What do Catholics and protestants have in COMMON?

[DavidFilmer]

I originally posted this question in the apologetics forum (cuz that’s where I normally hang out); I did not realize at the time that this forum existed (this is my first post in this space).

My original question was rather vague, and this probably accounts for the many well-intentioned but off-topic responses I received. So I would like to re-state that question and discuss it in this more appropriate space.

According to the Catholic Almanac, “The majority of US protestants belong to the following denominations: Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal (PECUSA), United Church of Christ, the Disciples of Christ, Assemblies of God.”

I’m wondering what DISTINCTLY CHRISTIAN doctrines that Catholics share with EACH AND EVERY ONE of these denominations.

Several of these say the Apostles Creed, but the Baptists, for example (the largest protestant denomination in the US) distinctly disavow any sort of creed, so that doesn’t count. I’m trying to find doctrines that we have in common with EVERY ONE of these denominations.

I’m not considering things like prayer or matrimony or the Ten Commandments, because these are not DISTINCTLY CHRISTIAN.

Nor would I consider water Baptism such a doctrine, because the amount of common understanding is very small and superficial (I’m looking for common DOCTRINE, not similar outward rituals, and nobody could claim that Catholics and Baptists agree on baptismal DOCTRINE).

I could think of only a few doctrines that we have in common with our “mainline” separated brethren, namely:

• We believe in a Triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
• We believe in an afterlife / Heaven
• Jesus was born of a Virgin who conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
• Jesus died for our sins on Calvary

Can anyone add to this list?

 

[JimO]

I’ve always understood that in order to be considered Christian, by definition, a church had to agree with the statements of faith in the Apostle’s Creed, even if they do not acknowledge a creed. Your list captures much of what the Creed states, but here are a couple of other items:

God the Father is Creator of “heaven and earth”
Jesus offered salvation to all of mankind (He descended to the dead)
He rose bodily from the dead on the third day
Jesus ascended to heaven
Jesus will come again as King of Kings
There will be a final judgement
We can be forgiven of our sins
We will rise bodily after the Second Coming

There are a couple of exceptions to what I said above in that most Protestants don’t have the same understanding of the Communion of Saints that we do and to the “one, holy, catholic and apolostolic church” would include all believers in Christ, which is slightly different than our understanding. Although the Church teaches that all people of good will can be saved through the concept of “invincible ignorance”, that salvation still comes through the Catholic Church. Most Protestants believe that all who confess Jesus as Lord and accept Him as personal savior are saved and those who do not (even through ignorance) are not saved - a bleak and unjust position in my opinion.

Blessings

 

[space_ghost]

A SAVIOR



Merry Christmas

 

[SPOKENWORD]

A misunderstanding of some of Gods Words. God Bless

 

[Tinkerbell]

Spokenword, who has the correct understanding of God’s word?

 

[SPOKENWORD]

ann:

Spokenword, who has the correct understanding of God’s word?

GOD. God Bless

 

[kayla]

Merry Christmas

Well said Space Ghost!..with all the anti-Christmas people out there, we are told not to say “Merry Christmas”…it breaks my heart!
btw…I love the picture of Jesus you posted (very beautiful)!

 

[Deacon_Tony560]

At the last meeting of the Catholic Bishops in the USA, it was announced that a new group was being formed. It is called: Christian Churches together in The USA. It will be made up of: Catholics, Evangelicals, Historical Protestants, Historical Ethnic Churches, and Orthodox. They will focus on things that unite, rather than divide. Any statements from the group have to be agreed on by all the members. The old council of churches group would not agree to this.

God bless,
Deacon Tony