not have a sound or accurate understanding of what exactly the Catholic Church beliefs really are. For example, some think that Catholics pray to Mary...although some sects of Catholicism have gone this way, the Roman Catholic church does not pray to Mary. Mary and the Saints are asked to intercede on our behalf much like the way we would ask our friends and family here on earth to intercede for us. This is just one example of a belief I had all wrong. So, in studying Catholism, if anyone is, I suggest going straight to the source of the Catechism to find out what the official beliefs are instead of relying on hearsay or other sources (much like we use the Bible and not other sources to find the truth) and much like if we wanted to know that the A/G church believes, we would go to the Statement of Faith, not ask a person who claims to know. In the Catechism, you'll find beliefs on the Holy Spirit, etc. that you may not have realized exist. This would allow Evangelicals to bond with Catholics on the similarities instead of constantly focusing on the differences.
Thanks for the great discussion, ladies, a good conversation is hard to find these days!
I went ahead and published this comment (because they go through me first) to prove what I have been saying. If you cannot prove your religion through the bible alone, (with maybe using a concordance to help understand), and you have to go to that actual religion's resources, then that is when you are entering dangerous ground. The bible says that although the bible has so many wonderful and complex issues that are dealt with, it is easy enough for a child to understand. I am waiting to see someone who can take all their catholic beliefs. Every one, and find scriptural evidence in the bible. I could go to the Mormon bible and see why they do stuff. They also twist scripture from the Holy Bible. I could go to the Muslims. I could go to the Jehovah witnesses, I could go to the baptist. I could see all their resources and each one will try to convince me why they believe their beliefs are right. I guarentee, (except for the baptists) that they will only show me resources other than The Holy Bible. God's Word warns of this very thing. So many people these days continue to find whatever religion fits their needs that they neglect to do their own study in God's Word. I do not need to have God's Word twisted by any other belief to convince me that it's okay to pay for a sin of indulgance and it be okay. Or pay to get a loved one out of pergatory. Or pray them out. The bible also says that Jesus ALONE is our intercessor between man and God. That was changed when Jesus died and rose again. That is why the viel was torn in the temple. My aunt and her family were going to their catholic church one day and her little son said, "mom, why do we have to go to a priest? Why can't we just go to God ourselves? Why can't we just talk to Him?" She didn't know what to say. That is just what their religion does. All she had to do was take her little boy to the scriptures and show him that a priest is no longer need to have our sins brought to God for forgivness. A child understands the kingdom, while adults tend to twist and pervert scriptures according to our desires just as the bible speaks of.
One last comment, then I won't comment anymore on this and then I'll leave the subject alone=)...I am not saying to look to another source other than the Bible to justify Catholic beliefs. I am saying, how do you know what Catholics actually believe if you do not go to the source? Secondary sources are always skewed and misinterpreted (in University, you usually cannot use secondary sources in an academic argument). How do you know what another religion believes if you have not gone to their church, talked to their leaders, looked at the source of what they actually believe? You can't. And how can you know it's all wrong if you don't actually know what they believe? You don't. If you don't understand something, why it's being done, and the history (from the source), then you are missing pieces and do not truly have the big picture. Do I agree with all Catholic beliefs? No. But what I am saying that I do not believe you are seeing that we are brothers and sisters...we have many of the MOST important philosophies in common. It's true, I know it's hard to accept after being told differently, the only way is to look into it yourself (primary sources) to decide.
That's why, when I have kids, I want them to have friends of all religions. I want them to really understand people and why they do things...this does not mean they have to believe as other people do, but God wants us to unite together for HIS purposes, not be separated. Just like in the tower of Babel, different languages separated people and caused them to be weaker because they could not communicate....the same is with different religions. We are not communicating and understanding each other, so we can't unite and we will never be stronger than the dark forces until we do.
Anyways, I guess we both have strong opinions on this subject... I really have a heart for interfaith community and unity between denominations...it is my passion. It's frustrating when I see that people are not willing to understand each other. I know where you are coming from and you are smart, intelligent woman...I totally respect you. I wish you the best in your passions, take care!
It's okay. I don't mind you writing again on this subject. :)
I do feel strongly about this because I strongly believe that the bible is the only truth of God's Word. Ever since time on earth has begun, people have always tried to worship someone other that God alone. Now, I know that Catholics also worship God. I do not see them as brothers or Sisters in Christ because I know the root, the history of their religion. I HAVE studied their religion. Whenever I question Catholics about beliefs that are directly against God's commandments, they sheepishly agree that what they believe is not biblical. A lot of people don't know this but the translation NIV was made by a Catholic Cardinal. I could point out to you hundreds of scriptures that are missing in the NIV. It just so happens, he took out some of the most critical ones that would Jesus for who he is. NOT ONLY THAT, he changed critical words. I've read the NIV back to back and wrote in all the missing scriptures. Now, why would a Catholic Cardinal do that?
