Why I hate being labeled a "Protestant"

[duh_hikki_zealot]

Honestly speaking, if the God and the BIBLE are the foundation of faith... What's the difference if you're an Episcoplain, a Baptist, uhm.. an Evangelical, etc.

"Denominations" are just to further create gaps in the body of Christ.

 

[Monica02]

Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the work of the Holy Spirit is the foundation of the faith. Since the Catholic Church (ie those in full communion with the Vatican) is the only church with all three then "denomination" is very important. I suppose if you do not consider Sacred Tradition important then it would not matter what church you belong to.

 

[RevJoshua]

I belive that people shouldn't be labled by their denomination. Because if you think about it we are all trying to get to the same thing (Jesus Christ and Heaven) in the end. Some people would rather have incense and chants to make them feel like they are worshiping and other people believe that they don't need that. I think we should all put our denominations aside and do what really matters......Praise OUR Heavenly Father!!!!

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the work of the Holy Spirit is the foundation of the faith. Since the Catholic Church (ie those in full communion with the Vatican) is the only church with all three then "denomination" is very important. I suppose if you do not consider Sacred Tradition important then it would not matter what church you belong to.

It is not the only with all three. It just depends on what Holy Tadition you follow. This is primarily where the divisions arise; not so much with the other two areas.

 

[Monica02]

Bizzlebin,

There are several Bibles out there. The Protestant one has seven less books than the Catholic one. I am not sure about the Orthodox Bible. Any help on the Orthodox BIble would be appreciated. As for Sacred Tradition, my understanding is that most non-Catholic or Orthodox Christian faith traditions do not acknowledge anything but the Scriptures as their sole rule of faith. Either a church is in cmmunion with Rome or it isn't. If a church is not in communion with Rome it cannnot possibly have the Teaching Authority of the Church. I suppose it could be argued that each individual pastor or churchgoer is their own teaching authority and they themselves would determine what they feel is tradition.

 

[Father Rick]

Bizzlebin,

There are several Bibles out there. The Protestant one has seven less books than the Catholic one. I am not sure about the Orthodox Bible. Any help on the Orthodox BIble would be appreciated. As for Sacred Tradition, my understanding is that most non-Catholic or Orthodox Christian faith traditions do not acknowledge anything but the Scriptures as their sole rule of faith. Either a church is in cmmunion with Rome or it isn't. If a church is not in communion with Rome it cannnot possibly have the Teaching Authority of the Church. I suppose it could be argued that each individual pastor or churchgoer is their own teaching authority and they themselves would determine what they feel is tradition.

A couple of issues here...

... The Orthodox, the Anglicans and the Old Catholics ALL hold to Tradition, as well as valid apostolic succession. All accept the canonical as well as the deuterocanonical books as valid. None of these are in communion with Rome.

The Orthodox would argue that they are actually the ones with Teaching Authority as the Roman Church (1 of the 5 apostolic sees) seperated from the the Orthodox Church (4 of the 5 apostolic sees) by 'illegally' adding to the creeds outside of Ecumenical Council.

 

[happyinhisgrace]

Bizzlebin,

There are several Bibles out there. The Protestant one has seven less books than the Catholic one. I am not sure about the Orthodox Bible. Any help on the Orthodox BIble would be appreciated. As for Sacred Tradition, my understanding is that most non-Catholic or Orthodox Christian faith traditions do not acknowledge anything but the Scriptures as their sole rule of faith. Either a church is in cmmunion with Rome or it isn't. If a church is not in communion with Rome it cannnot possibly have the Teaching Authority of the Church. I suppose it could be argued that each individual pastor or churchgoer is their own teaching authority and they themselves would determine what they feel is tradition.

I don't know any Christians who feel they are "their own authority" but rather that Jesus is their authority and the Holy Spriit of God that lives within them. When we come to Jesus, we surrender our will to the will of God and we no longer live for ourselves but we live for the Spirit of God who lives within us.

 

[Celticflower]

Personally I view the question of labels this way--I am a Christian first and a Methodist second. Methodist just refers to the way in which I express and grow in my faith. It does not mean that it is the best way or the only way, but the one that speaks to my soul and helps me to grow. It doesn't matter to me if you are Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran or non-denom as long as you are true to the core beliefs we have in common and are not arrogant about how "great" your particular group is.


