Is the word 'Protestant' really relevant today?

[Kal2012]

Yes! Protestant is very relevant!

I’ve been non-denominational, Baptist, ‘seeking’/church shopper, my family (traditionally) were Salvation Army. So,“Protestant” is just an easier way to describe my religious experiences w/out getting into the specifics about this denomination or this church or that church or where I went at this time in my life…it makes things simple.

When trying to explain complex things, the KISS rule is really the best…you know, “Keep It Simple, Stupid.” Protestant is the easiest and clearest way for me to define my religious background before becoming a Catholic.

When talking about theological and traditional differences among Christians, I try to be more specific and use Lutheran, Baptist, Catholic, etc., but my fallback position is Protestant.

I’ve always been Christian, but for me the labels “Protestant” and “Catholic” are very important to me since coming home to the True Church of Jesus Christ.

I’m not going to pretend that differences don’t exist because the term “Protestant” doesn’t make some people feel warm and fuzzy. I simply don’t care if people get offended by pointing out the truth.

Yes, I have empathy for people who are offended and I can say I’m sorry, but the fact remains, there are significant differences between our churches/ Catholics and non-Catholics. Building bridges and trying to make everyone feel good isn’t going to change that.

Humans have a natural tendency to classify groups with similar characteristics with a name. People like labels and try to put ‘like’ things together into categories.

People will just come up with another term to describe Catholic Christians and Non-Catholic Christians (NCC’s?) (i.e. Protestants) if the term “Protestant” isn’t used anymore.

I’ve been on both sides of this. Growing up, Catholic was the dirty word. Protestant was always “we aren’t Catholics and proud of it.” So, this idea that somehow Protestant is a “bad” or degrading term is just a bit over-the-top.

 

[Mike_Dye]

If someone is still protesting they are a protestant…so yes if someone is protesting the word is relevant. The big question is if the protests are calling for reformation, if it is truly needed, or are the protests calling for a continued revolt against the church Jesus established. I am not implying that most protestants are revolting against the church Jesus established. I truly believe most people want unity (well at least to get along) and to worship and serve Our Lord. I just wish that they would truly examine what they were protesting.

 

[Tigg]

ProdigalSun;11860543:

oldburkes;11860467:

But, I can see the value of identification by Catholic Christian, Baptist Christian, Lutheran Christian, etc. I suppose it would be more charitable.

I think doing this runs the risk of lumping THe Church into just another christian sect or denonmination. It is not just another denomination but “The Church” Christ started and Christ centered.

This is something that we wish to avoid…this view is too prevalent as it is.

I couldn’t agree more. In this age of ecumenism the lines are becoming blurred and the unsuspecting seem to have forgotten just how different we are – doctrinally, liturgically, and traditionally.

The marks of the Catholic Church are **unique **and permanent.

 

[Casilda]

I have non-Catholic friends that are still protesting. They do NOT want unity, they still believe Catholism is wrong. A few points remain where they are stubborn and interpret the Bible as they see fit, even Jesus’ own words as in, ‘this is my body and this is my blood’.

 

[Peter_J]

i’m not sure about this one either, because it still defines my christianity relative to another denomination. to put it another way, sure i’m a non-catholic christian. i’m also a non-lutheran christian, a non-methodist christian, a non-presbyterian christian, a non-adventist christian and a (giggle) non-non-denominational christian.

Sure, but those "non"s are not all equally useful. For example, when speaking with Lutherans one rarely has occasion to begin a sentence with "Speaking as a non-Lutheran … " (I know since I speak with Lutherans fairly often) whereas when speaking with Orthodox one often has occasion to begin a sentence with "Speaking as a non-Orthodox … "

 

[JRKH]

I have non-Catholic friends that are still protesting. They do NOT want unity, they still believe Catholism is wrong. A few points remain where they are stubborn and interpret the Bible as they see fit, even Jesus’ own words as in, ‘this is my body and this is my blood’.

But are you sure they don’t want “unity”? Sounds like they would love it if you became united with them in their view…

Or perhaps their view and definition of “unity” is different. I’ve run into this different times where a will say “We are united in essentials”. Of course it seems there is no common list of essentials that all protestants can point to…

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

hey - how about this for an alternative to Protestant?..

66ers, or sixty-sixers

It’s short, defines all those who use the 66 book canon which covers all of groups that have come out of the reformation.

Peace
James

 

[Tommy555]

It is very relevant in that, essentially, they are still protesting against the Catholic Church, the true Body of Christ, of which Jesus is the head, because they disagree with His doctrines and teaching. If the term is irrelevant, there is no one Truth; truth is relevant. What are the essentials? Who’s going to define them?

 

[Peter_J]

But are you sure they don’t want “unity”? Sounds like they would love it if you became united with them in their view…

Or perhaps their view and definition of “unity” is different.

