Hard Truth

Roman Catholicism and the Protestant Reformation

Roman Catholicism and the Protestant Reformation

The Roman Catholic church is the largest “Christian” organization in the world and the largest single religious group on the planet with over 1.2 billion adherents.
Untold articles have been authored on this organization, pro, and con, over the centuries. As of 2020, There are approximately 700 million Pentecostals worldwide, 1.1 billion Muslims, so this puts the 1.2 billion Catholics into perspective.

From the 1400s, Catholic priests like Wycliff, Luther, Huss & Calvin started the Protestant revolution after they carefully read the New Testament and discovered many of the teachings of the Catholic Church appeared to contradict the New Testament. (Some of the concerns that they had are listed below).

We have seen many Catholics and Christians delivered from spiritual oppression and healed and set free. The mentioned list of Protestant concerns simply reflects some of the areas of confusion between the doctrines of the two religious bodies and is not intended as a criticism of the Catholic religion. Greater clarification of the doctrines of the two entities, from our perspective, will lead to greater understanding and goodwill between the groups.

What are some of the concerns that the Protestant Reformers had?

Popes, Bishops, Cardinals and Priests are usually forbidden to marry in the Catholic church. This causes confusion among Protestants because Peter was married (Mark. 1: 29-31). In addition, the Priest Zacharias was married (Luke. 1: 5,13). Bishops are permitted to marry (1 Timothy 3:2) as are Deacons (1 Timothy 3:11).
Catholics commonly bow in front of statues in church. Some Protestants are confused over this practice because of the admonition in Exodus 20:3-5.3. During Mass, it is taught that a Priest can forgive someone’s sins. The NT teaches only God can forgive sins (Mark. 2:7).
Catholics call some of their spiritual leaders “Father.” This is a concern to some Protestants because Jesus recommends against this practice (Matthew 23:9).
Some Catholics ask Mother Mary or a deceased person, to act as a go-between for them to God. This practice confuses many Protestants because the concept of a mediator between living Christians and God appears to have been reserved ONLY for Jesus & the Holy Spirit (1 Timothy 2:5-6, 1 John 2:1-3, Acts 4:10, 12, John 14:6, Hebrews 3:1, 4:14, 7:25, Romans 8:26-27, 34).
Some Catholics ask Mother Mary or a deceased person, to act as a go-between for them to God. This practice confuses many Protestants because the concept of a mediator between living Christians and God appears to have been reserved ONLY for Jesus & the Holy Spirit (1 Timothy 2:5-6, 1 John 2:1-3, Acts 4:10, 12, John 14:6, Hebrews 3:1, 4:14, 7:25, Romans 8:26-27, 34). 16:19-31, Matthew 25:41,46, Hebrews 9:27). The “Limbo of the Innocents” and removal of “original sin” causes confusion because it has no New Testament scriptural foundation.

The concept of Mother Mary has caused much confusion in Protestantism. Some Catholics worship her and others do not. Some see her as divine, and others do not. Some see her as a co-mediator of humanity and others do not. The New Testament describes her in a very positive light but does not seem to give her any special spiritual status beyond being the devoted mother of Jesus (Luke11:27-28, Ephesians 4:4-6). Jesus specifically noted that any born again Christian had the same spiritual status as his mother. We do know Mary (Greek. “Maria” or “Miriam”) was a Pentecostal (Acts 2), had other children (Matthew 13:55) and called God her “saviour” (Luke 1:47), which seems to indicate her need for remission of sins. Other doctrines regarding Mary which confuse Protestants are “perpetual virginity” (Matthew. 1:25), bleeding Mary statues, her being born without original sin (Romans 3:23) & apparitions of her (Our Lady of Fátima-Portugal, in clouds, etc.), none of which have any foundations in the New Testament
The concept of Mother Mary has caused much confusion in Protestantism. Some Catholics worship her and others do not. Some see her as divine, and others do not. Some see her as a co-mediator of humanity and others do not. The New Testament describes her in a very positive light but does not seem to give her any special spiritual status beyond being the devoted mother of Jesus (Luke11:27-28, Ephesians 4:4-6). Jesus specifically noted that any born again Christian had the same spiritual status as his mother. We do know Mary (Greek. “Maria” or “Miriam”) was a Pentecostal (Acts 2), had other children (Matthew 13:55) and called God her “saviour” (Luke 1:47), which seems to indicate her need for remission of sins. Other doctrines regarding Mary which confuse Protestants are “perpetual virginity” (Matthew. 1:25), bleeding Mary statues, her being born without original sin (Romans 3:23) & apparitions of her (Our Lady of Fátima-Portugal, in clouds, etc.), none of which have any foundations in the New Testament
The concept of Catholic food and marriage restrictions is confusing to protestants in light of 1Timothy 4:1-3.

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