Can you Compromise with Sin?

Part 1
 
What is sin?
Jas 4:17, I John 3:4, Mt 7:21, Romans 14:23

   Sin is disobedience to God's laws, disobedience to His Word, unbelief, anything--commission or omission type of behavior (including thought) that is outside of God's Spirit, it is lawlessness, all wrongdoing, not doing God's will, sin is evil, anything that doesn't come from faith.
   What are the causes of sin? Some of the causes are: greed, lust, jealousy, envy, anger, hatred, pride, selfishness, idolatry, prejudice, bigotry, self will, and rebellion to name a few.
   Where does sin come from? Romans 5:12
From man's nature (the choices he makes), from Satan (Temptation). Satan is the Father of all lies. The Bible says that Jesus was tempted in every way that man could be tempted, but he did not sin. Matt 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-12.  In the wilderness he was tempted by Satan and He showed us by His example how to confront temptation. Heb. 2:18  Jesus used the Word.  He said, "it is written..." God in His Word has also told us that there is no temptation that we can't bear, that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond that which we can bear. 1 Co. 10:13
   What are the consequences and results of sin? Romans 6:23, Psalm 107:17 Separation from God, spiritual death, eternal damnation to hell, physical pain and suffering, emotional pain, psychological problems, physical death, generational curses, imprisonment/jail,disease, sickness, loss of material possessions, disaster, tragedy, financial destruction, misery, despair, and afflication are some of the consequences. Throughout the Bible beginning with Adam and Eve there are numerous examples of those that sinned against God, i.e.: Samson, David, the prodigal son, numberous kings and nations, Judas, Joseph's brothers, and Herod to name a few.
   What are the types of sin? Stealing, murder, adlutery, lying coveting, immorality, debauchery, jealousy, etc.  In each case of sin noted in the Bible the individual or nation made a conscious choice to sin.  It didn't just accidentally happen or some how just appear.  They chose to disobey God, His laws, commandments, statutes, His word, His Holy Spirit, or His will.  Whether an individual or a nation -- example (Israel) God always provided them with a warning and confronted their sin before punishing the sin. The Bible provides us with numerous examples of how God sent angels, prophets, messengers to warn people of their sin, to repent, turn away from the evil they had done and turn bak to God.  God is patient, long suffering, just, merciful, and He keeps His promises. He has even changed His mind when it came to punishing someone or a nation. (If they repented). Jonah 3:10 -- Nineveh, 2 Kings 20:5-7 -- Hezekiah. However, when they refused to listen, continued in their sin and accepted the lie for "The Truth" then the punishmet was inevitable and swift. There is a saying that goes, "Sin will take you farther than you want to go, it will keep you longer than you want to stay and it will cost you more than you want to pay." John 8:34.  God classifies liars with murders.  God calls sin exactly what it is.  He doesn't make excuses for, have exceptions for or rationalize away the sin--as if it was due to a set of circumstances, situations, or the environment. The Bible says that we are not to add or take away from His Word.  It is both a statement and a warning with consequences for those that refuse to obey.  God says what He means and means what He says.  He doesn't lie like man.
      How then can we compromise with sin? 1 Co 10:21, Psalm 52:3  If we have accepted Jesus as our personal savior and the Lord of our life, we are "Born Again" and we know "The Truth" -- The Good News.  If we are no longer in the darkness, but walk in the light; how can we exchange "The Truth" for a lie. How can we knowingly give up even a small piece of what we know to be true for a falsehood, a lie, a deception.
     Jesus said that He was the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6. What is the "good News"?  Belief/faith in Jesus. (His life, his death on the cross, his resurrection) Romans 10:3, Acts 2:21, John 3:18. that means Jesus alone. Faith In Jesus plus nothing -- not a denomination, a church, a doctrine, a sacrament, a tradition, a program, a religion -- nothing else.  If we believe God's Word, the Holy Spirit inspired Word of God--The Bible, which reveals God's mind to us, who He is, who Jesus is, as well as how we should live -- how than can we compromise what we believe to be "The Truth" with sin (a lie)?  According to Webster's Dictionary, compromise means: to concede, to agree with, to amicably involve, concession.
     Is it okay to sin a little, maybe just now and then, only if it was unintentional (we just slipped)?  In order to avoid responsibility, we say, "It's really not my fault.  I couldn't help myself.  The devil made me do it.  It was peer pressure.  I didn't mean to do it."
     God said that He has given us authority over Satan and there is no temptation we can't bear or overcome. Luke 10:19, I co. 10:13, Jas 4:7, Matt. 18:7.  One way or another we allow sin into our lives when we: 1. don't believe God's Word,  2. don't obey God's Word,  3. allow the things of this world to become more important than the things of God.  Sin is sin, a lie is a lie (not a half truth) or (a white lie).  We make excuses for our behavior and do not accept the responsibility for our actions.  We blame others, i.e. as Adam blamed the woman God gave him and Eve blamed the serpent.  In His Word, God has told us that we are to be in the world, but not of the world.  The Bible says that we are not to be stumbling blocks to others. Romas 14:7, 8, 13, 14-16, 21-23. That means: even when we are ok with doing something; whatever we eat, drink or do -- that even when we know in our relationship with Jesus we are not guilty of sin by doing what we believe to be right or even if our own conscience (the Holy Spirit) does not convict us of wrong doing and we are free to do it, if however; it will cause our brother or sister in the Lord to sin or withdraw from their relationship with Jesus -- then we are not free to do it.  No matter what "it" is.
I Corinthians 6:12, I Corinthians 10:23-33.  If we commit an act that is sin, or that causes sin or results in the sin of another--it doesn't make any difference.  We are responsible! ICorinthians 8:9-13
     Cain asked God, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Who did Jesus say was my brother? If by my actions or lack of action I cause someone else to sin against God--am I responsible? What does the Bible say about innocent blood? What is the second greatest commandment? Galatians 5:13-14. How then can we compromise with sin? Not only for our sake, but for others. As fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, husbands, or wives we all effect someone else by our behavior, our attitude, our speech, our actions, our body language, or our facial expressions.  They are affected by what we do or in some cases what we don't do. Jas 4:17. I am not responsible for the sins that they commit on their own, but if I lead them astray, away from a relationship with Jesus, away from His Word, His salvation -- am I not responsible and won't I be held accountable for my actions? Psalm 101:7, Proverbs 12:17, 22; Proverbs 19:5, 9. The Bible says if I preach a false gospel, any other gospel except the gospel of Jesus Christ then I sin against God. The Bible says that if I add to or take away from God's Word I sin against Him. By compromising His gospel or His Word I exchange "The Truth" for a lie.  Is there any difference between that sin and stealing, bearing false witness against my neighbor, adultery, murder, or immorality? In God's eyes are there degrees of sin or is it the same? Are there little sins and bigger sins? Is it the number of sins that God looks at, i.e. 2 vs 20?
     If according to the Bible SIN is SIN, then--How can we compromise His Word? How do we hold our tongue or not speak about false doctrines? How do we not tell others about the Lie that they are involved with when it is "The Truth" that  will set them free? How can we partake of any other doctrine or a church service that leads people away from "The Truth", away from Jesus and His gospel? Can we participate in another faith if that belief or doctrine conflicts with "The Truth"? I John 1:6-7. Is it ok if that denomination, religion, or church claims to be a Christian organization and does good works or has vast numbers of people that are members?  Is it ok to accept some of the Lie, some of the falsehood, some of the deception, and call it Good (to call evil good)? In exchange for what? If part of a statement is true, but the whole statement is not--is it true or false? If the foundation of a structure is bad  then the whole building is unsafe, unstable and will collapse.  If you build on sand? Can you combine the Word of God with man's traditions? What does God say about the traditions of man? Matthew 15:3-9. What did Jesus have to say about the Sadducees and the Pharisees? Paul said that he would be all things to all people in order to win them to Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:20-23. That didn't mean he would become a drunk to talk to drunks, or a drug addict to talk to addicts, or become involved in sin to talk to sinners in order to win them to Christ.
     Question? Are Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Naturalism, New Age Movement, Athesim, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Freemasonry, Spiritism, Scientology, Seventh Day Adventists false religions or cults and in conflit with the Gospel Of Jesus Christ? Is the Roman Catholic Church any different?
