Five Reasons I Am Not Roman Catholic

In this video I give five reasons why I am not Roman Catholic, and instead remain in the Lutheran church.

[ХристоМартунковграфЛозенски]

So here are his reasons:
1:12 The Papacy
5:40 The Saints
8:41 The Sacrifice of the Mass
11:47 The Inconsistency of the Church
14:48 Justification

[big_swole_]

I appreciate this video. You understand Catholic theology well and rationalize your point of view without trash talking Catholics at all. Many Protestant YouTubers I view fall into the stereotypes on how they see Catholics, so it’s hard for me, as a Catholic to ever see Protestants present their views vs Catholic views because they don’t even understand the other side. This video was interesting and caught my attention the whole time.

[LuciusClevelandensis]

I'm a catholic who appreciates your clarity and conviction. Thank you, sir.

[derrickbonsell]

I don't think you can talk about the power of the Papacy without referring to the historical circumstances. The entire west was under Rome's jurisdiction while the east was split between 4 other Patriarchs. Later on 3 of them fell to Islam while the 4th was under the Emperors of Constantinople. It's not hard to see how that left the Papacy out on its own, so to speak. No wonder that Popes were able to secure so much power over the Church as it existed in Latin-speaking Europe.

[erikmiller]

As a Lutheran convert to Catholicism, I appreciate your firm, yet respectful videos. It's quite ironic that the Lutheranism I departed (female priests, homosexual clergy, etc..) is becoming fashionable among the prelates in Rome. Seemingly, a chasm exists between the pre and post Vatican II Church.

Separately, I would love to see a respectful debate and discussion with you, Dr. Taylor Marshall (Catholic), and Fr. Josiah Trenham (Orthodox.)

Cheers,

Erik

[bigogibslapyanutz]

I was an atheist for my entire life. Started studying the Bible and watching videos and praying and it brought me to Jesus. I searched the denominations and I found the Lutheran Missouri synod to fit the best. They kept the good things about the Catholic Church but cleansed the nonsense. I studied Roman Catholic a ton because my wife was a Roman Catholic. Found a lot of inconsistency and contradictory between catholic teachings and their extra books. I could go on and on. But a lot of what he’s saying plus what others have said is simply why.

[romanthechristian]

I’m non-denominational and considering Lutheranism. These videos have been very informational and straightforward. I like the unedited format. Just turn on the camera, and talk about your perspective. It’s refreshing. I also think you did a good job clearly presenting your points without being needlessly hurtful to Catholics. Great video.

[colnagocowboy]

I am Lutheran Deacon have a friend a Roman Catholic priest (in Italy) tells me I'm more Catholic than he is.

[stephengreater]

Thanks so much bro. Been trying to think through all this. Your clip was super helpful and a soothing balm to the soul.

[geico]

Oh yeah, both the "Papal infallibility" and "Intercession of the Saints" are two of the most difficult dogma/doctrine and/or doctrine/dogma to wrap my head around.

[Jere]

Justification by Faith is a legitimate foundational doctrine, as long as it is not used as a cover for unrighteous practice for that would contradict Paul who firmly warned that no one who does will inherit the kingdom of God.

[jameshoneycutt]

I’ve watched several of your videos and enjoy them. Will you make (or have you already made) one explaining the differences between the various Lutheran groups?

[tomtemple]

Christ is the stone that was rejected by the builder but became the cornerstone of the church
Christ is the foundation/rock of the church, not a sinful human being

[BibleLovingLutheran]

There's only one reason why I'm glad God didn't allow me into the RCC and that's because of...

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 ESV

[barbwellman]

"Works Righteousness"
(Pelagianism) was declared a heresy in the Catholic Church in 418 AD at the Council of Carthage.

[barbwellman]

You failed to discuss the giving of the keys and the binding and loosening to Simon specifically in Matthew 16:

"17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona!

For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, [d] and on this rock[e] I will build my church, and the powers of death[f] shall not prevail against it.[g] 

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, [h]and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” "

[paulhill]

Petros v petra debate is absolutely lacking legs omitting the fact this entire original conversation was in Aramaic. Moreover Jesus uses the singular “you” when saying "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."

Also why, if this conversation is insignificant and “misinterpreted” by Catholics, is there so many Early Church Fathers that indicate a special primacy to the Church in Rome?

Clement of Rome

Accept our counsel and you will have nothing to regret. . . . If anyone disobeys the things which have been said by him [Jesus] through us, let them know that they will involve themselves in no small danger. We, however, shall be innocent of this sin and will pray with entreaty and supplication that the Creator of all may keep unharmed the number of his elect (Letter to the Corinthians 58:2, 59:1[A.D. 95]).

Ignatius of Antioch

You [the See of Rome] have envied no one, but others have you taught. I desire only that what you have enjoined in your instructions may remain in force (Epistle to the Romans 3:1 [A.D. 110]).

