The modern Roman Catholic Jesus

Now the point of this article is not to say that all Roman Catholics consciously teach against the trinity or incarnation of Christ. In doing research on this project through the current catechism, I am actually impressed with efforts the Church to get this doctrine correct. When we focus on the statements of the ancient creeds as they worked out their theology. There is ample effort to make sure that the trinity and incarnation are explicitly expressed.
Unfortunately, as we look upon more uniquely Roman Catholic Doctrines we find heresy and contradiction. I believe the reason for this is simply that the doctrine of God is based upon the Scriptures. While the other popular Roman Catholic doctrines are based upon the man-made “traditions” of the “fathers”. These evolving traditions are man-made and inevitably lead us to a false Christ. As Catholic tradition has evolved the gospel has become more perverted. As Catholic tradition evolves there is always a remnant to point to their “changes” even while the illusion of unity has been perpetuated. The Donatists and Waldensees witnessed the change to empire religion. The Eastern orthodox witnessed the change toward the superiority of the Roman Papacy. In recovering NT salvation the reformers witnessed the change and denial of scriptural authority. The Old Catholics of the 1800’s witnessed the change to Papal infallibility and the worship of Mary as co-mediator. Now Vatican I Catholics have witnessed the change away from exclusive salvation and towards secularism. All the while it claims to have been unmoved, like a drunk trying to prove it’s sobriety with steady hands. The “Church” only convinces itself of such unity. Meanwhile though the Vatican grows in power, the “Church” shrinks. It was reported last year that the RCC has shrunk from 2.1billion to 1.9 billion (200million). This gives Islam a chance for being the worlds most popular religion. [This fails if you combine all confessors of Christ, plus Islam is counted as if it had no denominations] Any how we must ask ourselves now more than ever who is the Jesus of the Bible?
Resources:
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1995 Imprimi potest Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger [Pope Benedict the 16th ]
Christ Among Us: A modern Presentation of the Catholic Faith: by Anthony Wilhelm
Nihil Obstat: Rev. Charles W. Gusmer Imprimatur: Most Rev. Peter L. Gerety, D.D. Asrchbishop of Newark


Evolution and Jesus
Darwinian evolution
“The Bible’s account of creation can fit in perfectly with science’s teaching on the evolution of the universe, even though, as we said, the Bible is not meant to be a scientific text.” Anthony Wilhelm, Christ Among Us: A Modern Presentation of the Catholic Faith. Pg22

In 1996 Pope John Paul II offered a statement that there were no irreconcilable differences between evolution and the Bible. This may have been a good political move but it is patently false.
Not only does this doctrine effect scripture, it effects our theology and therefore Christology. The following areas are most notable:
A. Theistic evolution leans towards pantheism) No better example of this phenomena than Roman Catholic theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin who was one of the leaders of the theist evolution movement. After working out his theories consistently he became a pantheist. This occurs due to the fact that evolutionary Christians teach creation is incomplete. So God is providentially in the process of creating. The providence of God is then confused with evolution. Evolution is natural chaotic law. Therefore God is not longer distinct from nature. This establishes the unholy God of Pantheism.

B. It downplays the omnipotence of God and therefore Christ
Random chaotic acts are not the same as intelligently designed miracles. The Bible claims a miracle. It is only natural to assume God a failure if it required him billions of years.
Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
Psa 33:7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
Psa 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
Psa 33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

C. It downplays the Character of God and therefore Christ
Many a Christian has went from theistic evolution to atheism over this very principle. The god of evolution is sadistic. This god requires the death of millions of species even human looking ones, just to get around to creating Adam and Eve. In the Bible death is a bad thing as well as a punishment for sin. However in evolution death is natural and almost good. Christ looks hypocritical dying for a humanity that was dying without sin anyway.

D. It downplays humanity and therefore the humanity of Christ
Finally humanity is no longer made in God’s image, it is the image of primates and apes. This slanders Christ who is also now a primate. It also makes one wonder if He was simply a random evolutionary leap.


The Logos is not entirely revealed The Word of God being not just the Bible but sacred tradition.
“Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father’s one, perfect, and unsurpassable Word. In Him he has said everything; there will be no other word than this one.” Pg 27 102
Here we see explicitly that Jesus is the Word of God
“81 Sacred scripture in the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the Breath of the Holy Spirit.”
“And [Holy] tradition transmits in its in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted tot he Apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It transmits it to the successors of the apostles so that , enlightened by the Spirit of truth, they may faithfully preserve, expound, and spread it abroad by their teaching.”
82 As a result the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, ‘does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from Holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and tradition must be accepted and honored with equal Sentiments of devotion and reverence."”pG52
So the Sacred tradition is the Word of God as well as scripture. And scripture does not fully reveal Christ. The New Testament then, becomes a failure.

