Protestant Denominations

[KnightOfSPUD]

I’m a seminarian, Cradle Catholic, grew up in the very Catholic Philippines.
The Protestants are a minority here, and I mean a minority.

I just want to know what are the main denominations of Protestantism and a quick description of their Theology, Practices and how Anti-Catholic they are.

When and if I become a priest (pray for my vocation), I would like to try and approach some of these with an idea in mind. If possible, I would do it when I go home for my Summer Vacation and when I serve my Diocese.

Thanks!

Dominus sit semper tecum!

 

[SyroMalankara]

The main denominations vary depending on location. For example, you mentioned INC in another thread, they are pretty nonexistent outside the Philippines. Mormons are pretty nonexistent outside the US. Etc

 

[adamhovey1988]

I’m a seminarian, Cradle Catholic, grew up in the very Catholic Philippines.
The Protestants are a minority here, and I mean a minority.

I just want to know what are the main denominations of Protestantism and a quick description of their Theology, Practices and how Anti-Catholic they are.

When and if I become a priest (pray for my vocation), I would like to try and approach some of these with an idea in mind. If possible, I would do it when I go home for my Summer Vacation and when I serve my Diocese.

Thanks!

Dominus sit semper tecum!

Well, the basics are this (whether you believe they follow them or not). Faith alone (works have no effects on our salvation, but you will find variations on this) scripture alone (only the Bible is sufficient, but some Protestants do have something of a hierarchy), Christ alone (which is, by the way, not a problem, we are only saved through the cross of Christ, but many Protestants view this in a different way that Catholics, they tend to have issues with a sacrificial priesthood, and this is how they use the term) grace alone (I think it would surprise many Protestants what the Council of Trent says about this), and glory to Christ alone (no veneration of Saints, but again, you will find variations). Where I live, most Protestants tend to be “Non-Denominational” Baptist Methodist or Presbyterian, and my biological father was Lutheran. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help, but Protestantism is a really large group, and it is kind of difficult to p(name removed by moderator)oint shared beliefs amongst them. I can tell you what certain ones believe, but that still leaves thousands that I couldn’t tell you what they believe.

 

[steido01]

Which kind of “Protestants?” That really is a word with a made-up meaning.

If you’re dealing with Lutherans or Anglicans, for example, most won’t be anti-Catholic at all. In fact, on a different forum that shall not be named, they’re are often accused of being “papists without a pope.”

Of course, if they’re Restorationist Baptists or something, then they’ll be anti-Catholic and anti-Lutheran and anti-anything else that isn’t just like them because they think they are the only true church left on earth.

 

[Peter_J]

Well, the basics are this (whether you believe they follow them or not). Faith alone (works have no effects on our salvation, but you will find variations on this) scripture alone (only the Bible is sufficient, but some Protestants do have something of a hierarchy), Christ alone (which is, by the way, not a problem, we are only saved through the cross of Christ, but many Protestants view this in a different way that Catholics, they tend to have issues with a sacrificial priesthood, and this is how they use the term) grace alone (I think it would surprise many Protestants what the Council of Trent says about this), and glory to Christ alone (no veneration of Saints, but again, you will find variations). Where I live, most Protestants tend to be “Non-Denominational” Baptist Methodist or Presbyterian, and my biological father was Lutheran. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help, but Protestantism is a really large group,

Indeed,

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

(I’m not trying to make any particular point with that image, other than illustrating the complexity.)

KnightOfSPUD, I don’t know how much time you have for reading about the subject, but you might look at
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism#Major_branches
(although I wouldn’t expect there to be a section about how Anti-Catholic they each are).

 

[7_Sorrows]

The main denominations vary depending on location. For example, you mentioned INC in another thread, they are pretty nonexistent outside the Philippines. Mormons are pretty nonexistent outside the US. Etc

I don’t believe Mormons are nonexistent outside the United States. I know there are a lot in Mexico.

 

[ChurchSoldier]

I think the amount of “anti-Catholicism” you will find is sometimes geographically dependent and denominationally dependent. You will have to ask specific people from a specific area. I grew up Episcopalian and virtually never remember negative comments about Catholicism. I am now Anglican in a group that is trending Reformed and hear different things, but still not so much negative about Catholicism, but differing views on the Sacraments.

I think you will have to engage the particular denominations in your area. As well, and this is very important, learn about their denomination from their standpoint, not form a Catholic standpoint. Being able to to converse with others about what their beliefs are from their perspective is invaluable.

Good luck on your journey.

 

[SyroMalankara]

I don’t believe Mormons are nonexistent outside the United States. I know there are a lot in Mexico.

Ok, they are popular in certain areas in North America, but Mormons are insignificant in most places in the world. Kind of like Greek Catholics in Greece.

 

[Peter_J]

Kind of like Greek Catholics in Greece.

Well, under 4,000.

 

[Vic_Taltrees_UK]

A “label” can mean something different in different countries so beware if doing general research via an international internet.

