Same Words, Different Worlds: Do Roman Catholics and Evangelicals Believe the Same Gospel?

by Leonardo De Chirico, Michael Reeves (Foreword)

Do Evangelical Protestants and Roman Catholics share a common orthodoxy, as promoted by initiatives such as Evangelicals and Catholics Together? Or do the profound differences between Evangelical and Catholic theology and how they view the doctrines of Christ, the Church and salvation mean they actually hold to very different gospels?Same Words, Different Worlds explores whether Evangelicals and Catholics have the same gospel if they have core commitments that contradict. It lays out how the words used to understand the gospel are the same but differ drastically in their underlying theology.With keen insight, Leonardo de Chirico looks at various aspects of Roman Catholic theology - including Mary, the intercession of the saints, purgatory and papal infallibility - from an Evangelical perspective to argue that theological framework of Roman Catholicism is not faithful to the biblical gospel. Only by understanding the real differences can genuine dialogue flourish.Same Words, Different Worlds will deepen your understanding of the differences between Evangelical and Catholic theology, and how the Reformation is not over in the church today.

Genres: Theology, Catholic, Christian

185 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2021

Reviews

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very important for understanding why conversations with Catholics and about Catholicism often break down.

[Paige Batten · Rating 2 out of 5]

I might be overselling the book by giving it 2 stars. However, he made some good points. Some.


I was disappointed that the author attacked (yes, attacked) Catholic beliefs without citing to his authority, which I also found to be ironic considering one of his main arguments was that Catholics fail to defend their extra-biblical theology. The author made some blanket assertions that were unsubstantiated and caused me to doubt the integrity of the book generally.

Example: “For a church that has prevented its people from having access to the Bible until fifty years ago . . . .” P. 37.

For a statement as shocking as the one above, I would expect to find a citation. A cursory look on the internet contradicted this assertion.

This is a shame, because I do believe there were some true points that the author made. But, I’m left wondering if his points were fabricated or stretched.

The book also made unnecessary digs at Catholic ideology that would have been more compelling if they were made in a less combative manner.

The book felt less like an honest review of the differences between Catholic and Protestant ideology and more like an echo chamber for Protestants who want to acknowledge the faults of Catholicism, but not Protestantism.

[Christian Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthwhile book exposing the difference between Roman Catholics and Protestants. The divide is greater than we could imagine, and the language is not ultimately the same. If you’re engaging Roman Catholicism, or Protestantism for that matter, then you should pick up this book to see where the divide really is.

[Richard Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Evangelicals and Roman Catholics use the same words but is it the same Religion? De Chirico says no

A helpful, brief book highlighting the differences between Roman Catholicism and Evangelical Protestantism. De Chirico argues that whilst we use similar (and in some cases the same) words we often mean very different things by them and are further apart than some of us realise. Fundamentally he argues that Roman Catholicism is a different religion, and for someone who is a Roman Catholic to be a christian would be through them not following the official teaching of Rome.

Strengths
- Very little assumed knowledge, I could give this to any christian
- Fairly easy reading
- Very clear - and highlights important differences on the gospel
- Up to date - considers Rome as it is now (including Francis) not stuck in the 16th century
- useful appendices on why the Reformation is not over, and why/how we need to engage with Roman Catholics

Weaknesses
- Maybe slightly longer than needed for what it says
- The 4th (and final) main chapter stated more than it proved (see chapter summaries below)

Chapter Summaries

1. Same Words, same World? Questioning some common Viewpoints
This helpful opening chapter digs into various ideas people may have for why we could unite with Rome or minimally treat Roman Catholics as brothers. In each case De Chirico argues that issues such as the Pope, the Marian Dogmas and Sacrementology undermine any possible idea of unity.

(As an aside, in this section, De Chirico briefly criticises some of Craig Carter's positive comments about the shared "Great Tradition" which includes Rome from his book "Interpreting Scripture with the Great Tradition"; I am a fan of Carter's work but I agree with De Chirico's criticism, I think it would have been helpful if Carter had said something negative about Rome in that book.)

