Catholics Need to Ignore Heretical Protestants

Summary

William Michael argues that Catholics should not be unsettled by Protestant arguments that, in his view, misrepresent Catholic teaching and Scripture. He particularly challenges what he describes as the doctrine of universal human depravity: the idea that everyone is wholly corrupt, that human obedience has no bearing on salvation, and that belief in Jesus alone makes a person righteous regardless of how they live.

His interpretation of the Psalms

• Psalm 119:1–8 praises those who seek God, keep his commandments, and walk in his ways. Michael takes this as evidence that Scripture recognizes people who live righteously and that obedience matters.
• Psalm 14 says that people have turned aside and that no one is good. Michael argues that these lines should not be isolated from the rest of the psalm. He reads the passage as describing the wicked, or “fools,” who deny God, while noting its references to God being with the righteous and serving as a refuge for the poor.
• Michael says that quoting a few lines from Psalm 14 without their context can make the passage appear to support universal depravity. He argues that reading the whole psalm alongside Psalm 119 leads to a different interpretation.

Other biblical examples

Michael points to several passages and figures as examples of Scripture recognizing righteousness:

• Psalm 1 describes a blessed person who avoids sinful ways and meditates on God’s law.
• Luke describes the parents of John the Baptist as righteous and obedient to God’s commandments.
• The angel Gabriel greets Mary as highly favored, or full of grace.
• David, traditionally associated with the Psalms, is offered as an example of someone who cannot simply be included among the wicked described in Psalm 14.

Advice to Catholics

Michael’s practical message is that Catholics should prioritize living their faith rather than becoming consumed by disputes with Protestants. He recommends that Catholics:

• Read Scripture within the Church’s life and interpretation rather than treating isolated verses as self-explanatory.
• Attend Mass, including daily Mass where possible, and listen to and reflect on Scripture there.
• Pray the Liturgy of the Hours, especially the Psalms, as a regular way to encounter Scripture.
• Pray the Rosary and meditate on its mysteries, which he presents as a way to reflect on the lives of Jesus and Mary and as protection against heresy.
• Practice Catholic duties such as confession and prayer rather than allowing apologetic arguments to displace them.
• Defend the faith when appropriate but avoid arguing endlessly. Citing Paul’s instruction in Titus, Michael says to warn a heretic twice and then avoid continued engagement. He also invokes Paul’s warnings against vain disputes.
• Use apologetics in service of Catholic life, not as a substitute for it. Michael cautions that constant argument can become an excuse for neglecting the practices one claims to defend.

Michael concludes that, in his view, Protestant interpretations of these passages are false and can be used to excuse disobedience. He urges Catholics to cultivate Catholic prayer and practice as a means of spiritual growth and protection from teachings he regards as heretical.

Speakers and sources featured

• Speaker: William Michael, who identifies himself as director of the Classical Academy of Liberal Arts.
• Biblical sources cited: Psalms 119, 14, and 1; Luke’s accounts of the parents of John the Baptist and the Annunciation; Titus 3:10; and a reference to 2 Timothy.
• Catholic practices discussed: Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, and confession.