Catholic is a word that means “universal”, and is one of the world’s largest organized religions. Christianity and Catholicism are sometimes misunderstood as being one and the same. The truth is, these two faiths have very different beliefs on a number of critical doctrinal positions. In short, one would be wrong to assume that all Catholics are Christians, to the extent that all Catholics have a personal relationship with Jesus and have eternal life in Him. While I believe there are some Catholics who are born-again Christians, I believe those individuals are saved in spite of Catholicism, not because of Catholicism. This essay will highlight significant differences between these two faiths by exposing some non-Biblical doctrine claimed by Catholicism.
I’ve known many professing Catholics and still maintain solid friendships with some. Some of my Catholic friends, admittedly so, have no idea what it means to be in a relationship with Jesus, nor do they know what it means to be saved, or what the gospel is. I’ve also known Catholics that have come to faith in Jesus and have then left the Catholic church. On the other hand, I’ve known Catholics that have come to genuine faith in Jesus but have remained in the Catholic church due to their comfort with Catholic traditions which they struggle to let go of. I mention all of this because the point of this essay, while drawing lines in the sand with regards to doctrine, is also a call for grace and patience for those who are rooted in Catholicism.
Doctrine refers toan official rule, standard, or practice. Every faith has unique doctrine which reveal the core positions of that faith. You might be looking for a local church to connect with and one of the factors you should consider is their statement of belief, also known as their doctrinal statement; usually found on their website. A churches doctrinal statement won’t include everything they believe, but it will provide you with the major tenants of their faith.
When we seek to understand doctrine, another term we must familiarize ourselves with is the word heresy. Heresy means to depart from Scripture, or to go beyond the Scriptures. In short, heretical doctrine refers to a doctrine that does not align with the Bible. For example, a person might claim that Satan and demons can be forgiven and redeemed by God. But a Christian who is familiar with the Scriptures would say that this belief is heresy, or a heretical doctrine. Catholicism continues to be a faith that goes beyond the Scriptures; abandoning the Christian Bible as it’s only rule and standard. This essay provides evidence for these claims.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Known as “the Catechism”, or “the CCC”, the Catechism is a body of work that provides a summary of the Catholic Church’s doctrine. The CCC was formally made public by Pope John Paul II in 1992 for the purpose of being used as a primary reference for the development of Catholic congregations around the world. Other compositions of the CCC were published in 2005 & 2006, and the “Youcat” (short for Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church) was published in 2011 as a document for helping kids understand Catholic doctrine.
The body of this essay will contain a variety of heresies found in Catholic doctrine, as evidenced by citing the CCC. The list of heresies below is not in any particular order.
Heresy #1 – The Pope’s Authority
The Catholic church asserts that the pope has the authority of Christ, CCC 2034, “The Roman Pontiff and the bishops are ‘authentic teachers, that is, teachers endowed with the authority of Christ, who preach the faith to the people entrusted to them, the faith to be believed and put into practice.’ The ordinary and universal Magisterium of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him teach the faithful the truth to believe, the charity to practice, the beatitude to hope for.”
Contrary to Catholic doctrine, Christians believe that the authority of Christ is Christ’s alone, and He alone governs over His church, as He alone is head over the church (Ephesians 1:22, 5:23, 1 Corinthians 11:3, Colossians 1:18, 2:10).
On June 25th 1992, Pope John Paul II stated, “The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which I approved 25 June last and the publication of which I today order by virtue of my Apostolic Authority, is a statement of the Church’s faith and of Catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, Apostolic Tradition and the Church’s Magisterium. I declare it to be a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion and a sure norm for teaching the faith.” There are a number of concerning elements of the pope’s statement here.
First, the pope saying, “which I approved…(and) which I today order.” The positioning of a man, who has been endowed with final authority by the Catholic church, to decree to the world what is and what is not truth, is a heretical position. In short, the pope’s position is not Biblical, neither is his authority. No authority like this is given to any one man apart from Jesus Christ. Like other heretical faiths, such as Mormonism and the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Catholic church appoints a chief figure, prophet, or father to which they endow supreme authority to alter and decree what is true. This is different that Biblical Christianity. In the Christian church there is no earthly supreme figure. Jesus Christ is the head of the church and the Christian church maintains local authority over their congregations through pastors and elders who govern and teach. And while a Christian pastor may certainly proclaim what is true, he would never declare it based on his own authority! To do so would be sin.
