[Intro Music Fades In]
Host: Welcome to Understanding the Scriptures, a podcast dedicated to uncovering the truth of scripture and the pure faith of Yahovah. Today, we’re tackling a challenging topic: why Catholicism and Mormonism are considered false religions by those who hold the Bible as the sole, inerrant authority. We’ll explore how these faiths worship a “Jesus” shaped by paganism, not the biblical Yeshua, the true Messiah. This isn’t about judgment—it’s about seeking truth, because the stakes... might just be your eternal soul. Let’s dive in with a little background on the two “religions”
Key Points
Research suggests that from a Messianic, Hebrew Roots, and Judean perspective, Catholicism and Mormonism are considered false religions due to deviations from biblical teachings and perceived pagan influences.
It seems likely that these faiths are seen as worshipping a "Jesus" shaped by non-biblical traditions, contrasting with the biblical Yeshua, the true Messiah.
The evidence leans toward concerns about extra-biblical doctrines, such as Catholic veneration of saints and Mormon additional scriptures, being incompatible with a strict biblical authority.
From a Messianic, Hebrew Roots, and almost Judean perspective, which prioritizes the Bible as the sole, inerrant authority, Catholicism and Mormonism are viewed as false religions. This perspective argues that these faiths incorporate practices and doctrines not found in the Bible, potentially influenced by paganism, thus distorting the true nature of Yeshua, the Messiah. Below, we explore the reasons behind these views, focusing on theological differences and perceived deviations.
Theological Differences
Catholicism: Includes traditions like the Pope's authority and veneration of saints, which are seen as extra-biblical and rooted in pagan practices, such as certain holiday observances.
Mormonism: Incorporates additional scriptures like the Book of Mormon and doctrines like humans becoming gods, which are viewed as deviations from biblical monotheism and potentially pagan-influenced.
Implications for Worship
The concern is that the "Jesus" worshipped in these religions is shaped by these non-biblical elements, contrasting with the biblical Yeshua, who is seen as the fulfillment of Hebrew Scriptures without pagan influences. This is a sensitive topic, and views may vary widely among believers.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Messianic Perspectives on Catholicism and Mormonism
This section provides a comprehensive examination of why Catholicism and Mormonism are considered false religions from a Messianic, Hebrew Roots, and almost Judean perspective, which holds the Bible as the sole, inerrant authority. The analysis is grounded in theological differences, perceived pagan influences, and the implications for worship, drawing on available research and doctrinal comparisons.
Background on Messianic, Hebrew Roots, and Judean Perspectives
The Messianic perspective combines Jewish traditions with the belief in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, emphasizing continuity with Hebrew Scriptures and often observing Jewish customs like Sabbath and biblical feasts. The Hebrew Roots movement, while related, often involves non-Jews adopting Jewish practices, and the Judean perspective may align with first-century Jewish contexts. These perspectives prioritize the Bible, rejecting doctrines not explicitly supported by it.
Research, such as from Jewish Voice [https://www.jewishvoice.org/read/blog/difference-between-messianic-judaism-and-christianity], indicates that Messianic Jews maintain Jewish identity while accepting Yeshua, contrasting with mainstream Christianity's broader practices. Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianic_Judaism] notes that Messianic Judaism is generally considered a Protestant Christian sect by scholars, highlighting its distinct theological stance.
Analysis of Catholicism
Catholicism, with its rich tradition, includes doctrines and practices that Messianic perspectives may view as deviations. Key points include:
Extra-Biblical Authority: Catholicism relies on tradition and the Magisterium, including the Pope's infallibility, which is not found in the Bible. Catholic Answers [https://www.catholic.com/qa/major-differences-between-catholicism-and-messianic-judaism] notes that Messianic Jews do not recognize the Pope or apostolic succession, seeing it as lacking biblical basis.
Veneration of Saints and Mary: The practice of praying to saints and venerating Mary is seen as idolatrous from a strict monotheistic view. Big Think [https://bigthink.com/the-present/pagan-roots-of-catholicism/] suggests that this practice parallels pre-Christian goddess worship, which Messianic perspectives might interpret as pagan influence.
