Whats Baptist view of Catholicism?

[victory]

I am Baptist. I believe that Catholics are still Christian even though they are wrong about some things. But I would never marry one. But not all Baptist believe exactly the same things, so why don’t you ask the guy you are thinking about marrying what he believes. I think that people should marry someone of their same religion because most people will want to raise their kids in their own religion.

 

[victory]

As far as the Baptist view of Catholicism, I thought of some other things to share. I am Baptist and at my church the people there don’t all have the same views of Catholicism. Well everyone believes Catholics are wrong about some things of course because if they didn’t they would be Catholic instead of Baptist. But some considers Catholics Christian and some don’t. Actually the people at my church who are the most anti-catholic are the former Catholics.

 

[Cyber_Knight]

Della:

It’s so sad, too because we really do believe together much more than we don’t! Of course, what the Protestants all hold in common is what they took away from the Catholic Church. Ironic, isn’t it?

Indeed… ironic…

Cyber Knight, if you don’t mind my asking, if your friend is a Baptist and you’re a Catholic why ask about Lutherans? I guess I don’t see the connection. (I’ve been confused a lot today, haven’t I? ) I can usually read around typos.

Della, my main concern is with the Baptist. As for Lutheran, I heard that this denomination also believe that Pope also anti-christ. I was just looking the same ground within protestant’s denominations here. I might ask other protestants denominations here. Where I live, (not in the USA) Lutheran, Baptists, Mormon are not popular, not even single church of them easily to find. I think I was right addressing some of my questions here wtih american posters who knows about american protestants more than myself. Hope that is clear to you.

Anyway, how about your friend? Have you talk to him about his beliefs, and what it all means to your relationship? What does he say? If you don’t mine my asking, that is.

OK well he keeps telling me that Baptist and Catholic are the same. No differences at all. In the mean time, we also spend time to talk about something else out of faiths. Explicitly from the way we talk he wants the marriage arranged as per Baptist not Catholic tradition. I will have to ask him again in detail though… and of course Della, it wont be for public here LOL. or else its going to be a mere gossip rather than solve the problem. Anyway I’ll pm you dont worry

 

[RyanL_s_Wife]

Cyber Knight:

Whats the difference between Catholic and Baptist? Whats Baptist view of Catholicism? Thanks for your comment!

Hi, I am a Baptist…married to a devout Catholic. I would love to answer any specific questions you may have. But keep in mind that many Baptists do have varying opinions about Catholics.

While some believe Catholics are Christians, others do not… but I think what it boils down to is most just don’t understand WHAT Catholics actually believe. I believe it is more ignorance than anything else. (Of course, there are those who have no desire to hear anything other than their preconceived notions.)

As some one else mentioned, Baptists obviously do not believe that everything the Church teaches is accurate, otherwise, they would be Catholic. I know my mom would be heartbroken if I ever converted to Catholicism, not necessarily because she thinks I would go to hell, but more because she would fear for my son’s salvation. She believes that many Catholics do not have a close relationship with Christ and that many do not know the Bible or any of the usual common misconceptions. Therefore, my son runs the risk of not truly knowing Christ, not having a firm foundation… etc. etc. (I think her views are common among many Baptists… but then again, Jack Chick’s nonsense can be common as well, so I guess it just depends on the Baptist.)

Before we moved, we attended a GREAT Baptist church with an excellent Pastor; he loved to pull from other sources in his sermons and would often pull quotes from Saints and other early church fathers. He even offered his condolences during a sermon when Pope John Paul passed away. So I guess it all depends on which Baptist you run into.

As far as similar beliefs:
We believe in the Trinity
Christ is the Messiah
Born of the virgin Mary (however, not ever-virgin)
inerrancy of the scriptures
need for confession/repentance (however, not through a priest)
importance of modesty and Chastity
Pro-life (anti-abortion)
wives honoring husbands
homosexuality is a disordered condition
roles of leadership in the church (only men are pastors and deacons)
just to name a few…

Basically the Nicene Creed minus the Apostolic church and baptism for forgiveness of sins. (we see one Catholic church to mean 'c’atholic, or universal, believers and followers of Christ. Baptism is a statement of faith, which follows acceptance of Christ and does not actually cleanse one of their sins)

Things Baptists tend to place more emphasis on than Catholics, at least in my experience. (my intention is not to insult anyone, please see this as my opinion only - IOW, please don’t flame spray this)

importance of Evangelization
memorizing scriptures
Sunday school, bible studies, youth programs
tithing (at least 10%)
spontaneous expressions of worship (AMEN! Praise Jesus!)
music as a primary form of worship
personalized prayers vs. pre-written (Our Father, Memorare, etc.)

I hope this helps. Just know, you need to communicate in your relationship. My husband and I had a huge adjustment period. (But we did adjust) Please, don’t listen to anyone who tells you it will never work and to run away. Just make sure you discuss all possible issues before you get married, especially when it comes to your future children.

