Wednesday, March 9, 2016

So What's the Difference - Catholicism Part 2

While not intended to be inclusive, the following chart provides a basic summary for comparison and discussion.  It should be noted that the Bible Worldview and Catholicism share many common beliefs such as the Trinity, the Virgin Birth of Jesus, His death for the sins of the world, and His bodily Resurrection to His victory over sin.

                                                Biblical
                                         Worldview                                      Catholicism

Authority              The Bible, the Word of God              Church - its Traditions & Teachings
                            The only infallible source of truth      The Pope & Apostolic Succession
                                                                                      The Bible

View on Bible      Only source of truth                           Church provides correct interpretation
                              2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16                         & understanding.  Teachings are
                              Romans 1:16                                    primarily focused on the Gospels.
                              John 1:1-5,14
                              Matthew 4:4

Core Beliefs         1 Corinthians 15:1-3  Jesus               One true Church
                                was crucified, died, buried              The Pope - infallible proclamations,
                                & rose from the dead.                       speaks in the place of God, as 
                                                                                          authoritative as the Bible.

                             Ephesians 4:4-6 - one Body              Sin:Venial (minor) & Mortal (major)
                               (church composed of all                  Pray to Mary and other saints
                                believers), one Spirit, one                 canonized by the Church, as well
                                hope of your calling (heaven),           God.
                                one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
                                one God & Father of us all.

Salvation by          Faith in Jesus Alone                         Sacraments administered
                                John 3:16, 14:6                              Keep the Ten Commandments
                                Acts 4:12                                        Confession when sin and penance
                                Ephesians 2:8-9                                assigned by the priest.
                                Romans chapter 3, 10:9,17            Obey teachings of the Church

Life of faith            Loving God & Others (Luke 9:27)     Weekly attendance of Mass,
 characterized by  Living for Jesus (the walk) &            Observance of Holy Days, fasting
                                imitators of His life                          Receive sacraments for saving grace
                                Ephesians chapters 4 thru 6          Generally not encouraged to read &
                                Colossians 3:1-4:6                           study the Bible
                             Telling others of Jesus 2 Corinthians 5

Afterlife belief       Millennial kingdom - Jesus will          No future earthly kingdom, the Pope
                              return & reign for 1,000 year as          is reigning on earth now in Jesus' 
                              promised.   Revelation 20:4              Final judgment by Jesus
                            Heaven, paradise, the New                Purgatory - preparation for heaven
                              Jerusalem - eternal                             (indulgences)
                              Philippians 3:20-21, Revelation        Heaven
                               chapter 21 & 22.
                            Hell - place of eternal suffering           Hell
                              for those who rejected God &
                              Jesus.  Revelation 20:10-15

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