The Catholic Dilemma
THE ORIGINS OF CATHOLICISM
Before we examine the doctrines of the Catholic Faith, let’s briefly examine the origins of the word "catholic" itself.
We start by going back to the time of the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20 ) after the life, death, and resurrection of Christ on the 3rd day. Where Christ commanded his Apostles to go forth and make disciples and teaching them in the things he commanded.
Following Christ's command and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Apostles spread the Gospel and planted churches across all of Asia and the Roman Empire. These early Christian communities, grounded in the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles, upheld Scripture as their authoritative guide. The Greek word katholikos, meaning "universal" or "according to the whole." is where we get the word Catholic from. In the early Christian church, it referred to the universal body of Christ’s followers who remained faithful to the teachings handed down by God through Christ and the Apostles. This term was used to describe the unified and orthodox Christian faith, distinguishing it from heretical groups like the Gnostics, who deviated from Apostolic doctrine. Over time, the term "Catholic Church" became a way to describe this global community of believers united in the same faith and practice.
However, over the centuries, the structure and practices of the Roman Catholic Church began to change and depart from the scriptures. This was something that was promised by Paul in Acts 20:29-30. As members of the faith gained political power, they introduced various traditions, rituals, and doctrines of men and devils (1 Timothy 4:1) that were not part of the original God given Apostolic teachings. Practices such as the veneration of saints, the use of indulgences, and the elevation of the Pope to a position of supreme authority.
This developed into what is now known as the Catholic Faith, which is not at all Catholic in the truest sense of the word. It has continued over time in departing from the faith, introducing all sorts of unbiblical and heretical beliefs which are in stark contrast to commands of the scripture.
For example: The veneration of Mary and the saints, the concept of purgatory, and the doctrine of transubstantiation are not found in Scripture. This was one of the mains reasons why the Reformation in the 16th century took place as a significant movement that challenged these practices. Which lead to the formation of Protestant denominations that sought to return to the original teachings of the Bible.
Today, the term "catholic" is often associated specifically with the Roman Catholic Church, which has a rich history but also a complex relationship with its origins in the early Christian church. On one hand it was the original church, but now on the other it is clearly not due to its heresy abounding.
Cardinal Edward Manning said :
“As a priest, I know of thousands of reasons people become a Roman Catholic. I only know of one reason why people leave. That is they read the Bible for themselves and end up with more questions than any priest could ever hope to answer.”
So if you are a Catholic dear friend, or perhaps a protestant looking for answers, let us reason from the Scriptures together:
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
In the following sections we will list and compare all of the current teachings of Catholicism to that of scripture. Quoting the source from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
MARY
As it pertains to Mary, here are those doctrines the Catholic Church teaches:
Marry is sinless (CCC 494)
If Marry is sinless, why in Luke 1:47 does she say she needs a savior?
Mary is a co-mediatrix between us and God (CCC 969)
If Mary is a co-mediatrix between us and God, why does 1 Timothy 2:5 say that there is only one mediator between us and God, and that is Jesus Christ?
Mary is co-redeemer (CCC 494)
If Mary is a co-redeemder, why does Acts 4:12 state that there is salvation in no other name but Jesus and that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved?
Mary is to be worshiped as the Queen of Heaven who presides over the Eucharist (Pope Pious XII and John Paul II)
If Mary is to be worshipped as the queen of heaven why does Jeremiah 7:18, Jeremiah 44:17, and Jeremiah 44:25 specifically forbid the worship and offering of cakes and wine to the Queen of Heaven?
If Marry is the Queen of Heaven, why is she mentioned in the days of Jeremiah before her birth?
The Queen of Heaven refers to a pagan goddess, likely Astarte (Ashtoreth), worshiped in the ancient Near East. Why is the church associating Mary with a false pagan idol from ages before here birth?
IDOLS
As it pertains to the worship of Idols the Catholic church teaches:
We bow down and worship the venerated saints
If according to 1 John 2:3-4, 7; 3:22-24; 5:2-3; and 2 John 6 we are to obey the Ten Commandments and if in the second commandment of Exodus 20:4-5, idolatry is defined in both the Hebrew and the Greek as bowing down to a graven image and if according to Rev 21:8 idolaters have their part in the lake of fire outside the city of God, why do Catholics bow down and pray to graven images?
We are to pray to the dead saints of old.
