What is the difference between Catholics and protestants.

[Root of Jesse]

...in the sense that the 'undivided church' was theologically "catholic" and had yet to divide into its Roman, Eastern, Anglican, etc. parts.

I've always stated that "catholic" means universal (whether you capitalize it or not).

 

[Albion]

I've always stated that "catholic" means universal (whether you capitalize it or not).

All right. Then we're all catholics (or Catholics), but it doesn't mean that we all belong to the Church of Rome or that it is the only catholic church.

 

[Root of Jesse]

All right. Then we're all catholics (or Catholics), but it doesn't mean that we all belong to the Church of Rome or that it is the only catholic church.

There is only one catholic church. Catholic means "universal". If it's universal, that means there's only one. So, if you profess Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are, indeed, part of His Church. The Catholic, "Universal" Church. The head of that Church is in the Vatican, outside of Rome, and speaks for all Christians, whether they know it or not, whether they acknowledge it or not, whether they believe it or not, whether they adhere to it or not. That there are branches of that Church, is also a reality, although that's not what Christ intended...

 

[Albion]

There is only one catholic church.

I'm really not interested in unsolicited advertisements for any poster's own denomination, regardless of which one that might be.

 

[Root of Jesse]

I'm really not interested in unsolicited advertisements for any poster's own denomination, regardless of which one that might be.

I didn't advertise any denomination. I made a statement of fact. Do you disagree that there's only one catholic (universal) church? If so, tell me, how many churches did Jesus institute?

 

[Albion]

I didn't advertise any denomination.

Maybe I didn't make it clear enough--I don't want to be baited into fighting with people whose interest on these forums in mainly in using them to promote their own sect, whichever one it might be. And in your case, I already know all the Roman Catholic talking points.

 

[Root of Jesse]

Maybe I didn't make it clear enough--I don't want to be baited into fighting with people whose interest on these forums in mainly in using them to promote their own sect, whichever one it might be. And in your case, I already know all the Roman Catholic talking points.

1. I'm not baiting anyone into fighting.
2. I'm not promoting a sect.
3. You don't know jack about me.
4. You think you know "all the Roman Catholic talking points", and you may know the surface, but I doubt that you know the substance.
Thanks.

 

[steve_bakr]

There is only one catholic church. Catholic means "universal". If it's universal, that means there's only one. So, if you profess Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are, indeed, part of His Church. The Catholic, "Universal" Church. The head of that Church is in the Vatican, outside of Rome, and speaks for all Christians, whether they know it or not, whether they acknowledge it or not, whether they believe it or not, whether they adhere to it or not. That there are branches of that Church, is also a reality, although that's not what Christ intended...

The Catechism says that Protestants have a certain relatedness to us called imperfect communion, but I don't think we're supposed to rub Catholicism in their faces, so to speak.

 

[Root of Jesse]

The Catechism says that Protestants have a certain relatedness to us called imperfect communion, but I don't think we're supposed to rub Catholicism in their faces, so to speak.

I don't see that I did that. I stated a truth. What most people don't understand is that the Pope does not impose Catholicism on the world, whether on those who profess Catholicism or those who are at the other end of the spectrum. He proposes, but does not impose. But he speaks for all Christians, again, whether they agree or not. Sorta like the part of the country who believe that, while Obama is the president of the US, he's not 'their' president...

Again, it goes back to what "universal" means...if something is "universal", can there be two?

 

[steve_bakr]

I don't see that I did that. I stated a truth. What most people don't understand is that the Pope does not impose Catholicism on the world, whether on those who profess Catholicism or those who are at the other end of the spectrum. He proposes, but does not impose. But he speaks for all Christians, again, whether they agree or not. Sorta like the part of the country who believe that, while Obama is the president of the US, he's not 'their' president...

Again, it goes back to what "universal" means...if something is "universal", can there be two?

Well, I certainly understand. But there are ways of representing the Catholic faith that are ecumenical and there are ways that turn out being abrasive.

Also, Protestants alive today are not responsible for the Reformation.

I realize that there are going to be folks who will want to argue with us. I've been there a number of times. All the more reason to make sure we represent our faith in the right spirit.

 

[Albion]

I don't see that I did that. I stated a truth.

But it's only your version of the truth. Don't you understand that? There are dozens of other well-informed Christians here who belong to other churches because they are convinced that their answer is the truth. And since you never give any reason for them to think you are right and they are wrong, you're only talking to hear yourself talk--that or some desire to act superior to other people.

 

[Root of Jesse]

But it's only your version of the truth. Don't you understand that? There are dozens of other well-informed Christians here who belong to other churches because they are convinced that their answer is the truth. And since you never give any reason for them to think you are right and they are wrong, you're only talking to hear yourself talk--that or some desire to act superior to other people.

There's no such thing as "my version" or "your version" of the truth. If there was, it wouldn't be Truth. There is only one Truth. Which is why Jesus instituted only one Church. I don't doubt that there are other good people out there. Some Mormons helped my mother put Christmas tree lights on a tree that got too big for her to do it herself. They're good people. But I wouldn't take their church doctrine to be true, nonetheless.

