Differences between Catholic and Protestant

[teresa_mrg]

I’m a Catholic. A new Catholic actually, I’ve just been baptized for 2 years.
Sometimes I don’t understand why we have so many differences with Protestant beliefs. We both believe in God and Jesus Christ, read the same Bible (except several chapters Protestants don’t have), and pray similar prayers. Then how could there be so many differences?

Can anyone tell me some points on differences between Catholic and Protestant which have always been a long never ending debates between the 2 religions? Including bible verses interpretations, beliefs, traditions, etc.

Thanks

 

[CMatt25]

I’m a Catholic. A new Catholic actually, I’ve just been baptized for 2 years.
Sometimes I don’t understand why we have so many differences with Protestant beliefs. We both believe in God and Jesus Christ, read the same Bible (except several chapters Protestants don’t have), and pray similar prayers. Then how could there be so many differences?

Can anyone tell me some points on differences between Catholic and Protestant which have always been a long never ending debates between the 2 religions? Including bible verses interpretations, beliefs, traditions, etc.

Thanks

teresa_mrg, welcome. I understand why the differences. I just don’t understand why we can’t emphasize the things we agree on. We are all Christians, Catholics and Protestants alike. But the Pope is a huge one. How Matthew is interpreted. Whether Christ found His Church upon Peter or upon Peter’s statement of faith when he said, Christ was the Son of God. Whether Peter being given keys is more than all the disciples being given the power to bind and loose. Whether Communion is literally the physical body and blood of Christ, can only be consecrated thru Roman Catholic priests or whether Christ is present in spirit but not bodily form, or if the elements represent Christ. Whether “eat” in Jn 6 means to actually eat or whether it means to believe in Christ. THat is at least a start. God bless you on your walk. Peace.

 

[aspirant]

Then how could there be so many differences?

Very different approaches.

It’s worth noting, before you get too far into this conversation, that Protestantism is not monolithic. Far from it. The doctrine and practice of Episcopalians is quite different from Baptists, the doctrine and practice of Lutherans is quite different from the Assemblies of God, the doctrines of Presbyterians are in many ways irreconcilable with those of Methodists, etc.

 

[CMatt25]

I might add to my small list, infallibility of the Church in faith and morals and whether the Church might have needed reformed by Christ along the way to keep the gates of hell from prevailing.

 

[CMatt25]

Very different approaches.

It’s worth noting, before you get too far into this conversation, that Protestantism is not monolithic. Far from it. The doctrine and practice of Episcopalians is quite different from Baptists, the doctrine and practice of Lutherans is quite different from the Assemblies of God, the doctrines of Presbyterians are in many ways irreconcilable with those of Methodists, etc.

And yet there are Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and others so irreconcilable that they share communion with each other. Go figure.

 

[Rolltide]

One big difference is the Protestant belief in Faith in the Bible Alone (Sola Scriptura).

Now I’m generalizing here, but for most Protestants, if a particular belief cannot be explicitly demonstrated from the Bible, it must not be used. For Catholics, as long as a particular belief does not explicitly contradict the Bible, AND it’s a belief that dates from the early church, then it may be used. Catholics use Sacred Tradition alongside the Bible, and consider the Bible to simply be an inerrant record of oral tradition. Other oral tradition was not written down, and supplements it.

Protestants do not believe in praying to saints or Mary, as they believe prayer should only be directed toward God. Most Protestants do not believe in the Immaculate Conception or that Mary remained a virgin after the birth of Jesus. Protestants also do not believe in Purgatory, and so believe that even if you did pray for the dead, it would have no effect.

Many Protestants believe in “Once Saved, Always Saved”. Catholics believe that while salvation is a free gift from God, it is possible to reject it and lose salvation if one commits a serious enough sin. One can then only be made right with God through the forgiveness received through Confession OR an Act of Perfect Contrition.

Most Protestants only believe in two sacraments - Baptism and Communion. Catholics believe in seven. Protestants do not believe a human intermediary is necessary for Confession.

Protestants have seven fewer books in their Old Testament. They believe that the dueterocanonical books (what they call the Apocrypha) are good for reading and are of interest to scholars, but are NOT inspired. However, those books tend to support some Catholic doctrines, like praying for the dead and purgatory.

