Jason Scott, in his article "Why I Chose Catholicism: 7 Reasons," shares his personal journey of why he chose Catholicism over Protestantism. He explains that after exploring the failures of atheism and the evidence pointing to a personal God, he had to decide which church to join. Scott notes that in the English-speaking world, Christianity has often meant Protestantism for the past 500 years, but familiarity is not necessarily truth.
Scott's first reason for choosing Catholicism is the principle of sola scriptura, which was a cornerstone of the Reformation. He argues that the early Church had no New Testament canon for three centuries and that it was the tradition and teaching authority of the Church that held it together. Scott cites St. Paul's command to his readers to keep the tradition, either by spoken word or by letter, and notes that the pillar and foundation of truth is the Church, not Scripture.
Scott's second reason is that words need interpreters, and Protestantism lacks a unified rule of faith. He notes that Luther and Zwingli could not agree on the meaning of "This is my body" 12 years after the 95 theses, and that every man interprets Scripture for himself. In contrast, the Catholic Church has a living authority that can provide guidance on the meaning of Scripture. Scott cites the Nicene Creed as a shared rule of faith that safeguards the identity of Jesus across generations.
Scott's third reason is that Protestantism often rehashes old heresies that were already resolved by the early ecumenical councils. He notes that the great councils did not invent doctrines but rather ruled out errors, and that the Church keeps their rulings like a family keeps its memories. Scott argues that when Christian communities move away from the early ecumenical councils, they risk reopening debates that were already resolved.
Scott's fourth reason is the importance of apostolic succession. He notes that Christ left behind a Church, not a book, and that the apostles were given the power to bind and loose and to forgive and retain sins. Scott argues that the Catholic Church's line of ordination runs unbroken back to the apostles and that the papacy is a key part of this continuity. He cites the example of Clement of Rome writing to settle a dispute in Corinth around the year 96.
Scott also explores the four marks of the Church, which are professed by Christians of nearly every kind every Sunday. He notes that the Church must be one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic, and that the existence of thousands of Christian denominations teaching different things raises questions about which one is true. Scott argues that the Church is Christ's Body and that it must be visible and unified.
Ultimately, Scott's decision to become Catholic was influenced by his study of history and his desire to be part of a Church that can trace its roots back to the apostles. He notes that the stakes are high, and that if the doctrine of the papacy is true, everyone should be Catholic. Scott's article is not meant to criticize other Christians but rather to share his own personal journey and reasons for choosing Catholicism.
Key points
- Jason Scott outlines seven reasons for choosing Catholicism over Protestantism
- Scott argues that the Catholic Church has a unified rule of faith and apostolic succession
- The four marks of the Church - one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic - are an important test for determining the true Church
