Church of Christ Articles

Biblical Objections to Catholicism

Catholicism has always had a large media spotlight, but recently Catholicism has garnered more media attention that usual. This is because of the scandalous events that have surrounded the Catholic Church as of late. The media has focused the spotlight on the abusive sexual practices of the priests in this institution and rightly so. Any time an evil is perpetuated upon society in such a way that society is in danger from such an evil, the media should focus attention upon that evil. The activities of pedofilic priests within the Catholic Church certainly qualify as evil. With all of this heightened attention, however, it is also a good time to take a look at what the scriptures teach regarding the Catholic Church itself. Is it really an institution of good or does the Bible teach that it represents the forces of evil?

What is Catholicism all about?

Perhaps the first passage that we need to discuss is one that is found in Matthew 23:8-11. In the midst of a scathing rebuke to the Pharisees, Jesus specifically warns his disciples, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Jesus is not condemning the idea of describing someone as your father (at home) or your teacher (in school), but the idea of using these monikers as religious titles. So to call another man, “father” as a religious title is specifically forbidden by Jesus as being of the same attitude as those who were hypocrites when it came to practicing religion. Yet this is exactly the practice of the Catholic church. They call their priests “father” and the word “Pope” is just another way to say “Father” as well. The scriptures, however, are clear. Religiously there can be only ONE Father–the one who is in heaven (Ephesians 4:6). For us to call someone else by that name in this manner is idolatry for it is putting a human in the place of God the Father.

Second, Paul had some things to write regarding a great apostasy that was going to come upon the church after the first century. He writes these things in the book of Second Thessalonians 2:3, 4. He says, “let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.” To paraphrase, Paul says that a great apostasy is coming. When this apostasy comes, there will come a man who will sit in the temple of God and say that he is like God. People will come and worship him also as God. In actuality, Paul says that this is the son of perdition. This description should remind us of the Pope. The Pope sits in the Catholic Church and each day people come and bow themselves down to him (even something that apostles and angels would not allow to be done to them). People kiss his hand and his feet in worship to him. And he, the Pope, sets himself forth as God by claiming to be infallible in his pronouncements. The Pope fits this description of the “son of perdition” to a “T.”

Finally, there is a third clear passage in regard to some of the doctrines of Catholicism that Paul wrote would come upon the church. This is found in 1 Timothy 4:1-3. Paul writes, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” Notice that these are they who have departed from the faith, who have listened to evil spirits and teachings of demons. In other words, their source of teaching is not from God, but from Satan. Paul says that their teaching are lies. What are some of the specific things that they teach? First they forbid marrying. Second, they command to abstain from meats. Now, do not these two doctrines fit exactly what the Catholic Church teaches regarding their own priesthood, that they cannot marry? Is not this exactly what Catholics teach regarding eating meat, namely that they cannot do it on certain days or at certain times of the year? Again, we have clear condemnation of Catholic doctrine within scripture.

This article could go on for many pages regarding the many additional errors that the Catholic Church teaches. We could discuss the doctrine of transubstantiation, the doctrine of purgatory, the doctrine of basing religion upon the traditions of men versus the word of God, and many different things, but these things specifically are mentioned specifically and condemned specifically in God’s word. Any clear thinking person can see the errors involved. We call upon all who are in the Catholic Church to renounce it at once and leave behind the evil institution which mockingly calls itself “The Church.”