The biblical book of 2 Kings serves as both a historical account and a theological reflection on the faithfulness of God’s people and the consequences of their disobedience. Spanning the decline of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, it highlights moments of reform, idolatry, and divine judgment. Particularly in chapters 22 and 23, we encounter the reign of King Josiah, a leader who rediscovered the "Book of the Law" and initiated sweeping reforms to restore true worship, rid the land of idolatry, and align the nation with God's covenant. This revival is a stark contrast to the persistent errors of previous kings, priests, and the people.
When we examine parallels between 2 Kings and the modern-day practices of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), troubling patterns emerge.
A Biblical Reflection: Comparing 2 Kings with the Roman Catholic Church
Faithful Stewardship:
2 Kings 22:7"Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully."
This verse highlights the trust and integrity in handling funds during King Josiah's reforms. A contrast could be drawn with the wealth and financial controversies associated with the RCC over centuries.
Has this institution upheld the same standard of faithful stewardship?
Ignoring God's Word: 2 Kings 22:13
"Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book."
Here, King Josiah realizes the consequences of neglecting God's Word. You might compare this to how the RCC is often accused of "adding to the gospel" through doctrines and practices that critics argue lack biblical support.
Could the state of society today reflect the consequences of adding to the gospel message? Are we witnessing the wrath of God manifest due to distortions of His Word and the unchecked greed of the multi-billion-dollar institution that is the Roman Catholic Church? Critics often point out the church’s vast wealth, hidden under a veneer of piety, as a stark contradiction to the teachings of true Christianity.
While defenders argue that the RCC performs charitable acts, true Christianity calls for radical generosity—giving selflessly, even to the point of personal sacrifice, as Christ Himself taught when He said to give the coat off your back (Luke 6:29). This contrasts sharply with the image of an institution that hoards immense wealth while millions around the world suffer. Are such actions compatible with the gospel, or do they invite divine judgment for prioritizing power and riches over faithfulness?
Burning Incense to Other Gods: 2 Kings 22:17
"Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands."
God condemns Israel's abandonment of His covenant in favor of worshipping other deities, symbolized by burning incense to them. This act signifies devotion, reverence, and submission to idols rather than to the one true God. The parallel to this passage becomes stark when critics scrutinize certain practices within Roman Catholicism, such as Marian veneration.
The Old Testament frequently rebukes the worship of the "Queen of Heaven," most notably in Jeremiah 7:18 and Jeremiah 44:17-19, where the people openly declare their allegiance to her. Critics argue that the Catholic veneration of Mary as the "Queen of Heaven," complete with the burning of incense at Marian altars and elaborate devotions, closely mirrors the idolatrous practices condemned in Scripture.
Furthermore, the works of their hands—crafting altars, icons, and statues—draw additional parallels to idolatry. While Catholic doctrine insists that such actions are acts of veneration and not worship, detractors highlight the risk of these practices devolving into the kind of devotion explicitly forbidden in Exodus 20:4-5 and Isaiah 42:8, where God declares His glory will not be shared with another.
In this context, incense becomes a potent symbol. Historically, it has been used to signify prayer rising to God (Psalm 141:2). Yet, when offered before Marian statues, some argue it echoes the offerings made to pagan gods, representing a misplacement of spiritual focus.
Thus, the burning of incense unto other "gods" in 2 Kings 22:17 serves as a sobering warning. It prompts reflection on whether some religious practices today might provoke God by veering dangerously close to the idolatry that He so fiercely condemned in ancient Israel.
Hearing and Repenting: 2 Kings 23:2-4
2 Kings 23:2:"And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD."
2 Kings 23:3:"And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant."
2 Kings 23:4:"And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel."
Yet, the RCC persists in performing actions that include...
Burning Incense - Performed during liturgical services, including at altars dedicated to saints or Mary.
Relics and Reliquaries - Physical remains or items associated with saints that are revered and housed in ornate containers.
Sun Imagery in Sacred Objects - Sunburst designs in monstrances, altars, and architectural motifs.
Veneration of the Host - Critics argue that the adoration of the consecrated Eucharist in the monstrance is a form of idolatry.
