Christian Difference

redblue22 said:

I'm really taking all this as a big way to say, "I don't know."

Maybe some people of other religions can express it better from outside view.

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Well alot of the differences are not "I don't know", they are literally not allowed to be talked about on here according to the rules because when you talk about differences, people usually take offense. Technically someone could talk about the differences (that I am thinking of) but they will get their post removed and be one step closer to a account ban.

Actually I'd say just search online for something like "differences between catholicism, main stream christianity and evangelicals"

Well I can't even technically answer that with a yes or no either because it will show which group I am talking about. Which then will get me reported. Don't want to lose my account. Now if someone asked me not on the forum, then I'd tell them. But the forum has rules so on here I can't say anything.

Like I said the answers are online and easy to find. In the time its taken me to type this you could have found the answer. Actually here you do, search results:
https://www.google.com/search?num=4...0...1c.1.64.serp..6.0.0.mil_rwnqmdi&safe=high

redblue22 said:

so, if a kid asks the difference between united methodists and evangelicals, we just can't answer.

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There are lots of differences, but it's also dependent on which methodist and evangelical you're talking to. For example, Methodist theology is typically Arminian, vs Evangelicals are frequently Calvinist. Methodists frequently view salvation as a process intertwined with saintification, versus Evangelicals typical see salvation as a instantaneous event, completely separate from the following saintificaiton. In practice, Methodists tend to be very focused first on social service and less on "loud" evangelicalizing. Evangelicals tend to be first focused on evangelicalizing (hence the name) and then secondly social service. And many more.

* Note: I cannot stress enough that these are in general trends-- there are oodles of exceptions.
** Also note: I am neither one of these faiths, so I am not a first-hand source. What I am saying here is from a decade of experience being friends with both faiths, visiting, and chatting.

redblue22 said:

How would you explain the difference between:

1. Catholic Christianity
2. Evangelical Christianity
3. Mainline Christianity

and if you would like to say something about the difference of UMC and the rest, that would be interesting too.

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Catholics tend to have short sermons and a more ceremonial liturgy. Evangelicals, its one long sermon. Cathloics have a inheritance of many expensive churches, and also tend to be organised in terms of "works of mercy" like visiting the sick and feeding the poor etc. Plus they have a lively press with newspapers and also books. There are also the "lay societies" like the Legion of Mary etc, or the Latin Mass movement. Evangelicals seem at least to be more of a theological loner style church, rather than being part of a authority structure massively organised. Im not saying theyre disorganised, but its not immediately obvious - or that much of an issue of faith - that theres a heirarchy or organisaiton at work.

NothingIsImpossible said:

When asked if they are saved and/or know Jesus in their heart. They are confused by what you mean

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I don't know Jesus "in my heart", I know the Jesus who gave Himself for me on Calvary, who was raised from the dead, and who I encounter in His Word and Sacraments; and my salvation is found solely in He who was conceived in Mary's womb, was born, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried, and on the third day rose again, and who ascended and sits at the right hand of the Father from whence He will come again in glory to judge the quick and the dead.

I don't know an inner heart Jesus, nor would I want to. I don't look inside myself to find my hope and salvation, I look outside of myself to the Gospel.

-CryptoLutheran

redblue22 said:

1. Catholic Christianity

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Depends. When I think of and use the term "Catholic Christianity" I am referring to the historic Christianity which has been believed and practiced throughout history that has its origins in Christ and the Apostles, and which is further defined by the teachings of the Creeds and Ecumenical Councils.

But I suppose for many it would refer more specifically to Roman Catholicism.

2. Evangelical Christianity

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Similar to above, it depends. I would tend to stress "Evangelical" in its sense of pertaining to the Gospel and thus stressing the Christocentric and Gospel-centricness of Christianity.

I wouldn't see this as distinct from Catholic Christianity; but therein is perhaps my own bias as a Lutheran as I understand Lutheranism as Catholic and Evangelical.

But for many it is likely going to refer to modern 20th and 21st century Neo-Evangelicalism.

3. Mainline Christianity

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More properly referred to as Mainline Protestantism; in the United States used to refer to "main street" churches such as Lutherans, Episcopalians, Methodists, and Presbyterians; the use of "Mainline" is chiefly helpful to distinguish the older, historic Protestant churches in America from Fundamentalists and Evangelicals.

-CryptoLutheran

yeshuaslavejeff said:

They're different boxes people get in
when they don't have a choice,
or when they think they have to,
or when they want something they think they can get by doing so.

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hmmm

redblue22 said:

How would you explain the difference between:

1. Catholic Christianity
2. Evangelical Christianity
3. Mainline Christianity

and if you would like to say something about the difference of UMC and the rest, that would be interesting too.

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Catholic Christianity is the Western tradition that developed over the course of the last ~1500 years. It relies on the agreed upon scriptural canon, the traditional exegesis of these texts, and extraneous traditions and beliefs established by diverse councils and the bishop of Rome.

Evangelical Christianity and mainline Christianity are two sub-sets of Protestant Christianity, a 500-year-old offshoot of Catholic Christianity that rejected a huge portion of Catholic lore and commonly seizes upon such core beliefs as basing their faith only on the scriptural canon (while retaining the traditionally established exegesis for the most part), or insisting that salvation relies only on faith, NOT on moral conduct.
In the anglophone world, both evangelical and mainline Protestantism tend to rely on the Reformed theology of people like Calvin and Zwingli rather than Martin Luther or others. As a result, their social impulses tend to be comparatively weak, as they embrace a more meritocratic work ethic where excessive wealth is seen as a mark of godliness and pride, and poor people are considered as deserving of their plight, either by divine design or by personal failure.

NothingIsImpossible said:

One of the differences is that one of those is far from christian in nature. Doing things that aren't biblical and not focusing on Jesus much. But do to rules on here I can't say anything else.

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Wow, that's a mean thing to say about Evangelicals!

And I only half jest. I'm tired of people taking jabs at religions without actually trying to understand them.