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The difference between the Roman Catholic 'church' and a Reformed Christianity
Recently several people have asked about and pointed out the differences that exist between us and Roman Catholics which gave rise to this study. I want to start by saying that not everyone who calls themselves Catholic or Reformed really is. In this study, however, I attempt to point to the official teaching of the respective groups as found in their confessions and catechisms.
Over the years I have heard from many that, instead of resisting the Roman Catholic 'church', we should rather try to cooperate with them in matters of evangelization and thus recognize them as a true church. This is impossible, firstly because you will see that their teaching deviates entirely from what the Scriptures teach, but also because the Roman Catholic 'church' does not recognize any other church as a true church. They see believers from other denominations as ‘isolated brothers' who divide and tear apart the body of Christ. They see themselves as the only true church that came into being through apostolic succession and their preachers as priests who are descended from Peter himself. Leaders and preachers of any other church affiliation are not seen as ordained in the apostolic tradition and unworthy servants of Christ.
The following is a focus on a number of specific teachings
of the Roman Catholic 'church' that deviate from true Christianity. I have also
briefly outlined the teaching of Reformed Christianity as it differs from the
Roman Catholic 'church'.
1. Mediators
The Roman Catholic ‘church’ has a number of persons who are seen as mediators between man and God. A mediator is someone who can go to God on behalf of people and/or speak to people on behalf of God.
(a) The
Virgin Mary
They believe that Mary as mother
of the Lord acts as an intermediary between Christ and man and they pray to and
show devotion to her.
(b)The Pope
He is regarded as 'the head of
the church' who is directly descended from the apostle Peter and the Bishop of
Rome. He is seen by them as a mediator who can intercede with God on behalf of
people.
(c) Numerous
deceased 'saints'
These 'saints' are appointed by
the Pope after their death to intercede on behalf of believers who are still alive
and Catholics are expected to pray to these deceased 'saints'. Mother Teresa is
one example of this, but there are countless others.
(d)The pastor or leaders of
the local congregations
They are called Priests who fulfil
the role of Christ. They are thus seen as mediators who stand between God and
man and can intercede for people through their various functions.
Reformed view:
Reformed Christianity teaches that
there is only one true Priest who can act as Mediator between God and man and
through His death has made sufficient atonement for everyone who believes in
Him (1 Tim. 2:5). Jesus Christ, and He alone, is the Head of the Church, His
body which He bought with His own blood (Eph. 1:22-33). While we recognize Mary
as the mother of our Lord and confess her virginity, she has no other role than
to be an example of obedience and love for God. The believer prays to God alone
through Jesus Christ our sufficient Mediator. We believe that the leaders in a
congregation have the responsibility to devote themselves to prayer, the
ministry of the Word (Acts 6:4) and the care of the flock (1 Pet. 5:1-2). We
further believe in the priesthood of all believers whereby each believer (1
Pet. 2:9) has the responsibility to examine all teachings for himself and see
how they correspond to the teachings of Scripture. Their responsibility goes
further than priests to do responsible Scripture study (Acts 17:11) in order to
develop a Scriptural theology for faith and life through the guidance of the
Holy Spirit who is in every believer.
2. Meetings
Roman Catholic gatherings differ from our gatherings in several ways:
(a) Basis
of their learning
The religious gatherings of Roman
Catholics are known for many unBiblical practices and elements. These
traditions and customs are not based on any teachings from Scripture but come
from extra-Biblical sources and teachings. These extra-Biblical sources and
doctrines are considered on the same level as the 66 books of the Bible and in
many cases they are preferred over the teaching of Scripture.
(b)Images
One finds various images of
persons in the buildings of Roman Catholics. You find, for example, images of
Jesus on the cross, of the virgin Mary and sometimes even images of other
deceased 'saints' recognized by the Pope. It is Roman Catholic custom to bow
before these images and pray to them.
(c) Sacraments
Their worship service is called
the Mass and its central element is the Eucharist (Lord’s Supper) which is used
at every gathering. At every Lord's Supper, the priest offers again the
sacrifice of Christ and the bread literally becomes His body and the wine
literally becomes His blood. The Lord's Supper is one of seven sacraments
recognized by them. The seven sacraments are: Baptism, Holy Communion,
Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the sick, Marriage, Holy Orders.
Baptism, another one of their seven sacraments, not only carries a symbolic
meaning, but it saves and justifies you before God. However, baptism alone is
not sufficient and many other good works must be added in order for you to be
saved.