Sacraments and Holidays: Doctrines like transubstantiation and holidays such as Christmas and Easter, with pagan roots (e.g., fertility festivals), are viewed as deviations. Christian Data Resources [https://christiandataresources.com/pagancatholicism.htm] these have Babylonian origins, a concern for those emphasizing biblical purity.
A table summarizing these critiques is provided below:
Aspect
Catholic Practice
Messianic Critique
Authority
Pope, Magisterium
Seen as extra-biblical, lacks scriptural support
Worship Practices
Veneration of saints, Mary
Idolatrous, pagan parallels
Holidays
Christmas, Easter
Pagan origins, not biblically mandated
Sacraments
Transubstantiation
Viewed as symbolic, not literal, in Messianic practice
Analysis of Mormonism
Mormonism, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, introduces additional scriptures and doctrines that Messianic perspectives find problematic:
Additional Scriptures: The Book of Mormon and other texts like Doctrine and Covenants are not accepted, as Messianic Jews hold the Bible as sole authority. Catholic Answers [https://www.catholic.com/tract/problems-with-the-book-of-mormon] highlights textual issues, such as errors from the King James Version, which Messianic views would reject.
Theology of God: Mormon belief in God having a physical body and humans becoming gods (eternal progression) is seen as polytheistic, resembling pagan concepts. Mormonism Research Ministry [https://mrm.org/glorifying-paganism] notes Mormon leaders justifying this with pagan history, a significant concern for monotheistic Messianic beliefs.
Practices: Baptism for the dead and temple rituals are viewed as unbiblical innovations. Clearly Reformed [https://clearlyreformed.org/7-reasons-why-mormonism-and-christianity-are-not-the-same/] outlines theological distinctions, reinforcing Messianic critiques.
A table summarizing these critiques is provided below:
Aspect
Mormon Practice
Messianic Critique
Scriptures
Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants
Not biblically supported, extra authority
Theology of God
God with physical body, humans as gods
Seen as polytheistic, pagan parallels
Rituals
Baptism for the dead, temple rites
Viewed as unbiblical innovations
Perceived Pagan Influences
The podcast statement highlights worshipping a "Jesus" shaped by paganism. For Catholicism, claims include parallels with Greco-Roman rituals (Big Think [https://bigthink.com/the-present/pagan-roots-of-catholicism/]) and Babylonian symbols (Christian Data Resources [https://christiandataresources.com/pagancatholicism.htm]). For Mormonism, the doctrine of humans becoming gods is likened to pagan concepts (Mormon Matters [https://www.mormonmatters.org/mormonism-paganism-christianity/]), contrasting with the biblical Yeshua's monotheistic portrayal. Now let’s move to the biblical scriptures...
[Transition Sound]
Host: Our journey begins with David, a young man raised in a devout Catholic family in a quiet small town. Every Sunday, he attended Mass, prayed to Jesus, and joined his family in honoring Mary and the saints with statues and rosaries. Christmas and Easter were highlights of his year—times of joy and faith. To David, Catholicism was the way to salvation, just as his priests taught him. But everything changed when he started reading the Bible for himself.
One night, David stumbled upon Exodus 20:8-11: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy… the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” He paused. The seventh day was Saturday, not Sunday. Confused, he asked his priest why the Church worshiped on Sunday. The priest explained it honored Jesus’ resurrection, but David couldn’t shake his unease. The Sabbath was set at creation (Genesis 2:2-3), kept by Yeshua (Luke 4:16), and followed by the apostles (Acts 17:2). If the Bible was Yahovah’s perfect word, why had humans changed it?
