World Religions, Cults, World Religions, Cults, and Worldviews and Worldviews

The Roman Catholic ChurchThe Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic The Roman Catholic ChurchChurch

Catholics do have an orthodox view of:Catholics do have an orthodox view of:• the Trinitythe Trinity• the deity of Christthe deity of Christ• the Virgin Birth of Christthe Virgin Birth of Christ• the sinlessness of Christthe sinlessness of Christ• and to some extent, Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and to some extent, Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross

(they detract from its sufficiency and add rituals (they detract from its sufficiency and add rituals needed to supplement the atonement)needed to supplement the atonement)

TraditionsTraditions1 1 The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, Him when they had come from Jerusalem, 2 2 and had seen and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. impure hands, that is, unwashed. 3 3 (For the Pharisees and (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; 4 4 and and when they come from the market place, they do not eat when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) 5 5

The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?”but eat their bread with impure hands?”

TraditionsTraditions6 6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. FAR AWAY FROM ME. 7 7 ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’ PRECEPTS OF MEN.’ 8 8 “Neglecting the “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” men.” 9 9 He was also saying to them, “You are He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.in order to keep your tradition.

TraditionsTraditions10 10 “For Moses said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND “For Moses said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER’; and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF YOUR MOTHER’; and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH’; FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH’; 11 11 but but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ is to say, given to God),’ 12 12 you no longer permit him you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; to do anything for his father or his mother; 13 13 thus thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.” Mark 7:1-13 things such as that.” Mark 7:1-13

RevelationRevelation16 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; righteousness; 17 17 so that the man of God may be so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 2 Timothy 3:16-17

• The Catholic Church says, “Sacred Tradition and The Catholic Church says, “Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit of Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit of the Word of God . . .” the Word of God . . .” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [or CCC], (Catechism of the Catholic Church [or CCC], paragraph 97)paragraph 97)

RevelationRevelation• ““Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and

honored with equal sentiments of devotion and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence.” (Catechism, para. 82)reverence.” (Catechism, para. 82)

Development of Development of TraditionsTraditions

Roman Catholic doctrine developed considerably during the Roman Catholic doctrine developed considerably during the medieval period and beyond: medieval period and beyond:

• purgatory in 593purgatory in 593• prayer to Mary, saints, and angels in 600prayer to Mary, saints, and angels in 600• kissing the pope’s foot in 709kissing the pope’s foot in 709• canonization of dead saints in 995canonization of dead saints in 995• celibacy of the priesthood in 1079 (celibacy of the priesthood in 1079 (See next slideSee next slide))• the rosary in 1090the rosary in 1090• transubstantiation and confessing sins to a priest in 1215transubstantiation and confessing sins to a priest in 1215• indulgences 1343 – Pope Clement IV indulgences 1343 – Pope Clement IV • the seven sacraments in 1439the seven sacraments in 1439• infallibility of the Pope (1870)infallibility of the Pope (1870)

Development of Development of TraditionsTraditions

1 1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 2 by by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, conscience as with a branding iron, 3 3 men who men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. those who believe and know the truth. 4 4 For For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5 5 for it is for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:1-4 1 Timothy 4:1-4

IndulgencesIndulgences• Indulgences: “… a remission before God of the Indulgences: “… a remission before God of the

temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribe who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribe conditions through the action of the church which, conditions through the action of the church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.” satisfactions of Christ and the saints.” (CCC, para. 1471)(CCC, para. 1471)

SalvationSalvation• Salvation is not only by works, instead of grace, but a Salvation is not only by works, instead of grace, but a

lifelong set of rituals which, if ignored, mean the person lifelong set of rituals which, if ignored, mean the person has lost their salvation. It is an entire system of works as has lost their salvation. It is an entire system of works as opposed to resting in God’s grace through Christ. You are opposed to resting in God’s grace through Christ. You are your own savior.your own savior.

• Earlier we saw that salvation comes through the Pope Earlier we saw that salvation comes through the Pope (Pope Boniface the 8(Pope Boniface the 8thth, 1302), 1302)

• Salvation through the MASS and sacramentsSalvation through the MASS and sacraments• Baptismal regeneration – baby is born again through Baptismal regeneration – baby is born again through

baptism!baptism!• Purgatory needed to cleanse you of sins Christ’s sacrifice Purgatory needed to cleanse you of sins Christ’s sacrifice

did not cleanse you ofdid not cleanse you of

JustificationJustification• How and when do we gain right legal standing How and when do we gain right legal standing

before God?before God?

