David W. Daniels

The theories Daniels presents are interesting, but ultimately unconvincing. This is largely because the book lacks primary sources (or any sources) for its boldest claims. Many of the secondary sources come from other Chick Publications books. That alone does not disprove any of his claims, but it does make it difficult to convince an objective Protestant, a Catholic, or anyone Daniels/Chick would consider a non-believer. This book is best going to strengthen the faith of those who already agree with its premise, namely, that the Catholic church is evil, the Whore of Babylon, and is working hard to destroy God's "true word," the King James Bible.

Various problems:

*Daniels praises Erasmus for preserving and translating the "textus receptus" which he claims is the true word of God. But Erasmus didn't have the whole New Testament, and had to back translate using Jerome's Vulgate (which Daniels said is a perverted Bible)

*Daniels repeatedly says Catholics venerate Origen as a saint and church father. This is not true. He was condemned for heretical beliefs including, but not limited to, the pre-existence of souls, something he took from Plato but not from the Bible. For this reason, among others, Origen is respected but is not raised to the status of saint or father.

*Neither is Alphonsus Liguori a church father. He is seen as a "Doctor of the Church," which is something entirely different. Doctors are men and women who are great theologians throughout history. Fathers are men who lived in the first few centuries that helped form the church's teachings. Some fathers are doctors; some are not. Some doctors are fathers; some are not.

*From what I could tell, the Vaduois did not exist until the 12th or 13th century. Some Protestant theologians tried to tie them to earlier groups, but this is definitely a minority position not accepted by objective historians without an agenda.

Benefits of the book:

*Rightly points out the danger of the "big Bible" industry, whose goal is to make money.

*Rightly cautions us to show a profound reverence for the word of God, which means not just accepting any Bible version that comes along.

*Rightly points out the problems of the history of the Catholic Church, which lessens its credibility. But some Catholics may point to Matthew 23:2-3 (KJV), "[Jesus] Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." Likewise, if the Catholic church's bishops have the authority of the apostles, it could apply to them as well and be interpreted as, "The bishops and Popes sit in the apostles' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."… (más)