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An index of apparent contradictions between 2 documents

1. The 1994 Catechism of the Catholic Church

2. The King James Bible

Context

There exists a non-universal belief among protestants (published with extensive argumentation in Rick Jones - Understanding Catholicism, and the works of Jack Chick to name but two) that Roman Catholicism is not truly Christian. This is as they claim it holds many doctrines that are in direct contradiction of the bible.

In order to give the best representation of this dispute, I will outline pieces of disputed Catholic Dogma, summarise the protestant objections, then give the relevent quotes from the catholic catechism (statement of official dogma and quotes from the king james bible which the protestants believe contradicts it.

History of Catholic Dogma

Percieved Non-Biblical Catholic Doctrines

Note: This list is not exhaustive.

The Final Authority

Catholic dogma sees the (catholic) Church as having equal authority to the bible on matters of dogma. Some protestants say that the bible contradicts this by claiming to be only source of authority on maters of dogma.

This is really the crux of the debate.

Catholic View:

"It is clear therefore that, in the supremely wise arrangement of God, sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the Magisterium of the Church are so connected and associated that one of them cannot stand without the others.

"Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit. And (Holy) Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. " (Pg. 26, #81)

"The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its 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 entruste d to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome." (Pg. 27, #85)

"For, of course, all that has been said about the manner of interpreting Scripture is ultimately subject to the judgment of the Church which exercises the divinely conferred commission and m inistry of watching over and interpreting the Word of God." (Pg. 34, #119)

Biblical View:

"Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever." Psalm 119: 160

"The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." Psalm 12:6-7

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Revelation 22:18-19

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." Proverbs 30:5-6

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8

".. 'no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.' For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21

Salvation (does it come through the church?)

Catholic dogma states that the (catholic) church acts as anintermediary, without which salvation is impossible. (Some) Protestantssee the bible as stating that salvation comes only through a presonal relationship with Jesus Christ, with no intermediary - thus the catholic view allegedly contradicts it.

Catholic View

"The Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism explains: 'For it is through Christ's Catholic Church alone, which is the universal help toward salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained.'" Pg. 215, #816

"..all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation.." Pg. 224, #846

Biblical View

"For whosoever

"He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life…" John 5:24

"To him (Jesus) give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…" Romans 1:16

Salvation (does it come through good works?)

Catholic dogma states that good works are necessary for Salvation. (Some) Protestants see the bible as contradicting this in stating that salvation comes only through the grace of god. That no man being good enough if he relies on good works, and anyone can be saved if they embrace jesus.

Catholic View

"Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however persevere in charity is not saved." Pg. 222, #837

Biblical View

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" Titus 3:5

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Romans 3:28

"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith…" Galatians 3:8

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26

Can the Church forgive sins

Catholic dogma states that God gave his ability to forgive sins tho the catholic church. (Many) Protestants believe that the bible contradicts this by stating that only god, and never man can forgive sins.

Catholic View

"There is no offense, however serious, that the Church cannot forgive." Pg. 256, #982

"By Christ's will, the Church possesses the power to forgive the sins of the baptized.." Pg. 257, #986

"The Church, who through the bishop and his priests forgives sins in the name of Jesus Christ.." Pg. 363-364, #1448

Biblical View

"Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?" Mark 2:7

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Baptism

Catholic Dogma states that baptism is required for salvation. Some Protestants see this as in contradiction of alleged biblical claims that it is a mere ritual metaphor for spiritual rebirth.

Catholic View

"The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation." Pg. 320, #1257

Biblical View

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12

"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel.." 1 Corinthians 1:17

Mary's Virginity

Catholic Dogma states that Mary (the mother of jesus) Remained a virgin all her life. (Some) Protestants claim that verses in the bible refering to children of Mary and siblings of Jesus contradict this.

Catholic View

"Mary remained a virgin in conceiving her Son, a virgin in giving birth to him, a virgin in carrying him, a virgin in nursing him at her breast, always a virgin." Pg. 128 #510

"And so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the 'Ever-virgin.'" Pg. 126, #499

Biblical View

Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Matthew 13:55

"Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him." Mark 6:3

"But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother." Galatians 1:19

Mary as an Intercessor

Catholic Dogma States that Mary acts as an intermediary between Man and God. Some Protestants claim that this is contradicted by biblical verses stating that Jesus (a part of god) is the only intermediary.

Catholic View

"Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix." Pg. 252, #969

Biblical View

"..if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:" 1 John 2:1

"For there is one God, and 'one mediator' between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" 1 Timothy 2:5

".. It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Romans 8:34

".. he (Jesus) maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:27

Mass and repetition of the crucifiction

Catholic Dogma states that the ritual of mass is required to complete Christs sacrifice. (Some) Protestants argue that the bible states the sacrifice to be already complete.

Catholic View

"In this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner." Pg. 344, #1367

"When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ's Passover, and it is made present. As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out." Pg. 343, #1364

"The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice." Pg. 344 # 1367

"Every time this mystery is celebrated, 'the work of our redemption is carried on' .." Pg. 354, #1405

Biblical View

"..but now once in the end of the world hath he (Jesus) appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." Hebrews 9:26

"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:10

"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.." Hebrews 9:28

"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;" Hebrews 10:12

Sources

• King James Bible
• 1994 Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Understanding Roman Catholicism - Rick Jones (available online at )