Ask A Protestant

[grantklentzman1]

That is a great question. I think this is a situation where I just don’t know. Since the Bible does not say much from my knowledge about this issue, I think that I can’t give a good answer. Thanks for asking though.

 

[grantklentzman1]

I don’t believe that if you deny Jesus’ Lordship that you truly have trusted in Him as the savior. I think it would almost be insinuating that Jesus was imperfect and thus denying His sinlessness. Therefore, denying the deity of Jesus has strong consequences.

 

[grantklentzman1]

Jesus’ work on the cross was sufficient to be the sacrifice for every sin we’ll ever commit. I think the sufficiency of the cross extends to all sins because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for us.

 

[grantklentzman1]

I don’t think there is anything in the Baptist Theology itself that would lead someone to be judgmental. I’m not exactly sure why your family exhibits that type of behavior. I do want to say that I’m sorry that you’re going through this. I have had similar experiences for becoming protestant in a predominantly Catholic family. Obviously, that does not reflect the Catholic Church in any way and so I think it’s important not to hold it against other people.

 

[grantklentzman1]

Can we discuss this over personal messaging? It would help me out a lot considering all the threads.

 

[grantklentzman1]

I would say yes to the eucharist, but I’m not sure about the sacraments in general because I’m not exactly sure what you mean by that.

 

[CatholicLeanne]

Sure! I don’t know how the messaging system works but I’m sure I’ll figure it out haha.

 

[JonNC]

As a Protestant, I assume you believe in sola scriptura? If so, how do you reconcile that when the doctrine of sola scriptura is not in the Bible?

The problem with the term Protestant.
Sola scriptura is a principle of hermeneutics, not a doctrine, per se. Therefore, the fact that it isn’t explicit in scripture is irrelevant, since the principle of sola scriptura is to hold doctrine and teachings accountable to scripture as the final norm.

Also, where do you believe the canon of the Bible came from?

There is no reason to deny the fact that the Church, based on its scriptural authority to teach, determines how books are used. The ECFs held varying views, as do different traditions. For example, most Eastern Orthodox would hold 3 Macc as canonical. Virtually all western Christians do not.

I’ve just never heard a Protestant explain their belief on this.

Here is a Lutheran view.

 

[7_Sorrows]

@grantklentzman1

They were friends, not family members.

Thanks for your reply.

 

[missj0101]

Hi~

1. Do protestants not like icons/statues?
2. Why don’t protestants pray to the Virgin Mary?
3. Why don’t protestants do the sign of the cross?
4. Do protestants also fast or at least not eat meat on Fridays during Lent?
   Thanks

 

[stoplooklisten]

Jesus’ work on the cross was sufficient to be the sacrifice for every sin we’ll ever commit. I think the sufficiency of the cross extends to all sins because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for us.

…and the classic Catholic response quotes Col 1:24 and continues with the concept of redemptive suffering. See also Pope John Paul II’s Salvifici Doloris.
Link: Salvifici doloris - Wikipedia

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church. (Colossians 1:24).

See also this section of the Cathechism:

1521 Union with the passion of Christ. By the grace of this sacrament the sick person receives the strength and the gift of uniting himself more closely to Christ’s Passion: in a certain way he is consecrated to bear fruit by configuration to the Savior’s redemptive Passion. Suffering, a consequence of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus. (1535; 1499)

Catholic Church. (1997). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd Ed., p. 380). Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

The world is in crisis right now because people have been getting sick and dying from COVID-19. As Christ suffered and died, people continue to suffer and die. Their suffering can be a meaningful participation in Christ’s suffering and redemptive for others.

 

[JonNC]

Hi~

1. Do protestants not like icons/statues?
2. Why don’t protestants pray to the Virgin Mary?
3. Why don’t protestants do the sign of the cross?
4. Do protestants also fast or at least not eat meat on Fridays during Lent?
   Thanks

1). Iconography is not rejected by Lutherans
2). Lutherans believe that the Blessed Virgin and all the saints in heaven pray for us, but there is no command, promise, or example of invocation.
3) Lutherans often make the sign of the cross.
4). Fasting is an acceptable act of personal piety. Some do. Some don’t.

Regarding practice and doctrine, use of the term Protestant is folly.

 

[TULIPed]

• Do protestants not like icons/statues?
• Why don’t protestants pray to the Virgin Mary?
• Why don’t protestants do the sign of the cross?
• Do protestants also fast or at least not eat meat on Fridays during Lent?
  Thanks

1. Reformed Protestant theology has no issues one way or the other with icons and/or statues. I would say we see them more as art than anything else, and any art that brings one closer and/or points the way to Christ is beneficial. Of course the converse is true as well.
2. Reformed Protestants look primarily to the way Christ taught us to pray, and specifically to whom he taught us to pray. That said, I personally think the concept of intercessory prayer - and to whom such prayer is made, i.e. saints in the church triumphant vs. militant, is more of a cultural issue than a theological one.
3. Reformed Protestants don’t generally make the sign of the cross because it’s not an ingrained liturgical concept for us. Having said that, I have seen pastors make the sign of the cross over the elements during communion, and nobody would have any issues with anyone making the sign of the cross (at least in the Reformed churches I’ve been a part of).
4. Lent is an important liturgical season in Reformed theology. Some fast, some take part in other Lenten disciplines.

