Either Christian or Catholic. This distinction may sound provocative to members of the Roman Catholic Church, but it is certainly justified. Too many deviations from the gospel, and above all those that are crucial to salvation, no longer allow us to speak of this institution as a Christian church.
Inhalt / Content
The pseudo-Christianity in Catholicism
One speaks either of Christianity or of Catholicism. While (real) Christianity relies on the Word of God, i.e. the Bible, the Church of Rome only uses the term “Christianity” in order to make it easier to mislead people.
Striking deviations between the statements of the Gospel and the official teachings of Catholicism prove the mere illusory existence of Christianity, or rather only show the fake label of this Roman Church. The recognition of this institution, which is completely removed from the gospel, as the moral-giving mother church is all the less understandable. Participation in ecumenism can therefore only be linked to the denial of the Word of God (Info).
Voices from the former Protestant churches that apart from the “reconciled differences” there are only a few points of friction left, such as the Lord’s Supper and the Eucharist, testify to a living distance from reality. Even the thoroughly pagan rituals of the Catholic Church seem not to be disturbed at all in the course of ecumenism.
The following is just a tiny but important excerpt of Catholicism’s deviations from the Gospel.
Church leadership
Different handling of the community or church leadership between biblical statements and the practice of the Roman Catholic Church.
Catholicism
In Catholicism, the Pope is the head of the church. This was reaffirmed in modern times by Pope Leo XIII in his encyclical of June 20, 1894. “We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty” Leo did not refer the “we” to his institution, but “according to his status” to himself exclusively in the form “majestatis pluralis”. More statements of a similar (and worse) nature, here.
Statement of the Bible
The Bible describes Jesus Christ as the head of the church and the church members are the body. So in Colossians 1:16-18:
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.“
Foundation of faith
Faith must stand on a rock-solid foundation. No assumptions, just facts. Here the Church of Rome sees itself as a “truth” giving institution with fundamental creations of its own.
Catholicism
The Roman Catholic Church proclaims that the Bible and tradition play the decisive roles in faith. The tradition is at least equal to the Bible. Here the Church claims that only it has the authority to interpret the Bible “correctly”, and only in the light of the catechism. In doing so, the Roman Church indirectly places traditions above the Word of God.
In the Dogmatic Constitution “dei verbum” (source), dated November 18, 1965 (i.e. after the Second Vatican Council), it says:
Sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the word of God, committed to the Church. Holding fast to this deposit the entire holy people united with their shepherds remain always steadfast in the teaching of the Apostles, in the common life, in the breaking of the bread and in prayers (see Acts 2, 42, Greek text), so that holding to, practicing and professing the heritage of the faith, it becomes on the part of the bishops and faithful a single common effort.
Statement of the Bible
In Biblical Christianity there is only one source of faith, and that is the Bible, the Word of God. The reason is obvious, 2. Timothy 3:16-17:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.“
This verse says, firstly, that every word written in the Bible is inspired by God, and secondly, that this is also useful for people as a whole. The Bible is therefore not a partial aspect, but the complete “full package” which does not require any additions. Jesus Christ Himself affirmed the Word as the truth, in John 17:17:
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.“
Mediator to the Father (God)
Quite apart from the fact that the Pope in Rome refers to himself as the “Holy Father” and is generally called that, the path to the Heavenly Father is absolutely crucial to salvation. On this point too, Catholicism has its own ideas. Matthew 23:9:
“And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.“
Catholicism
The Roman Church claims the authority to forgive sins. It sees itself as the kingdom of Christ that already exists on earth. The path to the Heavenly Father is therefore impossible without the church (the church itself is a sacrament). The authorized representatives are the priests. The path to the kingdom of God is therefore only possible through the priests and this is also a prerequisite for being able to reach Jesus Christ in the first place.
At this point too, numerous (deceased) “saints” play an important supporting role alongside Mary. Mary, declared “Mother of God,” even receives the function of a secondary mediator (Info).
