ROMAN CATHOLICISM IN LIGHT OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS

XXIII. God’s Moral Code Versus Catholicism’s Canon Law

(Hebrews 13:1-6)

I. Introduction

A. A number of our Church members have come from Roman Catholic backgrounds, and they often seek support in Biblical truths that counter the strong, errant indoctrination they faced in their past.

B. The epistle to the Hebrews was written to counter the errant traditionalism of first century Judaism that was similar in theological thrust to much of Catholicism, so we study Hebrews for edification in this matter.

C. The author of Hebrews in Hebrews 13:1-6 wrote of God’s moral code that contrasts sharply with the Roman Catholic Church’s teachings in its Canon Law. We view the passage for insight, application and edification:

II. God’s Moral Code Versus Catholicism’s Canon Law, Hebrews 13:1-6.

A. “(I)n Roman Catholicism the moral code is based primarily on Canon Law and only secondarily on the Bible . . . (T)he Roman Church has developed a standard of morality that is designed, not to stir the conscience, but to maintain papal powers . . .” (Loraine Boettner, Roman Catholicism, 1978, p. 385)

B. Some samples of Canon Law teachings in the Roman Catholic Church are given below:

1. “‘A servant is allowed to help his master to climb a window to commit fornication’” (St. Alphonsus, 1, 22, 66), Ibid., p. 386).

2. “‘It is not a mortal sin to get drunk, unless one loses completely the use of his mental faculties for over one hour’” (St. Alphonsus, 1, 5, 75; Ibid.).

3. “‘It is asked whether prostitutes are to be permitted . . . They are to be permitted because, as a distinguished priest says, ‘Remove prostitutes from the world, and all things will be disordered with lust. Hence, in large cities, prostitutes may be permitted’” (St. Alphonsus 3, 434; Ibid.).

4. According to Liguori, “‘(I)t is lawful . . . to cover the truth with words, or other ambiguous and doubtful signs, for a just cause.’” Thus, one can lie if the motive involves an alleged higher good, Ibid., p. 388.

5. “In regard to theft, Liguori teaches that a Roman Catholic may steal, provided the value of the thing stolen is not excessive,” Ibid., p. 389.

C. However, God’s moral code in Hebrews 13:1-6 contrasts sharply with Roman Catholic Canon Law:

1. The purpose behind God’s moral code for the believer is not to gain power over the laity for the dominance of local church leaders as in Roman Catholicism, but to heed the righteousness of God in every believer’s Christian walk, cf. Romans 8:3-4 with 1 Peter 5:3.

2. This focus on innate righteousness in thought and life thus marks God’s moral code (as follows):

a. God directs that brotherly love in the local church is to continue, meaning that the goal of love is not to provide hierarchical power to church leaders, but to foster fellowship among believers, Hebrews 13:1.

b. Such love is to be expressed in showing hospitality to travelling evangelists or missionaries, here called “strangers,” for some have entertained angels unawares, Hebrews 13:2.

c. Brotherly love is to be expressed toward believers who are imprisoned for the Lord, for the whole church suffers the adversity of such bondage due to the spiritual union of the body of Christ, Heb. 13:3.

d. Marriage is to be considered honorable among all, and the marriage bed considered undefiled, but sexual immorality and adultery are not to be tolerated since God will punish these sins, Hebrews 13:4.

e. We believers are to keep our lives free from the love of money by being content with what we have, for God has promised never to leave us nor to forsake us, Hebrews 13:5. Indeed, He is our Helper so that we need not fear what man might do unto us to harm us materially, Hebrews 13:6. Thus, greed, stealing, lying or other sins performed out of greed for material gain are not to be tolerated.

Lesson: Where Roman Catholic Canon Law is a man-authored means to the end of gaining hierarchical powers over the laity by church leaders, God’s moral law is innately righteous, requiring strict adherence to God’s righteous standard in every part of every believer’s walk, be he a leader or a man in the pew. Matters like brotherly love, moral purity and a departure from materialism are thus essential qualities of God’s righteous standard that must mark every believer’s life.

Application: (1) May each of us believers rely upon the Holy Spirit to live totally aligned with God’s moral law in every aspect of our personal lives, avoiding the hypocrisy of man-made standards of artificial spirituality. (2) May we follow Scripture’s definitions on righteousness and not the errant extrabiblical definitions given in religions.