2. Key Roman Catholic word contexts: exploring the doctrinal field
De Chirico examines the following topics and considers the difference between what an evangelical means and what a roman catholic means when they speak about each:
- Revelation and the Bible
- The Cross, the Church and the Eucharist
- Salvation, Justification and regeneration
- Mission and Unity

As part of this chapter the Lutheran/Roman "Joint declaration on Justification" and critiqued. Also Pope Francis's approach to mission is considered.

3. Key Roman Catholic Word contents: digging into specific terms
De Chirico examines and explains these roman ideas showing how each is incompatible with the evangelical faith:
- the Papacy
- Mary (and mariolatry - the worship of Mary)
- Mercy and Indulgences (a practise that has not ended)

4. The Roman Catholic World: connecting its words, investigating its core
De Chirico argues that all aspects of Roman Catholic doctrine are interconnected and form a single edifice. Building from the work of a theologian called Karl-Henz Menke, De Chirico asserts that:

"the Roman Catholic views of salvation, the church and Mary are shaped around Roman Catholic accounts of the Trinity and Christ. Doctrines and practices cannot be disjoined as if they existed in independent silos. Rather they must be seen as mutually influencing one another. In other words, Roman Catholicism is a coherent and unified whole"

He goes on to describe the Roman Catholic system as seeing the (roman) church as a continuation of the incarnation, with apostolic succession (via ordination) providing ongoing authority and sacramental presence (in the eucharist) providing an on-going conduit of grace.

This chapter intrigued me but did not convince me of any of its points - that doesn't mean that they're wrong - the arguments and details were brief, I was left thinking that this chapter should have been either omitted or significantly expanded in order to argue these points more thoroughly.

Conclusion
A helpful little book pointing us back to the gospel and ultimately encouraging us to evangelise Roman catholics rather than compromise with them.

Chapters 1-3 are very useful material - accessible and beneficial for anyone seeking an understanding of these differences. Chapter 4 I'm not so sure on as noted above.

[Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic resource on this topic and for my current context!

[Mason English · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very insightful book on the differences between Protestantism and Catholicism, but not an easy read and potentially uncharitable to Rome (despite being largely accurate)

[Becca Lemmon]

I only skimmed this book to be honest- I just wanted to dig into another puritan paperback and some others more XD

[Brooke Durrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4/5) this book read like a textbook but was very eye opening to see how the same words used by both Protestants and Catholics can have vastly different theological meanings

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who is from a place with little Catholic influence and now lives in a country that has been deeply changed and influenced by Roman Catholicism, this book has been a fantastic resource to me in growing my understanding of modern Catholicism.

I grew up in the US south, and my apologetic approach to Catholics has long been ineffective. I was taught the tenants of the Catholicism of the reformation. While modern Roman Catholicism is still connected to those traditions, the way in which the Vatican interacts with the rest of the world and the expression of said beliefs is very different. When trying to explain the things that I disagree with to Catholics, I have often been greeted by much confusion, as the picture that I would paint to them of the Roman Catholic Church was nothing like their experience of it.

This book has helped me to understand where that breakdown of communication happens and why. This is a great resource for anyone who needs a deeper understanding of the Catholic Church throughout history, and why it seems like every Catholic we know believes different things.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful little book describing how evangelicals and Catholics often use the same words, but attach different meaning to those words. As long as different meanings are used by these groups, real unity is not possible, nor should it be. The only meanings that should ever be used are those used in the Bible, not those which have developed over time through tradition and bureaucracy.

I recommend this book.

[NG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Uncompromising. Author warns about false ecumenism and shows how official RC teaching today for all of its warmth and use of similar words, is just as much the RC of the 16th century. The RC church always updates but never changes. Very helpful to understand RC as a system and how even the supposed similarities (Trinitarian, Christology…etc.) with Protestants are really not there.

[Ed Creedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this. Plenty of technical jargon throughout but the author does a good job of explaining it all, and opens up the world of Roman Catholicism ably to his readers.

