R.C. Sproul – Catholic Sistas

I could use these one thousand words to explain Five Point Calvinism (TULIP) and put together an essay refuting its teachings, but I’ve discovered I’m not qualified to do so.

I have read innumerable articles, blog posts, and sermon notes on “Why Roman Catholicism is false”. Just recently one such internet link moseyed across my newsfeed from a church holding to Reformed Theology, The Village Church. Years ago, this anti-Catholic rhetoric irritated me deeply. Now, I’ve read so much of it that I’ve come to realize it’s all the same misrepresentations of Catholic theology over and over again – which got me to thinking about how we choose our sources of information. (Side note: I use anti-Catholic not to specifically depict angry, unfair attacks against Catholic teaching, but simply to mean anything that is meant to dissuade others from Catholicism.)

Since the article was written by a Reformed church, and since Reformed Theology is easily identifiable to address as a whole (a testament to its unity, I think), I’m going to stick with using it as my example. However, you can substitute any other religious philosophy into the statement below and the result will be nearly the same for me.

I accept Catholic Theology and not Reformed Theology as the fullness of the Christian Faith. But, in full disclosure, I have studied Reformed Theology from first-hand Reformed Theological sources very, very little.

I’ve read one book on it, What is Reformed Theology? by R.C. Sproul. I found it to be an excellent introduction into Five Point Calvinism, as it was written in a highly convincing manner. Due to my robust understanding of Catholic Theology, I wasn’t ultimately convinced of Reformed Theology, but it did provide me a healthy introduction.

Outside of R.C. Sproul’s book, the only reading I have done on Reformed Theology is from ex-Reformed, now Catholic authors. And, I’ve read a lot of it. I don’t read this material intentionally, but do so because I enjoy reading conversion stories and reading strong Catholic theologians (many are converts). They’ve spoken confidently and convincingly of the issues they had with Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, and how the doctrines of total depravity, election, predestination, and rapture aren’t quite right either.

Now, this is where Reformed readers are shaking their heads, “You should be learning Reformed Theology from Reformed authors. Catholics, even ex-Reformed, can’t properly teach you Reformed Theology!” And, they are right. As it turns out, from these men, I’ve developed a false sense that I actually know Reformed Theology (and, subsequently, why it’s “false”).

And, this, is where non-Catholics drop the ball, too. I’ve had many conversations with an array of different well intentioned folks who were convinced they knew Catholic Theology, and therefore why it was false. They’ve read plenty about it from some of their own theological heroes (like R.C. Sproul), and a good portion are ex-Catholics themselves. But each time I’ve been challenged about why Catholic doctrine X was false, all have been unable to properly explain said doctrine and thus ended up refuting something I don’t even believe in. They, too, have been fooled, like I have been.

Let’s think about it, what if I read 20 top notch books on Reformed Theology, and still didn’t have a change of mind? At that point, could I consider myself an expert on Reformed Theology – expert enough to teach others about it? Just how much research into Reformed Theology would I have to do in order to be expert enough to teach others accurately about it, if I never hold it to be the fullness of the Truth of Christ? This is the trust non-Catholics place in anti-Catholic (even ex-Catholic) sources, like the article from The Village Church.

Alas, we are all guilty of taking the easy way out. I titled this Why I Don’t Accept Reformed Theology and the full answer is two part – 1) I am so convinced of the fullness of Truth in the Catholic Church that I don’t desire to look elsewhere and 2) as a natural consequence I have not properly researched Reformed Theology. I imagine Christians of other traditions feel much the same way, and therefore, I understand why they don’t spend their spare time studying Catholic authors nor do I expect them to. However, if someone were to ask me about Reformed Theology I would do him a better service to say, “Read a book by R.C. Sproul” than to recommend an article from Called to Communion or attempt to answer the question myself.

I ask any non-Catholic readers out there, even if you are an ex-Catholic, to please consider seeking the Catholic rebuttle to anti-Catholic attacks as they exist and have existed for 2,000 years. Every point in the Village Church article can and has been addressed many, many times. Our faith tradition is more beautiful than I could ever express with my mediocre writing capabilities, and many people have done a lousy job explaining it (both non/ex-Catholics, and sadly some Catholics alike). The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a monster read, but well worth it. The Early Church Fathers defend the faith like no one else alive today (I bet God chose them to live so close to the beginning of Christianity for good reason!). Also, I would recommend David Currie’s Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic, Scott Hahn’s Rome Sweet Home or Patrick Madrid’s Surprised by Truth as easy reads to debunk some myths.

In the meantime, let us pray for understanding and unity. In His Name, Amen. St. Ignatius, pray for us!

“Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude of the people also be; even as,

wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.“

~ St. Ignatius, A.D. 110 ~

Statements of Faith vs “I’m Catholic”

I noticed a staple amongst non-Catholic Christian blogs, group websites and church websites that is completely missing from their Catholic counterparts – a Statement of Faith.

Visit any non-Catholic Christian site, and look around, usually in the About section, and you’ll find a Statement of Faith. These statements vary in length and detail, and no two are exactly alike. In a few short, well worded paragraphs, R.C. Sproul’s Ligonier Ministries’ Statement of Faith covers the Blessed Trinity, Sacred Scripture, and some Calvinist doctrine. By contrast, CARM (Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry) has a twenty nine point statement of faith getting into good details like the rapture and heresy.

Now, visit Catholic blogs and websites. In the About section you will see nothing like this. No list of personalized beliefs, no definitions of religious terms for clarification of exactly what the authors believe. Instead, there will be a quick reference to the Magisterium, the Holy See, or maybe just the mention of the word “Catholic” (with no ifs, ands or buts).

