So Close!

2. So Close! ...And Yet So Far? Part 10: Roman Catholicism

3. “A friendly study of all the world’s religious scriptures is the sacred duty of every person.” ~ Mahatma Ghandi

4. On the source of truth…

5. “The Pontiff of Rome himself is the successor of the blessed Peter, the chief of the apostles, and is the true vicar of Christ and head of the whole Church and faith, and teacher of all Christians.” ~ Vatican I, 1870

6. “On this rock, therefore, He said, which thou has confessed, I will build my Church. For the Rock is Christ; and on this foundation was Peter himself built.” ~ St. Augustine

7. “It is not the interpretation of the Bible as much as the authority of the Bible itself that is the issue.” ~ Erwin Lutzer, Pastor & Author

8. “Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honoured with equal feelings of devotion and reverence.” ~ Pope John Paul

9. “Unless I am convinced by the testimonies of Scripture or evident reason – for I believe neither the Pope nor Councils alone, since it is established that they have often erred and contradicted themselves – I am a prisoner of the Scriptures.” ~ Martin Luther, Council of Worms, A.D. 1521

10. On Salvation..

11. “When we speak of God acting through the sacraments, we count on God's grace to come through: for example, when the person (usually the priest) pours the water and says the words "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit", God in fact is acting to baptize the child (or adult). God, through this human action, brings the baptized person into a relationship with Him.” ~ Father Ted, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Oakville

12. “If anyone shall say that the sacraments of the new Law are not necessary for salvation, but are superfluous, and that through faith alone men obtain from God the grace of justification: let him be anathema (accursed).” ~ The Council of Trent

13. “If anyone shall say that baptism is optional, that is, not necessary for salvation: let him be anathema.” ~ The Council of Trent

14. “If anyone says that in the holy sacrament of the Eucharist the only-begotten Son of God is not to be adored even outwardly with the worship due God, and is not to be set before the people publicly to be adored, and that the adorers are idolaters: let him be anathema.” ~ The Council of Trent

15. “For every human creature, it is altogether necessary to salvation that he be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” ~ Pope Boniface the 8th

16. “I alone, despite my unworthiness, am the successor to the apostles and Vicar to Christ. I alone have the mission to guide and direct the ship of Peter. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” ~ Pope Pius the 9th

17. “It is through the Catholic Church alone, which is the all-embracing means of salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained.” ~ Vatican II

18. On Mary…

19. “In the power of the grace of Redemption merited by Christ, Mary, by her spiritual entering into the sacrifice of her Divine Son for men, made atonement for the sins of men.” ~ Ludwig Ott, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma

20. “We have no greater help, no greater hope that you, Oh Most Pure Virgin; help us then, for we hope in you, we glory in you, we are your servants. Do not disappoint us. In thy hands I place my eternal salvation, and to thee I entrust my soul.” ~ Novena Prayers, Catholic Prayer Book

21. “The way of salvation is open to none otherwise than through Mary. Many things are asked from God, and are not granted: they are asked from Mary, and are obtained. At the commands of Mary all obey – even God.” ~ The Glories Of Mary, Catholic Publication

22. On Unity…

23. “Is there anything more sorrowful, more deserving of tears than that the Lord’s Supper should be used as a subject of strife and division.” ~ Philip Melanchthon, 1544

24. “In view of the devastating effects of both Western secularism and Eastern mysticism on our culture, the time is overdue for Catholics and Protestants to hang together before we hang separetly.” ~ Norman L. Geisler, Protestant Theologian

25. “I am personally glad to grow in my knowledge of and respect for my brothers and sisters in other Christian denominations, while I deeply value my Catholic traditions and way of understanding the movement of God's action. We are working for mutual respect, and for a greater unity.” ~ Father Ted, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Oakville

26. About Religion…

27. “The problem with religion for many of my generation is that we are constantly looking for fulfillment. It is as if we have grown malformed – with a piece, a very small piece, yet an integral piece, missing.” ~ Jana Novak, 20-something Catholic author

28. “The message of Christ must be heard by every religion, including the Christian ‘religion’.” ~ Karl Barth

29. “When we focus on external holiness we build a wall between our true self and our pseudo-self. Wearing masks and presenting a pseudoself means one is not in open relationship with others. It is a counterfeit community of one pseudoself talking to another pseudoself.” ~ Mark D. Baker, Missionary

30. “It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

31. “Religion is exhausting.” ~ Mark D. Baker

32. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened down, and I will give you rest.” ~ Jesus of Nazareth to those who have tried religion and are looking for more.

33. “He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!” ~ 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)

34. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” ~ James 5:16 (NIV)

35. “Do not go beyond what is written.” ~ 1 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)

36. “You have nullified the word of God for the sake of your traditions.” ~ Matthew 15:3 (NIV)

37. “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” ~ Matthew 16:18 (NASB)

38. “…God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” ~ Ephesians 2:20 (NIV)

39. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation….” ~ 1 Peter 2:9 (NASB)

40. “We die only once, and then we are judged.” ~ Hebrews 9:27 (CEV)

41. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ~ Acts 30:31 (NASB)

42. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” ~ Romans 6:23

43. So Close! ...And Yet So Far? Part 10: Roman Catholicism