Statement of the Bible
There is only one possible, exclusive Mediator to the Heavenly Father, and that is Jesus Christ, 1. Timothy 2:5-6:
“ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.“
Not two, not three, but only one mediator, Jesus Christ. No person should humiliate himself by entrusting his heart and the sins he has committed to an erring, sinful person (priest) who belongs to a blasphemous system. Jesus Christ emphasized His claim to absoluteness and His monopoly power in John 14:6:
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.“
Worship
Worshiping God is an essential service to God. In principle, prayers to God are completely simple actions, with Jesus Christ playing a central role here too. The Church of Rome takes a different view.
Catholicism
Praying to God is one of the teachings of Catholicism. However, prayers should also be addressed to (deceased) “saints” (declared as intercessions). The worship of an image or a figure, or in front of such a representation as “spiritual aids”, is obligatory. The Church of Rome deleted the Second Commandment according to Exodus 20:4-6 (no images) from the list of the 10 Commandments and added it to the First Commandment according to the Catechism, and barely mentioned anything else (Info).
In any case, the church deprives Jesus Christ of the exclusive role of mediator, and thus also of the justified glorification of Jesus based on His work of salvation for us. This is indicated by the sometimes overwhelming abundance of images and figures within a Roman Catholic church. These idols usually with pomp, gold and decorations, in “all exemplary Christian modesty and humility”.
The magazine “Catholic Answers” wrote about this on January 25, 2021 in the report “How Do We know the Saints Intercede to US”:
“So far, with Aquina’s help, we have very strong reasons to believe that the ssaints in heaven have the role of an intercessor and that they would know whatever requests are made of them.“
Statement of the Bible
Only Jesus Christ deserves all the glory. Neither Mary nor any of the now countless Catholic “saints” deserve veneration through worship. Acts 4:12:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.“
The Second Commandment, suppressed by the Roman Catholics, according to Exodus 20:4-6, lautet:
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments”
Pastors/Priesthood
Pastors or priests play an important role in a community. They have the task of proclaiming the word of God to the community, providing answers to open questions and also providing pastoral care. However, the priesthood of the Roman Church has acquired some exclusivities.
Catholicism
According to Catholic teaching, the priest still has the primary role of sacrificial service. With the so-called Eucharist, Jesus Christ is sacrificed again for each individual occasion. The altar is part of the basic equipment of the Catholic church. A site dedicated exclusively to sacrifice. In addition, there is the “authority” to be able to forgive sins and God has to bow to the priest’s decisions (Alphonsus Liguori).
Statement of the Bible
The Bible says that there is only one High Priest, Jesus Christ. Every believer has the role of priest of God. The rite of sacrifice ended with the single and final, ongoing sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the priests of God function as proclaimers of the Word of God and no longer as executors of a sacrificial service. 1. Peter 2:9:
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:“
Condition of the dead
The question of people’s condition after they die is an age-old one. Here the statements of the Bible and the teachings of Catholicism are diametrically opposed. Belief in the condition of the dead is definitely crucial to salvation. Because not only possible traditions depend on it, but also the practice of spiritualism.
Catholicism
The Roman Catholic Church teaches in Catechism 366 that humans have an immortal soul that does not perish after death. Then, depending on the way of life, it is decided whether the deceased goes directly to heaven, hell or purgatory. The concept of purgatory does not exist in the Bible and the term “hell” was defined by Catholicism itself (Info).
According to the “New Catholic Encyclopedia” (issue 13, starting on page 335), the Church of Rome is well aware that the Bible contains no reference to an immortal soul. Yet this church teaches otherwise. She is therefore fully aware of her deviation from the gospel (Info).
Statement of the Bible
The Bible clearly states that man does not have an (external) soul, but that the living man (dust and God’s breath of life) is the soul. In death, bodies perish and the breath of life returns to God. The person who has died is, so to speak, in a soul sleep. Dead people have no consciousness, they don’t notice anything. Ecclesiastes 9:5-6:
“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.“
Ecclesiastes 3:19:
“For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.“
The deceased are either raised (1st resurrection at Jesus’ return) to eternal life, or raised (after the so-called millennium) to receive the judgment and then thrown into the “lake of fire”. This means the extinction of existence (the “second death”, Revelation 21:8).