Most Protestants, with a few notable exceptions, do not believe in the Real Presence of the Eucharist. They see Communion as symbolic only. Most Protestants see no need for a formal priesthood, and make the sermon, rather than Communion, the focus of their worship.

I think it goes without saying that Protestant denominations reject the universal authority of the pope.

There are plenty of other differences, but these would be among the most significant and divisive.

 

[CMatt25]

Most Protestants, with a few notable exceptions, do not believe in the Real Presence of the Eucharist. They see Communion as symbolic only. Most Protestants see no need for a formal priesthood, and make the sermon, rather than Communion, the focus of their worship.

I know you said most but just want to point out many believe in at least a Real Presence in spirit if not physical body. Some even believe in the physical body present. And Lutherans, Anglicans, Disciples of Christ, I think at least some Methodists (though not 100% sure about them), and perhaps others have weekly Communion.

 

[aspirant]

And yet there are Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and others so irreconcilable that they share communion with each other. Go figure.

They have a different theology of communion than Catholic & Orthodox Christians do. It doesn’t make their doctrines more compatible with one another.

 

[Jean_1958]

Hi teresa_mrg,

Welcome to the faith and CAF!

May I ask what your background was prior to becoming Catholic?

Jean

 

[teresa_mrg]

Thanks all for the responses! they’re good information to improve my knowledge.
Rolltide, thanks for the complete enough explanation.

Jean1958,
here’s my background
my other family members are Buddhist (as we are Chinese although we live in another country). but i go to a Catholic primary school, junior high school, and high school. I’ve had the Catholic faith since i was in the primary school, but maybe God hasn’t called me then, because it felt like i was never ready to be baptized that time.
finally i made up my mind, i felt ready, and received the baptism on dec 07. i really feel like finding my “home”!
my family are still Buddhist, but they don’t have any problems with my Catholic belief, as long as i be a good person

 

[CMatt25]

They have a different theology of communion than Catholic & Orthodox Christians do. It doesn’t make their doctrines more compatible with one another.

Well seems they’re more compatible when it comes to communion if they shsre with other Christians. Even the Episcopal and Lutheran (ELCA) churches believing in a physical Real Presence share with those who do not. But however you want to describe compatibility is fine with me.

 

[CMatt25]

teresa, your family makes a lot of sense. Being a “good person” is at the heart of Christ. Love God and each other is what He taught. I hope it all works out for you. Do trust God to lead you and your boyfriend. God bless you both!

 

[teresa_mrg]

teresa, your family makes a lot of sense. Being a “good person” is at the heart of Christ. Love God and each other is what He taught. I hope it all works out for you. Do trust God to lead you and your boyfriend. God bless you both!

thanks CMatt25! God bless you too!

the last part of my previous message was deleted (misclicked) and i can’t edit it again.
so here i re-post it…

and now here’s the reason behind this question…
i have a Protestant boyfriend. he’s fine with my Catholic faith. his family are fine as well, for now. they have many Catholic friends as well, and other religions friends.
if we want to get married, my boyfriend has no problem at all with me being a Catholic, but his family want me to have the same faith with their son, Protestant.
but i don’t want to give up this easily. i want to struggle for my Catholic faith. i want to learn more and more about Catholicism and Protestantism. i want to try, in a good way, to open their eyes and their hearts, to make them accept me along with my Catholic faith.
And then the final result, is up to God. i will follow His will, i believe that whatever it is, it’s good for me. At least now i should try with all i have, all i can!

and additional information, my boyfriend’s parents are not just ordinary Protestants, they are big Protestant pastors. this is what makes my struggle more difficult, but i believe if it is God’s will, nothing is impossible!

 

[aspirant]

Well seems they’re more compatible when it comes to communion if they shsre with other Christians.

Two people don’t have to believe compatible doctrines about how one may be saved in order to share a “communion” they both have a rather low view of (compared to Catholics & Orthodox). If you’re Baptist, for example, what do you care who eats the crackers?

Even the Episcopal and Lutheran (ELCA) churches believing in a physical Real Presence share with those who do not.

