We continue to hear reports of Protestants departing from the faith and joining the Roman Catholic religion. While some would say that this is consistent with the apostasy of the end times, it is important to understand some of the reasons why a significant number of Protestants are converting to Rome. Only then will evangelicals be able to see some of the shortcomings of their ecclesiology.

Many converts to Rome are embracing the long colorful history and tradition of the Roman Catholic Church and contend it sets the Catholic religion apart from its Protestant counterpart. They say only Rome claims apostolic succession as an infallible guide to interpreting Scripture. Yet none of their Bishops qualify as successors of the apostles (Acts 1:21-26). Nor is any man or institution an infallible guide to interpreting Scripture. They also claim that the formation of the canon was an undeniable act of the Roman Catholic Church. They tell us that an infallible Bible requires an infallible church. This argument however cannot be justified because the church didn't create Scripture; it simply recognized the divine imprint and authority that Scripture already possessed.

Converts to the Roman Catholic religion are also drawn to the high church liturgy, high steeples, stained glass windows, burning incense and reverence for God which only gives them a false sense of security. They cite a stark contrast between the reverent worship they experience in Catholic churches with the irreverence of worldly amusements in Protestant churches.  

Lost in all these reasons for Protestants converting to Roman Catholicism is the pursuit of doctrinal truth. Those who earnestly seek the true Gospel of salvation will look no further than Christ and His Word (John 14:6; 17:17). As long as Protestant pastors do not proclaim and embrace the Gospel of grace, their congregations will not hear the truth. When they don't hear the truth they cannot discern what is false. Ignorance of God's Word has always been fertile ground for deception to grow into apostasy. More than ever, Evangelicals need to be ready to give a reason for the hope we have in Christ Jesus.

The Master's Seminary (TMS) trains men as if lives depended on it. One of the great privileges I have enjoyed over the last dozen years has been to teach the students and faculty in TMS Chapels. Upon graduation many of the students have invited me to their churches to equip and encourage their congregations to do the work of evangelism for the glory of God. All this to say, I was pleasantly surprised and humbled to see a picture of me teaching a Chapel on the cover of The Master's Mantle. The magazine is published bi-annually by The Master's Seminary in Southern California and contains news, testimonies, articles and upcoming events. The latest edition contains an excellent article on "Our Confidence in Christ" by John MacArthur. For a free subscription to The Master's Mantle contact the seminary.

James A. Wylie's massive History of Protestantism was published in 1878 and covers the beginnings of Christianity to the Glorious Revolution in Great Britain in 1688. I have a hard copy of this comprehensive look at 1900 years of the church age and have found it to be an excellent work. It is available on line by clicking here.

We are excited to announce our revised and expanded book entitled Preparing for Eternity. Along with the new title, Mike has added several chapters and additional letters and responses from Catholics to what was once Preparing Catholics for Eternity. If you have friends or relatives who are Roman Catholics, or who may be considering joining the Roman church, this would be a good resource to help them examine themselves and the teachings of that church. In John MacArthur's endorsement of this book he said: "Carefully and convincingly, this helpful book demonstrates that the 'gospel' taught in Roman Catholicism is not the true gospel found in the Bible. I heartily recommend Mike Gendron's book." Order it here.

Editor's Note: I wonder if these special powers are good only while the Pope is in Madrid?  Do they have an expiration date?  If they do, how can a priest forgive a sin this week, but not forgive the same sin next month, or next year?

Two antithetical propositions cannot both be true at the same time. Something cannot "be" and "not be" simultaneously. All logic depends on this simple principle. Rational thought and meaningful discourse demand it. Scripture very clearly affirms the law of contradiction. "No lie is of the truth." (1 John 2:21) This is a biblical principle that is the root of all truth. That's why it is crucial to stand firm against all that opposes the truth of God's Word. When we don't take God at His word we are no different than Eve in the garden.