Not long ago, Catholic Sistas received an email from a well meaning man enlightening us to his new “Catholic” church. Yet, he wasn’t simply establishing a new parish down the street with the permission of his bishop. Instead, he was revamping Catholic teaching, sending us a list of eleven items in which his “Catholic” church would be different than the Roman Catholic Church. One of the first items listed was that his church was not submissive to Vatican teaching… naturally resulting in a faith that was no longer Catholic. This “Catholic” man spent many more words and much more effort explaining his faith than say, us at Catholic Sistas, where our about section sums up our faith in, “We strive to always be mindful of Mother Church and our adherence to Her.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church Table of Contents. Photo: Adrienne Taylor 2012

Devout Catholics have no need for a unique confessional statement. A devout Catholic (and their websites), need only mention adherence to the Church in one simple sentence and everything is said. This highlights the single biggest difference between Catholic Christianity and other traditions. In Catholicism, our statement of faith does not begin with us, and it is not about what we have determined to be true. In Catholicism, truth is not discerned by the individual, it is instead taught to the individual. Even the Pope submits wholly to the faith he was taught. He has no power to change or deny what was handed down to him. Believing as a Catholic is about agreeing in what we say (St. Paul 1 Cor 1:10) by remaining faithful to what we have learned and believed because we know from whom we learned it (St. Paul 2 Tim 3:14), as the Church is the pillar and foundation of Truth (St. Paul 1 Tim 3:15).

When a Catholic reads the Early Church Fathers, or the writings of any saint over the last 2,000 years, he finds what that early Christian wrote is the same faith that has been handed down to him. By contrast, a child of Christ nurtured by the traditions of the Reformation would read the same writings, and identify some of his own faith, yet will not be able to agree with everything confessed by the early Christian. For instance, the Protestant might identify with St. Augustine’s writings on grace, yet might find him quite wayward in his teachings on the Eucharist or submission to the Catholic Church. And this brings us back to the need for Statements of Faith.

With no visible head to point to for a unity in faith, the non-Catholic is left with penning his unique confessional statement in order to identify his beliefs amongst the choices floating out there. Perhaps some really could point to a particular source, say R.C.Sproul, because they do agree with everything he teaches, yet, I’ve almost never seen anyone express their faith so succinctly (exceptions mentioned below).

Catechism of the Catholic Church. Photo: Adrienne Taylor 2012

Meanwhile, when a Catholic confesses to adhering to the Magisterium, what that Catholic admits submitting to is best expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This statement of faith is far more than a few well-worded paragraphs. It is 900 pages of explicit teaching on all things of faith and morals covered in a lovely shade of hunter green. The Catechism is divided into four parts:

The Profession of Faith
The Sacraments of Faith
The Life of Faith
Prayer in the Life of Faith.

The Profession of Faith explains the Catholic faith within the lines of the Apostles’ Creed in great detail over the course of 270 pages. Next, the Catechism explains the Sacramental life of the Church, fully detailing each of the seven Sacraments and their application in the Christian life. The third part of the Catechism expounds upon vocations, social justice, grace and justification and fully dives into each of the Ten Commandments. Lastly, the Catechism speaks thoroughly for 70 pages of a Christian’s best spiritual weapon, prayer.

You can find the entire Catholic Catechism online through the Vatican’s website: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

When a Christian admits to being subordinate to Holy Mother Church, the simple word “Catholic” packs a very powerful punch. The word “Catholic” expresses more in that single word than a uniquely drafted confessional statement. The word “Catholic” unites more Christians (1.2 billion!), and more quickly (no ifs ands or buts!) than carefully filtered bullet points. The word “Catholic” is known throughout the world.

I would like to note there are other ecclesiastical bodies whom take a similar approach to the transmission of faith. For instance, I’ve seen Anglican churches and dioceses wrap up their statements of faith in a simple mention of being subject to the See of Canterbury, and I imagine orthodox communities might also specify being subject to a particular regional bishop. A Christian’s statement of faith, whether it is unique or whether it points to a particular teacher, speaks volumes to how that Christian believes God’s Truth is revealed, is it individually discerned, or is it universally taught?

Jesus to his Apostles after His Resurrection in 33 A.D.

“The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, ‘All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.’” (Matt 28:16-20)

St. Paul to the Thessalonians in 50 A.D.

“Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.” (2 Thess 2:15)

St. Paul to Timothy in 65 A.D.

“But you, remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known [the] sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim 3:14-15)

St. Augustine on the Catholic Church:

“We must hold to the Christian religion and to communication in her Church, which is catholic and which is called Catholic not only by her own members but even by all her enemies. For when heretics or the adherents of schisms talk about her, not among themselves but with strangers, willy-nilly they call her nothing else but Catholic. For they will not be understood unless they distinguish her by this name that whole world employs in her regard.” The True Religion, A.D. 390

(about why he is Catholic) “The succession of priests keeps me, beginning from the very seat of the apostle Peter, to whom the Lord, after his Resurrection, gave it in charge to feed his sheep, down to the present episcopate. And so, lastly, does the name itself of Catholic, which, not without reason, amid so many heresies, the Church has thus retained; so that, though all heretics wish to be called Catholics, yet when a stranger asks where the Catholic Church meets, no heretic will venture to point to his own chapel or house. … no one shall move me from the faith that binds my mind with ties so many and so strong to the Christian religion.” Against the Letter of Mani “The Foundation”, A.D. 397