ROMAN CATHOLIC CHRONICLES IV
~
WHAT DID VATICAN II REALLY CHANGE? ~
AN INTRODUCTION
(Edited and compiled By Keith Green)
Roman Catholic Chronicles I
~ The Holy Eucharist
Roman Catholic Chronicles II
~ The Sacrifice of the Mass
Roman Catholic
Chronicles III
~ Salvation
according to Rome
Again this
month, we have been receiving quite a lot of response to our series "The
Catholic Chronicles". It has been completely amazing how many different
reactions there have been, especially from Catholics themselves.
Some of the
negative reactions ranged from the obvious, "You are doing an injustice to
the cause of unity in the body of Christ..." to, "You don't know what you're
talking about -- your articles are completely false..." to, "Yes, it's true,
that's the way we used to believe, but all that's changed now..." to "You
were extremely accurate in your presentation of what we teach, but you
haven't changed my mind..."
Don't get me
wrong, the overwhelming majority of our mail has been warmly appreciative of
the articles. And every day, testimonies continue to pour in about many who
are coming to know Jesus--their lives being completely changed because of
the "Chronicles." Each and every soul that is being set free is worth
reading a mountain of negative mail!
But getting
back to those critical letters, I must admit I did not know what to make of
the many different - and often contradictory - reactions to our series, not
only from laymen1, but also from priests, nuns and seminary
students alike.
My confusion
was somewhat eased though, when I received a very enlightening letter from a
Catholic theological student. He wrote: "Keith, you have made the mistake of
assuming that most Roman Catholics agree on doctrine. As you might guess,
the Catholic Church is as fragmented in their beliefs as the many different
Protestant denominations. Therefore, your presentation of Roman doctrine
will never apply or be valid for all the different groups of Catholics." The
writer then proceeds to divide Catholics in "4 main categories":
"1:
Traditional Catholics--Those who like the way the Catholic Church was before
Vatican II. They cling to the old forms of worship and do not approve much
of any reform.
"2: Charismatic Catholics--Those who are part of the 'Charismatic Renewal'
in the Catholic Church. These are the ones who speak very much like
evangelicals, and talk of the 'born-again experience.' They are also the
most open to establishing unity and fellowship with non-Catholics.
"3: Liberal Catholics--These are very much like liberal Protestants. They do
not believe in the authority of the Church or the authority of the
Scriptures, yet they like to retain their Catholic identity.
"4: And finally, Social Catholics--Those who were born Catholic, and still
identify themselves as Catholics, although they rarely go to Mass (except
possibly at Christmas or Easter with their families) and do not have very
solid religious convictions."
I cannot
tell you how much this letter, with these four distinct categories, helped
to clear up my confusion as to why we received so many varied and
contradictory responses from Catholic readers. Nevertheless, I still must
say that it doesn't matter to me what category someone might fit into. I
still have to go by what the Vatican currently teaches (and encourages
others to teach) as doctrine, if I want to understand what the Roman
Catholic Church as a whole "officially" believes. I cannot (God spare me!)
answer doctrinal discrepancies or write articles about every Catholic school
of thought. For these are always changing, and differ from country to
country, and from culture to culture. It is obvious to any observant
traveller that the Catholicism practised in the United States is worlds
apart from the religion of the same name practised in South and Central
America (and anywhere else in the 3rd world for that matter). No,
it is what Rome officially believes and teaches as doctrine and dogma that
we must look at--for that is the common denominator for all Roman Catholics
world-wide.
