Differences between Reformed and Roman Catholicism

[Reformed]

Do you agree with these statements?

Ten Differences between the Reformation and Rome

One
The Roman Catholic Church believes that its traditions and teaching are as authoritative as Scripture. The Reformed value tradition, but accept the Bible alone as their authority, and sole rule of faith and practice.

Two
The Roman Catholic Church believes that the Pope, as successor of Peter and Bishop of Rome, is head of the visible Church. The Reformed believe that Christ alone is head of the Church and that no man may claim universal primacy over the people of God.

Three
The Roman Catholic Church believes that the Bible cannot be properly understood apart from the official interpretation of Rome (the Magisterium). The Reformed believe that Christians have a responsibility to judge the truth of all teaching by the extent of its conformity to the teaching of the Bible as it has been commonly accepted with the help of responsible exegesis and the witness of the Spirit.

Four
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that we are justified by baptism and that justification must be supplemented and improved by works. The Reformed hold that the Bible teaches that justification is God’s declaration that a sinner is righteous in his sight, on the basis of faith in the finished work of Christ, apart from works. We are justified by faith alone. Baptism does not effect justification; it is the sign of it, as well as of the believer’s cleansing from sin and reception of new life in Christ.

Five
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Lord’s Supper is a re-offering of the sacrifice of Christ and that the bread and wine are actually changed into the body and blood of the Saviour. The Reformed hold that that in Scripture the Lord’s Supper is a fellowship meal that is to be kept by believers in remembrance of the finished work of Christ. The bread and wine are significant symbols to believers of Christ’s body and blood. At the Lord’s Supper, they enjoy communion with the risen Christ, who is present at the Table by his Spirit.

Six
The Roman Catholic Church regards its ministers as priests. They re-offer the sacrifice of Christ at the Mass and act as mediators between God and the faithful, taking Christ’s role. The Reformed teach that all Christians are priests, who offer a sacrifice of praise and worship to the Lord. Some, called to be teachers and pastors, are ministers of the Word. Their task is to give themselves to prayer, the preaching of the gospel, and to care for the flock.

Seven
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that after death the souls of departed believers who have not made sufficient satisfaction for their sins in their lifetime go to purgatory in order to do that prior to going to heaven. The living can affect how long the departed have to spend in purgatory by observing Mass, obtaining indulgences, and praying for them. The Reformed hold that purgatory is not taught in Scripture. They believe, in accord with Scripture, that at death the souls of believers will depart from the body to be with Christ in heaven, awaiting the resurrection to life, glory and immortality.

Eight
The Roman Catholic Church believes that Mary can be invoked as mediatrix with Christ and that the faithful should pray to her and show devotion to her. Rome also teaches that believers should pray for themselves and for the dead to the faithful departed whom the Pope has designated as saints. The Reformed honour Mary as the mother of our Lord and see her as an example of obedience and love to God. They maintain that there is only one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, and that, despite the protestations of Rome, its teaching takes away from the sole mediatorship of Christ. Prayer and worship is to be offered to God through him alone.

Nine
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there are seven sacraments and that these sacraments work ex opere operato, effectively conveying grace to those who receive them. For example, baptism regenerates and justifies, and participants in the Mass actually feed on the body and drink the blood of Christ. The Reformed find only two sacraments or ordinances in Scripture, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These are means of grace that are only effective when received by faith.

Ten
The Roman Catholic Church regards herself as the one true Church through the apostolic succession of her bishops. Non-Roman Catholic Christians are regarded as ‘separated brethren’ who have schismatically divided the body of Christ. Reformed ministers are not truly ordained to the apostolic ministry. The Reformed define the Church not institutionally, but as a company of believing, godly people where the gospel is truly preached, baptism and the Lord’s Supper rightly administered and Church discipline graciously applied. The true apostolic succession consists not in the physical laying on of hands as understood by Rome, but in believing and preaching the gospel proclaimed by the apostles and recorded in Scripture.

---

Guy Davies is Joint-Pastor of Penknap Providence Church and Ebenezer Baptist Church in Wiltshire. This article appeared in the September/October issue of Protestant Truth.

The Banner of Truth Trust
3 Murrayfield Road,
Edinburgh EH12 6EL
U.K.
Tel: +44 (0) 131 337 7310
info@banneroftruth.co.uk P.O. Box 621, Carlisle,
Pennsylvania 17013,
U.S.A.
Tel: 717-249-5747
info@banneroftruth.org
© 2003 Banner of Truth. All rights reserved

 

[ralphinal]

One

depends. The Catholic Church has both Sacred Traditions and just regular traditions. One set is inspired, the other is not.

