The following is an actual letter that was written in the summer of 2004 by an Evangelical Christian expressing eight objections that he has to the Catholic faith as he sees it. He then provided his own Protestant "answer" to each of his objections.
I responded to each of the eight objections/Protestant answers individually. I have linked my individual responses after each objection/answer.
PROTESTANT ANSWERS FOR THE
Protestant Objection #1:
According to the Roman Catholic Doctrine of the "Immaculate Birth," Mary is considered to be sinless. It is supposedly true according to the scriptures that when Mary was conceived in her mother's womb, she had no sin and was saved.
Protestant Answer:
The Bible teaches that all people have sin and are even born in sin. The Bible even says that Mary gave a sacrifice for her sins. Psalm 51:5; 58:3; Rom 3:23; Luke 1:46-47; 2:21-24; Leviticus 12:8.
Catholic Response:
You can read the Catholic Response to Protestant Objection #1 by clicking here.
Protestant Objection #2:
According to Roman Catholic Doctrine, Mary is our mediator who takes our prayers to God the Father.
Protestant Answer:
The Bible teaches that there is only one person that takes our prayers to God, and that is Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 8:6; 9:15,24; 12:24; 1 John 2:1 Isaiah 53:12; Luke 22:32; 23:34;John 14:6; 16; 17:9; Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25.
Catholic Response:
You can read the Catholic Response to Protestant Objection #2 by clicking here.
Protestant Objection #3:
According to the Roman Catholic Doctrine of "transubstantiation" the wine and bread-wafer-Eucharist is changed into the actual body and blood of Christ. It is to be worshipped and adored because it is divine.
The Catholic Church bases their doctrine of transubstantiation upon the teaching of Aristole. His third century B.C. concept of matter was viewed as consisting of two parts: the "accident" and the "substance." Accident is described as the outward appearance of matter and substance is its inner existence. Based on this teaching the inner existence changes while the outward appearance remains the same. It is the foundation upon which the Mass rests. The Priest must change the bread so that Christ can be offered as a real sacrifice for the sins of the living and the dead.
Protestant Answer:
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ told the disciples that communion is only a “remembrance” of Him (Mt 26:28; Luke 22:7-20; John 5:50-63; 1 Cor. 11:25) and that Christ was sacrificed once and for all (John 19:30, Roman 6:10, Heb 7:27; 9:28; 10:12-14; 1 Pt 3:18).
Catholic Response:
You can read the Catholic Response to Protestant Objection #3 by clicking here.
Protestant Objection #4:
According to Roman Catholic Doctrine, they can work their way into heaven.
Protestant Answer:
The Bible teaches only our faith in God will get us to heaven. Eph 2:8-9, Rom 3:27, 2 Tim 1:9, Titus 3:5, James 2:26
Catholic Response:
You can read the Catholic Response to Protestant Objection #4 by clicking here.
Protestant Objection #5:
According to Roman Catholic Doctrine, those who die without grace go to hell. Those who die in a "State of
Protestant Answer:
The Bible teaches that your destination is determined at death where you are going to be forever in HELL OR HEAVEN (Heb 9:27,Luke 16:12-31). Christ delivered us from the fear of death and from being bondage to it (Heb 14-15). Jesus became our purgatory and took our hell (Heb 1:3).
Catholic Response:
You can read the Catholic Response to Protestant Objection #5 by clicking here.
Protestant Objection #6:
According to Roman Catholic Doctrine, we are supposed to bow down in submission to statues of Mary since she is the mother of Jesus.
Protestant Answer:
The Bible teaches that we should not bow down to statues, nor serve them in any way because it is the worship of devils (Ex 20:4-5, 1 Cor. 8:4-13; 10:19-21).
Catholic Response:
You can read the Catholic Response to Protestant Objection #6 by clicking here.
Protestant Objection #7:
Let us be mindful that in the Catholic Church salvational issues are based on:
- Faith
- Baptism
- Church membership
- The sacraments
- Obedience to the commandments
- Prayer
- Good works
- And remaining in grace until death.
Protestant Answer:
The Bible teaches that salvation is found only in belief and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ for what He did for us on the Cross (Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9-13, Eph 2:8-9).
Catholic Response:
You can read the Catholic Response to Protestant Objection #7 by clicking here.
Protestant Objection #8:
Finally, the Roman Catholic Church teaches that Priests are allowed to forgive you for your sins.
Protestant Answer:
The Bible teaches that only God can forgive sins (Job 14:4, Dan 9:9, Micah 7:18, Luke 5:21; 7:39, 1 John 1:9, Mark 11:25), and that we should call no man Father universal but God (Mt 23:9, Psalm 49:12, John 5:44, Mark 12:29, Act 4:12).
As God leads us to minister to our Roman Catholic friends, let us be mindful that we are looking to win the soul out of darkness, and not the argument or debate popularity. Our goal is to show the love of Christ and the right way to HIM!
Catholic Response:
You can read the Catholic Response to Protestant Objection #8 by clicking here.
Conclusion:
Concluding remarks can be read by clicking here.