One of the most frequent accusations thrown at the Catholic Church by many Protestants is this:
“Your doctrines are man-made. They’re not found in the Bible!”
But is that really true?
Let’s examine the facts—Scriptural, historical, and logical—to reveal whether this claim holds water.
📌 1. Who Gave Us the Bible? The Catholic Church Did.
Before the Bible existed as a compiled book, there was already a Church—founded by Jesus Christ—that preached, taught, and celebrated the faith through Sacred Tradition.
✅ The Catholic Church officially defined the canon of Scripture at:
-
The Council of Rome (382 AD)
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The Councils of Carthage (397 AD, 419 AD)
These councils, guided by the Holy Spirit, decided which books were inspired and belong in the Bible.
⛔ Irony: Many Protestants accuse the Catholic Church using a Bible that only exists because of that same Church!
📌 2. Sacred Tradition Is Biblical
Some Protestants insist on “Sola Scriptura” — the belief that the Bible alone is the only source of authority. But the Bible does not teach Sola Scriptura.
Here’s what the Bible actually says:
“Stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”
(2 Thessalonians 2:15)
“There are many other things that Jesus did... if every one of them were written down, the world could not contain the books.”
(John 21:25)
💡 This shows that oral tradition (Sacred Tradition) was practiced by the early Church, and many of Jesus’ teachings were never written—but passed down faithfully.
📌 3. Jesus Gave Authority to the Church — Not Just the Bible
“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church... I give you the keys of the Kingdom.”
(Matthew 16:18–19)
“He who hears you, hears Me.”
(Luke 10:16)
“The Church is the pillar and foundation of truth.”
(1 Timothy 3:15)
📌 Nowhere does the Bible say: “The Bible alone is the pillar of truth.”
Instead, the Church is given the role to guard and teach the faith, guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).
📌 4. Catholic Teachings That Are Often Misunderstood
Many so-called “man-made” Catholic doctrines are actually deeply biblical, but are misunderstood by those outside the Church.
| Catholic Teaching | What Protestants Think | What the Bible Says |
|---|---|---|
| Mary is honored and intercedes | Catholics “worship” Mary | Luke 1:28, John 2:1–11 |
| Confession to priests | “Only God can forgive” | John 20:21–23 – Jesus gave power to forgive sins |
| Real Presence in Eucharist | “Just a symbol” | John 6:51–58, 1 Cor 11:27–29 |
| Purgatory | “Not in the Bible” | 1 Cor 3:15, 2 Macc 12:46, Matt 12:32 |
| Sacred Tradition | “Human invention” | 2 Thess 2:15, 1 Cor 11:2 |
| Papal authority | “Made up by Rome” | Matt 16:18–19, Luke 22:32 |
📌 5. Sola Scriptura: The Real “Man-Made” Doctrine?
🔍 Let’s be honest: “Sola Scriptura” (Bible alone) was invented by Martin Luther in the 1500s.
It was never taught by Jesus, never practiced by the early Church, and contradicts the Bible itself, which affirms both Scripture and oral Tradition.
If we apply the same logic, we could say Protestantism is built on a man-made doctrine!
✝️ Conclusion: Are Catholic Doctrines Man-Made?
Absolutely not.
Catholic teachings are:
✅ Rooted in Scripture
✅ Handed down through Sacred Tradition
✅ Guarded by the Church Jesus Himself founded
Before there was a New Testament, there was the Catholic Church.
Before there were Bibles in every home, there were bishops, priests, and sacraments.
Jesus didn’t write a book — He founded a Church (Matthew 16:18).
“He who hears you, hears Me.” (Luke 10:16)
The voice of the Catholic Church still echoes the voice of Christ.
💬 Final Thought:
Next time someone says “Catholic doctrines are man-made,” ask them:
“Where in the Bible does it say: ‘The Bible alone is our only authority’?”
They won’t find it—because that doctrine is not biblical.
But the Catholic faith? It’s rooted in the Bible from start to finish.
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