Catholic Doctrines

1. Catholic Doctrines Sacramentalism

2. Definition of Saint • “Saint” <- Latin “sanctus” = “holy” = “set apart by God” • In the New Testament, all believers are saints, those set apart by God – see Paul’s letters to Romans, Corinthians, Ephesus & others • In the Catholic Church, saints are those who are in heaven – their presence in heaven signifies their holiness • In a narrower sense, however, saints are heroes of the faith who have lived exemplary lives of virtue or have died as martyrs • In art, they are depicted with haloes St. Louis IXKing of France

3. Canonization of Saints • The Catholic Church bestows sainthood only after death • The process of canonization is lengthy & goes through stages • Servant of God -> Venerable -> Blessed -> Saint • In order to be canonized as a saint, there must be two miracles attributed to that person after death – in order to verify that person’s power of intercession • The pope has the final authority to grant sainthood • Canonized saints are worthy of veneration & requests for intercession • Saints intercede for the living because of their access to God

4. Praying to the Saints • The Council of Trent (1547-1563): “The saints who reign together with Christ offer up their own prayers to God for men. It is good & useful to pray to them, & to ask for their prayers, aid & help for obtaining benefits from God” • Patron saints are heavenly advocates for nations, occupations, activities, illnesses, persons & so on • Historical example: Martin Luther, fearful of a thunderstorm, prayed: “Help me, Saint Anne! I will become a monk!” • We ask for prayers from the living; we also benefit from prayers from the dead • See Hebrews 12:1 – “great cloud of witnesses”

5. Objections to Prayers to the Saints • The prayers of the righteous living are effective (James 5:16) • The Bible makes no mention of the dead praying for the living • God is the only proper object of our prayers • Prayer is an act of religious devotion & therefore we pray only to God • No prayers in the Bible are addressed to saints or angels • Jesus Christ is our mediator (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 4:15-16) • The Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Rom. 8:26; Eph. 2:18)

6. The Apocrypha • The Catholic Bible has additional books not in the Protestant Bible • Fifteen books including additions to Esther & Daniel • Protestants call these books the Apocrypha = “hidden” • Useful for history & edification but not inspired • Catholics call these books Deuterocanonical = “second canon” • Considered authoritative for church life & practice

7. The Apocrypha • Books written from 300 BC to 100 AD • After the Hebrew Scriptures had been canonized by the Jews • Not included in the Hebrew Scriptures • Jerome translated them into Latin for the Vulgate but added prefaces that explained that they were not inspired • Catholic scribes copied the Apocryphal books but not the prefaces, so eventually the Catholic Church included them in their canon • Wisdom of Solomon (30 BC) • Ecclesiasticus (132 BC) • Tobit (200 BC) • Judith (150 BC) • 1 Esdras (150-100 BC) • 1 Maccabees (110 BC) • 2 Maccabees (110-70 BC) • Baruch (150-50 BC) • Letter of Jeremiah (300-100 BC) • 2 Esdras (100 AD) • Additions to Esther (140-130 BC) • Prayer of Azariah (2nd or 1st century BC) • Susanna (2nd or 1st century BC) • Bel & the Dragon (100 BC) • Prayer of Manasseh (2nd or 1st century BC)

8. The Apocrypha • During the Reformation, Luther & Calvin & other Reformers omitted the Apocrypha • They followed the Hebrew Bible • The Catholics used 2 Maccabees to support their doctrines of purgatory, prayers for the dead, indulgences & works-based salvation • At the Council of Trent (1545), the Catholic Church confirmed the status of the Apocrypha as deuterocanonical

9. The Apocrypha • Today, some Protestant Bibles include the Apocrypha but insert it between the Old & New Testaments

10. Catholics on the Bible & Authority • Catholics accept three sources of authority: the Bible, Tradition & the Magisterium (teaching ministry) of the Church. • Tradition refers to teachings of the apostles, church fathers & councils that have been preserved in the Church apart from the Bible • Both Scripture & tradition must be accepted & honored equally • The Magisterium is the living, teaching office of the bishops in communion with the pope. • They interpret both the Bible & Tradition. • "The faithful receive with docility the teachings & directives that their pastors give them“ (Catechism of the Catholic Church – CCC)

11. Baptists on the Bible & Authority • The Bible is the sole authority for matters of faith & practice – Scripture alone. • We study tradition & recognize its value, but we distinguish it from Scripture & do not give it equal status • The Apocrypha should be rejected as uninspired & without authority.

