Challenge: Answering 62 Alleged Errors of Catholicism - Part 1

[byzgirl]

Hi.

I’m seeking help, for the purpose of answering (and helping others answer similar accusations) a listing of “62” alleged errors posted on an anti-Catholic’s web site. The man responsible (name withheld) is a KJV-only, Independent Bible Baptist. I just concluded a rather tiresome exchange with him, over the past month and a half. It ended in much the same way as it began, and I ask that sincere prayers be said for this particular man (who was baptized a Catholic).

My original reason for contacting him, was the ridiculous page he had devised on his ‘faith community’s’ web site (no, not an apologetics site). No other page, thus far, has he dedicated to others (not even for atheists)–one of the calling cards of a no-kidding anti-Catholic. Nope. Just one very long list of his misconceptions and misrepresentations of Catholic teaching and doctrine.

I’d like to create a page, on my apologetics web site, to refute these ‘errors’–and illicit the help of others to do so (as it covers a lot of ground).

Of course, the root of the problem, as I was reminded by another forum contributor, is the false, problem-causing, heretical doctrine of sola scriptura. This is a man who cannot define ‘church’ and has rendered the term completely worthless (disregarding the Bible’s reference to the Church as the pillar and foundation of truth)…as well as other verses which signify it’s incarnational reality (physical and spiritual) and God’s equally genuine and necessary call for true unity (not independent, autonomous, invisible, every-man-for-himself-ism).

I would still like to challenge each and every ‘accusation’, with the hopes to clarify these challenges for other Catholics, and help them to defend against such claims. I think it a worth while effort (though time consuming)–which is why I’m seeking help. Please understand that, I may use quoted material, from the answers. If you don’t want them included, please remark.

Thanks for any responses. I will divide this into sections–this being Part 1.

byzgirl

 

[byzgirl]

Justification is a transformation of the soul in which original sin is removed and sanctifying grace infused [1987-1995].

Justification is an act of God in which He declares a sinner to be righteous in His sight, having forgiven his sins and imputed to him God’s own righteousness (Romans 3:21-4:8).

Initial justification is by means of baptism [1262-1274].

Justification is by faith alone (Romans 3:28).

Adults must prepare for justification through faith and good works [1247-1249]

God justifies ungodly sinners who believe (Romans 4:5) Good works are a result of salvation, not the cause (Ephesians 2:8-10).

The justified are in themselves beautiful and holy in God’s sight [1992, 1999-2000, 2024].
The justified are In Christ holy and blameless before God (Ephesians 1:1-14).

Justification is furthered by sacraments and good works [1212, 1392,2010].

Justification is the imputation of the perfect righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). In Christ the believer has been made complete
(Colossians 2:10).

Justification is lost through mortal sin [1033,1855,1874]. Justifications cannot be lost. Those whom God justifies will be saved from the wrath of God (Romans 5:8,9).

Catholics guilty of mortal sin are justified again through the sacrament of penance [980, 1446]. there is no second justification. Those whom God justifies, He also glorifies (Romans 8:30)

 

[byzgirl]

Salvation from the eternal consequences of sin is a lifelong process [161-162, 1254-1255].
Salvation from the eternal consequences of sin is an instantaneous and secure act of God coinciding with justification (Romans 5:9)

Salvation is attained by cooperating with grace through faith, good works, and participation in the sacraments [183, 1129, 1815, 2002].

Salvation is attained by grace through faith apart from works (Ephesians 2:8,9). Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation (Ephesians 2:10)

Faith is belief in God and the firm acceptance of all that the Church proposes for belief [181-182, 1814].

Saving faith is the entrusting of oneself to Christ as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:8-17).

Sanctifying grace is a quality of the soul, a supernatural disposition that perfects the soul [1999-2000].

Grace is the undeserved favor of God (Ephesians 1:7,8)

The sacraments are necessary channels for the continual infusion of grace. They bestow grace in virtue of the rite performed [1127-1129].

