What Is the Church from a Catholic POV

[Chereek]

So I am coming from a Protestant background and while I am convinced Protestantism overall is wrong, one of the things I am having trouble wrapping my head around is the Catholic concept of the Church.

As a Protestant, I believed it was just a composition of all the believers anywhere on Earth and in Heaven. Now I know that differs a bit from Catholicism, but can someone explain how and why? I get that it is more institutional, but do know that even non-Catholics can ultimately be saved because of the Church, in some sort of union with Her, which seems to me to go back to the Protestant idea of the Church in some ways.

Thanks in advance for any help and explanation.

 

[adamhovey1988]

Keep in mind, I am NOT a theologian, but, let me answer what the Church believes about Protestants. The way it has been described to me is that Protestants are in an “imperfect” union with the Church via their baptisms. I think you may know you’re Bible pretty well, so, take a look at these verses. 1 Tim 3:15, Matthew 18:15, Mt 16:18-19, amongst others.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

The Church consists of the Church Militant, who are us here on earth fighting the good fight against evil; the Church Penitent, who are the deceased souls currently in Purgatory; and the Church Triumphant, who are the souls in Heaven.

Protestants and others who share some beliefs with Catholics may be in some kind of imperfect alliance with the Church Militant here on earth. After death, they have the possibility of becoming part of the Church Penitent or Church Triumphant, if God judges them worthy of purgatory or heaven.

 

[goout]

Think of Christ Incarnate first, and all else from that.
The Church is Christ’s Mystical Body united as one. Because Christ is Incarnate, the Church is real in human terms as well as divine.
You might want to ponder the CCC on this. Lot’s to think about.

 

[MT1926]

As a Protestant, I believed it was just a composition of all the believers anywhere on Earth and in Heaven.

From my point of view I would call that the church with a little c.

Now I know that differs a bit from Catholicism, but can someone explain how and why?

When I hear the word Church with a big C, to me this brings about thoughts of authority. From my POV the word Church means the authority Christ left us here on earth to lead until He returns. I’m sure you’ve already heard the explanations about the King’s chief steward being left in charge of the kingdom while the King is away.

I think this article gives some pretty good insight if you are up for a long read.

God Bless