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (1st resurrection):
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.“
End times scenario
Even people who are little or not at all religious are slowly realizing that this world is coming to an end. What events are coming to humanity, or what the climax will be, are told in different versions. But the Bible provides precise information here.
Catholicism
In Catholicism there is no “millennium” yet to come (1000 years according to Revelation 20), but the church itself is already the kingdom established by God on earth. Therefore, there is no longer any need to wait for the establishment of the kingdom of Jesus. The longed-for peace on earth will be achieved through the church. Everything is developing for the better.
Statement of the Bible
Man, like the entire creation, is moving towards the return of Jesus Christ, the climax of human history to date. Everything is geared towards that. For humans, either eternal life or eternal damnation (final death, non-existence) applies. Nothing turns out well, it just keeps getting worse.
Jesus Christ will not touch this (unclean earth) and will draw the redeemed to himself. All people left behind will die (destruction of all life) and this in turn heralds the start of the millennium (Info).
Jesus Christ will not establish a 1,000-year kingdom on earth (Info). He will bring his own to himself, John 14:1-3:
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.“
Baptism
Infant or child baptism is still part of the tradition of many families. Baptism is a ritual with a thoroughly biblical background, but with a completely different interpretation between the Bible and Catholicism.
Catholicism
According to Catholic teaching, every person must be baptized as soon as possible after birth. Only this makes it possible for people with their “original sin” (Catholic teaching) to be saved by the church.
Statement of the Bible
Baptism is only appropriate when the sinful person has recognized his sins, repented of them and consciously turned to God or Jesus Christ. This is not possible for an infant. In addition, there is biblical baptism by immersion, as simply sprinkling with water cannot fulfill the symbolism of baptism (dying and rising with Jesus, rebirth). (Info).
Acts 2:38:
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.“
The “imminent fate” of children who were unbaptized at the time of Jesus was explained by Jesus Christ Himself, Matthew 19:14:
“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.“
Summary – Overview
| Theme | Statement Bible | Statement Catholicism |
| Church leadership | Jesus Christ is the head of the church | The Pope is the head of the community |
| Basic belief | Bible is inspired by God and is the only basis for faith | Bible may only be interpreted by the church and is subject to its own traditions |
| Mediator to the Heavenly Father | Only Jesus Christ | Church, priest, (Catholic) Mary, “saint” |
| Worship | Only God (through Jesus Christ) is worshiped | Worship of God. Prayers are addressed as “intercessions” to Mary and “saints” (the deceased), also using pictures and figures |
| Pastors / Priesthood | Believers are priests of God for the proclamation of the word. Jesus Christ is the only high priest. Only Jesus Christ makes human salvation possible | Priests are authorized to forgive sins and offer Jesus Christ again with every single mass. The service of the priests serves salvation. |
| State of the dead | No consciousness, a kind of soul sleep. Until resurrection to eternal life or resurrection to judgment followed by eternal death. | Immortal soul, either in heaven, hell, or purgatory |
| End times scenario | Jesus Christ will collect the redeemed. The rest remain dead or will die. Then follow 1000 years of peace in the kingdom of heaven with a devastated earth | The church itself is already the kingdom of Jesus on earth. One day, through the church, global peace will prevail |
| Baptism | Baptism is for believers who have already recognized their sins and repented of them | Infants must be baptized because they are automatically lost without baptism if they die beforehand (“original sin”) |
Different laws, different times
Another essential feature of Catholicism is the change in the 10 commandments of God and in particular the Fourth Commandment (Exodus 20:8-11). As early as Daniel 7 (written around 550 BC) we can read that the adversary and blasphemer who will arise will change the laws and times. Daniel 7:25:
“And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.“
As is well known, the darkest times to date lasted 1,260 years (538 to 1798). In addition to the “rearrangement” of the commandments, the Catholic Church also moved the commandment to “commemorate the Sabbath”, the 7th day of the week, to Sunday. The Church does not admit this act, but vehemently defends it, saying this act is a sign of her authority (Info). The fight against the Sabbath in favor of Sunday observance prescribed by the Church of Rome is unprecedented (Info).
Bible verses from King James Version