• The Bible says that: God “justifies him who The Bible says that: God “justifies him who has has faithfaith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26), and that “a man is in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26), and that “a man is justified justified by faithby faith apart from works of law” (Rom. apart from works of law” (Rom. 3:28). He says, “Since we are justified 3:28). He says, “Since we are justified by faithby faith we we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Moreover, “a man is not Christ” (Rom. 5:1). Moreover, “a man is not justified by works of the law but justified by works of the law but through faiththrough faith in in Jesus Christ” (Gal. 2:16).Jesus Christ” (Gal. 2:16).

JustificationJustification• Justify is related to the word for righteous. Justify is related to the word for righteous.

• The word for righteousness in Greek (The word for righteousness in Greek (dikaiosunedikaiosune) is ) is related to the verb “to justify” or related to the verb “to justify” or dikaiodikaio. .

• ““Righteousfy” means – to declare righteous. Righteousfy” means – to declare righteous.

JustificationJustification• Justification is an instantaneous legal act of God in Justification is an instantaneous legal act of God in

which He:which He:(1) thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s (1) thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s

righteousness as belonging to usrighteousness as belonging to us(2) declares us to be righteous in His sight(2) declares us to be righteous in His sight

• This is COURTROOM LANGUAGEThis is COURTROOM LANGUAGE

JustificationJustification• Then he [Abraham] believed in the LORD; and He Then he [Abraham] believed in the LORD; and He

reckoned [credited] it to him as righteousness. reckoned [credited] it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 Genesis 15:6

JustificationJustification• To justify – to declare righteous:To justify – to declare righteous:• ““When they heard this all the people and the tax When they heard this all the people and the tax

collectors collectors justifiedjustified God [acknowledged God’s God [acknowledged God’s justice], having been baptized with the baptism of justice], having been baptized with the baptism of John” (Luke 7:29).John” (Luke 7:29).

• He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. Proverbs 17:15 abomination to the LORD. Proverbs 17:15

JustificationJustification• 31 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is What then shall we say to these things? If God is

for us, who is against us? for us, who is against us? 32 32 He who did not spare His He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 33

Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; the one who justifies; 34 34 who is the one who who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:31-34who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:31-34

JustificationJustification• Justification includes imputationJustification includes imputation

• Imputes = God thinks of Christ’s righteousness as Imputes = God thinks of Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us (Rom. 4:3; 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 3:9; belonging to us (Rom. 4:3; 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 3:9; Rom. 4:6-8). Rom. 4:6-8).

• God credits something to our spiritual accountGod credits something to our spiritual account• For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM

BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED [BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED [logizomailogizomai ] ] TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Romans 4:3 TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Romans 4:3

JustificationJustification• 7 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things But whatever things were gain to me, those things

I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 8 More More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 9

and may be found in Him, not having a and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith… Philippians 3:7-9 of faith… Philippians 3:7-9

JustificationJustification• Now that no one is justified by the Law before God Now that no one is justified by the Law before God

is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” Galatians 3:11BY FAITH.” Galatians 3:11

• for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus… redemption which is in Christ Jesus… Romans 3:23-24 Romans 3:23-24

JustificationJustification• Why Faith? It’s the exact opposite of works or self-Why Faith? It’s the exact opposite of works or self-

merit or self-reliancemerit or self-reliance

The dividing line between Catholics and Protestants:The dividing line between Catholics and Protestants:• to be to be declareddeclared innocent innocent oror• to be to be mademade innocent? innocent?

• To be To be imputedimputed or credited with righteousness or or credited with righteousness or impartedimparted//infusedinfused with righteousness. with righteousness.

JustificationJustificationThe Roman Catholic View:The Roman Catholic View:• Infused righteousnessInfused righteousness: At the moment of salvation, : At the moment of salvation,

God infuses or weaves into you an actual sinless God infuses or weaves into you an actual sinless holiness. At that moment, you are perfectly holiness. At that moment, you are perfectly innocent innocent in actual practicein actual practice..

• Does this sound like legal, courtroom language? No.Does this sound like legal, courtroom language? No.

JustificationJustificationThe Council of Trent (1545-1563)The Council of Trent (1545-1563)• ““The means of justification is the The means of justification is the sacrament of sacrament of

baptismbaptism.”.”

• Those who, by sin have fallen from the received Those who, by sin have fallen from the received grace of justification may be again justified ... grace of justification may be again justified ... through the sacrament of penancethrough the sacrament of penance. (confession, Hail . (confession, Hail Marys, etc.)Marys, etc.)

