Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 1/25/2004

Question
 Hello, my name is Jamie Smith and I was wondering if you could answer some questions of mine.  I am doing a project for my theology class and I would like to hear your criticisms of the Catholic Church.  My purpose is not to argue with you, I just would like to hear your thoughts.  What do you see as the weaknesses/ errors/ problems with the Catholic Church.  Please tell me the major issues and if you could, support your evidence on why you believe the Catholic Church is wrong on each of those issues.  If you don't wish to write me back, that's is okay and thank you for reading my email.  If you do, please write me back at Masamlo@msn.com and please list your name.


Thank You Greatly,
                                                 Jamie Smith  

Answer
Hi Jamie,
Thank you for your question. My knowledge of Roman Catholic theology is not comprehensive but I am happy to write about some issues of which I am aware. I must first point out that I have had a number of friends who are Roman Catholics and in some cases have worked alongside then for the Lord. Also I have much in common theologically with Roman Catholicism, in particular our understanding of the divinity of Christ, the truth of the virgin birth, the truth of the death and resurrection and the imporance of honouring God in the way we live.
However, my understanding is that Cathoics hold a sacramental view of salvation. That is, a person is made regenerate through baptism and is contiually cleansed through the Eucharist irrespective of personal faith. For me Baptism is only for those who have personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and it is the faith that appropriates the grace of God which saves, the baptism being a sign of that faith. I also believe that baptism should be by immersion as that is what the original Greek word means. Also in my understanding at communion the bread and wine are symbollic of the body and blood of our Lord. Yes we genuinely encounter Christ but this again is by faith as we allow the symbols to point us to the living Christ present by His Spirit.
This of course then raises the issue of authority. I believe the bible to be the word of God and inspired by Him. I regard it as the only authority for belief and practice. My understanding is that Catholicism puts the tradition of the church as an equal authority with scipture. I cannot accept this. Of course the church over time seeks to understand and apply scripture to particular circumstances but that is a very much secondary matter to the teaching of scripture itself. This then leads on to some of the practices that have been developed because of church tradition, such as praying to, or through Mary and various saints. To people of my understanding this is quite blasphemous as only God is to be worshipped, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and our prayers are addressed to Him alone.
There is a difference in our understanding of the church as well. I see the church as the gathered body of believers living in relationship with other gathered bodies, not as a world wide organisation with a single head. To me the Pope is simply another church leader to be respected.
Some Baptists go further and identify Catholicisma and the Pope as the antichrist. Although I believe there have been times in history when there may have been some truth in this I do not believe it is true now.
I have the utmost repect for Catholicism in standing firmly on a number of moral issues, not least abortion and euthanasia.
I do hope some of my comments are helpful to you. I ought to point out that I minister in England where understanding between denominations is more developed that in the US.
I wish you well and God's blessing.
Stuart Woodward