Holy vs. Unclean: Does the Catholic Church Contradict the Old Testament Laws?
The terms “holy” (balaan) and “unclean” (dili-balaan) appear often in the Old Testament, especially in the Mosaic Law. Some critics claim the Catholic Church violates these commands—pointing to Exodus 20, Ezekiel 20:25, Leviticus 11, and Isaiah 66 as proof. But a deeper look into the Bible, early Christian practice, and Catholic teaching reveals the truth: the Church is not in conflict with Scripture, but rather faithfully fulfills it in the light of Christ.
1. What Does “Holy” and “Unclean” Mean in the Bible?
In the Old Testament, “holy” means set apart for God’s service—pure and dedicated to Him (Leviticus 11:44-45). “Unclean” refers primarily to ritual or ceremonial impurity, not necessarily to moral sin.
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Moral laws (e.g., “Do not steal”) are universal and eternal.
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Ceremonial laws (e.g., dietary restrictions in Leviticus 11) applied specifically to Israel as a covenant sign separating them from pagan nations.
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Civil laws (e.g., property laws) applied to the governance of ancient Israel.
God used these laws to teach Israel holiness and prepare them for the coming of the Messiah.
2. Fulfillment in the New Covenant
When Jesus came, He declared, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).
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In Mark 7:18-19, Jesus declared all foods clean, shifting the focus from ritual purity to purity of heart.
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In Acts 10, God revealed to Peter that the Gentiles and their foods should no longer be considered “unclean.”
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In Acts 15, the Apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit, did not impose the Mosaic ceremonial laws on Gentile converts.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1972) teaches: “The Law of the Gospel fulfills the Law of Moses… it fulfills, refines, surpasses, and leads the Old Law to its perfection.” This means the moral essence remains, but ceremonial and civil precepts are no longer binding as law for Christians.
3. Addressing the Specific Verses
Exodus 20 – The Ten Commandments
The Catholic Church upholds all moral principles in the Ten Commandments. The first three relate to loving God; the last seven to loving our neighbor. CCC 2055 states: “The Ten Commandments state what is required in the love of God and neighbor.”
Ezekiel 20:25 – “I gave them statutes that were not good”
This verse refers to God allowing Israel to experience the consequences of their rebellion by letting them follow pagan-influenced customs—not as a command for Christians to follow evil laws.
Leviticus 11 – Dietary Laws
These were ceremonial, meant to separate Israel from pagan nations. Early Christians, including the Apostles, did not bind these on the faithful after Christ’s fulfillment (Acts 15:28-29).
Isaiah 66:17 – Eating Unclean Things in Pagan Worship
Isaiah condemns those who join pagan rituals involving unclean foods. The Catholic Church condemns idolatry (CCC 2112–2114) and does not participate in pagan worship.
4. Witness of the Early Church
The Didache (1st century) and St. Ignatius of Antioch (early 2nd century) show Christians gathered on the “Lord’s Day” (Sunday) and did not keep Mosaic dietary rules, focusing instead on the moral commandments.
St. Augustine wrote: “The observances of the old law were shadows of things to come; when the reality came, the shadows passed away” (Contra Faustum, XIX.16).
5. The Catholic Position Today
The Catholic Church honors the moral truths of the Old Testament but follows the New Covenant in Christ regarding ritual and ceremonial laws. The Church teaches that holiness now comes from living in God’s grace, following the Gospel, and receiving the sacraments—not from dietary restrictions or ceremonial separations.
Conclusion
The difference between holy and unclean in the Bible must be understood through the lens of salvation history. The Catholic Church does not contradict Exodus 20, Ezekiel 20:25, Leviticus 11, or Isaiah 66—instead, it proclaims their moral truths while embracing the fulfillment of the ceremonial law in Christ.
As the early Christians did, the Church today calls the faithful to live in true holiness: loving God and neighbor, worshiping in spirit and truth, and avoiding the idolatry and impurity these Old Testament texts warn against.
The Catholic Church founded by Christ based on history and biblical prophecy, and to identify the biblical and historical basis of Catholicism, we need to explore three key dimension.
✝️ 1. 𝐁𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐒: 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡
🔑 Key Bible Passages:
✅ Matthew 16:18-19 “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…”
Christ explicitly says He will build a Church, singular. The "keys" and authority given to Peter (Greek: Petros) indicate leadership.
✅ Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
A mission and continuity of leadership: Christ promises perpetual guidance.
✅ John 20:21-23 “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you... Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven…”
Apostolic authority includes forgiveness of sins, indicating priestly and sacramental roles.
✅ Acts 1-2 After Christ's Ascension, the apostles lead the early Church.
Pentecost marks the birth of the visible Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
📖 2. 𝐁𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐄𝐂𝐘: 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡
🌿 Old Testament Foreshadowing:
✅ Isaiah 2:2–3 “In the last days... the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established... and all nations shall flow to it.”
A prophecy of a universal Church (Catholic = universal in Greek).
✅ Daniel 2:44 “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed…”
Interpreted by Christians as a prophecy about God’s eternal kingdom, fulfilled in Christ’s Church.
✅ Ezekiel 34 & 37 God will shepherd His people with one shepherd (fulfilled in Christ, John 10:16).
🏛️ 3. 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐒: 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡
✅ The Catholic Church’s Historical Foundation:
1. Jesus Christ (c. 30 AD): Preached, chose apostles, instituted sacraments, gave Peter primacy.
2. Apostolic Succession: Early Church Fathers (1st–3rd century) taught a visible, hierarchical Church. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 107 AD) wrote: “Where the bishop is, there is the Church.”
3. Early Use of ‘Catholic’: First use of the term “Catholic Church” by Ignatius of Antioch (c. 107 AD). Emphasized universality and orthodoxy.
4. Unbroken Papal Line: The bishops of Rome (Popes) can be traced from Peter to today. St. Peter martyred in Rome (c. 64–67 AD), first bishop of Rome.
🛡️ 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 (𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝)
“One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church”
1. One — United in faith, sacraments, leadership.
2. Holy — Founded by Christ, sustained by grace.
3. Catholic — Universal for all peoples and times.
4. Apostolic — Rooted in apostles and their successors.
🔗 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐲 → 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 → 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 → 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡
🧩 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
Biblically, Jesus founded a visible Church on Peter, entrusted with authority, sacraments, and teaching. Historically, this Church continues today in the Catholic Church, preserving unbroken apostolic succession and fulfilling the biblical prophecies of a worldwide, eternal kingdom.
Read also: Are the 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Church Instituted by God?; ✝️ Is the Sign of the Cross Biblical? Did Early Christians Make It?; ❌ Are Catholic Doctrines Man-Made?
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