The child of God is the constant object of the Father’s grace (Romans 5:1,2).
Grace is merited by good works [2010, 2027].

Grace is a free gift (Romans 11:6).

 

[byzgirl]

Venial sins do not incur eternal punishment [1855, 1863]. Every sin is punishable by eternal death (Romans 6:23).

Serious sins must be confessed to a priest [1456-1457].

Sin is to be confessed directly to God (Ezra 10:11).

The priest forgives sin as a judge [1442, 1461].

No one can forgive sin but God alone (Mark 2:7).

When the guilt of sin is forgiven, temporal punishment remains [1472-1473]. When God forgives sin, He completely forgives (Colossians 2:13; Isaiah 43:25).
Acts of penance make satisfaction for the temporal punishment of sin [1434, 1459-1460]. Jesus made perfect satisfaction for all sins (1 John 2:1,2).
Indulgences dispensed by the Church for acts of piety release sinners from temporal punishment [1471-1473]. Jesus releases believers from their sins by His blood (Revelation 1:5).
Purgatory is necessary to atone for sin and cleanse the soul [1030-1031]. Purgatory does not exist. Jesus made purification for sins on the cross (Hebrews 1:3).

Poor souls suffering in purgatory can be helped by those alive on earth offering up prayers, good works, and the sacrifice of the Mass [1032, 1371, 1479]. Those who sleep in Christ need no help. To be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).

No one can know if he will attain to eternal life [1036, 2005]. The believer can know that he has eternal life by the Word of God (1John 5:13).

Eternal life is a merited reward [1821, 2010].

Eternal life is the free gift of God (Romans 6:23).

The Roman Catholic Church is necessary for salvation [846]. There is salvation in no one but the Lord Jesus Christ, “for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

 

[byzgirl]

Last Supper was a real sacrifice in which Christ’s blood was poured out for our sins in the cup [610-611, 621, 1339]. The Last Supper was a Passover meal. Christ’s blood was poured out for our sins at the cross (1 Peter 2:24)
The bread and wine become the real body and blood of Christ [1373-1377]. The bread and wine are symbols of the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
Christ’s body and blood exist wholly and entirely in every fragment of consecrated bread and wine in every Roman Catholic church around the world [1374, 1377]. Christ is bodily present in heaven (Hebrews 10:12,13).
The consecrated bread and wine are heavenly food which help one to attain to eternal life [1392, 1405, 1419]. The bread and wine are symbols which help one to remember Christ (Luke 22:19).
God desires that consecrated bread and wine be worshiped as divine [1378-1381]. God forbids the worship of any object, even those intended to represent Him (Exodus 20:4,5; Isaiah 42:8).
Christ has ordained certain men to a ministerial priesthood to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross [1142, 1547, 1577]. Christ has ordained every believer to a holy and royal priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices, the praise of their lips, and lives yielded to God (1 Peter 2:5-10; Hebrews 13:15, Romans 12:1).
the Sacrifice of the Mass is the sacrifice of the cross [1085, 1365-1367]. Only the manner in which it is offered is different [1367]. The sacrifice of the cross is a historical event. It occurred once, approximately 2000 years ago, outside Jerusalem (Mark 15:21-41).
The sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated in the Sacrifice of the Mass [1323, 1382]. The sacrifice of the cross is finished (John 19:30).
The Mass makes Christ present in His death and victimhood [1353, 1362, 1364, 1367, 1409]. Christ cannot be made present in His death and victimhood, for He has risen and is “alive forevermore” (Revelation 1:17,18; Romans 6:9,10).
At each Mass, the priest represents to the Father the sacrifice of Christ [1354, 1357]. Christ presented the sacrifice of Himself to the Father “one at the consummation of the ages” (Hebrews 9:24-28).
The Mass is an unbloody sacrifice which atones for the sins of the living and the dead [1367, 1371, 1414]. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22)
Each Sacrifice of the Mass appeases God’s wrath against sin [1371, 1414]. The once-for-all sacrifice of the cross fully appeased God’s wrath against sin (Hebrews 10:12-18).
The faithful receive the benefits of the cross in fullest measure through the Sacrifice of the Mass [1366, 1407]. Believers receive the benefits of the cross in fullest measure in Christ through faith (Ephesians 1:3-14).
The sacrificial work of redemption is continually carried out through the Sacrifice of the Mass [1364, 1405, 1846]. The sacrificial work of redemption was finished when Christ gave His life for us on the cross (Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 1:3).
The Church is to continue the sacrifice of Christ for the salvation of the world [1323, 1382, 1405, 1407]. The church is to proclaim the Lord’s death for the salvation of the world (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin from the first instant of her conception (the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception) [490-492]. Mary, a descendant of Adam, was born in sin (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12).
Mary, “the All-Holy,” lived a perfectly sinless life [411, 493]. Mary was a sinner; God alone is holy (Luke 18:19; Romans 3:23; Revelation 15:4).
Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Christ [496-511]. Mary was a virgin until the birth of Christ (Matthew 1:25). Later she had other children (Matthew 13:55,56; Psalm 69:8).
Mary is the Mother of God [963, 971, 2677]. Mary was the earthly mother of Jesus (John 2:1)