[João Paulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obra magistral de Leonardo De Chirico. Eu tenho um dos meus melhores amigos como um convertido ao romanismo e nunca fiquei refletindo muito sobre a profundidade da ferida incurável teologicamente que é o catolicismo romano, pensava que eram alguns pontos obscursos, mas que muita coisa estava alinhada ao que seria o Caminho, conforme aprendemos pelas Sagradas Letras. Entretanto, De Chirico, cirurgicamente, esmiúça o catolicismo romano, de forma excelente, demonstrando familiaridade com os documentos oficiais e os dogmas de Roma, sem fazer uma análise rasa e permeada de espantalhos.

Eu fiquei profundamente impactado e perplexo com o que é o catolicismo romano, a gravidade dessa ferida incurável que alimenta o cerne da Filha de Roma. Achei de uma elegância tremenda a análise transpondo a visão teológica de Stott acerca do hapax e mallon para o catolicismo romano e suas idiossincrasias, demonstrando como a visão de igreja que a ICAR possui afeta todos os demais dogmas e como vemos a força que é o seu sistema sacramental, um sistema que mostra como a Graça é aplicada pela ICAR, completamente oposto ao que a Reforma identificou nas Escrituras apostólicas.

Ainda há uma ótima análise do totus christus agostiniano e como Roma decidiu tomar aquilo que lhe interessava, ainda que fosse bem nublada a visão do monge beneditino ao versar sobre esse ponto, o que, certamente, abre brecha para a visão pro suo commodo, sem sequer contrastar com o que as Escrituras e a tradição apostólica, rite in scriptum relata, afirmam sobre o que é a Igreja verdadeira.

É uma pena que poucos protestantes tenham lido essa obra, muitos que acabam flertando e caindo no "canto da sereia", nos lábios melífluos da Roma imperialista. É mister que abracemos os esforços de homens como De Chirico, a saber, teólogos protestantes (de qualidade), que também sejam bem versados, que sejam proficientes no linguajar e na cosmovisão teológica do catolicismo romano. Muitos protestantes ficam no lugar comum sobre o romanismo e, sem muita surpresa, tornam-se vítimas de sua estrutura e sistema, que parecem um todo coerente, mas sob uma lupa indagadora e inquisidora, mostra-se repleto de heterodoxia e evoluções teológicas extremamente distantes das Escrituras (e, até mesmo, de visões dos pais da igrejas, aqueles mesmos que são utilizados como "munição" para várias argumentações pautadas na Patrística).

Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria!

[Ash F · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was given to me by an evangelical acquaintance after discovering I was Catholic. I had a fair understanding of what I might be getting into (having grown up evangelical Baptist myself), however in appreciation for this brother in Christ and the concern he has for my soul, I read it anyway.

Most of the book was not particularly revelatory. De Chirico is obviously far more studied in the details of Catholic history/ecclesiology/theology than your typical evangelical, but the arguments still boil down to the usual objections - what Catholics believe isn’t explicit enough in Scripture and therefore heretical, while the extrabiblical tenets of Protestantism are of course self-evidently true and plain readings of Scripture. The discussion on nature-grace interdependence and the hapax/mallon ‘confusion’ was probably the most engaging part for me, perhaps because of its novelty (I’ve not come across such arguments before), and also because how central it is to De Chirico’s project here. But ultimately I don’t think these arguments will be convincing to anyone who doesn’t already hold to a Reformed theology in the case of the former, or reject all forms of apostolic ecclesiology in the latter (and you can see how portraying this as a conflict between “Christianity” and “Roman Catholicism” would be very off-putting for any Christian reader who is neither Reformed nor Roman Catholic).

I’ll charitably conclude on two small points of agreement. First, the Church has historically done a poor job emphasising the proper role of Mary and the saints in their intercessory role to the point where cults of devotion blur even the boundaries the Church sets between dulia and latria, and Catholics can and should listen closely to our Protestant brothers and sisters when they call us to approach Christ first. Second, in our noble quest for ecumenism where possible, we should not flatten our differences by downplaying them to irrelevancy. Such impulses weaken our own faith, disrespect the faith of other Christians, and result in little more than cheap, performative cordiality. Ecumenical action can only be powerful and meaningful when it is done in full acknowledgement of who we are and what we really believe.