Celtie

 

[Lynn73]

If a church is not in communion with Rome it cannnot possibly have the Teaching Authority of the Church.

You seem to forget that Christ's true church doesn't just consist of the official Catholic church. A church doesn't have to be in communion with Rome to have teaching authority. The truth of the Bible gives mature Christian's in Christ's universal church the authority to teach imho.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Bizzlebin,

There are several Bibles out there. The Protestant one has seven less books than the Catholic one. I am not sure about the Orthodox Bible. Any help on the Orthodox BIble would be appreciated. As for Sacred Tradition, my understanding is that most non-Catholic or Orthodox Christian faith traditions do not acknowledge anything but the Scriptures as their sole rule of faith. Either a church is in cmmunion with Rome or it isn't. If a church is not in communion with Rome it cannnot possibly have the Teaching Authority of the Church. I suppose it could be argued that each individual pastor or churchgoer is their own teaching authority and they themselves would determine what they feel is tradition.

Their Bible could have more or less books than yours, but it does not change the message. And, where an any Bible does it say one needs to be in communion with Rome? We have the New Testament, which is in fact much of the tradition of the church. Also, we have writings of early church fathers. I will agree that some churches totally disregard these, but many non Catholic churches try to follow the correct tradition, though it may not be from Rome itself.

 

[BronxBriar]

Deleted by me

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

Yes, that's why I prefer the Christian icon even though I know of at least one or two orthers that would be applicable. "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." Acts 11:26

That is true, also the Christian bishop in Antioch around the year 110 AD is on record that the way to tell "real" Christians is they are called Catholic and that they are in unity with the Bishop:

"Let no one do anything of concern to the Church without the bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop or by one whom he ordains [i.e., a presbyter]. Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church" (Bishop Ignatius of Antioch Letter to the Smyrneans 8:2 [A.D. 110]).

So even in the year 110 AD the term Christian Church and Catholic Church were synonymous with one another.

I'm not trying to debate, just want to add to the conversation

 

[BronxBriar]

Post deleted by me.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

I hope not too!!

 

[Crispie]

lol

 

[WashedClean]

ROFL Well you convinced me, shown me the error of my ways! I'm coming back to the one true church! The fullness of the Faith! I'm running to confession and holy communion! Then when I sin again, confess again, and again, and again....Hope I don't get hit by a bus on my way!

 

[Monica02]

ROFL Well you convinced me, shown me the error of my ways! I'm coming back to the one true church! The fullness of the Faith! I'm running to confession and holy communion! Then when I sin again, confess again, and again, and again....Hope I don't get hit by a bus on my way!

I hope you don't get hit by a bus either. In case you do you will be happy to know that intent to go to confession and true contrition is acceptable if you really con't get there (i.e. - you end up in an ambulance on the way.) The Church has been given the wonderful gift of the sacrament of annointing of the sick for just these times. You may have to make a detour through Purgatory on your journey but , thankfully, you will have al lthe prayers of the faithful for the fathful departed working on your behalf. All those wonderful prayers from the angels and saints ., especially the Blessed Virgin Mary. Prayers at all of the Holy Masses all over the Earth. Lets not forget all of the indulgences that have been acumulated and offered in your behalf.

Hoe wonderful that Holy Mother Church has all of these sacraments and gifts tho help souls get to Heaven.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Do you have a scripture that supports purgatory by chance?

 

[happyinhisgrace]

I hope you don't get hit by a bus either. In case you do you will be happy to know that intent to go to confession and true contrition is acceptable if you really con't get there (i.e. - you end up in an ambulance on the way.) The Church has been given the wonderful gift of the sacrament of annointing of the sick for just these times. You may have to make a detour through Purgatory on your journey but , thankfully, you will have al lthe prayers of the faithful for the fathful departed working on your behalf. All those wonderful prayers from the angels and saints ., especially the Blessed Virgin Mary. Prayers at all of the Holy Masses all over the Earth. Lets not forget all of the indulgences that have been acumulated and offered in your behalf.

Hoe wonderful that Holy Mother Church has all of these sacraments and gifts tho help souls get to Heaven.

The only "thing" that gets souls to Heaven, is Jesus.

 

[Lynn73]

The only "thing" that gets souls to Heaven, is Jesus.

Amen!

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