Mary is the Mother of the Church [963, 975]. Mary is a member of the church (Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 12:13,27).

Mary is the co-redeemer, for she participated with Christ in the painful act of redemption [618, 964, 968, 970]. Christ alone is the Redeemer, for He alone suffered and died for sin (1 Peter 1:18,19).

We should entrust ourselves to Mary, surrendering " ‘the hour of our death’ wholly to her care" [2677] We should entrust ourselves to the Lord Jesus, surrendering the hour of our death wholly to His care (Romans 10:13; Acts 4:12).

God has exalted Mary in heavenly glory as Queen of Heaven and Earth [966], She is to be praised with special devotion [971, 2675]. The name of the Lord is to be praised, for He alone is exalted above heaven and earth (Psalm 148:13). God commands, “You shall have no other gods before ME” (Exodus 20:3).

 

[byzgirl]

Peter was the head of the apostles [552, 765, 880]. Christ was the head of the apostles (John 13:13)

The bishops are the successors of the apostles [861-862, 938] The apostles had no successors, for to succeed them one needed to be a witness of Christ’s resurrection (Acts 1:21,22).

The Pope, as the Bishop of Rome, is the successor of Peter [882, 936]. Peter had no successor.

The bishops, with the Pope as their head, rule the universal Church [883, 894-896]. Christ, the head of the body, rules the universal church (Colossians 1:18)

God has entrusted revelation to the Roman Catholic bishops [81, 86]. God has entrusted revelation to the saints (Jude 3).

The Magisterium is the authoritative teacher of the Church [85-87]. The Holy Spirit is the authoritative teacher of the church (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 John 2:27).

The Magisterium is the infallible interpreter of Scripture [890-891, 2034-2035]. Scripture is the only infallible interpreter of Scripture (Acts 17:11).

The Pope is infallible in his authoritative teaching [891]. God alone is infallible (Numbers 23:19).

The Magisterium alone has the ability and the right to interpret Scripture [85, 100, 939]. Every Christian, aided by the Holy Spirit, has the ability and the right to interpret Scripture (Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16).

Scripture is to be interpreted in the sense in which it has been defined by the Magisterium [113, 199]. Scripture must be interpreted in the original sense intended by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 3:14-16).

The Magisterium has the right to define truth found only obscurely or implicitly in revelation [66, 88, 2035, 2051]. No one has the right to go beyond what is written in Scripture (1 Corinthians 4:6; Proverbs 30:6).

Scripture and Tradition together are the Word of God [81, 85, 97, 182]. Scripture is the Word of God (John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21). Tradition is the words of men (Mark 7:1-13).

