[Catholic Comment] I came across your article on Mormonism and the challenge to pray about the book of Mormon. Thank you for it. It was instructive and helpful in all but one critical respect. You target Catholics in your analysis, implying that they worship Mary and have an incorrect understanding of the true presence in the Eucharist. I want to clarify, in case others have not. As Catholics, we do not worship Mary or statues.
We venerate Mary in the same way Elizabeth did in the gospels: “hail Mary, full of grace” “the Lord is with thee.” “blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” And regarding the Eucharist, have you read early church fathers? They are clear in their belief in the Eucharist. Thank you! And thanks again for your insights into Mormonism.
[Bible Answer] Greetings in Jesus’ name. Thanks for the compliment about the article on praying about the Book of Mormon. It seems you have somehow overlooked what it says about Catholics bowing before a Mary statue or reciting the rosary. There can be no question that both are common in Catholic circles, yet each is antithetical to God’s word. To bow before any graven image is forbidden in Ex. 20:4-6:
You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
To bow before a graven image is what people do who hate God! Did you know the Baltimore Catechism removed that command from their 10 Commandments taught to Catholic children? WHY do you think they did that?
Praying the rosary is one of the many Catholic distinctives and it began around 1090 AD. It is also in clear violation to Jesus’ commandment on prayer:
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Mat 6:6-8)
Catholics violate that command, as they keep on babbling like pagans. With regard to the Eucharist, it stands or falls on the Catholic claim that it was transubstantiated by the priest. The Bible has a very clear genuine transubstantiation mentioned in John 2, where Jesus changed the water into wine. After the transubstantiation, the water changed into wine TASTED like wine:
And the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” (John 2:9,10)
You should know that Catholics view their Mary much different than Elizabeth viewed Mary. Such is explicitly revealed in the Catholic Hail Holy Queen prayer:
“Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!”
Mary is NOT Queen of heaven. She is NOT our mother. She is NOT our life, sweetness or hope. She is NOT the most gracious advocate and neither is she a virgin anymore. Catholicism has another Mary, NOT the one described in the Bible—the mother of Jesus! More of the same is shown by Catholicism endorsing the Fatima Marian visions and through their popular Immaculate Mary praise song to her! You can’t justly deny any of that.
If Catholicism had a real transubstantiation, it would taste like flesh and blood, which it doesn’t! Did you know Catholics WORSHIP THE COMMUNION WAFER? That is their bold official doctrine about the Eucharist, yet it is blatant idolatry. Do you know what Rev. 21:8 says about idolaters?
To appeal to the early church fathers is a violation of the 2 Tim. 3:16,17 passage which states the Christian is fully equipped for every good work with the Scriptures alone! Besides, the so-called church fathers contradicted each other and are often quoted by various cults! Did you know that?
You might know that I’m a former Roman Catholic, who wanted to stay a Catholic, but was surprised by the truth I found in the Catholic Bible. If interested, you can watch my short video testimony here. The Biblical plan of salvation is safe and effective. You can NOT be hurt or go wrong by going by it, but to continue to trust in the sacraments, Mary and being a Catholic will end in disaster, though you may be very sincere! Do NOT be deceived.