 

[stoplooklisten]

• Reformed Protestant theology has no issues one way or the other with icons and/or statues. I would say we see them more as art than anything else, and any art that brings one closer and/or points the way to Christ is beneficial. Of course the converse is true as well.
• Reformed Protestants look primarily to the way Christ taught us to pray, and specifically to whom he taught us to pray. That said, I personally think the concept of intercessory prayer - and to whom such prayer is made, i.e. saints in the church triumphant vs. militant, is more of a cultural issue than a theological one.
• Reformed Protestants don’t generally make the sign of the cross because it’s not an ingrained liturgical concept for us. Having said that, I have seen pastors make the sign of the cross over the elements during communion, and nobody would have any issues with anyone making the sign of the cross (at least in the Reformed churches I’ve been a part of).
• Lent is an important liturgical season in Reformed theology. Some fast, some take part in other Lenten disciplines.

Who defines what Reformed Protestant theology is and what it stands for? Is it R.C Sproul? Is it someone else? Some would have trouble with icons or statues. Prayer practices among the “reformed” would vary widely. Liturgical and fasting practices would vary widely.

 

[gazelam]

I don’t believe that if you deny Jesus’ Lordship that you truly have trusted in Him as the savior. I think it would almost be insinuating that Jesus was imperfect and thus denying His sinlessness. Therefore, denying the deity of Jesus has strong consequences.

I appreciate you keeping my question in mind and circling back with an answer. Take care and god bless…

 

[stoplooklisten]

Hello, Catholic Friends. I am trying to get better at answering questions and in particular questions that Catholics have about the Protestant worldview. It would really help if you asked me the questions you have and I’ll answer as best as I can. Note, some questions I might not be able to answer because they’re either too technical or it’s not my expertise. All I ask is that you be respectful and loving to me and I’ll do the same for you. Also, if you disagree, please know that it is never my intention to offend and I ask that you accept the fact that we may not see eye to eye on things. Thank you and I would love to hear your questions.

Does not Almighty God put people to trials and tests? Is not possible that the outcomes may vary?

In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Pe 1:6–7)

 

[TULIPed]

Who defines what Reformed Protestant theology is and what it stands for? Is it R.C Sproul? Is it someone else? Some would have trouble with icons or statues. Prayer practices among the “reformed” would vary widely. Liturgical and fasting practices would vary widely.

Hahahahaha - I had a good laugh at the R.C. Sproul reference. It’s a good and fair question though - what is “Reformed Theology”. Generally speaking, I would say that Reformed Christians would argue that when questions of theology arise, we go first to the inspired God-breathed word of God - the Bible. We are trained to use scripture to interpret scripture.

The next place we would go - in general - are the creeds and confessions. Interestingly, the Westminster Confession has precious little to say about icons and statues. The Helvetic confessions on the other hand are fairly opposed to such things - at least as they pertain to worship. Both confessions though would agree that the central focus of worship is to be Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Anything that might take our focus from Him is to be removed. Here’s a quote from the 2nd Helvetic Confession you might find interesting:

“EPIPHANIUS AND JEROME. We also assert that the blessed bishop Epiphanius did right when, finding on the doors of a church a veil on which was painted a picture supposedly of Christ or some saint, he ripped it down and took it away, because to see a picture of a man hanging in the Church of Christ was contrary to the authority of Scripture. Wherefore he charged that from henceforth no such veils, which were contrary to our religion, should be hung in the Church of Christ, and that rather such questionable things, unworthy of the Church of Christ and the faithful people, should be removed. Moreover, we approve of this opinion of St. Augustine concerning true religion: “Let not the worship of the works of men be a religion for us. For the artists themselves who make such things are better; yet we ought not to worship them” ( De Vera Religione, cap. 55).”

This at least gives you a flavor of what drives our thoughts on such things. And you’re right - there is a diversity of opinions on what is and isn’t appropriate in worship. (I’ve seen more than a thread or 2 about this very question on CAF as well btw, so I don’t think we’re alone on this… )

 

[stoplooklisten]

Anything that might take our focus from Him is to be removed.

Does this doctrine come an authoritative church council? Or, is it your own doctrine?

Did the Westminster Confession or Helvetic confessions come from an authoritative church council? It has been authentic church councils through the centuries that have settled doctrines like the canon of Scripture, the dual natures of Christ, the nature of the Trinity and more.

Having rejected the authority of the Catholic Church and Orthodox churches, did the Protestants establish an authority of their own that Almighty God somehow failed to establish in the first 15 centuries of the Christian era?

Q. What would establish an authoritative church council, confession, creed for Protestants today? A. It would need to be one where they had re-joined with Catholic and/or Orthodox churches.

 

[JonNC]

Having rejected the authority of the Catholic Church and Orthodox churches, did the Protestants establish an authority of their own that Almighty God somehow failed to establish in the first 15 centuries of the Christian era?

This is an interesting concept.
While not speaking for @TULIPed, the question seems to assume that both Catholic and Orthodox authorities are established by God, even though they are in schism for 1000 years now.
How can that be?
By what authority can the Bishop of Rome be in schism from Orthodox Bishops?
Or is it the reverse? And how do we know?

Q. What would establish an authoritative church council, confession, creed for Protestants today? A. It would need to be one where they had re-joined with Catholic and/or Orthodox churches.

If western communions were to decide to join one, which one is the right one? Both can’t be legitimate authority. They teach different things.

 

[TULIPed]

Does this doctrine come an authoritative church council? Or, is it your own doctrine?

If I may - I’ll include my entire quote for reference:

Both confessions though would agree that the central focus of worship is to be Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Anything that might take our focus from Him is to be removed.

I’d be curious to see what authoritative council would disagree with this? Thanks!