Dear Mr. Mike Gendron:
We at The Domain for Truth would like to express our sincerest gratitude to you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do an interview with us. It was not too long ago since we first fellowshipped together at the Shepherds’ Conference. One of the main topics we addressed were the Roman Catholic religion, Robert Jeffress’ comments concerning the Tim Tebow controversy, the signing of the Manhattan Declaration, and the Christian evangelization to Roman Catholics. We also understand that you were saved out of the Roman Catholic religion by the grace of God through faith. Now your ministry is one that focuses heavily on reaching out to Roman Catholics.
For those of you who are not acutely aware of Mike’s ministry, here is a brief description about him and his ministry. Please see their website for more information. If the Lord leads, I encourage you to surf their site and perhaps support their ministry financially. They are one of the very few ministries out there that are aggressively and actively trying to reach Roman Catholics with the Gospel of grace. Proclaiming the Gospel ministry has a huge heart for Roman Catholics.
Here is their website: Proclaiming the Gospel. There are books and tracts that you could purchase there.
Here is a brief description about Mike, the founder of Proclaiming the Gospel:
“For over 30 years, Evangelist Mike Gendron was a devout Roman Catholic and a strong defender of the ‘one true church.’ He was taught from a very early age, to trust and rely on the church, its priests, the sacraments and his own good works for salvation. However in 1981 while attending an evangelical seminar, he realized the Bible is the supreme authority for knowing truth. His new excitement and hunger for the inspired word of God led him to help organize the very first Little Rock Scripture Study at a Catholic Church in Dallas. Mike soon realized that many of the teachings and traditions of the Catholic religion were not found in the Bible. After more study he discovered the Roman Catholic plan of salvation was diametrically opposed to the Gospel of grace that is revealed in the Bible. After discerning that God seeks worshippers in spirit and truth, Mike left the Catholic Church in 1985 for a church where the true Gospel is proclaimed and the Scriptures are the final authority in all matters of faith.
In 1988 he left a successful career in corporate management to study at Dallas Theological Seminary. Four years later, during his last semester at DTS, Mike and his wife Janeʼs love for Catholics inspired them to begin a ministry that would point Catholics to the Lord Jesus Christ as their all sufficient Savior. Their hearts are now burdened for those who may be where they were for most of their life – eternally condemned and not even aware of it.”
I believe they also have a new staff member named Jason Hauser—a TMS graduate who serves alongside Mike. It is great to see another person serving alongside him.
Without further ado, here are some questions we have for you, Mike.
1) Is it wrong for evangelicals to sign unity accords with Catholics? Did the signing of the Manhattan Declaration by renowned Christian leaders vastly affect your ministry?
Yes, it is wrong for evangelicals, who have been sanctified by the truth, to sign unity accords with Roman Catholics, who believe and teach a false and fatal gospel. It is wrong for several reasons. First God’s Word makes it clear: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? The Lord gives the command, “therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them.”
Second, when highly visible and influential evangelicals sign unity accords with Catholics, it brings confusion to the Body of Christ. They do not know if they should consider Catholics as brothers and sisters in Christ or as unbelievers who need to be evangelized. Evangelicals who sign unity accords with Catholics are not aware of Rome’s strategy to bring all “separated brethren” back home to Rome. Part of their strategy is to persuade evangelical leaders to profess Roman Catholicism as a valid expression of Christianity. Tragically they have been successful in their seduction.
Third, when confused evangelicals do not recognize Roman Catholicism the world’s largest and most neglected mission field, it leaves 1.2 billion Catholics on the wide road to destruction with less of an opportunity to hear the Gospel of grace.
2) Why do Catholics need to be evangelized if they already believe in Jesus?
The Jesus of Roman Catholicism returns every day when the priest calls Him down from heaven to be worshipped and represented as a sin offering on their altar. The Lord Jesus warned us, “If anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ, do not believe him’” (Matthew 24:23). Yet this is what Catholic priests proclaim each time they lift up the Eucharist. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Eucharist becomes “the body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ…[such that] the whole Christ is truly, really and substantially contained” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 1374). This is done so that “the same Christ who offered himself” on the cross can “be offered” on Catholic altars (CCC, 1367).
The Catholic Jesus does not offer eternal life. He offers only conditional life. After the sacrament of baptism each Catholic is placed on probation and must strive to remain in God’s favor through good works, sacraments and law keeping (CCC, 1129, 2068). Those who die in a state of mortal sin will suffer in hell’s eternal fire (CCC, 1035). As we witness to Roman Catholics we must present the Lord Jesus Christ in all of His sufficiency! He is the perfect High Priest, who offered Himself, the perfect sacrifice to a perfect God who demands perfection. Then He cried out in victory, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).