I think you hit the nail on the head, JRKH. I very often hear things to the effect of “We want unity with you, but you don’t want unity with us” but I’ve become very wary of such statements. Truth is, nearly every type of Christian does wants unity, but on their own terms. Thus for example, the fact that we don’t “intercommune” with Anglicans does not mean that we don’t want unity with them.

 

[ProdigalSun]

I can not speak for the “rest of Christianity” but would refer you to the Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue on all the questions your raise. You might be surprised by the remarkable convergence of belief.

Yet the Lutheran Community still protests against the Catholic Church! Why?

 

[7_Sorrows]

Yet the Lutheran Community still protests against the Catholic Church! Why?

Yes. Some anglicans and episcopalians came to their senses and attend roman catholic churches or anglican use masses or whatever the name is after converting.

 

[EvangelCatholic]

Yet the Lutheran Community still protests against the Catholic Church! Why?

Can you be specific on how the “Lutheran Community still protests against the Catholic Church”?

 

[JonNC]

hey - how about this for an alternative to Protestant?..

66ers, or sixty-sixers

It’s short, defines all those who use the 66 book canon which covers all of groups that have come out of the reformation.

Peace
James

Sounds too much like “76ers”, and they are just pathetic.

Jon

 

[JRKH]

I think you hit the nail on the head, JRKH. I very often hear things to the effect of “We want unity with you, but you don’t want unity with us” but I’ve become very wary of such statements.

I have found that such statements can actually be good openings to some interesting conversations.
What do they mean when they speak of wanting unity…usually the reply is some sort of vague idea of unity of spirit - unity in essentials - no need for earthly structure or church authority etc…
Then pull out your (or their) bible.
Unity - in the biblical sense is a very profound thing.
John 17:20-21
20 "I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Rom 15:5-6
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 1:10
I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

2 Cor 13:11
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Php 1:27
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

1 Pet 3:8
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Add to these, Christ’s instruction to take disputes to the visible and authoritative Church - seen in Mt 18:15-18 and demonstrated in Acts 15.
Segue into how many great church councils have taken place over the centuries…settling many disputes and heresies…beginning in Acts - through Hippo and Carthage -Nicea and Constantinople - through Lateran right on down to Vatican II.

Then ask this “bible believing Christian” where are the great councils of the “Reformers” called to settle questions between them?
Ask him/her to please show you where in the NT we can find the sort of unity that he preaches…?

Yup - they are some interesting conversations.

Truth is, nearly every type of Christian does wants unity, but on their own terms. Thus for example, the fact that we don’t “intercommune” with Anglicans does not mean that we don’t want unity with them.

Amen.

Peace
James

 

[MaryT777]

I couldn’t agree more. In this age of ecumenism the lines are becoming blurred and the unsuspecting seem to have forgotten just how different we are – doctrinally, liturgically, and traditionally.

The marks of the Catholic Church are **unique **and permanent.

 

[jetson69]

If you ask your average Christian what religion he/she is, that person would say “I am a Christian”. Very few would say, “I’m a Protestant”. A Catholic Christian usually says “I’m Catholic”.

Very few Christians today are preoccupied with the Catholic Church enough to consider their own brand of Christianity a protest against it. Yet, all over these boards they are referred to as Protestants.

I think the term is outdated and should be done away with in everyday use. It’s a barrier not a bridge builder.

The word protestant was given, to the true Church, that revealed the false teaching of the catholic church. It came from the word protest that came in affect when Martin Luther, wrote his letter, calling the pope the antichrist and the false teaching of the RCC. The catholic church calls itself Christian, but is only full of lies and deceit.

 

[dronald]

The word protestant was given, to the true Church, that revealed the false teaching of the catholic church. It came from the word protest that came in affect when Martin Luther, wrote his letter, calling the pope the antichrist and the false teaching of the RCC. The catholic church calls itself Christian, but is only full of lies and deceit.

Please leave; you’re only making the rest of us look bad.

 

[Peter_J]

I have found that such statements can actually be good openings to some interesting conversations.
What do they mean when they speak of wanting unity…usually the reply is some sort of vague idea of unity of spirit - unity in essentials - no need for earthly structure or church authority etc…

I think I have an example that tops that: I’ve been in conversations in which someone said something to the effect of “You and your Church really know that you’re wrong and I and my Church are right, but you’re just too stubborn to admit it out loud.”

 

[Per_Crucem]

I think I can top that example: I’ve been in conversations in which someone said something to the effect of “You and your Church really know that you’re wrong and I and my Church are right, but you’re just too stubborn to admit it out loud.”

I knew you wanted to be Lutheran!

 

[JRKH]

I think I have an example that tops that: I’ve been in conversations in which someone said something to the effect of “You and your Church really know that you’re wrong and I and my Church are right, but you’re just too stubborn to admit it out loud.”

You are right…I never heard that one…:banghead:

Can’t really see a good conversation coming out of that.

Peace
James