If praying to and inquiring of the dead is a death penalty offense in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:31; 20:6; 20:27; 1 Samuel 28:9) why should any professing Christian pray to dead saints (Isaiah 8:19)?
ATONEMENT
As it pertains to the Atonement, Catholics teach:
One atone for their own sins in purgatory (CCC 1030-31; 1459)
If the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7) why must we still pay for it?
If one must atone for their sins in purgatory, why does Jesus say, “It is finished” on the Cross (John 19:29) and Paul say that to be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23)?
It is impossible to know whether or not one will enter Heaven as Catholic doctrine states in the Council of Trent, reaffirmed in Vatican II
If so, why does 1 John 3:2-3; 5:11-13, 20; Romans 8:15, 38-39; 10:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:8; 6:17; Titus 3:5 and John 3:16 all say that we can have assurance of salvation for those who have put their faith and trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sins?
The performed mass atones for our sins
How does the mass atone for sins if Hebrews 9:22 says that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins?
EUCHARIST & MASS
As it pertains to their teachings of the Eucharist, the following questions are raised:
Jesus dies at the command of the priest every mass.
How does Jesus die sacrificially at every mass if Hebrews 7:25-26; 9:25-26; 10:10-12 and 1 Peter 3:18 say the Messiah died only once and Rom 6:9 says that after being raised from the dead He will never die again?
The wine served at mass is the literal blood of Christ (CCC 1374).
If the wine of the mass is the literal blood of Jesus why do Catholics drink it as Acts 15:29 prohibits the ritual consumption of blood?
Jesus is physical present by the command of the priest in the wafer and wine during the Eucharist (CCC 1374).
If Jesus is physically present in the Eucharist of the wine and the wafer why does Jesus say not to believe anyone that says He’s returned physically and to avoid the inner rooms where people say He is since when He returns EVERY eye will see (Matt 24:26-27; Acts 1:11; Rev 1:7; 19:11)?
Ritual re-sacrifice of Christ must take place every mass.
If the Rock is Jesus (1 Corinthians 10:4-5 and Moses was prevented from entering the Promised Land for striking the Rock more than once (Numbers 20:11-12; 27:14; Deuteronomy 1:37) how will Catholics enter the Promised Land with the doctrine of the perpetual sacrifice of the mass which ritually sacrifices Jesus at every mass contrary to Hebrews 7:27; 9:25-26; 10:10-12; 1 Peter 3:18 and Romans 6:9 and then drinks his blood contrary to Acts 15:29?
POPES & PRIESTS
As it pertains to the Popes:
Priests are to be called Father, and the Pope Holy Father.
If the priest is to be called “Father” and the pope “Holy Father” why then does Jesus say to call no man on earth your father for you have but one Father who is in Heaven (Matthew 23:9)?
Peter was the first pope and was infallible as all popes are.
If popes are infallible why does the doctrine not exist until the 1870’s?
If Peter is the first pope why does James give the decision of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15:19?
If Peter was the first pope, and thus infallible, why was Peter rebuked by Paul in Galatians 2:11-14?
If Peter means “little flakes of stone” in Aramaic and if Jesus is the Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4-5) and the cornerstone upon which the Church is built (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; 20:17; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6-7) how then is Peter the Rock on which Christ built his church?
If Peter was the first pope, why did God anoint 12 other Apostles to lead the Church?
You must confess your sins to a Priest
If we are all a kingdom of priests and James 5:16 says to confess our sins to one another why are Catholics required to confess their sins privately to a priest?
Could this doctrine of demons (i.e. forced celibacy) be the one of the causes of the sex scandals in the Catholic church?
MARRIAGE
as it pertains the teachings of marriage in the Catholic Church we find:
Popes are not permitted to be married:
If the pope is prevented from having a wife why does Paul specially say that Peter and the other apostles have a right to bring their wives with them on mission (1 Corinthians 9:5)?
Nuns and Priests are not allowed to be married.
If Peter had a Christian wife (1 Corinthians 9:5) why can’t the pope or Catholic priests/nuns marry?
Forbidding marriage is part of the Church.
If Paul writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said that forbidding marriage is a doctrine of demons (Timothy 4:1-3) why is the Catholic priest/nun forced to be celibate?
No Priest can marry.
If all believers are priests (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:6) but priests are not allowed to marry why is any Catholic allowed to get married?