Second, as the pope says, “by virtue of my Apostolic Authority,” he affirms that he believes he himself is the author and authority of what is true. To be clear, there are no apostles on the earth, nor have there been since the apostles of the New Testament. The Holy Spirit appointed some men to be apostles, among those were the key apostles, Paul and Peter. The few to ever be endowed with apostolic authority were men chosen by God, and were recognized by the early church as apostles because they satisfied certain criteria. One criterion was that you had to have seen and encountered the risen Jesus (Acts 1:21-22, 10:38-41, 1 Corinthians 15:8). Other criteria were that an apostle received new revelation from God, just as new revelation was received by Old Testament prophets (Luke 11:49, Ephesians 2:20). With these new revelations the apostles wrote much of the New Testament. Other criteria were the ability to do signs and wonders (Acts 2:43, 2 Corinthians 12:12), but just being able to do signs and wonders alone didn’t make one an apostle. There has never been apostolic authority such as the kind equal to Biblical apostles and nor will there be. After the Biblical apostles, all the world is to yield to their divinely inspired teachings; none can add to or amend them.
Third, the pope and the Catholic church stand on three sources that they consider to be of equal authority. These are, as the pope quoted, the “Sacred Scripture, Apostolic Tradition and the Church’s Magisterium.” This claim is heretical as there is only one absolute and final authority by which all the world will be measured, which is the Word of God, the Bible. When the pope uses the term “Sacred Scripture” he and the Catholic church don’t refer to the sixty-six books of the Christian Bible, but he refers to the whole of the Catholic Bible, which includes the seven extra books of the Apocrypha. The Catholic church canonized these extra-Biblical texts as divine Scripture at the counsel of Trent (1545 A.D. to 1563 A.D.). This means they’ve decreed that the Apocrypha is legitimately the inspired Word of God. For evidence of the heresy of the Apocrypha, read my essay titled “The Christian Bible vs. The Catholic Bible.” In short, the books of the Apocrypha include heretical teachings that contradict the rest of the sixty-six books of the Bible.
Alongside the Scriptures, and different from Apostolic Authority, the pope declares that “Apostolic Tradition” is an equivalent to the Word of God, according to CCC 82, “The Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation are entrusted, does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence.”
Apostolic Tradition refers to the teachings and practices passed down from the various Catholic popes/apostles throughout the generations. This is akin to the “oral law” of the Pharisees that Jesus condemned of the Jews, which they held as equivalent to the Scriptures. Catholics believe that their popes/apostles are given to the world so that the world can understand God’s Word. Contrary to Catholicism, the Christian Bible makes clear that the Holy Spirit is given so that the world may understand God’s Word (Nehemiah 9:20, John 14:26, 16:8 & 13, 1 John 2:27).
Lastly, the pope includes “the Church’s Magisterium” as a co-equal source of authority to the Scriptures. The Church’s Magisterium is the Catholic church’s authority, or office, to give authentic interpretation of the Word of God. In other words, if the Catholic church says it, then it’s absolute. This segues us into the next heresy to address; the alleged final authority of the Catholic Church.
Heresy #2 – The Catholic Church is the only and final authority for the world to know what the Word of God means. According to the Catholic church there is no other accurate interpretation of Scripture beyond what the Catholic church decrees. According to CCC 100, “The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him.”
For Catholicism to suggest that none can accurately interpret the Scriptures, and that all must depend “solely” upon the interpretation of a few individuals appointed by the Catholic church, is heretical. Contrary to Catholic doctrine, the Bible teaches that a Christian, through the discernment of the Holy Spirit, is able to understand and know the Word of God (Psalm 119:18, John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:14).