12. The Seven Sacraments

13. The Seven Sacraments • The seven sacraments were made official at the Council of Florence in 1439 • God’s grace flows to individuals through the seven sacraments • Like water flowing through a hose • Sacramentum = “sacred or holy thing” • An outward sign & an inward grace • Not merely a sign but a cause of grace • Ex opereoperato – “by the work that has been worked” • The Sacraments operate by the power of the completed sacramental rite • However, in an adult recipient, faith is an indispensable pre-condition

14. Baptism • “By baptism, all sins are forgiven, original sin & all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin” (Catechism of the Catholic Church – CCC) • Person is “born again” (baptismal regeneration) by the Spirit of God who works through the water to free, restore & imprint the soul with a mark or seal showing the person is a child of God • Sprinkling of the person (usually an infant) initiates them into the church, makes them a Christian, so they can partake of the sacraments • "The Church & the parents would deny a child the priceless grace of becoming a child of God were they not to confer Baptism shortly after birth” (CCC)

15. Confirmation • Gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed when the bishop lays his hand on the person’s forehead and makes the sign of the cross with his thumb moistened with oil • Eastern church does this at baptism • Roman church usually at age 12 after catechism • Strengthens the person so that he or she can perform the duties of the Christian life

16. The Eucharist • Person receives, partakes of & comes into union with Christ’s nature through the Eucharist • Replenishes & nourishes the person with sanctifying grace for daily living • Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for sins is reproduced at the altar (perpetual sacrifice) • Bread & wine change into the real body & blood of Christ (transubstantiation) • Roman Catholic Church gave only the bread to the laity in order to prevent spilling of “blood”; only priest partook of the cup (prior to Vatican II, 1965)

17. The Eucharist • Adoration of the elements – displayed in a transparent case all day for worship & elevated during the service • Zenith of worship is the celebration of mass • Latin – mass was recited in Latin; eventually became unintelligible to most communicants & even many priests (prior to Vatican II, 1962-1965) • Children in the Roman Catholic Church usually receive their First Communion between ages 6-10

18. Penance • Penance imparts forgiveness of sins committed after baptism & reconciles the sinner to the church • Person confesses his or her sins to the priest because of fear of the consequences (attrition) or from genuine sorrow (contrition) • Oral confession, privately to priest, not publicly as in patristic period • In 1215, 4thLateran Council required annual confession

19. Penance • Priest pronounces absolution, or God’s pardon of eternal punishment, but requires the person to show true sorrow by performing acts of satisfaction which remove the tangible judgments or penalties (fines) which the church attaches to specific offenses, either serious (mortal) or minor (venial) sins • Any unpaid fines (sins) are removed through purgatory

20. Matrimony • Through mutual pledges made under the priest’s direction, matrimony consecrates the marriage union between man & woman • "The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator and endowed by him with its own proper laws. . . . God himself is the author of marriage” (CCC) • See the union of Adam & Eve and Jesus’ participation in the wedding at Cana • Matrimony is God’s gift for a moral life & the raising of children

21. Ordination, or Holy Orders • “Holy Orders – the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry” (CCC) • It includes three degrees: bishops, priests & deacons • In the Roman Catholic Church, celibacy is required for priests & bishops • Orthodox Church allows men already married to become priests. • Hierarchical polity • Power & decisions flow from the top down

22. Anointing of the Sick(Extreme Unction) • “This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true & proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to by Mark & is recommended to the faithful & endorsed by James the apostle and brother of the Lord” (CCC) • Cf. Mark 6:13 & James 5:14-15 • The organs of the senses are anointed with olive oil & indulgence is thereby given for unconfessed sins of the body

23. Baptist Ordinances • Baptists observe two ordinances, ordained by the Lord Jesus Christ • Believer’s baptism by immersion as a sign of the believer’s union with Christ in his death, burial & resurrection • Church membership is for baptized believers only • The Lord’s Supper – a memorial of what Christ has done through his broken body & shed blood