Do we really want another 500 years of division between Catholics and Protestants?

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joe370 said:
I sincerely ask, and I am speaking in terms of doctrinal truth only (all Christians, regardless of denomination and doctrine, should always possess an abiding Christ-like love for one another):

Any idea how this progressive process might start, considering the fact that the Protestant’s authority will always be sacred scripture (as opposed to church leadership) and the Catholic’s authority will always be the church leadership, based on sacred tradition and sacred scripture? 🙂
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We have to first understand and respect each other’s differences. Nobody was around 500 years ago when the Protestant Reformation occurred. Progress starts by facing the reality that three branches of Christianity have three difference understanding of final authority, and simply acknowledge that Protestants understand the process of salvation differently than Catholics and Orthodox Christians. However, we all agree that it is by grace alone which flows from the person and work of Christ that we are Christian family. We cannot expect that each of the major branches will come around to the other person’s view of authorityor agree with the process of salvation, Heck, the Orthodox and Catholic Church have been divided on the issue of authority longer than Protestants. Has it been 1,700 years of division between the east and the west since the Great Schism? I think it is crazy to have another 500 years of this kind of division. I agree, 1 Cor 13 is key to unity.
 
Christian_Unity said:
We have to first understand and respect each other’s differences. Nobody was around 500 years ago when the Protestant Reformation occurred. Progress starts by facing the reality that three branches of Christianity have three difference understanding of final authority, and simply acknowledge that Protestants understand the process of salvation differently than Catholics and Orthodox Christians. However, we all agree that it is by grace alone which flows from the person and work of Christ that we are Christian family. We cannot expect that each of the major branches will come around to the other person’s view of authority. Heck, the Orthodox and Catholic Church have been divided on the issue of authority longer than Protestants. Has it been 1,700 years of division between the east and the west since the Great Schism?
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I agree totally. The problem is that many many people are not broad minded enough to realize what you pointed out. No . . . no one was around 500 years ago. And of course the Great Schism. This of course makes me extremely skeptical whether any kind of reconciliation, real reconciliation will ever happen. I for one think that is human nature to find differences between one and another . . . and a human frailty. My humble opinion is that the Pope is the only person that can help bring together Catholicism and Protestantism. And I certainly hope this happens.
 
XRU said:
I agree totally. The problem is that many many people are not broad minded enough to realize what you pointed out. No . . . no one was around 500 years ago. And of course the Great Schism. This of course makes me extremely skeptical whether any kind of reconciliation, real reconciliation will ever happen. I for one think that is human nature to find differences between one and another . . . and a human frailty. My humble opinion is that the Pope is the only person that can help bring together Catholicism and Protestantism. And I certainly hope this happens.
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http://www.newevangelicalism.com/images/billy_graham_and_pope_john_paul.jpg

Maybe you are right.
 
Christian Unity;10123455]We have to first understand and respect each other’s differences. Nobody was around 500 years ago when the Protestant Reformation occurred.
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Agreed. 👍
Progress starts by facing the reality that three branches of Christianity have three difference understanding of final authority, and simply acknowledge that Protestants understand the process of salvation differently than Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
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👍
However, we all agree that it is by grace alone which flows from the person and work of Christ that we are Christian family.
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👍
We cannot expect that each of the major branches will come around to the other person’s view of authorityor agree with the process of salvation, Heck, the Orthodox and Catholic Church have been divided on the issue of authority longer than Protestants. Has it been 1,700 years of division between the east and the west since the Great Schism? I think it is crazy to have another 500 years of this kind of division. I agree, 1 Cor 13 is key to unity.
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Agreed, which is why I asked (I really don’t know) - in terms of doctrinal truth only (all Christians, regardless of denomination and doctrine, should always possess an abiding Christ-like love for one another):

Any idea how this progressive process might start (once everyone first understands and respects each others differences) considering the fact that the Protestant’s authority will always be sacred scripture (as opposed to church leadership) and the Catholic’s authority will always be the church leadership, based on sacred tradition and sacred scripture?
 
joe370 said:
Agreed. 👍

👍
👍

Agreed, which is why I asked (I really don’t know) - in terms of doctrinal truth only (all Christians, regardless of denomination and doctrine, should always possess an abiding Christ-like love for one another):

Any idea how this progressive process might start (once everyone first understands and respects each others differences) considering the fact that the Protestant’s authority will always be sacred scripture (as opposed to church leadership) and the Catholic’s authority will always be the church leadership, based on sacred tradition and sacred scripture?
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It has already started in our generation. Google… Evangelicals and Catholics Together 1 and Evangelicals and Catholics Together 2. These documents were developed in 1994 and 1996. The Joint Declaration on Justification between Catholics and Lutherans also indicates that this progressive process started. Maybe we are simply continuing what was started here on Catholic Answers Forums? I don’t think the issue of final authority will be resolved on this side of glory.
 