Should not the Catholic doctrine of remaining unmarried apply to all Christians?
THE PATH TO HEAVEN
As it pertains to the teaching of the Catholic church in how to get to heaven:
Catholics cannot be wrong because it is the predominate “church”.
If a billion Catholics can’t be wrong, why does Jesus say that both the gate and the path leading to life is narrow and difficult but that the gate and path are wide and easy leading to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14)?
Why does Paul warn of a different Jesus and different Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4-5; Gal 1:8-9)?
What if the only way to enter Heaven is to be born again (John 3:3-6)?
What if the definition of false religion is to deceive or give a false appearance?
What if false religion can fool men, but it cannot fool God?
What if God is not only a God of love and forgiveness, but also a God of justice and wrath?
The catechism 1 and 2 of the catholic church add to scriptures commands above scripture.
What if Scripture warns against adding to or taking away from the inspired Word of God (Proverbs 30:6; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Revelation 22:18-19)?
What if Jesus warns against teaching the traditions of men as if they were commandments of God (Matthew 15:9)?
What if doing so sends both self and priest to hell (Matthew 23:15; Galatians 1:8-9)?
What if Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him LORD will enter heaven (Matthew 7:21)?
What if it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31)?
What if the law is my schoolmaster to bring me to faith in Christ (Galatians 3:24)?
What if the purpose of the law is to bring about a knowledge of sin so that the entire world will be held guilty before a Holy God (Romans 3:19-20; 7:7)?
What if by breaking only one commandment I’ve broken all of them (James 2:10)?
You are justified by keeping the commandments and all Catholic sacraments.
What if no man will be justified by keeping the sacraments, the commandments or by being a good person (Romans 3:20, 28; 9:30-33)?
What if there is no one good but God (Psalm 14:1-3; Job 15:14-16; Luke 18:19)?
What if a man must be born again or he will not and cannot enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:3-6)?
What if seeking to justify myself by keeping the law or being a good person reveals that I do not belong to Christ (Galatians 5:4)?
What if Jesus took our sin to give us His righteousness (Isaiah 53:11; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21), redeeming us from the curse of sin and death (Galatians 3:13) by paying our ransom (Matthew 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18) so that Christ might dwell in our hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:14-18), not works or sacraments (Galatians 3:11-12; Titus 3:5)?
What if it was the anguish of Jesus on the cross that satisfied God's wrath (Isaiah 53:11) making the perpetual sacrifice of the mass a direct violation of Hebrews 9:25-28; 10:10-12?
What if salvation and everlasting life are a free gift from God (Romans 5:15; Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-10) to all those who repent of their sin (Mark 1:14; Acts 17:30) and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ ALONE for forgiveness of all sin (John 19:30; 1 John 1:7)?
What if John, writing of Rome says "To come out of her my people, lest you partake in her sins and share in her plagues." (Revelation 18:4; 2:18-24) is actually a pronouncement upon the Catholic church and call for Christians to depart from them?
UNCLEAN HANDS AND THE BLOODY PAST
It is also important to be aware of the factual history of the Catholic church. Christ instructed we would know them by their fruits in Matthew 7:15-23 . In the same place he instructed us to look out for wolves in sheep’s clothing. I submit unto you that at some point in the early Christian church these wolves did come in and pervert that which was the faith. Not in a true sense, in which the doctrines of God in the Bible were lost, but rather Satan had taken over the “church” and began to persecute Christians from within.
Below is a historical account of the many atrocities the Roman Catholic Church has taken part in.
Persecution of Early Christians and Sectarians (Pre-Reformation)
By whom: Early Roman Catholic Church authorities.
What happened: Early Christian sects, such as the Donatists and later groups like the Waldensians, were persecuted for doctrinal differences. Many were tortured, exiled, or executed for their dissent.
Why: The Church sought to consolidate power, enforce uniformity of their false beliefs, and eliminate what it viewed as heresy.
The Crusades (11th to 13th Centuries)
By whom: Catholic Church leaders and European monarchs, with Pope Urban II initiating the First Crusade.
What happened: Crusaders massacred tens of thousands of Jews, Muslims, and Eastern Christians during the wars to "reclaim" Jerusalem. Particularly notorious were the First Crusade (1096-1099) and the Sacking of Constantinople (1204), during which thousands of innocents were killed.
