When Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church of Wittenburg in 1517, admittedly, corruption was running rampant. However, that being said, the Roman Catholic Church today still preaches doctrines contrary to orthodox Christianity.
The Reformation View of Roman Catholicism
From the works of Martin Luther (1483-1546)
"What is the whole papacy but a beautiful false front and a deceptively glittering holiness under which the wretched devil lies in hiding? The devil always desires to imitate God in this way. He cannot bear to observe God speaking. If he cannot prevent it or hinder God’s Word by force, he opposes it with a semblance of piety, takes the very words God had spoken and so twist them as to peddle his lies and poison under their name." (What Luther Says, II: 10007)
"Since the papal church not only neglects the command of Christ but even compels the people to ignore it and to act against it, it is certain that it is not Christ’s church but the synagogue of Satan which prescribes sin and prohibits righteousness. It clearly and indisputably follows that it must be the abomination of Antichrist and the furious harlot of the devil." (What Luther Says, II: 1019)
"The negotiation about doctrinal agreement displeases me altogether, for this is utterly impossible unless the pope has his papacy abolished. Therefore avoid and flee those who seek the middle of the road. Think of me after I am dead and such middle-of-the-road men arise, for nothing good will come of it. There can be no compromise." (What Luther Says, II: 1019)
Read the rest here
Showing posts with label Roman Catholic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roman Catholic. Show all posts
Friday, February 5, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Roman Catholic View on Mary
If anything, perhaps the Roman Catholic Church is best known for their devotion to Mary. The Council of Ephesus in 431 AD established Mary as Θεοτόκος,translated as Theotókos, or basically, the "Mother of God."
In this series of lectures, Pastor John MacArthur exposes the idolatry of the worship of Mary in the Roman Catholic Church, and the Roman Catholic views on Mary. Now, you can either listen to the lectures, or read the transcripts of the lecture. But, anyway, part one provides an overview. Part two and part three deal with Roman Catholic dogma on Mary. Lastly, part four deals with a Biblical repsonse to cult of Mary in the Roman Catholic Church.
Now, I think that Charles Spurgeon accurately sums up whom we are to serve, trust and worship: "It is most glorifying to our Lord Jesus Christ that we should hope for every good thing from Him alone. This is to treat Him as He deserves to be treated; for as He is and beside him there is none else we are bound to look unto Him and be saved....The reason why we may hope for forgiveness of sin, and life eternal, by faith in the Lord Jesus, is that God has so appointed. He has pledged himself in the gospel to save all who truly trust in the Lord Jesus, and he will never run back from his promise. He is so well pleased with his only-begotten Son, that he takes pleasure in all who lay hold upon him as their one and only hope."
Furthermore, the late Dr. Walter Martin debated Father Mitchell Pacwa on the John Ankerberg Show back in the 1980's on the Roman Catholic teachings of Mary.
In this series of lectures, Pastor John MacArthur exposes the idolatry of the worship of Mary in the Roman Catholic Church, and the Roman Catholic views on Mary. Now, you can either listen to the lectures, or read the transcripts of the lecture. But, anyway, part one provides an overview. Part two and part three deal with Roman Catholic dogma on Mary. Lastly, part four deals with a Biblical repsonse to cult of Mary in the Roman Catholic Church.
Now, I think that Charles Spurgeon accurately sums up whom we are to serve, trust and worship: "It is most glorifying to our Lord Jesus Christ that we should hope for every good thing from Him alone. This is to treat Him as He deserves to be treated; for as He is and beside him there is none else we are bound to look unto Him and be saved....The reason why we may hope for forgiveness of sin, and life eternal, by faith in the Lord Jesus, is that God has so appointed. He has pledged himself in the gospel to save all who truly trust in the Lord Jesus, and he will never run back from his promise. He is so well pleased with his only-begotten Son, that he takes pleasure in all who lay hold upon him as their one and only hope."
Furthermore, the late Dr. Walter Martin debated Father Mitchell Pacwa on the John Ankerberg Show back in the 1980's on the Roman Catholic teachings of Mary.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
The Connection Between the Emergent Church and Roman Catholic Mysticism
Now, it seems that there's an obsession with Roman Catholicism by the Emergent Church. Examples would the appealing to people like Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), John of the Cross (1542-1591), Henri Nouwen (1932-1996), and Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
A while back, Richard Bennett, a former Roman Catholic priest of the Dominican order, who served in Trinidad, gave this lecture on the Emergent fascination with Roman Catholic mysticism. He goes into detail about the definition of mysticism. I will add though, that although Bennett identifies Richard Foster as an Evangelical, Foster is actually a Quaker mystic, with Quaker theology being based off mystical, subjective experiences.