Christian_Unity said:
It has already started in our generation. Google… Evangelicals and Catholics Together 1 and Evangelicals and Catholics Together 2. These documents were developed in 1994 and 1996. The Joint Declaration on Justification between Catholics and Lutherans also indicates that this progressive process started. Maybe we are simply continuing what was started here on Catholic Answers Forums? I don’t think the issue of final authority will be resolved on this side of glory.
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In terms of doctrine, did anyone (Evangelicals and Catholics Together 1 and Evangelicals and Catholics Together) involved compromise?

I agree with you: I too don’t think the issue of final authority will be resolved on this side of glory.
 
XRU said:
I can ask you with equal conviction who you are to judge me.
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No, I did not judge you at all. I am sorry if it came across that way. I was simply asking a question.
XRU said:
BTW, get real. We all make decisions based on a complicated system of reason and rationals as to what and who we will believe. Just because some great theologian talks trash, if he talks trash, I should believe him? Your statement makes me think you appeal to authority. Not something I’m fond of . . .but different strokes for different stroke.
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Hmmm… OK then.
XRU said:
Have a good day.
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Have a blessed day to you.
XRU said:
Oops have to edit . . . sorry. Didn’t see a question. I don’t dislike this thread perse . . . sorry if I gave this impression. What I dislike is Catholics, Protestants, and other religions being snarky toward each other. There are better things to do than moan about the differences between Catholics and Protestants. We’ve had our wars. Time to come together.
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OK, granted. I agree on the snarky part. I just thought the issue of being different and disunity is real in Christianity and I think it is a valid topic to be discussed. Without knowing the differences and addressing them, then how can we be able to come together? We can’t unless we accept those differences, address them or at least understand them.
XRU said:
BTW, I don’t NOT like the OP just some of the comments. Also, I do have a fairly high opinion of the Catholic Church . . . certainly a higher opinion than I do of the Calvinists, lol. Just a small joke there.
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Thanks for the clarification.

God bless.
 
Christian_Unity said:
We have to first understand and respect each other’s differences. Nobody was around 500 years ago when the Protestant Reformation occurred. Progress starts by facing the reality that three branches of Christianity have three difference understanding of final authority, and simply acknowledge that Protestants understand the process of salvation differently than Catholics and Orthodox Christians. However, we all agree that it is by grace alone which flows from the person and work of Christ that we are Christian family. We cannot expect that each of the major branches will come around to the other person’s view of authorityor agree with the process of salvation, Heck, the Orthodox and Catholic Church have been divided on the issue of authority longer than Protestants. Has it been 1,700 years of division between the east and the west since the Great Schism? I think it is crazy to have another 500 years of this kind of division. I agree, 1 Cor 13 is key to unity.
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CU,

While you speak of 3 branches of Christianity as if they are distinct they are not…there are two that have hierarchal authority and the 3rd that has no organization whatsoever. This gamish of Protestant thought is at one end of the Spectrum…

Anglican that at many and various times have returned en masse to the OHCAC…

and then there are the varied strip malls that preach who knows what…

Then you have John Hagee, Dispensationalist, once preaching That Catholics were a cult and the Whore of Babylon…and now he does not…

The problem that you have is that the Reformed/Presbyterian branch within this mismash represents such a small number of adherents in the world and only 2.7% of the US poplulation in 1990…

adherents.com/rel_USA.html#families

Presbyterian 4,985,000 2.7%

Your voice is a minority as it regards who speaks for Protestants…

These groups outnumber you and you don’t speak for Baptists, Methodists or Lutherans…

Baptist 33,964,000 16.3%
Methodist/Wesleyan 14,174,000 799 6.8%
Lutheran 9,110,000 189 4.6%
 
joe370 said:
I sincerely ask, and I am speaking in terms of doctrinal truth only (all Christians, regardless of denomination and doctrine, should always possess an abiding Christ-like love for one another):

Any idea how this progressive process might start, considering the fact that the Protestant’s authority will always be sacred scripture (as opposed to church leadership) and the Catholic’s authority will always be the church leadership, based on sacred tradition and sacred scripture? 🙂
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Joe,

How is it that Anglicans en masse or individually enter the OHCAC?
 