Reformed view:
Reformed worship services are
characterized by elements and practices that are biblically based. Because we
accept the sixty-six Books of the Old and New Testaments as the only authority
in matters of faith and life, all worship practices are built on the Word.
Statues are absent from our places of worship and are not bowed down to or
worshipped. Reformed believers recognize only the two biblical sacraments
(sometimes called ordinances), namely baptism (Matt. 28:19) and the Lord's
Supper (Matt. 26:26-29). Baptism has no justifying or saving value. It is a
sign that we are justified and saved by faith. It is also a sign of the
cleansing of sin and new life that we have received in Christ alone. The Lord's
Supper is a fellowship meal held by believers in memory of the finished work of
Christ on the cross. The bread and the wine are significant symbols that
represent the body and blood of Christ. The church is not an institute, but a fellowship
of believing, God-fearing people (Acts 2:42-47). Here the gospel is preached,
sacraments (ordinances) are administered and Christian disciplines are applied
(Matt. 18:15-17). True apostleship exists through belief in and preaching of
the gospel as set forth by the apostles and contained in Scripture.
3. Salvation doctrine
Based on their typical practices and doctrine that is contrary to the teaching of Scripture, there are many differences in how they see the matter of salvation. Here are a few deviations from the typical view of Scripture as set forth in Reformed teaching.
(a) Revelation
Because the Bible is not seen as
the only authority in matters of faith and life, the Roman Catholics have many
strange and unbiblical views on matters of faith.
(b)Mediation
Jesus is not their only mediator
but salvation comes through Christ, Mary, angels and deceased saints and their
priests.
(c) Redemption
Salvation is also not a work of
God through grace alone, but is a team effort between what God has done in
Christ and your own works. Salvation is ultimately more dependent on man's free
will and worth than it is on God.
(d)Justification
And justification takes place by
faith and good works done by you which must be done continually. Ultimately, no
Roman Catholic can be sure of salvation because they are never sure if they
have done enough good works.
(e)Glory
The ‘Virgin Mary’ and deceased
saints also all have a part in our salvation and honour must be given to them
for this, is what the Roman Catholic Church teaches. God is not alone glorified
for saving the sinner.
Reformed view:
We believe that we are saved
through the teaching of the Scriptures alone (Rom. 10:17; 1 Thess. 2:13), by
the death on the cross of Jesus Christ alone (1 Tim. 2:5-6), from God's
supernatural work that made us alive by grace alone (Eph. 2:1-5), through the
justification that God grants us in Christ through faith alone (Rom. 3:19-26;
Eph. 2:8-10), and for God's glory alone who determined our salvation before the
foundation of this world according to His own will (Eph. 1:3-14; Matt. 4:10;
Rev. 19:10).
4. Other strange doctrines
The following two matters need to be mentioned so that people can have a more complete understanding of Roman Catholic teaching and understand the danger of their theology.
(a) Doctrines
Church tradition and writings are
placed on the same level as Scripture. Likewise, everything that the Pope says
'Ex Cathedral' (in official position) is considered authoritative and divine
pronouncements. The interpretation of the Scriptures can only be done by an
overarching body in Rome called the Magisterium and any teachings that differ
from it are considered false teachings.
(b)Purgatory
If a Catholic dies and has not
made sufficient compensation for his sins in this life, such a person goes to
Purgatory after his death where he will do penance until he is 'holy' enough to
go to heaven. Loved ones who are still alive can make up for the time such a
person spends in purgatory by regularly attending Mass, by obtaining
indulgences on their behalf and by praying for them.
Reformed view:
The reformed view is that
Scripture alone, as contained in the sixty-six books of the Old and New
Testaments, is the final and authoritative word of God (Eph. 2:20). Any
teaching or practice that is contrary to this is completely rejected as
unbiblical and unchristian. The Word of God alone is our guide in all matters
of faith and life (2 Tim. 3:15-17). That is why reformed Christians also reject
the concept of 'purgatory' (Purgatory) as an unbiblical teaching. They believe,
according to the Scriptures, that at death the soul of the believer leaves his
body and goes to be where Christ is in heaven (Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:8), where his
soul awaits the resurrection to life, glory and immortality.
I have attempted in this study to give an honest reflection of the official teaching of the Roman Catholic 'church' and to point out how we as Reformed believers differ from them on the various issues. It is my hope that this will be of help when you are in conversation with Roman Catholics about the gospel with the desire to lead them to faith. Furthermore, this should be a warning so that we do not think that Roman Catholics are just another variant of true Christianity, their teaching is false and contrary to the teaching of the Word.
Rev. Leon Harmse
The pastor of Sunward Park Baptist Church.