Why I hate being labeled a "Protestant"

[Crispie]

Arent any of you tired of being labeled a Protestant?(This mainly applys to Non-Denoms who believe they follow the original teachings of Christ, and follow what the original Church did) Wow, we have the original beliefs given by Jesus through the Apostles, yet we are called "Protestants to the original Catholic Church". We all know that the original church consisted of the united Body of Christ, consisting of no denominations, yet we allow people to label us as protesters of the Catholics in the means that we broke off from there Church, when in fact our origins lye at the beginning, before Catholicism. I dunno, thats just how I feel everytime some Catholic calls me a protestant with some manner of pity at me(in many cases), as though I am against the "True Church". Im sorry if anyone is offended by this, but that is just how I feel about it! Isnt anyone else tired of being labeled this?


(I dont consider Catholicism not Christian, nor am I trying to bash them, (I love catholics, have many catholic friends) just stating my opinion about this label given to me)

 

[WolfGate]

Really doesn't bother me - because I believe it has become more a name/label than a definition in almost everyone's eyes. Though if someone asks me about my faith, I do tell them I'm a "follower of Christ" and not "Protestant". But it doesn't bother me if someone uses that label.

Like many other words over time, the history of the meaning becomes less and less applicable or descriptive.

 

[benedictine]

I'm not non-denominational, but I know exactly how you feel. I'm Anglican, and we're not Protestant. We're not Catholic, either. But, most people put us there. (There is a discrepancy becouse the official title of the Episcopal Church is "The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America", though we're more Catholic than protestant. We didn't break off to protest Catholicism, we broke becouse the King of England wanted an annulment of his marrige, and the Pope said no. King Henry VIII, the king who brake with the Church, hated Martin Luther, and thought he was crazy. The King was also a supporter of the idea of Catholicism, just not the actual church itself.

---God's Peace

 

[Wisdom's Child]

Arent any of you tired of being labeled a Protestant?(This mainly applys to Non-Denoms who believe they follow the original teachings of Christ, and follow what the original Church did) Wow, we have the original beliefs given by Jesus through the Apostles, yet we are called "Protestants to the original Catholic Church". We all know that the original church consisted of the united Body of Christ, consisting of no denominations, yet we allow people to label us as protesters of the Catholics in the means that we broke off from there Church, when in fact our origins lye at the beginning, before Catholicism. I dunno, thats just how I feel everytime some Catholic calls me a protestant with some manner of pity at me(in many cases), as though I am against the "True Church". Im sorry if anyone is offended by this, but that is just how I feel about it! Isnt anyone else tired of being labeled this?


(I dont consider Catholicism not Christian, nor am I trying to bash them, (I love catholics, have many catholic friends) just stating my opinion about this label given to me)

Hmmm....
Not to be a nitpicker, but I think that going back and doing some reading about Church History is in order. Even though there are many that believe that Catholicism has drifted away from the True Path, I have never heard anyone seriously claim that they are not the Original.

But then again, There are the Baptists, and John the Baptist was technically around before the Apostles....

 

[Crispie]

Catholics werent the original Church, they came along, what was it, around a century after Christ died? The Catholic Church was never stated in the Bible, so we can pretty much refute that the Catholic Church was indeed the original Church.

 

[bravado]

If you know in your heart that you are at the right church, then why worry? I've attended many churches... Baptist, Methodist, Menonite, Catholic, et. al. We each attend church to praise God. Why should it matter at all?

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Hmmm....
Not to be a nitpicker, but I think that going back and doing some reading about Church History is in order. Even though there are many that believe that Catholicism has drifted away from the True Path, I have never heard anyone seriously claim that they are not the Original.

But then again, There are the Baptists, and John the Baptist was technically around before the Apostles....

Catholics were actually one of many early "denominations." Among others were Gnostics, Manichees, Nicolatians, etc. Each one trace back to the original. But none of them are the ONLY original group.

 

[DanielRB]

Arent any of you tired of being labeled a Protestant?(This mainly applys to Non-Denoms who believe they follow the original teachings of Christ, and follow what the original Church did) Wow, we have the original beliefs given by Jesus through the Apostles, yet we are called "Protestants to the original Catholic Church". We all know that the original church consisted of the united Body of Christ, consisting of no denominations, yet we allow people to label us as protesters of the Catholics in the means that we broke off from there Church, when in fact our origins lye at the beginning, before Catholicism. I dunno, thats just how I feel everytime some Catholic calls me a protestant with some manner of pity at me(in many cases), as though I am against the "True Church". Im sorry if anyone is offended by this, but that is just how I feel about it! Isnt anyone else tired of being labeled this?


(I dont consider Catholicism not Christian, nor am I trying to bash them, (I love catholics, have many catholic friends) just stating my opinion about this label given to me)

I understand your frustration with the label, Crispie. I prefer to just refer to myself as a Christian, though since I'm not a Catholic or Orthodox I'm automatically "protestant" by most people's understanding. It doesn't bother me too much, but I dislike labels other than the name of Christ.

In Christ,

Daniel

 

[DanielRB]

Catholics were actually one of many early "denominations." Among others were Gnostics, Manichees, Nicolatians, etc. Each one trace back to the original. But none of them are the ONLY original group.

Well said. Organic tracing back to the "original Church" IMO means little; faithfulness to the apostle's teachings is what counts. Most heresies are very ancient, but periodically get revived. Just because a modern non-orthodox person can point to ancient documents that support his or her theory, it doesn't mean that their teachings are true or "original"--especially if it rejects the plain meaning of the Scripture.

