“I am Italian, but I am not Roman Catholic.” This statement often surprises people who think being Italian is associated with being Roman Catholic. I was raised in a Roman Catholic environment, but I am not a Roman Catholic and for some good reasons. There might be people who, in majority Roman Catholic contexts, ask the same question to evangelicals: “Why aren’t you Roman Catholic?” What would you say in response? Furthermore, there might be people who may be tempted to become Roman Catholic and ask the question themselves: “Why shouldn’t I be Roman Catholic?” In this Master Class, I will give five reasons why I am not Roman Catholic.
1. Because I Am a Hopeless Sinner, Not Just a Wounded Person
The Roman Catholic view of the human condition says people are wounded, weakened, and impoverished by sin. The Bible tells us that we are sinners, in a broken relationship with God, and spiritually dead. The latter portrait is more realistic. I am indeed a hopeless sinner. Roman Catholicism underestimates our problem and, in so doing, does not help to find the solution.
2. Because My Saviour Is Christ Alone, No Other Mediator Is Needed
While having a high view of Jesus Christ, Roman Catholicism tells us that the saints and Mary are “nearer” to us than Jesus to help, comfort, and guide. The Bible teaches that there is only one Mediator between God and us. Jesus Christ is the God-man who atoned for sin, died, rose from the dead, and is coming again. By His Spirit, He is nearer than anyone else.
3. Because My Salvation Is by Faith Alone, Neither by Works nor Sacraments
Rome teaches the importance and necessity of faith, yet considers it insufficient by itself to receive God’s grace. Our works and the sacraments of the church are causes and means to attain salvation. The Bible tells us that salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ, who has once and for all accomplished what was needed for my salvation. Because of who He is and what He has done, we can be assured of it.
4. Because My Ultimate Authority Is the Bible, Not the Church’s Tradition
Roman Catholicism holds the Bible in high regard yet grants ultimate authority to church tradition. The recent Marian (1854 and 1950) and papal infallibility (1870) dogmas show that Rome can teach something beyond and against Scripture. The Bible tells us that God has spoken and providentially recorded his words in the Bible. Therefore, the Bible is the supreme guide in all matters of faith and life.
5. Because My Faith Is “catholic,” Not Roman
Roman Catholicism claims to represent the “catholic” (complete, full) teaching and to embody the “catholic” (historical, global) Church. The truth is that it is more “Roman” than biblically catholic. The evangelical faith is biblically grounded, historically attested, open to renewal by God’s Word and the Spirit, and a global family of believers. It is there that true catholicity can be found.
Speaker Biography:
Leonardo De Chirico is the pastor of Breccia di Roma, a church that he helped plant in Rome in 2009, and Vice Chairman of the Italian Evangelical Alliance. Previously, Leonardo planted and pastored an evangelical church in Ferrara, Italy from 1997 to 2009. He earned degrees in history (University of Bologna), theology (ETCW, Bridgend, Wales) and bioethics (University of Padova). His PhD is from King's College (London); it was published as Evangelical Theological Perspectives on Post-Vatican II Roman Catholicism. His recent books are A Christian Pocket Guide to Papacy (Christian Focus, 2015); A Christian Pocket Guide to Mary (Christian Focus, 2017), and Same Words, Different Worlds. Do Roman Catholics and evangelicals believe the same gospel? (IVP, 2021). He is a lecturer of historical theology at Istituto di Formazione Evangelica e Documentazione in Padova, Italy. Additionally, Leonardo is the director of the Reformanda Initiative, which aims to equip evangelical leaders to better understand and engage with Roman Catholicism, and the leader of the Rome Scholars and Leaders Network (RSLN).
