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Another Mary Who Is Quite Contrary
In its refusal to submit to God's Word as the supreme authority in matters of faith, the Roman Catholic Church worships another Jesus, teaches another gospel, and is deluded by another spirit (2 Cor.11:4). However, those soul-condemning errors are only the tip of the iceberg. Her deceptive practices and ungodly traditions also include the veneration of another Mary. The Mary of Catholicism is a twisted distortion of the Mary revealed in Scripture who also gave birth to James, Joses, Judas, Simon, and their sisters (Mark 6:3). Rome rejects the Scriptural proof of Mary's other children by infallibly declaring she remained a virgin throughout her life. This counterfeit Mary is said to be another sinless mediator who is the cause of salvation for herself and the whole human race (Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 494).
The exaltation of the virgin Mary by Catholics is completely unfounded in Scripture. Outside of the Gospels, Mary's name is mentioned only once and that is when she is praying with her other children and other believers in the upper room (Acts 1:14). Information about Mary in the Gospels is also very sparse. After the narratives related to the birth of Jesus, there are only three other references to Mary. The first is at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-5). Next is when she and the brothers of Jesus desired to talk to Jesus. Jesus responded that His mother and brothers are those who do the will of God (Mat. 12:46-50). One other reference is given when a woman in the crowd calls the mother of Jesus blessed, but Jesus does not affirm her. Instead He said blessed are those who hear the Word and observe it (Luke 11:27-28).
Roman pontiffs have created a Mary that shares the divine attributes of the Lord Jesus Christ. They say she was conceived without sin, lived a sinless life, was bodily assumed into glory, is the mediatrix of all grace, is our advocate, and now reigns as Queen of heaven alongside the King of kings. Pope Francis declared, "The Immaculate 'Virgin' becomes the sublime icon of Divine Mercy
that conquered sin. To her I entrust the Church and all humanity, especially the city of Rome."
The idolatry associated with the Catholic Mary is evidenced in many ways, but primarily in the ungodly practice of praying to her. Prayer is one of the deepest forms of worship because it acknowledges the divine power of the person to whom we pray. This is why we never see any God-fearing man praying to anyone other than God in the Bible. Yet thousands of Catholics pray to Mary, at the same time asking for her help. The only way Mary could hear and answer those prayers would be if she were omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. Yet, she is only human like all of us.
Mike's Comment: As Christians, we esteem Mary as blessed among women, but to ascribe divine powers and attributes to her is blasphemous and idolatrous. Satan will use anything to persuade people to take their eyes off Jesus. Just as he deceived Eve by his cunning, Catholics who idolize Mary will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ (2 Cor. 11:3). Our dear Catholic friends and loved ones need to be warned of how God hates idolatry. We must call them to turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thes. 1:9). John MacArthur does an excellent teaching on the Catholic perversion of Mary. Listen to the
message here.
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Is Mother Teresa Qualified to Be a Saint?
Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to helping India's poor,
will be made a saint by the Roman Catholic Church after a second miracle was attributed to her. In the Roman Catholic religion, in order for a person to be sainted, they must be credited with bringing about two miracles after their death through their intercession.
Mike's Comment: The widespread perception that Mother Teresa sought to relieve the suffering of the poor was the furthest thing from the truth. She believed suffering would help the poor make satisfaction for their sins. This is consistent with Roman Catholic theology which declares the sinner must "make satisfaction for" or "expiate" his sins by doing
penance (Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 1459). At the end of her life, Mother Teresa doubted the existence of God and heaven. In her private letters she wrote: "Lord, my God, you have
thrown [me] away as unwanted and unloved. I call, I cling, I want,
and there is no one to answer, no, no one. Where is my faith? There is nothing, I have no faith."
Yet in spite of her lack of faith and her rejection of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, the pope will declare her a saint. Read more of Mike's comments in his interview with Christian News Network.