Please ask if you have any other questions. Plus, my husband, RyanL, said you can PM him if you would like the Catholic perspective.

God Bless,

RyanL’s Wife

 

[RyanL_s_Wife]

Cyber Knight:

OK well he keeps telling me that Baptist and Catholic are the same. No differences at all.

You should invite him to Eucharistic Adoration and then ask him to say the Rosary with you… then see if he still feels this way.


Funny thing is, my husband (who wasn’t a devout Catholic when we first married) tried to tell me the same thing about Catholicism… we both love God, that is all that matters… ummmmmm, nope!

 

[Cyber_Knight]

I would like to thank to all posters here and for their advises, information, suggestions etc. they all worth to be learnt and read

As for RyanL’s Wife, thanks for your explanation about Baptist. It gives me a little bit clue what the Baptist is all about however I do need to learn some more about it. I will pm you or your husband if I need further advise from catholic-married-baptist’s prospective.

Thank you again to all.

 

[Kendy]

mercygate:

Hmmm. Maybe that is the wrong question altogether. The answer would be that Lutherans are closer to Catholics. But the points upon which they disagree can be absolutely definitive. It hardly matters which is “closer” in terms of doctrine. It’s a little like asking, “If I want to take a walking trip, which is closer, the moon or the sun?”

That’s a little hyperbolic. Don’t ya think?

Kendy

 

[Little_Mary]

victory:

I am Baptist. I believe that Catholics are still Christian even though they are wrong about some things. But I would never marry one. But not all Baptist believe exactly the same things, so why don’t you ask the guy you are thinking about marrying what he believes. I think that people should marry someone of their same religion because most people will want to raise their kids in their own religion.

I know this is a little off topic, but this phrase really jumped out at me (I highlighted it in bold, above).

victory, doesn’t this tell you something? Look at that phrase and really think about what you’ve said here. Jesus prayed to the Father that we all be one (John 17:17-23). How can this be if we do not all believe “exactly the same thing”?

victory, I am not picking on you - but this phrase drives home (IMO) the fact that sola scriptura creates more confusion that it does unity.

Peace

 

[ahimsaman72]

Cyber Knight:

I would like to thank to all posters here and for their advises, information, suggestions etc. they all worth to be learnt and read

As for RyanL’s Wife, thanks for your explanation about Baptist. It gives me a little bit clue what the Baptist is all about however I do need to learn some more about it. I will pm you or your husband if I need further advise from catholic-married-baptist’s prospective.

Thank you again to all.

CK,

I waited a bit and read the whole thread before answering.

I was Southern Baptist for the first 30 years of my life. After learning about Catholicism and its doctrines, I can tell you there are many differences.

First, Baptists generally can believe what they want as long as it can be plausibly explained by the Bible. The Bible is the final authority, not the pastor, church, friends, family, etc.

So, Baptists are “free” to believe what they want and practice what they want - depending on their interpretation of Scripture. There are general beliefs declared by Southern Baptists in their Baptist Faith and Message found here:

sbc.net/bfm/default.asp%between%

The biggest differences in the two faiths are:

Baptism, Lord’s Supper (Holy Baptism and the Eucharist) and authority (who’s in charge).

Those are the biggest hurdles I can think of when comparing what I know of my Baptist faith and what I have studied of the Catholic faith. You will have to discuss specific issues with your boyfriend to get at what he really believes. You might be surprised. Communication is key.

As a life-long former Southern Baptist, I would be glad to answer any specific questions you might have.

Peace…

 

[CatherineofA]

Cyber Knight:

Whats the difference between Catholic and Baptist? Whats Baptist view of Catholicism? Thanks for your comment!

I can only speak for Southern Baptists. In my experience, Catholics are seen as in error because they are said to depend on the church for guidance instead scripiture alone. I am a Southern Baptist who has come to know a lot about Catholicism due to my interest in history. It developed as a by-product result after reading Tudor English history and medieval history. I have defended Catholicism and tried to correct misconceptions as late as a month ago in Sunday School.

As a Catholic, I recommend that you highly stress your historical roots. That is going to be one of the only ways you are going to give Southern Baptists a lightbulb moment. You have to hit them from where they come from to make them see something. They love to talk about how the scriptures are their everything. Ask them who they think chose the books and how they were put together. Discuss early church history with them that is accepted as historical fact by the academic community. Not just Catholic experts. Discuss with them the negative points about Martin Luther and his life as a person. Are their perceptions of his actions and events factual or colored? Discuss with them why some of the Old Testament books were discarded and are no longer in Protestant Bibles. Show them how you have the exact same New Testament they do. Show them how you have the same Old Testament except for the missing books in the Apocrypha. Talk to them about how church tradition existed years before a “Bible” was compiled.

Unless you discuss historical connections, they will never get the theology. You have to review origins, European culture, and centuries oild politics and set-ups.