JustificationJustificationThe Council of TrentThe Council of Trent• ““If any one says, that by faith alone the sinner is If any one says, that by faith alone the sinner is

justified; in such a way as to mean, that nothing justified; in such a way as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema – condemned.” (Council of Trent, be anathema – condemned.” (Council of Trent, Canons on Justification, Canon 9) Canons on Justification, Canon 9)

JustificationJustificationThe Council of TrentThe Council of Trent• ““If any one says, that man is truly absolved from his If any one says, that man is truly absolved from his

sins and justified, because he assuredly believed sins and justified, because he assuredly believed himself absolved and justified; or, that no one is himself absolved and justified; or, that no one is truly justified but he who believes himself justified; truly justified but he who believes himself justified; and that, by this faith alone, absolution and and that, by this faith alone, absolution and justification are effected; let him be anathema.” justification are effected; let him be anathema.” (Canon 14)(Canon 14)

JustificationJustificationThe Council of TrentThe Council of Trent• ““If any one says, that the justice received is not If any one says, that the justice received is not

preserved and also increased before God through preserved and also increased before God through good works; but that the said works are merely the good works; but that the said works are merely the fruits and signs of Justification obtained, but not a fruits and signs of Justification obtained, but not a cause of the increase of justification; let him be cause of the increase of justification; let him be anathema.” (Canon 24)anathema.” (Canon 24)

JustificationJustification• ““If any one shall say that justifying faith is nothing If any one shall say that justifying faith is nothing

else than confidence in the divine mercy pardoning else than confidence in the divine mercy pardoning sins for Christ’s sake, or that it is that confidence sins for Christ’s sake, or that it is that confidence alone by which we are justified ... let him be alone by which we are justified ... let him be accursed” (Canon 12)accursed” (Canon 12)

• For we maintain that a man is justified by faith For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Romans 3:28 apart from works of the Law. Romans 3:28

• Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… Romans 5:1 Romans 5:1

JustificationJustification• ““If any one says, that, after the grace of Justification If any one says, that, after the grace of Justification

has been received, to every penitent sinner the guilt has been received, to every penitent sinner the guilt is remitted, and the debt of eternal punishment is is remitted, and the debt of eternal punishment is blotted out in such wise, that there remains not any blotted out in such wise, that there remains not any debt of temporal punishment to be discharged debt of temporal punishment to be discharged either in this world, or in the next in Purgatory, either in this world, or in the next in Purgatory, before the entrance to the kingdom of heaven can before the entrance to the kingdom of heaven can be opened (to him); let him be anathema.” (Canon be opened (to him); let him be anathema.” (Canon 30)30)

JustificationJustification• Baptism is only the initial grace along the road of Baptism is only the initial grace along the road of

justification. The Roman Catholic is to then justification. The Roman Catholic is to then maintain his position before God by his efforts.maintain his position before God by his efforts.

• ““No one can merit the initial grace which is at the No one can merit the initial grace which is at the origin of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit, origin of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we we can merit for ourselves and for others all the graces can merit for ourselves and for others all the graces needed to attain eternal lifeneeded to attain eternal life, as well as necessary , as well as necessary temporal goods," (Catechism of the Catholic Church temporal goods," (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), par. 2027).(CCC), par. 2027).

• You cannot merit grace. Grace is unmerited favor. You cannot merit grace. Grace is unmerited favor.

JustificationJustification• 13 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and When you were dead in your transgressions and

the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, transgressions, 14 14 having canceled out the certificate having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14 having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14

JustificationJustification• Summary: The Roman Catholic view of salvation Summary: The Roman Catholic view of salvation

promotes an insufficient Christ, an inadequate promotes an insufficient Christ, an inadequate Cross, a losable salvation, and a salvation that fails Cross, a losable salvation, and a salvation that fails to protect you from God’s wrath against sin since it to protect you from God’s wrath against sin since it is based on your good works. - Joel Jamesis based on your good works. - Joel James

Afterlife Afterlife • Purgatory (more works) or directly into God’s Purgatory (more works) or directly into God’s

presence?presence?• And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you

shall be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43 shall be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

• we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8

• But I am hard-pressed from both But I am hard-pressed from both directions,directions, having having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for the desire to depart and be with Christ, for thatthat is is very much better; Philippians 1:23 very much better; Philippians 1:23

How to Reach Catholics with How to Reach Catholics with the Gospelthe Gospel

• Encourage them to read the Bible, especially books Encourage them to read the Bible, especially books like the Gospel of John and Ephesians, Galatians, like the Gospel of John and Ephesians, Galatians, Romans. Romans.

• Give them a tract, such as the ones from Evantell, Give them a tract, such as the ones from Evantell, that clearly explain the Gospel.that clearly explain the Gospel.

• Give them a book or video from Mike Gendron’s Give them a book or video from Mike Gendron’s ministryministry

• Emphasize the finished work of Christ and salvation Emphasize the finished work of Christ and salvation by grace through faith. by grace through faith.

• Don’t waste time arguing about Mary or priests – Don’t waste time arguing about Mary or priests – distractionsdistractions