If Catholic and Protestant Church Doctrines are imperfect, why focus on Catholic Church shortcomings?

atan is at work in all of our churches, both Catholic and Protestant. We have already discussed how he has been able to confuse much of the world into thinking that the various Protestant denominations are different religions, making people wonder which, if any of them, is right.

Why then is this book focused on unscriptural Catholic Church doctrines? First and foremost, it is because many Catholic doctrines serve to turn the parishioner’s attention away from Jesus Christ, the glorious head of the body of Christ, the church! Anyone who redirects our praise, honor, worship or prayers from God to anyone or anything else is in grave error and is sinning against God.

Jesus is the King of Kings, the Lord or Lords, the Lamb of God, the Light of the World and the one and only Son God. His name is above every name, and he has been given all power in heaven and on earth.

Looking for Jesus in Saint Peter’s Basilica

I had the opportunity of touring Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, the largest church building in the world. It is a truly magnificent, architectural wonder of approximately 240,000 square feet containing 44 altars, 11 domes and 778 columns. For a size perspective, the average Walmart Supercenter is about 182,000 square feet, and nowhere near as tall. One dome in Saint Peters rises to 448 feet above the floor.

There is gorgeous imported marble of many colors from all over the world, priceless tapestries, gold, silver and precious jewels. From a strictly monetary standpoint, it would cost many billions of dollars if one were to try to replicate St. Peter’s, including the many priceless works of art by renowned masters. One such piece is Michelangelo’s Pieta, a beautiful work of art in white marble depicting the lifeless body of our Lord cradled in the loving arms of his mother, Mary.

As I wandered through this massive cathedral with 395 statues honoring pope’s, kings and saints, it struck me that for all of the opulence and magnificence there was virtually nothing glorifying the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Granted, there were many images of baby Jesus in the arms of Mary, and small images of Jesus on the cross, but I saw only one larger statue of Jesus. He is seated, flanked on either side by St. Peter and St. Paul, and a kneeling former pope. As I stood there I thought, “The Son of God, who created the universe (John chapter 1), couldn’t even get a nice big statue of his own. He has to share the space with a bunch of dead guys.” Oops! I meant to think, “deceased saints.”

In addition, I saw one statue of Jesus on the exterior colonnade. If you look carefully, you can spot him in the below photo on top of the building, second from the left, holding a cross. He is among 139 other statues of deceased saints. Just one of the guys!

I have a hard time expressing the profound disappointment and resentment I felt as I left this magnificent edifice in which no attempt was made to give Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, the honor and glory he is entitled to.