Protestants are not a different "religion" from Catholics

[guanophore]

May be off topic, but isn’t saying you are non-denominational an oxymoron?? To say you do not hold the beliefs of any other church or denomination. Then what do you believe??

Yes, it really is. They do not realize that they do espouse denominational theologies. They believe they are getting their theology from the bible, and since they don’t usually examine their own framework, or take the time to learn the history of their faith, they persist in ignorance, blissfully.

I have a daughter that left the Catholic church for a non-denominational church. Yet what the claim to believe is the same as some of the other protestant churchs around. Really makes no sense to me at all.

I did this too. For me, it was a hunger for the Word, which is usually the emphasis in such ecclesial communties. There were no Catholic Bible studies at the time. Another thing that draws people is the emotionalism and entertainment style of the worship. People want their senses stimulated.

Maybe I should have posted this in another place, but protestants really are a different religion because they do not hold to all of the teachings from Christ. In my daughter’s case, she wanted to pick & choose what to follow. She wanted something more “fun”. Even if “fun” means rejecting some of the very things Christ left.

Protestantism originated in the desire to pick and choose what to follow. I will add your daughter to my prayer list.

 

[JRRTFAN]

Exactly! And not all Protestant fundamentalists hold that view either, but that’s the Protestant group it’s most common among.

At the risk of creating tension…if one is a denominational Christian (catholicism is not a denomination) one has to hold that all denominations are equally valid and acceptable. The theory seems to be that as long as a communion holds to some basics everything else is simply a method of practice which is neither needed nor right or wrong. That’s just not correct.

This is the reason Catholic men can not join Promise Keepers where all have to affirm that all denominations are equal. It is Catholic teaching that any person, knowing the truth of the Catholic Church, who would not enter it or remain in it can not be saved. That’s pretty radical but it tells you what the rules are.

 

[Izdaari]

At the risk of creating tension…if one is a denominational Christian (catholicism is not a denomination) one has to hold that all denominations are equally valid and acceptable. The theory seems to be that as long as a communion holds to some basics everything else is simply a method of practice which is neither needed nor right or wrong. That’s just not correct.

This is the reason Catholic men can not join Promise Keepers where all have to affirm that all denominations are equal. It is Catholic teaching that any person, knowing the truth of the Catholic Church, who would not enter it or remain in it can not be saved. That’s pretty radical but it tells you what the rules are.

Hmm, no, I wouldn’t say all denominations are equal; or at least, some are more equal than others. Just as with religions, some have more of the truth than others. I think the one I belong to (Assemblies of God) has more than most, else I wouldn’t be there. It’s by no means the only one I find doctrinally acceptable but there are a good many I don’t find acceptable; very liberal churches for example, since I’m theologically on the conservative side.

Though I am familiar with Catholic teaching, and I have a copy of the Catholic Catechism beside me now, I am not convinced the CC is more authentically what Christ had in mind than my AG church, else I’d join it. Indeed, I think rather the opposite is true, though I still think it possible to be both Catholic and a good Christian. What then, according your understanding of the Catholic teaching on the matter, do you make of the state of my salvation?

(And btw, I’m a JRRT fan too. )

 

[PLeeD]

What then, according your understanding of the Catholic teaching on the matter, do you make of the state of my salvation?

I imagine the consensus will be that you will be in purgatory for a loooong time

…Just as with religions, some have more of the truth than others. I think the one I belong to (Assemblies of God) has more than most, else I wouldn’t be there. …I am not convinced the CC is more authentically what Christ had in mind than my AG church…

I’m of the same opinion. I’ve always perceived a disconnect between what attending a 1st century church service would be like v. attending a Catholic Mass inside a giant stone cathedral. It seems a first century church-goer would find the typical AoG service more familiar, with all the speaking in tongues and what-not.

 

[PLeeD]

Understood. Sorry for the generalization. The protestant mega-church arenas would be equally unrecognizable.

I’ve been a member of the wedding party in four different Catholic weddings, most of which occurred in what can be described as palaces. That was the source of my comment. One was at a smaller Catholic church in a more modern building. It was a lot like most of the protestant churches I’ve been in.

