Thesis: Many Christians have agreed recently that the Roman Catholic church is simply another Christian sect. This supposition stems from a lack of knowledge about the doctrinal stance within the structure itself. This paper will attempt to expose some of the roots of the many non-Christian dogmas to be found within its structures, in order that Christians will begin to look more closely at the ecumenical trend and the implications of adopting this organization through this vehicle, in order to evangelize the world.
- Preface. 6
- Introduction. 7
- A.) Flirting With Peril. 7
- B.) A Change of Heart?. 8
- I.) The Pope. 8
- A.) Mouthpiece For Christ. 9
- B.) What is Infallibility, Anyway?. 10
- 1.) Would Infallibility Require Holiness of Life?. 11
- a.) Holiness 12
- b.) A Mediator 12
- c.) The Doctrine of Hypocrisy. 12
- d.) Is God Double-minded?. 13
- e.) A Contradiction. 13
- 2.) Are Proclamations Made Through Strife Really Infallible?. 13
- 3.) Are Pastors Free of Error, Too?. 15
- a.) The Doctrine of Paul 16
- b.) What about Peter, the Rock?. 16
- 4.) What Does All This Mean?. 18
- a.) The Word Of God versus The Vatican. 18
- b.) Luther Stands Up Against Infallibility. 19
- 5.) How Should One React To The Dogma of Infallibility, Then?. 20
- II.) The Line of the Vicar of Christ. 20
- A.) Was Peter Really The First Pope?. 21
- 1.) Celibacy. 21
- a.) The Church’s Stance on Celibacy. 21
- b.) The Biblical Perspective. 22
- c.) What About Peter Himself?. 23
- 2.) Opposition To Peter 24
- a.) Rebuke By Jesus 24
- b.) Paul Opposes Peter 25
- 3.) The Jerusalem Council 25
- 4.) Various Other Proofs 26
- a.) Peter Never Mentioned He Had Primacy. 26
- b.) The Others Were Not Told Of His Position. 26
- c.) Servanthood. 27
- d.) God Appointed Both Paul and Peter 28
- e.) Peter Sent Out, Not The One Sending Out 29
- 5.) Matthew 16:18 Examined. 30
- B.) Evidence Compiled. 30
- III.) The Schismatic Church. 31
- A.) The Babylonian Exile. 31
- B.) The Papal Schism.. 31
- C.) The Conciliar Movement. 32
- 1.) Council of Pisa. 32
- 2.) Council of Constance. 33
- a.) Ending the Schism. 33
- b.) Extirpation of Heresy. 33
- c.) Reform of the Church. 34
- 3.) Council of Basle. 34
- D.) Restored Renaissance Papacy?. 35
- E.) Not What Is Portrayed. 37
- IV.) Pope John Paul II 37
- A.) Who Was He?. 37
- B.) Who Is He?. 39
- 1.) One of Us?. 39
- 2.) The Pope and Mary -- Totus Tuus 41
- a.) Is Marian Worship Christocentric?. 42
- b.) Conclusion. 43
- 3.) Double-Talk. 43
- 4.) Has He Promoted A Positive Change?. 44
- C.) So, Has There Been A Change Of Heart?. 45
- V.) Ecumenism -- What Is It?. 46
- A.) Who Started the Ecumenical Movement?. 46
- B.) Proponents of Ecumenism.. 47
- 1.) Christendom. 47
- a.) Lutherans 47
- b.) The Heavyweights 49
- i.) Billy Graham. 49
- ii.) Chuck Colson. 51
- iii.) The Promise Keepers 53
- c.) Other Notable Evangelicals 54
- 2.) The Roman Catholic Church and Ecumenism. 54
- C. Is Ecumenism A Valid Avenue For Evangelism, Then?. 56
- Conclusion. 56
- Appendices. 57
- Appendix I. Is The Pope Really That Devoted To Mary?. 57
- Appendix II. Mary Examined. 58
- i.) Immaculate Conception. 58
- ii.) Theotokos -- Mother of God. 60
- iii.) Bodily Assumption. 61
- iv.) Mary According To The Scriptures 62
- Appendix III -- Some Anathemas of the Council of Trent. 62
- i.) Canons on Justification. 62
- ii.) Canons Concerning Baptism. 63
- iii.) Canon Concerning the Veneration of Relics and Saints 63
- Illustration I. Woodcut of Christ versus the Pope. 63
- Illustration II. Papal Coat of Arms. 65
- Works Cited. 66
- Works Consulted. 69
- ABBREVIATIONS
- RCC Roman Catholic Church
- ECT Evangelicals and Catholics Together
Preface
This paper will attempt to identify and expose some of the non-Christian teachings to be found within the structures of the Roman Catholic Church, through the investigation of the dogmas and doctrines which surround the its most valued appointment - the papal throne. From this springboard, the question of ecumenism will be couched and investigated.