Scripture and Tradition together are the Church’s supreme rule of faith [80, 82]. Scripture is the church’s rule of faith (Mark 7:7-13; 2 Timothy 3:16,17).

 

[byzgirl]

Please feel free to e-mail me or send a private message, if you wish.

Thanks to all and God bless!

byzgirl

 

[ppomp219]

Thanks for your posts. Yeah, I am inclined to agree that Catholics have many, many things out of line and definitely do not read or teach the Bible as much as they should. Catholics pulled a lot of stuff out of thin air (i.e. purgatory, mortal & venial sins, confession to a priest) that was mentioned absolutely nowhere in the Bible. Their artificial teachings have led them to a lot of unfair castigation in my view. I pretty much believe that nobody has the right to contradict the good book. The Bible is the final answer, period.

 

[vinarabo]

Thanks for your posts. Yeah, I am inclined to agree that Catholics have many, many things out of line and definitely do not read or teach the Bible as much as they should. Catholics pulled a lot of stuff out of thin air (i.e. purgatory, mortal & venial sins, confession to a priest) that was mentioned absolutely nowhere in the Bible. Their artificial teachings have led them to a lot of unfair castigation in my view. I pretty much believe that nobody has the right to contradict the good book. The Bible is the final answer, period.

Point by point, tell me what Catholics pulled out of thin air, and I will show you where its in the Bible. My first question to you is: Where does it say in the Bible that the Bible is the final answer?

 

[ppomp219]

Point by point, tell me what Catholics pulled out of thin air, and I will show you where its in the Bible. My first question to you is: Where does it say in the Bible that the Bible is the final answer?

Let me start out by answering your question, Mike. Revelation 22:18-19 says, “I warn everyone who hears the prophetic words in this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words in this prophetic book, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city described in this book.” The Bible is the final answer, Mike. Nobody has the right to alter or contradict the word of Christ. Jesus came and He laid down the law. It is our job to abide by it, not change it to suit our preferences.

As for what Catholics pulled out of thin air, well, I would say the three things I just mentioned in my OP. Purgatory, mortal vs. venial sins, and confession of sins to a human priest are nowhere preached or required by Christ or anybody else in the Bible. These are Catholic inventions.

 

[vinarabo]

Let me start out by answering your question, Mike. Revelation 22:18-19 says, “I warn everyone who hears the prophetic words in this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words in this prophetic book, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city described in this book.” The Bible is the final answer, Mike. Nobody has the right to alter or contradict the word of Christ. Jesus came and He laid down the law. It is our job to abide by it, not change it to suit our preferences.

As for what Catholics pulled out of thin air, well, I would say the three things I just mentioned in my OP. Purgatory, mortal vs. venial sins, and confession of sins to a human priest are nowhere preached or required by Christ or anybody else in the Bible. These are Catholic inventions.

So if they are Catholic inventions, when were they invented? If they were invented in the early Church by the early Church fathers, before the Bible was compiled, are they wrong?
As for your scripture quotes, I agree 100%. The prophecies were not to be added to or taken from. What i am talking about is the teachings that are not prophetic. That scripture does not imply that the Bible is the only authority, It only says that you must not add nor subtract from the prophecies in the book. It becomes your opinion that the Bible is the only authority. This is why everybody should not read their own interpretations into scripture.

For the first 1500 years of Christianity, if you said you were a Christian, it means you were Catholic. There were no “Bible Alone” believers 1500 years ago, or 1000 years ago.

What you believe started with Martin Luther and his inventions. then many other people added to it. Thats why you have 25000 Christian denominations, but only ONE Holy,catholic (universal) and apostolic Church. No other church can make that claim. What you believe is one of many. What Catholics believe is one since the founding by Jesus Christ.