3) Do you believe there are any Christians in the Catholic Church?
Yes, but they are no longer Catholic. There are born again Christians in the Catholic church because God has granted them repentance and true saving faith upon hearing His Gospel. Eventually the Spirit of God will lead them out of the false religion that once held them in bondage. God will deliver them from idolatry as they are discipled in the truth of His Word.
4) What are your thoughts on Christians (former Catholics) who are staying in the Catholic Church to reform it?
I tried doing this when God opened my eyes to the true Gospel but I was quickly marked as a heretic and trouble maker. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is diametrically opposed to the Catholic plan of salvation. When Christians begin sharing the truth of God’s Word clearly, objectively and passionately, they will be asked to leave.
5) What are the most critical differences between the Catholic faith and the Christian faith?
The most critical difference is how one is justified and the promises of the Gospel. Whenever another Jesus is embraced, it always leads to another gospel. Since Catholics do not see Jesus as the all-sufficient Savior they need another gospel to instruct them what they must do to be saved. The biblical Gospel proclaims salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, all for the glory of God alone. Rome denies the work of redemption is done and offers a list of requirements for salvation.
From the Council of Trent, Canon 24, we read: “If anyone says that the justice [or justification] received is not preserved and also not increased before God through good works but that those works are merely the fruits and signs of justification obtained, but not the cause of the increase, let him be anathema.” Canon 9 reads: “If anyone says, that by faith alone the impious is justified . . . let him be anathema.” Rome teaches that “all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments” (CCC, 2068).
Rome also denies the Gospel’s promise of eternal life by declaring that justification can be lost by mortal sin. Catholics must then be re-justified through penance. If they die in the state of mortal sin, they spend eternity in hell. This is a total rejection of God’s power and promise in Romans 8:28-30 and 1 Peter 1:1-5).
6) Here is a question from one of our subscribers of The Domain for Truth, “If the Pope is the ultimate authority of the church and he confirms something to be true but contradicts a previous pope—who should be followed?”
Rome has three authorities that they say are equal – Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the Magesterium of Bishops led by the “infallible” pope. In actual practice, it is the pope and bishops who twist and distort the Scriptures to harmonize their interpretations with 1600 years of Sacred Tradition. Catholics will admit that popes have disagreed with one another in the past. Their explanation is not everything they teach is infallible, only when they speak from the Chair of Peter. Catholics should test every man’s teaching with the Word of God (Acts 17:11).
Well, this is the wrap-up of this very important meeting with Mike. We thank you, Mike and Jason, for standing up for the truth in a day where compromise seems to be the norm. May we pray for more Martin Luthers to rise up and proclaim the Gospel in a dark and confusing world. Sola scriptura!
What are your thoughts, readers?
Sincerely,
The Domain for Truth
We ought to be thankful for his ministry and taking the time to answer these questions
Very thankful to Mike for taking the time to answer those questions while he was busy preparing for a radio interview.
It shows the passion and commitment to the ministry to do all this, which we are grateful for!
Reblogged this on Soldier In Christ and commented:
Amen!
Thank you, Saint Douglas. May God be glorified in this post. We are praying that the Holy Spirit will save Catholics out from the Kingdom of Darkness; and praying that God will usher them into the Kingdom of His Son which is found in the Gospel of grace.
What a demented interview.. You folks are so removed from reality about The Catholic Church which is Christ’s FIRST Church, that I don’t know what I can do to help you understand other than pray for you. And many of your ministers are hearing The Lord and bringing back millions to The Catholic Church while you pick and prod the ignorant.. 😉
Rob,
Help me out here since I’m kind of ignorant, how do you respond to a Eastern Orthodox who talks in this way:
“You Robert Sledz is so removed from reality about the Eastern Orthodox Church which is Christ’s FIRST Church, that I don’t know what I can do to help you understand other than pray for you…”
“Millions” huh?
How is it demented, Robert?
Robert, how would you respond to an Eastern Orthodox who views Catholicism as being in error?
Mike’s bold [& correct] answer to ques. #1 above points up the fact that many Evangelical luminaries are in sin by signing the Man. Dec.
A good article on this: http://www.bereanbeacon.org/articles/Catholic_Agenda_Embedded_in_the_Manhattan_Declaration.pdf
[…] 4.) The Domain for Truth Interviews Mike Gendron Concerning Roman Catholicism […]
It is very unfortunate that the Catholic church is so often misinterpreted by so-called Bible Christians who claim to be the authentic expositors of God’s unadulterated truth. Their actions are nothing other than poor exegesis of scripture, which has led so many astray into error.