     When we say we can agree with Roman Catholicism on the basics (the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith), aren't we compromising the Word of God? Are we using the Bible as the standard by which we should be comparing questions of faith and doctrine or using the traditions of men? Can we really agree with and concede to the Roman Catholic translation of the Word of God (Their Bible), agree with establishment of the Papacy, the infallibility of the Pope and the College of Bishops, agree to the Roman Catholic Sacraments, the Sacrifice of the Mass, agree with the worship of Mary and the Saints, the baptism of babies, the establishment of the hierarchy of the Church and the veneration of Priests (Matthew 23:9), Bishops, Cardinals, etc, agree with the Roman Catholic cannon (law), Roman Catholic catechism, the use of the rosary, agree with the forgiveness of sins by a priest, agree with their acceptance of Pagan Hoidays and rituals dating back to the Greek and Roman Empire. (Praying to the dead, Mardi Gras or celebrating Saints holidays to name a few). The list goes on and on. Can we truly even agree on who they say Jesus was, His life, death, and resurrection. (In that they combine faith in Jesus plus works, the sacraments and complete obedience to the Church, the Pope and Catholic Law as conditions for salvation.) When Jesus died "once for all" what did that mean? I Peter 3:18. What did he mean when he said, "it is finished."? Catholicism through the mass sacrifices him over and over. Hebrews 10:11-18, 9:25-26.
     Is that the Gospel Paul preached? Other so called Christian religions say they believe in Jesus. (They believe he was a great prophet, one of many gods, a good man, a great man, that he was one of the sons of God, etc, etc.) If there is no difference between theRoman Catholic Church and other False religions then why should we treat it any differently?
     Because it claims to be Chrisian? (so do the cults) Because of its works? (read the history and atrocities of the Catholic Church including the present) Because the members of the Church are good people, prominent people in the community such as judges, doctors, lawyers, elected officials, businessmen, etc? Naturally in South Louisiana and especially in Southwestern Louisiana the dominant religion is Roman Catholic. The majority of our neighbors, friends, coworkers, and people we do business with are probably Roman Catholics. (There are probably a lot more Mormons in Utah than Catholics, but that doesn't change the status of the Mormon church as a cult.) What does The Word say about being a respecter of persons? Are we suppose to treat people differently because of who they are, what they do, how much money they have? Question? Are they "born again", are they saved, do they have a personal relationship with Jesus, do they know Jesus as Lord of their life? Or do they need to be told "The Truth"? Are they living a lie and headed to hell because they have been led astray?
     If a Catholic or anyone else who is a member of a false religion or cult doesn't see a difference in a "Born Again" Christian and how they live, act, speak, work, etc because they have compromised with sin, why would they want to know "The Truth"?
    Can you compromise with sin? What does it mean to compromise your beliefs, your faith, your principles, your integrity? Aren't we guilty of leading people to believe that there is no difference by not speaking, by our omission of our disagreement, by keeping silent or even more so in attending any Catholic religious function: a baptism, a wedding, a confirmaation or any false religion activity or cult function? Aren't we guilty of leading people to believe that there is no difference? When we participate in or attend such a function aren't we in essence by our presence agreeing with Roman Catholic dogma, doctrine, or cannon? By just being there, aren't we conceding our agreement? In I Corinthians 10:31  Paul reminds us "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God". Paul also notes in Corinthians that we have the liberty or the freedom to do all things through Christ, but we can't use that freedom as an excuse to sin again. Romans 5:13 states that we should not use our freedom to indulge our sinful nature, but serve one another in love.
     Where do you draw the line in compromising? Is it even up to you to draw the line or has God already established the line not to cross? Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors. He was accused by the Pharisees of being a sinner because they saw him with sinners, but Jesus didn't sin. Mark 2:17, Matt. 9:10. Jesus didn't go eat with them to socialize and just visit. The Bible is very specific about prohibiting certain behaviors, actions or practices, etc. For example: witchcraft, Satanism, homosexuality, contacting the dead, astrology, fortune telling, divination, mediums, psychics, palmistry, etc. Question? Even though you are not a witch -- is it okay to celebrate Halloween? Is it okay to read your horoscope, have your palm read, have your future/fortune told, play with a Ouija board, a crystal ball, buy spells or charms, purchase paraphernalia related to the occult, voodoo or have seances, play games about ghosts? You are not the palmist, the medium, the fortune teller, the maker of the games or cultic objects, but you participate in these prohibited behaviors.  Are you guilty of sin (disobeying the Word of God)? God has drawn a line regarding these practices--that you should not cross. In the same way, if you were asked by someone or you received an invitation to go: Would you attend a wedding for two homosexuals or lesbians? Would you participate in a service at a Mormon Church, a Church of Scientology, or a witches' coven? Is there any difference in attending these events and the prohibited practices noted above? Or participating in or attending practices by the Roman Catholic church?
     Are there Roman Catholics who have become "real" Christians and have a relationship with Jesus? Yes, but it is in spite of the Catholic church not because of it. Some Catholics that no longer believe the "lie" say that they stay in the Catholic church to help others know "The Truth". These reformed Catholics are no longer considered to be 100% practicing Catholics. (according to Catholic cannon and doctrine) because they no longer adhere to or accept Catholic theology, cannon or doctrine.  The majority of Catholics that become "Born Again" Christians leave the Roman Catholic church and seek "Bible based, non-denominational, spirit-filled churches."
     Non-believers, the unsaved or those that are not "Born Again" Christians do not see a discernible difference in so called Christian denominations.  Each group has a building, a church, where followers meet or gather. Each group has services, masses or fellowship on Sundays and weekdays. Each group claims to know Jesus and uses His name. Each group claims to us the Word of God -- a Bible.  Each group apparently does good works, has Sunday schools, Bible study, instructional classes, and has some type of outreach programs in the community. There appear to be many similarities on the surface yet underneath they are vastly different. Jesus warned that there would be many false prophets, many false religions, false replicas of the gospel. Often the deception or the lie is subtle. The subterfuge is cunning and artful. Satan is the master and father of all lies. He will use whatever he can to draw people away from Jesus, away from the truth and salvation. How then can we compromise with sin? With the lie? There is only "one Truth", "One Gospel", and One Jesus"!
     When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior didn't we enter into a covenant with God.  A covenant that requires us to live a specific type of life, a covenant that requires us to follow Jesus, that requires us to serve God, and to accept and follow His will for our lives. Luke 9:23. When we break that covenant with God by sinning against Him we place ourselves outside God's protection and we allow Satan to have free access to our lives. We give him permission to come into our heart, our mind, our emotions, and our feelings. When we break the covenant we not only break it with God, but also with all our brothers and sisters in the Lord that are part of the Body of Christ. (We bring sin into the camp.) The sin we cause reflects not only on us, but all "Born Again" Christians. Aren't we also suppose to be the Temple of the living God with His spirit living in us? The Bible asks the question: How can we partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons?
     Question? Can you sit in a topless bar, drink alcohol and then witness to the unsaved people in the bar? Can you go to a casino, gamble, and smoke and drink alcohol and then witness to the unsaved in that casino about Jesus? Can you listen to an off color/vulgar or racist joke--participate in the laughter or maybe just stand there and not say anything and then try to witness to those same people about Jesus? No matter what the example, can you compromise with sin and then try to witness to the unsaved? (Shouldn't we also avoid even the appearance of immorality, ungodly conduct, or impropriety?) So as not to be a stumbling block or bring a reproach on the body of Christ and the name we bear.
    Is there any difference then in compromising with the doctrines, laws, rituals and/or practices of the Roman Catholic Church or any false religion or cult? Some people might ask how much compromise does it take before it is sin? At what point does it become sin? Have you ever lied in your life about anything? Then you are aliar and a sinner. Have you ever stolen anything in your life? Taken anything that was not yours? Called in sick at work and you weren't sick? Then you are a thief and a sinner. Have you ever coveted (wanted, desired, longed for, thought about) something that belonged to someone else and wished that it was yours? Then you have sinned. Have you ever dishonored your parents, disobeyed them, argued with them? Then you violated one of the commandments and have sinned. Jesus said that you have sinned against your brother if you say you hate him. As noted earlier, "Sin Is Sin". It isn't just a physical act, but your thoughts, your attitudes or your motives. There is no difference if it is an inch or a mile, if it is one sin or twenty--it becomes sin when you do it--as soon as you do it. The moment you give into that thought, idea, action, motive, etc. It is when you don't resist, you don't immediately repent and turn away from temptation, but dwell on it, continue to think about it and go over it and over in your mind until you are no longer being tempted, but have become actively involved in it.
     (Note--just being tempted is not sin) Jesus was tempted, but didn't sin. Either you walk in the light or in the darkness. You are either serving God or Satan. Can you compromise with sin even though:

it will affect your personal relationship with God
it will affect the power of the Holy Spirit in your life
it may cause someone else to stumble
it will bring sin into the camp of believers
it will bring a reproach on the body of Christ
it will break your covenant with God
it will allow Satan to enter through an open door into your life
it will place you outside of God's protections for your life
it will affect your testimony and witness to the unsaved
it can affect your relationship with your family, (your immediate family and your local church family) as well as other born again believers.
 
Exodus 34:12 

Part 2
 
The Basics or Fundamentals of Christianity,
Evangelical Protestantism VS Roman Catholicism,
Agreement or Disagreement

The Basics:

The inerrancy of the Bible -- The Word of God
The virgin birth of Jesus -- Who is Jesus?
The doctrine of substitution atonement -- The death of Jesus
The Good News -- salvation

   Evangelical Protestants believe that Sola scriptura -- "by scripture alone" is the doctrine that the Bible contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness.  Consequently, Sola scripture, demands that only those doctrines are to be admitted or confessed that are found directly within or indirectly by using valid logical deduction or valid deductive reasoning from scripture. It demands that all other authorities are subordinate to, are to be corrected by, the written Word of God. Scripture is its own interpreter, clear to the rational reader and it is self-authenticating and sufficient of itself to be the final authority of Christian doctrine.  Sola scripture sees the Bible as the only final authority in matters of faith and practice. The Bible is the only divinely inspired book and the only source of divinely revealed knowledge. Scripture alone is the formal principle of the faith, the final authority for all matters of faith and morals because of its inspiration, authority, clarity, efficacy and sufficiency. Holy scripture is the direct, immediate Word of God. It carries the full authority of God. Every single statement of the Bible calls for instant, unqualified, and unrestricted acceptance.  Every doctrine of the Bible is the teaching of God and requires full agreement. The Bible presents all doctrines and commands of Christian faith clearly. God's Word is freely accessible to every reader or hearer of ordinary intelligence without any special interpreter, special education or training. As a result no one needs to wait for any clergy, pope, scholar, or ecumenical council to explain the real meaning of any part of the Bible. Scripture is united with the power of the Holy Spirit; therefore, it creates acceptance of its teaching. There are no deficiencies in Scripture that need to be filled with or by traditions, pronouncements of the Pope, new revelations, or present-day development of doctrine.  Sola scriptura rejects any original infallible authority, other than the Bible.  All secondary authority is derived from the authority of the scriptures and is therefore subject to reform when compared to the teachings of the Bible.This includes church councils, preachers, biblical commentators, private revelation or even a message from an alleged angel.  According to Sola scripture, the Church does not speak infallibly in its traditions, but only in Scripture.  The Church is to be judged by Scripture not the Scripture judged by the Church. Note! The apocryphal books that are included in and part of the Roman Catholic Bibles were not written by the prophets, by divine inspiration; they contain errors and were never included in the Palestinian Cannon that Jesus used. They are therefore not part of Holy Scripture.
     According to Roman Catholicism, it teaches that scripture is not the only infallible source of Christian doctrine. For them scripture is but one of three equal authorities; the other two being Sacred Catholic tradition and the episcopacy.  In the Catholic Church, this teaching authority is referred to as the Magisterium understood to be embodied in the episcopacy--the aggregation of the current bishops in union with the Pope.  The Roman Catholic church also believes that the Church (the Pope, the college of Bishops, councils) has the authority to establish or restrict interpretation of Scriptures.  This is seen in its selection of books included in the Catholic Bible that are considered Biblical Canon through its traditions. Biblical Canon is viewed by Roman Catholicism as part of the Church's tradition as defined by its leadership. Catholics include Apostolic Tradition as a source of original authority along side the Bible. 1 Corinthians 10:4. Roman Catholicism is motivated by their belief that authoritative doctrine can also come from tradition. When the term "Tradition" is used by the Roman Catholic Church, they often refer to the "Catholic Fathers" in defining what tradition is. According to the Catholic encyclopedia, the "Catholic Fathers" were a group of men in the early history of the church who were catholic scholars, catholic intellectuals, and catholic theologians. For example: Cyprian, Orien, Cyril, Hilary, Jerome, Ambrose, Augustine, Tertullian, etc. These so called "traditions" are unwritten and are a body of undefined teachings. The contents and limits of this teaching are not available for inspection or study. You can't go to a library and read them for yourself. The writings of the Catholic Church Fathers are not themselves tradition, but are called witnesses to tradition. They were mortal men who were not infallible or divine. They often could not even agree on what was "Tradition" and they often contradicted one another.  All of the doctrines and teachings that proceed from  Catholic Tradition are not found in scripture. If "Tradition" is unwritten where do you go to establish its contents if you can't use scripture. According to the Catholic Church, you must to the Magisterium, the Catholic Bishops, who claim to be the successors of the apostles and to whom the apostolic traditions were supposedly transmitted from hand to hand. The magisterial claims for example that such doctrines as: papal supremacy, the Immaculate Conception, Assumption and other Marian dogmas are found in tradition. But the problem lies in the fact that those same bishops who appeal to tradition as their divine source of their teaching are themselves that same tradition since they had supposedly received the unwritten teachings from their predecessors. The concept of Tradition is a convenient excuse for the Roman Catholic Church magisterial to teach whatever they desire as if it is the Word of God and without any accountability whatsoever. Tradition is their Carte Blanche. "Tradition" is the magician's hat, out of which the Roman magisterial can pull any new theological rabbit and call it the Word of God.
      Prima scripture used by the Catholic church in contrast to Sola scripture holds that there are other guides for what a believer should believe and how he should live his life. Examples of this include: views of experts, mystical insight, angelic visitations, revelations, and the spirit of the times. The "apocryphal" books are included in the Catholic Bible because they contain those scriptures that are considered to be canon by the hierarchy of the church and because those books foster information regarding church dogma such as praying to the dead, assumption of Mary, and the doctrine of purgatory.
     (Evangelical Protestants and Roman Catholics disagree as to what each considers to be distortions, misinterpretations, and mistranslations of scripture.)
     Evangelical Protestants believe Sola fide (by faith alone) is the teaching that justification (being declared just by God) is received by faith alone.  Roman Catholics believe that faith plus good works yield justification. The true distinction between the Protestant and the Catholic view of "Justification" is not an issue of being declared righteous versus being made righteous, but rather the means by which one is Justified. Protestants believe that Faith is not a human response, but the work of God through the means of grace. Also that indulgences or human prayers add nothing to one's righteousness.  In Catholic theology righteous works are considered meritorious(receiving merit) toward salvation in addition to faith. In Protestant theology righteous works are seen as the result and evidence of a truly Justified and regenerate believer who has received these by faith alone.