Although there are many issues which could be addressed, including the practice of the canonization of individuals, the properties of the mass, purgatory, indulgences, Mariology, and the practice of transubstantiation, for this paper, the focus will rest upon the office of the Pope itself and the Ecumenical move toward unity with the Roman Catholic Church in recent years.
The Papal office has been chosen as an area of concentration because it is considered by most people, Roman Catholic and Protestant alike, to be the essence and authority of Roman Catholicism. By investigating the intricacies of this office, not to mention many of the individuals who have held the position, it is this author’s hope that God’s people will begin scrutinising all of the deceptive doctrines found within the Roman Catholic Church itself and will then start calling into question the validity of maintaining unity with this body, without first summoning them to rectify these errors.[1]
It must be stressed that this paper is not intended to attack or otherwise undermine individuals [2], but has been written in order to identify some of the anomalous teachings which have infiltrated the church and have caused many to stray from the Author and Finisher of their faith.
It is time for God’s people to pick up the mantle which they have been given, and again begin to "study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. (II Timothy 2:15 KJV)
Introduction
Deception - it often begins as a seemingly innocuous notion which may even appear to be beneficial. Before long, it nonetheless begins to wreak havoc upon all who venture anywhere near its path. This is the nature of deception. It engulfs its victims before they are aware they have been overtaken, or indeed, even in danger.
Scripturally, deception is something which may overtake even those who are considered to be believers of the Truth, but have become lax in their vigilance. [3]
As the millennium draws to a close, many new trends have recently come into vogue. The most alarming among these modes, is the desire to reenter turbid waters long since polluted by man’s heresies, without first cleaning them.
Although boundaries have been clearly delineated and plans for cleaning have been proposed by theologians down the centuries, many believers today have ignored both the plans and the posted warnings on the shores. In their rush for alliance, many have ventured into waters which are treacherous at best.
Just past their dangerous shores, lurks the beast of false unity and compromise, camouflaged under the guise of the highly coveted creature, ecumenism.
A.) Flirting With Peril
Numerous Christians within the “traditional Evangelical” circle have recently begun to ally themselves with the Roman Catholic Church, in order that they might be able to ‘more successfully evangelize the world for Christ.’ [4] While this may seem to be perfectly appropriate in light of the daunting task which lies before the Christian world [5], there are many major issues which have not yet been resolved, but seem to have been disregarded recently. The concerns which are alluded to, are none other than those raised by people, such as Knox, Zwingli, and Luther before, during, and after the Reformation. Many individuals literally gave up their lives, so that the fullness of the Gospel would be available to every man, woman and child without reservation.
Now, in the Post-modern age, where nearly everything [6] is permissible, the great sacrifices men and women have made for the sake of the purity of Truth, seem to have been in vain. In spite of their heroic stand against accepting the many heretical acts and attitudes of the Roman Catholic Church during their time, the Christian community today has decided that these issues were either not as ‘bad’ as they were originally perceived to be or they have since been rectified, and so are no longer problems. [7]
B.) A Change of Heart?
The question still remains: what really is the nature of the Roman Catholic Church? Has it really been transformed from the formidable organization it once was, into the innocuous Christian denomination that many would have the world believe or has it simply given itself a ‘face-lift’?
When asked, multitudes today point to the Pope of this generation, John Paul II, as evidence of the efficacy of this purported metamorphosis. Among those within that crowd, are numerous proponents who are almost completely ignorant of the past and the present requirements or the many inconsistencies between the doctrine of the Bible and the claims of the Papal office.
Interspersed among the throngs who continue to shower accolades on the Roman Catholic Church, are others who have reserved judgment until all of the evidence has been compiled and categorized.
It is imperative for all involved, to have this evidence not only uncovered, but also scrutinised, so that an informed conclusion may be reached and followed through with. This investigation is best served in this case, by analyzing the history, doctrines, and personalities surrounding the papal office of the Roman Catholic Church itself. [Source: http://www.members.shaw.ca/bill.rosanna
- e-mail is Bill.Rosanna@shaw.ca ]
PART I | PART II | PART III | PART IV | PART V | PART VI | PART VII
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