Now, apparnetly, Mr. Bennett did another lecture on the same topic, and it was updated. In this one he touches on people like Phyllis Tickle, Tony Jones and Brian McLaren. Just as an interesting note: where Bennett is speaking at, the Metropolitan Tabernacle, is where Charles Spuregon was pastor in the 19th century.
A while back, Richard Bennett, a former Roman Catholic priest of the Dominican order, who served in Trinidad, gave this lecture on the Emergent fascination with Roman Catholic mysticism. He goes into detail about the definition of mysticism. I will add though, that although Bennett identifies Richard Foster as an Evangelical, Foster is actually a Quaker mystic, with Quaker theology being based off mystical, subjective experiences.
Now, apparnetly, Mr. Bennett did another lecture on the same topic, and it was updated. In this one he touches on people like Phyllis Tickle, Tony Jones and Brian McLaren. Just as an interesting note: where Bennett is speaking at, the Metropolitan Tabernacle, is where Charles Spuregon was pastor in the 19th century.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Reformation Day: A Lesson for the 21st Century
Today is "Reformation Day," the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the door of the castle church at Wittenburg Cathedral in Germany, which occured on October 31st, 1517.
Martin Luther (1483-1546) was originally a law student at the University of Erfurt to become a lawyer, in accordance to his father's wishes. However, in 1505, he entered an Augustinian monastery. It was in 1517 that he came to blows with the Roman Catholic Church, after Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar, came to Germany to sell indulgences in order to raise funds for the building of St. Peter's Basillica in Rome. In protest, he nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenburg Cathedral, and in 1520, he was excommunicated via a papal bull from Pope Leo X.
He also realized that we, as Christians, are justified by faith alone in Christ alone. This contradicted Roman Catholic teachings on justification, which taught the we are justified by faith plus works.
It was in 1521, that Luther was called before the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V at the Diet of Worms, and upon being urged to recant, he made this famous speech, recreated here in this classic film.
After the Diet of Worms, Luther was protected by Duke Frederick the Wise, by being held at Wartburg Castle until 1522, during which time he translated the New Testament into German. In 1525, he married Katharina ("Katie") von Bora and the couple had six children: Johannes (John), Elisabeth, Magdalena, Martin, Paul and Margarete. He penned the Augsburg Confession at the request of Charles V in 1530, in the wake of the seige of Vienna. Luther died in the early mornng hours of February 18th, 1546.
This "Reformation Polka" celebrates the life of Luther.
Looking back, I praise God for His raising up people like Luther who called us to return to the Scriptures. In about a decade it'll the the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, and this summer was the 500th anniversary of the birthday of French theologian Jean Cauvin (John Calvin).
The Roman Catholic Church was an apostate church which had held people in bondage to false hopes and works-righteousness. Luther himself wrote of Catholic Church: "Since the papal church not only neglects the command of Christ but even compels the people to ignore it and to act against it, it is certain that it is not Christ’s church but the synagogue of Satan which prescribes sin and prohibits righteousness. It clearly and indisputably follows that it must be the abomination of Antichrist and the furious harlot of the devil." (What Luther Says, II: 1019)
"What kind of a church is the pope’s church? It is an uncertain, vacillating and tottering church. Indeed, it is a deceitful, lying church, doubting and unbelieving, without God’s Word. For the pope with his wrong keys teaches his church to doubt and to be uncertain. If it is a vacillating church, then it is not the church of faith, for the latter is founded upon a rock, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it (Matt.16:18). If it is not the church of faith, then it is not the Christian church, but it must be an unchristian, anti-Christian, and faithless church which destroys and ruins the real, holy, Christian church." (Luther’s Works, vol. 40, Church and Ministry II, The Keys, p.348)
Now, I say this not to bash Roman Catholics. However, like I said, I praise God for people like Luther who stood up to false teachings in the Roman Catholic Church. Today, I say that we also must confront false teachings that are running rampant. I find Luther's boldness to confront the heresies almost a call for us today, in the 21st century to stand up to false doctrine.
