I work with non-Catholics all the time to include Mormons, Jehovah’s Witness's, and Protestants of all denominations. I am very careful to represent their faith accurately to critique what they “Really Believe.” Not a poor caricature of what they believe from what I read on the Internet or gained from a disgruntled ex-member of that faith. Failure to research and hence misrepresent another’s faith is not only foolish, but it is also a sin if done intentionally to gain converts.
For the Holy Bible states:
“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak Truth each one of your with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” Ephesians 4:25.
Misrepresenting another’s faith does not gain converts unless the one converted is extremely ignorant of the faith to begin with. Is Calvary misleading intentionally? I don’t think so and I hope not, but we should always speak the truth, even if we must admit wrongdoing, or misrepresentation.
Nevertheless, the staff at Calvary has misrepresented the Catholic faith. I know this first hand because I have visited one of Pastor Martin’s services. I was appalled at the distortions. I can’t imagine what else he teaches every week to misrepresent Catholic beliefs. I have tried for over a month in 5 separate attempts, (to include a personal visit to their office to speak with Pastor Martin), to resolve this. Yet I was ignored on all counts until I personally called, and that was to no satisfaction. I am therefore forced to set the record straight via this letter and the following website detailing these half-truths. The following link gives numerous examples of misrepresentation and distortion by Calvary Chapel's Pastors and staff.
Click here: 20 Distortions and Distortions of Catholic Theology by Pastor Mark Martin's Calvary Chapel
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3 Unanswered Questions for
Pastor Mark Martin
Pastor Martin speaks like absolutely no case can be made for the Catholic Faith. That it is the "traditions of man", or that it is UNBiblical, or that it became apostate early on, (which is the Mormon "Great Apostasy" theory). Believing this, his parishioners are then are baffled why Catholics remain in the Church. The answer is, in part, where else would they go? What reason or logic can Protestants present to Catholics to embrace any of the modern Protestant theologies or the particular theology of Pastor Martin? All Christians desire to believe as the very Apostles taught Christ's early Church. If you believe Catholics should embrace the teachings of your church and your pastor, read on why this decision would be very difficult to do.
Is there a case for Pastor Martin's beliefs or modern Protestantism in general? Catholics might reject the Catholic faith if Protestant pastors could show the link between the teachings of modern Protestantism and the teachings of Christ's Apostles. It might come as a surprise to some, but almost all of the beliefs Protestant pastors now call "Biblical," were not even embraced by their own Protestant reformers and many are not even in the Holy Bible. ( Click here: The Bible Only? 25 Protestant Practices and Doctrines Mark Martin has teaches as Biblical, but aren't. )
What does that tell you? And what does that tell the very Catholics you would have leave the Church. The Church the Holy Bible calls:
"The Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth" 1 Tim 3:15.
THE FOLLOWING LIST OF 8 DOCTRINES contains but some of the beliefs held by Mark Martin and modern Protestants in general.
=>These beliefs were either repudiated by Protestantism's own reformers, or totally unheard of by the first Protestants in the 16th century.
=>And since even the first Protestant reformers did not embrace these ideas,,, it is virtually impossible for the Apostles to have taught them to Christ's early Church. For logic follows: since the Bible is a collection of the teachings of the Apostles, if the Apostles had never heard of these ideas, it would be impossible for them to write these ideas into the NT Bible.
My friend, just because Mark Martin says something is "Biblical," doesn't mean it was taught by the Apostles to Christ's infant Church. It just means it is "Biblical" to him, here in the 21st century. And if any Protestant pastor is free to call "anything" Biblical, we are free to believe anything we want,,, as long as we call it "Biblical"... A perfect case in point is the "Jesus Only Pentecostals" who deny the Trinity and call this "Biblical."
Click here: Doctrine of the United Pentecostal Church - Why We Baptize in Only Jesus' Name.
Or the Jehovah Witness's who claim Jesus is the Angel Gabriel and call this idea "Biblical."
As you read the following doctrines, ask yourself the "3 Questions" Pastor Martin can't explain.
3 QUESTIONS FOR PASTOR MARTIN:
1. “Pastor Martin, if you claim some or all of the ideas listed below are “Biblical,” Why do we find that not one Christian soul (to include our own 1st Protestant reformers) believed such ideas until the last few hundred years?”
2. “Pastor Martin, since the NT Bible is a written account of the Apostles teachings, how can these ideas be “Biblical,” if the Apostles did not teach them or if our own original Protestant reformers did not teach them? How did these ideas get into the Bible for you to declare them *Biblical*?”
3. “Pastor Martin, is it your position then, that the Apostles “DID” teach these ideas of yours and subsequently wrote them into the NT Bible, yet not a single Christian soul taught them *again* until AFTER the original Protestants and AFTER the Protestant reformation? Does this make sense? Is this logical? Is this the logic you present every week to your congregation?”