Therefore Jesus is not entirely the God of the Bible. Since the Bible is an incomplete revelation then we only have part of Christ and His gospel. Ironically, the catechism is very careful to not identify what the sacred tradition is. It may claim that the sacred tradition came from the apostles and claim that it is handed down to the Bishops. But what exactly is it?
The catechism is even careful to say it is not their many church traditions.
“Tradition is to be distinguished from the various theological, disciplinary, liturgical, or devotional traditions born in local churches over time.”
However , it then adds this clause: “These are the particular forms, adapted to different places and times in which the Great Tradition is expressed.”
So the sacred tradition can never be fully revealed and only partially revealed.
“In the light of Tradition, these traditions can be retained, modified or even abandoned under the Guidance of the churches magisterium.” The above quoted from 83 apostolic traditions and ecclesial traditions pg31
So the Catholic laity could never guess at the missing piece of gospel called ‘Sacred Tradition’. Because they only get pieces which can be added, modified or dropped.
“85 The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in it’s written form or in the form of tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. …This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the Bishops of the communion in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.”
So the RCC claims to have a sacred tradition which nobody has seen, which is a hidden piece of the gospel of Christ, which the Pope has the right not only to interpret but to combine with the Bible and interpret the Bible as well even though we have no proof that this “Great Tradition” even exist!?
The question is, who has given them authority over reading the Bible and interpreting it as well as a mystery tradition? The Sacred Tradition? How do we know!?

This sounds like Gnosticism. Only they have a secret knowledge and they control God’s gospel so that God is incapable of saving your soul because he needs the permission of the Church.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
This is not what the apostles taught.
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
It appears that tradition and gospel which Paul received from the apostles is that which he has written down in the New Testament.

1Jo 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1Jo 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
1Jo 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
The tradition of that which was seen and heard by the apostle John was declared in the New Testament.

2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Paul teaches that the scriptures are sufficient. That the scriptures of the Bible alreadsy contained the Knowledge for us to receive salvation. And that the scriptures were useful in and of themselves for correction. The Pope never proved himself the authority to correct God.
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Peter (the Pope?) claimed that the Word of God is the Gospel which is preached. That the gospel is incorruptable.
Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
The true gospel of Christ is not hidden away in some sacred tradition. It is preach openly because it is the light.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Incomplete incarnation
Roman Catholic teachings holds the title of Mary as “The Mother of God” as fundamental to RCC faith. Most have a problem with the title Mother of Christ. Arguing that since Jesus is God that she must be identified as the Mother of God. However the New Testament never uses the title. The New Testament clearly teaches that Mary is the Mother of Christ. Christ is most definitly God. But Christ is by definition more than just God. Jesus is also man. One of Jesus favorite titles was Son of Man. When the title Mother of God is used, it denies the humanity of Christ. This goes back to gnosticism. The Gnostics denied that Christ was a man. Because they thought of the physical as by nature evil. The spiritual worship and ritual would be inherited by the monastic communities
“Also although Gnosticism had been rejected by the church, it’s influence could still be felt in the widely held notion that there was a fundamental opposition between the body and the life of the spirit, and that therefore in order to live fully in the spirit it was necessary to subdue and punish the body.” Justo Gonzales the Story of Christianity 137
So it is not surprising that Monks like Jerome would push the phrase “Mother of God” and claiming the perpetual virginity of Mary. Therefore, while they claimed an orthodox faith, they practiced the Gnostic form spirituality.
1Jo 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
2Jo 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.


Halfway Savior
The consequence of Mary as co-mediator. In order to downplay the humanity of Christ, the RCC prefers to title Mary as the Mother of God or “Theotokos”. The RCC has always been at odds within itself concerning the role of Mary. Even Roman Catholic Authorities have recognized that some cults worshipping Mary from within there ranks have risen due to their Monophysite tendencies. (down playing the humanity of Christ.)
“There have been, and are, exaggerations paid to Mary. Some particularly among the less educated, have tended to regard her in isolation from the Church, as one who grants favors in her own right; perhaps much of this is inevitable, particularly among those for whom Christ is more divine than human, who would therefore turn to another whom they could more easily think of as human like themselves.” Christ Among Us Anthony Wilhelm Pg 396

Yet the church does not do much to stem the tide of this cult and keeps rituals that cause the confusion.
“It is in this light that we must understand such terms as ‘spiritual mother,’ ‘mediatrix’ ‘co-redemptrix,’ and ‘Queen.’ By her special closeness to Christ and openness to God’s will she does for all what the rest of us do for some. She leads us in our intercession and mediation.” Pg. 394

Catholics know that there is only one mediator.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Also it is clear in the New Testament that the office of Intercessor belongs to the Holy Spirit.
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
There is no scriptural reason to associate with Mary, beyond a desire to associate with any biblical character.
This shows the ongoing monophysite practices of the church which have led to marry worship.