In the U.S.,
things might be very different--people might not go to confession anymore
inside an official "confessional booth." They may sit on a couch with the
priest and just share "like a brother to a brother." But that does not
change the fact that Rome still solemnly warns that, "If you don't go to
confession at least once a year... you have committed a mortal sin, and if
you die in that state, you go directly to hell with no hope!" Yes, there may
be guitars at Mass now, there may be more casual dress and the priest may
share from his heart or preach a sermon, instead of just conducting a stiff
liturgy and ceremony, but the truth has not changed as to the meaning of the
Mass--"The Mass is identical to Calvary--it is a sacrifice for sin--it must
be perpetuated to take away sin."2
It is
interesting that many Catholics believe that the Second Vatican Council,
conducted from 1962-65, really changed much of Roman Catholic belief. I have
received numerous remarks from Catholics complaining that I have used "too
many pre-Vatican II materials" in researching my previous chronicles. They
point out, for instance, that I quote too much from the "Council of Trent"
which was held over 400 years ago.
But did
Vatican II really change Roman Catholic belief and doctrine? Have any of the
fundamental issues that have separated Catholic and evangelical theologians
for over four centuries now been reformed to such an extent that true
Christians everywhere can now breathe a sigh of relief and say "She has
changed! Rome has really changed!" That is what we will be looking into in
Chronicle IV--"What did Vatican II really Change?"
We again
want to express our purpose for this series of articles: 1) To cause
Catholics to see the great, yet simple truths of God's Word concerning the
salvation of their souls and 2) To enlighten true Christians everywhere as
to the nature and teachings of the Roman system so that they may be able to
secure the conversion of many who are caught up in the various deceptions
that are found there.
It is truly
from a heart of love that we publish these articles--a love for
Catholics...a love for their souls!
Chronicle IV--"What did
Vatican II really Change?
The Roman
Catholic Church is very proud of two distinct things: 1) that it has never
changed, and 2) that it has changed very much! I realize that number 2 seems
to contradict number 1, but anyone who has studied church history even
briefly, will be able to grasp what I'm trying to say.
First, Rome
is very emphatic about making clear these unalterable facts:
-
That she
is the original and only church founded by Jesus Christ upon the earth.
-
That her
head, the pope, has the authority handed down from the "first pope,"
Simon Peter, through "apostolic succession," 3 to sit in the
place of Jesus as the undisputed leader of all true Christians on earth.
-
That her
traditions and interpretations of scripture are the only basis for
forming the rules and guidelines that Christians everywhere should live
by.
-
And that
her dogmas and doctrines, although they can be clarified, enlarged, or
restated for the sake of changing times, can never, ever be abolished,
contradicted, or altered. They are quite literally, "Canon Law."
On the other
hand, modern Roman Catholics are immensely pleased with the reforms and
evolution they have seen in their Church, especially since the cataclysmic
"Second Vatican Council" (more commonly know as "Vatican II"). They point to
how much has been done to open the way for "all Christians everywhere to
finally come together!" This, of course, does seem very exciting, especially
since Rome has been largely on the defensive since the Reformation. Starting
with the Council of Trent in 1546, there has been one papal decree after
another, which has completely made it impossible (even forbidden) for
Catholics to have any "fellowship" with Protestants.
Ah, but
"time heals all wounds" they say, and like everything else, the giant chasm
between Protestant and Catholic now seems with the passing of centuries, to
appear like just a "little misunderstanding." And Vatican II, which included
such sweeping reforms as allowing Mass to be said in the common local
language, and no longer forbidding Catholics to read a Protestant Bible, or
attend a Protestant church service, seemed to make the differences between
Rome and the rest of the fragmented Christian world look very petty.
As you
probably might guess, I do not believe this to be the case. In fact, in my
research and studies I have only found the opposite to be true, Yes indeed,
the Catholic Church is changing! It has probably never changed so much in
all its history as during the past generation, but it has not changed one,
single, solitary doctrine! Each and every point of dogma that has alarmed
evangelical theologians for the past 400 years remains the same, exactly as
written, and in full force!
But because
of all the changed garments, all the reformed liturgies and ceremonies, and
the resulting freedom of worship, Catholics everywhere (as well as many
Protestants) have mistakenly believed that something substantial has really
changed! But this is not a surprise, it has happened before many times in
history. When you change the key, the instruments, or the rhythm of a song,
almost everyone will believe you have a new song. Only those who listen
carefully to the lyrics, or who know their music well, will realize that
yes, the style is different, but the song is the same!
