Why is it necessary to teach about Roman Catholicism?

The Protestant and Roman Catholic Dispute Over True Christianity

So, why is it necessary to do a video on Roman Catholicism? The answer is quite simple. There are some significant differences between Protestant and Roman Catholic theologies. Protestants accuse the Catholics of being unscriptural, and the Catholics state that the Protestants don't have the true faith carried through the centuries by the Roman Catholic Church.

On whichever side you fall, the real issue is whether or not the Roman Catholic Church is representing true Christianity. If you are a Roman Catholic, please understand that neither the Karm website or these videos are meant to offend you in any way.

We are trying to examine the truth, all the truth, and compare it to the Bible. No matter who it is or what group is proclaiming truth, we know that the Bible is the Word of God and that no truth from God will contradict it.

I urge you to examine what is here on the Karm website and also in the video to see if what is being taught here is true. If you do, you will be doing exactly what the Bible commands, to examine all things 1 Thessalonians 5 .21 and 1 Peter 3 .15 and 2 Timothy 2 .15.

Since the Catholic Church holds that the Bible is the true Word of God, I am putting Catholic doctrine to the biblical test. If you are a Protestant, you will probably feel more comfortable browsing the Karm website and listening to these videos, since they will essentially confront Roman Catholic teaching.

Scripture Alone Versus Scripture and Tradition

It is apparent that the Roman Catholic Church has added much to the scope of Christian doctrine that is just simply not revealed in the scriptures. This is an issue that needs to be addressed. It is a vital and very important issue.

Now, the Protestant Church cites the Bible alone as the final source of doctrinal knowledge. The Catholic Church, on the other hand, cites the Bible and what it calls sacred tradition. Please consider the following from the Roman Catholic Church, a catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 82.

It says this, "...the church to whom the transmission and interpretation of revelation is entrusted does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy scriptures alone. Both scripture and tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence.".

Apparently, it is tradition that is the source of doctrines which are clearly not taught in the Bible, but which the Roman Catholic Church still says are implicit within its text and elucidated through apostolic tradition.

Roman Catholic Teachings Claimed to Come from Sacred Tradition

Some of these teachings that the Roman Catholic Church has that we just don't find in the scriptures but they say is found in sacred tradition is the Roman Catholic doctrine of the Mass, Penance, Veneration of Mary, Purgatory, Indulgences, the Priesthood, the Confessional, the Rosary, Venial and Mortal Sins, and Statues in the Church.

The issue is whether or not these teachings of the Roman Catholic Church are credible. Do they accurately represent Christianity? Can they be substantiated with the Bible? Do they contradict the Bible?

Comparing Roman Catholic Doctrine with the Bible

CARM attempts to examine the doctrines of Rome and compare them with the Bible to see if they are supported or contradicted by God's Word. We know that all truth in God's Christian Church comes from Him and through the Holy Spirit we can understand what He is telling us.

It will not, therefore, be contradictory. Whenever God tells us something, if it comes from Him, it can't contradict the Bible. So, let us see what God's written word says and compare it to the unwritten word, which is the Roman Catholic Church's term for tradition.

I hope you will enjoy these videos.