Adapted from “Christian yes, but why Catholic?” by Fr. Joseph Esper https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/christian-yesbut-why-catholic
I usually try not to delve too deep into the apologetics of Catholicisim. But lately I’ve gotten an influx of the same question: Why be Catholic and not just Christian? So below I have compiled 6 reasons why, through the Catholic Church, the fullness of God’s revelation is experienced.
- Only the Catholic Church can trace its roots back to Christ Himself.
It was human weakness that brought about the religious divisions in Christianity.
Very shortly after the Resurrection, Jesus’s followers began calling themselves “Christians” (Acts 11: 26.) The word “catholic,” which means “universal” was then applied.
The idea of different Christian denominations would have been unthinkable to the early Christians. These churches trace their roots back to Christ only through the Catholic Church.
Why settle for an imitation when the original is available? Especially when it comes to knowing the necessary truths for salvation.
- The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is not found in other churches.
Jesus said He was the bread of life, stating that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will have life eternal (John 6:54).
Many Christian denominations see the Eucharist as a symbol. The Catholic Church has always taught that it is truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ.
At the Last Supper, Jesus gave His apostles the power and authority to continue His sacrifice. This authority was also passed on to the apostles’ successors (Bishops, ordained priests.) The Catholic Church has been obeying Christ’s command for almost two thousand years.
If we truly understood what an amazing gift the Eucharist is, no one would ever consider leaving the Church, and we would convert many others to Catholicism.
- Catholic beliefs are divinely revealed truths, not human interpretations and opinions.
Jesus never conducted a vote or asked for anyone’ s opinion. He never said to his followers, “This is what I personally think, but you can believe what you want.”
Jesus built His Church on the solid foundation of truth (Matt. 7:24–25) and on the rock of Peter’s faith (Matt. 16:18–19).
He gives Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. He gives an actual hierarchy.
The Catholic Church has the authority to tell us “this is true and this is not true” because of this hierarchy, the Church’s magisterium (the divinely given teaching authority of our bishops and Popes.)
This teaching authority assures the Church’s stance on faith will be free of error.
This is something Christian denominations lack. Once reformers such as Luther started protesting and rejecting the Church’s teaching authority, there was nothing to prevent others from protesting their authority.
This continuous reinterpretation of Scripture has reached the point of over 30,000 Protestant denominations. Each have their own interpretations of the Gospel, and each claim to possess the true understanding of Divine Revelation.
God never said “Here. Read this infallible book and tell me what you think.”
- Catholicism takes Scripture more seriously than any other religion.
If you’re a Catholic, you’ve probably been accused on more than one occasion of not reading the Bible.
But here’s something incredible. The Catholic Church created the Bible. It was the Church that, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, compiled the books of the Old Testament, and willed the books of the New Testament.
It was the Catholic Church that decided which of the early Christian writings were worthy of acceptance as scriptural.
Protestant Bibles contain the same twenty-seven New Testament books as Catholic Bibles. These 27 books were decided upon by the Council of Rome in 382 (an assembly of Church officials led by the Bishop of Rome!)
Nowhere does the Bible say that Scripture alone is the only source of divine revelation, but there are numerous references to Tradition and the teaching authority of the Church.
- The Church has survived for two thousand years, despite every form of persecution.
Catholicism has stood the test of time among false prophets, wars, plagues, natural disasters and societal collapse. The Church, although wounded, has stood strong over and over again ahead of kings and queens, mobs and dictators, emperors, and even the rule of sinful popes and bishops. It would be erroneous to think that a Church without true divinity could weather all of these storms.
- The Church follows God’s unchanging truth.
Other Christian religions have made massive changes in their moral and religious teachings over the years.
For example, contraception. Luther and other Reformers echoed the Catholic teaching that birth control is gravely sinful, and this remained for 400 years. Now, denominations have regarded contraception as acceptable.
But the Catholic Church has maintained its teaching on this issue for almost two thousand years.
Catholicism is often considered “behind-the-times” and counter-cultural. This is an important sign of its authenticity, because truth is often unpopular or outdated.
The same can be said for sacraments such as baptism and reconciliation. It is not enough to ask, “Have you been saved?” Many denominations believe that if they are good people, salvation is guaranteed, and nothing else is required.
This contradicts Scripture, which speaks of the possibility of losing one’s salvation (cf. 1 Cor. 9:27; Phil.2:12–13, 3:10–12), and also contradicts human nature. We are imperfect human beings, never completely free of sin. We are constantly in need of forgiveness
“Even the just man falls seven times a day.” (Prov. 24:16).
So there you have it. Six reasons why you should not settle for merely being Christian, but to seek the fullness in the only true Church-the Catholic Church. As members of the Church, it is our duty not only believe in it, but to defend it and promote it as well.
