Of all the religions claiming to be Christian, the most ambiguous is the Catholic Church. By using “The Catholic Curve” as the title for this link, I hope to demonstrate that most Catholic teaching is curved away from the straight line of Scriptural truth.
You’ve probably heard the term, Biblical Canon. Interestingly, “canon” originates from the Greek word “kavov” which means “rule” or “measuring stick”. Our word “ruler” is derived from this, which we use to measure something or draw a straight line.
Some Catholic doctrine is centered on Scripture, such as the virgin birth of Jesus, His deity, and His resurrection. However, far more Catholic doctrine is not based on Scripture and is simply the invention of man.
My intention is not to offend Catholics. Most are sincere in their beliefs and are only following the teachings introduced to them in childhood. Nevertheless, these teachings must be examined for accuracy. Otherwise, a Catholic is resigned to a life of fear and uncertainty regarding his or her afterlife.
Catholic Doctrines and Teachings
Doctrines such as Purgatory, the Papacy, Infant Baptism, The Immaculate Conception, Canonization of Saints and the establishment of a Clerical Hierarchy grossly misinterpret or completely ignore Scripture. Some border on outright blasphemy, under the piercing light of Scripture.
Most insidious of all is the Catholic teaching that the sacrificial and substitutionary death of Jesus alone does not provide full assurance of Heaven. Instead, it’s taught that a person must live a good life, do good works to receive “sanctifying grace” and serve time suffering in a place called Purgatory before going to Heaven.
Although it is taught by the Catholic Church that Jesus’ sacrifice paid for sins, it’s not believed that this sacrifice alone was sufficient to get us into Heaven. Even someone with a minimal degree of logic would have to discard such a notion. Unfortunately, when it comes to a person’s religious beliefs it is usually without regard to logic and rationale. And, all too often, it is without regard to facts.
Think about it! Sin is the only issue that alienates mankind from God. If Jesus did indeed pay the penalty for our sins, then what more has to be accomplished in order for us to go to Heaven? Are the words of the apostle Peter not sufficient to convince us of this fact: “And 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.” (Acts 4:12)
Here is the primary reason that Catholics cannot adopt the supremacy of the Scriptures as absolute truth. Catholics are taught that Scripture and the traditions of the church are equal when determining doctrine. On the surface this may seem reasonable. However, what happens when the traditions collide with Scripture.
The only traditions to be recognized are those taught to us by the Apostles. “Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.” (1Corinthians 11:2)
I once quoted 2Timothy 3:16 to a Catholic nun with the hope of convincing her that nothing should supersede the authority of Scripture : “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
This Catholic nun responded to my reference in 2Timothy by claiming that she is often inspired by God and that this inspiration carries the same force and effect as the Scriptures. I was so stunned that I could not even offer a comment.
There are many Scripture verses used to support false Catholic doctrines. However, in most cases these verses are taken literally without comparison to other Scriptures that contradict the interpretation. When you find a contradiction in Scripture, then someone’s interpretation is in error. In other cases, Scripture is not referenced at all. Instead, the “church fathers” are the source. These so-called “church fathers” are not the apostles, but men that lived mostly in the 4th century. Catholic doctrine is still evolving, even as recent as the 1850s.
Many Catholics find solace in the longevity of the institution and the vast number of its members. Consider this. The entirety of the human race believed the earth was flat up to the 1400s. So much for longevity of thought and the volume of adherents. Noah and his family built and entered the ark as directed by God, while the rest of humanity disbelieved and perished in the flood.