 

[ppomp219]

Mike, your problem is that, like so many other people on this forum, you are parroting the same old talking points without giving me an answer to my question. Where does the Bible mention purgatory, mortal & venial sins, confession to a priest, etc? Christ does not teach any of that.

You can read the Bible cover to cover and never will you see anything to support the belief that we go to purgatory when we die. The instant our body dies, we are judged and sent to Heaven or Hell. Just as the Bible says–absent from the body, present with the Lord.

You can spend day and night reading Sacred Scripture and you will never see anything that refers to sins being “mortal” or “venial”. A sin is a sin, and I for one do not believe that the Lord will send a masturbator and a murderer to the same place on judgment day just because they are both “mortal” sins.

And finally, you will never see any obligation in the Bible to confess your sins to another human being. As Jesus says in John 14:6–“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” Only through Jesus can we be saved. Not through priests, bishops, or any other human being.

It is nobody’s job to add to the teachings of Christ. He came, he laid down the law, and through Him we are redeemed.

The grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!

 

[Eucharisted]

Ppomp, that was EXTREMLY rude of you to come in here and accuse Catholics! Make your own thread if you want to do that.

Btw, I have reported you for uncharitable behavior.

 

[GregoryL]

I understand your frustration byzgirl but I have question for you: Why did you ask question about Answering 62 Alleged Errors of Catholicism?

1. You said that you ‘…just concluded a rather tiresome exchange with him’. I have feeling that you believe that if members of that forum help you to create nice, logical, biblical answers to his 62 questions he will take your argument seriously. Sorry to tell you but it will not help. Devil created Deformation (called by protestants Reformation) to have people like your opponent, people sick from hate to Catholic Church. You opponent is not looking for True; he does not care for what you are going to say.
2. What if you believe he is sincere. You may ask: what if he is really looking for the True? We cannot judge his heart? In this case you did your part. You talked to him and you put good seed in his heart. You cannot convert him by talking. Only God can convert him. But Jesus said, that some demons can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting (Mk 9.29). Yah: by prayer and fasting not by theological disputes.
3. If you like to talk about any of his points for yourself that OK. That why the forum exists.

And remember warning of British philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe who said:
“Sometimes it is better to walk away than to argue. Why? Because a person’s conscience can become so corrupt, and lead to such equally corrupt rationalizations, that to engage them in serious argument about those rationalizations is both pointless—being unlikely to have the slightest impact on their thinking—and, what is worse, dangerous—bringing the thinker of good will into serious danger of having his own conscience perverted by the sophistries of the other.”

 

[byzgirl]

Dear GregoryL,

Actually, the apologia that I would like to complete, is not about ‘the pastor’ at all. Like I said, our ‘exchanges’ are finished. I have no idea if he’ll ever see my page at all. Without direct intervention by God Himself, this man is unlikely to ‘change his mind or heart’.

Regardless, he’s on my prayer list, and my own mother is saying a prayer for him, daily, during the hour of Divine Mercy. So I will place my trust in the power of prayer. And it’s not as if there haven’t been anti-Catholics that have discovered the ‘Splendour of the Church’ and have come home.

The reasoning behind the response, is simply to help Catholics handle similar accusations and claims. And I am one that believes that (even) anti-Catholics should not remain unchallenged in their erroenous misconceptions–that these falsehoods should be met, head on. Ignoring these sort of attacks is allowing them to go unchecked and to continue to dwell, thrive, and spread, in certain fundamentalist circles.

I just believe, when people search the internet, that they should find alternatives to ‘the 62 errors of Catholicism’ and other anti-Catholic web pages (no matter from whom they derive). If a search results in someone coming upon my page, I think that a good thing. Whether or not any like-minded baptists do not agree with (our) responses is one matter–but to completely ignore such listings, is another. I think that all challenges, to the Church, should be faced and, at least, given a rebuttal.