Two

Wrong. The pope is the physical leader of those in the CHurch Militant. He is holding down the fort until the Lord calls us on home. Jesus is still in charge of the Church. If you have ever read The Lord of the Rings (or seen the movies), it is very much like the Stewards of Gondor.

Three

You are assuming that the Church is not capable of “responsible exegesis or witness of the Spirit.” There are only a handful of verses that are defined.

Four

Baptism, according to scripture, makes us heirs to the Kingdom, adopted Children of God, and cleanses sins. We can be baptised because of Jesus’s work on earth. CAtholics hold that baptism is required (per Jesus’s commands), but the individual must then continue along the path of holiness, striving daily to aviod sin and repenting when we sin. Jesus orders us to care for other, deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him. If baptism is not needed, Jesus lied. If works do not matter, Jesus lied. We are saved by grace through faith working in love. Faith without works is dead.

Five
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Lord’s Supper is a re-offering of the sacrifice of Christ and that the bread and wine are actually changed into the body and blood of the Saviour. The Reformed hold that that in Scripture the Lord’s Supper is a fellowship meal that is to be kept by believers in remembrance of the finished work of Christ. The bread and wine are significant symbols to believers of Christ’s body and blood. At the Lord’s Supper, they enjoy communion with the risen Christ, who is present at the Table by his Spirit.

Wrong. There is only one sacrifice. The Catholic Church sees the Eucharist as a re-presentation, not a re-offering. We are brought to the Crucifixion by a spiritual means not understood on earth.

Six
The Roman Catholic Church regards its ministers as priests. They re-offer the sacrifice of Christ at the Mass and act as mediators between God and the faithful, taking Christ’s role. The Reformed teach that all Christians are priests, who offer a sacrifice of praise and worship to the Lord. Some, called to be teachers and pastors, are ministers of the Word. Their task is to give themselves to prayer, the preaching of the gospel, and to care for the flock.

The CAtholic CHurch holds that we all share in Christ’s priesthood. however, some are called to a ministerial one as well. they do not re-offer anything and they are not taking Christ’s role

Seven
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that after death the souls of departed believers who have not made sufficient satisfaction for their sins in their lifetime go to purgatory in order to do that prior to going to heaven. The living can affect how long the departed have to spend in purgatory by observing Mass, obtaining indulgences, and praying for them. The Reformed hold that purgatory is not taught in Scripture. They believe, in accord with Scripture, that at death the souls of believers will depart from the body to be with Christ in heaven, awaiting the resurrection to life, glory and immortality.

I need more information on what you think we teach. Based on this alone, I would say taht you are wrong about Catholic teaching. Only those who are not in a state of sin can get to purgatory. We should not judge purgatory as a “time” sensative issue. Time has no effect on those who have passed on.

Eight
The Roman Catholic Church believes that Mary can be invoked as mediatrix with Christ and that the faithful should pray to her and show devotion to her. Rome also teaches that believers should pray for themselves and for the dead to the faithful departed whom the Pope has designated as saints. The Reformed honour Mary as the mother of our Lord and see her as an example of obedience and love to God. They maintain that there is only one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, and that, despite the protestations of Rome, its teaching takes away from the sole mediatorship of Christ. Prayer and worship is to be offered to God through him alone.

As long as you understand what the words that you just said mean, it is ok.

Nine
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there are seven sacraments and that these sacraments work ex opere operato, effectively conveying grace to those who receive them. For example, baptism regenerates and justifies, and participants in the Mass actually feed on the body and drink the blood of Christ. The Reformed find only two sacraments or ordinances in Scripture, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These are means of grace that are only effective when received by faith.

Catholics do hold that the grace of the sacraments is only efficacious in some. For example, someone who receives communion in a state of Mortal sin gets no grace and in fact, calls damnation to himself.

Ten
The Roman Catholic Church regards herself as the one true Church through the apostolic succession of her bishops. Non-Roman Catholic Christians are regarded as ‘separated brethren’ who have schismatically divided the body of Christ. Reformed ministers are not truly ordained to the apostolic ministry. The Reformed define the Church not institutionally, but as a company of believing, godly people where the gospel is truly preached, baptism and the Lord’s Supper rightly administered and Church discipline graciously applied. The true apostolic succession consists not in the physical laying on of hands as understood by Rome, but in believing and preaching the gospel proclaimed by the apostles and recorded in Scripture.

