Catholicism and Protestantism?

[DestinyMarkov]

Forgive me if this is in the wrong category, lol.

I grew up in a Protestant type church, though it was non-denominational. I’ve attended mass, also Calvary Chapel, Presbyterian, and Lutheran Sunday services. I’m aware of some of the problems that Protestants have with certain aspects of the Catholic faith (although to be fair, I think most of their complaints are of the ancient sort that are no longer an issue such as indulgences and relics, but I could be wrong…).

But I’m curious what your side of the argument is? What are some of the problems you have with Protestants? Though I’d like to say up front, I do not consider Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, or other such religions to be Protestant, so I won’t try and defend them either way lol

This is just an honest inquiry, and I’m not out looking for a fight. It’s all in love people <33 Any criticisms you may have could be 100% valid, I’d just like to know what they are =)

 

[franny50]

I am not an expert on catholic/protestant relations,but I know there are some differences in doctrine.For catholics,they believe the eucharist actually becomes the body and blood of Christ,where in the protestant churches(or in some churches)they believe it’s more symbolic.In the catholic church,there are seven sacraments,But in some of the protestant churches,they only consider baptism and communion to be sacraments.And of course the biggest difference is the catholic churches belief in apostolic succession,believing that every pope is the successor of Peter.

 

[DestinyMarkov]

I’m aware of those things… do you know where any of those beliefs are backed up by scripture? Especially the idea that during communion, it becomes the actual blood and body of Christ. That one always got me scratching my head…

 

[RedDawgMCM]

[BIBLEDRB]John 6:32-70[/BIBLEDRB]

[BIBLEDRB]1 Cor. 11:23-29[/BIBLEDRB]

Those are just for starters

I’m aware of those things… do you know where any of those beliefs are backed up by scripture? Especially the idea that during communion, it becomes the actual blood and body of Christ. That one always got me scratching my head…

 

[LSIP]

Forgive me if this is in the wrong category, lol.

I grew up in a Protestant type church, though it was non-denominational. I’ve attended mass, also Calvary Chapel, Presbyterian, and Lutheran Sunday services. I’m aware of some of the problems that Protestants have with certain aspects of the Catholic faith (although to be fair, I think most of their complaints are of the ancient sort that are no longer an issue such as indulgences and relics, but I could be wrong…).

But I’m curious what your side of the argument is? What are some of the problems you have with Protestants? Though I’d like to say up front, I do not consider Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, or other such religions to be Protestant, so I won’t try and defend them either way lol

This is just an honest inquiry, and I’m not out looking for a fight. It’s all in love people <33 Any criticisms you may have could be 100% valid, I’d just like to know what they are =)

I’ve been attending a protestant type church for about 15 years and have not heard any member of the clergy or congregation say anything negative about the RCC. Our church is very active in many ministries from habitat for humanity, feeding/clothing the poor, providing job counseling/family aide to unemployed homeless and started a hospital in Kenya. Multiple bible study and faith building classes are available throughout the year. I’ve heard comments about “mega churches” on this website, and I would presume, ours falls in line with the label.

I too, am curious as you are and I have been watching youtube videos by an organization out of Detroit, Michigan called “Real Catholic TV.” (Michael Voris is the representative) I’m learning a lot about the internal struggles as well as RCC doctrine. You may be interested in checking it out, the videos are about 2 to 5 minutes and Mr. Voris gives straight forward commentary.

 

[LDNCatholic]

Though I’d like to say up front, I do not consider Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, or other such religions to be Protestant

Neither do Catholics. They have not received a Trinitarian baptism and so are generally (converts from Christianity aside) not considered Christians.

I cannot really generalise as Protestants run the gamut from High Church Anglicans who try (and sometimes succeed) to out Catholic the Catholics, all the way to ‘non denominational’ Christians, the various denominations of which are a category in themselves.

 

[Georgia]

There is one thing that really bothers me and it bothered me even when I was Protestant. That thing is sheep stealing, the practice of trying to lead people from the RCC into another Christian faith tradition.

My old independent Fundamentalist KJV-only church poured lots of missionary money into getting people, as the put it, “out of Rome”. I have no doubt that it still does. If they were evangelizing those who are not Christian, I would wish them all the best. In this case, I don’t.

 

[cooterhein]

There is one thing that really bothers me and it bothered me even when I was Protestant. That thing is sheep stealing, the practice of trying to lead people from the RCC into another Christian faith tradition.

Did you find it particularly offensive because they lacked a catchy rhyme scheme like “Home to Rome”?

 

[Eric_Hilbert]

Adult and appropriate discussion please.
Thank you

 

[franny50]

I wanted to correct something I said earlier.Some protestants including the Lutherans,actually believe that communion is the body and blood of Christ.

