- Home
- Christian News + Features
- Scripture versus Church Tradit ...
Scripture versus Church Traditions: Two streams of thoughts dominate what is commonly known as “Christendom.” Actually, there are two religions vying for supremacy in that space. When their doctrines are examined, it is clear that both are not worshipping the same God of the Holy Bible. The two streams are Protestantism and Roman Catholicism.
The point of departure between them is the role of Scripture in determining man’s relationship with God. To Protestants, the Holy Bible is the sole authority for spiritual enlightenment and growth in the church. On the other, Catholics have elevated Church traditions to the same level with Scripture. In some cases, they even introduce and uphold doctrines based on traditions that have no root in Scripture.
This was the basis for the “Inquisition” which claimed the lives of thousands of Chritian believers in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Malta between 12th and 17th Century. Most of the victims were burnt at the stake for refusing to accept some Catholic doctrines, especially its claims that salvation was attained through human efforts.
This controversy sparked the reformation galvanised by Martin Luther, after he posted 95 Thesis at the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This was premised on his understanding of Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: It is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” The Luther-led Reformation gave birth to the Protestant movement, which is still opposed to Catholicism.
In order to give our readers a bird-eye view of the controversy, we will use a table to show how key doctrines of Catholicism that originated from supposed Church traditions, conflict with Scripture.
Roman Catholic Doctrines versus Scripture
| Serial No. | Catholic Doctrines | Scripture |
| 1. | Mary born without sin | “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 |
| 2. | Mary as Co-Redemptor with Christ | “Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6) |
| 3. | Doctrine of Purgatory, which provides for a holding place for deceased believers to be purged of their sins before they enter heaven | This is the most blasphemous of the Catholic teachings, for it makes nonsense of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In effect, the Catholic leadership invalidates the atonement, and creates its own redemption plan that has no root in Scripture. Hebrews 10:12 declares. “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.” |
| 4. | Veneration of Mary and other dead believers whom the Catholics call “Saints” | In the New Testament, only living believers were called saints (1 Corinthians 1:2; I Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 1:4; 1 Peter 1:14. Moreover, 1 Chronicles 16:8 declares that only God is worthy of worship. No Scripture validates the veneration or worship of anyone else, dead or alive. |
| 5. | Mary as perpetual virgin | Scriptures clearly state that Mary had 4 males (James, Jude, Simon and Joses), as well as unstated number of female children. Luke 2:7, “She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth…” Mark 6:3 and Matthew 13:55-56 specifically declare that she had other children! “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joses and Judah and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? |
| 6. | Peter as first Pope of the Church | This is one of the most ridiculous claims of the Catholics, based on their warped interpretation of Matthew 16:18, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” They are so bent on promoting their falsehood that they conveniently ignore the fact that it was Paul that was Apostle to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1-12). Peter’s ministry was specifically to Jews at home and in the Diaspora. |
| 7. | Establishment of clergy and laity in the church, introduction of festivals like Christmas and Easter | The Lord Jesus Christ did not establish His church to have a vertical hierarchy of clergy and laity. He said in Matthew 23:8, “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’ (teacher), for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.” In Luke 22:25-26, He said, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.” |
It is amazing that billions of people on earth have chosen to embrace these tradition-inspired doctrines, rather than the infallible and immutable word of God. Proverbs 21:16 declares, “The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.” Why would anyone with an ounce of common sense choose to remain in the congregation of the dead?
There is a Scripture in the Holy Bible that, I believe, is the most dreadful. It is 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they should be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” We pray that all our readers will reject the lie of Satan and flee from the congregation of the dead today, before it is too late for them.