Why: The Church falsely used “religious” zeal and the promise of indulgences to justify violence, asserting that these wars were waged in defense of Christendom.
Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229)
By whom: Pope Innocent III and French forces.
What happened: This crusade targeted the Cathars, a Christian sect in southern France considered heretical by the Roman Catholic Church. Cities like Béziers were destroyed, and thousands of Cathars were slaughtered indiscriminately, women and children alike.
Why: The Church aimed to eliminate “heresy” and reassert Catholic control in southern Europe.
The Inquisition (12th to 19th Centuries)
By whom: Catholic clergy (especially the Dominicans) and local authorities.
What happened: The Medieval Inquisition, Spanish Inquisition, and Roman Inquisition used torture, forced confessions, and public executions (burning at the stake) to root out “heresy”, often targeting the Waldensians, Cathars, and later Protestants. Foxe’s "Book of Martyrs" highlights the cruel deaths of many who defied the Church.
Why: The Church sought to protect its religious monopoly, eradicate doctrinal dissent, and suppress opposition to its power.
Persecution of Protestant Reformers (16th Century)
By whom: Catholic Church and secular rulers loyal to it.
What happened: Reformers like John Huss (burned at the stake in 1415), William Tyndale (executed in 1536 for translating the Bible into English), and others were tortured and executed. Foxe’s "Book of Martyrs" recounts the executions under Queen Mary I of England, where nearly 300 Protestants, including Thomas Cranmer, were burned alive during the Marian Persecutions (1555-1558).
Why: The Church saw the Reformation as a threat to its authority and sought to stamp out Protestantism by force.
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572)
By whom: Catholic monarchy of France, with tacit support from the Catholic Church.
What happened: Thousands of Huguenots (French Protestants) were murdered in a wave of violence starting in Paris and spreading across France. Foxe’s "Book of Martyrs" recounts the horror of this massacre, where estimates range from 3,000 to 70,000 killed.
Why: The massacre was an attempt to suppress the growing influence of Protestantism in France.
Thirty Years' War (1618-1648)
By whom: Catholic and Protestant states, often encouraged by religious authorities.
What happened: A devastating war across Europe between Protestant and Catholic factions that resulted in millions of deaths from combat, famine, and disease. Civilians were often caught in the violence, and religious persecution was rampant.
Why: The conflict was driven by both religious and political motivations, with both sides seeking to dominate Europe’s religious landscape.
Witch Hunts (15th to 18th Centuries)
By whom: Catholic Church, particularly during the Inquisitions.
What happened: Thousands of people, especially women, were accused of witchcraft and executed, often by burning at the stake. The Catholic Church’s support of superstitious beliefs and fear of the devil fueled these hunts.
Why: The Church believed witches were in league with Satan and that their elimination was necessary to preserve Christian society.
Suppression of Indigenous Peoples (Colonial Period, 16th-19th Centuries)
By whom: Catholic missionaries, particularly Spanish and Portuguese colonizers.
What happened: Indigenous populations in the Americas were often forcibly converted, enslaved, or killed in the name of Catholic “evangelism”. Many died due to harsh conditions, overwork, and European diseases.
Why: The Church sought to spread Catholicism, often justifying conquest and exploitation by viewing indigenous peoples as "heathens" in need of salvation.
Persecution of the Jews
By whom: Catholic authorities, especially during the Inquisition.
What happened: Jews were expelled, forced into ghettos, or executed throughout Europe. The Spanish Inquisition targeted conversos (Jews who had converted to Christianity but were suspected of secretly practicing Judaism).
Why: Anti-Semitism, supported by theological teachings of the “Church”, led to the belief that Jews were responsible for Christ’s death and posed a threat to “Christian society.”
Religious Censorship and Book Burnings
By whom: Catholic Church authorities.
What happened: The Church censored and burned books it deemed “heretical or dangerous”. Works by William Tyndale, Martin Luther, and scientific figures like Copernicus and Galileo were either banned or destroyed. The Index Librorum Prohibitorum listed prohibited books to control thought.
Why: The Church sought to maintain doctrinal control and suppress ideas that challenged its teachings or authority.
Syllabus of Errors (1864)
By whom: Pope Pius IX.
What happened: The Syllabus of Errors condemned modern freedoms, including religious liberty, secular governance, and the separation of Church and state, denouncing these concepts as heretical.