 

[Link0126]

Justification is another one. Catholics believe faith + works, and protestants mainly believe in faith alone. Also sanctification, catholics believe we are made righteous by God, protestants think we are simply declared righteous by God.

 

[hn160]

Justification is another one. Catholics believe faith + works, and protestants mainly believe in faith alone. Also sanctification, catholics believe we are made righteous by God, protestants think we are simply declared righteous by God.

The Calvinist also think like Catholics in that it is faith + works in that it is how is their walk with the Lord, Christ done His part 99%, now the Calvinist say that their walk is their 1% that they have to do. Lutherans on the other hand say that Christ did it all on the cross, all that we have to do is to believe in Christ and our good works will follow to serve our fellowman.

 

[Izdaari]

There is one thing that really bothers me and it bothered me even when I was Protestant. That thing is sheep stealing, the practice of trying to lead people from the RCC into another Christian faith tradition.

My old independent Fundamentalist KJV-only church poured lots of missionary money into getting people, as the put it, “out of Rome”. I have no doubt that it still does. If they were evangelizing those who are not Christian, I would wish them all the best. In this case, I don’t.

This Protestant has an issue with that too. I don’t understand wasting missionary effort into making people who are already Christians into “our kind” of Christians, when there are still so many people out there in the world who’ve never heard the gospel at all. That applies whether it’s Protestants trying win converts from Catholics, or Orthodox, or whether it’s the other way 'round, i.e. Catholics trying to convince Protestants to join them, as happens so much here.

 

[Link0126]

The Calvinist also think like Catholics in that it is faith + works in that it is how is their walk with the Lord, Christ done His part 99%, now the Calvinist say that their walk is their 1% that they have to do. Lutherans on the other hand say that Christ did it all on the cross, all that we have to do is to believe in Christ and our good works will follow to serve our fellowman.

I always thought the Calvinists are all about not having to do anything, even 1% b/c they believe in predestination. And some believe in double pre-destination. They also believe in OSAS and total depravity. So, I don’t think they believe in the 1% contribution. But maybe there are some that do…

 

[hn160]

I always thought the Calvinists are all about not having to do anything, even 1% b/c they believe in predestination. And some believe in double pre-destination. They also believe in OSAS and total depravity. So, I don’t think they believe in the 1% contribution. But maybe there are some that do…

The percent is a figure of speech, a lot of Evangelicals worry about their walk in Christ and if they are doing enough. Anyway that you cut it, it is still a work. They also believe in double predestination, whether or not they are saved. You could go to church all your life, but they don’t if God predestined them for Heaven or Hell. For them it is eat, drink and be merry, for you may go to Heaven or Hell, only God knows.

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

But I’m curious what your side of the argument is? What are some of the problems you have with Protestants?

Hello DM and welcome to the forums. I personally do not have any problems with Protestants. So much so that I married one (though she is no longer Protestant). My differences with Protestantism though comes from my own study and beliefs. As far as what those differences are, it would vary greatly depending on what denomination you are talking about.

God bless

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

I am not an expert on catholic/protestant relations,but I know there are some differences in doctrine.For catholics,they believe the eucharist actually becomes the body and blood of Christ,where in the protestant churches(or in some churches)they believe it’s more symbolic.

Keep studying. I think you will be surprised by what some Protestants believe

God bless

 

[Incomplete]

I’m aware of those things… do you know where any of those beliefs are backed up by scripture? Especially the idea that during communion, it becomes the actual blood and body of Christ. That one always got me scratching my head…

As another poster stated, I also have no problems with Protestants, but there are things about Protestanism that I don’t understand.

For example, Protestants think they can interpret Scripture with the help of the Holy Spirit, that all individuals can do this. That is a big problem for me, because it seems so obvious that if this were true, all who pray and believe would come to the same conclusions.

I quote the above statement because that is just one place where thinking you can interpret Scripture with no help makes no sense. You scratch your head over the Real Presence in the Eucharist; Catholics see it in many places in Scripture. Catholics see it very clearly. Early Christians saw it clearly. Some Protestants do as well.

That’s a pretty important issue. If the Holy Spirit was truly leading us as individuals, it seems that all who love God, who pray and do their best to serve God, would come to the same conclusion on this.

 

[ESMDHokie77]

Authority, Eucharist, Salvation, Works, Faith, Scripture… These words summarize the big gaps in unity.

 

[manualman]

Generalizing about Protestants generally makes for a heap of trouble and hard feelings.

But one universal criticism I have of them is their seeming idea that the Bible is the sole foundation of the faith. It doesn’t seem to occur to them that christianity was hundreds of years old before the successors of the apostles authoritatively divided the inspired books and letters from the uninspired ones.

When people ask “Where is the Scriptural basis for the Real Presence in the Eucharist?” they betray their ignorance that christians already believed that (well documented historically) for a couple hundred years before the canon of Scripture was defined.