This heresy is again reiterated in CCC 2105, “The duty of offering God genuine worship concerns man both individually and socially. This is ‘the traditional Catholic teaching on the moral duty of individuals and societies toward the true religion and the one Church of Christ.’ By constantly evangelizing men, the Church works toward enabling them ‘to infuse the Christian spirit into the mentality and mores, laws and structures of the communities in which [they] live.’ The social duty of Christians is to respect and awaken in each man the love of the true and the good. It requires them to make known the worship of the one true religion which subsists in the Catholic and apostolic Church. Christians are called to be the light of the world. Thus, the Church shows forth the kingship of Christ over all creation and in particular over human societies.”
Contrary to Catholicism, the Christian Bible says that the only true church is those that call upon the name of Jesus alone to be saved (Romans 10:13, 1 Corinthians 12:4-13, 27, Ephesians 4:4-6), it’s not by way of any membership or adherence to the Catholic church.
Heresy #3 – The Catholic Church is infallible.
The Catholic church claims infallibility in CCC 2035, “The supreme degree of participation in the authority of Christ is ensured by the charism (charism: supernaturally given power and authority) of infallibility. This infallibility extends as far as does the deposit of divine Revelation; it also extends to all those elements of doctrine, including morals, without which the saving truths of the faith cannot be preserved, explained, or observed.”
Contrary to Catholicism, Christian pastors and the local Christian church admit their fallibility, knowing that they all will at times need rebuke and correction (2 Timothy 3:16), and that all truth is authored by God and that there are no infallible men or institutions (1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Corinthians 14:37). While Biblical apostles claimed God’s Word to be infallible, they themselves never claimed to be infallible, but rather, in humility they spoke of their own sin and short-comings.
Heresy #4 – The Roman Catholic Church is necessary for salvation.
CCC 846, “How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers? Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence, they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.”
Again, contrary to Catholicism, the Christian Bible says the only true church are those that call upon the name of Jesus alone to be saved (Romans 10:13, 1 Corinthians 12:4-13, 27, Ephesians 4:4-6), it’s not by way of any membership or adherence to the organized church.
Heresy #5 – Salvation is achieved by combining faith and works.
There are many heretical Catholic doctrines on this topic, but for brevity, here are a few samples. CCC 2036, “The specific precepts of the natural law, because their observance, demanded by the creator, is necessary for salvation.” CCC 2068, “so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments.” CCC 2010, “Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification.” CCC 2027, “Moved by the Holy Spirit, we can merit for ourselves and for others all the graces needed to attain eternal life, as well as necessary temporal goods.”
Contrary to Catholicism, the Christian Bible makes certain that nobody is saved by works; neither in whole or in part. No one will be in heaven who believes that his works in someway brought about his salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:20-30, 8:3, 9:16, 11:16, Galatians 2:16 & 21, 5:4). Again, anyone who believes in salvation by works is not a part of the body of Christ. This truth must be understood. Catholics believe Jesus is necessary, while Christians believe Jesus is sufficient. What does that mean? Any faith, like Catholicism, that basically says that Jesus is necessary and we must believe He is Lord, but Jesus isn’t sufficient and we must supplement faith in Jesus with works; this is the great heresy! In the Christian Bible, Paul warns the Galatians, because some were claiming the need to emphasize works in order to be saved. For example, some thought they needed to add circumcision to their faith. To this, the Lord says that if you believe you need works, then, “Christ will be of no benefit to you,” Galatians 5:1-2. There’s no salvation for anyone who believes, “I’m saved by Jesus and (blank).” Salvation is by what Jesus did, alone.
Jesus emphasizing the heresy in claiming faith plus works for salvation. In Matthew 7:22-23, on the day of judgment, many will give works-based pleas that are coupled with a faith profession, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?” In other words, “Lord, we should be in heaven because we believed in faith and works!” Jesus will tell them that works based salvation is no salvation at all, and He’ll say, “I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.” Faith is exposed as fraudulent when people don’t believe Christ alone is enough.
Heresy #6 – The Worship and Necessity of Mary, Mother of Jesus.
There are many heretical Catholic doctrines on this topic, but for brevity, here are a few samples. The Catholic church claims that we depend on Mary in order to be saved, according to CCC 969, “This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfilment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation…Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.”
