Roman Catholic...Christian or Cult?

[Jedi Knight]

Is the Roman Catholic Church christian or a cult?

 

[TrevorL]

Greetings Jedi Knight,

Is the Roman Catholic Church christian or a cult?

Perhaps it is another category. It is a corrupt form of Christianity as it no longer teaches the Apostolic doctrine, for example Acts 8:5,12. Many or most Protestant Churches, who originally opposed the Catholic Church during the Reformation, no longer teach openly against the Catholic Church. Many of these Protestant Churches also share many wrong teachings with the Catholic Church.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[Reformed]

Greetings Jedi Knight,
Perhaps it is another category. It is a corrupt form of Christianity as it no longer teaches the Apostolic doctrine, for example Acts 8:5,12. Many or most Protestant Churches, who originally opposed the Catholic Church during the Reformation, no longer teach openly against the Catholic Church. Many of these Protestant Churches also share many wrong teachings with the Catholic Church.

Kind regards
Trevor

Good post.

I would not call Roman Catholicism a cult. Whether we like to admit it or not, Roman Catholicism does hold to some orthodox doctrine like the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and Christ's resurrection. Of course the travesty of the papacy, veneration of saints, exclusive priesthood, rejection of biblical authority (Sola Scriptura), transubstantiation, and works-based penance are all corrupt practices and teachings.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Since a full 70% of church goers in NJ are Catholics, if it was your position they are a cult, then what does that say for the state of Christianity in New Jersey?

And since ive had such a difficult time in finding a non Catholic church here, would I be justified in going to a Catholic church?

 

[Reformed]

Since a full 70% of church goers in NJ are Catholics, if it was your position they are a cult, then what does that say for the state of Christianity in New Jersey?

And since ive had such a difficult time in finding a non Catholic church here, would I be justified in going to a Catholic church?

You are looking for a church that meets with your approval. I have news for you. You are not going to find it. So long as churches are made up of human beings there is going to be something we can all disagree with. What you should be doing is find a church that at least preaches Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23). Northern New Jersey is not hurting for churches that fit that description. Let go of your quest for perfection and join such a church. Become part of it. Serve others. Come to grips with the fact that your perfect church does not exist. If not you will continue to be disgruntled and lament the state of the church in New Jersey when the real problem is your selfish, stubbornness.

And as far as going to a Roman Catholic Church? I think you know better.

 

[BobRyan]

Is the Roman Catholic Church christian or a cult?

If there were no RCC - and tomorrow ten guys in a garage decided to start the RCC - so they

1. Appointed one of themselves as "Pope"- who stands in the place of God on earth
2. Appointed another as the "General" of the Jesuit order.
3. declared the "extermination of heretics" as in LATERAN IV in true infallible fashion.
4. Made up the doctrine of praying to the dead.
5. Made up the doctrine of purgatory
6. Prayed to images as part of worship
7. Declared that their priests had the magic "powers" to "Convect the body soul and divinity of Christ".
8. declared that Mary was born sinless
9. Invented Purgatory.
10. Invented Indulgences.
11. Invented celebate orders for both men and women

The list would be pretty long.

So then instead of over a Billion - just 10.

Would they be considered a cult?

Good question.

Mormons, JW's etc do not hold a candle to that list.

in Christ,

Bob

 

[BobRyan]

Since a full 70% of church goers in NJ are Catholics, if it was your position they are a cult, then what does that say for the state of Christianity in New Jersey?

And since ive had such a difficult time in finding a non Catholic church here, would I be justified in going to a Catholic church?

Numbers are indeed the issue with the RCC. They are a large group.

And the majority of Congress and Supreme Court is now Catholic.

in Christ,

Bob

 

[RLBosley]

I guess it depends on how fine a definition you have for "cult." I'm not sure about cult, but apostate for sure.

There may be some genuine believers in Romanism, but they are believers in spite of it's teachings, not because of them.

 

[Salty]

And the majority of Congress and Supreme Court is now ROMAN Catholic.

Note: bold my addition - to clarify (assuming that is correct)

And how many of the Congress are practicing Roman Catholic?

Population of the US is 22% RC - Congress is 30% RC. Click here for link:

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

You are looking for a church that meets with your approval. I have news for you. You are not going to find it. So long as churches are made up of human beings there is going to be something we can all disagree with. What you should be doing is find a church that at least preaches Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23). Northern New Jersey is not hurting for churches that fit that description. Let go of your quest for perfection and join such a church. Become part of it. Serve others. Come to grips with the fact that your perfect church does not exist. If not you will continue to be disgruntled and lament the state of the church in New Jersey when the real problem is your selfish, stubbornness.

And as far as going to a Roman Catholic Church? I think you know better.[/QUOTE

Why not Catholic....so they are apostate....as apostate as any other church in my area....what's the difference? The answer to that question is there is none. BTW....The Catholic church teaches Christ crucified.