So, yes, my request is just in order to ‘answer these objections’–not to continue any debate with ‘the pastor’.

byzgirl

 

[byzgirl]

I just discovered something of interest. It looks as though ‘the pastor’ derived his page from the following publication, not from his own scriptural observations (reading the Bible and coming to his own conclusions)–but from the well-known, anti-Catholic author, James G. McCarthy! His page is exactly set up, according to the description below, with "Catholic beliefs on one side and the Bible’s teachings on the other–supposedly contradictory, of course.

So, that’s actually the ‘source’ of our pastor’s information! I’m going to do a bit more research on this particular publication and see whether or not a Catholic apologist has responded to this one, in particular.

Please send me any comments, as I’d appreciate hearing from others.

byzgirl

**What You Need to Know About Roman Catholicism **: Quick Reference Guide (Pamphlet)
by ***James G. McCarthy ***(Author)

A Catholic commented, on Amazon.com, with this remark:

“I was highly offended by this publication because it was Anti-Catholic. When you open it up the sub title is something like, the 62 Errors of the Catholic faith. It proceeds to state Catholic Beliefs on one side and the “Bible Teachings” on the other, which are day and night different. How offensive; we all know Protestants and Catholics have differences in translation, but to make it look like facts that Catholics are wrong is irresponsible of the author. It also states not to be premature about helping your “Catholic” Friends find Christ - give me a break - I have Christ in my life, and Catholics and Protestants are both Christians. I think the pamphlet should be re-written to summarize the differences, as that is fair. I am dissapointed to have found that pamphlet in a Christian Bookstore - I do not get offended easy, but I was offended enough to bring it to the store manager’s attention.”

 

[vinarabo]

Compiling a concise answer to the “62 errors” would be an excellent post to put on non catholic web sites. It would also make great mailbox stuffers to give to people who knock on your door. If you would be interested in going further with this, let me know. We need to refute the errors that are spread as if they were fact.

 

[byzgirl]

Compiling a concise answer to the “62 errors” would be an excellent post to put on non catholic web sites. It would also make great mailbox stuffers to give to people who knock on your door. If you would be interested in going further with this, let me know. We need to refute the errors that are spread as if they were fact.

Thank you for your comments.

If you, or anyone, wants to take a couple of these supposed ‘errors’, and tackle them–please e-mail me your apologia or send a PM. I would be happy to put together a strong answer (counter pamphet) to challenge these false accusations (typical of James MacCarthy).

I had wondered, with some amusement, why ‘the pastor’ came up with an exact number (62) as opposed to 61 or 63 (or any other number). Apparently (not big surprise) it’s representative of another anti-Catholic’s listing, and not quite the claim of perspecuity that “fundamentalists” like to claim. Anti-Catholics often ‘learn’ their misconceptions (which they claim as being derived solely from their own reading of the Bible)–from, in fact, OTHER anti-Catholics. If ‘the pastor’ is as autonomous (independent), as he proudly claims, then you’d think he could have been a bit more ‘original’ and come up with his own listing! And we’re the ones that are allegedly ‘brainwashed’? Huh!

Please help where you can (with 62, it would leave me an awful amount of work to do by myself–and would be time-consuming). I’d appreciate any contact regarding the efforts of devising an apologia–or, in finding out if any of the top apologists have already done so. I know that many popularized anti-Catholic literature has been, often, responded to. Individually, these have all been answered/explained before, but, as a whole, it’s hard to do so without a lot of work (even typing alone–for one person).

People (Catholic and non-Catholic) should have the opportunity (at least) to have these “smoke and mirror” sort of attacks, exposed for the falsehoods they promote!

Thank you!
byzgirl

 

[vinarabo]

I’m sure that will keep you bysy!

 

[byzgirl]

I’m sure that will keep you bysy!

It doesn’t take them long to dish it out (their misconceptions–and none of them ‘original’ either). It certainly takes a lot longer to answer them and unravel the deception (smoke and mirrors, as I described previously). As a mother with little ones, I don’t know if I have the time, without some help (hint! .

Byzgirl