Here we see that Mary has been massively elevated beyond the Scriptures, given position and authority which is heretical. Contrary to Catholicism, the Christian Bible makes no claim that we depend on Mary for salvation, nor is she in any way our “Advocate” or “Helper.” To say such a thing is blasphemy, as the titles of Advocate and Helper are given to God alone; specifically, Jesus and the Holy Spirit (John 14:26, 1 John 2:1). Calling her “Benefactress, and Mediatrix” is also blasphemy, as the title Benefactress implies “one who gives aid” and Mediatrix implies “our mediator between man and God.” According to the Christian Bible, in no sense does Mary give us any aid. And, the Bible is clear that there is only one mediator between God and man, that being Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). Furthermore, calling Mary “Mediatrix” or “Co-Redemptrix” is she’s often referred in Catholicism usurps Jesus’ role in redemption, since Acts 4:12 says this about Jesus, “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Reiterating what we just read, the Catholic church believes Mary brings us the gifts of eternal salvation, CCC 969, “Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation…” Catholics also believe Mary delivers souls from death, CCC 966, “…You [Mary] conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death.”
Contrary to Catholicism, the Christian Bible gives Mary no role in any of this. In fact, Jesus alone delivers men from death (John 14:6). Furthermore, Catholics teach that the merit/works of Mary can be applied to Catholics for their salvation, according to CCC 1477, “This treasury includes as well the prayers and good works of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They are truly immense, unfathomable, and even pristine in their value before God. In the treasury, too, are the prayers and good works of all the saints, all those who have followed in the footsteps of Christ the Lord and by his grace have made their lives holy and carried out the mission the Father entrusted to them. In this way they attained their own salvation and at the same time cooperated in saving their brothers in the unity of the Mystical Body.”
Contrary to Catholicism, Christians understand that no human can impute righteousness into another. This means that my efforts/merit/works can’t do anything to produce salvation nor any measure of righteousness in anyone else. In short, nobody in heaven will say, “I’m saved by Mary’s merit which spilled over onto me!”
The worship of Mary is a blasphemous act. However, Catholics often claim that they don’t worship Mary, but they only “venerate” her, i.e. have a deep respect for her. Is that really the case? Throughout history the Bible records examples of idolatry where people made images in likeness of other humans and prayed to them. The Catholic church is ripe with graven images of Mary and Catholics daily pray to her. If this isn’t worship, I don’t know what is. Let it be clearly stated that Mary has never once heard anyone’s prayer, nor has she ever answered anyone’s prayer. Praying to a person is blasphemy as it usurps the role of God. People can’t hear or answer our prayers, nor does the Bible teach that we’re to pray to anyone other than God.
Catholics further worship Mary by calling her, “the All-Holy One,” and entrust their salvation to her care. CCC 2677, “By asking Mary to pray for us, we acknowledge ourselves to be poor sinners and we address ourselves to the ‘Mother of Mercy,’ the All-Holy One. We give ourselves over to her now, in the Today of our lives. And our trust broadens further, already at the present moment, to surrender ‘the hour of our death’ wholly to her care.”
Contrary to Catholicism, Christians only refer to God as the All-Holy One, and God alone is our giver of mercy. The Christian Bible says that it’s by God’s mercy that we are alive in Christ, and saved by the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in us (Ephesians 2:4-5, Titus 3:5). Likewise, the Christian Bible teaches that God alone is the one who we entrust ourselves to when we die, as Jesus declares that no one comes to the Father except through Him, John 14:6.
Catholics also believe in the “perpetual virginity of Mary,” claiming that she remained until her death, a virgin.
CCC 499 “The deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the Church to confess Mary’s real and perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man. In fact, Christ’s birth “did not diminish his mother’s virginal integrity but sanctified it.” and so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the “Ever-virgin“. CCC 501 “Jesus is Mary’s only son.”
Contrary to Catholicism, the Christian Bible teaches that Mary and her husband Joseph had many children. Matthew 13:55-56 says this about Jesus, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us?” Other verses confirm Mary and Joseph had children; Matthew 12:46, John 2:12, 7:5, Acts 1:14, Galatians 1:19.