 

[StTommyMore]

I imagine the consensus will be that you will be in purgatory for a loooong time

I’m of the same opinion. I’ve always perceived a disconnect between what attending a 1st century church service would be like v. attending a Catholic Mass inside a giant stone cathedral. It seems a first century church-goer would find the typical AoG service more familiar, with all the speaking in tongues and what-not.

Think about this: Christianity is the completion of Judaism. The Temple was very ornate. Should our Churches not be the same? Also, in the Apostolic age, the Church was heavily persecuted. Under those circumstances, large ornate buildings are impossible, but that changed with the legitimization of Christianity in the 3rd Century.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

I’m of the same opinion. I’ve always perceived a disconnect between what attending a 1st century church service would be like v. attending a Catholic Mass inside a giant stone cathedral. It seems a first century church-goer would find the typical AoG service more familiar, with all the speaking in tongues and what-not.

From what I’ve read about tongues in Acts, it appears everyone understood the ‘tongues’ in their own language.

 

[paxlily]

Copying the Catholics does not make you a member of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Amen. Protestants are not Catholic until they go thru RCIA and join the Church. But, we are both Christian.

 

[PJM]

=onenow1;7754488]Maybe better yet just a little off the mark.

“John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not forbid him; for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon after to speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is for us’” (Mark 9:38–40).

Unfortunately many are against His Church.

Peace

VERY GOOD!

However is “for us” to be understood as “one of us?” Not the same my friend,

God Bless,
Pat

 

[PJM]

=(name removed by moderator);7756590]That’s a very stereotypical view of Catholic Masses. Many occur in small chapels and my own parish has a large ornate Church but the one next door has a small Chapel which was formerly used by Baptists and is very plain with only a few statues and icons and whitewashed walls. In addition many of my ancestors worshipped in fields using a rock as an altar during the period it was illegal to publicly say Mass in Ireland.

My friend have you read Exodus Chapter 25? It tells about Yahweh dictating to Moses exactly how to build the ark of te Covenant. If Not PLEASE do; you’ll not understand my next comment without this inforamtion:

Church is 1st. and foremost God’s House. One ought to be struct with “AWE and WONDER” upon entry. One ought to be made immediatey aware of being in the Presense of God. …If not one might well ask if this is suitable for God.

God Bless,
Pat

 

[JRRTFAN]

Hmm, no, I wouldn’t say all denominations are equal; or at least, some are more equal than others. Just as with religions, some have more of the truth than others. I think the one I belong to (Assemblies of God) has more than most, else I wouldn’t be there. It’s by no means the only one I find doctrinally acceptable but there are a good many I don’t find acceptable; very liberal churches for example, since I’m theologically on the conservative side.

Though I am familiar with Catholic teaching, and I have a copy of the Catholic Catechism beside me now, I am not convinced the CC is more authentically what Christ had in mind than my AG church, else I’d join it. Indeed, I think rather the opposite is true, though I still think it possible to be both Catholic and a good Christian. What then, according your understanding of the Catholic teaching on the matter, do you make of the state of my salvation?

(And btw, I’m a JRRT fan too. )

There was no better fiction writer than “The Professor”! I’m glad you think that, it is indeed possible for the Catholic to be a good CHristian, and he’d better be.

As respects your salvation. How in the wide world of sports would I know? Being a an adherent of a theolgy is not going to “save” anybody. I “make of state of your salvation” the case that if you die in the state of grace you will be saved and if you don’t you won’t. SImple enough? If you come to know that the totality of truth reposes in the Catholic Church and refuse to enter that Church you will not be saved. But if you don’t come to that truth you still have to be in a state of grace. In other words, if one knows it’s true but is not in a state of grace it matters not a bit, one is a toasty history.

