Do Catholics think Protestants are Christians?

[chris_molter]

I am sure someone will correct me if i am wrong but i have heard that the catholic church teaches their is no salvation outside the Catholic church.

That’s correct, however, the teaching isn’t black and white. All those who are validly Baptized are joined to the Catholic Church (however imperfectly). It’s similar to what some Orthodox say: “We can say with certainty where the Church IS but not where the Church ISN’T”.

The Church has condemned the narrow interpretation of “Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus” (Outside the Church There Is No Salvation) defended by Fr Leonard Feeney. Fr Feeney claimed that one MUST be a part of the visible Catholic Church to be saved.

This is not what the Church teaches.

The Bible says their is no salvation outside of Christ.

Ah, but what is the Church but the Body of Christ?

I did some research on do Catholics think protestants are Christians this morning and it seems church is split on this issue God bless Deb

The Church is quite clear that it considers all those with valid baptisms to be Christians. See the excerpt from the Catechism above.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

So lets say (and this is true) I left the church at 15 after baptism, 1st communion, and confirmation. How does that figure into it?

It depends. Were you truly knowledgeable about the Faith? Had you read through and **understood **not only the entire Catechism, but also the history of Catholicism itself? Read Aquinas and the Early Church Fathers? Come from a home where you actually lived the Faith and your parents instructed you from birth? Did you, knowing that the Church was the One True Church, still decide as an adult that even so, for various other reasons, you ‘preferred’ a nonCatholic Church?

It is highly unlikely that at age 15 you had had an ‘adult’ understanding of the Faith–and not only an understanding but an adult PRACTICE as well. It is also highly unlikely that with those things you ALSO thoroughly acknowledged that the Church was the true church but that even so, you didn’t want any part of it.

Therefore, it seems highly unlikely that you had the ‘full knowledge’ or the ‘full rejection of the Faith’ that would make you a heretic. It seems unlikely that if you came to the realization that Catholicism was the True Faith that you would not decide to ‘come back’.

So unless you’re going to tell us that you had the education of Aquinas at 15, the continual practices of the Faith of St. Benedict or St. Francis, and yet you chose to separate yourself from the Faith anyway and, knowing it is True, you still refuse to be Catholic. . . we’re going to say that you probably are not culpable or fully culpable for your decision to leave. . .though it was still an error and you’re welcome home anytime!

 

[I_am_Me]

That’s correct, however, the teaching isn’t black and white. All those who are validly Baptized are joined to the Catholic Church (however imperfectly). It’s similar to what some Orthodox say: “We can say with certainty where the Church IS but not where the Church ISN’T”.

The Church has condemned the narrow interpretation of “Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus” (Outside the Church There Is No Salvation) defended by Fr Leonard Feeney. Fr Feeney claimed that one MUST be a part of the visible Catholic Church to be saved It may not teach it now but at one one time it did.One of your Popes said that there is no salvation out side the Catholic church. I am a member of the body of Christ as i am a believer.

Ah, but what is the Church but the Body of Christ?

The Church is quite clear that it considers all those with valid baptisms to be Christians. See the excerpt from the Catechism above.

 

[I_am_Me]

Sorry that did not come out right.

 

[sambos671]

It depends. Were you truly knowledgeable about the Faith? Had you read through and **understood **not only the entire Catechism, but also the history of Catholicism itself? Read Aquinas and the Early Church Fathers? Come from a home where you actually lived the Faith and your parents instructed you from birth? Did you, knowing that the Church was the One True Church, still decide as an adult that even so, for various other reasons, you ‘preferred’ a nonCatholic Church?

It is highly unlikely that at age 15 you had had an ‘adult’ understanding of the Faith–and not only an understanding but an adult PRACTICE as well. It is also highly unlikely that with those things you ALSO thoroughly acknowledged that the Church was the true church but that even so, you didn’t want any part of it.

Therefore, it seems highly unlikely that you had the ‘full knowledge’ or the ‘full rejection of the Faith’ that would make you a heretic. It seems unlikely that if you came to the realization that Catholicism was the True Faith that you would not decide to ‘come back’.

So unless you’re going to tell us that you had the education of Aquinas at 15, the continual practices of the Faith of St. Benedict or St. Francis, and yet you chose to separate yourself from the Faith anyway and, knowing it is True, you still refuse to be Catholic. . . we’re going to say that you probably are not culpable or fully culpable for your decision to leave. . .though it was still an error and you’re welcome home anytime!

