Story by Logan Tromp, Catholicism Writer
When inquired about their religious views, many people will respond “I’m a Christian.” The logical follow-up question would be “well, what denomination of Christianity are you?” The inquisitor will likely get a variety of responses ranging from Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and many more. This will give further insight into their theological beliefs, but why are there so many different denominations of Christianity? Why do they believe so many different things?
The answer to this question lies in Sola Scriptura, or “by scripture alone”. Sola Scriptura is a belief held by Protestants who claim that the Bible is the only infallible authority of faith. While different denominations may utilize a variety of authoritative church tradition, Protestants believe that the Bible is the one, supreme, object rule of faith. Naturally this leads to a lot of questions and a plethora of different denominations. An infallible book given to fallible interpreters?
Many Christians have read Scripture throughout the years and have taken away their own interpretation of the Bible. Some Christians believe in predestination while others do not. There is a wide range of beliefs about Communion, sacraments, and divorce. If God gave us a book full of objectively true knowledge, why do so many people disagree with one another about what scripture says? After all, truth cannot contradict truth.
What do we do about this dilemma? Luckily the answer can be found within the Catholic Church, the church instituted by Jesus here on earth. When reading Matt 28:18-20, Jesus states, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus clearly passes his infallible authority down to his apostles, so they can preach and teach the Gospel. He also states that he will always be with them, and this is true, for he is guiding the church today. Historically, the Catholic Church was the first church and the earliest Christians espoused Catholic beliefs. Additionally, the vast majority of people were illiterate, so hearing the Gospel spoken was the only way they could receive the Good News. Keep in mind that the Bible, the sole infallible rule of faith for Protestants, did not exist in its entirety leading up to the 4th century, and there was much debate about what books or passages were divinely inspired.
An infallible book requires an infallible interpreter, and this interpreter is the Catholic Church. “[H]e has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23). If the church is Christ’s body as St. Paul states, and Christ’s body is one (1 Corinthians 12), how can there be such division within the church? Jesus prays for unity among Christians in John 17:22 which says, “And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” From Jesus’ teachings we can come to know that there must be a single, universal church guided by Jesus’ disciples to fight against the evils of the world and lead believers on the path to righteousness. Simply put, there must be One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
The Saint 