Let’s not get physical!
RCC’s version of the Birth of Christ.
In affirming the virginity of Mary, they decided argue that she was “ever-virgin”. This doctrine claims that Mary never had sex or children her whole life. This was a consequence of the claim that Mary was sinless. Ironically, since Mary was married to Joseph this would make her unfaithful to her husband, not doing the duties of a wife. So the doctrine contradicts itself.
However in this irrational doctrine there is a christological consequence. Christ had to be born without breaking the hymen. This is physically impossible and once again the humanity of Christ is down played.
499 “The Deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the church to confess Mary’s real perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man. In fact, Christ’s birth ‘did not diminish his mother’s integrity but sanctified it.’ And so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the ‘ever-virgin’.

Scripture as always doesn’t match this bizarre tradition. Mary had to go through ritual cleansing. This is symbolic of the fact that their were unclean issues involved as with all women.
Luk 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
Luk 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Luk 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

Too busy to sit at the throne of God
The mass and it’s effect upon the exaltation of Christ
1374 “In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly really and substantially contained.’

1377 “The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of consecration and endures as long as the eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of the parts, in such a way that breaking the bread does not divide Christ.”

Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

1378 “Worship of the Eucharist. In the liturgy of the Mass we express our faith in the real presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine by, among other ways genuflecting or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration to the Lord.”
Deu 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Deu 4:16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
Deu 5:8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
Deu 5:9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
1Jo 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Unless the RCC can show Biblically that they have the right to transform food into God then they are committing idolatry.

The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus physically ascended to Heaven.
Mar 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
It also teaches that Jesus will not return physically until the second coming.
Act 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
“as ye have seen him” implies that he will not secretly physically return in another form.
Jesus confesses that the substance was not himself.
Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Mar 14:24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Mar 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
Only places the confession prior to the body and blood statement. Even afterwards there is no mention of a transformation of substance.
Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Act 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
740 artos {ar'-tos}
from 142; TDNT - 1:477,80; n m
AV - bread 72, loaf 23, shewbread + 4286 + 3588 4; 99
1) food composed of flour mixed with water and baked 1a) the Israelites made it in the form of an oblong or round cake, as thick as one's thumb, and as large as a plate or platter hence it was not to be cut but broken 1b) loaves were consecrated to the Lord 1c) of the bread used at the love-feasts and at the Lord's Table 2) food of any kind
When look at the Old Testament Passover always viewed the bread and drink offering as memorial of the lamb with no miracles imagined.


Head of the church only in theory
The Pope as the head of the Church. While the creeds say that Jesus is Lord God, Faithful Catholics are not allowed to listen to his word directly. Every thing must be interpreted according to the will Papacy and the church. The Pope is the head of the Church disqualifying the Lordship of Christ.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
IF the Pope is head of the Church, then he is the Lord and Christ is only Lord in name. The Pope supposedly speaks infallibly Catholics could read the words of the Gospel. And yet if the Pope contradicts the Word then Catholics will follow the Pope.
Mat 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Mat 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Not a personal Savior
RCC Christ is dependent on the clergy to save. This limits the power of Christ and the Sovereignty of God. Through the Papal System salvation is limited. Yet through The gospel Christ reaches to the ends of the earth.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
From the gospel Jesus interacts with us personally. From the papacy we have a non-personal relationship with Christ. We also have the possibility of the priesthood coming between us and Christ out of spite or bias.


The wedding has been postponed! Purgatory and the return of Christ.
1030 “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.”

The point is after all of these bloody sacrifices The RCC member is still not forgiven of all sins. This is not the promise of the gospel.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Then of course in the Second Coming the Bible teaches it could take place at anytime. But if this is true then what of the souls in purgatory when Christ comes back?

From the beginning to the end Christ gospel has been perverted in the traditions of the RCC. Only one Christ claims to truly save. The Christ of RCC can make such a claim, because he needs the Popes and Mary and the priest. But Jesus of the NT tell us salvation is only through him.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.