     In Catholic theology the means by which Justification is applied is the Sacrament of Baptism.  In Catholic theology Faith is not a prerequisite to Justification. Justification and Sanctification are infused into the soul by baptism which means that even before someone has exercised his faith or in the case of infants even before they have the ability to consciously understand the Gospel and respond with faith they are Justified.
     In Protestant theology the Faith of the individual is absolutely necessary and is it self the efficient and sufficient response of the individual that effects Justification. According to Roman Catholic history the doctrine of Justification was introduced into the church theology by Augustine and made dogma by the Council of Trent during the sixteenth century.  It was during the medieval period that baptism and penance were linked with Justification. Catholic theology states that God's righteousness was begun in Baptism and continued (perfected) through penance. The idea of confession to a priest existed in the Catholic Church in the second century, but did not become a widespread practice in the Catholic Church until the early medieval period. Pope "Leo the Great" solidified the supreme authority of the "Roman Bishop" in the church and belief in a priesthood. Baptism was developed to address the problem of original sin and confession to cleanse the effect of actual sin. The concept of merit was introduced into the Catholic church by Tertullian and then later fully developed during the medieval period. Thomas Aquinas introduced Renaissance Humanism into the Roman Catholic Church during the medieval period. Aquinas considered himself Augustinian in his theology although he preferred to express his philosophical views in Aristotelian (Aristotle) terms rather than the Platonic (Plato) language of Augustine. The Augustinianism of Aquinas dominated medieval church soteriology (beliefs about salvation)existing alongside the works orientation of the sacramental system.
     Evangelical Protestant theology rejects the Roman Catholic practices of infant baptism, a special class of priesthood, confession to a priest, the act of penance including the use of a rosary or indulgences, the papacy, the classification of venial and mortal sin, faith plus works and sacraments, and the introduction of secular humanism into the church. Its disagreement again stems from the Roman Catholic Church's use of man made traditions, as well as misinterpretations, distortions, misrepresentations of scripture and the introduction of mysticism.
     In the Summa Theologiae written by Thomas Aquinas the subject of atonement is addressed and as a result the Roman Catholic Church adopted his understanding of atonement into its current understanding. Aquinas argued that Christ's death satisfies the penalty owed by sin and that it was Christ's Passion specifically that was needed to pay the debt of man's sin. Consequently Christ's Passion merited salvation, not only for himself, but likewise for all His members. And that the atonement consisted in more than what was required to compensate God for the offense of the whole human race. Thus Aquinas articulated the formal beginning of the idea of a super abundance of merit which became the basis for the Roman Catholic concept of the Treasury Of Merit. Aquinas also articulated the ideas of salvation that are now standard within the Catholic Church: that justifying grace is provided through the sacraments; that the condign merit of our actions is matched by Christ's merit from the Treasury of Merit; that sins can be classified as mortal and venial.
     According to the doctrines accepted from Aquinas, the Roman Catholic Church believes that one is saved by drawing on the merit of Christ which is provided through the sacraments of the Church.  Righteousness is then said to be increased by participation in these sacraments.  The concept of merit was elevated to the status of infallible dogma by the Council of Trent. Roman Catholics over look the fact that Scripture teaches that grace and meritorious service are mutually exclusive. Romans 11:6.  The New Testament clearly speaks out against obtaining salvation as a reward for work done.  Romans 4:4-5.  The Council of Trent states "those who work well unto the end and who trust in God life eternal is to be proposed, both as a grace mercifully promised...And as a recompense which is to be faithfully given to their good works and merit." The Bible clearly states that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.  In direct opposition to the Roman Catholic position, the Bible guarantees eternal life is a present possession of those who believe. Nevertheless, according to the Roman Catholic view, one must wait for a final justification at death to know whether he or she has eternal life. Roman Catholicism fails to recognize the important difference between working for salvation and working from salvation. Evangelical Protestants work from salvation---not for it. For Evangelical Protestants, God works salvation in us by Justification and we work it out in Sanctification.  But neither Justification or Sanctification can be merited by works; they are given by grace. Phil. 2:12-13
   If the Roman Catholic concept of salvation is correct then the entire Gospel of John is incorrect because John laid down only one condition for obtaining eternal life -- "belief." John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 20:31.  John states explicitly that the only work necessary for salvation is to believe. John 6:29.  There is nothing else to do. Jesus did it all! John 19:31.
    In regard to the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, the Roman Catholic Church and Evangelical Protestants differ as to what it means and the purpose of Jesus' death.  Evangelical Protestants believe that Christ's death on the cross was payment for a specific penalty for the sins of individual people, that Christ suffered the punishment -- the penalty that was due us. His death is for all those that God has called to be saved and accept his free gift of salvation. It rejects the need for condign merit and penance. According to the Catholic catechism, the Roman Catholic Church believes that Christ's death, his sacrifice, was for all humanity, his sacrifice is closely tied to the concepts of merit and penance including the priesthood, confession to a priest, and the sacraments.
    As with the other fundaments or basics already noted Evangelical Protestants and the Roman Catholic Church differ/disagree on a host of other theological issues and subjects including; the virgin birth of Jesus. Protestants do agree with the Roman Catholic Church that Jesus was born of a virgin -- Period!
    The Roman Catholic Church has established an entire cult of Mary, whereby Mary has been glorified to a position equal with Jesus, that she is worshiped and prayed to as an intercessor, and that she has the power in heaven to grant blessings, heal sickness, etc. The Catholic TV network EWTN promotes the worship of Mary worldwide. The National Catholic Register is owned and operated by EWTN which is the largest religious media network in the world. The Register is a Catholic newspaper and online news source that provides and promotes information on several Catholic topics:  Catholic education, Catholic art, Catholic travel, Catholic websites and Catholic radio stations. It promotes books about the worship and divinity of Mary all over the world. The Catholic church schedules routine tours and healing retreats to the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Roman Catholics do not believe Mary had other children. They believe she remained a virgin and at her death and was ascended/lifted  bodily into heaven as Jesus was. Catholics can earn a degree in the Theology of Mary at the International Marian Research Institute.