Irenaeus

But since it would be too long to enumerate in such a volume as this the succession of all the churches, we shall confound all those who, in whatever manner, whether through self-satisfaction or vainglory, or through blindness and wicked opinion, assemble other than where it is proper, by pointing out here the successions of the bishops of the greatest and most ancient church known to all, founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles. Peter and Paul, that church which has the tradition and the faith which comes down to us after having been announced to men by the apostles. With that church, because of its superior origin, all the churches must agree, that is, all the faithful in the whole world, and it is in her that the faithful everywhere have maintained the apostolic tradition (Against Heresies 3:3:2 [inter A.D. 189]).

Clement of Alexandria

[T]he blessed Peter, the chosen, the preeminent, the first among the disciples, for whom alone with himself the Savior paid the tribute [Matt. 17:27], quickly grasped and understood their meaning. And what does he say? “Behold, we have left all and have followed you” [Matt. 19:2 7, Mark 10:28] (Who is the Rich Man that is Saved? 21:3-5 [A.D. 200]).

Tertullian

[T]he Lord said to Peter, “On this rock I will build my Church, I have given you the keys of the kingdom of heaven [and] whatever you shall have bound or loosed on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven” [Matt. 16:18-19]. ... Upon you, he says, I will build my Church; and I will give to you the keys, not to the Church; and whatever you shall have bound or you shall have loosed, not what they shall have bound or they shall have loosed (Modesty 21:9-10 [A.D. 220]).

Letter of Clement to James

Be it known to you, my lord, that Simon [Peter], who, for the sake of the true faith, and the most sure foundation of his doctrine, was set apart to be the foundation of the Church, and for this end was by Jesus himself, with his truthful mouth, named Peter, the first-fruits of our Lord, the first of the apostles; to whom first the Father revealed the Son; whom the Christ, with good reason, blessed; the called, and elect (Letter of Clement to James 2 [A.D, 221]).

Origen

And Peter, on whom the Church of Christ is built, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail left only one epistle of acknowledged genuineness (Commentaries on John 5:3 [A.D. 226-232]).

Cyprian

With a false bishop appointed for themselves by heretics, they dare even to set sail and carry letters from schismatics and blasphemers to the Chair of Peter and to the principal church [at Rome], in which sacerdotal unity has its source" (Epistle to Cornelius [Bishop of Rome] 59:14 [A.D. 252]).

Constantine Augustus

and that the opposing parties who were contending persistently and incessantly with each other, should be summoned from Africa; that in their presence, and in the presence of the bishop of Rome, the matter which appeared to be causing the disturbance might be examined and decided with all care (To Chrestus [A.D. 314] as recorded by Eusebius).

Cyril of Jerusalem

In the power of the same Holy Spirit, Peter, both the chief of the apostles and the keeper of the keys of the kingdom of heaven, in the name of Christ healed Aeneas the paralytic at Lydda, which is now called Diospolis [Acts 9 ;3 2-3 4] (Catechetical Lectures 17;27 [A.D. 350]).

Optatus

In the city of Rome the Episcopal chair was given first to Peter, the chair in which Peter sat, the same who was head — that is why he is also called Cephas — of all the apostles, the one chair in which unity is maintained by all. Neither do the apostles proceed individually on their own, and anyone who would [presume to] set up another chair in opposition to that single chair would, by that very fact, be a schismatic and a sinner. . . . Recall, then, the origins of your chair, those of you who wish to claim for yourselves the title of holy Church" (The Schism of the Donatists 2:2 [circa A.D. 367]).

Ephraim

Simon, my follower, I have made you the foundation of the holy Church. I betimes called you Peter, because you will support all its tall buildings. You are the inspector of those who will build on earth a Church for Me. If they should wish to build what is false, you, the foundation, will condemn them. You are the head of the fountain from which my teaching flows, you are the chief of my disciples. Through you I will give drink to all peoples (Homilies 4:1 [inter A.D. 338-373]).

Ambrose of Milan

[Christ] made answer: “You are Peter, and upon this rock will I build my Church . . .” Could he not, then, strengthen the faith of the man to whom, acting on his own authority, he gave the kingdom, whom he called the rock, thereby declaring him to be the foundation of the Church [Matt. 16:18]? (The Faith 4:5 [A.D. 379]).

Tyrannius Rufinus

and further how he speaks of the city of Rome, which now through the grace of God is reckoned by Christians as their capital (Apology 2:23 [A.D. 400])

Augustine

Among these [apostles] Peter alone almost everywhere deserved to represent the whole Church. Because of that representation of the Church, which only he bore, he deserved to hear “I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Sermons 295:2 [A.D. 411]).

[lisaichikawa]

I’m a Catholic searching for truth and found this very helpful. I think my beliefs are more Lutheran than Catholic. Praying I will continue grow in my faith. Thank you for these videos!

[AarmOZ]

Paul: Abraham was justified for his faith, not his circumcision.

James: Because Abraham had faith, he got circumcised as the LORD commanded him.


My two cents, it is Christ who justifies us before God and our charitable works that justifies us before men.

[thenopasslook]

I’m glad you made this video. I’m hoping “Five Reasons I am not Eastern Orthodox” is next.