Lutherans are a great example. They only believe this presence is communicated to the faithful. Because the unfaithful cannot receive it, but only bread, Lutherans have no problem sharing with others.

 

[4Squarebaby]

thanks CMatt25! God bless you too!

i have a Protestant boyfriend. he’s fine with my Catholic faith. his family are fine as well, for now. they have many Catholic friends as well, and other religions friends.
if we want to get married, my boyfriend has no problem at all with me being a Catholic, but his family want me to have the same faith with their son, Protestant.
but i don’t want to give up this easily. i want to struggle for my Catholic faith. i want to learn more and more about Catholicism and Protestantism. i want to try, in a good way, to open their eyes and their hearts, to make them accept me along with my Catholic faith.
And then the final result, is up to God. i will follow His will, i believe that whatever it is, it’s good for me. At least now i should try with all i have, all i can!

and additional information, my boyfriend’s parents are not just ordinary Protestants, they are big Protestant pastors. this is what makes my struggle more difficult, but i believe if it is God’s will, nothing is impossible!

Do you know with whom the parents affiliate? For example a mainline Protestant, evangelic, Baptist, Pentecostal or better yet a specific denomination. Do you know if they believe in the Trinity or are they INC, JW, Oneness, LDS…?

Just being pastors does not in itself make them super, as in my way is the only way.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I’m a Catholic. A new Catholic actually, I’ve just been baptized for 2 years.
Sometimes I don’t understand why we have so many differences with Protestant beliefs. We both believe in God and Jesus Christ, read the same Bible (except several chapters Protestants don’t have), and pray similar prayers. Then how could there be so many differences?

Can anyone tell me some points on differences between Catholic and Protestant which have always been a long never ending debates between the 2 religions? Including bible verses interpretations, beliefs, traditions, etc.

Thanks

Apparently something is wrong. dont you think?
the Jews believed in God just like Jesus did, but to Jesus what they believed wasnt good enough. to Jesus there was much more to understand about God than the Jews wanted to accept. well, you know how that went.

today, we have the Church telling us there is much more to know about God just like Jesus said 2000 yrs ago. the problem is some people are satisfied with what they know about God and Christ and dont want to be bother to know more. there is much more to understand about God but many still rejects htis knowledge. but the Church will continue her pilgrimage on earth until her Master comes. teaching all who have ears to hear until the end.

Peace.

 

[CMatt25]

Two people don’t have to believe compatible doctrines about how one may be saved in order to share a “communion” they both have a rather low view of (compared to Catholics & Orthodox). If you’re Baptist, for example, what do you care who eats the crackers?

I’d probably care more that people aren’t turned away from Christ but that’s me.

 

[distracted]

one problem i’ve noticed is that evne protestants who say they don’t belive in OSAS

LIVE as though they really do… and so they really do believe it…

even Catholics live as though OSAS is true…

they act like they can do and say whatever— to whomever (Christ’s followers) – and yet God will look the other way because they go to Church and/or do other christian-like things…

it seems to me that people who believe osas do NOT know the Bible half as well as they think they do. there is nothing there that would indicate osas is even remotely true…

if we are in Christ and sin, we will be forgiven but only if we repent ASAP… and repentance means never wanting to do the thing again… & trying not to…

and the HOly Spirit shows us just how wrong certain things are… so it seems there is no excuse for this kind of belief…

i just dont’ get it… why anyone would believe such an unbiblical thing…

 

[teresa_mrg]

Do you know with whom the parents affiliate? For example a mainline Protestant, evangelic, Baptist, Pentecostal or better yet a specific denomination. Do you know if they believe in the Trinity or are they INC, JW, Oneness, LDS…?

Just being pastors does not in itself make them super, as in my way is the only way.

they are Charismatics Protestants.
they believe that husband and wife must be ONE faith, according to Eph 4:4-5

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

I see faith in God and Jesus Christ as one faith, whatever the religion is, Catholic or Protestant. but his parents say that one faith must be one and the same religion.

 

[aspirant]

I see faith in God and Jesus Christ as one faith… Catholic or Protestant. but his parents say that one faith must be one and the same

He’s welcome to become Catholic, then. Come on home!