The whole
thing seems so sad to me, when I realize how very few there are among
Catholics (and Protestants) who really know what Roman Catholicism teaches.
It is truly shocking! And what's even more alarming is the potential for the
devil to pull the wool over people's eyes because of their ignorance.
I have
received many letters from Catholics in response to the first three
Chronicles, which have basically said this: "The Catholic Church has really
changed! Why not use the current beliefs and teachings that are a result of
Vatican II?" Believe me, in each of my articles, I was doing just that! I
would be a fool to be refuting doctrines and teachings that are no longer
being used. But because Catholic worship is based so much on ritual,
ceremony, and symbolic outward forms, the average Catholic believes with all
his heart that when he sees these surface things altered, that his church
has really changed! You have only to look at the documents of Vatican II to
see that this is not the case.
The Need for Vatican II
In the early
1960's, the Vatican knew that there was a need to give the Church a
facelift. Many of its policies seemed out of place, and most of its forms of
worship were stiff and outdated. There was a feeling among the bishops that
the Church needed to evolve with the times, and there was also a growing
concern that if other Christians in the world were ever going to reunite
with Rome, that she was going to have to give herself a more pleasant and
appealing appearance. There was also criticism from her own ranks that her
doctrines needed to be clarified and "restated" in a more simple and less
dogmatic tone than previous councils had done.
Thus the
Second Vatican Council was called by Pope John XXIII in 1962, and continued
under Pope Paul VI until 1965 when it issued "The Documents of Vatican II,"
each on different aspects of church teaching and doctrine. The spirit and
attitude of these documents were remarkably different from any the Roman
Church had ever produced. They were full of scriptural references, and did
not include any blatant "curses" on those who did not agree (as previous
councils had done). They were revolutionary in freeing individual parish
priests to conduct Masses in the best way they could to reach the local
culture and community. This, as well as changes in church administration and
religious freedom were the main results of the Council.
In the
following years, there were other changes that proceeded out of Rome as a
result of the new attitudes which were born from Vatican II. These included
the removal of the strict requirement to refrain from eating meat on Fridays
(and also the command to fast during Lent). Although these practices were
still encouraged, they were now optional instead of mandatory. The whole
Church seemed to be loosening up. And ecumenical leaders the world over were
beginning to see the light at the end of the church-unity tunnel.
But in the
midst of all this, a few ardent Christians still stubbornly pointed out that
although the procedure and the language of the Mass might have changed, the
meaning of it still remained very much the same. And though the outward
forms and words used by Rome had been altered much, the things she taught
and believed had only been confirmed and repeated in the soft and soothing
tone of the Vatican II documents.
The
Charismatic Movement
And then
came the "charismatic renewal" seemingly out of nowhere! With the Pope's
blessing, Catholics were taking part in charismatic Masses, speaking in
tongues, prophesying, singing and shouting side by side with evangelical
Protestants! Everyone was so excited - they thought, "Now we've got the
devil licked!" Why, doctrine wasn't important anymore, that was for seminary
students and old, stuffy theologians! But as the excitement started to quiet
down a little, the Protestants noticed that a few of their Catholic brothers
and sisters were still praying to Mary, and were even offering up prayers
for their dead relatives in the prayer meetings.
It soon
became apparent that unity was not going to be as easy as it had seemed at
first. Protestants began to make inquiries, and they started bothering their
Catholic friends too much with questions like, "Do you think the Pope is
saved?" As you can see, the whole future of the ecumenical movement hinges
on this all-important question: "Can a Roman Catholic be considered a
genuine believer (according to the Bible), and still believe the things the
Roman Church teaches?"
The
Things That Vatican II Did Not Change
To help
answer that question, we have prepared a list of teachings and practices
that have been adopted and perpetuated by the Roman Catholic Church over the
last 1600 years. It is important to note that not one of these were altered
at all by the Second Vatican Council.
