American Catholics

Dr. Couch, I appreciate your information about early America in your books, but what about the Catholics who came to this country early on? ANSWER: In Europe wars were raging between Protestant countries and Catholics but many Catholics realized that there would be a blessing in coming to America. The wars ceased in this country! The first Catholic settlement landed near what is now Baltimore. Thomas More, who was the Lord Chancellor of England, sanctioned the persecution of Protestants, even to the point of burning them at the stake. A century later, George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, projected a Catholic colony in America based on religious liberty. An expedition of Catholics landed on the island of St. Clement's on the Potomac River and held the first Mass on March 25, 1634. This was on the Feast Day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Lord Baltimore gave the Jesuits a subsidy to establish their work in that area. Strangely, Lord Baltimore, under the rule of Parliament, appointed a Protestant Governor with a majority of Protestant councillors. They submitted laws that brought the death penalty to any who spoke out against the Virgin Mary, the Apostles. As well, there could be whippings for anyone who said anything against Protestants or Catholics alike. The Catholics of Maryland settled in and lived at peace with their Protestant neighbors. They all accepted the peace between the two groups. Overt persecution did not raise its ugly head in the colonies. It was not until the first of the nineteenth century that many more Catholics arrived in America, and they were mainly (but not exclusively so) from Italy and the Latin countries. The Catholics accepted the spirit of America and lived side by side with the Protestant majority without major problems. While it can be said that there was peace between the two groups, it was Catholicism that became more "Protestant-ized" and accepted the good influences of the Reformation in America. Besides the East Coast, Catholics had pockets of populations in Louisiana, along the Southern borders, and in California. But for the most part, America would be Protestant in belief and opinion. Thanks for asking. Dr. Mal Couch (10/10)

Celebrating Christmas

Dr. Couch, should we be celebrating Christmas, since this is a "Catholic" word: Christ-mass? We are not commanded to do so in Scripture. ANSWER:  This reminds me of the Church of Christ folks who argue, since musical instruments are not mentioned in the Bible to use for worship, therefore, it is wrong to use musical instruments in church worship!    And, I guess Christ was wrong to go up to Jerusalem to celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, since the Jews were not commanded to do so in the OT! (see John 10:22-30.) Did you know that He did that? There is nothing wrong with remembering certain blessings in either the OT or NT. This is what Christ did. This is what we do with the Lord's Table. It is a "remembrance" and it is Passover condensed and abbreviated. I don't know of any true believer in Christ who became a Catholic because of the word Christmas. Some words become embedded in our vocabulary by usage, but most people don't know of the origins of such words.    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Dec., 09)

Catholic Pontiff

Dr. Couch, does the idea of the Catholic Pontiff come from Babylonian theology? ANSWER:  Yes, and in fact, the idea has a lot of connections with paganism throughout the ancient world. The word pontiff is assigned to the Pope. The origin of pontiff comes from the Latin word pontifex which means "path-maker" or bridge[builder]. The idea is that the Pope builds a bridge to God for the people.    The origin goes back to Babylonian theology. The Pope is the head of the College of Cardinals. He is the "Pontifex Maximus" or "Sovereign Pontiff." The idea of the Pope is framed on the model of the grand original Council of Pontiffs at Babylon.    For a thousand years the Pope was invested with the title, which had had attached to it the power of the keys of Janus and Cybele. He is the possessor of these very keys bestowed on Peter, in Catholic theology. Much of this goes back to the Babylonians and their worship of the Goddess Mother and her Son. In Egypt, the Mother and Child were worshipped under the names of Isis and Osiris. In Asia, as Cybele and Deoius. In pagan Rome, as Fortuna and Jupiter, In Greece, as the Great Mother with the babe at her breast.    Both Janus and Cybele each bore a key, the ensign to their spiritual authority. These two keys are emblazoned on the arms of the Pope's garment representing his power wielded over the Church. Thus, Peter alone had the power of the keys, as well as his successor. For more, see Alexander Hislop's work, The Two Babylons.    Unfortunately, most Catholics do not know the theology of their own Church!  Most of it is raw paganism!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

Many Protestant Denominations

Dr. Couch, do you think the Roman Catholic argument that the hundreds of divisions among Protestants prove that they are in error? ANSWER:  Oh, heavens no! Truth does not stand or fall on how people respond to it, but on its very nature. Millions of Protestants are not being taught the Scriptures so confusion is the natural consequences for the lack of teaching. But remember, that human nature thrives on division, and people gravitate to error and their own agendas if they are not looking carefully at the Word of God. All one has to do is look at the problems among the churches that Peter and Paul addressed in their letters.    Catholicism would be divided as well if it did not hold over its members the threat of the loss of salvation if they departed from the Catholic system. This includes the necessity of baptism, the mass, and confession. If the Catholic does not practice these, he is lost! By becoming a visible, earthly system, the glitter holds people and makes them think, "This must be the true church! Look at all the visible confirmation!"    The apostle Paul warned the church at Rome, "Keep your eyes on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which learned, and turn away from them" (Rom. 16:17). That teaching was the truth given by Paul, and recorded in Scripture. If we depart from that, confusion will arise. The Catholic Church does not hold people by biblical truth but by human devices and external threats. Every Catholic I have known said they feared going to hell if they left the Church!      Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

Is The Pope The Antichrist?

Dr. Couch, in your view do you believe the Pope is the Antichrist? The Reformers and the Puritans thought so. What is your opinion?

    ANSWER:   Your question had an IS in it. When we discuss the revealing of the Antichrist we’re talking about the period of the seven year tribulation. The Reformed folks are wrong in that they do not study well the projection of Daniel 9 that shows there is still seven years to go in God’s final dealing with Israel and the world. That is the period of the wrath and the tribulation. It is at that time that the Antichrist will be revealed.

    Thus the revelation of the Antichrist is yet future. He will be a false prophet and a worldwide religious leader. If the rapture took place today and the world was thrown into the tribulation, what great world religious leader might be that personality? You made mention that today the Pope and Catholicism in general stands against abortion, homosexuality, etc., but the issue is about the future. In the terror of the tribulation there will be compromise, accommodation, evil pragmatism, etc.

    It must be stated too, that it is speculation to say the religious beast, as he is called in Revelation, could be some future Pope. When I speculate or say, “It could be,” I am not being dogmatic but simply saying, “It seems it could play out this way!” In fact, every good and well-trained prophecy teacher I know does that. It is just that the opposition elects not to hear that disclaimer!

   Thanks for asking,

   Dr. Mal Couch