Wine of Babylon – Social Teaching of the Catholic Church – Natural Law

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The Roman Catholic Church’s Compendium of Social Doctrine offers a very good example of what the “poisoned wine of the Whore of Babylon” can actually look like. A toxic mixture of (superficial) aspects of the Gospel and natural law-based humanism. It looks so Christian, benevolent, and serving humanity, but in reality it is a devilish concoction.

“For justice and peace”

DThe Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, published by the Vatican on June 29, 2004, originates from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Pope John Paul II held the pontificate at the time. The compendium is available directly from the Vatican in 17 different languages, but interestingly—unlike many other important documents—not in German. (Source).

Letter from Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano

The compendium begins with written exchanges between the clergy and a description of the text. In one letter, Angelo Sodano makes it clear that Roman Catholic social teaching is fundamentally not based on the Gospel, but on (Hellenistic) natural law.

Pos. 2:

“This work also shows the value of Catholic social doctrine as an instrument of evangelization (cf. Centesimus Annus, 54), because it places the human person and society in relationship with the light of the Gospel. The principles of the Church’s social doctrine, which are based on the natural law, are then seen to be confirmed and strengthened, in the faith of the Church, by the Gospel of Christ.“

Pos. 3:

“In the present text we can see the importance of moral values, founded on the natural law written on every human conscience; every human conscience is hence obliged to recognize and respect this law.“

Introduction: “An integral and solidary Humanism”

It’s actually quite a bold statement that the Church of Rome so openly and “unashamedly” reveals what it (apparently) stands for, and no one, especially not within the ecumenical movement, takes offense, let alone raises a voice of protest. Humanism, regardless of its form, era, or interpretation, is always opposed to the Gospel. Without needing to go into the individual details, this obvious discrepancy is clearly evident in the positioning of man alone.

While the Gospel places Jesus Christ at the absolute center, humanism places humanity at the center. Humanism believes that humanity is destined to achieve a better way of life through appropriate measures based on natural law. Considering some of the characteristics of humanism, the following points are particularly noteworthy:

1. the self-attributed ability to define morality through one’s own reason
2. to achieve a higher form of existence through one’s own power
3. to be subject to the laws of nature (natural law, not the laws of physics)

The connection between humanism and the gospel only succeeds to the extent that water and oil can only be mixed together, but not blended together. The artificially created term “Christian humanism” is an oxymoron and would be tantamount to attempting to describe “roasted snowballs.” Squaring the circle.

The Church of Rome, however, has made it its mission to create such a (toxic) connection and label this concoction as Christianity. This Roman religious institution also creates correspondingly imaginative connections between biblical statements and Hellenistic natural law.

Chapter One: God’s Plan of Love for Humanity

Pos. 22:

“The Ten Commandments, which constitute an extraordinary path of life and indicate the surest way for living in freedom from slavery to sin, contain a privileged expression of the natural law. They ‘teach us the true humanity of man. They bring to light the essential duties, and therefore, indirectly, the fundamental rights inherent in the nature of the human person’. They describe universal human morality. In the Gospel, Jesus reminds the rich young man that the Ten Commandments (cf. Mt 19:18) ‘constitute the indispensable rules of all social life’“

The Ten Commandments of God, described as an “extraordinary path of life,” do not “free” people from the bondage of sin. All Ten Commandments are the foundation for defining sin in the first place, for recognizing sin, and also form the basis for the final judgment. Love for God and love for one’s fellow human beings automatically lead to obeying the Ten Commandments. The dilemma is that every human being has already sinned and, without exception, would be condemned to (final) death without the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

One must therefore truly desire to connect the Ten Commandments with duties. Fallen man, without the work of the Holy Spirit, has massive problems keeping the commandments, due to a lack of love for God and his fellow human beings. True morality, which takes a dark form in the human heart, is therefore to be found exclusively in God’s decrees..