No issue.

Some of these are borderline offensive anti-Catholic drivel.

I hope that I helped clear some of them up.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Again, I have to ask the OP to please state where the teaching of Bible alone comes from? It’s not listed in scriptures…

 

[TomaszA]

Do you agree with these statements?

I’ll answer some of these as they seem interesting, but keep in mind these are my answers and don’t reflect any official Catholic answer.

One
The Roman Catholic Church believes that its traditions and teaching are as authoritative as Scripture.

I’d say the inspired words not recorded and the inspired actions of the Apostles are as authoritative as the inspired word preserved as text. St Paul told us to live not only by written word but by his example and oral tradition.

Two
The Roman Catholic Church believes that the Pope, as successor of Peter and Bishop of Rome, is head of the visible Church

This statement makes it sound like there is a competition between Christ and Pope. The fact is Christ is the head of the Church and so is His representative and vicar, the Pope. He who receives him receives Christ.

Three
The Roman Catholic Church believes that the Bible cannot be properly understood apart from the official interpretation of Rome (the Magisterium)

I don’t think the Church is saying we can’t understand the Bible outside of the Church’s assistance. We should acknowledge that there are limitations to our reasoning, that what we may hold is wrong, and that if the Church solemnly proclaims a truth to be held in scripture then it really is held because Christ protects His Church’s teaching authority from error.

Four
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that we are justified by baptism and that justification must be supplemented and improved by works.

The way this is worded is strange. We are justified by the grace of God alone, but baptism is the ordinary means of dispensing this grace, and so baptism or its substitute is absolutely necessary.

St James said we are not justified by faith alone, this is an explicit statement, likewise the Lord said we must bear fruit. Any good tree will therefore bear good fruit, and those that do not bear good fruit will be burned in the fire.

The real distinction I think is that we believe faith is necessary and the root of salvation, but faith alone is not sufficient to justify a human being, and that true faith manifests in works.

The three eminent works the Lord outlined are prayer, fasting, and acts of charity.

The Reformed hold that the Bible teaches that justification is God’s declaration that a sinner is righteous in his sight, on the basis of faith in the finished work of Christ, apart from works. We are justified by faith alone. Baptism does not effect justification; it is the sign of it, as well as of the believer’s cleansing from sin and reception of new life in Christ.

Justification is not simply a declaration but an actual erradication of sin. The child of God actually becomes righteous and not simply declared righteous.

As St James explicitly said, we are not justified by faith alone.

Baptism is not simply a symbol but an actual channel for grace, thus is the instrumental cause of justification. The meritorious cause is the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.

Five
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Lord’s Supper is a re-offering of the sacrifice of Christ and that the bread and wine are actually changed into the body and blood of the Saviour.

The Mass is making the same Sacrifice of Calvary present. Re-offering suggests a new sacrifice.

Yes, we along with all Christians of Apostolic origin hold that the Bread and Wine become His Body and Blood.

Six
The Roman Catholic Church regards its ministers as priests. They re-offer the sacrifice of Christ at the Mass and act as mediators between God and the faithful, taking Christ’s role.

To say they “take Christ’s role” sounds like they are usurping His authority. The Primary Minister of any Sacrament is Jesus Christ, the Priest serves as the secondary minister because he acts through the authority of Christ.

If you want to call them mediators you have to understand that they are only “mediating” relative to the Absolute Mediator, Jesus Christ. That is, by His will and under His authority they are continuing His mission on earth.

The Reformed teach that all Christians are priests, who offer a sacrifice of praise and worship to the Lord.

We are all priests in that we offer sacrifice of praise, etc, but there is a real difference between us and the Sacerdotal Priesthood.

Seven
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that after death the souls of departed believers who have not made sufficient satisfaction for their sins in their lifetime go to purgatory in order to do that prior to going to heaven.

Satisfaction for the temporal punishment related to sin. And yes, all justice must be fulfilled prior to entry as nothing impure can enter Heaven.

The living can affect how long the departed have to spend in purgatory by observing Mass

As long as it’s understood that time in purgatory is not an earthly time, and that through the communion of Saints one soul can aid another soul in their purification.

The Reformed hold that purgatory is not taught in Scripture.

St Paul indicates a certain trial by fire prior to entry into heaven.