Heresy #7 – Salvation is Maintained by Penance, and Salvation is Achieved Through Baptism
Penance simply means to be repentant. CCC 980, “This sacrament of Penance is necessary for salvation for those who have fallen after Baptism, just as Baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have not yet been reborn.”
Contrary to Catholicism, the Christian Bible teaches that it’s God who maintains our salvation once someone is saved (John 6:39, 10:26-29, 1 Corinthians 1:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, 1 Peter 1:3-5, Jude 24-25). Additionally, 1 John 2:19 teaches us that those who walk away from the faith were never actually saved to begin with. So, one cannot maintain his salvation by penance or any other deed. One trusts in the Lord to bring him through to the end.
In the Catholic church, baptism is the rite/sacrament of sprinkling water on an individual for the purpose or regeneration and receiving of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is necessary for salvation in the Catholic faith. CCC 1257 “The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit.” God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.”
Contrary to Catholicism, the Bible teaches that salvation is achieved by faith alone, and that baptism is a step of obedience for those that have been saved by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:16, John 3:16, Romans 3:28, 5:1, 10:9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:5, Matthew 28:19-20).
Heresies #8 & 9 – Indulgences and Purgatory
Catholics believe that indulgences are specific actions that one can do, such as prayer, reciting the rosary, good deeds, etc., that serve to remove the punishments of sins. Catholics believe indulgences can free someone, in whole or in part, from the consequences of sin, and that the living can do indulgences for people in purgatory. Catholics also believe in purgatory; an in-between realm where one goes after he dies but before he goes to heaven. In purgatory, one is purged of his uncleanliness so as to make himself fit for heaven. Purgatory is not hell, which is a separate place for the condemned.
Indulgences and purgatory are heretical views are seen in the following catechisms. CCC 1031-32 – CCC 1031 “The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent.” CCC 1032 “This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: “Therefore Judas Maccabeus made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.”
Contrary to Catholicism, the Christian Bible rejects the teachings of any “Book of Maccabees” found in the Catholic Apocrypha, and dismiss them as Scripture.
CCC 1475, “In the communion of saints, “a perennial link of charity exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in purgatory and those who are still pilgrims on earth. Between them there is, too, an abundant exchange of all good things.” CCC 1471, “The doctrine and practice of indulgences in the Church are closely linked to the effects of the sacrament of Penance. What is an indulgence? ‘An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.’ ‘An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin.’ The faithful can gain indulgences for themselves or apply them to the dead.” CCC 1498, “Through indulgences the faithful can obtain the remission of temporal punishment resulting from sin for themselves and also for the souls in Purgatory.”
Contrary to Catholicism, Christians disregard the belief in indulgences nor does the Bible teach any sort of aid can be provided for the dead. Nor does the Bible teach that any sort of purgatory is a reality. Regarding the idea of purgatory, the Christian Bible makes clear that the Lord alone is fully sufficient to cleanse a believer from all unrighteousness and make him fit for heaven (John 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:8, 1 John 1:9, 3:3).
Heresy #10 – Transubstantiation
Transubstantiation means that the communion elements (bread/cup) become the literal flesh and blood of Christ. CCC 1374, “In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist “the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.” CCC 1376, “The Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring: “Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again, that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation.”
Contrary to Catholicism, the Christian Bible teaches that the communion elements are symbolic of Christs broken body and sacrificial blood. First off, transubstantiation is first and foremost invalidated by human experience, since miracles of God are tangible and verifiable. For example, the disciples didn’t just believe by faith that Jesus walked on water, they saw it firsthand! And when Jesus turned water into wine, the wedding host drank the wine and said it tasted like the best wine, meaning, the water to wine miracle was verified by experience and taste. When Catholics claim that the bread and cup supernaturally turn into the literal flesh and blood of Jesus, this is not observable, verifiable, nor do the elements taste like human flesh or human blood. In Luke 22:19, when Jesus serves communion to His disciples, He says, “This is My body.” He obviously couldn’t have meant that it was literally His body, because He was still alive sitting right in front of them! If it wasn’t literally His body then, why would believers think it’s His literal body now?
John 6:53-55, clarifies, “So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.”
