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About Elder Greg Madden
Expertise
I am available to answer questions concerning most Biblical doctrines, Catholic beliefs, the gifts and fruit of the Spirit, and the history of the Pentecostal movement. Please understand that I will answer any questions you may have from a Biblical perspective, not a Catholic one.
Experience
I have studied the Catholic religion for many years, and I have discussed questions and issues conserning this faith with those who are followers of the Catholic religion. I attend an independent Pentecostal church for twenty three years, and have served there as an Elder for twelve years. I am also the new member’s class coordinator. I have had the privilege of ministering God's Word to churches in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. In those meetings we have seen the Lord save, heal, deliver, and fill people will His Spirit.
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I am ordained through Heartland Harvest Church, and with the World Harvest Church Ministerial Fellowship. I also am a licensed minister with the State of Oklahoma.
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I am currantly enrolled with the Ames Bible College.
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You are here: Experts > Religion/Spirituality > Christianity - Catholicism > Critics of Catholicism > Are catholics still christian
Expert: Elder Greg Madden
Date: 9/27/2006
Subject: Are catholics still christian
Question
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Followup To
Question -
I got 2 friends that were deeply in love, they have been together for about 2 years. My friend Derek is a baptist, and plans on becoming a chaplin or preacher. My other friend is a catholic. I have not seen many people who truly cared for one another like when i saw them both. Just today, Derek decided to break up with her, saying that he cannot marry a woman of a different religon. He doesnt believe catholics are christians
He cited 2 references.
Solomon marrying women of a different religon causing the end of the kingdom of israel.
And a reference to a marriage is like a yoke, they both have to believe in the same things.
I myself am catholic, but i cant figure out how to tell him that we are catholics, and that he is making a disastorous descion by not marrying his future wife based on the small differences between these 2 christian faiths.
When i try to help him, he tells me that god is telling him this and he is trying to follow him. How can i be right, if god is on his side?
Answer -
Dan,
Thank you for your questions. Please do not be offended, but I agree with your friend Derek. The Bible does teach us not to be "unequally yoked together".
2Cor. 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?
Dan you must understand that catholics believe a different Gospel than we Christians do. From childhood catholics are taught that to get to heaven one must keep the sacraments, the mass, and do good works. This is different from the Bible definition of the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 15:1
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
15:3
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
15:4
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The Bible also warns us against believing "another gospel".
Galatians 1:9
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
The roman catholic church believes many false doctrines contrary to the Bible. Such as...
1. Human tradition elevated to or above the Word of God.
2. Wrong message of salvation.
3. Infant baptism.
4. Praying to the dead, saints.
5. Marionism, the worship of Mary.
6. Purgatory.
7. Worship of idols.
8. Immaculate conception of Mary.
9. Transubstantiation.
10. Infallibility of the pope.
Dan these are but a few of the false teachings of the catholic church. Your friend was correct in breaking off the relationship. You see these are not "2 Christian faiths", but two differing belief systems that in the long run would end up in disaster. The two could never come together. Like trying to mix water and oil in a bottle. You can shake it till it looks combined, but as soon as you set the bottle down, the oil and water will separate. This is not the politically correct answer, but I would rather tell the truth, that to keep silent and let someone go astray.
Prov. 27:5
Open rebuke is better than secret love.
I am sure this is not the answer you were looking for, but it is the truth. Please let me know if I can help any further.
Elder Greg Madden
1 Corinthians 15:1
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
15:3
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
15:4
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The Bible also warns us against believing "another gospel".
Galatians 1:9
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
The roman catholic church believes many false doctrines contrary to the Bible. Such as...
1. Human tradition elevated to or above the Word of God.
2. Wrong message of salvation.
3. Infant baptism.
4. Praying to the dead, saints.
5. Marionism, the worship of Mary.
6. Purgatory.
7. Worship of idols.
8. Immaculate conception of Mary.
9. Transubstantiation.
10. Infallibility of the pope.
Dan these are but a few of the false teachings of the catholic church. Your friend was correct in breaking off the relationship. You see these are not "2 Christian faiths", but two differing belief systems that in the long run would end up in disaster. This is not the politically correct answer, but I would rather tell the truth, that to keep silent and let someone go astray.
Prov. 27:5
Open rebuke is better than secret love.
So my answer to you is that if a person is not truly born-again, then they are not a Christian, no matter what they call themselves (baptist or catholic). And since the catholic church does not teach the true Gospel message, it would be difficult (if not impossible) for someone who follows it’s teachings to be a true born-again (saved) Christian. I am sure this is not the answer you were looking for, but it is the truth.
Please let me know if I can help any further.
Elder Greg Madden
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Dan you must understand that catholics believe a different Gospel than we Christians do"
Wait, are you telling me that catholics are not christians? I mean christian means follower of christ.
I was just under the impression that the love between two people is a gift from god, and that nothing could seperate it. But whatever it is, religous intolerance or ignorance of other people's beliefs must be stronger. Its easier to say you are wrong and i am right, it is much harder to work at it. See why they believe in different things, and see if they could come together on an agreement or an understanding?
Dont you believe that christians of different denominations should work together greg? Because if we cant get along following the image of christ, who will we get along with?
Answer
Dan,
Let me try to be as clear as possible. The Bible teaches us that no one but born-again Christians are going to heaven. It does not matter what you call yourself (catholic, baptist, ect...).
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
1 Peter 1:23
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
As I wrote in my previous e-mail, the catholic church does not teach the correct Biblical doctrine of salvation, let alone a plethora of other false doctrines. How can a man and a woman get married that believe in such opposing doctrinal issues? They cannot. They will either drop their own beliefs for the others, or both will drop their faith altogether. Both are unacceptable.
Dan this is not a matter of, as you put it "...religious intolerance or ignorance of other people's beliefs..." I am tolerant of other's beliefs, even if I know that they are wrong. I believe it is God's will for us to live in peace with each other, and that as a Christian I am to share the love of Christ through my faith, my words, and my actions.
Mt 22:37
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mt 22:39
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
But this does not mean that I am to accept false Biblical doctrines. Especially when it comes to the marriage covenant.
Dan, I am not trying to be disrespectful to you, or anyone else who calls themselves a catholic. I am simply trying to share the truth of God's Word. His Word is the final authority that we follow. I challenge you to search the Scriptures and see if what I say is true or not. Put aside the teachings of the catholic fathers and see what the Bible itself has to say. Let His Word show you what His will is for your life. I am praying that you will come into the knowledge of the Truth.
John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Dan, please feel free to write back if you have any further questions.
Elder Greg Madden
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