How will Pastor Martin answer these questions about the following Protestant ideas he teaches as "Biblical?" Please ask him
"A Partial List of Beliefs in Modern Protestantism and Calvary Community Church "
The first Protestants (and Apostolic Christianity for 2000 years) embraced *none* of the following new unorthodox ideas on Christ's Gospel.
The Holy Bible tells us:
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
Click each idea for explanation and documentation for each idea's author and date of origin:
1.Click here: Once Saved Always Saved. Date of Origin: late 16th century by Frenchman John Calvin. Previous to Calvin, not a single Christian in the history of the world taught or believed such an idea to include the 1st Protestants. How then did this idea get into the Holy Bible if the Apostles did not teach it and put it there?
2.Click here: Denial of the Eucharist as a Sacrament; denial of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and consider it only a symbol. First espoused by Huldreich Zwingli in the 16th century yet formally preached by the Anabaptist sect in the 17th century, (a break off from the Church of England). Have you ever underlined John 6:52-54? Or Mark 14:22-24, Matt. 26:26-28, Luke 22:19-20 or 1 Cor. 10:16?
3.Click here: Denial of Baptism as a Sacrament; denial of the salvational power of Baptism and consider it only a symbol. Date of Origin: 16th century by John Calvin who believed Baptism to be a Sacrament, yet he and the Anabaptist sect both denied it's role in salvation. Contrary to 1 Pet. 3:20–21: "Baptism...now saves you"
4.Click here: Prohibiting Baptism to Infants. Date of Origin: 17th century by the Anabaptist sect. The Holy Bible never excludes infants or children nor to we ever read of a person being denied Baptism until the age of reason and then being Baptized. The Holy Bible tells us that "whole families were Baptized" with no exceptions. Whole families were Baptized throughout Christian history until the invention of the Anabaptist sect who taught contrary to even their own Protestant reformers.
5.Click here: Baptism ONLY by immersion. Date of Origin: 17th century by the Anabaptist sect. Again prior to the Anabaptist sect, not one Christian in the preceding 1700 years taught Baptism ONLY by immersion to include the first Protestants. See Ezekiel 36:25-26
6. Click here: Belief in the Rapture: i.e., the seven year Tribulation and the literal thousand year reign of Christ, Dispensationalism or the "Left Behind" idea. Date of Origin: 19th century by Englishman John Nelson Darby. Not one person in the history of the world believed such an idea before the 19th century. How then did the Apostles teach it and write it into the Holy Bible?
7.Click here: Denial of the perpetual virginity of the Virgin Mary, believing she had other children, and denying her historic title "Mother of God". Dates of Origin: the former dates from the 17th century, the latter is the 5th century Nestorian Heresy which denied the two natures of Christ by claiming the Virgin Mary was only the mother of his humanity. This split Christ into two persons, one human and one divine. This 5th century heresy resurfaced again in post-reformational Protestantism. All reformers repudiated this heresy as well as the idea that the
"Brothers of the Lord" were true brothers vs step-brothers from Joseph or cousins. (There is no word for cousin in Hebrew).
8. Click here: Protestant Pastor's open acceptance of civil divorce by a secular state authority, and on that state's authority re-marrying Christians against what God has previously joined together. Date of Origin: early 20th century. Now embraced by the whole of Protestantism. Mark 10:9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder. 10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.11And he said to them, 'Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery'" (cafe. Luke 16:17-18). The Catholic Church and only the Catholic Church refuses to recognize the authority of a secular state government in these matters.
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All of these are products of the Bible Only idea which lets Protestants believe anything they want as long as they call it "Biblical."
Yet more importantly, all of these ideas must be rejected as "Apostolic" for not one of them was taught by Protestantism's own reformers much less the Apostles to Christ's early Church. How can they be "Biblical" as Mark Martin has told you, if the Apostles did not teach them and write them into the Bible?
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The Apostles and Protestantism's own reformers would roll over in their graves if they learned what Pastor Martin is preaching today as Christ’s One Gospel.
"There is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God." (Eph 4:4)
The Holy Scriptures tell us that Christ’s Gospel does not change,
so how did it change for Mark Martin?
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings." Hebrews 13:8-9
My friend, the logic of this argument is this: if Protestantism's own reformers did not believe the above ideas, how could the Apostles have taught them to the early Church? How could the Apostles have written these ideas into the NT Bible if they never heard of them? How could these ideas be “Biblical” if your Protestant reformers did not even teach them? The only logical conclusion, is that all of these ideas are but modern inventions and modern interpretations of the Bible that have zero link to the Apostles in any shape or form.
How do modern Protestant pastors explain this "Quantum Leap" of their theology? How do modern Protestant pastors explain this Quantum Leap from their modern teachings, *past the reformers*,... to the Apostles (who they claim taught these ideas and wrote them into the Bible)?? How did the Apostles teach these novel ideas when Protestantism's own reformers didn't even embrace them?
The Holy Scriptures tell us these human traditions/new ideas:
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." Colossians 2:8
That is the irreconcilable problem one must resolve before embracing modern Protestantism. This is what Protestants are asking Catholics to accept as "logical," when in reality it is a physical and theological impossibility. If Mark Martin can answer this "Quantum Leap," I'm sure Catholics will be on the road to rejecting Catholicism (and the faith of the Protestant reformers) and embracing ideas conjured up in the last few hundred years.
