Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 10/21/2010

Question
QUESTION:  Dear Cooper,
I teach the Rite of Christian Initiation in the Catholic Church. A class that was being taught to new Christians long before the the was even published and the content is the same now as it was when the Apostles taught it. With the advent of the Bible in the Fourth Century the Church used the Bible and still use it to teach those same 2000 year old dogmas given to the Church by Christ himself. We use a Bible in all 60 of our lesson plans on every subject from Angels to fallacy of Bible alone. Which one of the Church teaching contradicts the Bible and your reasoning for 2000 year old teachings based on Truth given to the Church by Truth himself. I used to be a Protestant until I figured out the only Church not started by a mere earthling (aka Luther,Calvin,John Smith,etc) was the Catholic Church.
         God Bless
         Glen

ANSWER: Hi Glen,
   I fully respect for your right to believe and practice the RCC religion as you desire.   But as an RCIA teacher I think you know the differences that we biblical Christians have with the RCC and why we have them. Just so you will know, I am not a Protestant, but a part of a lineage of Bible believers who from the 1st Century simply believed the Bible and its teachings alone.  In name,  I am of the Baptist heritage in doctrine and practice.  However, my loyalty or real distinction is not in being a Baptist, but rather being a Bible believing Christian.   An yes, I accept only the Bible, God's written word and revelation to man for my faith and practice.

   You said that what you are teaching in your RCIA class was taught by the Apostles.  My I suggest that if you are teaching RCC practices and beliefs it was not taught by the Apostles.  

     Often people write and ask me about the RCC and why we Baptist who follow the Bible alone do not accept the RCC as being a biblical or doctrinally sound church.

     To make the point I ask the following questions as to where they are found in God's word.

  1. Where does the Bible, God's word is there an example of anyone praying to Mary or dead saints?  Where in the Bible does it teach this RCC practice?  
  2. Where does it say we are to pray the rosary?  (I will skip the Maryology of Roman Catholics)

  3. When the Word of God plainly states that salvation is not or works (Ephesians 2:8-9), why does the RCC believe that sacraments and works are necessary for salvation.  For instance....You have to be baptized (sprinkled) in the RCC church and be confirmed in order to be saved?  
  4. Where does the Bible teach we are to baptize infants?
  5. Where does the Bible teach that there is a Purgatory and that RCs must go there to pay their sins, not forgiven while alive?
  6. Where does the Bible teach we are to pray "for" the dead?
  7. Where does the Bible teach a priest has can administer the last rights and where does Bible teach there is any last rights?
  8. Where does the Bible say a church or a priest can forgive sins in the name of the RCC.
  9. Where does the Bible teach God has a "papa" or pope on earth who is the vicar of Christ?
  10.  Where does the Bible teach there is a universal church headquartered in Rome?
  11.  Where does the Bible teach the act of the RCs of crossing themselves?
  12.  Where does the Bible teach a church can issue indulgences to forgive sins?
  13.  Where does the Bible teach that a person can get drunk, grossly sin all week, even murder, and go to mass on Sunday take the Eucharist, go to confession and be completely forgiven?
  14.  Where does the Bible teach the RCC practice of the Eucharist and transubstantiation?
  15.  Where does the Bible teach a church can "canonize" and make a dead person a saint who can be prayed too as a intercessor with God?

   There are many other similar questions that could be asked which point our the difference between biblical Christianity and Roman Catholicism.   The answer to each of these questions is that none of these things are taught in God's word.  

   As Bible believing Christian who has extensively, both privately and formerly studied the Bible for over thirty years I cannot find these RCC beliefs and practices in God's word and this is why I do not believe or practice them.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 plainly states the written word of God, the scripture are absolutely adequate for a believer's faith and practice  "...that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnish unto all good works."   Therefore if I follow the Bible alone, where am I wrong and if I were to teach the rituals and sacraments of the RCC where would I be right.  If God wanted me, as His child, to practice these things, why did He not include them in His written word and if they are not in the written word, that God inspired the Apostles write, how could they have been taught in the 1st Century by the Apostles.

   Honestly, I am not interested in getting into a debate about these things.  I know what God's word says and that is what I believe and practice.  I also know the love the Lord and His word and it has directed by life since I was saved in 1972.

   If you disagree, respectfully, that is you prerogative.  However, I wish to reiterate that my beliefs and faith are not based on the writing or what was determined by men in councils, but in God's word has the Holy Spirit inspired them to write.(2 Peter 1:21) Therefore I defend my faith by appealing to God's word and nothing more.
 
   I hope you can see my point and will respect the sound reasoning behind my faith in God Himself and His word.
   
Thank you for writing and your comments.
Cooper Abrams
Romans 12:1-2



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:  Following up on my follow up.

ANSWER: Glen,
  I received this from AllExperts. There is no text.  
Try again.
Take care...
Cooper Abrams


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:  Following up on my follow up.

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QUESTION:  In the original answer you asked 15 questions and I answered them in the follow up. I just wanted to see if you read them and had any further questions?
         Dominus Vobiscum,
         Glen

Answer
Glen,
  I have not received anything but the follow up I sent yesterday.
You can try again through AllExperts or send them directly to me at cpabrams3@gmail.com  The later is easier for me as I don't have to log in and go through their system.
Thank you,
Cooper Abrams