We have a lot of people such as the Emergents, liberal denominations like the United Methodists, the United Church of Christ and the Episcopalians who have clearly denied sound doctrine. Our duty, as Christians, are to procliam the truth found in Scripture and to urge them to repent of their sins. I remember hearing a quote from Charles Spurgeon who basically said that beleiving wrongly is just as sinful as doing wrongly.
We read this in 2 Peter: "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep." (2nd Peter 2:1-3)
Now, in American Christianity today, it seems like the most popular "pastors" are the false teachers, be they prosperity preachers like Joel Osteen or T.D. Jakes, Emergent gurus like Brian McLaren Shane Hipps and Rob Bell, or those who don't properly preach God's word, let alone mention sin, like, again, Joel Osteen, and folks like Robert Schuller, Rick Warren, and others.
Our duty, therefore, is to preach the true Gospel, which not only proclaims the wrath of God upon unrepentant sinners, and the fact that we're sinners who cannot be saved by our own works, but also the forgiveness of sins found in Jesus Christ. In fact, we read "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret." (Ephesians 5:11-12)
I leave you with this video.
Martin Luther (1483-1546) was originally a law student at the University of Erfurt to become a lawyer, in accordance to his father's wishes. However, in 1505, he entered an Augustinian monastery. It was in 1517 that he came to blows with the Roman Catholic Church, after Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar, came to Germany to sell indulgences in order to raise funds for the building of St. Peter's Basillica in Rome. In protest, he nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenburg Cathedral, and in 1520, he was excommunicated via a papal bull from Pope Leo X.
He also realized that we, as Christians, are justified by faith alone in Christ alone. This contradicted Roman Catholic teachings on justification, which taught the we are justified by faith plus works.
It was in 1521, that Luther was called before the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V at the Diet of Worms, and upon being urged to recant, he made this famous speech, recreated here in this classic film.
After the Diet of Worms, Luther was protected by Duke Frederick the Wise, by being held at Wartburg Castle until 1522, during which time he translated the New Testament into German. In 1525, he married Katharina ("Katie") von Bora and the couple had six children: Johannes (John), Elisabeth, Magdalena, Martin, Paul and Margarete. He penned the Augsburg Confession at the request of Charles V in 1530, in the wake of the seige of Vienna. Luther died in the early mornng hours of February 18th, 1546.
This "Reformation Polka" celebrates the life of Luther.
Looking back, I praise God for His raising up people like Luther who called us to return to the Scriptures. In about a decade it'll the the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, and this summer was the 500th anniversary of the birthday of French theologian Jean Cauvin (John Calvin).
The Roman Catholic Church was an apostate church which had held people in bondage to false hopes and works-righteousness. Luther himself wrote of Catholic Church: "Since the papal church not only neglects the command of Christ but even compels the people to ignore it and to act against it, it is certain that it is not Christ’s church but the synagogue of Satan which prescribes sin and prohibits righteousness. It clearly and indisputably follows that it must be the abomination of Antichrist and the furious harlot of the devil." (What Luther Says, II: 1019)
"What kind of a church is the pope’s church? It is an uncertain, vacillating and tottering church. Indeed, it is a deceitful, lying church, doubting and unbelieving, without God’s Word. For the pope with his wrong keys teaches his church to doubt and to be uncertain. If it is a vacillating church, then it is not the church of faith, for the latter is founded upon a rock, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it (Matt.16:18). If it is not the church of faith, then it is not the Christian church, but it must be an unchristian, anti-Christian, and faithless church which destroys and ruins the real, holy, Christian church." (Luther’s Works, vol. 40, Church and Ministry II, The Keys, p.348)
Now, I say this not to bash Roman Catholics. However, like I said, I praise God for people like Luther who stood up to false teachings in the Roman Catholic Church. Today, I say that we also must confront false teachings that are running rampant. I find Luther's boldness to confront the heresies almost a call for us today, in the 21st century to stand up to false doctrine.
We have a lot of people such as the Emergents, liberal denominations like the United Methodists, the United Church of Christ and the Episcopalians who have clearly denied sound doctrine. Our duty, as Christians, are to procliam the truth found in Scripture and to urge them to repent of their sins. I remember hearing a quote from Charles Spurgeon who basically said that beleiving wrongly is just as sinful as doing wrongly.