Pos. 37:

“the meaning of human activity in the world, which is linked to the discovery and respect of the laws of nature that God has inscribed in the created universe, so that humanity may live in it and care for it in accordance with God’s will. This vision of the human person, of society and of history is rooted in God and is ever more clearly seen when his plan of salvation becomes a reality.“

“Whoever loves me keeps my commandments“, said Jesus Christ in John 14:15. “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.“, said one of His disciples (1 John 2:4). It speaks of God’s commandments and not of natural law, whoever may have defined them. God has inscribed His law in the hearts of people. Again, this refers to the Ten Commandments and not any natural law.

Furthermore, the gospel recognizes only man in his sinfulness and his need for salvation, not any form of person. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:‘” (Acts 10:34). According to the Roman Church, this reflects Roman law. (Info).

Particularly in the German translation of this Church’s canon law, it is evident that one is considered a human being until baptism has taken place. Afterward, one is considered a “human person” with the duties and rights within the legal sphere of this Church (CIC, Can. 96). And according to the Church’s (delusional) ideas, the baptized person cannot escape this, even leading to excommunication.

Pos. 53:

“It is the same Spirit of the Lord, leading the people of God while simultaneously permeating the universe, who from time to time inspires new and appropriate ways for humanity to exercise its creative responsibility. This inspiration is given to the community of Christians who are a part of the world and of history, and who are therefore open to dialogue with all people of good will in the common quest for the seeds of truth and freedom sown in the vast field of humanity. The dynamics of this renewal must be firmly anchored in the unchangeable principles of the natural law, inscribed by God the Creator in each of his creatures (cf. Rom 2:14-15), and bathed in eschatological light through Jesus Christ. “

What does Romans 2:14-15 actually say?
“For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)“

Which law? One need only consider the preceding verses, Romans 2:11-12:
“For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;“

Again, the Gospel actually speaks of God’s law, namely the Ten Commandments, but not of any natural law. That exists only in the minds of the Roman Catholic “faith factory.”

Chapter Two: Mission of the Church and Social Teaching

Pos. 93:

“n the Christmas Radio Messages of Pope Pius XII[160], together with other important interventions in social matters, Magisterial reflection on a new social order guided by morality and law, and focusing on justice and peace, become deeper.“

Natural law, not the Gospel, as the international order. This megalomania is inherent in the nature of this church. Since this institution also has an entire army of “overseers” (bishops), compliance with this order can, of course, be assumed at the same time.

Chapter Eight: Political Community

Pos. 400:

“Recognizing that natural law is the basis for and places limits on positive law means admitting that it is legitimate to resist authority should it violate in a serious or repeated manner the essential principles of natural law. Saint Thomas Aquinas writes that “one is obliged to obey … insofar as it is required by the order of justice”. Natural law is therefore the basis of the right to resistance.“

In Romans 13, Paul clearly explains that even Christians must submit to any authority. A leader does not come to his position by chance, and certainly not through God’s guidance or tolerance. Everything has a specific reason, even if man, in his limitedness, fails to grasp it, because he cannot grasp it.

However, there is a limit, a red line. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29). This is the case when the authorities want to enforce something (e.g., by law) that contradicts the order or the law of God. In this case, compliance with this man-made order must be rigorously rejected.

The Roman Catholic Church, however, uses this as a justification based on natural law, not on the law of God. This could even lead to a situation where people rebel against something that doesn’t actually violate God’s order. Conversely, they might silently and obey, even though such an order is contrary to God’s law. This is extremely dangerous.

But since Paul is unmistakably clear, it goes without saying that the Christian must never and at no time recognize the authority of the papacy (Info).