For Example: If you have an NIV nearby, pick it up to see one example of a missing scripture.
Look up Mark 11:26.
It's not there. And.... it's a critical scripture. This happens all throughout the NIV. Miracles of Jesus are constantly downplayed. They actually omitted certain words in scriptures.
Why do priests call themselves Father?
"Do not call anyone on earth father, for you have one father and He is in heaven. nor are you to be called teacher, for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:9-12
If you look a little further down, verse 14 is missing entirely. This is scary. Throughout the NIV, Jesus' miracles are downplayed and also the importance of who he is. I don't have time to go through all the scriptures because it would take hours to show you all that is missing. Why would a Catholic Cardinal feel a need to butcher the bible? I fear for that man because the bible says cursed is he who adds or takes away from these scriptures.
I have studied the Mormon, Jehovah Witness, baptist, Muslim, and others. You think we are all brothers and sisters? The bible warns us of these very things. In fact, in the last days, that is exactly what is going to happen. That is a great deceiver. There are already churches that are coming together for that. My pastor said that one day recently, God spoke to him (about Catholicism) and said, "Any religion that has deceived so many is not anything to sniff at." You have to know that my pastor was raised in a strong Catholic family. My grandma was raised Catholic. My mother and my husband's mother was raised Catholic. They have told me everything there ever is to know. My mother, my pastor, my mother-in-law, my husband, and many others have been free of it. All can sit with me and show me scripture of why what they believed was wrong. And they were heavily into it! I think it is okay to take the bible at it's word when I compare every religion to it's scriptures. I have read the Koran and it sickens me to think that people call the Muslims religion as "peaceful". I know they are deceived. The problem is, people study so many other things but it has always been a fight to man's flesh to study God's Word.
I completely agree with Jenny on this topic. My husband has debated with many Catholics on this topic and they end up realizing they may have chosen the wrong path. Thank you Jenny for being so bold and strong for Christianity and fellow Christians. I enjoy your blog and the pictures of your little ones. I hope to have a larger family soon. I have two so far. God bless you and your precious family.
This is Faithfulmommy's husband and I love all you had to say. I hope no one thinks I am being mean, I have a prophetic anointing and I have a hard time being gentle. Truth is truth and I am not going to explain to you how much joy it would give me if you would step away from the path of the bus. I will push you out of the way and be confident the bruise on your bottom will not compare to the death you were headed for. I have seen this deceit time and time again. It is amazing how people on one hand do not support their beliefs with the Bible and then when they do they get it wrong. I was shocked at how the one person posted that we were weak because we spoke many languages at the Tower of Babel and that if we don't unite all of our religions we will stay weak. For those who didn't see it right away, there is a reason the people were all speaking different languages and were weakened. GOD DID IT! When we unite the world we do not do ultimate good, we do ultimate evil. Are we who live in these days of perpetual perversion better than the people of that day? We messed it up before, we will mess it up again without the leading of the Holy Spirit. The next thing you know people will be saying that we shouldn't all be judged by the mistake Adam and Eve made, as though they really think they are so much stronger that they would have done it better. And thank you for the NIV enlightenment. That has been my favored translation for a long time and I was angered when I looked up the examples you gave. Have you found another translation besides the King James that is as accurate?
Thank you Faithful Mommy and your husband for such encouraging words. :) I wish I could sit and show you missing scriptures in the NIV but it would take all night. There are just tons. They actually have a book out that shows you every one. Sometimes a whole scripture is missing, or half of one, or a very important word is changed so drastically it waters down the importance of it. It's pretty scary! I had loved my bible and I read it all the way from Genesis to Revelations. It was an NIV too. Then I found out that it had been butchered and I had to go get a new bible. NIV is the only one I know of that does that. Not suprisingly it was a Cathaolic Cardinal who put together the NIV translation. I think my next step down from an actual King James would be the New King James. It mostly takes out the "thees and thous" without taking from the scripture. I really like it. I like NLT also but NKJV is still my fave.
Thank you for writing! I've tried so hard to explain this subject to people. I did think that the tower of babel comment was odd because I always knew that it was God that confused the launguage. He did that for a good reason too. Thank you guys for your encouraging words. It is hard to find people who are not afraid to defend the scriptures. Jesus shared the truth no matter who hated Him. It may have made Him unpopular but He cared for souls, not a popularity contest. :D
Great post baby! I havn't read all the comments above me but I'm glad that you made this post. something that realy erks me is how people will care more about what people think than what GOD thinks. They'll care more about what man teaches than what GOD plainly tells us in His word.
Here is an exerpt from the Bible where Jesus deals directly with "UN-submitted" tradition and teaching of man. Lets see what HE thinks of those who don't elevate the Word of God above teaching or tradition of man.
Mark 7
1Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
2And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
3For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4And 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.
5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
6He 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.
7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8For 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.
9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
10For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
11But 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.
12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
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