We read this in 2 Peter: "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep." (2nd Peter 2:1-3)
Now, in American Christianity today, it seems like the most popular "pastors" are the false teachers, be they prosperity preachers like Joel Osteen or T.D. Jakes, Emergent gurus like Brian McLaren Shane Hipps and Rob Bell, or those who don't properly preach God's word, let alone mention sin, like, again, Joel Osteen, and folks like Robert Schuller, Rick Warren, and others.
Our duty, therefore, is to preach the true Gospel, which not only proclaims the wrath of God upon unrepentant sinners, and the fact that we're sinners who cannot be saved by our own works, but also the forgiveness of sins found in Jesus Christ. In fact, we read "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret." (Ephesians 5:11-12)
I leave you with this video.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
John MacArthur on Roman Catholicism
J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), the first Anglican Bishop of Liverpool once stated: "Romanism in perfection is a gigantic system of Church-worship, Sacrament-worship, Mary-worship…image-worship…in one word, a huge organised idolatry…idolatry has decidedly manifested itself in the visible Church of Christ and nowhere so decidedly as in the Church of Rome…"
In a similar tone, Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), the great Baptist preacher once stated of Roman Catholicism that "the church of Rome and her teachings are a vast mountain of rubbish covering the truth," and "worse hindrance to the gospel than all the errors which had preceded it."
Along these same lines, Dr. John MacArthur works to expose the false system of Rome for what it is.
In the first series of lectures, MacArthur explains the Roman Catholic Mass.
"Explaining the Heresy of the Catholic Mass
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-318
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-319
In this series of lectures, John MacArthur deals with the unbiblical, and sometimes outright bizzarre, and clearly idolatrous Roman Catholic doctrines on Mary.
"Exposing the Idolatry of Mary Worship"
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-314
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-315
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-316
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-317
I urge anyone who is Catholic who reads this blog to repent, and to trust in Christ ALONE for the forgiveness of sins.
In a similar tone, Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), the great Baptist preacher once stated of Roman Catholicism that "the church of Rome and her teachings are a vast mountain of rubbish covering the truth," and "worse hindrance to the gospel than all the errors which had preceded it."
Along these same lines, Dr. John MacArthur works to expose the false system of Rome for what it is.
In the first series of lectures, MacArthur explains the Roman Catholic Mass.
"Explaining the Heresy of the Catholic Mass
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-318
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-319
In this series of lectures, John MacArthur deals with the unbiblical, and sometimes outright bizzarre, and clearly idolatrous Roman Catholic doctrines on Mary.
"Exposing the Idolatry of Mary Worship"
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-314
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-315
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-316
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-317
I urge anyone who is Catholic who reads this blog to repent, and to trust in Christ ALONE for the forgiveness of sins.
Friday, September 25, 2009
A Stark Contrast
This series of videos contrasts Roman Catholic doctrine with what the Scriptures actually say. The contrasts are startling and raised by ex-Catholics. This particuarly deals with the doctrines of purgatory, the Catholic doctrines concerning Mary, justification & salvation & the doctrine of purgatory.
One verse that is mentioned in the video, which I want to reiterate is Isaiah 29:13, which states: "And the Lord said:'Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me,and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men..." This verse, as also noted in the video, was quoted by Christ in Matthew 15:8-9 & Mark 7:6-7, when He was confronted by the Pharisees when his disciples were gathering grain on the sabbath & had failed to purify themselves according to traditon.
One verse that is mentioned in the video, which I want to reiterate is Isaiah 29:13, which states: "And the Lord said:'Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me,and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men..." This verse, as also noted in the video, was quoted by Christ in Matthew 15:8-9 & Mark 7:6-7, when He was confronted by the Pharisees when his disciples were gathering grain on the sabbath & had failed to purify themselves according to traditon.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Rob Bell: an Emergent Wolf
There is no doubt that Rob Bell has almost a cult-following thanks to his Nooma videos and is one of the "ringleaders" of the "Emergent Church." However, the question is, does Rob Bell preach true Christianity?
