Why Be Catholic and Not Just Christian?

Summary

Fr. Mike Schmitz explains the key difference between the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations: authority. He emphasizes that the Catholic Church has the unique ability to teach authoritatively, rooted in the power given to the apostles by Jesus Christ. Drawing on scripture and historical examples, such as Acts 15 and the Councils of Nicaea, Fr. Schmitz shows how the Church interprets and defines truth, especially in response to doctrinal questions. He critiques the idea of 'Sola Scriptura' and argues that without an infallible interpreter, the Bible can lead to confusion and division, highlighting the need for the Church’s guiding authority.

Takeaways

• 😀 The key difference between the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations is the concept of authority, which is central to Catholicism.
• 😀 The Catholic Church teaches authoritatively, meaning it has the power to teach and establish doctrine in the name of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, and for the glory of God the Father.
• 😀 Jesus established the Church as a visible institution, with a hierarchy, when He gave the keys of the kingdom to Peter in Matthew 16.
• 😀 The role of Peter as the 'prime minister' of the kingdom, as referenced in Isaiah 22, shows that the Church's authority is not invisible, but structured and tangible.
• 😀 Acts 15 demonstrates how the early Church, through its leaders, made binding doctrinal decisions, such as the decision on whether Gentiles needed circumcision to be baptized.
• 😀 The concept of 'Sola Scriptura' (Scripture Alone) is critiqued, showing how the Bible does not cover every issue directly, and the Church's authority is needed to interpret and apply Scripture correctly.
• 😀 Church councils, such as the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D., have historically clarified key theological issues, like the nature of Jesus, which every Christian worldwide accepts today.
• 😀 The Catholic Church's authority is rooted in its ability to define and interpret doctrine, as demonstrated in its councils and teachings on the nature of Christ.
• 😀 For Catholics, the Bible is infallible, but it requires an infallible interpreter—the Church—to avoid confusion and ensure that Scripture is correctly understood.
• 😀 G.K. Chesterton's quote highlights the importance of the Church not just affirming individuals' interpretations, but guiding them when they are wrong, emphasizing the need for the Church's authority in truth.
• 😀 The Catholic Church provides a structure of authority that ensures clarity in Christian teachings, preventing divisions and misinterpretations that can arise from a 'Bible Alone' approach.

Q & A

What is the primary difference between the Catholic Church and Protestant denominations, according to Fr. Mike?

Fr. Mike suggests that the primary difference lies in authority. The Catholic Church teaches with authority, as it is founded by Jesus and given the power to teach in His name, through the Holy Spirit.

Why does Fr. Mike highlight the concept of authority in the Catholic Church?

Fr. Mike emphasizes authority because it allows the Church to teach definitively, to establish doctrine, and guide believers in understanding what is true and false, as opposed to an invisible or loosely defined body of believers.

How does Fr. Mike explain the role of Peter in the Catholic Church's authority?

Fr. Mike refers to Jesus' words in Matthew 16, where He gives Peter the 'keys to the kingdom of heaven', signifying Peter's role as the foundational figure of the Church, with authority to teach and guide in Jesus' name.

What is the connection between Isaiah 22 and the authority given to Peter?

Fr. Mike links Isaiah 22 to Peter's authority by explaining that in Isaiah, the prime minister of the kingdom holds the keys to the kingdom and acts with the king's authority. Jesus references this when He gives Peter the keys, symbolizing Peter's authority in the Church.

What issue did the apostles face in Acts 15 and how did the Church resolve it?

In Acts 15, the apostles faced the question of whether Gentiles had to be circumcised before being baptized. The Church, through discussion and prayer, decided that Gentiles did not need circumcision to be baptized, showing the Church's authority to make doctrinal decisions.

How does Fr. Mike critique the concept of 'Sola Scriptura' (Bible Alone)?

Fr. Mike critiques 'Sola Scriptura' by pointing out that the Bible does not teach everything necessary for salvation, as shown in the Acts 15 debate. Without the Church’s authority, there would be confusion and division, leading to thousands of Christian denominations.

Why does Fr. Mike argue that an infallible Bible needs an infallible interpreter?

Fr. Mike argues that while the Bible is infallible, without an infallible interpreter, like the Catholic Church, it leads to subjective interpretations, resulting in division, as seen in the over 30,000 Christian denominations.

What historical example does Fr. Mike give to show the Church's role in defining doctrine?

Fr. Mike references the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, where the Church definitively declared that Jesus is both fully God and fully man, countering heresies like Docetism and Arianism. This set the foundation for Christian belief in the nature of Christ.

What role does Fr. Mike say the Church plays in maintaining truth?

Fr. Mike says the Church is responsible for ensuring the correct interpretation of Scripture, preserving the truth of God’s revelation and preventing misunderstandings or misrepresentations of God’s nature.

How does Fr. Mike illustrate the importance of understanding God’s true nature?

Fr. Mike uses a mental exercise where he imagines God wanting humanity to know Him truly and intimately, without misinterpretation, which led to the establishment of the Church to safeguard the truth about God’s identity and His plan for salvation.