Roman Catholicism, Mary, and Christ-Centered Evangelism

Catholic Books That I Read For My Recent Series

A Catholic friend posted an article the other day that highlighted the story of yet another professing "evangelical" who has jettisoned the biblical gospel of grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (per Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 3-5) in order to enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

Here is an brief excerpt: YouTube star Lizzie Estella Reezay has announced that she’s converting from Protestantism to Catholicism.  “I want everyone to know that I hated that this was happening,” she explains in a recent video. “I fought so hard to get out of this intellectually. I did not want to be Catholic. Not only did I think Catholicism was wrong, I just didn’t like the vibe of Catholicism. I wanted to be anything but Catholic.”

She explains how hard it was for her to make her announcement video because she knew many of her Protestant family and friends would perceive it to be a betrayal. But, she explains, she was obliged to become Catholic by the force of one simple fact: it was true..."

I recently did a two month study of the inspired Song of Mary (the Magnificat) from the gospel of Luke.  In conjunction with this verse by verse study I shared a thematic series on "Will the Real Mary Please Stand Up?"  These messages are available for free if you click here.   One of the reasons why I felt the necessity to preach this series of sermons and to read so many books by Catholic theologians is to provide a biblical response to Lizzie's recent claim (that she has found the true truth in Rome).

As many of you know, the Catholic Church has over 1 Billion followers worldwide.  Their influence is massive.  The most important question however is are their articles of faith truly biblical?  If the Catholic teaching related to Mary is unbiblical, could they be wrong on justification/salvation?  I would encourage you to search the Scriptures diligently and to listen to my series of messages on Luke 1 and on the "real" Mary.  I have provided an extensive sermon outline/notes below to give you a flavor of what we covered in this very important series.

Will the REAL Mary please stand up? (pt. 2)

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Will the REAL Mary please stand up?

"Mary is the test of how well a Christian has accepted the gospel...Our understanding of Mary reveals everything about how we understand Jesus and his saving work." Catholic theologian- 2001.

As we continue the narrative of Mary as found in the Gospel of Luke we need to explain what Mary we are talking about.  Is the Roman Catholic Mary- the Mary of Scripture?

In order to present a fair critique I have read a number of Roman Catholic books.  In his book on Hail, Holy Queen: The Mother of God; In the Word of God Hahn writes, "I wrote this book so that my fellow Catholics would never be ashamed of their supernatural mother as I was once ashamed of my natural mother when she came to take me home from school."

Later he writes, "If you could have created your mother and preserved her from original sin, would you?  Would you?....Of course, you would!  But could you?  No, you couldn't! But Jesus could and Jesus did!"

On page 161 while flying on a plane Hahn pictured Mary patting me on the head and saying, "Don't worry so much about defending me.  Just love me and love my Son, and where you fall short, WE'LL make up for what you lack."

This Sunday our miniseries on the Biblical Mary continues.  Part one of this series can be downloaded free of charge here.

Will the REAL Mary Please Stand Up? (pt. 1)

Catholic's "venerate" Mary above all "saints."

With their being over 1 billion Catholics worldwide evangelicals cannot speak of Mary without qualifying what “Mary” they are talking about.  Hence our current series, "Will the REAL Mary Please Stand Up?"

During this series we will ask and answer the following questions:  Is it appropriate to "venerate" and to "sing and pray" to Mary?  Is it unbiblical to refer to her as “OUR mother?”  “The second Eve?”  “The new Ark of God?”  “The dispenser of all graces?”  “Our intercessor?”  “The Holy Queen of heaven?”  "The comforter of the afflicted?” & as “our Co-Redemptrix?

I recently read Catholic apologist Scott Hahn's book, "Hail, Holy Queen:  The Mother of God in the Word of God."  All of these titles are found throughout Roman Catholic literature.  Should evangelicals "devote themselves" to Mary as Pope John Paul II did?  

We also need answers to these questions:  Was Mary SINLESS  Did she remain a virgin (AFTER the birth of Christ)?  Was Mary taken up to heaven like Enoch, Elijah, and Elisha were? Most importantly, can you defend your position from Scripture?  Do your doctrinal convictions rest in the authority of God’s Word alone; OR are they deeply rooted in tradition and in the decrees and pronouncements of men?

Should Protestants distance themselves from the biblical Mary?  If not, how would God have us view her today?

The End of Brutal Tyranny and Savage Tyrants

If you think Hitler or Stalin were the first tyrants in history- think again.  Since sin entered the human race through Adam (Rom. 5) brutal acts of tyranny from power hungry tyrants has brought untold sorrow and grief to the world.  From the merciless Egyptian Pharaoh during the days of Moses (see Exodus 1-11) to Pol Pot, to the present day reigns of Putin and Kim Jong Il.  Evil rulers proceed from bad to worse. 

As such God's people long for the return of the King (see Revelation 22:20)!  We anticipate his return for a slew of reasons.  One reason why we long for the 2nd Coming of Christ is that we know it will usher in a kingdom of righteousness and will eliminate brutal tyranny! 

In the gospel of Luke we're briefly introduced to King Herod the (not so) Great (Luke 1:5).  Herod's bloody reign lasted from 37 BC to 4 BC.  As a Roman appointed ruler Herod's diabolical deeds were somewhat protected so long as he "kept the peace."  As one studies history you find that Herod was a power-hungry, self-serving, brutal yet brilliant, political figure with an insatiable blood lust!

This shrewd snake was so paranoid that he murdered every potential threat and rival (real and imaginary), including his own wife and three sons.  His most infamous act of brutality however was his abortion-esq edict to murder every innocent son of Abraham under the age of two during the early years of the Christ child (Jesus).  Matthew 2 recounts this horrific act of  selfishness and self-preservation.

Tyrants in History

In view of history, past and present, may we continue to pray (Matt. 6:9-10) and long for the Kingdom of God on earth (see Revelation 19-20).  Psalm 2 reminds us of what is yet to come and tells us how we should respond.  Repent; Believe; Worship; and never Lose Heart- for the King of kings shall one day return.  In that day, he will right every wrong and will "smash to pieces" every power-hungry tyrant.  As we enter into Advent season let us sing "Joy to the World" with renewed vigor and passion. And may we continue to pray with the disciples and early church, "Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!"  "Marantha!  Come quickly Lord Jesus, Come!"

PSALM 2- The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed.

1 Why are the nations in an uproar

And the peoples devising a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth take their stand

And the rulers take counsel together

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

3 “Let us tear their fetters apart

And cast away their cords from us!”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,

The Lord scoffs at them.