Why: The Church resisted the rise of secularism and liberal democracy, viewing these developments as threats to its power and traditional values.
Foxe's Book of Martyrs and Other Protestant Martyrs
By whom: Catholic rulers and Church authorities.
What happened: Foxe’s "Book of Martyrs" catalogs hundreds of Protestant believers who were imprisoned, tortured, or executed for their faith during the Reformation and beyond. Examples include:
Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer: Burned at the stake during the Marian Persecutions.
Anne Askew: A Protestant woman tortured and burned in 1546.
John Rogers: First Protestant martyr under Mary I, burned in 1555.
Why: The Catholic Church viewed these reformers and Protestants as heretics who threatened the unity and authority of the Church.
When Jesus Instructed us to look for their fruits. This is what he was talking about. If you’re a Catholic, do you stand with your History? Or do you see the error in all this? If so, then flee, as Christ warned you in Revelation 18:4; 2:18-24.
After reading these, doing your own study into each scripture, it should become clear to you, that what the Catholic church teaches and does, is not that which the Bible teaches and commands and is very much against the commands of scripture.
If God is our God, in whom the whole Bible is written by the Holy Spirit through men, and given to us for all instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17) which warns us of deceivers to come (2 Timothy 4:3) and tells us of those who will deceive the hearts of the simple (Romans 16:17-18) then surely you can see that such things have taken place under our very nose.
Satan came in and has corrupted as he does. He did so with the Catholic Church, and now has done so with many denominations, all leading to theologies like Word of Faith, Prosperity Gospel, Landmark Baptists, Baptist Briders, Easy Believism and the list goes on.
We must be on guard against such things (seeking who he may devour) and protect ourselves from such things. And if you are a Catholic reading this, you must depart from heresy, you must repent.
Otherwise you will get exactly what the Bible promises in 2 Peter 2 and Hebrews 6. You must be born again, you must turn to the true God of scripture, renounce your Catholic ways and doctrines, and obey the Holy commandment of God. Be saved, be washed, be set free of your sins, repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!
THE GOSPEL
YOU AND I HAVE FALLEN SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD (Romans 3:23).
If you have lied before it makes you a liar in God's eyes.
If you have stolen something before, regardless of its value, it makes you a thief.
If you have blasphemed the Lord's name by saying "OMG" or "JC" to express surprise or anger, you are a blasphemer.
If you have looked at someone (real life or on a screen) with lust, you have committed adultery in God's eyes.
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS ARE THE MORAL LAW THAT YOU AND I HAVE BROKEN (Exodus 20:1-17)
Even if you broke just one of the 10 commandments, the Bible says you have actually failed or broken the whole law (James 2:10)
We are all liars in the very least, all of us telling at least one lie, and the result of that means that we are liars.
The Bible tell us that all liars will have their part in the lake of fire (Hell) (Revelation 21:8)
When you die God will judge you in your sins and sentence you to an eternity in Hell, because of your sins. (Hebrews 9:27)
JUDGEMENT IS TO COME, BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS!
God loves you greatly, and to demonstrate this love, he sent his son Jesus Christ to die for your sins (1 John 4:9).
Christ came and lived a perfect, sinless life, and he went to the cross willingly.
On the cross he gave up his life to pay for your sins.
3 days later he rose from the grave, defeating sin and death.
His life, death and blood shed on the cross, and his subsequent resurrection, is the payment for your sin.
HOW TO APPLY THIS TO YOUR ACCOUNT?
Jesus told us to Repent & Believe The Gospel (Luke 13:5, Acts 20:21)
Repentance is genuine contrition and sorrow over our sins, an inward turning from those sins, to a following and trust in God.
Repentance and belief go hand in hand.
If a person does this, and confesses their sins unto God he is faithful and just to cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)
God will write your name in the lambs book of life. (Revelation 20:15)
He will create a clean heart in you and give you everlasting life (Psalm 51:10-17, Ezekiel 36:25-27)
WHAT NEXT?
Be Baptized as it is a command! (Matthew 28:19)
Get into a real Christian fellowship in a house church or in a larger church. (1 John 4:7-10)
You must obey the Lord, be baptized, and live for Christ, do not return to your life of sin and walk in the light (1 John 1:4-10, Luke 9:62)
Ready your Bible daily! (James 1:22, John 17:17, Psalms 119:105)