     The Catholic Church at the Council of Epheus A.D. 431, declared Mary the Mother of God (God is the Alpha and Omega - He has no beginning and no end.) By the seventh century four Marian feasts were being held in Rome: the annunciation, the purification, the assumption, and the nativity of Mary. To these feasts were added the conception of Mary. Marian devotion blossomed between the eleventh and fifteenth centuries. The rosary which is used by Catholics in penance after confession to a priest (according to the Bible there is only one intercessor between God and man -- Jesus) Acts 4:11,12   The rosary contains three groups of beads known as Hail Mary. The penitent sinner must recite a specific number of Hail Marys and Our Fathers issued by the priest as an act of contrition (which is in direct opposition/contradiction of what the Bible teaches regarding repetitious prayers). The angelus is the recitation of prayers to Mary at morning, afternoon, and evening at the sound of a bell. In 1849, in the Ubi Primum by Pope Pius IX, he stated: "For God has committed to Mary the treasury of all good things, in order that everyone may know that through her are obtained every hope, every grace, and all salvation. Luke 11:27-28. For it his will, that we obtain everything through Mary. In 1954, Pope Pius IX promulgated the dogma of the Immaculate Conception -- that Mary was free from original sin from the moment of her conception. (The Bible states that there was only one sinless person -- Jesus). In 1855, The "Mass of the Most Pure Heart" was instituted by the Catholic church to honor Mary and to constitute devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In 1950, Pope Pius XII defined the bodily assumption of the Virgin Mary -- that on her death she was raised body and soul into heaven (there is no such event or scripture noted in the Bible) and was made Queen of Heaven where she sits at the right hand of Jesus. In 1954, Pope Pius XII in his Encylical - The Queenship of Mary proclaimed that Mary reigned over the entire world and would be known by all Catholics as the Queen of Heaven. In May 19814, Pope John Paul II was shot four times. He believed the reason he wasn't killed was because of Mary -- Our Lady of Fatima. Thus Pope John Paul's personal motto was "Totus Tuus Sum Maria" which means "Mary, I am all yours." His complete devotion to Mary was the example for all Catholics. In 1984, he consecrated "the entire world" to Mary. Besides the Queen of Heaven she is also called:  Queen of the Universe, the Seat of Wisdom, the spouse of the Holy Spirit, the Queen of the Rosary, Mary Most Holy, Mother of the Church, Universal Mediatrix, Co-Redemptrix, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our Lady of Guadalupe and nuymerous others honoring her as divine. the only mention of the phrase/title "Queen of Heaven" in the Bible is noted in Jeremiah 44:15-18; 7:18; 44:25. Also read Revelation 12:1-6, (The woman noted here is interpreted as Israel). In Genesis 37:9-11(The sun and moon represent Jacob and Leah and the eleven stars represent his brothers), I John 2:1-2.
The World Apostolate of Fatima/The Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima has the authority of the Catholic Church to teach church doctrine (see--- Catholic cannon 301 #1). This means that Mariology plays an important role in establishing the doctrine of the Catholic church outside that of the Cardinal of Bishops. Our Lady of Fatima is a title given Mary as a result of the three part visitation of an apparition (also known as the three secrets) in Fatima, Portugal. In the visitation a supernatural apparition of Mary appeared to three children: Lucia Santes and her two cousins. According th the children, Mary identified herself as the Lady of the Rosary and demanded that the children do penance and acts of reparation. As a result, the children subsequently inflicted pain on themselves, including self-flagellatin and mortification of their flesh. They were told to say the rosary numerous times because the Lady told them that the saying of the rosary was the key to personal and world peace. According to Part 2 of the message from Mary, she stated..."God wishes to establish in this world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, souls will be saved and there will be peace..." Our Lady of Fatima promised that whoever followed the specific steps of reparation for sins against her Immaculate Heart would be given at the hour of their death the graces necessary for salvation. Cardinal Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI (until he resigned and was replaced by Cardinal Bergoglio who was elected as Pope Francis in Mar.2013), was head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (so named in 1965 -- previously known in 1542 as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition and in 1904 known as the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office). As head of that office then Cardinal Ratzinger approved of the Fatima events and voiced his approval for acceptance of the apparitions and messages as "worthy of belief" for the Catholic church. As Pope he continued his dedication and worship of Mary. Pope Francis has also continued in the footsteps of Pope Benedict in the worship of Mary. A congregation is defined as a type of dicostery (department of the Roman Curia - which is the central administrative organism of the Catholic church). The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is the oldest of all the nine congregations. It was and is among the most active of the congregations and overseas the Doctrine (what is and isn't accepted as faith) of the Catholic church. It is located in the Vatican. Extrabiblical eschatological (end of times) prophecies as well as church traditions have been added to the scriptures over the years by the Catholic church via The Congregation for the Doctrice of the Faith.
    John 2:4 "Woman what concern is that to me?" When you read the story of the wedding at Cana and see Jesus' reply to Mary when she told him "They have no more wine." it is obvious that Mary has no power or authority in heaven to act as a mediator in behalf of Jesus or have any special pwers on her own. Jesus didn't intend any disrespect to his mother, but used the statement ("Woman what have I to do with thee? or Woman what busines hast thou with me? or Woman what does that have to do with me?) as a reproof because he wanted her to know that she was not in control of or had the authority or power to direct him in performing a miracle. That He as God had a Father in heaven, whose business He came to do and in that and in His office as Mediator -- she had nothing to do with Him. That they had nothing in common nor was He to be directed by her in that work or be told by her when a miracle should be wrought by Him. Mary understood what Jesus said and responded by telling the servants "Do whatever he tells you to do". She didn't tell them -- my son will be providing more wine or tell the servants that she wanted more jars. She understood that Jesus was in charge - not her! The Bible states that everything Jesus did he did because of the will of the Father - not because Mary asked him to do something.
     Once before when Jesus was a child he had to remind Mary who he was (eventhough and angel had already told her). Luke 2:49. As a child Jesus had remained at the temple. When Mary (along with Jospeh) found him, she asked "Why have you troubled us like this? We have been searching for you anxiously." Jesus replied, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know I must be about my Father's business" Or "in my Father's house". Again as in John 2:4, Jesus didn't mean any disrespect, but gave Mary a mild reproof, "How is it you are looking for me?" In other words, Mary, you should have not have left my company to begin with, you know that I am constantly employed in performing the will of my Father, that's why I was sent here. You should have known that as the Son of God I would be safe and that my heavenly Father would protect me. Mary had no spiritual authority to demand anything from Jesus or control Him -- then or now. Even after Jesus spoke those words in 2:49 she still didn't understand (Luke 2:50) Why not? Mary had been visited by an angel and he told her who Jesus was. Joseph had three dreams and he knew who Jesus was. At his birth three wise men came to worship him and angels sang. Simeon at the temple told Mary and Joseph who Jesus was. Mary deserves the blessings and respect noted in Luke 1:26-45, but she is not divine nor does she have any special pwers or authority to forgive sins, grant salvation or create miracles. She was a Jewish mother and a human being. (She was not born sinless.) According to scripture, Jesus honored his parents (mother and step father) and left with them. There was no disrespect in his comments.
