The Gospel According to Rome: Comparing Catholic Tradition and the Word of God Paperback – January 1, 1995

The Gospel According to Rome (Harvest House, 1995, 408 pgs.) by James G. McCarthy, an Evangelical Christian and ex-Catholic, is a well-researched, well-written, comparison of Catholic theology with Scripture. The author uses Catholicism's own source material including its official 1995 Catechism to present the church's position on various doctrinal issues and then responds with counter-arguments using relevant passages from the Bible.Of course the main issue of contention between Catholics and Evangelicals is salvation. Is one saved by the grace of God through faith in the once-for-all propitiatory sacrifice of Jesus Christ or does salvation come from the Catholic Church through the dispensation of its sacraments? A Christian rests securely in Christ's perfect atonement while a Catholic believes their salvation will be based on how well they obeyed church rules and the Ten Commandments. Is that "Good News"? A person who adheres to a legal system like Catholicism could never possibly justify their standing before a Holy God according to how well they obey His commandments. The law teaches us we are sinners (Galatians 3:24) and that we need a Redeemer; justification doesn't come from trying to obey the law. Christ came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15-17) not the self-righteous. Jesus Christ has made complete and final atonement for us. All we need to do is repent and accept Him. Pride in their religion and its traditions prevents many Catholics from coming to Christ."There is none righteous, not even one." Romans 3:10"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23"For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9"For there is one God and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:5"Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13Below is a list of additional books available at Amazon.com which compare Catholicism to Biblical Christianity. "AMZ" indicates a book that's still in print and can be ordered directly from Amazon or perhaps a Christian book store. "TP" indicates an out-of-print book available either as a new or used edition from third-party booksellers at Amazon.May the Lord bless you in your search for the Truth. Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and seek out a Bible-teaching, Evangelical church in your area.Aldama, Manuel Garrido. From Roman Priest to Radio Evangelist (1946). TPAlley, H. R. Thinking of Rome? Think Twice (1958). TPAllison, Gregg R. Roman Catholic Theology and Practice: An Evangelical Assessment (2014). AMZAnderson, S. E. Is Rome the True Church? (1960). TPAnkerberg, John. Fast Facts on Roman Catholicism (2009). AMZAnkerberg, John. Protestants and Catholics: Do They Now Agree? (2012). TPAnkerberg, John. The Facts on Roman Catholicism (2009). AMZArmstrong, John H. A View of Rome: A Guide to Understanding the Beliefs and Practices of Roman Catholics (1995). TPArmstrong, John H. Roman Catholicism: Evangelical Protestants Analyze What Unites and Divides Us (1998). TPArmstrong, John H. The Catholic Mystery: Understanding the Beliefs and Practices of Modern Catholicism (1999). TPArnold, Terry. To Catholics Whom I Love (2006). TPAshe, Geoffrey. The Virgin: Mary’s Cult and the Re-emergence of the Goddess (2008). AMZBaker, Todd D. Exodus from Rome Vol. 1: A Biblical and Historical Critique of Roman Catholicism (2014). AMZBall, Larry. Escape From Paganism: How a Roman Catholic Can Be Saved (2008). AMZBanuk, Ron. Mary: Past, Present, and Future (1999). TPBennett, Richard. Catholicism: East of Eden (2010). AMZBennett, Richard. Far From Rome, Near to God (2009). AMZBennett, Richard. The Truth Set Us Free: Twenty Former Nuns Tell Their Stories (1997). TPBerkouwer, G. C. Recent Developments in Roman Catholic Thought (1958). TPBerkouwer, G. C. The Conflict with Rome (1958). TPBerry, Harold J. Roman Catholicism: What is Final Authority? (1970). TPBoettner, Loraine. Roman Catholicism (various editions). TPBoettner, Loraine. The Mass (1970). TPBorders, Ben. Converting the Catholic (1957). TPBorleis, Harry. The Pope Speaks (1956). TPBourdery, Edward. The Origin of the Mass (1953). TPBrewer, Bartholomew F. Pilgrimage from Rome (1982). TPBrooks, Keith L. Roman Catholic Doctrine Examined in the Light of Scriptures Only (1968). TPBurckhardt, Paul E. A Protestant Tells Why: An Appraisal of Catholic Protestant Differences (1966). TPBurke, William E. Witnessing to Roman Catholics (1968). TPCarder, James L. Methods of Witnessing to Roman Catholics (1944). TPCarrara, John. Catholicism under the Searchlight of the Scriptures (1951). TPCarrara, John. Should Protestants and Roman Catholics Intermarry? (1967). TPCarson, Herbert. Dawn or Twilight: A Study of Contemporary Roman Catholicism (1976). TPCarson, Herbert. The Faith of the Vatican: A Fresh Look at Roman Catholicism (1996). AMZCastaldo, Christopher A. Holy Ground: Walking With Jesus as a Former Catholic (2009). AMZCastaldo, Christopher A. Talking with Catholics about the Gospel: A Guide for Evangelicals (available in March, 2015). AMZClarke, C. Leopold. The Christian Church and the See of Rome (1932). TPCloud, David W. Billy Graham and Rome (2006). AMZCloud, David W. Evangelicals and Rome: The Ecumenical One World “Church” (1999). TPCloud, David W. Is the Roman Catholic Church Changing? (2013). Available at wayoflife.orgCloud, David W. Rome and the Bible (1997). TPCloud, David W. Was Mother Teresa a True Christian? (2012). Available at wayoflife.orgCoffey, Tony. Answers to Questions Catholics Are Asking (2006). AMZCoffey, Tony. Once a Catholic (1993). TPColacci, Mario. Christian Marriage Today: A Comparison of Roman Catholic and Protestant Views (1965). TPColacci, Mario. The Doctrinal Conflict between Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity (1963). TPCollins, Mary Ann. Another Side of Catholicism: Insights from a Former Catholic Nun (2004). AMZCollins, Mary Ann. Catholic Concerns: Where Does the Road to Rome Lead? (2008). AMZCollins, Mary Ann. Freedom from Catholicism (2002). TPCollins, Mary Ann. Is Catholicism Biblical? A Former Nun Looks at the Evidence (2010). AMZCollins, Mary Ann. Searching for Truth: An Autobiography about My Spiritual History (2010). AMZCollins, Mary Ann. The Catholic Undertow: A Manual for Former Catholics (2004). TPCollins, Mary Ann. Unmasking Catholicism: What Hides Behind the Modern Public Image? (2004). AMZConroy, Helen. Forgotten Women in Convents (1960). TPCooke, Ronald. The Onslaught against Bible Protestantism: Studies on Romanism (1985). TPCoulton, George Gordon. Romanism and Truth (1930). TPCowan, Steven B. The Reformation Was Not a Mistake! The Areopagus Journal of the Apologetics Resource Center. Vol 4, No. 3 (2012). AMZCowell, Harriet Hamilton. Why a Preacher and Not a Priest: The Story of Evangelist John Carrara (1937). TPCrouch, Marlene C. Whose Voice Are You Listening To? (2010) AMZDe Courcy, Philip. Standing Room Only: A Contemporary Expose of the Roman Catholic and Evangelical Agreement (1997). TPDe Semlyen, Michael. All Roads Lead to Rome: The Ecumenical Movement (1993). TPDearden, Henry Woodhouse. Modern Romanism Examined (1927). TPDenbow, Walter H. Ought I to Join the Church of Rome? (1950). TPDenbow. Walter H. Ought I to Send My Child to a Convent School? (1969). TPdi Domenica, Angelo. A Protestant Primer on Roman Catholicism (1949). TPDoeswyck, Peter J. Ecumenicalism and Romanism (1961). TPDoeswyck, Peter J. Ex-Priest Answers Attack by Roman Clergy (1956). TPDoeswyck, Peter J. Roman Customs and Practices: Their Origin and Development (1963). TPDreyer, F. C. H. Roman Catholicism in the Light of Scripture (1960). TPEberhardt, Frank A. Roman Catholic Evangelism. Available at goitrc.org.Eberhardt, Frank A. The Catholicism Explained New Testament. Available at goitrc.org.Evans, Charles G. B. Why I Question the Roman Catholic Faith (2013). AMZEwin, Wilson. The Assimilation of Evangelist Billy Graham into the Roman Catholic Church (1992). TPEwin, Wilson. You Can Lead Roman Catholics to Christ (1974). TPFernandez, J. A. Advance of Romanism in the United States (1956). TPFernandez, J. A. What’s the Difference?: The Basic Difference Between Romanism and Protestantism (1952).Fiedler, Maureen, ed. Rome Has Spoken: A Guide to