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The Gospel According to Rome: Comparing Catholic Tradition and the Word of God
When Catechism of the Catholic Church broke onto the N.Y. Times bestseller list, its astonishing success confirmed the overwhelming interest of Catholics and Protestants in understanding modern Catholicism. Has the recent openness among denominations affected Catholic teachings? In the new spirit of cooperation, is there any reason why Catholics and Protestants should remain divided? This powerful and insightful examination of the Catholic Church Clear, accurate, significant information to know and share— The Gospel According to Rome
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 19, 2012
Once again...I'm so dismayed at the lack of understanding of Catholicism - Yet, someone takes it upon themselves to speak for our faith. Let's see...his outline that is titled: The Mass Error vs. Truth....he lines up what we believe with references to our Catechism (which is foreign to protestants) while he references biblical scripture...mmm, knowing that protestants will, of course, think his scripture references are the truth...when the TRUTH is that Catholics can quote more scripture that supports our beliefs...so he conveniently outlines our beliefs per our catechism which no protestant owns...this is very bias and very deceptive. Of course, he would not line up our scripture reference to our beliefs because it would show that we have more biblical support --- as many Catholic Apologetic books have done --- we are the clear winner. He KNOWS it, that's why he referenced the Catholic Catechism.
As far as the Mass being a continual sacrifice of our Lord...well, I don't know how many time Catholics need to say it...we believe God to be infinite in nature, not bound by time. At Mass, we are not re-scarificing Christ...we are at the very foot of Calvary 2000 years ago. That is why we are on our knees in worship. Following the instructions of Christ, "do this in memory of me." Is Mr. McCarthy implying God is bound by time and our interpretation is short-sighted?
I love discussing the differences of our beliefs, but I really am disturbed when our beliefs are so blatantly misrepresented. Mr. McCarthy, how many people have you scared away from my beloved church, because of your misrepresentations? Is the Church that was the choice of the greatest saints that ever lived...Mother Teresa, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and on and on and on...a church that should be shunned?
As far as the Mass being a continual sacrifice of our Lord...well, I don't know how many time Catholics need to say it...we believe God to be infinite in nature, not bound by time. At Mass, we are not re-scarificing Christ...we are at the very foot of Calvary 2000 years ago. That is why we are on our knees in worship. Following the instructions of Christ, "do this in memory of me." Is Mr. McCarthy implying God is bound by time and our interpretation is short-sighted?
I love discussing the differences of our beliefs, but I really am disturbed when our beliefs are so blatantly misrepresented. Mr. McCarthy, how many people have you scared away from my beloved church, because of your misrepresentations? Is the Church that was the choice of the greatest saints that ever lived...Mother Teresa, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and on and on and on...a church that should be shunned?
August 15, 2019
Around 6 or 8 months ago I picked up this book, along with a catechism. I was interested to know what the Church taught, and having done a bit or research myself beforehand, I was intrigued to know what Jim McCarthy had to say. I grew up Pentecostal, so a lot of these arguments should have appealed to me. However, never before have a read such a gross misunderstanding of Catholic theology. An example. McCarthy is a Faith alone kind of guy. Catholics however, believe in salvation through Faith, justified by works. McCarthy claims that we believe in salvation through works. This Is a gross misunderstanding of doctrine. Our Salvation is through our faith in Christ, and that in turn faith is justified in God's eyes though the good works which we do in HIS name. It is all the work of God, done through us. Also, he never uses any scripture in support of catholic doctrine, of which there is much to be found. In his mind, Catholics do not read the Bible, but only follow tradition. He sets up a fake conflict between catholic tradition and scripture. He makes it seem as though the Bible is a Protestant book. The Bible was compiled by the Catholic church as revealed by Christ! He does not understand how tradition and scripture work together, supporting and building upon each other.
His most egregious error, is Titled "Oppose Ecumenism" in which he criticizes the desire for the Church to be one again. God wants us to be one!
“4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your all, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 (RSV)
Yet McCarthy sees the Catholic Church as so Biblically inaccurate that "there is not even a common basis for dialogue" (320). This is how McCarthy ends his book.
His miss-interpretations of both scripture and catechism do not even deserve a read through. If he had not made this finial statement, I would actually have advised this book as a good example of anti-Catholic theology, from which a good conversation can form. But his desire to see the church of Christ split and disunified condemns it completely in my opinion.
I am proud to say that this book did not awaken me to the "errors" of the Church, and I will be coming home to the Catholic Church this Easter vigil.
Pray for unity between all Christians!
His most egregious error, is Titled "Oppose Ecumenism" in which he criticizes the desire for the Church to be one again. God wants us to be one!
“4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your all, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 (RSV)
Yet McCarthy sees the Catholic Church as so Biblically inaccurate that "there is not even a common basis for dialogue" (320). This is how McCarthy ends his book.