     In Genesis 3:15, according to the Catholic (Latin) Vulgate version of scripture, it reads, "I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed; she shall crush thy head and thy shall lie in wait for her heel." The Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible agrees with the Vulgate. The Hebrew Text version states, " I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head and you shall lie in wait to bruise his heel." The Greek Septuagint version is in agreement with the Hebrew Text and also differs from the Vulgate. "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed; he shall watch against thy head and thee shall watch against his heel." According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the Catholic interpretation of this scripture from the Vulgate: it is Mary who will inflict the mortal wound upon the serpent, Satan. The Protestant interpretation of the scripture from the Hebrew states that Jesus is the one who will destroy Satan. Jesus defeated Satan by His death on the cross. Galatians 3:16; Hebrews 2:14. Mary gave birth to Jesus, but she has no claim to His victory. Anything that takes away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ is blaspheme and heresy.  The Catholic Church disagrees with the three Protestant interpretations noted above. Their interpretations coincide with the Roman Catholic church's doctrine of faith promoting the worship and divinity of Mary. Luke 7:35
     Idolatry is prohibited in the Bible. Exodus 20:3-4, Acts 15:19-21.  The Roman Catholic church, however, promotes and approves of the veneration and worship of images, scapulars and statutes of Mary. What is an idol? It is defined as an image or other material object representing a deity to which worship is addressed or a person or a thing regarded with blind adoration or devotion. A cult image is a religious term used to define a man made object that is venerated for the "deity" it represents. The worship of statues of Mary and other images of Mary go back to the fourth century in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. It stems from the Roman Catholic Church's long history of the veneration of relics and the practice of indulgences -- including up to the present day as well as the Roman Catholic church's relationship to the pagan statues, gods and religions of the Romans and Greeks.  Throughout the Bible, God condemns idolatry as spiritual adultery and prohibits worship to him that combines idolatry with the praise and honor that belongs to Him alone. The Catholic Church denies the accusation of idolatry and states that they, the hierarchy of the Church, have explained to the worshippers that the worship they are performing goes through the statue or image to the person they are worshiping. The truth is that no matter what the Church says -- the parishioners react to the images and statues as if it, the object, is the receiver of the devotion because they believe that's what the church teaches. Even though the church says they prohibit the practice -- it continues. And, of course, they deify Mary. Romans 1:25 According to Article 1 Chapter 14 of the book entitled The Mother of Our Savior by Fr. Reginal Garrigou-Lagrange, a prominent Catholic author, the word cult is defined as honor paid in a spirit of submission and dependence to a superior individual because of his/her excellence.  In contrast, Webster's dictionary defines cult as a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious, a system of religious beliefs embodying devoted attachment to a person, a system of worship surrounding the subject of devotion. In Catholic theology, Mary receives "Hyperdulia" (meaning extra special reverence or supreme duria). According to several Catholic theologians, "The Cult of Hyperdulia leads effectively to Salvation -- for Mary can obtain grace of final perseverance for those who faithfully pray for it to her." In other words, if you pray enough to Mary you can receive salvation. The Bible says that Jesus is the only way to salvation -- NOT Mary.
    When you study and research in depth the canon, the catechism, the doctrines, the theology, the dogma and the history of the Roman Catholic Church you can only come to one conclusion -- when it comes to the things that matter there is nothing to agree with. Roman Catholicism is purely an external religion and their only fear of God is a matter of memorized creeds and rote prayers of penance. (The bible states that we should not pray as the pagans do saying the same prayers over and over again.) "They profess to honor God with their lips, but their heart is far from him." Mark 7:6-8.  Their worship is worthless because they give a higher priority to the traditions of men than to the Word of God. By their crafty and subtle twisting of words and scripture they defile the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Beginning with the apostolic succession of popes they have created an entire system based on counterfeit faith and a lie that leads people away from "The Truth" and into darkness.
Matthew 16;18-19,  1 Co 3:11,  Eph. 2:20,  1 Co 10:4,  Acts 4:11,  1 Peter 2:4-8,  Luke 6:46,  Psalm 19:14,  Psalm 31:23,  Psalm 78:35
    Matthew 23:9 "And do not call anyone on earth 'father', for you have one Father and He is in heaven." or "And don't address anyone here on earth as Father for only God in heaven should be addressed like that." Evangelical Protestants believe that they should not acknowledge any man as their Spiritual Father here on earth. In this sense the word "father" denotes authority, eminence, superiority and a claim to a particular type of respect. It belongs eminently to God alone -- only God has that supreme authority. Mark 12:29. Evangelical Protestants do not recognize any man as an infallible spiritual teacher, rabbi, reverend, right reverend, very reverend or priest. The admonition by Jesus in Matthew does not apply to a biological father, a natural or civil relationship/distinction among men. The warning from Jesus to the apostles was against them assuming any type of ecclesiastical superiority or claiming titles as the Pharisees or scribes (including the title "Master"). Mat. 23:10
     The Roman Catholic church, however, in direct contradiction to Matthew 23:9 uses the title "Father" in reference to Roman Catholic priests and the Pope. See also Malachi 1:6  The Catholic church venerates the position of Catholic priest and Pope to a level that supplants God's authority as the only one that deserves such respect. The term priest is derived from the Latin: sacerdotium and sacerdos. It refers to the ministry of the Catholic priesthood as he acts "in the person of Christ" to administer the holy sacraments of the Catholic church for the sake of the Catholic faithful and as a teacher of the Catholic faith. The use of the title "Father" in this sense is not just a job title or position distinction but denotes a SPIRITUAL relationship to the Catholic faithful.
     The title Pope is derived from the Latin -- Papa which means "father". According to the Catholic encyclopedia, the term is used to denote a high spiritual leader. The title or name Pope is not in the Bible. The other titles given to the Pope besides "Holy Father" are: Summus Pontifes -- is known as The High Priest of the College of Pontiffs which was the most important Priesthood of ancient pagan Rome; Roman Pontifex Maxiums -- Chief Bishop of the Church of Rome. The highest office in the state religion of ancient pagan Rome. Julius Caesar was given the title of Pontifex Maximus in 63 BC; The Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church -- which is used to illustrate the issue of the Pope's primacy. This title was adapted from Pontifex Maximus; The Successor of the Chief of the Apostles -- the successor of Peter (who the Catholic church states was the first Pope); The Vicar of Christ -- which means the Bishop of Christ, the Priest of Christ (the Bible states that there is no mediator between God and man except Jesus). 1 Tim 2:5.  There is nothing biblical in the establishment of a religious system that requires Jesus to have a man represent Him on earth; Patriarch of the West--denotes the Pope as one of the seven patriarchs or Father of the "Holy See: (the Holy See is the central government of the Catholic church also referred to as the Vatican). The Pope is also referred to as "His Holiness" (Romans 3:23) and "Bishop of Rome". The term bishop is derived from the Greek -- Episcopol -- meaning "overseer" and the title Bishop of Rome stems from the legacy of the pagan Emperor Constantine.(There is no historical evidence that Constantine ever became a Christian.) In the Catholic church bishops are considered to possess the fullness of the priesthood, they are teachers of doctrine and the priests of sacred worship.