The Catholic church is being made out to be a works-righteousness system which is utterly misplaced. All of these anti-catholic accusations or views can easily by refuted by use of analogies.
Works should be understood as NECESSARY for salvation, AFTER a christian has been justified and not as means of EARNING salvation.
The necessity of works for salvation doesn’t make them salvation-earning. Nor do they negate the fact that our justification and for that matter eternal life is a gift from God.
A very typical example is the scenario of our earthly existence which everybody would agree is a gift from God. Nevertheless, we need air to breath, food to eat, water to drink which can be termed immediate necessities of life.
Also, we need a means of livelihood, proper eating habits, good exercises and other healthy/disciplinary lifestyles which can be termed remote necessities of life.
That we can’t do without these necessities doesn’t make them a substitute for God’s gift of life that He has given us. Our earthly life is totally God’s gift because it is God-breathed; God had to breath into dust to make man a living soul.
Analogously, works are spiritual necessities in our journey towards heaven but they aren’t substitutes for God’s gift of eternal life. Their necessity doesn’t contradict eternal life as a gift any more than our earthly necessities (food, water, livelihood) don’t negate our earthly life as a gift from God.
According to Catholic teaching, to be justified is to be spiritually made alive (saved from spiritual death which is seperation from God), that is, God’s breath, the Holy Spirit quickens our souls from spiritual death by applying to us
the merits of Calvary in baptism. This is the free gift that St Paul refers to in Rom 6:23 which is not in any way tempered with by our good works.
I believe the analogy of our earthly existence has helped shed some light on the Catholic position which has been unfortunately falsified over the past few centuries.
Apparently, you don’t understand your own Catholic teachings. Please go read research your own catechism.
No, you rather misunderstand and misrepresent Catholic teaching even as you always misunderstand and misrepresent Biblical teaching. Both teachings always go hand-in-hand and will never contradict each other.
Be informed that I know my catechism appreciably well and that the analogy i used in my earlier submission sheds great light on the Catholic notion of justification and works.
Pls read my piece again carefully and digest it and at least see some legitimacy in the Catholic view of the necessity of works for our salvation.
Could you document Catholicism subscribe to your claim: “Works should be understood as NECESSARY for salvation, AFTER a christian has been justified and not as means of EARNING salvation.”
Just for the purpose of clarity: You don’t believe works justify someone who is saved but follows after justification by faith alone in Christ alone?
I hope, AYAW that you faithfully represent your Catholic teaching, if you claim to be a Catholic. As SLIMJIM said, please provide authentic documentation of your statement whereby the official Catholic teaching supports your statement, “Works should be understood as NECESSARY for salvation, AFTER a christian has been justified and not as means of EARNING salvation.”
And my follow up question would be for AYAW is if Romanism denies what the Bible say about justification will he cease being a Papist?
Amen. If his teachings are contrary to the official RCC’s teaching, he ceases being a Catholic. Otherwise, there is no integrity.
AYAW, A long post sans CCC quotes and then a shorter arrogant assertion that you know your stuff. Great. Produce some, please. EvangelZ is correct.
The RCC twists and perverts the biblical concept of grace to be a substance or force or ability God gives to sinners to then make the right decisions and do good works that interact with and necessarily supplement supposed “faith” (another term abused by Rome), to work together for one’s possible justification. Which “justification” is necessarily never certain in this life.
This is a blatant lie: Works should be understood as NECESSARY for salvation, AFTER a christian has been justified and not as means of EARNING salvation.
To wit: “We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do his will. In every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere ‘to the end’ and to obtain the joy of heaven, as God’s eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ,” (CCC, par. 1821).
Thus, good works are not only essential to be saved, but they contribute to justification.
Next, “Christ instituted the sacrament of Penance for all sinful members of his Church: above all for those who, since Baptism, have fallen into grave sin, and have thus lost their baptismal grace and wounded ecclesial communion. It is to them that the sacrament of Penance offers a new possibility to convert and to recover the grace of justification. The Fathers of the Church present this sacrament as ‘the second plank (of salvation) after the shipwreck which is the loss of grace,” (CCC, par. 1446).
Here, one can (re)gain Romish “grace” by works. Blasphemous.
“As a means of regaining grace and justice, penance was at all times necessary for those who had defiled their souls with any mortal sin…” [The Council of Trent, Sess. XIV, c. i]
Finally, sola fide was pronounced accursed @ Trent:
“If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema,” (Council of Trent, Canons on Justification, Canon 9).
“Co-operate,” “obtaining,” “prepared,” “disposed,” “of his own will” all point to the heresy of a works-based righteousness, justification, and ultimately, salvation.