Your religious affiliation isn’t going to save you, but your lack of one, if you know the truth and deny it, might damn you

 

[ETEXAS]

I refrain from “another Religion” I take a more broader approach, I thing thatt there are non Catholic Christians who are IN the Faith! I know (as a Catholic) many catholics who DEFY the Magesterum, Pope, and Church, I told a friend I work to be a good Christian First, then strive to be a good Catholic…:twocents::twocents::twocents:

 

[TrueLight]

May be off topic, but isn’t saying you are non-denominational an oxymoron?? To say you do not hold the beliefs of any other church or denomination. Then what do you believe?? I have a daughter that left the Catholic church for a non-denominational church. Yet what the claim to believe is the same as some of the other protestant churchs around. Really makes no sense to me at all.
Maybe I should have posted this in another place, but protestants really are a different religion because they do not hold to all of the teachings from Christ. In my daughter’s case, she wanted to pick & choose what to follow. She wanted something more “fun”. Even if “fun” means rejecting some of the very things Christ left.

The idea behind being a non denominal Christian is the idea of just being Christians and not being part of a Christian sect. More like the very first Christians.

Most non-denominal churches I’ve attended have been very charismatic in nature.

 

[Izdaari]

As respects your salvation. How in the wide world of sports would I know? Being a an adherent of a theolgy is not going to “save” anybody. I “make of state of your salvation” the case that if you die in the state of grace you will be saved and if you don’t you won’t. SImple enough? If you come to know that the totality of truth reposes in the Catholic Church and refuse to enter that Church you will not be saved. But if you don’t come to that truth you still have to be in a state of grace. In other words, if one knows it’s true but is not in a state of grace it matters not a bit, one is a toasty history.

Of course you wouldn’t know, which was kind of my point.

But I can assure you I do not know that the totality of truth resides in the Catholic Church. I think more of it resides in my present church, though I’ll not deny that Catholics possess a good bit of it.

And I agree that no one will be saved by mere religious affiliation, and that denying what one knows to be the truth is a major bad move.

 

[JRRTFAN]

Of course you wouldn’t know, which was kind of my point.

But I can assure you I do not know that the totality of truth resides in the Catholic Church. I think more of it resides in my present church, though I’ll not deny that Catholics possess a good bit of it.

And I agree that no one will be saved by mere religious affiliation, and that denying what one knows to be the truth is a major bad move.

So there, you go! You’re in perfect agreement with Catholic theology.

 

[guanophore]

Think about this: Christianity is the completion of Judaism. The Temple was very ornate. Should our Churches not be the same? Also, in the Apostolic age, the Church was heavily persecuted. Under those circumstances, large ornate buildings are impossible, but that changed with the legitimization of Christianity in the 3rd Century.

Indeed. The first buildings used for the Church were not build by Christians, but by Pagans who had abandoned them for the Faith. Catholicism took them over, and coverted them into places of Christian worship.

 

[PJM]

=(name removed by moderator);7758679]Indeed, but you have an Irish leprechaun down there on the bottom of your posts, I presume that donates you have some Irish connections of some kind. Are you familiar with the history of mass rocks in Ireland and why they were used? I reference them and one of my local Churches merely to show that the idea that all Catholics worship in stone cathedrals is something of an untrue stereotype both historically and currently. The parish next to mine is plain because it is in a poor area and it is hard work to keep it afloat financially.

YEP!

Been there and saw them. Your point GOOD but semi-valid…

Indeed there are a GREAT many underfunded parishes; and God [and I] are thyankful for ALL of them…

Still we must have the BEST that we can afford; even with sacrifices as this is God’s hpuse …

THANKS,

God Bless,
Pat

 

[onenow1]

VERY GOOD!

However is “for us” to be understood as “one of us?” Not the same my friend,

God Bless,
Pat

Hi, Pat,



Mark 9: 41-42, For truly I say to you,whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of christ, will by no means lose his reward.

Whoever causes one of these little ones to sin it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung on his neck and thrown into the sea.

Mark 8:37-38, For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterious generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in glory of His Father with the Holy angels.

Peace

 

[tmj365]

I used to live in Coupeville. Does anyone there know Utz Conard. He was a friend of mine way back in 1955

I haven’t met him, but we’ve only lived here 3 years. We have an evening Eucharist that is held in St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Sunday evenings.
Tom

 

[tmj365]

Perhaps the way to explian it is that we are of the Same Religion; BUT NOT of the same Faith?

God Bless,
Pat

And yet the content of our faith overlaps about 90%, including view of the Trinity, view of the person and work of Christ, and the gospel. I find more commonality than difference.
Shalom, Tom