     According to numerous Roman Catholic sources: Catholic Cannon, Catholic catechism, Catholic encyclical letters, Catholic councils, and Catholic ecclesiastical articles, the Pope is considered by the Roman Catholic church as: God (to be God) on earth.  The Bible says that there is only one God! DT 6:4, 2 Sa 7:22, ISA. 43:10, Mk. 12:29, 1 co 8:4-6, Eph 4:6
      The example of the "Body" noted in the Bible is of one Body with many members or parts. 1 Corinthians 12:14-26
The Body of Christ, "The church," is not a physical building or structure, but consists of its members. The example we have is many parts: hands, feet, toes, fingers all working together for the good of the whole body with each part performing a different function, but all equally important. Roman Catholicism, the Catholic Church, on the other hand has one body with the "Head" as the most important part and all the lesser parts subject to the head with the physical building and all its worldly trappings necessary to the existence of the body. (Without the Pope, the Vatican, the hierarchy, the physical Church In Rome there would be no Catholic Church.) Which one then is the "True Church" that Jesus spoke of?
     There are some elements within the Protestant church of lesser importance, non-essentials, or things that are morally neutral or neither right or wrong in themselves. We as Christians can allow different viewpoints between other Evangelical Protestant Believers i.e. (music in church, kinds of instruments, raising of hands in church, speaking in tongues in church, spiritual gifts, dancing in church, type of worship, amount of time of church service, etc.), but even among "Born Again" Believers when it comes to the Fundamentals there can be no room for individual opinions, understandings or teachings that are not Biblically sound.
     When we talk about Jesus with a Roman Catholic who do they say Jesus is? Is He the same Jesus of the Bible -- the Bible that you use? Or (the one in a Catholic catechism?); Is He the Jesus who had brothers and sisters, or (the one who was an only child?); the one whose death and resurrectin provides the only way to salvation or (the one that you have to add to his atonement and you must earn your salvation through works and merit and penance?) is He the one that said..."it is finished" and the one that ,,,"died once for all" Hebrews 10:11-18 or (the one that is sacrificed over and over again in the Catholic mass?); is He the Jesus that told the thief on the cross at Calvary "...this day you will be with me in paradise..." or (the one that requires you to go to confession, say penance with a rosary, be baptized to remove original sin, go through confirmation, receive communion, to profess and give unconditional obedience to the Pope, the bishops and the Catholic Church alone, to participate in the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church in order to receive grace, and to receive the last rites and then be able to go to heaven?) Which Jesus is He?
     Who do you understand Jesus to be? Who does the Bible say He is? You have to ask the same questions about every aspect of Catholicism (or any religion, denomination, preacher or church) and then compare their answers to what the Bible says. The Bible states that there are false prophets, false religions, false preachers, the "...profess to know God, but deny him by their deeds." and that "They hold on to a form of religion, but deny the power of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ."
     1 John 4:1 states "...test every spirit to see if they are from God..." Don't accept anything on face value, or accept what someone else says because it sounds similar or might possibly be compatible with what you think or feel to be true. Know what you believe! And why you know it to be "The Truth."
     What is a cult? A cult may be defined as a religious group having Biblically unorthodox and/or heretical teachings and which fail to meet basic ethical standards of Christian doctrine, principles or practice. From the viewpoint of biblical revelation most cults and cultic religions have serious errors of belief and often incorporate dubious ethical values.  The common characteristics of such cultism often include: 1. spiritual deception (intentionally deceiving the members and making unbiblical claims), 2. unbiblical theology (often justified by supernatural revelations), 3. spiritistic and other cultic influence, and 4. authoritarianism or spiritual intimidation.
   Compare Roman Catholicism to the characteristics of a cult. Roman Catholicism claims: 1. to be the One True Church, that its interpretation of the Bible is superior to all others, it has suppressed, altered and censored historical evidence and documents that would damage its claims to be the One True Church and it has also deceived its members with false doctrines like the apostolic succession of Popes. (No different from the claims made by Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, or Masonry). The Roman Catholic church claims there is only One true Roman Catholic Church (unified in faith and by doctrine) when in truth there are at least 30 different Roman Catholic denominations in the world and 22 different liturgies.  Roman Catholicism 2. Restricts and rejects the Word of God and its teachings by placing the traditions of men higher than God's Word and uses supernatural revelations from the Pope to change cannon. Jeremiah 17:5 Thus the Word of God, scripture, Catholic cannon (law) according to the Catholics is always evolving and subject to change. (No different from the claims made by other false religions and cults regarding the rejection of biblical teachings or supernatural intervention in determining theological doctrines).  Roman Catholicism 3. is directly involved with the spirit world and the occult through its teachings regarding: supernatural apparitions (Our Lady of Fatima), The Immaculate Heart of Mary, the dead, prayers to the dead, worship of dead saints, All Souls Day, its pagan ties to Roman and Greek holidays (Catholic Holy Days), its connections to new Age movement teachings in the United States and cultic practices around the world especially in third world countries: Mexico, Africa, Haiti, South America, or Brazil -- to name a few -- where Catholicism is combined with pagan rituals. (No different from other false religions or cults -- even some of the columns used to build the Old Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome came from pagan temples) God prohibits praying to, worshiping or cultic contact with the dead. Or worship of angels. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, orthodox teachings accepted by the Catholic church include teachings and divine communication from oracles. (Which stems from the church's relationships with the pagan cultures of Babylon, Assyria, Greece and Rome.)
     Roman Catholicism 4. Is based on authoritarian leadership (requires complete and unswerving obedience to the Pope as well as the Catholic hierarchy: Cardinals, Bishops, Archbishops, priests including ecumenical councils, Catholic cannon (law), and Catholic catechism). Under the fear of being anathema (cursed by the Catholic Church) or excommunicated by the Catholic Church and being damned to hell its members are subject to spiritual intimidation to comply and submit. (Other wise their eternal soul will be lost forever). The suppression of independent and critical spiritual thinking as well as the lack of biblical literacy in its members is a hallmark of Catholicism.
     Without an absolute standard by which to judge other beliefs, religions, practices and actions all of us are uncertain.  If there is no absolute truth no one can say with absolutely authority that anything is right or wrong or good or evil. What is that absolute standard? That standard is God Himself and it may be known through His revealed Word -- the Bible.  The Bible alone provides the infallible standard by which ideas and practices can be judged. Because Christianity only is based on God's Word. John 14:6, John 10:1-18, Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, John 17:17