[Kirsten Fryer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful testament into the world of Catholics versus Evangelicals... and an insight into how they are a world apart.

Two religions, seemly so similar from a surface level, this book sets to highlight the powerful divide caused by varying dogma and practices to beliefs and viewpoints.

This book considers the idea that Catholosism and Protestants are two vastly different faiths stemming from the same basis. The notion that the use of common language does not mean that the meanings are the same is a testament to the idea that they are vastly different faiths when we dig deeper into the practices and beliefs of each of the Churches.

It's made clear that the interpretation of a variety of key theological ideas separates the faiths. Highlighting that biblical themes such as faith, grace, salvation, righteousness, sacrifice, and God's word have wildly different interpretations based on which faith you follow.

While at the surface, the 'words' used by these faiths are phonetically the same, but semantically are influenced by different 'worlds', which work to shape alternate meanings.

[bruna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,7⭐

foi uma ótima introdução pra compreender as principais diferenças entre a fé católica e a fé evangélica tendo como base referências “oficiais” — tais como documentos do Vaticano e trechos do Catecismo da Igreja Católica —, mas alguns aspectos me incomodaram: o tom excessivamente combativo do autor ao falar sobre algumas doutrinas católicas e um ou outro parágrafo que não tinham absolutamente qualquer referência (o que, apesar de não ter prejudicado a leitura como um todo, foi um pouco decepcionante). também gostaria muito que esse livro fosse maior, pra que pudesse abordar tantos temas complexos com um pouco mais de profundidade, mas isso diz mais respeito à minha experiência do que à obra em si.

esse livro me fez refletir muito sobre como eventos ecumênicos cristãos (dos quais ainda faço parte) trazem interpretações completamente diferentes a cada ouvinte... enfim, doideira. comecei a ler com crises existenciais e terminei reafirmando a fé que professei a vida inteira: somente a Escritura, somente Cristo, somente a Graça, somente a Fé e glória somente a Deus :)

[Brendon Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not very long, just an overview really of the subject matter of the title. But it is not necessarily an easy read either. It’s not difficult due to the author making it difficult, just that some of the concepts he discusses are done from the viewpoint of one assuming the reader already has a foundational grasp of said concept.

I do believe this book is incredibly helpful though, and should be read by any evangelicals (reformed or otherwise) that engage with their Roman Catholic neighbors on the topic of the gospel. Just be prepared to do a little additional digging to understand some of the topics discussed. The reformation is far from over, and De Chirico does an excellent job of explaining why in this book.

[Joshua Heller · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a well done critique of the fundamental differences between 2 competing Gospels. One that preaches there is no point in doing good just believe and the other that states you must do good and believe. I must commend De Chirico on his ability to to discern the differences. I do wonder how much is taken out of context or stretched meaning too far. Perhaps none is, but maybe some it. At the very least, I take issue with the reasoning behind his denial of apostolic succession; "a better reading of scripture is." How conceded could you be to proclaim your reading of scripture better than others? Unless he believes to have authority. Who would have given him that though?

[Stacy Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

important for any evangelical to read

Well worth the read! Gets a little heady sometimes, but take the time to slow down and dive deep. Well worth it in the end to educate ourselves on Roman Catholicism. Let’s proclaim the Gospel to Judea/Samaria and the ends of the Earth

[Fit For Faith 〣 Your Christian Ministry. · Rating 3 out of 5]

PROS

+ Much needed and well-structured discernment on the Roman Catholic Church.

+ It is with great appreciation that the author focused on terminology, and expounded the differences of the most important terms in the light of each religion.

+ Good case for biblical separation: "For the time being, Rome will not have an 'oppositional' posture in relating to non-Catholics but will always try to find commonalities, to underline unity, to stress fellowship and to embrace evangelicals as much as possible. Evangelicals need to be aware that if they want to be faithful to the G‑spel they need to be 'countercultural' and talk about g‑spel distinctives, biblical separation, and a covenantal allegiance to the triune G-d that rejects idols and idolatry. Biblical truth always needs to confront and to refute error even if it comes from a traditional institution like the Roman Catholic Church."