In an interview with Christianity Today, he rejected the inspiration of Holy Scripture, completely flying in the face on 2nd Timothy 3:16, he's stated his belief that we must bring heaven to earth. He believes that hell, along with heaven, "is full of forgiven people." Bell has also implied that Christianity borrowed many of it's beliefs from the pagan religions of Ancient Rome. He also stresses the mystery of Christianity and that we put God in a box if we believe difine the Christian faith.
He also, rather recently, stated that we are the gospel, not the forgivness of sins being offered through Jesus Christ through His atonement on the cross at Calvary. In fact, I would strongly encourage you to listen to Chris's refutation of Bell's "gospel:"
Interestingly enough, the Apostle Paul writes to the church of Galatia: "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9)
Now, this isn't addressed in this episode of "Fighting for the Faith," hosted by Chris Rosebrough.
However, in the first part of the program, Chris reviews a sermon done by Rob Bell on Philippians 3:1-11 on the "Judaizers." In the second part of the program, Chris speaks with Ken Silva of "Apprising Ministries" on the mysticsm endorsed by Bell, that actually has its roots in medival Catholic mysticism. Now, it's long, but it's worth listening to.
In an interview with Christianity Today, he rejected the inspiration of Holy Scripture, completely flying in the face on 2nd Timothy 3:16, he's stated his belief that we must bring heaven to earth. He believes that hell, along with heaven, "is full of forgiven people." Bell has also implied that Christianity borrowed many of it's beliefs from the pagan religions of Ancient Rome. He also stresses the mystery of Christianity and that we put God in a box if we believe difine the Christian faith.
He also, rather recently, stated that we are the gospel, not the forgivness of sins being offered through Jesus Christ through His atonement on the cross at Calvary. In fact, I would strongly encourage you to listen to Chris's refutation of Bell's "gospel:"
Interestingly enough, the Apostle Paul writes to the church of Galatia: "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9)
Now, this isn't addressed in this episode of "Fighting for the Faith," hosted by Chris Rosebrough.
However, in the first part of the program, Chris reviews a sermon done by Rob Bell on Philippians 3:1-11 on the "Judaizers." In the second part of the program, Chris speaks with Ken Silva of "Apprising Ministries" on the mysticsm endorsed by Bell, that actually has its roots in medival Catholic mysticism. Now, it's long, but it's worth listening to.
Friday, September 4, 2009
"Come Out!!!"
Paul Washer speaks on those who have been converted amidst false groups. He stresses that if you truly are a Christian you WILL come out of these false religions.
Admittedly, I used to think that one could be a true Christian yet remain in the Roman Catholic Church, although I was fully aware of the false doctrine being promoted by the Vatican. However, just recently, I was listening to a couple lessons from John MacArthur about the heresy being promoted in the Roman Catholic Church and he brought up a very good verse which God used to changed my thinking:
"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons." (1st Corinthians 10:21)
I also remembered two other verses, as well.
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols?" (2nd Corinthians 6:14-16)
(This is referring to the collapse of Babylon)
"Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,'Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins,lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven,and God has remembered her iniquities.'" (Revelation 18:4-5)
Admittedly, I used to think that one could be a true Christian yet remain in the Roman Catholic Church, although I was fully aware of the false doctrine being promoted by the Vatican. However, just recently, I was listening to a couple lessons from John MacArthur about the heresy being promoted in the Roman Catholic Church and he brought up a very good verse which God used to changed my thinking:
"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons." (1st Corinthians 10:21)
I also remembered two other verses, as well.
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols?" (2nd Corinthians 6:14-16)
(This is referring to the collapse of Babylon)
"Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,'Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins,lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven,and God has remembered her iniquities.'" (Revelation 18:4-5)
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Roger Oakland's Lecture on the Emergent Church
In this 6 part series, Roger Oakland discusees a theologial fad in American Evangelicalism, mostly amongst the younger generation: the Emergent Church. Many of the ringleaders, such as Rob Bell, Brian McLaren, Tony Jones and Doug Pagitt have denied cardinal doctrines of the faith. But, in this piece, Oakland namely discusses 2 dangerous facets of the Emergent Church: how many of the spritual practices of the Emergent Church are leading people back into the waiting arms of the apostate Roman Catholic Church, and the road to ecumenism with other religions. In fact, there does seem to be an emphasis on mystical experiences amongst Emergents, particularly via "contemplative prayer."
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