Pilgrimages to Shrines - Such as Lourdes or Fatima, often associated with miraculous claims and offering veneration to statues or icons.
Titles of Saints and Mary - Such as "Queen of Heaven" or "Mother of the Church," which critics claim elevate figures to divine status.
Exaltation of the Pope - Seen by some as treating the pope with reverence akin to worship.
Cultural Syncretism - Adoption of pre-Christian symbols or practices, such as the use of pagan architectural styles or festivals adapted into Catholic traditions.
Altars with Multiple Depictions of Heavenly Figures - Incense and prayers offered at altars featuring saints, Mary, and Christ in a way that appears to dilute focus on God.
In 2 Kings 23:14, King Josiah’s reform is marked by the destruction of idolatrous images, saying: "And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves."
This act symbolized a rejection of false worship and an effort to purify the nation from practices that went against God’s commandments.
Yet, the Roman Catholic Church continues to venerate statues and images of saints, angels, and even the Virgin Mary in prominent places of worship. Critics often point out this contradiction, arguing that the Bible clearly warns against the use of graven images. In Exodus 20:4, the second commandment says, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or on the earth beneath, or in the waters beneath the earth." This seems to oppose the Catholic practice of using statues as a means of reverence.
Supporters of the Catholic practice might argue that the statues are not idols but representations or reminders of the faith, serving as tools for meditation and spiritual connection rather than objects of worship. However, for many, the presence of these images raises concerns about the potential for idolatry, as seen in the events recorded in 2 Kings 23 and throughout Scripture, where God repeatedly calls His people to rid themselves of such objects and practices.
In 2 Kings 23:16, King Josiah performs a radical act of cleansing the land by taking the bones from the sepulchres of idolaters and burning them upon the altar:
"He took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned them upon the altar, and polluted it."
This was a direct action to defile the idolatrous altars and rituals, which were an affront to God. The burning of bones was a way of rejecting the false practices that were associated with idol worship.
Yet the Catholic practice of keeping relics and bones of saints under altars is eerily reminiscent of the idolatrous customs condemned in this verse. Relics, which are physical objects or body parts believed to be connected to saints, have been enshrined in Catholic altars for centuries, often revered as holy and even believed to have miraculous powers. These relics may include bones, pieces of clothing, or other items linked to the lives of saints. They are often venerated, touched, and prayed over by the faithful.
However, this practice raises concerns for those who view it as a form of spiritual idolatry. In both the Old Testament and New Testament, God condemns the use of physical objects or human remains for ritualistic or superstitious purposes. In 2 Kings 23:16, Josiah’s act of burning bones was part of a broader purification of the nation from the idolatrous practices that had infiltrated Judah. Some see the use of relics under Catholic altars as a modern continuation of this very practice that God forbids in Scripture.
Moreover, the connection between relics and altars creates further concern. The altar, in Catholic practice, is where the Eucharist (the body and blood of Christ) is consecrated. By placing relics under the altar, critics argue that the distinction between the worship of God and the veneration of "saints" becomes blurred. While the Church views the relics as a way to honor those who followed Christ, others believe this practice risks elevating the saints and their remains to a level that competes with or detracts from the worship of God alone.
This practice has been justified by the Church as a way of honoring those who have lived exemplary lives of faith. However, the parallels to 2 Kings 23:16 suggest a possible danger of inadvertently crossing into territory that Scripture warns against. The question remains: does the veneration of relics, especially when placed on altars, risk falling into the idolatry that Scripture explicitly condemns?
In 2 Kings 23:24, King Josiah makes a decisive move to remove the "workers with familiar spirits" and "wizards," as well as the "images," "idols," and "all the abominations" that had contaminated Judah and Jerusalem:
"Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away."
This verse illustrates the extent to which idolatry and occult practices had infiltrated the kingdom. Josiah's reforms were focused on purging the land of anything that might distract the people from the worship of the true God.