Thus “Baptist” means something very different in the UK from what it does in the US. And Methodists have their own bishops in some countries but not in the UK.

I can’t express how blessed I have been to so often have such friendship from a wide variety of Protestants though having remained Catholic - maybe that’s just an English quirk. For some strange reason I seem to be able to see genuine similarities when they exist. I’ve never been geared to being spoon fed my faith and have always got several parallel sources for it “on the go”.

An Our Father said for your journey!

 

[spedteacherita]

I think the amount of “anti-Catholicism” you will find is sometimes geographically dependent and denominationally dependent. You will have to ask specific people from a specific area. I grew up Episcopalian and virtually never remember negative comments about Catholicism. I am now Anglican in a group that is trending Reformed and hear different things, but still not so much negative about Catholicism, but differing views on the Sacraments.

I think you will have to engage the particular denominations in your area. As well, and this is very important, learn about their denomination from their standpoint, not form a Catholic standpoint. **Being able to to converse with others about what their beliefs are from their perspective is invaluable.
**
Good luck on your journey.

The highlighted sentence is important, as ChurchSoldier stated, that anti-Catholicism is geographically. I have to say, though, from the point of view that I grew up in a very Catholic area - Polish Catholics, German Catholics, Irish Catholics - and I never heard anything against the Catholics, here. My best friend in Jr. and Sr. high schools was Catholic and, at that time, I was considering checking the Church out.

When I was taking the membership class in my LCMS church the pastor, in his lessons, just brought up theological differences that Catholics and other Protestant churches practiced and taught.

I also highlighted the last sentence, too because learning about other’s doctrines and traditions helps to understand where you are in your spiritual journey. I know that during the last year that I’ve been on CAF that I’ve learned a lot, not only about Catholicism, but also other denominations as well.

God bless!

Rita

 

[Peter_J]

I can’t express how blessed I have been to so often have such friendship from a wide variety of Protestants though having remained Catholic - maybe that’s just an English quirk.

Possibly. I know that in the USA we, Catholics and Protestants, tend to be a bit more combative with each other – indeed I’ve been in conversations where people seem to think that being one is synonymous with being anti- the other.

 

[phil19034]

In my experience, all protestants are “anti-Catholic” in the sense that they believe the Catholic Church is wrong in one way or another.

However, the level of “anti-Catholicism” then the questions becomes the following:

1. Do they believe the Catholics are good Christians simply with a different theology?
2. Do they believe the Catholics are good Christians simply with an incorrect theology?
3. Do they believe that Catholics are good people being lead astray by misinformed priests & nuns?
4. Do they believe that Catholics are people who commit idolatry and needs to be corrected?
5. Do they believe that Catholics are bad Christians who are at risk of not being saved?
6. Do they believe that Catholics are not Christians at all?
7. Do they believe that the Church is evil and all Catholics are pagans?

I have experienced all of the above here in the United States. High Anglicans / Episcopalians will tend to be in the first level.

It really depends on what is the root of their main protest(s) against the Catholic Church.

 

[FollowChrist34]

I’m a seminarian, Cradle Catholic, grew up in the very Catholic Philippines.
The Protestants are a minority here, and I mean a minority.

I just want to know what are the main denominations of Protestantism and a quick description of their Theology, Practices and how Anti-Catholic they are.

When and if I become a priest (pray for my vocation), I would like to try and approach some of these with an idea in mind. If possible, I would do it when I go home for my Summer Vacation and when I serve my Diocese.

Thanks!

Dominus sit semper tecum!

In my experience, the most pro Catholic Protestants are Anglicans and Lutherans, in that order. I am guessing but I think about 85-90% of Anglicans and maybe 60-70% of Lutherans are very positive to Catholics. Across the board, liberal Protestant denominations are more likely to be open to us (of course not on social issues, such as gay marriage or abortion). Conservative Evangelical ‘fundamentalist’ denominations (I include Baptists and going out from there) are more likely to strictly hold (i.e. really believe) the ‘Pope is the anti-Christ; Catholics worship Mary line’ but are ironically supportive of Catholic teaching on social issues, more ‘politically’ and ‘culturally’ aligned with us, you might say. This empathy has increased especially over the last 15, 20 years.

Also, I have met in person and online true Christians who recognize fellow Christians even among Catholics in all Protestant denominations, regardless of what their denomination officially holds - Protestants tend to be individualistic. I would just judge each person individually based on your conversations, interactions - just use above generalizations as a basic guide.

 

[jane_doe]

I’m a seminarian, Cradle Catholic, grew up in the very Catholic Philippines.
The Protestants are a minority here, and I mean a minority.

I just want to know what are the main denominations of Protestantism and a quick description of their Theology, Practices and how Anti-Catholic they are.

When and if I become a priest (pray for my vocation), I would like to try and approach some of these with an idea in mind. If possible, I would do it when I go home for my Summer Vacation and when I serve my Diocese.

