The Catholic Church is the largest Christian church in the world, with over 1.3 billion members. Catholicism has a rich history and tradition dating back to the early church described in the New Testament. However, there are some key differences between Catholic teachings and practices and what is directly taught in Scripture. This article will examine 9 major Catholic beliefs and practices and evaluate whether they align with or contradict biblical teaching.
Prayer to Saints
A defining practice of Catholicism is praying to saints in heaven to intercede on one’s behalf. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that saints join their prayers to those of Christ and the faithful on earth ask for their intercession (CCC 2683). While Scripture encourages asking other believers to pray for you (James 5:16), there is no indication that deceased believers in heaven can hear or respond to prayers. Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Praying to saints detracts from Christ’s unique role as intercessor and implies saints have powers that only belong to God.
Veneration of Mary
Catholics venerate the Virgin Mary above all other saints as the Queen of Heaven. This includes praying the Rosary, a series of prayers centered around Mary. However, Scripture never instructs believers to venerate Mary in this way. While Mary is blessed among women for bearing the Savior (Luke 1:42), she herself admits her need for a Savior from sin (Luke 1:47). There are no biblical examples of disciples praying to Mary or venerating her in the way Catholics do. Ultimately, this practice distracts from the supreme position and divine nature of Christ.
Purgatory
The Catholic doctrine of purgatory is the belief that after death, some souls go to a place of purification before entering heaven. The Catechism teaches this purification involves punishment for unconfessed venial sins (CCC 1030-1032). However, Scripture does not mention purification after death outside of heaven or hell. Hebrews 9:27 states it is appointed for man to die once and face judgment. 2 Corinthians 5:10 teaches believers will appear before Christ to be recompensed for deeds done in the body. There is no biblical support for an intermediate state of punitive purification like purgatory.
Penance and Indulgences
To be reconciled after committing sin, Catholic teaching instructs confessing sin to a priest and performing acts of penance. The priest can also grant indulgences to reduce punishment for already forgiven sins. However, the Bible teaches confession of sin is made to God alone (1 John 1:9). Only Christ can forgive sins (Luke 5:20-24). The idea of performing penitential works to earn forgiveness conflicts with salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Indulgences also have no biblical basis and deny the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement.
Papal Infallibility
Catholicism teaches that the Pope is infallible and cannot err when defining doctrine on faith or morals. However, there is no biblical foundation for a supreme Papal office, much less one with infallible authority. Peter is never described as a Pope or supreme head of the church. Scripture also warns of false teachers rising up from among believers (2 Peter 2:1). The Bereans were commended for comparing even the Apostles’ teaching to Scripture (Acts 17:11). The Bible alone is what believers are called to submit to, not any church leader.
Salvation by Works
Though Catholicism affirms salvation is a gift of God’s grace, it teaches justification is a process requiring both faith and good works. The Catechism declares that “by good works done in Christ, believers… merit increase of grace and eternal life” (CCC 2010). However, Scripture clearly teaches salvation is “not a result of works” (Ephesians 2:9). Good works are a result of salvation, not a requirement to earn it. Trying to merit grace conflicts with the free gift of justification by faith (Romans 3:24, 28).
Transubstantiation
One of the major differences between Catholic and Protestant doctrine is the Eucharist. Catholics believe the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ when consecrated by a priest. However, the Bible teaches the Lord’s Supper is done in remembrance of Christ (Luke 22:19). Jesus Himself said “this is my body” and “this is my blood” (Matthew 26:26-28). If the elements actually transformed into physical flesh and blood, Jesus would not speak figuratively in this way. There is no indication the disciples believed in transubstantiation.
Infant Baptism
Catholic tradition practices infant baptism, teaching that removing original sin in children is necessary for salvation. However, there are no examples of infant baptism in Scripture. Baptism follows an individual making a conscious decision to repent and believe (Mark 1:5; Acts 2:38). The few passages mentioning households being baptized do not definitively state infants were included. Circumcision and baptism are also different religious rites (Colossians 2:11-12). Infant baptism lacks biblical support and goes against the pattern of baptism in the New Testament.
Clerical Celibacy
Catholic priests take a vow of celibacy, abstaining from marriage. While celibacy is practiced at times in Scripture, it is never mandated. Bishops and elders in the early church were often married men with families (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:5-6). Paul allows ministers to have believing wives like Peter did (1 Corinthians 9:5). He further teaches that forbidding marriage is unbiblical (1 Timothy 4:1-5). Singleness can be good for undivided devotion to Christ, but it should not be forced upon church leaders when Scripture permits marriage.
In conclusion, there are substantial differences between some major Catholic doctrines and practices and the teachings in Scripture. Practices like praying to saints, penance for sin, transubstantiation, and papal infallibility lack direct biblical support. Core teachings on salvation, forgiveness, Christ as sole mediator, and the sufficiency of Scripture also conflict with Catholic tradition. While there is some common ground, the distinctive Catholic beliefs examined overall go beyond or against the written Word of God.