Although
many of these beliefs were practiced earlier than the dates given, they did
not become binding on all Catholics until they were officially adopted by
church councils and proclaimed by the Pope as dogmas of faith. Some dates
are approximate.
1. Presbyter
(or elders) were first called priests by Lucian...2nd century.
2. Prayers
for the dead...300 CE (Christian Era).
3. The
veneration 4 of angels and dead saints and the use of
images...375 CE.
4. The Mass
as a daily celebration was adopted...394 CE.
5. The
beginning of the exaltation of Mary, and the first use of the term "Mother
of God" by the Council of Ephesus...431 CE.
6. Priests
began to dress different from the laity and to wear special clothes...500
CE.
7. Extreme
Unction 5 ...526 CE.
8. The
doctrine of purgatory was first established by Gregory the Great...593 CE.
9. Prayers
began to be offered to Mary, dead saints, and angels...600 CE.
10. The
first man was proclaimed "Pope" (Boniface III)...610 CE.
11.
Veneration of the cross, images, and relics authorized...788 CE.
12. Holy
water, mixed with a pinch of salt and blessed by a priest was authorized
in...850 CE.
13.
Veneration of Saint Joseph...890 CE.
14. College
of cardinals begun...927 CE.
15.
Canonization of dead saints, first by Pope John XV...995 CE.
16. The Mass
developed gradually as a sacrifice, attendance was made obligatory in...11th
century.
17. The
celibacy of the priesthood was decreed by Pope Hildebrand, Boniface
VII...1079 CE.
18. The
rosary, or prayer beads copied from Hindus and Mohammedans) was introduced
by Peter the Hermit...1090 CE.
19. The
Inquisition 6 of "Heretics" was instituted by the Council of
Verona...1184 CE, and was legalized and promoted by the Fourth Lateran
Council in 1215 CE.
20. The sale
of Indulgences...1190 CE.
21. The
seven sacraments defined by Peter Lombard...12th century.
22. The
dogma of transubstantiation was decreed by Pope Innocent III ...1215 CE.
23.
Confession of sins to the priest at least once a year was instituted by Pope
Innocent III in the Lateran Council...1215 CE.
24. The
adoration of the wafer (host) decreed by Pope Honorius III ...1220 CE.
25. The
scapular 7 invented by Simon Stock of England...1251 CE.
26. The
doctrine of purgatory proclaimed a dogma by the Council of Florence...1439
CE.
27.
Tradition is declared of equal authority with the Bible by the Council
Trent...1545 CE.
28. The
Apocryphal Books were added to the Bible by the Council of Trent...1546 CE.
29. The
Immaculate Conception 8 of Mary was proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in
1854 CE.
30. Pope
Pius IX condemns all scientific discoveries not approved by the Roman
Church...1864 CE.
31.
Infallibility of the pope in matters of faith and morals proclaimed by the
First Vatican Council...1870 CE.
32. Pius XI
condemned the public schools...1930 CE.
33. Pius XI
reaffirmed the doctrine that Mary is "The Mother of God" ...1931 CE.
34. The
dogma of the Assumption 9 of the Virgin Mary was proclaimed by
Pope Pius XII...1950 CE.
35. Mary
proclaimed the Mother of the Church by Pope Paul VI...1965 CE.
A
Scholar Looks at Vatican II
Dr. Loraine
Boettner, noted evangelical authority on Roman Catholic doctrine, takes an
in-depth look at the documents of Vatican II in the preface to the fifth
edition of his book Roman Catholicism. Dr. Boettner writes:
"The Second
Vatican Council, which closed late in 1965, made changes in the liturgy,
administrative practices, and in the matter of religious freedom. It
repeated the claim that the Roman Catholic Church is the only true church,
although it did recognize that other churches contain some elements of
truth.