Christian_Unity said:
In a call for unity with the entire body of Christ, we are all united to Christ in one body in reality, but not in spirit of attitude and belief. I am not asking to be in union with the Catholic Church. **Can you please explain why the CCC calls me separated brethren in Christ? **In my understanding of Scripture, our vital union with Christ is everything. There is no reference in Scripture which makes a requirement to be a member of a particular church, branch, or denomination to be in the body of Christ.
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CU,

I answered this for you in Post #83…

Here it is spelled out for you…
SEPARATED BRETHREN
email printAll Christians who are baptized and believe in Christ but are not professed Catholics. More commonly the term is applied to Protestants.
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Here it is now spelled out…
 
Christian_Unity said:
It has already started in our generation. Google… Evangelicals and Catholics Together 1 and Evangelicals and Catholics Together 2. These documents were developed in 1994 and 1996. The Joint Declaration on Justification between Catholics and Lutherans also indicates that this progressive process started. Maybe we are simply continuing what was started here on Catholic Answers Forums? I don’t think the issue of final authority will be resolved on this side of glory.
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Hope this works out 'cause I’d really like to see the Catholics and Protestants come to an agreement.
 
joe370 said:
In terms of doctrine, did anyone (Evangelicals and Catholics Together 1 and Evangelicals and Catholics Together) involved compromise?

I agree with you: I too don’t think the issue of final authority will be resolved on this side of glory.
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There were Catholic leaders and Evangelical leaders who were for it. There were Catholic leaders and Evangelicals leaders who were against it. From a Protestant perspective, those Evangelical leaders who opposed it believed the documents only comprised the Protestant side of things… believing it was a sellout of the Reformation. In both camps, you will find militants who oppose any kind of unity… unwilling to compromise an inch.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelicals_and_Catholics_Together

firstthings.com/article/2007/01/evangelicals–catholics-together-the-christian-mission-in-the-third-millennium-2
 
Christian_Unity said:
There were Catholic leaders and Evangelical leaders who were for it. There were Catholic leaders and Evangelicals leaders who were against it. From a Protestant perspective, those Evangelical leaders who opposed it believed the documents only comprised the Protestant side of things… believing it was a sellout of the Reformation. In both camps, you will find militants who oppose any kind of unity… unwilling to compromise an inch.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelicals_and_Catholics_Together

firstthings.com/article/2007/01/evangelicals–catholics-together-the-christian-mission-in-the-third-millennium-2
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Sadly, that is what I thought…I pray for unity all of the time. Most of my family is anti-catholic, and I mean anti… not non-catholic.
 
CopticChristian said:
Joe,

Embrace the truths of Divine Revelation in it’s entirety, not cherry picking, cafeteria style.👍
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Unity doesn’t mean you have to give up your beliefs. It is more about understanding and respecting the other camps beliefs, yet holding on to your own theological distinctive which makes you Catholic, or whatever Christian circle you identify with. I’ve seen pictures of Civil Rights marching with Catholics and Protestants side by side. I think John 17 is not so much about social issues unity, but rather it is unity about the gospel and the Christian message to the unbelieving world.
 
Christian_Unity said:
Unity doesn’t mean you have to give up your beliefs. It is more about understanding and respecting the other camps beliefs, yet holding on to your own theological distinctive which makes you Catholic, or whatever Christian circle you identify with. I’ve seen pictures of Civil Rights marching with Catholics and Protestants side by side. I think John 17 is not so much about social issues unity, but rather it is unity about the gospel and the Christian message to the unbelieving world.
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True, however, one couldn’t reject something like the sacrifice of the Mass and expect to be welcomed into the church with open arms; you know what I mean? 🙂
 
joe370 said:
Sadly, that is what I thought…I pray for unity all of the time. Most of my family is anti-catholic, and I mean anti… not non-catholic.
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Do they attend an independent Baptist Church? Some Protestants and some Catholics are way too narrow.
 
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