[Sound of Pages Turning]
Host: David dug deeper. In Exodus 20:4-5, he read: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image… you shall not bow down to them or serve them.” Yet Catholic churches were filled with statues of Mary and saints—objects of prayer and devotion. Leviticus 19:4 warned: “Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves.” Was this idolatry, a sin Yahovah condemned? Then there were doctrines like purgatory and the Pope’s authority—nowhere in scripture. The Trinity, three persons in one God, felt eerily similar to pagan triads like Osiris, Isis, and Horus, clashing with Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
David researched further and was stunned. Christmas on December 25 aligned with the pagan festival of Sol Invictus, the sun god. Easter echoed Ishtar, a fertility goddess. History revealed that early Christianity, under Roman influence, blended with pagan practices to attract converts—a shift foretold in Daniel 7:25, where a power would “think to change times and laws.” Even the name “Jesus,” from the Greek “Iesous,” seemed tied to these influences, unlike “Yeshua,” meaning “salvation” in Hebrew. Could the “Jesus” of Catholicism be a false Messiah, shaped by pagan myths like those of Mithras or Osiris-Dionysus, with their virgin births and resurrections?
[Soft, Reflective Music]
Host: Seeking answers, David turned to Mormonism. A missionary shared the Book of Mormon and tales of Joseph Smith, a modern prophet. David hoped this faith might hold the truth. But as he studied, he found contradictions. The Book of Mormon claimed Jesus visited ancient Americans—yet scripture was silent on this. Revelation 22:18-19 warns: “If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.” Was this an unauthorized addition to Yahovah’s word?
Mormonism taught that God was once a man and that humans could become gods (Doctrine and Covenants 132:20). But Isaiah 43:10 declared: “Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.” This polytheism reminded David of pagan beliefs, not the Bible’s monotheism. He learned Mormon temple rituals drew from Freemasonry, which some tied to pagan roots. Like Catholicism, Mormonism revered “Jesus,” not Yeshua, and strayed far from scripture.
[Sound of a Book Closing]
Host: David’s heart sank. Both Catholicism and Mormonism rested on a “Jesus” rooted in paganism, not the Yeshua who kept Yahovah’s commandments and died for His people. In Matthew 13:24-30, the parable of the wheat and tares, he saw true believers (wheat) mixed with false ones (tares)—and Yahovah would sort them at the harvest. These religions, with their unbiblical traditions, were among the tares.
One night, David prayed and opened to John 17:3: “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” He realized “Jesus Christ” was a translation—the true name was Yeshua, sent by Yahovah. David chose to follow only the Bible, keeping the seventh-day Sabbath, eating clean foods (Leviticus 11), and worshiping through Yeshua, the true Son.
[Sound of a Door Opening]
Host: David’s decision sparked outrage. His Catholic family warned of eternal punishment; Mormon friends urged him to accept Joseph Smith. But David stood firm, quoting Deuteronomy 4:2: “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it.” With love, he shared his findings, following Leviticus 19:17: “You shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin.”
Eventually, David found a remnant of believers who kept Yahovah’s commandments and honored Yeshua as High Priest (Hebrews 7:24-25). They were the few described in Revelation 12:17: *“those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus”—understood as Yeshua.
[Soft Music Fades In]
Host: Through his journey, David learned Catholicism and Mormonism are false because they worship a pagan-influenced “Jesus,” not the biblical Yeshua. Catholicism’s pagan festivals and doctrines, and Mormonism’s added scriptures and polytheism, lead astray from Yahovah’s truth. Yeshua warned in Matthew 7:21-23: *“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom… I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” David vowed to call others back to Yahovah and Yeshua before judgment comes, to be a watchman as in Eziekel 2, 3, and 33.
[Transition Sound]
Host: This view isn’t without debate. Some argue similarities between Jesus and pagan gods are overstated or that paganism borrowed from Christianity. Catholicism and Mormonism defend their biblical roots. But from this perspective, scripture alone reigns supreme, why? Because you cannot argue scripture—any pagan-tainted “Jesus” makes these faiths false. For more, check out The Jesus Mysteries by Freke and Gandy or The Pagan Christ by Tom Harpur, though they have critics. I will leave you with this verse from Gal 1:7-8 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. This is so profound that Paul said it again in verse 9 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
[Outro Music Fades In]
Host: Thanks for joining Understanding the Scriptures. Truth is a journey and I hope this has shed some light for you. Psalms 119: 105Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path — share this episode if it spoke to you. Until next time, may Yahovah lead you to His light.
[Outro Music Fades Out]
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