As every experienced Bible worker knows, the devout Roman Catholic holds tenaciously to the doctrines of his church. Cardinal Gibbons is authority for the following statement:
"The number of Catholics in the world is computed at three hundred millions. They have all 'one Lord, one faith, one baptism,' one creed. They receive the same sacraments, they worship at the same altar, and pay spiritual allegiance to one common Head. Should a Catholic be so unfortunate as contumaciously to deny a single article of faith, or withdraw from the communion of his legitimate pastors, he ceases to be a member of the Church, and is cut off like a withered branch. The Church had rather sever her right hand than allow any member to corrode her vitals."—"The Faith of Our Fathers," by James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, p. 10, 1904 ed.
The claim is made by him that the church is grossly misrepresented.
"In a large portion of the press, and in pamphlets, and especially in the pulpit, which should be consecrated to truth and charity, . . she is the victim of the foulest slanders. Upon her fair heavenly brow her enemies put a hideous mask, and in that guise they exhibit her to the insults and mockery of the public; just as Jesus, her Spouse, was treated when, clothed with a scarlet cloak and crowned with thorns, He was mocked by a thoughtless rabble. They are afraid to tell the truth of her."—Id., p. 12, Introduction.
In view of such a challenge, it becomes the duty of Bible teachers directly in touch with the public—and who consequently come in contact with large numbers of these three hundred millions of adherents to Catholic doctrine—to know the absolute truth concerning the main teachings of the Catholic Church, and never to be "afraid to tell the truth of her," in a proper spirit and way.
Referring to "slanders" against the Catholic Church by Protestant ministers, the Cardinal states further:
"It is not of their hostility that I complain, but because the judgment they have formed of her is based upon the reckless assertions of her enemies, and not upon those of impartial witnesses."—Id., p. 13, Introduction.
He makes a further eloquent plea for fairness on the part of the Protestant clergy, by asking that standard original sources be used concerning Catholic doctrine:
"Examine her creed. Read her authorized catechisms and doctrinal books." "Ask not her enemies what she is, for they are blinded by passion; ask not her ungrateful, renegade children, for you never heard a son speaking well of the mother whom he had abandoned and despised."—Id., p. 14, Introduction.
Being thus classed as a "renegade," because I was formerly a Catholic, I must be especially guarded against any "reckless assertions." To a greater degree than is justifiable, some may have offered "reckless assertions," originating from unauthorized and uninformed sources, as alleged "proof" in dealing with the errors of Catholicism. The only consistent course to be pursued by those handling the eternal truth of God's Word, is to be thoroughly informed from the authentic and original sources concerning every assertion made, not only regarding the claims, teaching, and practices of the Catholic Church, but of every other system of error with which truth is confronted. And when it comes to dealing with the mystical teachings and practices of the "man of sin" so clearly revealed in the Scriptures, the scope is almost without limit. All that can be attempted in this brief article is to establish a few of the more important facts that serve us well in holding to the affirmative in our Bible teaching.
While it is true that Seventh-day Adventist workers have a definite and clear understanding of the rise and ultimate end of the papal system of error, yet there is danger of putting too much dependence upon hearsay or superficial evidence in our efforts to meet the Catholics on their own ground. It has been frankly admitted by not a few workers, that when asked a question on the doctrine of purgatory, the seven sacraments, the immaculate conception of the virgin Mary, Peter and the keys, the Rock, etc., they were sometimes obliged to resort to irrelevant remarks to cover up their lack of information. No doubt there are many, particularly among our Bible workers, who, when brought to the test of Catholic questions, would be unable to deal with their doctrines intelligently.