Eight
The Roman Catholic Church believes that Mary can be invoked as mediatrix with Christ

If you’re using the term “Mediatrix” to mean that she is another mediator like Christ, then this is wrong.

As far as I’m aware this title isn’t defined by the Church.

 

[Reformed]

I only want to make sure our theological positions are properly stated. I am not trying to get us to agree on our diffferences, but simply I am try to define our differences. It’s a difficult task that have not really changed in 500 years. I really see that the essential issues are the same as what occured at the Protestant Reformation.

 

[Callin]

I basically agree with what ralphinal said. First one was spot-on. The next few points started sounding cloudy or prejudiced. And then:

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Lord’s Supper is a re-offering of the sacrifice of Christ

That just made me reject the list altogether. It’s not a re-offering. Jesus had only one sacrifice.

Only the food is sacrificed, BEFORE it is transformed.

 

[ralphinal]

I basically agree with what ralphinal said. First one was spot-on. The next few points started sounding cloudy or prejudiced. And then:

That just made me reject the list altogether. It’s not a re-offering. Jesus had only one sacrifice.

Only the food is sacrificed, BEFORE it is transformed.

It is almost like he pulled text from a Klan website about black culture…

 

[jmcrae]

Three
The Roman Catholic Church believes that the Bible cannot be properly understood apart from the official interpretation of Rome (the Magisterium). The Reformed believe that Christians have a responsibility to judge the truth of all teaching by the extent of its conformity to the teaching of the Bible as it has been commonly accepted with the help of responsible exegesis and the witness of the Spirit.

We believe that no writing, including the Scriptures, can be understood apart from the tradition and culture of the community that produced it. Since it is the Church who produced the Scriptures, we expect that the Scripures are best understood within the context of the Church. When the Scriptures are divorced from their natural context, they become difficult to understand, just as Shakespeare’s plays are difficult to understand for people not immersed in Western civilization.

 

[Reformed]

We believe that no writing, including the Scriptures, can be understood apart from the tradition and culture of the community that produced it. Since it is the Church who produced the Scriptures, we expect that the Scripures are best understood within the context of the Church. When the Scriptures are divorced from their natural context, they become difficult to understand, just as Shakespeare’s plays are difficult to understand for people not immersed in Western civilization.

The Bible teaches that no Scripture can be received and understood with effectual change to the inner man apart from the work of God the Holy Spirit through illiumination. The Bible is a closed book for those without the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2). Why did Jesus speak in parables according to the Scriptures. What is concealed has to be revealed by the Spirt who is God. The Bible is a book of spiritual revelation to our dark spiritual state. However, only those who have the Spirit can understand the things of God (1 Cor 2, Rom 8).

 

[jmcrae]

The Bible teaches that no Scripture can be received and understood with effectual change to the inner man apart from the work of God the Holy Spirit through illiumination. The Bible is a closed book for those without the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2). Why did Jesus speak in parables according to the Scriptures. What is concealed has to be revealed by the Spirt who is God. The Bible is a book of spiritual revelation to our dark spiritual state. However, only those who have the Spirit can understand the things of God (1 Cor 2, Rom 8).

And the Spirit of God resides in His Church (Acts 2), which is yet another excellent reason to believe the Church rather than self-appointed men.

But it remains true that the best person to explain any kind of writing is the author, and, lacking the author, his interpreting community.

I remember a story of Stephen Lewis, a Canadian author. He noticed one time that his local community college was offering a course on some of his writings, and just for fun, he thought he’d take the class. He registered under an assumed name, and started faithfully attending the classes. He noticed that the teacher was coming up with all sorts of interpretations of his writings that he had never thought of, so he attempted to correct her. He even asked her whether she had bothered to contact the author himself, and she claimed that she had.

Ultimately, he failed the course, but afterwards, he revealed himself to the teacher and to the administration, and she was fired.

When I look at how so many Protestants interpret the Scriptures, I sometimes wonder whether Jesus would fail their Seminary classes or be kicked out of their Bible study classes, were He to attend them - but I also fear on their behalf what the end result would be, if He did.

 

[Soutane]

Do you agree with these statements?

.

Five
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Lord’s Supper is a re-offering of the sacrifice of Christ and that the bread and wine are actually changed into the body and blood of the Saviour.