The "workers with familiar spirits" refers to individuals who practiced necromancy, attempting to communicate with spirits of the dead for guidance or power. The term "familiar spirits" often refers to demonic entities that were believed to provide supernatural knowledge or assistance to practitioners of witchcraft and sorcery. In the context of ancient Israel, these practices were explicitly forbidden by God (Leviticus 19:31, Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Josiah's actions to rid the land of these practices were seen as necessary to purify the kingdom and restore true worship.
In modern times, some critics of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) point to its involvement in astronomical observatories and its occasional openness to mystical and esoteric practices as potentially akin to the "familiar spirits" and occult practices condemned in the Old Testament. While this comparison is speculative and should be approached with caution, some people argue that certain practices and interests within the RCC can be perceived as skirting dangerously close to the spiritual dangers warned against in Scripture.
Venezia Torre dell'Orologio Tierkreis- Tierkreis: This is a term referring to the "zodiac" or "circle of the stars."
The Vatican, for example, operates the Vatican Observatory, which is one of the oldest astronomical research institutions in the world. While its purpose is allegedly scientific—to study the cosmos and understand the universe better (?)—it has also been seen by some as potentially blurring the lines between scientific inquiry and the mystical. The connection between astronomical study and mystical traditions has long existed, particularly during periods when the study of the heavens was seen as a way to understand divine will or the supernatural. Critics argue that the fascination with the cosmos could lead to an unhealthy focus on the creation rather than the Creator, echoing concerns about the worship of created things (Romans 1:25).
Additionally, the RCC’s historical involvement in mysticism, particularly through the veneration of saints, relics, and other practices, has led some to associate the Church with "spirituality" that can appear more focused on the material or mystical rather than the biblical mandate of worshiping God alone. Critics see certain elements of the Church’s approach to spirituality, including the use of imagery, relics, and even its interest in astrology and numerology, as potentially aligning with the occult practices Josiah sought to abolish.
While the RCC would argue that its observatories and spiritual practices are purely rooted in the search for truth and divine understanding, the comparison to the occult and "familiar spirits" serves as a warning to keep spiritual practices firmly anchored in Scripture and away from anything that could distract from the worship of God.
The Roman Catholic Church has long been adaptable, shifting its stance with the times in order to maintain power and influence. Much like a chameleon, it often adjusts its approach based on the changing environment. When challenged, the Church has historically shown a readiness to silence dissent—whether by burning heretics at the stake or introducing new, unbiblical doctrines to solidify its authority. There seems to be no line the RCC won’t cross to secure its position. Today, we even see them engaging in interfaith dialogues with those who reject Christ's divinity. Anything goes in their pursuit of maintaining dominance, even if it means diluting core Christian beliefs.
Coincidence or Conviction?
While some may dismiss these parallels between the practices of the ancient Israelites and the modern Roman Catholic Church as mere coincidence, they offer a compelling opportunity for deeper reflection. Are the traditions and rituals followed by the Church truly preserving the faith, or have they strayed from the purity of the Gospel? The actions of King Josiah, as recorded in Scripture, highlight the necessity of aligning worship practices with the word of God, clearing away the idolatrous practices that had corrupted Israel’s faith. His reforms were a call for the people to return to the truth of God’s Word and remove any falsehoods that had crept in.
For today’s Church, the question must be asked: Are we willing to engage in a similar reform? In an era where doctrine has been altered and rituals have expanded far beyond what Scripture prescribes, does the modern Church heed this biblical lesson? Is the Church genuinely committed to preserving the integrity of the Gospel, or are we seeing an institution that adapts its teachings to maintain power and influence, at the expense of its original message?
As we look at these patterns in both ancient and modern times, it becomes clear that reflection is necessary. Are these practices that we see in the Catholic Church today a legitimate expression of faith, or have they become a diversion from the true gospel? The actions of Josiah remind us of the importance of returning to the truth of Scripture and ensuring that our worship aligns with God’s Word, not the shifting trends of society. The challenge remains: will the Church, in its current form, allow its convictions to be shaped by Scripture, or will it continue to follow the path of convenience and political power?
This ongoing reflection calls us to consider whether the Church's actions align with its calling, or if, like Israel in the days of Josiah, we too need to tear down the altars of compromise and return to the true heart of the Gospel.
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