It is well to bear in mind, first of all, that the Catholic Church regards her doctrines as unimpeachable. That assertion is made by Cardinal Gibbons:
"The church is not susceptible of being reformed in her doctrines. The church is the work of an incarnate God. Like all God's works, it is perfect. It is, therefore, incapable of reform. Is it not the height of presumption for men to attempt to improve upon the work of God? Is it not ridiculous for the Luthers, Calvins, the Knoxes, and the Henries, and a thousand lesser lights, to be offering their amendments to the constitution of the church, as if it were a human institution? Our Lord Himself has never ceased to rule personally over His church. It is time enough for little men to take charge of the ship when the great Captain abandons the helm. . . . If only one instance could be given in which the church ceased to teach a doctrine of faith which had been previously held, that single instance would be the deathblow of her claim to infallibility. But it is a marvelous fact worthy of record that in the whole history of the church, from the nineteenth century to the first, no solitary example can be adduced to show that any pope or general council ever revoked a decree of faith or morals enacted by any preceding Pontiff or council. Her record in the past ought to be a sufficient warrant that she will tolerate no doctrinal variations in the future."---Id.. pp,173- 74.
In view of these bold assertions, we should have an intelligent background of the various doctrines that are held as unimpeachable. To the mind of the average Catholic, the doctrines of Catholicism had their origin with Christ, and have been handed down by the apostles to the church, which has never changed them. The question is, How are we to meet this class? If the Bible teacher can calmly give facts as to how the various doctrines came in, and when they were accepted as dogmas, this very fact will establish confidence on the part of the Catholic, and yet at the same time start a trend of thought in his mind that cannot be easily thrust aside. But this the worker cannot do without a knowledge of the facts at his command. And in order to gain this knowledge, it will require study, not only of "authentic catechisms," but most of all, of how to deal successfully with these key dogmas from the standpoint of the Bible.
Take, for instance, the question of image worship_ _To the Catholic -it makes -a -profound impression if, after reading the second commandment, you couple with it the various statements in the Word of God on the making of images. I know how it impressed me when I first had read to me texts such as Isaiah 40:18; 46:5; 44:8-10, 12-17, and Psalms 115:2-9.
Here is an experience with a Catholic who attended our meetings, that illustrates, my point. I began studies with this person who seemed quite anxious to receive Bible instruction from one formerly of her own persuasion. She expressed the freedom she felt with me, because of the fact that I was conversant with the Catholic points of doctrine.
I thought I would lay aside controverted questions of Catholic faith, and simply present our doctrine. But to my astonishment I found I was, as it were, beating the air; for my reader's mind was greatly disturbed over missing mass each Sunday since attending our meetings. This is considered, of course, a mortal sin, and any person dying in a state of mortal sin is believed to be damned and confined to the fires of hell for eternity. Hearing mass on Sundays and holy days is the first commandment of the church, and by the faithful Catholic the commandments of the church are faithfully adhered to. Perhaps I should quote the first commandment of the church, on hearing mass:
"Is it a mortal sin not to hear mass on Sunday or a holy-day of obligation?
"It is a mortal sin not to hear mass on Sunday or a holy-day of obligation, unless we are excused for a serious reason.
"Do they sin who hinder others from hearing mass?
"They also commit a mortal sin who, having others under their charge, hinder them from hearing mass without a sufficient reason."—Butler's Catechism, p. 198.
"What is mortal sin?
"Mortal sin is a grievous offense against the law of God, which brings everlasting death and damnation on the soul."—Id., p. 138.
Naturally my heart was touched by the appeal prompted by my reader's anxiety as to how she would fare while breaking this inexorable command of the church. After presenting the Word of God as the infallible guide, I approached the subject of the mass from the Bible standpoint. I had to clear up "transubstantiation," and all that the mass involves, as well. Thank God, when I got through, my reader expressed her appreciation for the light that God's Word had shed upon the subject, and she said that it brought relief to her mind, as she would no longer feel under condemnation.
I relate this one incident for the purpose of showing the importance of having not only the historical background of key Roman Catholic doctrines, and their entrance into the church, but to suggest how to deal with them from the Word of God.
I admonish all my colaborers, especially those in the Bible work, to acquire from authentic sources a knowledge of the Roman dogmas and their origin, and the part they play in the life of the Catholic layman, so that they may be better prepared to enlighten these poor souls, as well as to have a foundation based on the Word of God, thereby being able to meet every important question which may arise.
Brooklyn, New York.