 

[robustheologian]

If there were no RCC - and tomorrow ten guys in a garage decided to start the RCC - so they

1. Appointed one of themselves as "Pope"- who stands in the place of God on earth
2. Appointed another as the "General" of the Jesuit order.
3. declared the "extermination of heretics" as in LATERAN IV in true infallible fashion.
4. Made up the doctrine of praying to the dead.
5. Made up the doctrine of purgatory
6. Prayed to images as part of worship
7. Declared that their priests had the magic "powers" to "Convect the body soul and divinity of Christ".
8. declared that Mary was born sinless
9. Invented Purgatory.
10. Invented Indulgences.
11. Invented celebate orders for both men and women

The list would be pretty long.

So then instead of over a Billion - just 10.

Would they be considered a cult?

Lol...good argument.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Lol...good argument.

Any restrictions on coffee or a beer?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

You are looking for a church that meets with your approval. I have news for you. You are not going to find it. So long as churches are made up of human beings there is going to be something we can all disagree with. What you should be doing is find a church that at least preaches Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23). Northern New Jersey is not hurting for churches that fit that description. Let go of your quest for perfection and join such a church. Become part of it. Serve others. Come to grips with the fact that your perfect church does not exist. If not you will continue to be disgruntled and lament the state of the church in New Jersey when the real problem is your selfish, stubbornness.

And as far as going to a Roman Catholic Church? I think you know better.[/QUOTE

Why not Catholic....so they are apostate....as apostate as any other church in my area....what's the difference? The answer to that question is there is none. BTW....The Catholic church teaches Christ crucified.

I think I can make my biggest impact with New Jersey Roman Catholics....think about it, they dominate (70%) of church go'ers. My pov in Bible studies could get them thinking differently.

 

[Yeshua1]

Good post.

I would not call Roman Catholicism a cult. Whether we like to admit it or not, Roman Catholicism does hold to some orthodox doctrine like the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and Christ's resurrection. Of course the travesty of the papacy, veneration of saints, exclusive priesthood, rejection of biblical authority (Sola Scriptura), transubstantiation, and works-based penance are all corrupt practices and teachings.

The Church of Rome is same as Mormons/JW/SDA etc, as all of them are biblical Cults, as they all use the terms of the scriptures, but load and vest into those terms unbiblical meanings!

And if a church denies the true gospel, and see themselves as the only true church, with additional revelations from god, how can they not be a cult?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

The Church of Rome is same as Mormons/JW/SDA etc, as all of them are biblical Cults, as they all use the terms of the scriptures, but load and vest into those terms unbiblical meanings!

And if a church denies the true gospel, and see themselves as the only true church, with additional revelations from god, how can they not be a cult?

But they view themselves like that. I was questioned by a very ardent RC coworker the other day as to what heaven I think I'm going to....because the RC church is the only true church. Now that's dogmatic to us as born agains but that's what they believe. I could explain it in a Bible study if they would allow it .....or even pick up the book........but alas, most are not born again.:BangHead:

 

[Yeshua1]

Lol...good argument.

The ironic point here on this is that his SDA pretty much is a cult for same reason Church of rome is!

 

[Reformed]

I think I can make my biggest impact with New Jersey Roman Catholics....think about it, they dominate (70%) of church go'ers. My pov in Bible studies could get them thinking differently.

You are missing the point. Your responsibility is not to go into Baal to preach the gospel and call that your church home. The local church is an assembly of believers. The RCC does not fit that description, even if there are scattered believers in their ranks.

If God has called you to be an evangelist that calling will be evident to the elders in a local church. You would then be able to go out under their care. On your own you can do none of those things.

 

[Reformed]

The Church of Rome is same as Mormons/JW/SDA etc, as all of them are biblical Cults, as they all use the terms of the scriptures, but load and vest into those terms unbiblical meanings!

And if a church denies the true gospel, and see themselves as the only true church, with additional revelations from god, how can they not be a cult?

I have a problem with the word "cult". The term has become a boogieman. It is tossed around casually and without much thought.

I believe the papist system is doctrinally corrupt. It does not preach the Gospel. It is more fit for hell than heaven. That said, it does hold to some Christian orthodoxy (which I listed earlier). The Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons do not.

A better question for this thread would have been whether the RCC is false church. To that I would answer in the affirmative.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

You are missing the point. Your responsibility is not to go into Baal to preach the gospel and call that your church home. The local church is an assembly of believers. The RCC does not fit that description, even if there are scattered believers in their ranks.

If God has called you to be an evangelist that calling will be evident to the elders in a local church. You would then be able to go out under their care. On your own you can do none of those things.

And you are missing my point......so again, there is no local community church in my area where I could join and do those things. So what do you want me to do, invent one?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Oh no....double post......soooo sorry!