The Eucharist is not a re-offering as there is only one timeless eternal sacrifice-it is rather a re- presentation of the unique sacrifice-much like the dawn does not present a new sun daily but the orignal continuing sun.We are made present simultaneously at the foot of the cross and at the last supper at each of the thousands and thousands of masses daily until He comes.I thank God for this Miracle and the privilege He has given us which is open to all.Please join us

 

[Reformed]

And the Spirit of God resides in His Church (Acts 2), which is yet another excellent reason to believe the Church rather than self-appointed men.

Now why don’t you think I am surprised by your answer? BTW…that is a similar response I get from Mormon Christians when I bring up the same subject.

 

[jmcrae]

Now why don’t you think I am surprised by your answer? BTW…that is a similar response I get from Mormon Christians when I bring up the same subject.

The difference between me and the Mormon is that I’ve got historical evidence for my claims.

 

[Reformed]

The Eucharist is not a re-offering as there is only one timeless eternal sacrifice-it is rather a re- presentation of the unique sacrifice-much like the dawn does not present a new sun daily but the orignal continuing sun.We are made present simultaneously at the foot of the cross and at the last supper at each of the thousands and thousands of masses daily until He comes.I thank God for this Miracle and the privilege He has given us which is open to all.Please join us

I partook in communion last Sunday. Some Reformed Churches actually partake in communion every Sunday.

 

[Reformed]

The difference between me and the Mormon is that I’ve got historical evidence for my claims.

LOL…LDS history books are quite different than yours. They actually have history written on gold plates. That is why I reject history exegesis. Church history is very important to study, but Scripture is more trustworthy than catholic history books. I prefer Protestant history books myself. I don’t think God protected our history books quite like His Holy Scriptures, do you?

 

[jmcrae]

LOL…LDS history books are quite different than yours. They actually have history written on gold plates.

As I recall, they were whisked away back into Heaven before J. S. had an opportunity to show them to anyone.

That is why I reject history exegesis. Church history is very important to study, but Scripture is more trustworthy than catholic history books. I prefer Protestant history books myself. I don’t think God protected our history books quite like His Holy Scriptures, do you?

Why not? If He could protect the one, He could certainly protect the other.

 

[Reformed]

As I recall, they were whisked away back into Heaven before J. S. had an opportunity to show them to anyone.

Why not? If He could protect the one, He could certainly protect the other.

Ahh, but that is not the official Roman Catholic position. Do you have a hard time determing what actually consists of Sacred Tradition as compared to just plain tradition?

 

[jmcrae]

Ahh, but that is not the official Roman Catholic position. Do you have a hard time determing what actually consists of Sacred Tradition as compared to just plain tradition?

I’m not understanding the relevance of the question.

We have the writings of the Early Fathers and their contemporaries; this is what gives us our history. The Church interprets history the same way it interprets the Bible - through the lens of Holy Tradition. Holy Tradition comes from the Apostles; not from history (although history contains it) and not from the Bible (although the Bible also certainly contains it).

 

[Reformed]

I’m not understanding the relevance of the question.

We have the writings of the Early Fathers and their contemporaries; this is what gives us our history. The Church interprets history the same way it interprets the Bible - through the lens of Holy Tradition. Holy Tradition comes from the Apostles; not from history (although history contains it) and not from the Bible (although the Bible also certainly contains it).

The early Church Fathers had a mixed bag of beliefs. Some or many support the Roman Catholic position, and some did not support the Roman Catholic position. Therefore, which work of the Church Fathers are considered Sacred Tradition, and which work is considered inferior or heretcial. They come from the same sources of church history or even the same early church fathers.

 

[jmcrae]

The early Church Fathers had a mixed bag of beliefs. Some or many support the Roman Catholic position, and some did not support the Roman Catholic position. Therefore, which work of the Church Fathers are considered Sacred Tradition, and which work is considered inferior or heretcial. They come from the same sources of church history or even the same early church fathers.

None of the writings themselves are considered Sacred Tradition.

Sacred Tradition is a thread that runs through the whole experience - the written (both sacred and non-sacred writings), and the “oral” (ceremonial, sung, Sacramental, recited, argued, acted out in plays, told as tales to children, assumed/presumed, etc.) consistently throughout the whole thing. Can the parameters of Sacred Tradition be defined - no. No more so than the parameters of Western civilization can be, but, having been immersed in Western civilization, we know that when we go to Chinatown or to the Reservation, that we have exited that civilization. Even though we can’t say precisely what it is that changed when we crossed over the border. we still know that we aren’t there any more.