Lets try and define Christians...

[ConstantineTG]

One of the things I have a hard time defining, or maybe I should say differentiating, are Protestants. Whats an appropriate term so that when I describe a certain group of Protestants, I could clearly convey that I mean Liturgical Protestants like Lutherans, or the happy-clappy kind like Evangelicals and Pentecostals?

I know that the LDS and SDAs are sometimes referred to as Restorationists because they believe that the true Church apostatized and they are the restoration of the true Church.

Also, is there a good and clear term for Catholics and Orthodox? Sometimes in conversations you’d want to say something referring to both Catholics and Orthodox. Would “Apostolic” be a good description? Its easier to describe Eastern Catholics and Orthodox by saying Eastern Christians, but what if the Roman Catholics are included in the mix?

 

[Barbkw]

Look into their systematic differences: their use or rejection of a Creed, the administration practices of their group, their autonomy within their groups, the guidelines established for their ministers, their liturgy, their interpretation of Sacraments, and their interpretation of Sacred Scripture.

 

[ConstantineTG]

It would be difficult for subtle differences as it can occur from community to community. I mean, I’ve met some Lutherans here and I know its unfair to them to say something about Protestants in general when in fact I may be referring to Evangelicals. And it would be easy to say just Evangelicals, but sometimes it also applies to Pentecostals. And its just too long to type “Evangelicals and Pentecostals” several times during a post.

And of course this should go without saying, I do not want terms that are not respectful of them.

 

[Wesley7]

The mystery of it all is that most authentic Christians are diverse yet united in the one and same Lord Jesus Christ.

Yes, I mean Mormons,Protestants,Orthodox,Catholics, etc.

 

[1ke]

One of the things I have a hard time defining, or maybe I should say differentiating, are Protestants. Whats an appropriate term so that when I describe a certain group of Protestants, I could clearly convey that I mean Liturgical Protestants like Lutherans, or the happy-clappy kind like Evangelicals and Pentecostals?

The Catholic Church would call these groups ecclesial communions. Dialogue with these groups would be termed eccumensim, the goal being reuniting them with the Church.

Beyond that, if you aren’t going to call them individually by name (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church, USA, Episcopal, etc) then colloquially the liturgical churches are known typically known as “mainline Protestant”. The non-liturgical can be called, generally, Evangelical.

I know that the LDS and SDAs are sometimes referred to as Restorationists because they believe that the true Church apostatized and they are the restoration of the true Church.?

The Catholic Church would call any non-Trinitarian sect a non-Christian religion. Dialogue with them would not be eccumenism but rather inter-religious dialogue.

Also, is there a good and clear term for Catholics and Orthodox? Sometimes in conversations you’d want to say something referring to both Catholics and Orthodox. Would “Apostolic” be a good description? Its easier to describe Eastern Catholics and Orthodox by saying Eastern Christians, but what if the Roman Catholics are included in the mix?

The Catholic Church would call these *Churches *in the true sense of the word. They are particular churches under the headship of a bishop with valid apostolic succession and valid sacraments.

To respond to the title of your thread, defining Christians, the Church would define a Christian as a person validly baptized in the Trinitarian formula.