The following site gives the Date of Origin & Author of these Protestant ideas (and others). Just as before Thomas Edison in the 19th century, there was no such thing as an electric light bulb, likewise, before the last few hundred years, the ideas that your pastor teaches you are "Biblical," did not exist either. To say that the Apostles taught these ideas, is akin to saying the Apostles wrote Scripture by electric lights. It's the same logic. But this logic is virtually impossible. This methodology is not sound nor logical.
The Holy Scriptures command us to: "Test everything. " 1 Thess 5:21 Just because Mark Martin tells you something is "Biblical" or just because you have believed something for years on end,,,,doesn't mean it's true. I just want to believe as the Apostles taught the early Church, no matter where it leads me and no matter what it costs. I would assume any Christian would, Catholic or Protestant.
“Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
Click here: The Date of Origins and Authors of Distinctly Protestant Doctrines
My friend, can you explain this "Quantum Leap" over your own reformers... to the Apostles? Can your pastor? If you can't, please visit the HELPFUL LINKS or the 10 QUESTIONS at the top of this page. Please "Test" your pastor's theology for Apostolicity as the Bible commands. Test it to see if it is Biblical AND that the Apostles actually taught his ideas. Reject it if you find it to be a mere modern invention not taught by Protestantism's own reformers thus having absolutely no link to Jesus Christ. The Holy Bible warns us of this:
"Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers in which you tend the church of God, that he acquired with his own blood. I know after my departure, savage wolves will come among you and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group men will come forward perverting the truth to draw disciples away after them." Acts 20:28-30
There is a case for the Catholic Faith. Perhaps you have just not given it a fair hearing. I can guarantee you that much of what your current pastor "says" Catholics believe, is not what they really believe. Always go to the source. One wouldn't ask the Democrats to comment on Republican ideals, and likewise, it is not fair to ask Protestant Pastors to explain Catholic theology. Ask "knowledgeable" Catholics what they believe or read it yourself on this site or the "Links" at the top of this page. Catholic theology was not invented in the last few hundred years as we find in Protestantism, it is the faith of the Apostles and that of your Christian Fathers for 2000 years. It is the "Bride of Christ."
Please let me hear from you.
Click here: How to Become Catholic
God Bless you,
Daniel
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15
Many Protestant pastors don't believe that Catholic theology is Apostolic, that it is the teachings of the Apostles to Christ's early Church. I would offer the following challenge to you to ask your pastor:
Click here: 3rd Unanswered Challenge for Protestant Theology: Is Catholic Theology Apostolic? Name one doctrine that isn't. Name one doctrine the early Church believed, that the Catholic Faith no longer does.
Please ask your pastor to email me with his answers/objections and please feel free to email me yourself with your questions, objections or comments.
And please, ask your pastor the 3 Questions about his theology. And test his response as the Holy Bible commands.
Ignatius of Antioch, 110 A.D.
(Bishop of Antioch and student of St John the Apostle):
"Let no one do anything of concern to the Church without the bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop or by one whom he ordains [i.e., a presbyter]. Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church" (Letter to the Smyrneans 8:2 [A.D. 110]).
This and many other quotes from your Church Fathers can be found at the following link:
The very words of our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture not underlined in your Bible on many subjects to include:
What "Catholic" Means & how from the 1st century the Church was called Catholic:
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Mortal Sin and the Ability to lose one's Salvation,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Baptizing Babies,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Real Presence Of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The evil in Abortion,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Existence of Purgatory in Scripture
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Antichrist,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Peter the Rock on which the Church was founded,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Apostolic Succession in the Church,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Praying to the Saints,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on the role of Apostolic Tradition in the Word of God,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Salvation of Non-Catholics,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Sacrifice of the Mass,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Necessity of Baptism,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Astrology,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on the evil of Birth Control,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Authority of the Pope in the Church,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Baptismal Grace and what it does,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Bishops Priests Deacons in Scripture,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Born Again in Baptism,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Confession and Confirmation,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Mary: "Full of Grace",
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Creation and Genesis,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Creation Out of Nothing,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on the Divinity of Christ,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Divorce & Remarriage,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Do Miracles Still Happen?,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Does God Have a Body?
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on the Eternal Sonship of Christ,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Filioque,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on God in Three Persons,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Hell,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Homosexuality,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Mary: Ever Virgin Mary,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Merit and Reward,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Old Testament Canon,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on One God or Many?,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Peter's Successors,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Peter in Rome,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on the Primacy of Peter,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Private Revelation, Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Reincarnation,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Resurrection of the Body,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Sabbath or Sunday?
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on The Trinity,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Trinitarian Baptism,
Our Apostolic Fathers teaching Scripture on Women and the Priesthood
Please email me with your questions, objections or comments.
"Back to top."
Email: INRI33AD@bigfoot.com
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