Calvary's Pastor Chuck Smith Disputes Pope Benedict's Catholic Ways
The document implies that the Catholic church is the only true church and the only true path to salvation.
"I really can't understand why a person who is reading the word of God and believing the word of God can embrace the teachings of the Catholic church in this matter," said Smith, who is the pastor of Calavary Chapel in Costa Mesa, Calif.
In answering a caller to the radio show, who asked why the Pope would make such a statement about the Catholic church, Smith said, "The Catholic church believes your righteousness and salvation is by good works. As Christians, we believe that it is by God's grace you are saved, not by works."
The Pope has had a wide spectrum of reaction to his recent approval of a document that states other Christian communities such as Protestants "cannot be called 'churches' in the proper sense" since they don't have what's known as apostolic succession - that is, the ability to trace their bishops back to the original 12 apostles of Jesus.
It was "difficult to see how the title of 'Church' could possibly be attributed to them," said the statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, purporting Roman Catholicism was "the one true Church of Christ."
While discussing the practices of the Catholic church, including praying to Jesus' mother Mary, Smith said, "We don't believe Mary has any value toward praying to God. They also, pray to saints, and we don't believe that has any value either.
"We can come to God directly through Jesus Christ. We confess our sins to Jesus," he said.
Pastor's Perspective can be heard on local Christian radio and KWVE.com.
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9 Comments
Post a CommentI would suggest to the Good reverend to read his bible
James 2:14-18
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone might say, "You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.
I'm afraid the Good reverend is really unread when it comes to scripture and ignorant when speaking about Catholicism
The Catholic Church is the body of Christ-why? well because if I were in Africa I know that the Mass in California is exactly the same as in Africa or Germany or Italy reading the same scripture at the same time thats unity thats universal-as for the protestants-50,000 different denominations all claiming to have the right interpretation of the bible and that they know the true Christ-but at the same time you guys cant get along on scripture-Calvary chapel cant get along with Crystal Cathedral or newhope christian church or first baptist ect-ect-ect-even in Calvary Chapel you have young pastors not agreeing on scripture with each other and thats dangerous it confuses the person whos looking to understand the bible-The Catholic Church is the one true church and going up against it, is like bringing a 31 flavors sample spoon and the claim I can take down mount everest with my plastic spoon-good luck
The Catholic church is the body of Christ%3F%0D%0AAre you kidding me. When Scripture taught on the body of Christ the Catholic church didn%27t even exist. Romans 12. When will you stop feeding your flesh and feed your spirit%3F The body of Christ is all%2C I repeat to you%2C ALL who have come to HIM and believed. There are many parts to HIS body.
*It is quite obvious that neither you nor Chuck Smith know anything about the Catholic Church and its teachings. ~ This is false, at least concerning Chuck Smith. I think that before such a bold statement you should do some research into whom you are attacking.
*We should try to refrain from bashing other Christians in Jesus's name. ~ I agree with you here, that we should refrain from bashing other Christians in Lord Jesus' name, but is it not true that Catholics commit idolatry? How do rosary beads differ from a golden calf? When acts concerning Christ do not hold up Biblically, and are actually spoken against by God, we need to speak out about them.
Dear Andy:
It is so obvious you don't understand or have never read Scripture. Who prays to Mary? But more specifically, where do all of the protestant get their bible? Did Luthern not take it from the Catholics? Did it not become Scripture in 330? Or, did Luther and others come up with the bible? No, they took Holy Scripture and tried to distroy all that is holy and scraed; however, it didn't work because here we are in 2008; and most of you are still asking about his mother, where she claims in scripture that all will call her blessed. Hum, I wonder what this mean? Who calls her blessed? The protestants or the Catholic? Who denies the little one? The protestants or the Catholics? Who has supported and encourage Sodom in this century? The protestants or the Catholics? Who stil agree with GOD when he said, "I hate divorce!" The protestants or the Catholics? Who bends their knews as GOD said his people would? The protestants or the Catholics? Who believes Jesus when
The Catholic church is the body of Christ. And so the graces of salvation flow from Christ, through the church, to humanity,which also includes other christian communities. So in a sense other "chuches" are part of the Catholic church in a special way. The Cathiolic does not belive in working your way to Heaven. A non-catholic cant earn his way by reading the bible,alter calls,going sunday service ,being married in the church and tidings. Without Faith it mean nothing.Its the same for Catholics. A Catholic can do all the same things and sacraments, but if he has no faith, then its just works-meaningless. There are non-catholic Christians and Catholic who just go through the motions-they talk the talk,but cant walk the walk. Christ Has Truly Risen and I Love Him only with my heart.I hope you all belive this. CHRIST IS MY KING and I will give my life to fight the evil that theatens the Christian people. I am a knight from the crusades of old.
It is quite obvious that neither you nor Chuck Smith know anything about the Catholic Church and its teachings. The Catholic Church does not believe that you are saved by good works nor do we worship Mary. We do ask Mary to pray for us as I'm sure you ask your other church members to pray for you. We should try to refrain from bashing other Christians in Jesus's name.
I agree with Andy completely. Great article! I have to agree with Pastor Smith.
Thanks, Andy, for your comment...and while we are telling or showing people that "narrow way" and "small door" we should do so with Christ's love...and that can often be difficult...that is why we need Him!