Thanks!

Dominus sit semper tecum!

If you want to be a priest and to understand all people (not just Catholics), then I recommend the following:

1. View them as people, not enemy combatants
2. Love them. Even if wrong in their beliefs, you need to love them to rescue them.
3. How to go about viewing them as people and loving them: see them, talk to them. Ask the about their beliefs- not to fight but to love. Seek to understand, to see the good in their lives, and then share the Good you have in yours.

 

[Bran_Stark]

Across the board, liberal Protestant denominations are more likely to be open to us (of course not on social issues, such as gay marriage or abortion). Conservative Evangelical ‘fundamentalist’ denominations (I include Baptists and going out from there) are more likely to strictly hold (i.e. really believe) the ‘Pope is the anti-Christ; Catholics worship Mary line’ but are ironically supportive of Catholic teaching on social issues, more ‘politically’ and ‘culturally’ aligned with us, you might say.

This is an important point, I think, and one that doesn’t get talked about often enough! Just as the conventional liberal-conservative spectrum does a horrid job of dealing with the more subtle nuances of political opinion, so would it be a mistake to think of Protestant teachings as on a simple line falling closer or farther to Catholicism as the case may be.

We can observe a similar phenomena when it comes to Christian-Jewish relations: Liberal Christians tend to be very accepting of the Jewish religion, but ambivalent or hostile to the State of Israel, while conservative Christians tend to support Israel politically but regard the Jewish religion as a false one whose members must be converted to Christ.

 

[masuwerte]

The second largest denomination in the Philippines:
www.ifi.ph

 

[KnightOfSPUD]

If you want to be a priest and to understand all people (not just Catholics), then I recommend the following:

1. View them as people, not enemy combatants
2. Love them. Even if wrong in their beliefs, you need to love them to rescue them.
3. How to go about viewing them as people and loving them: see them, talk to them. Ask the about their beliefs- not to fight but to love. Seek to understand, to see the good in their lives, and then share the Good you have in yours.

Thanks for your critic.

I just needed some sort of heads up. I have been somewhat scarred by the aggressiveness of a local “Christian” denomination that claims that all Catholics will go to hell and that Christ isn’t God.

 

[KnightOfSPUD]

The second largest denomination in the Philippines:
www.ifi.ph

I know the Aglipayans very well. In fact, half of my family (my paternal grandmother’s side) are what we call Katolikong-Aglipays. IFI’s who are very complacent to go to their own churches and attend and/or receive Catholic Sacraments.

 

[Abu]

KnightOfSPUD #1
I just want to know what are the main denominations of Protestantism and a quick description of their Theology, Practices and how Anti-Catholic they are.

As this will vary with the world geographical location, it is something to find out personally in their writing and/or house or street campaigning. Then it is best to deal with individuals.

When and if I become a priest (pray for my vocation), I would like to try and approach some of these with an idea in mind.

One useful approach, since nearly all Protestants use the Bible, is to show that the only reason we have the Bible is because only the Catholic Church put books of the Old Testament (46) and books of the New Testament (27) together and DEFINED those as the Sacred Scriptures by Pope Damasus at a Council of Rome in 382, confirmed at the Councils of Hippo, 393, Carthage III 397, Carthage IV in 419 and canonised at the Council of Trent (1545-1563) – clearly showing the authority of Christ’s Church, and culminating in the defined Canon of Sacred Scriptures at the Council of Trent.

One great teaching therein – Purgatory – is omitted in Protestant Bibles because they leave out 7 Books, and in Maccabees II (12:46) we are taught that “it is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins.”

#18
I have been somewhat scarred by the aggressiveness of a local “Christian” denomination that claims that all Catholics will go to hell and that Christ isn’t God.

Such should not really “scar” a sound Catholic but is, unfortunately, a fact of life with some non- Catholics.

All need to be helped to listen to Christ Himself when He taught with great emphasis the foundation of His own Church.
All four promises to Peter alone
“You are Peter and on this rock I will build My Church.” (Mt 16:18)
“The gates of hell will not prevail against it.”(Mt 16:18)
“I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven." ( Mt 16:19)
“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven.” (Mt 16:19) [Later to the Twelve, also].

**Sole authority: **
“Strengthen your brethren.” (Lk 22:32)
“Feed My sheep.”(Jn 21:17).

So no one else was given this supreme authority given to Christ’s Supreme Vicar – the Pope.

So from the first Peter had exercised his supreme authority in the upper room before Pentecost to have Judas’ place filled. At the first Apostolic Council of Jerusalem Peter settled the heated discussion over circumcising the gentiles and “the whole assembly fell silent” (Acts 15:7-12). Paul made sure that his ministry to the gentiles was recognised by, Peter (Gal 1:I8). Why deny St John and St Paul too? The Church is “the pillar and bulwark of the truth (1 Tim 3:16).” St. Paul says also, “through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places (Eph 3:10).” The Church teaches even the angels!