Forgotten Papal Statements and How They Have Changed Through the Centuries (1998). TPFilicchia, Ralph. From Catholicism to Christ (1991). TPFoxe, John. Fox's Book of Martyrs or A History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Triumphant Deaths of the Primitive Protestant Martyrs (various). AMZFuqua, E. C. Romanism Inspected (1945). TPGalea, Ray. Nothing in My Hand I Bring: A Catholic’s Journey to Christ (2012). AMZGardner, James. Romanism at Variance with the Bible (1930). TPGarland, Rick. Unholy Devotion: Rome’s Marian Errors (2014). AMZGarver. Stuart P. Watch Your Teaching!: A Comparative Study of Roman Catholic and Protestant Teaching since Vatican Council II (1973). TPGary, A. J. What Every Catholic Should Know (2014). AMZGauss, James F. The Catholic Church: Why I Left It (2012). AMZGendron, Mike. Preparing for Eternity (2002). AMZGerstner, John H. A Primer on Roman Catholicism (2003). TPGerstner, John H. The Gospel According to Rome (1960). TPGilbert, Mark. The Road Once Travelled: Fresh Thoughts on Catholicism (2012). AMZGuinness, H. Grattan. Romanism and the Reformation (various). AMZGustafson, David. Mary: A Catholic-Evangelical Debate (2003). TPHampel, Harry. My Deliverance from the Heresies of Rome (1955). TPHendrie, Edward. Solving the Mystery of Babylon the Great (2011). AMZHislop, Alexander. The Two Babylons (2013). AMZHorton, Michael S. Evangelicals, Catholics, and Unity (2012). AMZHoughton, Sidney M. The Advance of Romanism (1964). TPHoward, V. E. Roman Catholicism vs. Freedom (1954). TPHoward-Munro, Lynda. A Rebuttal to Catholic Apologetics (2013). AMZHoyer, Theodore. Why I Am Not a Roman Catholic (1953). TPHudson, Henry T. Papal Power: Its Origins and Development (1993). TPHunkey, John. How I Became a Non-Catholic (1911). TPHunt, Dave. A Woman Rides the Beast (1994). AMZHunter, J. H. The Great Deception (1945). TPHurley, Michael. John Wesley’s Letter to a Roman Catholic (1968). TPIronside, Henry A. Letters to a Roman Catholic Priest (1989). TPIronside, Henry A. The Mass versus the Lord’s Supper (1926). TPJackson, Bill. Roman Catholicism and the New Testament: A Study of Roman Catholicism in Light of New Testament Scriptures (1980) TPJackson, Bill. The Noble Army of Heretics (1989). TPJackson. Bill. A Christian’s Guide to Roman Catholicism (1988). TPJay, Les. Catholics are NOT Christians (2007). AMZJohnson, Frederick A. Christ and Catholicism (1954). TPJohnson, Ken. The Gnostic Origins of Roman Catholicism (2013). AMZJohnson, O. K. The Shift: Moving from Religion to Relationship (2012). AMZJuris, Paul. Blessed Mary (1978). TPJuris, Paul. The Other Side of Purgatory (1981). TPKane, Liz. The Devil’s Greatest Counterfeit: The Roman Catholic Church (1961). TPKauffman, Timothy F. Graven Bread: The Papacy, the Apparitions of Mary, and the Worship of the Bread of the Altar (1995). TPKauffman, Timothy F. Quite Contrary: A Biblical Reconsideration of the Apparitions of Mary (1998). TPKauffman, Timothy F., ed. Geese in Their Hoods: Selected Writings on Roman Catholicism by Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1997). TPKenny, Anthony. A Path from Rome (1986). TPLambert, O. C. Catholicism against Itself, Vols. 1 & 2 (various). TPLeahy, Fred S. The Roman Antichrist or a Study in II Thessalonians 2:3-8 (1957). TPLehmann, L. H. Behind the Dictators: A Factual Analysis of the Relationship of Nazi-Fascism and Roman Catholicism (1942). TPLehmann, L. H. Ex-Priest and the Riddle of Religion (1932). AMZLehmann, L. H. Ought I Become a Roman Catholic or Remain a Protestant? (1949). TPLehmann, L. H. Out of the Labyrinth (1942). TPLehmann, L. H. The Soul of a Priest (1933). TPLehmann, L. H. Father O'Connor, converted Catholic priest, founder of Christ's Mission; story of his life and work (1939). TPLitmer, Greg. Catholicism under the Microscope (2009). AMZLott, Timothy G. Growing Up Catholic: The Pursuit of Truth from Tradition to Satisfaction (2010). TPMacaulay, J. C. The Bible and the Roman Church (1946). TPMacaulay, J. C. The Heresies of Rome (1946). TPMacek, Hazel. Biblical Views of Catholicism: A Christian Worker’s Guide (2012). TPMartin, Walter. The Roman Catholic Church in History (1960). TPMatthews, Paul. Basic Errors of Catholicism (1952). TPMcCarthy, James G. Conversations with Catholics (2002). AMZMcCarthy, James G. Letters between a Catholic and an Evangelical (2003). AMZMcCarthy, James G. Roman Catholicism: What You Need to Know (1995). AMZMcCarthy, James G. Talking with Catholic Friends and Family (2005). TPMcCarthy, James G. The Gospel According to Rome (1995). AMZMcCarthy, James G. What Every Catholic Should Ask (1999). TPMcCauley, J. D. Trevor. Current Trends in Roman Catholicism (1995). TPMcConell, W. Dunbar. The Menace of Rome: A Call and a Warning (1939). TPMcCormick, Joseph. Why I Am Not a Roman Catholic (1954). TPMcKim, Randolph H. Romanism in the Light of History (2009). AMZMcKnight, John P. The Papacy: A New Appraisal (1952). TPMcLoughlin, Emmett. American Culture and Catholic Schools (1960). TPMcLoughlin, Emmett. Crime and Immorality in the Catholic Church (1964). TPMcLoughlin, Emmett. Letters to an Ex-Priest (1965). TPMcLoughlin, Emmett. People’s Padre (1954). TPMichaels, Ralph. Share the New Life with a Catholic (1975). TPMikhail, Labib. The Virgin Mary in the Light of the Word of God (2011). AMZMiller, Charles R. A Dominant Romanism: Its Religious and Political Significance (1959). TPMiller, Elliot. The Cult of the Virgin: Catholic Mariology and the Apparitions of Mary (1992). TPMiller, John C. Witnessing to Roman Catholics (1978). TPMizzi, Joe. Test All Things: An Invitation to Examine Your Catholic Faith in the Light of Scripture (1999). TPMontano, Walter M. Behind the Purple Curtain (1950). AMZMunro, W. Fraser. Roman Catholic Tradition and the Protestant Faith (1959). TPMurrell, Adam. So You Want To Become A Roman Catholic?: 10 Letters You Must Read Before Leaving The Evangelical Faith (2013). TPMyhill, Charlotte. Three Years a Nun (1974). TPNoll, Richard. When Catholics Die: Eternal Life or Eternal Damnation? (1999). TPO’Gorman, Walter Ernest Rupert. A Priest Speaks His Mind: Why He Returned to the Protestant Faith of His Fathers (1954). TPO’Malley, Kathleen. Childhood Interrupted: Growing Up Under the Cruel Regime of the Sisters of Mercy (2006). AMZOakland, Roger. Another Jesus: The Eucharist Christ and the New Evangelization (2007). AMZPadrosa, Luis. Why I Became a Protestant (1953). AMZPaisley, Ian. Billy Graham and the Church of Rome: A Startling Exposure (1970). TPPark, Hendrick. The Roman Catholic Church: A Critical Appraisal (2008) AMZPearson, B. H. My God Just Went By: The Story of the Birth of a Mission in the Heartland of Traditional Roman Catholic Power in Medellin, Columbia (1972). TPPearson. B. H. The Monk Who Lived Again (1954). TPPentecost, J. Dwight. Romanism in the Light of Scripture (2014). AMZPeterson, F. Paul. The Rise and Fall of the Roman Catholic Church (1959). TPPezzotta, Anthony. Truth Encounter: Catholicism and the Holy Scriptures (1996). TPPhillips, Ernest. Rome’s Traffic in Nuns: Embracing the Subject of Conventual Dowries and Mortality (1958). TPPigott, Adrian. Freedom’s Foe, The Vatican (1956). TPPinedo, Moises. What the Bible Says about the Catholic Church (2008). TPPoynter, J. W. The Church of Rome From Within (1932). TPReed, Kevin. Making Shipwreck of the Faith: Evangelicals and Roman Catholics Together (1995). TPReilly, Frances. Suffer the Little Children: The Harrowing True Story of a Girl's Brutal Convent Upbringing (2010). AMZReymond, Robert L. The Reformation’s Conflict with Rome: Why It Must Continue (2001). AMZReynolds, Arthur G. What’s the Difference in Protestant and Roman Catholic Beliefs? (1954). TPRhodes, Ron. Reasoning from the Scriptures with Catholics (2000). AMZRhodes, Ron. The 10 Most Important Things You Can Say to a Catholic (2002). AMZRice, John R. Dear Catholic Friend (2000). TPRice, John R. Sermon from a Catholic Bible (1947). TPRivera, Mario. Why I Left Roman Catholicism (1960). TPRobbins, John W. Ecclesiastical Megalomania: The Economic and Political Thought of the Roman Catholic Church (2006). TPRone, Wendell Holmes. The Baptist Faith and Roman Catholicism (1952). TPRoss, K. N. Why I Am Not a Roman Catholic (1953). TPRothacker, Edward T. Keys to Glory: A Catholic’s Search for God (2008). AMZRowell, J. B. An