Can You Compromise with Sin?

   When in doubt about whether or not you should do something or not do something -- Ask yourself -- Is there any glory for God in it? Bow your head before you participate in it and ask the Lord if He will be magnified by what you are about to do?  1 Corinthians 10:31 "...what ever you do -- do all to the glory of God ..."   "All things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify" 1 Co 10:23, Romas 14:15, Galatians 5:13-14

Remember also to do all things in love!

   Even if we are sufficiently instructed in the knowledge of Christ -- "The Truth" -- we can not rest in that knowledge. The reason is that unless our knowledge is tempered with Love it does not avail, but also can do much hurt -- because "knowledge without love can become the mistress of pride". It is then not Godly knowledge because it separates us from the love of our neighbor. Puffed up knowledge is conceit. Love that edifies builds holiness. Knowledge which puffs up and makes you conceited is as dangerous as self righteous pride -- even though what you know -- is right. Please! Test everything you have read here. Research it for yourself. Read the scriptures quoted here, compare what you have read with the Word of God and also pray about it. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you into "The Truth". Seek the will of God and ask Him for revelation concerning His Word.

The material contained herein has been accumulated from several hundred sources.  It has been obtained from both Roman Catholic sources and Protestant sources. Much of the information gathered was from online web sites which included original documents, original statements or original articles related to the material.  Many of the conclusions were drawn from a combination of Biblical commentaries, Catholic and Protestant theologians and Bible scholars. In addition to online sources, numerous texts were used which included books, magazine articles, and encyclopedias. Research on scripture and quotes of scripture came from several different styles of Bibles and Bible translations including: NIV, NLT, NASB, NRSV, KJV, the Amplified Bible, the Living Bible as well as reference and study Bibles, a Bible concordance and online Bibles with Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic translations.