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False Prophet Points to a Door Not the Cross
Pope Francis has commenced the Jubilee Year of Mercy by offering a plenary indulgence for the remission of the punishment for sins. All those who pass through the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica will receive the indulgence. This is the first time the Holy Door has been opened since the Great Jubilee in the year 2000.
The opening of the door is meant to be symbolic of the "extraordinary path" toward salvation. The pope opened the door on December 8, the feast of the
Immaculate Conception. In his homily he said, "Not only does God forgive sin, but in Mary he even averts the original sin present in every man and woman who comes into this world." In closing he prayed, "May the Blessed Virgin, the first fruits of the saved, the model of the Church, holy and immaculate Bride, loved by the Lord, help us to rediscover the mercy of God more and more, in a way characteristic of Christians."
Read more
Mike's Comment: If Catholics were abiding in God's Word, they would be asking the pope, "Why do we have to go through a door instead of coming to the cross of Christ with empty hands of faith?" Why go through a wooden door made with human hands when the eternal Christ is the only door by which sinners must enter to be forgiven (John 10:9). The apostle Paul wrote, "God made [believers] alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross" (Col. 2:13-14). The eternal sin debt was cancelled when the perfect High Priest offered Himself, the perfect sacrifice to a perfect God who demands perfection. Then Jesus cried out, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). There are no more offerings for sin because by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (Heb. 10:14).
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Letters from Around the World
Dear Mike, My husband and I were both cradle catholics, but have since rejected Catholicism and its many false doctrines. Others in our family, who also reject many of the false teachings, have a hard time giving it all up. One of their reasons is that it would mean their loved ones who died as Catholics are not in heaven. Do you believe that some Catholics will be saved even if they cling to this false religion? I am new to this, and witnessing is not easy for me. L.H., Internet
Dear L.H., No matter where your dead Catholic loved ones are, they would want their family members to know the truth. The Lord Jesus spoke of the rich man, who was being tormented in the fires of hell after his death. He had five brothers still alive and he begged for a messenger to be sent to them to tell them the truth. He wanted to warn them so they would not end up in this place of torment (Luke 16:22-28). The Lord Jesus made it clear that you must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven (John 3:3). His first command was to repent and believe the Gospel, which is man's only hope to be reconciled to God (Mark 1:15). Tragically, there are many who have a zeal for God but remain blinded by Satan from the light of the Gospel (Rom. 10:1-4; 2 Cor. 4:4). The Father of lies uses religious pride and deception to hold unbelievers captive to do his will (2 Tim. 2:24-26). Believing the truth of God's word is the only way captives can be set free from religious deception (John 8:31-32). Only when they turn to Christ will the veil of blindness be removed (2 Cor. 3:18). I would encourage you to sow the seed of God's Word to your Catholic loved ones. It is the seed that will bring forth eternal life (Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23). Pray for the Spirit of God to bring conviction and regeneration as you speak the truth in love.
Dear Mike, Thank you for your help today. I was glad to talk to you even though you seemed tired or sad. Keep up the good work even if at times the evil one seems so big. You have been so helpful to everyone for so many years. Being a consistent example for me is important. I have talked to your wife in the past and she is a strong woman and gave me good advice. Have a blessed Christmas and a Holy New Year! G. H., Altoona, PA
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Cardinal Corrects Pope on Communion
The Vatican's cardinal in charge of liturgy and the sacraments has strongly defended the Church's tradition on reception of Communion in the wake of Pope Francis' comments to a Lutheran woman suggesting she could choose in conscience to receive.
The pope, who was speaking to a Lutheran community in Rome November 15, added that both Lutherans and Catholics believe the Lord is present in Holy Communion, and that while there are "explanations and interpretations" that may differ, "life is bigger than explanations and interpretations."
Pope Francis concluded it was not within his competence to allow a Lutheran woman to receive Holy Communion with her Catholic husband, but to answer her question, she should, "Talk to the Lord and then go forward."
