Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 8/24/2007

Question
Pastor I am a Baptist teacher who was rasied baptist but I have going Catholic on my own. First I would like to say that waise man fears the lord and is not willing to open his mouth until he studies both side of the story. You need to study the Catechism of the catholic church and bible and church histiory before you make comment you think you understand. It make you look foolish. I respect your knowledge a lot but learn love and humility play a big part of our faith and yes Jesus Christ is the only way into heaven.

Answer
Hi Jason,

Thank you for your comments.  I understand your concerns.  I believe that scripture will always trump tradition.  This is why I respectfully disagree with the  belief that I must study all the early Catholic traditions before I render a decision on what is Biblical to believe.

Colossians 2:8
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.   
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Scripture is clear when it warns of false teachers.  It is sometimes hard to spot false teachers, but Paul gives us some clear warning signs of non biblical teachings:

1 Timothy 4:1-5


Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Rather than arguing over whether or not the Catholic Church adds works to faith, promotes praying to dead saints, adds pergatory, or preaches indulgences, we can look at this passage and see some clear problems.

The false teachers Paul warned about will forbid marriage, like the church does for Priests.  It will forbid meat, like it does for parishoners during lent.

I do not hate Catholics, but I am very concerned about the anti-biblical stance or its doctrines.

I mean no offence.  I hope that this makes sense to you even if you happen to disagree with me.

In Christ
Pastor Don