In Christ,

Daniel

 

[Father Rick]

Catholics werent the original Church, they came along, what was it, around a century after Christ died? The Catholic Church was never stated in the Bible, so we can pretty much refute that the Catholic Church was indeed the original Church.

Crispie--

I'm sure you mean well, but this is just not historically accurate.

The name 'catholic' did not come along for a while but 'catholic' just means universal. It was the same church that was there and had always been... but one of the church fathers made reference to the 'catholic church' (meaning the whole church everywhere) and it just stuck. At that time the Roman Catholic church ( in the West) and the Orthodox church (in the East) had not seperated yet. For another 1000 years, there was one catholic church (meaning everyone) then in 1054 the East and West split from each other. The Western half made the name 'Catholic' it's formal name saying that they were the 'true' universal church and the Eastern half made 'Orthodox' it's formal name stating that they had the 'true' doctrine. And the rest is history, as they say.

With the exception of Anglicans and Old Catholics, who seperated from the Roman Church at different times, ALL other denominations are descended from the Protestant Reformation with Luther. While you may not have personally protested your spiritual ancestors did.

It's kinda like the last name Smith. You may not be blacksmith, but someone in your family tree was at one time to get that name. Don't get hung up on it.

 

[Crispie]

Catholics were actually one of many early "denominations." Among others were Gnostics, Manichees, Nicolatians, etc. Each one trace back to the original. But none of them are the ONLY original group.

And remember, Catholicism wasnt the only Christian faith in the early years of the church, it was just the most common.

 

[Father Rick]

And remember, Catholicism wasnt the only Christian faith in the early years of the church, it was just the most common.

Crispie...

It's apparent that you are trying to take modern categories and force them onto an early church scenario. It just doesn't work.

'Catholics' were ANYONE who claimed to be Christian. They were all part of the early church. Even this heretical groups were considered Catholics-- albeit heretical Catholics-- and the heresies they presented were addressed in various church councils. If they were not part of the church, there would have been no need to even address the issues. Again remember 'catholic' simply means 'universal'. It was 1000 years before there were any divisions in the church and everyone who was a Christian was part of the universal (or catholic) church.

 

[Crispie]

Just because it means Universal DOESNT mean that everyone held the views of the Catholic Church. See what I mean?

 

[Lynn73]

Catholics werent the original Church, they came along, what was it, around a century after Christ died? The Catholic Church was never stated in the Bible, so we can pretty much refute that the Catholic Church was indeed the original Church.

Exactly. It kind of bothers me, also, to be considered separated from Christ's true church and labeled Protestant when, in fact, I know that I'm NOT separated from Christ's true church. I don't like being labeled "separated brethren" either because I'm not separated. And I agree with you the original church wasn't Catholic but were catholic containing all who came to faith in Christ. If the Catholic church was the original church, as she claims, why doesn't a reading of the Bible make everyone desire to join the Catholic church. Simply because it's not there. Good post, Crispie.

'Catholics' were ANYONE who claimed to be Christian.

The early beleivers' were called Christians, not Catholics.

 

[WashedClean]

I understand your frustration with the label, Crispie. I prefer to just refer to myself as a Christian, though since I'm not a Catholic or Orthodox I'm automatically "protestant" by most people's understanding. It doesn't bother me too much, but I dislike labels other than the name of Christ.

In Christ,

Daniel

Amen, you took the words right out of my mouth Daniel!

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

The early beleivers' were called Christians, not Catholics.

Actually, "disciples" and "believers" far predate the term "Christians"

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

It was 1000 years before there were any divisions in the church and everyone who was a Christian was part of the universal (or catholic) church.

Hmm, I would have to disagree. Even in the Bible, which is THE authority on the first church, talks of other "denominations" with seperate names.

 

[Crispie]

Whered you read about these "denominations" in the bible? Are you sure your not confusing them with different names of churchs?

 

[Svt4Him]

Actually the first denomination was Judaism, or what we now call Messianic Judaism. It's hard to debate with the RCC, as they believe their line goes back to Peter. Therefore it was the first true church, and, like said above, all held the 'correct belief' of the first true church. We who do not hold such a view, are protestants, in that we follow Martin Luther's beliefs, even if we have no idea what Martin Luther believed. Here is a great explanation:

In the early 1500s, a German monk named Martin Luther was so conscious of his sins that he spent up to six hours in the confessional. Through study of the Scriptures he found that salvation didn’t come through anything he did, but simply through trusting in the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ. He listed the contradictions between what the Scriptures said and what his church taught, and nailed his "95 Theses" to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. Martin Luther became the first to "protest" against the Roman church, and thus he became the father of the Protestant church.
Since that split, there have been many disagreements about how much water one should baptize with, how to sing what and why, who should govern who, etc., causing thousands of splinter groups. Many of these groups are convinced that they alone are right. These have become known as Protestant "denominations."

Despite the confusion, these churches subscribe to certain foundational beliefs such as the deity, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "The foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his" (2 Timothy 2:19). Thomas Jefferson once wrote of a preacher, Richard Mote, who "exclaimed aloud to his congregation that he did not believe there was a Quaker, Presbyterian, Methodist, or Baptist in heaven, having paused to give his hearers time to stare and to wonder. He added that, in heaven, God knew no distinctions."

From here

 

[Celticflower]

Actually, if we are true to our calling we should have no problem with being a protestant. Shouldn't we be actively protesting against injustice, the influences of evil in the world and anyone who tries to take our freedom to worship away?


It's all in how you choose to look at things.

Celtie