A question arose this week about Catholics that led my to write a series notes on “What is the deal with world religions.” There isn’t enough space here to cover them completely but hopefully this will answer some questions and generate others; which is the only way to learn.

So, the first in the series is: What is the deal with the Catholic faith?

Well, like many “religions”, the tenants, the beliefs and practices vary in individuals, local parishes, parts of the country, and the world. When looking at “world religions”, there is a problem right from the start. When a person or group gives themselves a label (I’m a, or I belong to the: Catholic, Baptist, Methodists, Presbyterian, Church of Scientology), there’s the potential for idolatry. This is true for any denomination, cult, ism or atheistic idea. We are all created in God’s image and should belong to Him (Ex. 20:3). The name or organization is just that; for organizational purposes. The things of God are perfectly balanced and in order; therefore we meet and worship Him together. DISCLAIMER: There are genuine born-again believers in many different denominations; only God knows the heart. With that said, generally speaking; the Catholic faith as fallen victim to idolatry by missing the mark. One of the best ways to discern if a person or group is in “the way” is to ask a few fundamental, all important, questions:

Who do you say The Lord Jesus Christ is?
What is your purpose for being here?
Are you saved, where are you going when you die?
What does it take for a person to go to heaven?

These questions will reveal where or who a group (or person) puts their emphasis. The Catholic church, unless they’ve changed, has put the emphasis on “the Pope”, “Peter”, ‘Mary”, “the sacraments/ communion” and the “confessional.” In my experience, there has never been an emphasis put on the inerrancy of God’s Word, the all sufficiency of Christ, or personal evangelism.