Are Catholics different than Christians?

[wisdomseeker]

My wife has a friend who say she is, “a Catholic, not a Christian.” I always believed that Catholics and Protestants were both Christian denominations. Can you enlighten me? I was born Baptist and know little about Catholic beliefs.

I think the name Catholic is meant to identify the True Church since so many then just like today were calling themselves Christians and causing confusion among the people.
I cant remember where i read but one of the Fathers of the Church make very clear to us that when we into a town to seek the Catholic Church. The Name, very important to differenciate this One Church as the True Church.

 

[catmom50]

No worries, you were far from my toes. I grew up with a lot of anti-Catholic sentiment, and could probably list for you every major argument against Catholicism that exists in the Protestant world. I am ashamed to confess that once bought into that.

Glad I was far from your toes!!! We’re ALL Christian!! Said my piece…

 

[Curious_Seed]

My wife has a friend who say she is, “a Catholic, not a Christian.” I always believed that Catholics and Protestants were both Christian denominations. Can you enlighten me? I was born Baptist and know little about Catholic beliefs.

A Christian is a follower of Christ, whether he/she participates in Church or not.

A Catholic is a member of the Catholic Church.

Obviously, these two definitions intersect with each other, whereby one is both Christian and Catholic.

 

[wisdomseeker]

A Christian is a follower of Christ, whether he/she participates in Church or not.

A Catholic is a member of the Catholic Church.

Obviously, these two definitions intersect with each other, whereby one is both Christian and Catholic.

Not so according to Christ. Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He also says, if you have a problem with thy brother, take it to the Church, if he refuses to listen to the Church, treat him as a tax collector, an anathema. We cannot take you to the Church because according to you the Church has no authority over you.
Ponder on this.

 

[Curious_Seed]

Not so according to Christ. Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He also says, if you have a problem with thy brother, take it to the Church, if he refuses to listen to the Church, treat him as a tax collector, an anathema. We cannot take you to the Church because according to you the Church has no authority over you.
Ponder on this.

Not everyone who claims to follow Christ is truthful, in the claim, and will not be accepted by Christ come judgement: this person never was a Christian.

Members of the Church can be removed; Jesus outlined the process, if the cause be so grievous.

But one who follows Christ is a Christian, independent of membership in the Church.

Can one become a believer in Christ, though not a member of the Church?

Can a missionary convert pagans to Christianity, with no Church in sight?

Can one pray to God, though not a member of the Church?

 

[PbloPicasso]

A Christian is a follower of Christ, whether he/she participates in Church or not.

A Catholic is a member of the Catholic Church.

Obviously, these two definitions intersect with each other, whereby one is both Christian and Catholic.

Catholic - to be Catholic is to believe in all that Christ teaches, or fully Christian.

Christian - once interchangeable with Catholic, now means someone that has some sort of belief in Christ, no matter how watered down. It is no longer assumed they are full believers in all that Christ passed on to us in the early Christian Church. Today, all one needs to say is “I’m a Christian, and depending on who hears it depends on if they qualify for using the term”. The irony is that those that have stripped the truth down to bare bones don’t even recognize true Christianity, i.e., the beliefs Jesus wants us to believe, those of the one holy catholic and apostolic church.

 

[thomas_jd]

The word Christian developed to differentiate Catholics (Christians) from the Jews!

 

[Belcher05]

i was born anglican and married into the catholic faith. I have since met many protestants that basically believe that we do not even worship jesus. I do not think its a label issue as much as a mis informed statement. Our faith is beautiful-we are structured and are one of the only denominations that give praise to our lord jesus with true reverance and respect

 

[confusedius]

Not so according to Christ. Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He also says, if you have a problem with thy brother, take it to the Church, if he refuses to listen to the Church, treat him as a tax collector, an anathema. We cannot take you to the Church because according to you the Church has no authority over you.
Ponder on this.

While pondering, Matthew 7:13-14 comes to mind:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

James

 

[Eric_Hilbert]

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Careful now…

 

[wisdomseeker]

Jesus tought the Apostles only ,then send them to go out and teach all He tought. Then, the Church begin. This One Church is the only One commanded by Christ to teach all men. others came along after the Bible. so, anyone using the Bible can claim authority for themselves to teach, but Christ only found One Holy Church. This One Church the protection of God to teach only the Truth so we will be led in the Truth of our Lord. ponder on this. those who picks up the Bible today cannot know what Jesus really meant by what He said but the Church does.

 

[confusedius]

Not so according to Christ. Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He also says, if you have a problem with thy brother, take it to the Church, if he refuses to listen to the Church, treat him as a tax collector, an anathema. We cannot take you to the Church because according to you the Church has no authority over you.
Ponder on this.

While pondering, include Matthew 7: 13-14 …

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

James

 

[wisdomseeker]

While pondering, include Matthew 7: 13-14 …

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

James

Jesus said that but you dont really know what that means, do you?

 

[confusedius]

Jesus said that but you dont really know what that means, do you?

I understand that is your position. It is still a good ponder…

James

 

[wisdomseeker]

I understand that is your position. It is still a good ponder…

James

What position? i just wonder if you understand what Jesus meant? but you did not answer. It is not enough to just repeat what is in Sacred Scriptures.

 

[confusedius]

What position? i just wonder if you understand what Jesus meant? but you did not answer. It is not enough to just repeat what is in Sacred Scriptures.

This position:

“ponder on this. those who picks up the Bible today cannot know what Jesus really meant by what He said but the Church does.”

James

 

[guanophore]

A Christian is a follower of Christ, whether he/she participates in Church or not.

A Catholic is a member of the Catholic Church.

Obviously, these two definitions intersect with each other, whereby one is both Christian and Catholic.

This appears to reflect a false dichotomy. There is no separation between Christ, and His One Body, the Church. If one is “in Christ”, then one is also a member of his Body, the Church. One cannot be a follower of Christ and not "participate’ in His Church.

 

[guanophore]

:thumbsup:

Not everyone who claims to follow Christ is truthful, in the claim, and will not be accepted by Christ come judgement: this person never was a Christian.

Members of the Church can be removed; Jesus outlined the process, if the cause be so grievous.

Persons who commite such grievous sins have already separated themselves from the Church. They are no longer “in Christ”. They have fallen from grace, and their end is near to being burned.

But one who follows Christ is a Christian, independent of membership in the Church.

This is a false statement that reflects a deficient understanding of the nature of the Church. There is no separation between Christ and His Church. It is not possible to follow him “independent of membership in the Church”. The two are one and the same.

Can one become a believer in Christ, though not a member of the Church?

Yes, but once a person is baptized, one is made a member of the body.

Can a missionary convert pagans to Christianity, with no Church in sight?

An authorized missionary is acting as a representative of the Church.

**

Curious_Seed:
Can one pray to God, though not a member of the Church?**

Yes, of course. Not all who pray to God are saved.

 

[Curious_Seed]

Can one become a believer in Christ, though not a member of the Church? - **Curious Seed **

Yes, . . . but . . . once a person is baptized, one is made a member of the body. - guanophore

I agree with your . . . yes.