Why did I write this book? Is not the answer to this question the purpose of all book “prefaces?”

The title is provocative and labels Roman Catholicism as Pagan and not Christian. Am I trying to pick on Roman Catholics? Why did I write this book?

Go back with me to the spring of 1971. I was an agnostic making my own way and did not need God, whom I really did not think existed anyway. Think about that word “agnostic.”  It is a compound word that means without knowledge. In the sense that I have used it, it means without knowledge of God.

When you think about being without knowledge of God, you have to think of the condition,“atheoi.” What is this?  It is the Greek word from which we derive the word “atheist.”  It means to be without God. To be an agnostic is to be an atheist, because if you are without knowledge of Him, you are without Him.

So what has this to do with Roman Catholicism? Just this, the Roman Church is atheistic. Atheistic? Do they not believe in the God of the Bible, His Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, the Triune God?

“Well,” you might respond, “they sure do, they are always speaking about them! Your statement is false!”

Now we are at the purpose of this book. This book will prove with a resounding no; they do not believe in the God of the Bible or His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. As you will see, the Roman Church does not believe in the Bible as the revelation of God. They add to it “Tradition and the Magisterium” of the Church.  In fact, when you look at their rituals and catechism (which this book covers) you will see that they believe in many gods and in their catechism damns the real God.

If you are Roman Catholic, you are, then, agnostic and atheist. This is not meant as a slur upon you or any Roman Catholic. It is merely stating that you are in the same condition I was in, back in 1971. I was without the knowledge of and the companionship of the Living God. This book is meant as a rescue call.

Back in 1971, I received a rescue call.  A friend talked to me about Christ and my need for Him as my Savior. I insulted him but he kept it up for six months. He finally asked me if I had ever read the Bible.  I told him no, I had not, but often thought I should so I could show people like him how silly it was.

He challenged me to read the Bible, so I bought one and started reading at Genesis 1 (he had recommended the Gospel of John) and read to Genesis 25. By this point I had become well acquainted with a man described as a friend of God, Abraham. But Abraham was a sinner, a terrible sinner in my mind, but so was I. God, though, saved Abraham and declared him righteous.  By this point I was under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I knew that in my own way, I was as big a sinner as was Abraham.  If God could save Abraham, maybe He would save me.

Finally, in my office one day, I closed the door and took out a tract that had a prayer in it. Before I said it I asked God to help me in my unbelief. Then I prayed to receive Christ as my Savior.  My life began to change!  I had been rescued from the path to Hell and was given eternal life.

Assured eternal life! No loss of salvation each time I committed a sin as I was born into God’s family and would be disciplined by Him from within.  No need to confess to a priest my sins as they were continually being confessed through the Holy Spirit.  No need to sacrifice Christ over and over again in the mass as His one sacrifice on the cross was sufficient – according to His own words.  He said “it is over.”  No purgatory was needed to clean me up, as the Holy Spirit within is perfecting me.  When I die, I will be perfect and present with the Lord — not because of what I do to clean up my act, but because of what God is doing to clean me up from the inside out.

We will look at all of these issues and more within this book.  I have used the Roman Catechism of Trent, which was reaffirmed by Vatican II. Many other historical sources, all documented in the book, were used. I would recommend that you have a Bible handy as you read this book and make sure of what I am stating; it can be eternally important.

Salvation for those who are “agnostic/atheistic,” in other words, without knowledge and the companionship of the living God of the Bible, is the purpose of this book. It is possible to know that you are saved and saved forever without end or hiccup.

There is an old hymn entitled, Throw Out the Lifeline.  Please approach this book with that thought in mind.  This book is intended as a lifeline, to provide information for the rescue of those that are perishing.

—Larry Ball, 2008