“If any one saith, that man is truly absolved from his sins and justified, because he assuredly believed himself absolved and justified; or, that no one is truly justified but he who believes himself justified; and that, by this faith alone, absolution and justification are effected; let him be anathema,” (Canon 14).
“The greatest of all Protestant heresies is assurance.” ~ “St” Bob Bellarmine.
SLIMJIM & EvangelZ, read the ff decree from Council of Trent, 6th Session, Chapter 10:
“Having, therefore, been thus justified, and made the friends and domestics of God, advancing from virtue to virtue, they are renewed, as the Apostle says, day by day; that is, by mortifying the members of their own flesh, and by presenting them as instruments of justice unto sanctification, they, through the observance of the commandments of God and of the Church, faith co-operating with good works, increase in that justice which they have received through the grace of Christ, and are still further justified, as it is written; He that is just, let him be justified still; and again, Be not afraid to be justified even to death; and also, Do you see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. And this increase of justification holy Church begs, when she prays, “Give unto us, O Lord, increase of faith, hope, and charity.” ” [On the increase of Justification received]
You can see from the above that Trent deals with TWO KINDS of justification:
firstly, that by which the grace of Christ transforms us from state of condemnation into adoption as God’s children (INITIAL justification through faith @ baptism) and this can by NO MEANS be earned (Eph 2:8-9, or maybe read from verse 1 to 9 for clearer context) and secondly that by which the grace of Christ merits for us an increase from virtue to virtue (PROGRESSIVE justification, jas 2:24).
Progressive justification accompanies our good works and is also merited for us by Christ.
The bible makes it so clear that failure to do some good works can lead us to condemnation (Mat 25:31-46).
The utter disregard for the mountains and mountains of scriptural evidences touching on the necessity of works, by proponents of faith-alone justification never ceases to amaze me.
@ Hugh McCann
You claim that my submission is a blatant lie.
Show me any official catholic document that asserts that we can earn our salvation by our works.
I did, AYAW. By showing that “initial justification” (itself a falsehood) is “lost” upon commission of a mortal sin, and must be regained by works. That’s what #1446 was about.
And, “Penance offers a new possibility to convert and to recover the grace of justification…” If that’s not works, what else COULD be?
YOU “convert” – you’re not converted.
YOU “recover” – not be given merely of free grace.
And you only start over, having squandered your supposed baptismal “grace,” and thus having lost (“initial”) justification & your salvation.
I reminded us that your group’s “grace” is attainable via good works, thereby overthrowing biblical grace. Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
God’s grace is not a reaction to a sinner’s prayer, penance, or ANY OTHER WORK. It is unilateral, monergistic, sovereign, unconditional, and discriminating. In other words, God chooses who is to be with him – not sinful man.
Rome posits that her god’s “grace” works bilaterally, synergistically (hence, all the “cooperation” for salvation the penitent slob is exhorted to), contingently, conditionally, haphazardly.
But you’re not born again, so you cannot receive the things of God, AYAW. Repent and believe the gospel.
I don’t owe you a thing. Your group lies and perverts the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You and I both know we don’t need to find the exact wording to prove the validity of an assertion. I have proved it syllogistically.
But for blatant (didn’t you read my post?!) – “the joy of heaven, as God’s eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ” (CCC, par. 1821). Your group’s false “grace” is but a power to enable you TO EARN HEAVEN, it’s not God’s true mercy and lovingkindness with NO conditions attached. Everything @ Rome has conditions.
Your magisterium and college of cardinals twist the Scriptures, add to the Scriptures* with dogmas and canons and ex cathedra pronouncements – the doctrines and commandments of men (condemned by our Lord Jesus Christ).
By definition, as a zealous Roman Catholic, you are taught to lie – by Rome’s father of lies (John 8:44). Repent and believe the true gospel of God’s own Son that he paid for ALL our sins, else we’d all be castaways. God’s grace alone saves.
But until you’re born again by the sovereign Holy Spirit of Almighty God, my posts waste our time. So, I’ll leave you now with this warning: You will die in your sins if you die today -accursed (no Purgatory, pal)- unless you first repent of your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and get saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Yours is a false church peddling a false christ for filthy lucre.
———-
* Prov. 30:5f ~ Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Dear Hugh, you’ve gone lengths in your comments at vilifying and condemning the Catholic Church, tagging it a false religious system that is based on works-righteousness.
Granted that is the case, could you please explain to me this scriptural passage: Mat 25:31-46 (Last Judgement) in light of St Paul’s assertion in Romans 11:6 which you quoted in your post? In other words how would you reconcile these two quotations?
Awaiting your response.
EvangelZ, this was truly helpful!
[…] 26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. sp HT: The Domain for Truth Interviews Mike Gendron Concerning Roman Catholicism […]