Chapter Nine: International Community

Pos. 437:

“Universal respect of the principles underlying “a legal structure in conformity with the moral order” is a necessary condition for the stability of international life. The quest for such stability has led to the gradual elaboration of a “right of nations” (“ius gentium”), which can be considered as “the ancestor of international law”. Juridical and theological reflection, firmly based on natural law, has formulated “universal principles which are prior to and superior to the internal law of States”, such as the unity of the human race, the equal dignity of every people, the rejection of war as a means for resolving disputes, the obligation to cooperate for attaining the common good and the need to be faithful to agreements undertaken (pacta sunt servanda). This last principle should be especially emphasized in order to avoid “temptation to appeal to the law of force rather than to the force of law”.“

That’s exactly how it is. International law, centrally controlled and monitored by the UN, as well as the global education system, (Info), are based on natural law. The gospel is left out. Yet the (few) Ten Commandments of God would be perfectly sufficient to enable peaceful coexistence within the human family. What is lacking, however, is human love. Therefore, constructs like humanism, which is also just a religion, cannot compensate for this deficiency. They only mess things up and make things worse.

The view from the gospel

Of course, the perspective on humanism comes from the perspective of the Gospel. The die-hard humanist, atheist, naturalist, etc., may now protest. Everyone is free to believe what they believe they must believe. This is true even though the Gospel contains something incomparable, something that exists nowhere else. If only one had read the Word of God impartially once. The pragmatic, objectively considered facts speak clearly for the Gospel. (Info).

But it would be bitter if the eyes only opened, and they will certainly do so, when it is already (much) too late (Info).

Open humanism is just as easily recognizable as openly practiced Buddhism, Islam, or Hinduism. People decide for themselves. What is reprehensible about the Roman Catholic Church’s approach, however, is the labeling of this toxic mixture as “Christian doctrine.” This is a lie and a deception against humanity. The once Protestant churches have long since jumped into the common mother boat. (Info).

The Babylonian “wine of gluttony”

Such a mixture, which the Bible describes, among other things, as “the impurity of her fornication in her golden cup” (Revelation 17:4-5), was directly manifested by the Church of Rome in its Catechism of Faith. Hellenistic philosophy, natural law, and the first three great lies of the serpent in the Garden of Eden, united as the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. (Info).

The kind of humanism that was applied during the French Revolution revealed its roots in its very self-portrayal, which was touted as the achievement of proclaimed human rights for the “good of humanity” (Info).

From the prophetic point of view of the Bible, the sudden change between the 5th and 6th head of the same beast took place with the deposition of the Pope in 1798 (Info). Such events as the political disempowerment of the papacy, while massively publicized, do not actually bring about changes that benefit humanity. Many heads, but the same beast. It is and remains the deception against which Jesus Christ so emphatically warned (Matthew 24:4)..

Intersections with Christianity

Humanism is based on the idea that humankind can shape its existence and its environment for a glorious future. This aspect, too, contradicts the Gospel in that it will not continue humanity in a merely “improved” form. However, the visions of humanism fit seamlessly with the widespread Christian misconception that after purification, there will be a 1,000-year kingdom of peace on earth.

An Antichrist will come first, after the rapture of the Christian community, to be subsequently eliminated by the (once again) returning Messiah. This is the beginning of a glorious kingdom of peace on earth. Widely believed in the Christian world, but not described in this way in the Gospel. There will be neither a kingdom of peace on earth (Info), nor a (secret) pre-rapture of Christians (Info).

If this idea is consistently followed through, even humanism based on natural law ultimately leads to the declaration of good as evil and evil as good (from the perspective of the Gospel). The Bible is clear on this point. In the final era, the majority of humanity, in the false belief that they are thereby serving God, will take up the fight against Jesus Christ and His faithful followers, who are viewed as the Antichrist and his vassals. (Info).

Anecdote

It is ironic that it was a Roman historian, Cornelius Tacitus (around 55 to 120 AD), who wrote the following statement:
“The more corrupt the state, the more laws it has.“

Take the Book of the Law and the Prophets, the Bible, in just one hand. In Scripture, on the subject of (valid) laws, one finds God’s Ten Commandments and His Dietary Laws, unchanged for millennia. Now, try using just one hand with all the apostolic exhortations, encyclicals, bulls, constitutional writings, compendia, and the catechism written by the clergy of the Church of Rome.

Bible verses from King James Version (1611)