“catholic” little c (Universal) vs. Roman Catholic

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Ken Temple

A Roman Catholic writes:

“What you fail to mention is that God appointed that same church to compile the Canon of the Scriptures. Without the role of the Catholic Church- impossible because there was no other church– we wouldn’t have the NT.”

My Response:

“catholic” little c of the early church of the first 4-5 centuries (325 – 451; first 4 ecumenical councils ending with council of Chalcedon and / or death of Augustine in 430 AD), is not the same as the Roman Catholic Church, with all its centuries later slowly developed man-made traditions added on – purgatory (developed more from 600s onward), indulgences(1000s forward), the treasury of merit (1343, Pope Clement VI, papal bull, Unigenitus), external penances, prayers to Mary, icons & veneration of them in worship context, statues (in the west), giving over the top praise to Mary and giant statues marching through the streets, etc. ; Transubstantiation (developed from the 800s to 1215, and then defended by Thomas Aquinas later), priests with ex opere operato powers; the Papacy, Marian dogmas, (553 – PVM, 1854- ICM, 1950 – BAM) & adding works to faith for justification – Council of Trent, 1545-1563. That is a totally different church than the early church that discerned the Scriptures. they discerned what already existed in 45-96 AD. They did not “create the canon”.

The same goes for Eastern Orthodoxy, who also claim to be the one true church that is over the canon of Scripture.

About Ken Temple

I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I am a sinner who has been saved by the grace of God alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), through faith alone (Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:28; 4:1-16), in Christ alone (John 14:6). But a true faith does not stay alone, it should result in change, fruit, good works, and deeper levels of repentance and hatred of my own sins of selfishness and pride. I am not better than you! I still make mistakes and sin, but the Lord is working on me, conforming me to His character. (Romans 8:28-29; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18) When I do sin, I hate the sin as it is an affront to God, and seek His forgiveness in repentance. (Mark 1:15; 2 Corinthians 7:7-10; Colossians 3:5-16 ) Praise God for His love for sinners (Romans 5:8), shown by the voluntary coming of Christ and His freely laying down His life for us (John 10:18), becoming flesh/human (John 1:1-5; 1:14; Philippians 2:5-8), dying for sins of people from all nations, tribes, and cultures (Revelation 5:9), on the cross, in history, rising from the dead (Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 28, Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24; John 20-21; 1 Corinthians chapter 15). His resurrection from the dead proved that Jesus is the Messiah, the eternal Son of God, the word of God from eternity past; and that He was all the gospels say He was and that He is truth and the life and the way to salvation. (John 14:6)
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