Cardinal Robert Sarah said, "Intercommunion is not permitted between Catholics and non-Catholics. You must confess the Catholic Faith. A non-Catholic cannot receive Communion. That is very, very clear. It's not a matter of following your conscience."
Read more.
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Tribute to Vic Eliason
One of our strongest defenders of the Christian faith graduated to glory on December 5 after a long bout with cancer. Vic Eliason was the founder of the
VCY America Radio Network based in Milwaukee and host of the Crosstalk radio program.
I had the wonderful privilege of being a guest on the program many times and being a speaker at two VCY rallies. Vic, and his partner Jim Schneider, never shied away from controversial topics. They often interviewed me on the fatal errors of Roman Catholicism for the purpose of reaching Catholics for Christ. As a result of their ministry, many of their listeners began using our resources to reach their Catholic friends and loved ones with the glorious Gospel of grace.
By the grace of God Vic fought the good fight of faith and finished the race strong. May God continue to be glorified through the ministry of VCY America!
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Catholics Should Not Seek to Convert Jews
A new Vatican document says Catholics should not seek the conversion of Jews.
The Gifts and the Calling of God are Irrevocable
, released on December 10, emphasizes the Jewish roots of Christian faith and stresses that God first revealed himself to the Hebrews. The lengthy document explains: Although Jews cannot believe in Jesus Christ as the universal redeemer,
they have a part in salvation
, because the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. How that can be possible remains an unfathomable mystery in the salvific plan of God.
Read more.
Mike's comment: The Vatican needs to know that God is the only one who can convert the Jews, and He will do it as they repent and believe the Gospel. Furthermore, it needs to know that no one can "have a part in salvation." God does not offer partial salvation. He saves people completely and forever by His sovereign grace. Salvation is not offered piecemeal on the installment method through the sacraments as Catholicism teaches.
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Catholics and Orthodox Seek Unity
Pope Francis calls for the re-unification of Catholics and Orthodox in a message to Patriarch Bartholomew I. In his message he spoke of "the conditions necessary to journey towards re-establishing the 'full communion of faith, fraternal accord, and sacramental life which existed during the first thousand years of the life of the Church.'" The pope continued, "Having restored a relationship of love and fraternity, in a spirit of mutual trust, respect and charity, there is no longer any impediment to Eucharistic communion, which cannot be overcome through prayer, the purification of hearts, dialogue and the affirmation of truth. Indeed, where there is love in the life of the Church, its source and fulfillment is always to be found in Eucharistic love. So too the symbol of the fraternal embrace finds its most profound truth in the embrace of peace exchanged in the Eucharistic celebration. In every context of Church life, relations between Catholics and Orthodox must increasingly reflect the logic of love that leaves no room for the spirit of rivalry. Theological dialogue itself, sustained by mutual charity, must continue to examine carefully the questions which divide us, aiming always at deepening our shared understanding of revealed truth. Motivated by God's love, we must together offer the world a credible and effective witness to Christ's message of reconciliation and salvation.
Read more.
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Catholic School Creates "Sacred Space" for Muslim Students to Pray
A Michigan Catholic high school run by the Christian Brothers is under fire for the creation of a "sacred space" for its Muslim students to worship during school hours.
Although the majority of the student body is Catholic, the all-boy school accepts students of other faiths and currently some 12 Muslim boys study there.
Parents of several of the school's students have protested the measure, with one mother claiming it was "unconscionable" and would undermine her son's Christian education. A dozen or so angry parents expressed their disapproval of the school's move to formalize a non-Christian prayer room on a Catholic school's property. Parents pay the school $11,750 in yearly tuition for their children to study in a Catholic environment.
Read more.
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We hope you've enjoyed this month's e-Newsletter. Please let us know how we can serve you!
Mike and Jane Gendron
(972) 495-0485
PO Box 940871, Plano, TX 75094
www.ProclaimingTheGospel.org
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Order here.
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