Jesus saw that the Jews were troubled by this teaching, as they were taking it literally. Therefore, Jesus puts them at ease and assures them that none would literally eat His flesh or drink His blood. Jesus says in verse 63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” In short, Jesus clarified that if they could literally eat His body, it would count for nothing. It’s His words that bring life! Later, in the same chapter, Jesus reiterates that one is saved by believing in Him, not by literally consuming Him (John 6:29,35), “everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life,” John 6:40, and 6:47, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”
In 1215 AD Pope Innocent III proclaimed the Doctrine of Transubstantiation as official Catholic doctrine. Consider the timing of this, in the year 1215 AD. If the communion elements had always literally turned into flesh and blood, why would it take almost 1200 years after Jesus’ death to ratify this reality? Why didn’t any prior pope make this observation and claim transubstantiation? Transubstantiation is just more evidence that Catholics consider the traditions of men as God’s word.
Below are other traditions that Catholics have turned into “God’s word.” These new revelations prove that the Catholic church, much like Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses, have what’s called an “evolving doctrine,” meaning that new revelation “from God” can come at any time and create new doctrine, or alter a prior doctrine. This practice is heretical in itself. The list below includes the dates Catholicism declared these traditions to be sacred divine truth. I’ve condenses the list for brevity’s sake. One should also note that this list further exposes that Catholicism didn’t exist at the time of the Biblical apostles, as the Catholic church claims, and to which they say Peter the Apostle was the first pope. Catholicism has evolved over many centuries, and it did not have it’s start in Biblical times.
Prayers for the dead. (A.D. 300)
Making the sign of the cross. (300)
Veneration of angels and dead saints, and use of images. (375)
The worship and exaltation of Mary and use of term “Mother of God” (431)
The doctrine of purgatory, instituted by Gregory I. (593)
The Latin Language used in worship and prayer Gregory I. (600)
Prayers directed to Mary, dead saints and angels. (600)
Temporal power of the popes, conferred by Pepin, King of France. (750)
Holy water, mixed with a pinch of salt and blessed by a priest. (850)
Worship of St. Joseph. (890)
Canonization of dead saints, first by Pope John XV. (995)
Fasting on Fridays and during Lent. (998)
The mass developed as a sacrifice and attendance made mandatory. (11th Century)
Celibacy of the priesthood, decreed by Pope Gregory VII. (1079)
The rosary, used in prayer. (1090)
Sale of Indulgences. (1190)
Transubstantiation, proclaimed by Pope Innocent III. (1215)
Auricular (private) confession of sins to a priest, instituted by Pope Innocent III in Lateran Council. (1215)
Adoration of wafer (Host), decreed by Pope Honorius III. (1220)
Bible forbidden to laymen and placed on Index of Forbidden Books by Council of Valencia. (1229)
The Scapular, invented by Simon Stock, an English monk. (1251)
Cup forbidden to the people at communion by Council of Constance. (1414)
Purgatory proclaimed as a dogma by Council of Florence. (1439)
The Ave Maria (Hail Mary) invented and completed 50 years later. (1508)
Tradition declared to be of equal authority with the Bible by Council of Trent. (1545)
The Apocryphal books added to the Bible by the Council of Trent. (1546)
Syllabus of Errors, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX and ratified by the Vatican Council; condemned freedom of religion, conscience, speech, press, and scientific discoveries which are disapproved by the Roman Church; reasserted the Pope’s temporal authority over all civil rulers. (1864)
Infallibility of the pope in matters of faith and morals proclaimed by the Vatican Council. (1870)
Public schools condemned by Pope Pius XI. (1930)
Assumption of the Virgin Mary (bodily ascension into heaven shortly after her death), proclaimed by Pope XII. (1950)
Mary proclaimed mother of the Church by Pope Paul VI. (1965)
Conclusion – While Catholics and Christians might agree on many things, there are a significant number of critical doctrines that separate the two faiths. More examples of heretical doctrine could be added to this essay, but for brevity reasons, the ones that are provided are sufficient to make the point, which is that truth matters over opinion and tradition. Let’s remember the Lord’s warning about false doctrine, that it only takes a little leaven (false teaching) to work through the whole batch of dough, Galatians 5:9.