What Catholic (lay person that is) has? Of course not.

 

[chris_molter]

What Catholic (lay person that is) has? Of course not.

Actually I’d think quite a few laypeople have a better grasp of things than many of the clergy! But your point still stands and makes mine for me:

It’s rare that someone who leaves the Church is fully culpable for doing so.

 

[theoprofessor]

Tantum_ergo:
Bravo for quoting the CCC. So many of the postings are unnecessary if only the posters would read the CCC.

 

[po18guy]

I am sure someone will correct me if i am wrong but i have heard that the catholic church teaches their is no salvation outside the Catholic church. The Bible says their is no salvation outside of Christ. I did some research on do Catholics think protestants are Christians this morning and it seems church is split on this issue God bless Deb

It does. However, if you are validly baptized, you are considered a separated sister in Christ.

Christ’s peace.

 

[sambos671]

Actually I’d think quite a few laypeople have a better grasp of things than many of the clergy! But your point still stands and makes mine for me:

It’s rare that someone who leaves the Church is fully culpable for doing so.

In fact, I think you’re right. If I had known then what I know now I probably would not have left. And I still don’t have the education of Aquinas though I’ve read his Summa of the Summa. And I’m not as disciplined as Bernadette. Though I’m a lot more so now than I was then.

 

[I_am_Me]

It does. However, if you are validly baptized, you are considered a separated sister in Christ.

Christ’s peace./QUOT I am not separated From Christ in the least. How could i be when his Holy spirit is inside me God bless Deb

 

[po18guy]

I am not separated From Christ in the least. How could i be when his Holy spirit is inside me God bless Deb

You may have separated the bible from the God-given authority that wrote, assembled and canonized it. Without that authority, there would be no bible. If so, you are in a certain (greater or lesser) degree separated from Christ’s body, which is the church. Christ remains the head of the church and we are His Body. This separation is a tragedy, no matter how comfortable we each may feel in our faith. Christ called us to be one. Breaking up into thousands of separated and disagreeing “non-denominations” is not following Christ’s fervent prayer to the Father.

The demon divides. Only the Holy Spirit unites.

 

[Through_Him]

Here is an article on assurance of salvation.

catholic.com/library/assurance_of_salvation.asp

from this rock. Note there is many scripture verses in it.

 

[Hajnalcsillag]

Does the bible say this?
No it does not! Think of the thief on the Cross. What did he do to be saved? He said Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom What did Jesus say to him? Today you will be with me in paradise. I may call on God anytime and believe me he comes! God bless Debbie

You’re not telling me anything new. I’m anti-denominational.

 

[po18guy]

You’re not telling me anything new. I’m anti-denominational.

Spoken like a good Catholic!

 

[eucharisteo]

I thought since we have asked the reverse, why not ask it this way? Ought to make for interesting conversation, but let us please keep it decent!

Of course not…

 

[eucharisteo]

po18guy;4300574:

It does. However, if you are validly baptized, you are considered a separated sister in Christ.

Christ’s peace.[/QUOT I am not separated From Christ in the least. How could i be when his Holy spirit is inside me God bless Deb

Separate Brother and Sister…from the Catholic Church…the Church of Christ. The Church teaches - simply put - that Protestants are connected to the Church, however, imperfectly connected. somethingn like that.

[/quote]

 

[eucharisteo]

Of course not…

Just kidding…

 

[phelen]

I was Baptised by a Protestant nurse in a state Hosiptal. The church had no problem with it. Yes, Catholic’s should know Protesants are Christians.

“I am not dying I am entering Eternal Life!”
St. Therese

 

[Maxply]

Yes. Protestants are Christians.

 

[KingAlfred]

I thought since we have asked the reverse, why not ask it this way? Ought to make for interesting conversation, but let us please keep it decent!

I do. Strangely enough, I’ve always been intrigued by Luther’s story, and at one time considered becoming a Lutheran. My focus is on discipleship. Whomever truly struggles to be a disciple of Christ has my respect. My standard is high, however. The authentic disciple subordinates his every action to the imitation of Christ. Just saying, “I’m a Christian”, isn’t enough.