Open Letter to Pope John. XXIII or XXIV? His Title Questioned. Serious Implications Stated (1959). TPRowell, J. B. Historical Research: Bible Baptism - The Roman Church and the Baptists (1960). TPRowell, J. B. How to Reach Roman Catholics for Christ (?). TPRowell, J. B. Our Protestant Heritage: No Priest But Christ! No Sacrifice But Calvary! No Confessional But the Throne of Grace (1957). TPRowell, J. B. Papal Infallibility: It’s Complete Collapse Before a Factual Investigation (1963). TPRowell, J. B. Romanism Exposed by Romanism (1965). TPRowell, J. B. The Assumption of Mary (1950). TPRowell, J. B. The Worship of Mary (1955). TPRowell, J. B. Why Millions Do NOT Call the Pope “Holy Father” (?). TPSanchez, Daniel R. Sharing the Good News with Our Roman Catholic Friends (2003). AMZSanders, Albert J. Evangelical & Roman Catholic Beliefs Compared (1974). TPSavas, Patricia Nolan. Gus: A Nun’s Story (1993). TPSchofield, Joseph R. Escape from Purgatory (1994). TPSchroeder, John. Heresies of Catholicism: The Apostate Church (2003). AMZScott, C. Anderson. Romanism and the Gospel (1946). TPSerge, Joe. Two Men from Malta: A Passionate Appeal to Roman Catholics (2007). AMZShepherd, J. E. C. The Babington Plot: Jesuit Intrigue in Elizabethan England (1987). TPShields, T. T. The Papacy in the Light of Scripture (1955). TPSlawin, S. C. Catholic to Christian: An Exploration of Catholicism and One Man’s Journey from Darkness into God’s Wonderful Light (2014). AMZSlomski, Peter. Roman Catholicism: The Testimony of History and Scripture (2006). TPSmith, Casey. The Great Gulf between Catholicism and Christianity (2008). AMZSmith, Leopold D. E. The Papacy, Its History and Dogmas (1953). TPSmith, Samuel. The Claims of Rome (1964). TPSpence, O. Talmadge. Rome: Crusade or Crucible? (1989). TPSpringer, Harvey H. Why I Am Not a Roman Catholic (1947). TPSproul, R. C. Are We Together? A Protestant Analyzes Roman Catholicism (2012). AMZSproul, R. C. Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification (1999). AMZStewart, Alexander. The World Menace of Catholic Action (1953). TPStilson, Max. How to Deal with Roman Catholics (1966). TPStuber, Stanley I. Primer on Roman Catholicism for Protestants: An Appraisal of the Basic Differences between the Roman Catholic Church and Protestantism (1953). TPSubilia, Vittorio. The Problem of Catholicism (1964). TPSullivan, Wilma. Sister of Mercy (1997). TPSumerall, Lester F. Roman Catholicism Slays (1940). TPSvendsen, Eric D. Evangelical Answers: A Critique of Current Roman Catholic Apologists (1999). AMZSvendsen, Eric D. Upon This Slippery Rock: Countering Roman Catholic Claims to Authority (2007). AMZSvendsen, Eric D. Who Is My Mother? The Role of the Mother of Jesus in the New Testament and in Roman Catholicism (2007). AMZTalaga, Michael. The God I Thought I Knew: My Experience Growing Up Catholic (1999). TPTanis, Edward J. What Rome Teaches: A Comparison of Some of the Teachings of the Roman Catholic Church with Holy Scripture (1954). TPTesta, S. L. Is Romanism In the Bible? (1959). TPTesta, S. L. The Roman Catholic Doctrine of the Mass (2010). AMZTesta, S. L. The Truth About Catholics, Protestants, and Jews (1967). TPTetlow, Jim. Messages from Heaven (2009). AMZTetlow, Jim. Queen of All (2009). AMZThompson, James J. Fleeing the Whore of Babylon (1986). TPThornwell, J. H. Sacramental Sorcery: The Invalidity of Roman Catholic Baptism (2006). TPTrumper, Peter. The Mass: Should a Christian Attend It? (1980). TPUrick, Steve. The Truth About Roman Catholicism: What Every Catholic Needs to Know (2014). AMZVanhuysse, T. Gift of Grace: Roman Catholic Teaching in Light of the Bible (1993). TPViator. Catholicism Judged by the Bible (1959). TPVidal, Cesar. The Myth of Mary (1995). TPVilla, Manuel Perez. I Found the Ancient Way (1958). TPVinet, Lucien. I Was a Priest (1949). TPWalsh, Mary Ellen. The Wine of Roman Babylon (1945). TPWarfield, Benjamin. Counterfeit Miracles (1972). AMZWebber, Muriel. Let’s Look at Lourdes and Fatima Too! (1968). TPWebster, William. Roman Catholic Tradition: Claims and Contradiction (1999). AMZWebster, William. Salvation: The Bible and Roman Catholicism (1991). AMZWebster, William. Saving Faith: How Does Rome Define It? (1995). TPWebster, William. The Church of Rome at the Bar of History (1997). AMZWebster, William. The Matthew 16 Controversy: Peter and the Rock (1996). AMZWells, H. G. Crux Ansata: An Indictment of the Roman Catholic Church (1944). TPWhately, E. Jane. Roman Claims and Bible Warrants (1930). TPWhite, James R. Answers to Catholic Claims (1990). TPWhite, James R. Mary: Another Redeemer? (1998). TPWhite, James R. The Fatal Flaw (1990). TPWhite, James R. The Roman Catholic Controversy (1996). AMZWilder, John Bunyan. The Other Side of Rome (1959). TPWilder, John Bunyan. The Shadow of Rome (1960). TPWilliams, Walter Dakin. Nails of Protest. A Critical Comparison of Modern Protestant and Catholic Belief (1955). TPWood, Leland Foster. If I Marry a Roman Catholic (1952). TPWoods, Henry M. Our Priceless Heritage: A Study of Christian Doctrine in Contrast with Romanism (various). TPWright, Charles H. H. Roman Catholicism (1931). TPZacchello, Joseph. Secrets of Romanism (various editions). TPZacchello, Joseph. The Ins and Outs of Romanism (1949). TPZins, Robert M. On the Edge of Apostasy: The Evangelical Romance with Rome (1998). TPZins, Robert M. Romanism: The Relentless Roman Catholic Assault on the Gospel of Jesus Christ (2010). TPZodhiates, Spiros. The Song of the Virgin (1974). TP

After being a lifelong Catholic since childhood, I left the Roman Church in the summer of 2021 because we got a new priest at my church and, as soon as he came in, he was preaching things about certain sicknesses that I KNEW to be false--and he was pushing us to take a particular course of action concerning our health that my mother, who is a retired pharmacist, had told me to reject. That made me VERY upset. I knew that the priest was NOT listening to the Holy Spirit; I knew that our new priest was a false shepherd, a deceiver, and a liar; I knew that I could not listen to him; and I knew that I had to leave immediately.Out of necessity, I had to find another place to go to church. My one criteria was that they must not be preaching the same lies that led me to leave my old church. I asked my dad if I should just attend another Catholic parish, and he said no, because the risk of hearing the same lies from another priest was too great, and we didn't believe that it would be safe. Subsequently, I found a good Christian church of another type that I now attend with a work colleague.Someone there at the new church made a big deal about me having been a former Catholic, but I didn't understand why they made a big deal of it. So I asked the pastor at that church the difference, and he asked me, "Do you believe in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, or salvation through the rites of the church?" Because that was the distinguishing factor was salvation through the rites of the church which was Catholicism. I answered that, as a matter of necessity, I'm going to have to believe in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, because it gave me a way out when those who celebrate the rites of the church went rogue and preached lies and pushed their believers to take something that is known to be harmful.Given the circumstances under which I left the Roman Church, even my mom has accepted my decision to leave and has acknowledged that I had a legitimate reason to leave. My dad has also left over the same health-related lies.Attending my colleague's church has opened my eyes up to just how much of the Roman traditions have had no biblical support. I had questioned some of Rome's teachings for several years prior to having to leave, but was surprised by just how much was not biblical. But what's not biblical I am now free to reject. I feel like I am free from leaving a control system like they had been.My mom asked what the differences are between Catholics and Protestants. I sum it up as follows:* Protestants don't accept anything that isn't in the Bible. So any traditions we had in Catholicism that don't have a clear basis for them in the Scriptures are out.* Protestants only accept praying to God directly--that is, praying to God the Father, to Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Spirit--and they don't accept prayers to Mary nor to any other saint. As such, the Lord's Prayer is fine; the Glory Be is fine; the Hail Mary is out. And as a function of that, the rosary is out.As to this book, I have found it to be a very accurate, unbiased, and fair critique about the Biblical Christianity that I have had to embrace and the teachings of the Roman Church that I have had to leave. This book has helped me find the way, and I recommend it for those who are in a similar situation.

