Is there either Catholic or Protestant faith?

[rcwitness]

I want to be more informed about the various Christian Churches. I am ultimately always interested in true Catholic teaching (but definately not only Catholic opinion). Not all subjects have official Catholic obligation, but I wonder if, within the Catholic aknowledged churches, they are all classified as Protestant…? It would make sense to me, because the essence of Protestantism is a protest against something the Catholic faith pronounces to be believed or practiced.
Just curious because of the many names under the “religion heading”.

Thanks all,
so happy to share and learn on this cool forum.
Michael

 

[rcwitness]

Was my question confusing?

I will simplify.

In the christian faith, is there either Catholic or Protestant Churches?

 

[bzkoss236]

A true Protestant isn’t so much just an objection to something the Catholic Church teaches, but so much of an objection, that the person disassociates themselves with the Catholic Church, “leaving” the Catholic Church.

So, just because someone may disagree with a teaching of the Church doesn’t automatically make them Protestant, just bad Catholics.

So, to answer your simple question. Within the Christian faith, there are churches with are Catholic, and others which are Protestant, and yet others which are Orthodox, and others which are Anglican, since they are not all necessarily the same. A true Protestant church is one established right after, or established by someone right after, the Protestant Reformation. Most Protestants today aren’t really “true” Protestants, since they mostly grew up in their faiths and are not objecting to Church teaching as a Catholic that left the Church. Same goes for the other variations of the Christian faith. Also, there are numerous sub-variations of Protestants, including Reformed, Evangelical, and those classified as mainstream Protestants.

I may not be understanding your question completely, but this is my answer for now.

 

[rcwitness]

A true Protestant isn’t so much just an objection to something the Catholic Church teaches, but so much of an objection, that the person disassociates themselves with the Catholic Church, “leaving” the Catholic Church.

So, just because someone may disagree with a teaching of the Church doesn’t automatically make them Protestant, just bad Catholics.

So, to answer your simple question. Within the Christian faith, there are churches with are Catholic, and others which are Protestant, and yet others which are Orthodox, and others which are Anglican, since they are not all necessarily the same. A true Protestant church is one established right after, or established by someone right after, the Protestant Reformation. Most Protestants today aren’t really “true” Protestants, since they mostly grew up in their faiths and are not objecting to Church teaching as a Catholic that left the Church. Same goes for the other variations of the Christian faith. Also, there are numerous sub-variations of Protestants, including Reformed, Evangelical, and those classified as mainstream Protestants.

I may not be understanding your question completely, but this is my answer for now.

I think you are answering well. Not as though im testing. But really, its a complicated thing and I like to search the meaning for division. Part of my question may be regarding the different religious orders they associate themselves with. But the direct question stems from a dispute with someone who didnt associate himself with any church. I said he is protestant. He was very strong about his faith and interpretation. He hated being labeled that. I said its not an option one is either protestant or catholic. He disagreed.

PS. Thanks bro,
Michael

 

[JRKH]

Was my question confusing?

Yes it was rather confusing.

I will simplify.

In the christian faith, is there either Catholic or Protestant Churches?

This is going to depend on who you ask…

The trouble is that there is no “protestant” church…There are Churches which grew out of the “protestant reformation” and these are commonly referred to as “Protestant Churches”. But you will never see one identifying itself as such…(i.e. The first Protestant Church of Meburg) These will often refer to themselves as “reformed” Churches.
In the last century or so you even have churches that are children of the Reform Churches…At least some of these reject the term protestant…since they did not split from the Catholic Church and have no real connection (in their view) with the reformation per-se. Many of the so called “non-denominational” churches fall into this category.

More importantly to you - if your idea is to study these things… Is that there is no “body” of “protestant” belief…Like the Catholic Catechism. Within the Protestant community there are a plethora of belief systems.
So again - it’s hard to say that there are just Catholic and Protestant Churches.

Hope this helps.

Peace
James

 

[rcwitness]

Yes it was rather

More importantly to you - if your idea is to study these things… Is that there is no “body” of “protestant” belief…Like the Catholic Catechism. Within the Protestant community there are a plethora of belief systems.
So again - it’s hard to say that there are just Catholic and Protestant Churches.

Hope this helps.

Peace
James

It helps. But it doesnt
It helps cuz i see the truth in what you’re saying. But it doesn’t cuz its still complicating. But i wont get hung up on it, i guess. I understand the points made about some grow up in a protestant church but dont know they are protestant cuz they are obedient to the church that brought them the Gospel. Not knowing a fuller way, they indeed adhere to the fullest they are given.

Thanks for helping a complicated question, anyway

 

[rcwitness]

At least some of these reject the term protestant…since they did not split from the Catholic Church and have no real connection (in their view) with the reformation per-se. Many of the so called “non-denominational” churches fall into this category.

James

Does it make sense that i come from a non-denominational church? And becoming an adult I felt the “no real connection” to Church unity in all ages of its existence.

 

[Aggies08]

Many times “protestant” is a catch-all phrase used for non-catholic Christians.

Those we term protestant may not see themselves as such; even those originally separated from the Catholic Church have done so so long ago now that they don’t see a connection between us and them- they just see themselves as “XYZ.”

 

[rcwitness]

Many times “protestant” is a catch-all phrase used for non-catholic Christians.

This is putting it very simple. Very true, though.
It is that simple as far as terminology i guess. So i am right to tell the fellow its not an option, there’s either Catholic or Protestant. And it’s only natural, as a protestant, he whole heartedly disagrees.

 

[JRKH]

This is putting it very simple. Very true, though.
It is that simple as far as terminology i guess. So i am right to tell the fellow its not an option, there’s either Catholic or Protestant. And it’s only natural, as a protestant, he whole heartedly disagrees.

If you are in a discussion with someone, this terminology is not something to get hung up on. If he does not wish to be called protestant…That is fine. As you mentioned earlier this person is likely raised in a given tradition and has no connection to “protesting” anything.

The Catechism - speaks to this where it says…
"However, one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers (CCC 817)

Peace
James

 

[rcwitness]

If you are in a discussion with someone, this terminology is not something to get hung up on. If he does not wish to be called protestant…That is fine. As you mentioned earlier this person is likely raised in a given tradition and has no connection to “protesting” anything.

The Catechism - speaks to this where it says…
"However, one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers (CCC 817)

Peace
James

Good advice. I agree. That discussion was long ago. I didn’t make big issue at the time.

Thanks for the excerpt from the Catechism. I didn’t doubt this aspect of our brothers and sisters in the faith. Only curious if all christian faiths ultimately fall in the Catholic, Protestant categories. And it seems they do in a large way. But that way is only logical from a Catholic perspective.

Thanks for the instruction James.
Michael

 

[bzkoss236]

Good advice. I agree. That discussion was long ago. I didn’t make big issue at the time.

Thanks for the excerpt from the Catechism. I didn’t doubt this aspect of our brothers and sisters in the faith. Only curious if all christian faiths ultimately fall in the Catholic, Protestant categories. And it seems they do in a large way. But that way is only logical from a Catholic perspective.

Thanks for the instruction James.
Michael

I would say it is more politically correct to say that there’s Catholic and Non-Catholic.