Roman Catholics. Are they Christians?

A Reformed Christian's Concerns About Roman Catholic Teachings.

The Roman Catholic Church (RCC) and Reformed Christianity may share roots tracing back to the early church, but their paths have diverged sharply, leading to intense debates and passionate disagreements over doctrine. While both camps embrace core Christian truths like the Trinity and the divinity of Christ, Reformed Christians see a lot of alarming teachings in the RCC that raise red flags. Let's break down the most contentious points from a Reformed perspective, revealing the chasm between the two.

1. Authority: Scripture vs. Tradition

At the heart of this schism lies the issue of authority. The RCC claims a dual-source authority—both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, interpreted by the Magisterium. This one-two punch creates what many Reformed Christians view as a confusing and potentially dangerous labyrinth of truth.

In contrast, Reformed Christians storm the gates with the battle cry of sola scriptura, insisting that Scripture alone holds ultimate authority over faith and practice. Tradition, while acknowledged, is always subordinate to the Bible. The Catholic reliance on Tradition raises serious concerns; doctrines like the Assumption of Mary or Papal Infallibility, which emerge from non-biblical sources, threaten to overshadow the true gospel. By placing these traditions on par with Scripture, the RCC allows room for teachings that could distort the very essence of Christianity.

2. Justification by Faith: Sola Fide

Perhaps the most explosive point of contention is justification. The Reformation ignited due to fierce battles over this doctrine. The RCC argues that justification is a long, winding road involving both faith and works, with grace flowing through the sacraments. Meanwhile, the Council of Trent slammed down the hammer on the idea of justification by faith alone (sola fide).

Reformed Christians, echoing the voices of luminaries like Martin Luther and John Calvin, stand firm on the belief that Scripture declares justification through faith alone. This belief shatters the illusion that human merit or sacramental rituals can play a role in salvation. For them, deviating from this doctrine not only mucks up the definition of the gospel but also risks luring souls into a trap of self-reliance, putting their trust in rituals instead of Christ's redemptive work.

3. The Role of the Sacraments

Another flashpoint is the sacramental system. The Catholic Church teaches that sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Baptism, are conveyor belts of grace, delivering salvation to the faithful. Transubstantiation claims that the elements of Communion actually morph into Christ's body and blood.

Reformed theology pushes back hard, arguing that the Church is conflating symbols with substance. While the sacraments are certainly significant, they’re not magical gateways to grace. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper act as visible signs of God’s promises, but they don’t possess inherent power. The notion of transubstantiation is dismissed as a gross misinterpretation of Scripture, with Reformed Christians asserting a real but spiritual presence of Christ in the Eucharist rather than a literal transformation.

4. The Papacy

And then there's the papacy—a concept that boils the blood of many Reformed believers. The RCC heralds the pope as the Vicar of Christ on earth, holding supreme authority over the Church. Papal infallibility, defined at the First Vatican Council in 1870, essentially declares the pope to be untouchable when speaking on matters of faith and morals.

Reformed Christians just can’t buy it. They reject the idea of a single earthly authority wielding supreme influence over the Church. For them, Christ is the one true head of the Church, and no mortal can usurp that position. The claim of papal infallibility has no grounding in Scripture; it's seen as a blatant distortion of Biblical authority and ecclesiology.

5. Veneration of Mary and the Saints

Last but certainly not least is the Catholic practice of venerating Mary and the saints. The RCC promotes Mary as an intercessor and suggests that the saints can act as mediators for believers. Praying to anyone but Christ is viewed as both unnecessary and theologically bizarre by Reformed Christians who adhere strictly to Christ's sufficiency as the only mediator.

The divide is stark, and the concerns are profound. The doctrines championed by the RCC raise critical questions in the eyes of Reformed Christians, making it clear that these two branches of Christianity, while rooted in a common past, are navigating vastly different theological landscapes.