A very good book where author's careful presentation of the comparison of Roman Catholicism's traditions and its doctrines vs the Scriptures is excellentThanks also to the seller. I have chosen the used book but instead they send a new and without defect 😊.

I have read a number of book regarding the teachings of Rome in comparison with what God's Word teaches. James McCarthy does an excellent job in exposing the false teaching of Rome. Jesus and Paul both had words for the kind of teaching that comes out of Rome. Matthew 15:6-9 - "You have invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." See also Mark 7:5-13. V. 9 Jesus tells them -"You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition." Paul tells us in Colossians 2:8 - "Beware that no one take you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." See also V's 9-10 - "For in Him [Christ] all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority." Ephesians 5:23 tells us that Christ is the head of the church. As God is often referred to the Rock in the Old Testament - Deuteronomy 32:18; Psalm 31:3; 61:2 etc. Christ is referred to as the Rock in the New Testament - Matthew 16:18; Peter is referred to a Cephas which means a stone. Rock which refers to Christ is another Greek word - Petra cf. Matthew 7:24. Speaking of Christ the Rock I Corinthians 10:4 says - "And all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ." cf. I Peter 2:4-8. Ephesians 2:20 tells us - "Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone." Christ is our only mediator - I Timothy 2:5 - "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus." Hebrews 4:14-16 - "Seeing that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." cf. 7:3. When Rome tells us that their mass contains the blood and body of Christ, this is untrue, Christ was sacrificed once for all never to be repeated again. Also the mass has no blood and Hebrews also tells us that without shedding of blood is no forgiveness - Hebrews 9:22.Hebrews 7:24-28 - Tells us that His Priesthood is unchangeable V.24, V.25 He saves to the uttermost since He always lives to make intercession for us, V.26 says that He is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and higher than the heavens. This does not describe any earthly priest! V.27 tells us that His sacrifice was once for all. cf. 9:24-28. 10:12-14 - "But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are mad His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." cf. II Corinthians 5:21. Christ warns us in Matthew 7:15 - "Beware of false prophets, who comes to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Also I might add - Ephesians 4:11 lists the ministries that Christ gave the church and there is no mention of priest, cardinal, nuns etc. This is all false tachings from Rome. Christ is the head of the church! McCarthy does an excellent job and I highly recommend this book and recommend all Christians read and understand what Rome actually teaches and for Roman Catholics to read and be set free by the truth contained in these pages. Bob Jones

Very Good for those who have questions about catholism. Explains both sides of the story very well. Very informative. I am considering taking the RCIA and this has helped me decide whether to continue on this path or not. I have decided based on the pros and cons provided in this book that I will be continuing, but it has addressed a lot of the issues I had.

Very detailed description of catholic beliefs vs biblical Christianity. Most people are not familiar with the details of Catholic doctrine and it’s variance from bible.

Very good book