Is Catholicism the truth?

Quick Answer: Is Catholicism the truth? Is Catholicism the purest form of Christianity? While one can be an earnest believer in Jesus and be part of the Roman Catholic Church, it is erroneous to state that it is the one true expression of the Christian faith. It is also highly problematic to affirm that God saves through the Roman Catholic religious system.

Diving Deeper: There are several issues with claiming that Catholicism is the true faith. First, the Catholic Church teaches that we need priests to stand as intermediaries between us and God. The problem with this claim is that the New Testament presents only one mediator between God and humanity: Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). Catholicism teaches that we need an additional mediator besides Jesus. Jesus is described in Scripture as our one and only High Priest (Hebrews 4:15), and we are already in intimate union and relationship with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17). Catholic doctrine also ignores the fact that the Bible calls all believers priests of God (1 Peter 2:9).

Another critical issue is the Catholic view of the sacraments. According to the Catholic Church, participation in sacraments, such as the Lord’s Supper, is how one receives God’s grace. There is no salvific grace offered apart from these practices. Take the Lord’s Supper as an example. Catholicism teaches the doctrine of transubstantiation, the belief that the Lord’s Supper becomes the literal body and blood of Jesus. Because believers are literally partaking of his body and blood, they are receiving God’s grace at that moment. Yet, Jesus Himself spoke of the Lord’s Supper as a symbol designed to help believers remember and celebrate His death (1 Corinthians 11:24).

A third critical issue is the overt veneration of Mary within Catholicism. Nowhere in Scripture are we told to pray to Mary, or anyone besides God, for that matter. We have already been redeemed by Christ and we have full access to God. So, why would we imagine someone else needs to represent us to God?

A final issue worth noting is the neglect of the universal sainthood of all believers within Catholic doctrine (1 Corinthians 1:2; Romans 1:7). According to Catholicism, only certain individuals who lived extraordinary lives, meeting the standards set forth by the Catholic Church, are venerated as saints. However, Scripture is clear that all believers are saints as we have been forgiven and cleansed of all sin (Hebrews 10:14) and adopted into God’s family (1 John 3:1). This salvation occurs in Christ independent of any religious institution. It is not the practices of a church that save; it is the grace of God through Christ that saves (Titus 2:11-14).

Let’s Make It a Conversation!
1. What experience have you had with Catholicism?
2. What are some problems with the system of salvation endorsed by the Catholic Church?
3. React to this statement: God’s not looking at the sign on the church door. He simply wants us to open the door of our hearts.