His miss-interpretations of both scripture and catechism do not even deserve a read through. If he had not made this finial statement, I would actually have advised this book as a good example of anti-Catholic theology, from which a good conversation can form. But his desire to see the church of Christ split and disunified condemns it completely in my opinion.
I am proud to say that this book did not awaken me to the "errors" of the Church, and I will be coming home to the Catholic Church this Easter vigil.
Pray for unity between all Christians!
April 21, 2016
McCarthy scours Catholic writings and tradition to illuminate points of tension between them and Scripture. He effectively takes the reader on a tour of Catholic conclusions. Though he is a lapsed Catholic, I would have liked him to have some responses to his criticisms from Catholics included. More nuance would have been helpful. Glad I read it.
May 15, 2010
I cannot refute most of the author's evidence, but I just didn't personally like the message. Overall, I'm not a fan of people attacking such personal beliefs.
October 2, 2022
If you're looking for a Protestant (Baptist/Evangelical) objection to Catholicism, look no further. Unlike similar books, the Gospel According to Rome actually understands and articulates orthodox Catholic beliefs. It's author, James McCarthy, recites the catechism and ecumenical counsels with such accuracy, that I often found myself persuaded to believe Catholic doctrine! Truly, he knows Catholic belief and spends more time explaining Catholicism than objecting to it.
I have some objections. McCarthy is almost too anti-Catholic. I mean, the Catholic Church has existed for 2000 years, surely they got some things right. And McCarthy never acknowledges how fringe his own beliefs are. Very few Christians today and throughout history have believed that communion's completely symbolic. Similarly, very few deny infant baptism. And yet, McCarthy implies his interpretations are obvious. And he doesn't address the natural question: how were people saved before Martin Luther? His protestant views are so new, it's hard to take his fringe beliefs seriously. NO ONE shared his fringe Baptist beliefs 1000 years ago, which discredits him.
Additionally, McCarthy solely argues from scripture, which limits him. Because many Catholic beliefs are from sacred tradition, not scripture. McCarthy would have more success if he proved the earliest church didn't believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, infant baptism, etc. But he rarely touches church history, to his own detriment.
My last objection is that McCarthy is just plain wrong sometimes. At one point he says that the deuterocanon (Apocrypha) is never quoted in the New Testament. That's just wrong.
That said, this is THE protestant answer to Catholicism as far as I'm concerned. It's fair, it's intelligent, and it persuaded me to be more open-minded about protestant denominations. Some chapters are better than others (his section on salvation was great, but his section on the Eucharist was unconvincing.) I couldn't recommend The Gospel According to Rome more highly to someone seeking answers to Catholicism vs Protestantism. A good companion book that's pro-catholicism is Rome Sweet Home by Scott Hahn.
I have some objections. McCarthy is almost too anti-Catholic. I mean, the Catholic Church has existed for 2000 years, surely they got some things right. And McCarthy never acknowledges how fringe his own beliefs are. Very few Christians today and throughout history have believed that communion's completely symbolic. Similarly, very few deny infant baptism. And yet, McCarthy implies his interpretations are obvious. And he doesn't address the natural question: how were people saved before Martin Luther? His protestant views are so new, it's hard to take his fringe beliefs seriously. NO ONE shared his fringe Baptist beliefs 1000 years ago, which discredits him.
Additionally, McCarthy solely argues from scripture, which limits him. Because many Catholic beliefs are from sacred tradition, not scripture. McCarthy would have more success if he proved the earliest church didn't believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, infant baptism, etc. But he rarely touches church history, to his own detriment.
My last objection is that McCarthy is just plain wrong sometimes. At one point he says that the deuterocanon (Apocrypha) is never quoted in the New Testament. That's just wrong.
That said, this is THE protestant answer to Catholicism as far as I'm concerned. It's fair, it's intelligent, and it persuaded me to be more open-minded about protestant denominations. Some chapters are better than others (his section on salvation was great, but his section on the Eucharist was unconvincing.) I couldn't recommend The Gospel According to Rome more highly to someone seeking answers to Catholicism vs Protestantism. A good companion book that's pro-catholicism is Rome Sweet Home by Scott Hahn.
October 25, 2025
Probably the most important book I've read this year. I've always viewed Catholicism as a separate religion from Christianity; and reading through what Catholics teach (and in their own words, from the Catechism to the Council of Trent to the Vatican councils) has only confirmed this for me. Catholicism is foreign to what the Bible teaches in so many ways, such as their extrabiblical teachings of Marian dogma and the pantheon of saints one can pray to.
I am appalled at the barriers this religion places between people and Christ. As I read through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, I kept wondering, "Where is Jesus in all of this?" The author rightly points out that the leadership of the Catholic Church has a striking similarity to the Sanhedrin of Jesus' day (p.304-307).