CONS

- The author is a Calvinist (Reformed Baptist Church) and endorses a number of Calvinists (Peter Martyr Vermigli, R. C. Sproul, Tim Challies, et al ...).

- The book includes extracts from works by C.S. Lewis which is inconceivable in the light of the book's teachings:

The book rightfully teaches against Purgatory - Lewis plainly endorsed it: "Purgatory is a real place." "Of course I pray for the dead. The action is so spontaneous, so all but inevitable, that only the most compulsive theological case against it would deter me ..."

The book rightfully teaches against fellowship with other religions - while Lewis was even worse than the Pope in this regard: "Tao contains the highest morality of all religions" "Hindu temples are a sacrament." ... "No one can say in the proper sense that the Hindu, the Buddhist or the Muslim is an unbeliever. I would rather say that we have to recognize him as our brother in Christ." "Pagan religions have truths." ... "Christianity fulfilled paganism"

The book rightfully teaches against evolution - Lewis was a Theistic Evolutionist: "Events found in the first three chapters of Genesis are true myths". "Man is physically descended from animals". "G-d perfected the animal form which was to become the vehicle of humanity and the image of Himself."

This is hypocrisy at its finest, because Lewis is very well known.

- The book essentially teaches a false dilemma between Catholicism and Protestantism. If the author would have acknowledged that Catholics did not essentially misunderstand Augustine as implied in the book, but that the Catholic Church and Calvinism are helplessly intertwined (Augustine was responsible for -most- of Catholicism's and Calvinism's doctrines and practices; he believed in all seven Catholic sacraments), then the author would have realized that we have no need to speak about the potential end of the Reformation.

Both were evil in its nature, even though the Reformation had certainly some good elements. But anyone who employs an unbiased discernment on Calvin and Luther (both endorsed in the book!), will quickly see that they were much rather anti-Christs than bringing us any closer to CHRISTOS. Satan has made us believe that we are in need of a reformation, but in reality we simply need to go back to the time before Constantine and Augustine, which means in practical terms to not accept any involvement of the church with the state, and not a head different than CHRISTOS as rightly pointed out in the book.

- The author equates baptism with 'works', which is a ridiculous claim nowhere found nor implied in the Bible. This is a typical byproduct of the Reformation, when the pendulum swung in the opposite direction, missed the truth in between and is frozen in time since half a millennium. Christianity is not defined by the accident of Catholicism or in any counterreaction to it. Baptism is indeed not a sacrament, but it is a command and it is sinful to play down its importance.

- Heavy promotion of the Pelagian & Lutheran doctrine of 'Faith & Grace Alone', which even led Luther to interpolate those words into his Bible translation. It is tempting to use such a war cry in order to supposedly make Christianity more attractive and palatable, but no Apostle ever used this false reductionism in order to fulfill the Great Commission or respectively to bring up disciples.

What actually saves a person (Past Salvation) is THEOS' grace, love, mercy and resurrection, together with our hearing of the Word, believing in IESOUS and His resurrection, having faith, repenting from being a sinner and confessing with your mouth, usually expressed in an immediate baptism on the very same day (how far have we deviated from the ideal ...). Present Salvation further includes the regular taking of communion, denying of yourself, putting everything else second to THEOS, obedience & discipline, growing of faith, making disciples and becoming holy.

- The endorsements include curiously enough a Catholic evangelist: "De Chirico's book is a powerful tool to help us talk about the Jesus whom we love with the people in our lives whom we love who live in a world influenced by Roman Catholicism.' The Revd Dr Mark Gilbert, Catholic evangelist, Sydney."

[Charity Taylor Hattenhauer · Rating 2 out of 5]

For such a short book, this one took awhile to get through. I’d say this is more for the theology student than the layperson. Great idea in premise, but not much practical knowledge.

[Rory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthwhile read, helps to understand Catholicism today, since Vatican II, and why it has a different gospel.

[Peter Kiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly deep contribution that really furthers the dialogues that have been taking place instead of simply restating the basics like many other works do. I highly recommend it.