"But Pope John
XXIII, who called the first session, and Pope Paul VI, who presided over the
later sessions (as well as several prominent cardinals and theologians),
took care to emphasize that no changes would be made in the doctrinal
structure of the Church. However, Pope Paul did promulgate [declare] one new
doctrine, which asserts that `Mary is the Mother of the Church.' The primary
purpose of the Council was to update the liturgy and administrative
practices and so to make the Church more efficient and more acceptable to
the 20th century world.
"The
introduction of the `New Mass,' for instance, brought about a change in
language - Latin is no longer required, except in the prayer of
consecration. But as Protestants, it is not important to us whether the Mass
is said in Latin or English or Swahili - it is not the language of the Mass
that we object to, it is its content and meaning. (See Chronicle II, `The
Sacrifice of the Mass').
"On previous
occasions, Rome has changed her tactics when old methods became ineffective,
but she has never changed her nature. In any religious organization,
doctrine is the most basic and important part of its structure, since what
people believe determines what they do. An official document, `The
Constitution on the Church' prepared by the Council and approved by the
Pope, reaffirms basic Catholic doctrine precisely as it stood before the
Council met.
The doctrine of
papal infallibility is restated. We are told that when `by a definitive act
he proclaims a doctrine of faith and morals...his definitions, of
themselves, and not by the consent of the Church, are justly called,
irreformable (Article 25). The pope has lost none of his powers. He remains
the absolute ruler in the Roman Church. But if papal decrees past and
present are `irreformable, `what hope is there for real reform in the Church
of Rome?
"The document
on the Church repeats in substance the teaching of the Council of Trent that
`priests and bishops are the representatives of God on earth...justly,
therefore, they are called not only angels, but gods, holding as they do the
place of authority of God on earth.' (Catechism of Trent).
"In fact, no
more sweeping claims were made by the Council of Trent (1545-1563), nor by
the First Vatican Council (1870), than are made in these documents from
Vatican II. Despite all the claims to the contrary, the Council has firmly
maintained the doctrine of the primacy of Peter 10 and of papal
succession. In his book, Ecclesiam Suam, Pope Paul expressed his
distress because of what some of the `separated brethren' 11 say
about the pope as the stumbling block in the way of church unity. He said,
`Do not some of them say that if it were not for the primacy of the pope,
the reunion of the separated churches with Catholic Church would be easy? We
beg the separated brethren to consider the inconsistency of this position,
not only in that, without the pope, the Catholic Church would no longer be
Catholic, but also because without the supreme decisive pastoral office of
Peter, the unity of the Church of Christ would utterly collapse.'
"We must say
that at this point we agree with the Pope, at least to this extent, that if
the Roman Catholic Church were reformed according to scripture, it would
have to be abandoned. But the gross errors concerning salvation still
remain. Moreover, the Council did nothing toward removing the more than 100
anathemas or curses pronounced by the Council of Trent on the Protestant
churches and beliefs. If there is to be any true unity, surely this would
seem the logical place to start."
Conclusion
We could not
find a more fitting conclusion than Dr. Boettner's:
"The
`Constitution on the Church' makes it abundantly clear that Rome has no
intention of revising any of her basic doctrine, but only of updating her
methods and techniques for more efficient administration and to present a
more attractive appearance. This is designed to make it easier for the
Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant churches to return to her fold.
There is no indication that she has any intentions of entering into genuine
give-and-take church unity negotiations. Her purpose is not union, but
absorption. Church union with Rome is strictly a one-way street. The age-old
danger that Protestantism has faced from the Roman Church has not
diminished; in fact, it may well have increased. For through this less
offensive posture and this superficial ecumenicism, Rome is much better
situated to carry out her program of eliminating opposition and moving into
a position of world dominance. An infallible church simply cannot repent."
Endnotes
-
Members of the congregation.
-
For Them Also, pp.289-299
-
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that
Jesus Christ ordained the 12 apostles to the priesthood at the Last
Supper, and to their successors, the Roman priesthood, Jesus promised
and guaranteed His continual presence in their teaching and governing
until the end of time.
-
Veneration - profound respect or reverence;
worship - American Heritage Dictionary, Webster's Dictionary.
-
Extreme Unction, or "Anointing of the Sick"
- one of the seven sacraments, in which a priest anoints and prays for
one in danger of eath.
-
Inquisition - the act of inquiring into a
matter; an investigation - American Heritage Dictionary. Lucius III
decreed that bishops should take action against heretics. A
characteristic of this decree was that a suspect, once convicted of
being a heretic, was to be handed over to the secular arm for
punishment. Before the Inquisition ran its course, historians estimate
that 5 to 15 million people lost their lives through torture and
execution (From: A History of Christianity in the World by Clyde L.
Manschreck).
-
Piece of brown cloth with a picture of the
Virgin, supposed to contain supernatural power to protect from all
dangers, to those who wear it on naked skin.
-
This doctrine maintains that the Virgin
Mary was in the first instance of her conception, preserved from all
stain of original sin.
-
The Catholic dogma that Mary ascended
bodily into heaven.
-
The doctrine that Christ has given Peter
the key role of lawful authority...that Peter would be His chief
ambassador, His authentic vicar (pope), and this power continues to be
extended to Peter's successors through the ages - the popes.
-
The term used by Vatican II to describe the
members of other non-Catholic Christian faiths.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHRONICLES I - THE HOLY EUCHARIST
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHRONICLES II
- THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHRONICLES III
- SALVATION ACCORDING TO ROME
The Seven Divisions of the Book of Revelation & A Technical Exposition:
Download Available in English & Afrikaans ... Also, 6 easy steps to making your own book
»»»
PROPHETIC TEACHINGS TO READ AND STUDY »»»
Warnings re end times or
last days, signs of the times in Matthew 24, another holocaust, spiritual
warfare, exposing Catholicism, error in the Roman Catholic Church, mystery
Babylon the great, Daniel's days, crowns and rewards, battle of Armageddon,
house church concept, the final reformation, two beasts revealed, mark of
the beast, 666 or 616, four horsemen of the Apocalypse, FAQ re Revelation
and Rome, God's redemptive plan, and much more...
-
Who is Mystery Babylon the Great? (Shortened version):
"And I saw a Woman sitting on a scarlet coloured Beast..."
[CLICK] -
Who is Mystery Babylon the Great? (More detail): "And on her forehead
was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT..."
[CLICK] -
Daniel's 5th Kingdom: Let the
Scripture speak...
[CLICK]
 -
Daniels Days - 1290, 1335, 2300:
"For the words are closed up and sealed until the end-time...
at the end days...."
[CLICK] -
Concerning the Book of Life and Salvation
[CLICK]
-
Concerning the Second Death and the Lake of Fire
[CLICK]
-
Pearls from the Throne of Yahveh:
The Throne Area,
Rule,
Locality,
Structure,
Revelation Chapter Five
[CLICK]
-
Who Currently Has Dominion Over Planet Earth, Jesus or Satan: Lucifer,
God of this world, Scroll of Revelation
[CLICK]
-
House Fellowships -
A Guideline:
"... and breaking bread from house to house...
"
[CLICK]
Signs of the Times - Matthew 24:
Structure & Characteristics, Deception ~ Watch out, The Return of the Son, Rapture Theory
[CLICK]
Spiritual Warfare: A Lifestyle, Weapons of our warfare, Our enemies & Our victory, Principles, How to pray
[CLICK]
Jewish People, Beware!: ANOTHER HOLOCAUST, Canary in Europe's Mine, Germany & EU, Anti-Semitism, The Final Solution
[CLICK]
Battle of Armageddon - Fact or Fiction?:
"And they gathered in a place called Armageddon... for the battle of Jerusalem..."
[CLICK] <-- <-- Click to go to Side Bar for MORE Prophetic Subjects to Read and Study <-- <--
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