Originally posted by @vivify
Do any Christians disagree that Catholicism is full of doctrines that run contrary to the Bible?
Contrary to the bible, (all have sinned) they believe Mary was born and remained sinless. They also believe their church is the final authority, even over the bible. That's why they got away with selling a "get out of Purgatory free card", otherwise known as ...[text shortened]... e Catholic church doesn't follow the bible, they follow their own doctrines. Agree or disagree?
I am not a Catholic. However, I have many beliefs that are closer to Catholicism than Protestantism by virtue of my Orthodoxy.
So, for instance, you are right that the doctrine about Mary is excessive. We do not accept that Mary was sinless nor do we accept the Immaculate Conception of Mary. However, we do believe that Mary was an extremely holy woman -- indeed, the holiest among all women ever born and to be born, and that Mary was thus likely superior to all men but the God-man. However, she did commit sin, and the idea that she did not (or that she was conceived immaculately) is wrong as well.
Furthermore, as an Orthodox believer I reject the concept of Original Sin but I accept the gist of it through the concept of Ancestral Sin...
I agree with the basic gist that Catholicism has overstepped its bounds doctrinally but I would insist that these doctrines aren't entirely without merit, and that the Protestant reaction to them is often an exaggeration that has its own flaws.
Furthermore... I would point out that the Indulgences issue isn't quite like that.
Purchasing an indulgence was thought of as being a form of mortification or penance. So, for instance, if your dad cheated on your mom and to make up for it he went and lived in the woods for a year in total solitude & shame, we would probably say, "Wow, OK, that is some strong penance." Likewise, if your father, who was a drunkard, ended selling several of his antique cars that he lvoed and donating all of the proceeds to an alcohol recovery service or the victims of drunk driving, that would also appear to be a large penance...
So if some guy sacrificed half of his excess income in a donation to the Church as a form of penance... you get the point.
OF COURSE, this was abused and it isn't doctrinal, and even the concept of purgatory isn't solidly establsihed in the Bible... We do not accept purgatory in Orthodoxy... But, it is important to not just throw Catholicism under the bus.
I would agree that
catholicism is not the true Church of God, and that it has erroneous dogma, but I don't actually want to fan the flames of conflict and I would rather stand side by side with Catholics in winning souls for Christ than concentrate on our differences. Same with protestants.
Catholicism is heretical
26 Mar '18 02:16
Back to Top