Catholic vs Protestant Spirituality: Lets compare faith walks

[Michael16]

When you apply Sola Scriptura to Catholicism an interesting thing happens.

You start to see that Sacred Tradition and Church teaching lines up exactly with Sacred Scripture.

 

[Michael16]

Going strictly by the Bible was key to my conversion. I saw the truth of Sacred Tradition and Church teaching just by simple plain reading of Scripture alone.

 

[TULIPed]

The Protestant argument is that Catholic Teaching is absent from the Bible. That is why they have discarded Sacred Tradition and stick to the Bible alone.

Not all CT or ST. In fact, for Reformed Christians, we agree on way more than we disagree on in my opinion.

 

[Michael16]

How so, TULIPed?

 

[TULIPed]

The Apostles and Nicene Creeds are part of Catholic Teaching, no?

The church calendar would be considered part of either Catholic Teaching and/or Sacred Tradition I think?

Up until recently, mainline Reformed churches used the same lectionary as the Catholic Church. The “high church” liturgy was largely similar.

This is an excerpt from a great book on prayer by a Protestant author (“Prayer” by Richard Foster):

“After the rigor and struggle of Saint Augustine, you may want to turn to the joyous simplicity of The Little Flowers of St. Francis. Join Francis, in adoration of God, the Creator of all things, by singing his “Canticle of the Sun,” with its celebration of Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Brother Wind and Sister Water. Enjoy the marvelous stories of Brother Bernard and Sister Clare, of Brother Masseo and, my favorite, Brother Juniper. Marvel at the wisdom and good sense in the “Sayings of Brother Giles.” To one who was near despair at his dysfunctional behavior, Giles advises, “You do right in grieving for your sin. However, I advise you to grieve moderately. For you must always believe that God’s power to forgive is greater than your power to sin.”

And this is just the start for Reformed Protestants. Anglicans (also Protestant) go much, much deeper.

Generalizations are always fraught with peril. This is especially true with “Protestants” - whatever that means…

 

[Michael16]

True. Generalizations are drought with perils and misunderstandings. Your quotation from the book above blew my mind.

 

[Michael16]

But, here’s my thing: What I have seen, with my own experience; is that in some ways the different non Catholic traditions can often end up doing rather Catholic things in practice.

Like for instance: Even though in Lutheran tradition works are unnecessary, from a salvation point of view; Lutherans end up doing faith and works type stuff.

 

[TULIPed]

But, here’s my thing: What I have seen, with my own experience; is that in some ways the different non Catholic traditions can often end up doing rather Catholic things in practice.

Like go to church every Sunday - even when it’s raining or we’re on vacation. Or tithe - no kidding 10% of gross income - or more. Or go on mission trips, and bible studies and small groups, etc. etc.

Yes. We do all those things. Just like Catholics.

And yes, there are a whole bunch of Protestants on Protestant websites that would foam at the mouth about writing that Catholics and Protestants are similar in any way. They would say that all of you are heretics and papists and lost.

I say if you love and serve Jesus, you’re my brother or sister, and let’s get to work taking care of the least of these. We don’t do it because we have to - we do it because we love our King and we’re thankful for what he did for us.

And with that, I’m off to hit golf balls (and enjoy God’s creation - at least as long as I keep the ball in play)…

 

[Wannano]

But, here’s my thing: What I have seen, with my own experience; is that in some ways the different non Catholic traditions can often end up doing rather Catholic things in practice.

Like for instance: Even though in Lutheran tradition works are unnecessary, from a salvation point of view; Lutherans end up doing faith and works type stuff.

I don’t think most non-Catholics who are doing “faith and works type stuff” serving mankind in the name of Christ as result of having received salvation, are conciously aware that they are doing “Catholic things in practice.”

 

[Michael16]

How to explain my point…

The basics of my point is this: Even though you guys believe Sola Fide, you guys end up doing good works. Which pretty much is faith and works in practice; even though your theory is faith alone.

It’s kind of like your theory maintains a certain distinction; but in practice, you end up looking like us.

When you look at American popular culture, there are references to being good in order to get to Heaven. Like the popular song from the 1950s, and I’ll quote the pertinent lyrics: “ My baby’s in heaven, so I got to be good… “ and my own family looks at whether or not is a person is good or bad, even grading between levels of evil; and then adjudicates whether or not that person goes to heaven or hell.

If you look at Sola Fide, literally; such thinking in the popular culture is non sense.

 

[Michael16]

The basic point being Wannano, is that non Catholic theory makes a certain distinction but you guys often end up doing good works in practice. Thus, you guys end up looking like us. Like you guys are arriving at our point but from another angle.

 

[Wannano]

So if we arrive at your plateau and even look like you, are we still inferior or are we equal in God’s eyes?

 

[Michael16]

Tell you what:

That’s a question that’s going to require some unpacking and contemplation to answer you. Plus, my sons just woke up. I’ll get back to you later. Fair?

 

[Wannano]

No problem!

 

[Justin_Mary]

I say if you love and serve Jesus, you’re my brother or sister, and let’s get to work taking care of the least of these. We don’t do it because we have to - we do it because we love our King and we’re thankful for what he did for us.

It’s reading stuff like this that has me questioning Catholic teaching. How can someone come to this realization outside the Church?

What is missing?

 

[De_Maria]

The Apostles and Nicene Creeds are part of Catholic Teaching, no?

Yes. But you don’t consider them the Word of God, do you?

The church calendar would be considered part of either Catholic Teaching and/or Sacred Tradition I think?
Up until recently, mainline Reformed churches used the same lectionary as the Catholic Church. The “high church” liturgy was largely similar…And this is just the start for Reformed Protestants. Anglicans (also Protestant) go much, much deeper.

But you don’t worship Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, do you?

Generalizations are always fraught with peril. This is especially true with “Protestants” - whatever that means…

In the case of Protestants, all we can do is generalize. About the only thing that keeps you guys together is your opposition to the Catholic Church. Correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[Wannano]

To me you are totally wrong. How much glue exists between different kinds of non-Catholics has nothing at all to do with the level of opposition to the CC each might have. That is my experience anyway. In fact it might be the reverse of what you think, for guys like Steven Anderson I could barely lick a stamp!

 

[De_Maria]

It’s reading stuff like this that has me questioning Catholic teaching.

Did you not come to this realization when this is explicitly taught by the Catholic Church? That is peculiar. Or what are you questioning?

 

[De_Maria]

To me you are totally wrong. How much glue exists between different kinds of non-Catholics has nothing at all to do with the level of opposition to the CC each might have. That is my experience anyway. In fact it might be the reverse of what you think, for guys like Steven Anderson I could barely lick a stamp!

They say the enemy of your enemy is your friend. How many times have you seen Protestants united against the Catholic Church?

 

[De_Maria]

And this is just the start for Reformed Protestants. Anglicans (also Protestant) go much, much deeper.

Generalizations are always fraught with peril. This is especially true with “Protestants” - whatever that means…

You used the word twice, then you ask what it means? You obviously have some idea. Or you wouldn’t classify Anglicans as Protestant.