Original Letter from a Protestant to a Catholic Friend (Part 1)

[I redacted their names to maintain anonymity]

 

[To Anonymous Catholic],

I know it's been a while but I thought I would shoot you an email.

So I finished the first cd and one on the papacy.  Interesting.

I think I understand that the Roman Catholic Church believes that it and/or the pope can determine doctrine?  That scripture alone is not the only way God has communicated with us?

Is that right?

[Anonymous Catholic], I question this with all my heart.  

2 Timothy 3:16 says that "all scripture is Breathed out by God and profitable for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete for every good work."  

If scripture is directly from God, how would the church better it, further it, or complete it?

Shouldn't we go to the "God breathed" word before any man's?

Acts 17:11 says "The Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true".  

Luke calls the Jews "noble" who searched the Scriptures every day for themselves.

Other verses that encourage individuals to study Gods word:

2 Timothy 2:15

Matthew 4:4

Joshua 1:8

Psalm 119:8

Romans 15:4

Psalm 119:105

2 Timothy 2:7

2 Timothy 4:13

And Peter himself

 2 Peter 1-5

 1 Peter 3:15

 

As for the pope.  

First off, to call a mere man "holy father" is ridiculous and heretical.  Only Jesus was perfect.  Peter was a sinner used by God to accomplish Gods will.  All popes have been sinful men.  With a long history of oppression and abuse of power I might add.

2 Timothy 3:16 proclaims the Bible to be good for all life's problems and questions.  What need is there for a mediator between us and God besides Jesus?  It states Gods word is good for teaching, that we can be complete for all righteousness.  No mention of a pope.  

Hebrews 1:1

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV)

These prophets wrote down Gods word as did the apostles in the first century.  The canon is closed and it does not change.  There is no mention of a pope to continue clarifying Gods word.

Bottom line for me is this.  The Roman Catholic Church has inexcusably replaced the Pharisees and Judaism with a works based theology that is unbiblical.  By works based, I mean things like going to confession, having sayings that we repeat like "Hail Marys", mindless chants, prayer to Mary, etc.  these are man made ideas not from scripture that will somehow get us close to God.  

Hopefully,I do not offend you with any of this.  We can talk more.  Have a good day, bro.