Why I'm Not Catholic Anymore - The Pope and the Papacy 1

I could go into all the reasons why I believe that the Pope is not the mediator between God and man, nor is the head of the church...but Christ Himself.  This pretty much sums it up as to why I cannot believe that the Pope is the head of the church, nor me as a Christian. 

http://youtu.be/6C1ec1yu3m4

Why Can't I Just Be A Good Muslim?

One of the most strikingly opposing views that I know the Roman Catholic Church teaches is that you can be a good Muslim and still get to heaven…even though they do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but only a good prophet.  I have to admit, when I shared this with some of my Catholic and ex-Catholic friends, they thought I was crazy. 

For sake of space and time I hyperlinked some of the core beliefs of Islam in the following for those reading this that may not know what Muslims believe, here is a comprehensive list courtesy of CARM.org. In order to be saved in Islam, a person MUST adhere to ALL (not some or even most) the five pillars of Islam which molds their thought, deeds, and society.  

The salvation of millions of Muslims is comprised in this one tiny paragraph in the Roman Catholic Catechism…paragraph 841:

The Church's relationship with the Muslims. "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day."

So, what is wrong with this?  Let’s make a list. 

ALLAH IS THIER CREATOR

For the Christian the creator is God the Father, along with Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Does the Muslim acknowledge the creator?  No.  They acknowledge Allah, who is NOT JEHOVAH GOD!!!

God as creator: Gen 1:1; Neh 9:6; Job 26:7; Psalm 102:25; Acts 14:15; Heb 11:3

Jesus as creator: John 1:3; 1 Cor 8:6; Eph 3:9; Col 1:16; Heb 1:1-2.

Holy Spirit as creator: Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13, 33:4; Psalm 104:30.

MUSLIMS PROFESS THIER FAITH IN MUHAMMAD

Do Muslims profess to hold the faith of Abraham?  No.  What was Abraham’s faith?  It was in Jehovah God.  For the Muslim, thier faith is in Muhammad, thier prophet.  With that being said, do Muslims adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day?  No.  Mankind’s judge on the last day according to the Bible will be Jesus Christ.  Do Muslims adore Jesus Christ?  No. 

Most Muslims and Christians are so opposing in views that they could be considered antonyms in comparison.  But for some reason the Roman Catholic Church has deemed them worthy of salvation.  For a Catholic, salvation is based on three things:  Praying to Mary, finishing all the sacrements, and doing good works.  Why then can a Muslim, who does not do any of these things get to go to heaven is beyond me.  It does not make sense.  I dove a little deeper into this claim and found some interesting things.  Some things that Muslims have in common with Catholics is thier belief in Mary, Pilgramages, doing good works to earn salvation, and world dominion.  

Are You Ready If This Was IT?

Ankeny fireman cutting me out of my car with the jaws of life.
 

On 12/12/12 my wife and I were on our way to church for the Wednesday night evening service.  We decided to stop and get some coffee at our favorite cafe on the way.  It was like any other night.  We spent the drive talking and laughing.  We were stopped in the left hand lane waiting for cars to turn left.  After about a minuite I decided to get in the right lane and looked back in the rearview mirror to see in horror a car speeding up on our rear and not slowing down.  Within a half second I let out a yell and we were hit.  Thrown backward the seats instantly broke, then hitting the car infront of us we were thrown forward.  As I laid there in the seat I had a sharp pain in my back and neck and my wife told me not to move and called the police.  The firemen who came waisted no time and decided to cut me out of the car, put me on a backboard, and into an ambulance to the emergency room. 

As I go witnessing out on the streets I always tell people that they could die today and not have the chance to repent and put their faith in Christ as the payment for sin.  I just never thought that I would be one of those people.  Believe me when I say this...I didn't have time to repent.  I had less than a second before we were hit.  As I laid under the x-ray machine I couldn't help but wonder if I died and appeared before God would he say, "Well done good and faithful servant" or, "Depart from Me you wicked and lazy servant." 

If you're not a Christian I want you to feel your pulse on your neck right now.  That tiny beat is the only thing keeping you from spending eternity in hell.  You are not promised tomorrow.  Today is the day of salvation.    If you are a Christian, how are you doing?  Are you using your time wisely (1 Peter 4:1-11)?  Are you making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)?  Do you even care to?  These were hard questions I asked myself.  I know I'm saved by the blood of Jesus, but am I obedient to what He commanded me to do?  This was a wake-up call to let me know that time is running out.  Thank God He has given me more time to finish strong.