I've given the reasons why Catholicism is the Truth. Because you or anyone else reject those reasons is your issue, not mine.

The difference between the Catholic Church and Protestant Churches is that Catholics accept what Jesus said, and don't try to change it. Protestants think they know better, and try to show that they know better. Catholics don't know better than God. We admit that.

 

[Eternally Optimistic]

What is the difference between Catholics and protestants.

views on justification and the nature of the Church...all other things stem from those.

 

[Albion]

There's no such thing as "my version" or "your version" of the truth. If there was, it wouldn't be Truth. There is only one Truth.

With respect, I don't think that makes sense. I didn't say that there are different truths, only different perceptions. You think X is the truth and 2/3 of Americans think Y is the truth, so telling us what yours is doesn't really accomplish anything--unless we didn't know your answer and were wondering.


The difference between the Catholic Church and Protestant Churches is that Catholics accept what Jesus said, and don't try to change it.[/quote]

The difference between the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant churches is that Catholics progressively changed what Jesus taught--or replaced it--and Protestants corrected that trend and restored the Biblical faith.

 

[Root of Jesse]

With respect, I don't think that makes sense. I didn't say that there are different truths, only different perceptions. You think X is the truth and 2/3 of Americans think Y is the truth, so telling us what yours is doesn't really accomplish anything--unless we didn't know your answer and were wondering.


The difference between the Catholic Church and Protestant Churches is that Catholics accept what Jesus said, and don't try to change it.

The difference between the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant churches is that Catholics progressively changed what Jesus taught--or replaced it--and Protestants corrected that trend and restored the Biblical faith.

So, tell me, if everyone knows what Catholics believe, how come so many get it wrong? And why did the OP ask?

Next, prove that the Catholic Church changed anything of what Jesus said.

And finally answer this question, please: How many Churches did Christ institute?

 

[Albion]

So, tell me, if everyone knows what Catholics believe, how come so many get it wrong? And why did the OP ask?

Two things. I was speaking of your desire to testify rather than discuss, not just about the topic of this thread. Second, you weren't speaking to the question of the thread; if you had been, I wouldn't have commented as I did.

Next, prove that the Catholic Church changed anything of what Jesus said.

That's easily done, but I have already explained the problem (above) with wasting my time doing that.

And finally answer this question, please: How many Churches did Christ institute?

One, but it is not to be identified solely with any of the many divisions that have come from it--whether you prefer to call them denominations, communions, fellowships, or whatever.

 

[Root of Jesse]

Two things. I was speaking of your desire to testify rather than discuss, not just about the topic of this thread. Second, you weren't speaking to the question of the thread; if you had been, I wouldn't have commented as I did.

That's your opinion, Albion. I stated the difference.

That's easily done, but I have already explained the problem (above) with wasting my time doing that.

And yet you've never shown anything the Catholic Church has done to change what Christ did or said...just like Berkeley liberals, who don't invite people to their parties because we disagree with their views...

One, but it is not to be identified solely with any of the many divisions that have come from it--whether you prefer to call them denominations, communions, fellowships, or whatever.

Finally, you got one right. If you had stopped after the first word. The One Church Christ created was the Universal Christian Church, otherwise known as the Catholic (a greek word) Christian Church, which we took Christ at his word that the Holy Spirit would protect it from error, so on. Why don't we call the EO and everything else what they are? Branches of the Catholic Church.
Also, let's remember that it's the branches that refuse to come back to the fullness of Truth. The Catholic Church considers all Christians as bretheren, Catholic or not. It's the Protestants who consider themselves not part of the Church, the one Church Christ created...

 

[Albion]

The Catholic Church considers all Christians as bretheren, Catholic or not. It's the Protestants who consider themselves not part of the Church, the one Church Christ created...

Just plain nonsense.

 

[steve_bakr]

That's your opinion, Albion. I stated the difference.

Finally, you got one right. If you had stopped after the first word. The One Church Christ created was the Universal Christian Church, otherwise known as the Catholic (a greek word) Christian Church, which we took Christ at his word that the Holy Spirit would protect it from error, so on. Why don't we call the EO and everything else what they are? Branches of the Catholic Church.
Also, let's remember that it's the branches that refuse to come back to the fullness of Truth. The Catholic Church considers all Christians as bretheren, Catholic or not. It's the Protestants who consider themselves not part of the Church, the one Church Christ created...

Those who find their experience of grace and meaning in other churches are not expected to leave them, according to Catholic theologian Karl Rahner.

So, what is your beef with Protestants born 500 years after the Reformation? They ARE our brothers and sisters. So, what's the deal?

 

[Root of Jesse]

Those who find their experience of grace and meaning in other churches are not expected to leave them, according to Catholic theologian Karl Rahner.

So, what is your beef with Protestants born 500 years after the Reformation? They ARE our brothers and sisters. So, what's the deal?

I don't have a beef with them, at all, breing the only Catholic in my family, they all being Baptist.
But when they, or Catholics, for that matter, mischaracterize the Catholic faith, I have to try to correct them, as gently as I can, at least to correct the misperceptions. Michael Coren has written a beautiful book which does just that. It helps a great deal for people of good will to understand the truth of Catholicism.