©1995, The Banner of Truth Trust, 244 pp., hardback.

Do Roman Catholic beliefs differ greatly from Protestant doctrine? This volume provides a knowledgeable and very readable answer to this question.

Webster begins by examining the basis for scriptural authority and then clearly shows that church tradition cannot be placed on the level of scripture. In a very helpful chapter, Webster explains what the early church fathers meant when they used or appealed to the tradition of the apostles. He shows, by looking at the context of their writings, that they did not place this tradition on the same level as the inspired word of God.

Webster’s usage of many quotations from the church fathers is very helpful throughout this book. His usage of the early church writings is important because the Catholic Church desires to appeal to them as much as possible in order to provide grounds for the doctrine of the authority of tradition. Webster shows from quote after quote that these grounds are actually sinking sand.

Webster addresses a number of important teachings including doctrines regarding Mary, papal infallibility, and the relationship between the sacraments and salvation. A separate chapter is devoted to the important topic of justification and faith. In this chapter the author turns the reader to the impact Thomas Aquinas had on the Roman Catholic Church’s understanding of faith in the believer’s life.

The book’s final chapter examines truth as being essential in the discussion of Protestantism and Catholicism. The author looks at the claim of Catholic unity and their claim of Protestant disunity exhibited by the existence of so many denominations. He shows that Protestant unity, in the midst of many denominational issues is rooted in Jesus Christ. Christ is truth. This fact stands against the Catholic Church’s claim to be the true church and that believers are to be rooted in the church. Webster agrees that believers are ultimately to be rooted in Christ and Him alone as the basis of their salvation.

The book closes with helpful appendices that provide excellent resource material for further study and for use in discussions with Catholics or with Protestants who fail to understand the continuing chasm between the two belief systems. Topics included in the appendices include quotes from the church fathers on “the meaning of the Rock and Keys of Matthew”, the “Letter of Gregory the Great to John of Constantinople Objecting to his Adoption of the Title Universal Bishop”, and “The Teaching of the Council of Trent of Justification”.

This is a good book to buy for church libraries or booktables or to have on hand in one’s personal library. The subject matter and the format of presentation is one that makes this an excellent tool to show Catholic error. The author clearly grounds Protestant doctrine in scripture and then shows that the early church fathers cannot be adequately appealed to for support of errant Catholic doctrine.

Review ©2009 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia