John MacArthur on the Evangelical Attraction to the Catholic Church

The major theological conflicts of the past should never be dismissed just because they happened a long time ago. Many theological fissures were vitally necessary—and remain crucial into the present. And the Protestant Reformation is perhaps the greatest example of that—a clear and necessary line of doctrinal demarcation that has stood for more than five hundred years.

And the lines of division couldn’t be more critical. They mark fierce disagreements over who is the head of the church, whom we should worship, whom we should pray to, what the cross represents, and how sinners can be saved. No amount of time can sweep those fundamental theological differences under the rug. Or so you would think.

For more than half a century, prominent evangelical leaders have continually shown eagerness to let bygones be bygones. One after another, Christian leaders who should know better have compromised with—or capitulated to—the false religious system of Roman Catholicism.  

So what exactly is the apparent attraction Catholicism holds for many evangelicals? Why are so many seduced into an obviously false system? Moreover, how can we guard believers against that influence? We recently put those questions to John MacArthur. Here’s his response:

The lack of doctrinal clarity, the absence of courage, and the desire for unity at any price are all emblematic of the current evangelical climate. We shouldn’t be surprised by Protestants who abandon their protest. But neither should we be swept up in that compromise. In the days ahead, we’ll examine some of the fundamental theological differences between Roman Catholicism and biblical Christianity. We’ll be reminded why those differences matter and why we must “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 3).