I recognize (as the author points out) that many Catholics are unfamiliar with their own religion's theology. Nonetheless, they have been influenced by it, especially if they grew up Catholic. Therefore, it behooves Protestants to familiarize themselves with Catholic theology in order to understand that while we use similar terms, we are not speaking the same language; we do not have the same Gospel. This book is an excellent resource for such research.
I am appalled at the barriers this religion places between people and Christ. As I read through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, I kept wondering, "Where is Jesus in all of this?" The author rightly points out that the leadership of the Catholic Church has a striking similarity to the Sanhedrin of Jesus' day (p.304-307).
I recognize (as the author points out) that many Catholics are unfamiliar with their own religion's theology. Nonetheless, they have been influenced by it, especially if they grew up Catholic. Therefore, it behooves Protestants to familiarize themselves with Catholic theology in order to understand that while we use similar terms, we are not speaking the same language; we do not have the same Gospel. This book is an excellent resource for such research.
March 20, 2025
This book is a poor attempt to criticize Catholic theology and is very uncharitable towards the Catholic Church. Refuses to give any Bible references for any Catholic ‘beliefs’. His defense of his own beliefs are also poor especially the Sola Scriptura Appendix. Perhaps a good book to understand what many protestants believe, but gives a poor defense of even his own beliefs. Would not trust any of his claims about Catholic beliefs.
October 9, 2023
A very thorough analysis of the considerable differences between Roman Catholic theology (thoroughly referencing RC church sources) and the Bible—a must-read for any Christians who know Catholics. Roman Catholicism is not just another brand, branch, or type of Christianity, as is all too often thoughtlessly assumed by Christians today.
March 12, 2020
A great book on Christianity and Catholicism. This shows the Catholic catechism, an dhow the beliefs that arise from that catechism do not match up with the Bible. For those with an open mind, it is well worth your time.
August 26, 2022
An excellent resource for anyone wanting to study Roman Catholicism from a biblical perspective. The book is filled with direct quotes from trusted Catholic sources, accompanying citations, and sound biblical responses.
January 28, 2025
Essential reading for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. As a former Catholic, I didn’t fully understand the minutia of what the Church teaches and believes. The Bible lays it out so much more clearly and directly for me.
September 4, 2017
very imformative
September 30, 2019
A must read for anyone coming from a Roman Catholic background.
October 6, 2020
it's accurate and informative.l would like to read it again and again.
January 25, 2022
Its just a 400 page unneccesary plea for Sola Scriptura. Weak arguments.
April 7, 2008
What is the difference between Biblical Christianity and Roman Catholicism? James McCarthy lets the Roman Cathlic Church itself state its official doctrinal positions via its latest statement of faith (Catechism of the Catholic Church; 1994; and then compares it to the Bible itself. In this book is the Truth simply stated; without malice, without gile and without error. As a former Roman Catholic I welcome this book in the hope that it might help others see how the many traditions which, through the centuries have been accepted by the Roman Catholic Church, and obscured the Gospel clearly found in the Scriptures.
February 2, 2013
Chociaż można zarzucić tej książce nastawienie antykatolickie, to słowa autora nie są puste. Podobało mi się, że autor wystosowując różne zarzuty pod kątem Kościoła katolickiego wykorzystał kanoniczne i reprezentatywne źródła samego KK - w związku z czym KK niejako sam się oskraża swoimi własnymi pismami, których autor używa do wyjaśnienia domniemanych rozbieżności między nauczaniem Kościoła katolickiego, a nauczaniem wynikającym z Pisma Świętego. Myślę, że nawet dla katolików ta książka może być wartościową pozycją, nawet jeśli czytelnik nie zgodzi się z autorem, to może paradoksalnie lepiej poznać własną religię.
May 9, 2025
For what is was, this book was great. However I feel like this topic could’ve gone into a whole bunch of books, there’s a whole lot more to unpack. I get that this is an overview and a writer has to make things accessible to the reader. I feel like even though this book is as big as it is, it is still almost a primer for a larger topic. However, this book does seem to cover more ground and is generally larger than other books on the topic that I’ve seen personally. I still highly recommend checking it out (along with maybe doing more deep dives elsewhere on top of this).
February 17, 2008
This is a VERY important work on the differences between Roman Catholicism and Biblical/historical Christianity. Yes, there is a difference. Every professing Catholic should read this to better understand the doctrines of the Church of Rome. Every protestant should read this to more fully understand what they’ve “protested” against. You’ll find there are two very different “gospels” being proclaimed which should not be ignored.
September 17, 2013
A fantastic help to those who are trying to understand the teaching of Roman Catholicism from a Biblical framework.
October 17, 2015
This is an excellent, simple exposition of some key distinctions between the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and what is in the Bible.
February 19, 2016
Great great great book. A must read for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews