Why do Protestants always refer the Catholic Church as Roman Catholic Church?

[pb0701]

I’ve heard protestants say that when they say “Roman Catholic Church”, they refer to the church that is centered in Rome, headed by the bishop of a single city, Rome, and hence, that is the Roman, not the Catholic, Church.

It’s never been an issue that worries me that much, and certainly not one for any Catholic to get his feelings hurt over

 

[panoikei]

Just call me a Papist or a Uniate…we all know what they mean. So why not Roman Catholic? They are all disrespectful towards us. But I used to say the same things…not realizing that they can be perceived as derogatory. But this is sort of like using Black and African American…Indian or Native American. PC talk I guess… It’s like the term fundie or Mormon even from what I recent leard. Here’s a funny one…our former Associate Pastor’s last name was Morman, a Catholic priest. How about another one…Fr. Luther. I’ve posted on the other side of this argument, but people get way too twisted over this…We know what they mean. It’s in the delivery that makes it insulting…the tone.

 

[Reformed]

Why do Protestants always refer the Catholic Church as Roman Catholic Church? When in fact that the Catholic Church itself consist of 23 Rites, 22 Eastern Rites and 1 Latin Rite?

All regenerate Christians makeup the Catholic Church, or universal church. When you add the word Roman in front of Catholic, we are no longer speaking about the universal (catholic) church revealed in the Scriptures. Please consider this. The Roman Church calls Protestants their separated brethren. Therefore, we are not Roman Catholic by our own confession. We are Christian belonging to the body of Christ which is the catholic church consisting of believers from all denominations including Protestant denominations, Roman Catholic denomination, and Orthodox denomination. There is only one body of Christ which is not exclusive to the Roman Catholic Church.

 

[chris_molter]

All regenerate Christians makeup the Catholic Church, or universal church. When you add the word Roman in front of Catholic, we are no longer speaking about the universal (catholic) church revealed in the Scriptures.

Obviously, we know that Protestants don’t consider the Catholic Church THE Church (or else they would be Catholics).

Please consider this. The Roman Church calls Protestants their separated brethren. Therefore, we are not Roman Catholic by our own confession. We are Christian belonging to the body of Christ which is the catholic church consisting of believers from all denominations including Protestant denominations, Roman Catholic denomination, and Orthodox denomination. There is only one body of Christ which is not exclusive to the Roman Catholic Church.

Except that this is not how the Catholic or Orthodox view things.
True, we do consider Protestants Christians by virture of their valid Baptisms, however, that does not make Protestants “Catholic”. Also, neither Catholics nor Orthodox are ‘denominations’ as they each consider themselves “THE CHURCH” in its entirety, not ‘part’ or ‘portion’ of the Church.

How can “The Church” believe mutually exclusive things? If we were to believe that “The Church” consists of all Protestant denominations as well as the Orthodox, the Catholics, and everyone else, then “The Church” would be hopelessly schizophrenic.

 

[Harpazo]

All regenerate Christians makeup the Catholic Church, or universal church. When you add the word Roman in front of Catholic, we are no longer speaking about the universal (catholic) church revealed in the Scriptures. Please consider this. The Roman Church calls Protestants their separated brethren. Therefore, we are not Roman Catholic by our own confession. We are Christian belonging to the body of Christ which is the catholic church consisting of believers from all denominations including Protestant denominations, Roman Catholic denomination, and Orthodox denomination. There is only one body of Christ which is not exclusive to the Roman Catholic Church.

Shlom lokh,

I’ve heard this idea of an invisible church a lot, even when I was a Protestant of the Methodist persuasion. It does not match up historically and scripturally at all, but it is the only conclusion that Protestants can use to justify their separation from the Body of Christ. Although, in their defense they don’t see the Catholic Church as the Body of Christ.

For example, in the earliest days of the Church there is an organized hierarchy, a call for unity amongst all believers, authoritative teachers who descend from the Apostles, teachings that only the orthodox Christians follow among other things.

Also, in Scripture there are many examples of why there is only one Church and it has to be a visible one. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus tells people to take up their problems with the Church. How can someone do that if it isn’t visible? Wouldn’t that Church, in turn, have to have authoritative teachers? Again, in 1 Timothy 3:15, St. Paul tells us that the Church is to be the pillar and foundation of the truth. How could it perform that duty if it were merely an invisible entity made up of different people of various conflicting confessions and creeds?

Further, in Eph. 4:3-5, St. Paul tells us to be of one faith. Protestants are not of one faith at all. You don’t have to go any farther than your phone book to see the division. It’s a sad reality, but it’s true. I can worship in the 1st century Church, can you?

I saw none of this to be rude or arrogant, but with the greatest affection for your soul. Please consider what I have said here and really study and pray. If you can’t worship in the 1st century Church, I would be very worried.

Alloho minokhoun,
Andrew

 

[O.S.Luke]

Shlom lokh,

I’ve heard this idea of an invisible church a lot, even when I was a Protestant of the Methodist persuasion. It does not match up historically and scripturally at all, but it is the only conclusion that Protestants can use to justify their separation from the Body of Christ. Although, in their defense they don’t see the Catholic Church as the Body of Christ.

I can’t speak for all Protestants, but in my tradition I can tell you that the Catholic Church is most definitely a part of the Body of Christ.

In the mid 1700’s, Catholic Bishop Richard Challoner published A Caveat against the Methodists, which stated: “Methodists are not the people of God: they are not true Gospel Christians: nor is their new-raised Society the true Church of Christ, or any part of it.” John Wesley’s responded by agreeing with the Catholic Church’s premise that the Church of Jesus Christ is universal, one, holy and orthodox.

This is where the Catholic-Methodist dialogue picked up when it began its work in 2006. We - Christians - are the Body of Christ.

O+

 

[Wyatt]

I really don’t have a problem with the term Roman Catholic itself, but I generally don’t use it because of the fact that so many Protestants say it in a rather derogatory tone, often emphasizing the word Roman, like "Yes, most of our family is Christian, but Wyatt and his father are ROMAN Catholic, saying Roman in a really menacing voice like it’s something sinister…and don’t even get me started on how frustrating it is for people to say Catholic or Christian rather than Catholic or Protestant, as if we can’t even legitimately be called Christians. I think that’s why, to Catholics, it leaves a bad taste in our mouth when we hear the term Roman Catholic, at least from those outside the Church, because we’re so used to it being used by those who bash Catholicism. I usually refer to myself as simply “Catholic,” although the sign outside my parish clearly reads “Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church” so the term is used within the Church too sometimes.

 

[panoikei]

I can’t speak for all Protestants, but in my tradition I can tell you that the Catholic Church is most definitely a part of the Body of Christ.

In the mid 1700’s, Catholic Bishop Richard Challoner published A Caveat against the Methodists, which stated: “Methodists are not the people of God: they are not true Gospel Christians: nor is their new-raised Society the true Church of Christ, or any part of it.” John Wesley’s responded by agreeing with the Catholic Church’s premise that the Church of Jesus Christ is universal, one, holy and orthodox.

This is where the Catholic-Methodist dialogue picked up when it began its work in 2006. We - Christians - are the Body of Christ.

O+

He was obviously not speaking ex cathedral being that he wasn’t the Bishop of Rome. You are most certainly part of the body of Christ, but not in the fullness of the faith. No offense…just speaking Catholicity an all. The problem however is that once someone actually understands how the Catholic Church is the truth then the person that rejects it in full knowledge commits a grave sin and would likely lose his/her soul. We are brother’s and sisters in Christ. I surely hope so… my Protestant mother is dead and I pray for her as often as I think too along with her parents and cousins. Same with my wife’s side.

 

[panoikei]

I really don’t have a problem with the term Roman Catholic itself, but I generally don’t use it because of the fact that so many Protestants say it in a rather derogatory tone, often emphasizing the word Roman, like "Yes, most of our family is Christian, but Wyatt and his father are ROMAN Catholic, saying Roman in a really menacing voice like it’s something sinister…and don’t even get me started on how frustrating it is for people to say Catholic or Christian rather than Catholic or Protestant, as if we can’t even legitimately be called Christians. I think that’s why, to Catholics, it leaves a bad taste in our mouth when we hear the term Roman Catholic, at least from those outside the Church, because we’re so used to it being used by those who bash Catholicism. I usually refer to myself as simply “Catholic,” although the sign outside my parish clearly reads “Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church” so the term is used within the Church too sometimes.

I feel the same way. But it isn’t always said that way.

 

[Mystic_Warrior]

Why do Protestants always refer the Catholic Church as Roman Catholic Church? When in fact that the Catholic Church itself consist of 23 Rites, 22 Eastern Rites and 1 Latin Rite?

This amazes me. People such as Jimmy B argue all day long about how it is “NOT” simply the Catholic Church, but the “ROMAN” Catholic Church and now you seem to be saying something different. What do you want to be called? And does everybody agree to what they want to be called? If you can’t agree, then who is right?

I think my summation is this: when you figure out what you want to be called, let us know - because we are told different things by different people.

Peace…

MW

 

[O.S.Luke]

He was obviously not speaking ex cathedral being that he wasn’t the Bishop of Rome. You are most certainly part of the body of Christ, but not in the fullness of the faith. No offense…just speaking Catholicity an all. The problem however is that once someone actually understands how the Catholic Church is the truth then the person that rejects it in full knowledge commits a grave sin and would likely lose his/her soul. We are brother’s and sisters in Christ. I surely hope so… my Protestant mother is dead and I pray for her as often as I think too along with her parents and cousins. Same with my wife’s side.

I thought I was being charitable… I’ll just start walking to hell now.

I still maintain a lot of respect and admiration for the Catholic Church.

Peace… one of these days,

O+

 

[Reformed]

Shlom lokh,

I’ve heard this idea of an invisible church a lot, even when I was a Protestant of the Methodist persuasion. It does not match up historically and scripturally at all, but it is the only conclusion that Protestants can use to justify their separation from the Body of Christ. Although, in their defense they don’t see the Catholic Church as the Body of Christ.

For example, in the earliest days of the Church there is an organized hierarchy, a call for unity amongst all believers, authoritative teachers who descend from the Apostles, teachings that only the orthodox Christians follow among other things.

Also, in Scripture there are many examples of why there is only one Church and it has to be a visible one. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus tells people to take up their problems with the Church. How can someone do that if it isn’t visible? Wouldn’t that Church, in turn, have to have authoritative teachers? Again, in 1 Timothy 3:15, St. Paul tells us that the Church is to be the pillar and foundation of the truth. How could it perform that duty if it were merely an invisible entity made up of different people of various conflicting confessions and creeds?

Further, in Eph. 4:3-5, St. Paul tells us to be of one faith. Protestants are not of one faith at all. You don’t have to go any farther than your phone book to see the division. It’s a sad reality, but it’s true. I can worship in the 1st century Church, can you?

I saw none of this to be rude or arrogant, but with the greatest affection for your soul. Please consider what I have said here and really study and pray. If you can’t worship in the 1st century Church, I would be very worried.

Alloho minokhoun,
Andrew

I think the Scriptures teach that the visible church is a mix of converted and uncoverted. Please consider wheat and tares, sheep, and wolves inside the visible church. The invisible church consists of the wheat and the sheep, and not the tares and wolves inside the visible church.

 

[panoikei]

I thought I was being charitable… I’ll just start walking to hell now.

I still maintain a lot of respect and admiration for the Catholic Church.

Peace… one of these days,

O+

 

[Harpazo]

I can’t speak for all Protestants, but in my tradition I can tell you that the Catholic Church is most definitely a part of the Body of Christ.

In the mid 1700’s, Catholic Bishop Richard Challoner published A Caveat against the Methodists, which stated: “Methodists are not the people of God: they are not true Gospel Christians: nor is their new-raised Society the true Church of Christ, or any part of it.” John Wesley’s responded by agreeing with the Catholic Church’s premise that the Church of Jesus Christ is universal, one, holy and orthodox.

This is where the Catholic-Methodist dialogue picked up when it began its work in 2006. We - Christians - are the Body of Christ.

O+

Shlom lokh,

I probably should have been more specific in my posting. I apologize.

Protestants, in their defense, do not see the Holy Catholic Church as the true Body of Christ in which the fullness of orthodox faith and life in Christ exists. We as Catholics believe that Protestants are in some mysterious way a part (in the most minuscule way, however) a part of the Catholic Church by virtue of their Trinitarian Baptism, but lack the fullness of participating in Body of Christ.

It’s like on those juice commercials. Why have 5% juice, when you could have 100%? It’s the same with Christianity.

Glad to hear about the Catholic-Methodist dialogue.

Alloho minokhoun,
Andrew

 

[panoikei]

Shlom lokh,

I probably should have been more specific in my posting. I apologize.

Protestants, in their defense, do not see the Holy Catholic Church as the true Body of Christ in which the fullness of orthodox faith and life in Christ exists. We as Catholics believe that Protestants are in some mysterious way a part (in the most minuscule way, however) a part of the Catholic Church by virtue of their Trinitarian Baptism, but lack the fullness of participating in Body of Christ.

It’s like on those juice commercials. Why have 5% juice, when you could have 100%? It’s the same with Christianity.

Glad to hear about the Catholic-Methodist dialogue.

Alloho minokhoun,
Andrew

I loved your juice analogy…mind if I borrow it?

 

[Harpazo]

I loved your juice analogy…mind if I borrow it?

Shlom lokh

Go right ahead! I’d be honored if you did! It makes sense don’t you think? You cannot get the full nutrients that your body needs with 5% juice. You need 100%. Why should it be any different with our souls? It makes sense for the original Church to be full of the nutrients that our souls need. Anything that grew out of that wouldn’t have the full nutrients and would be watered down. I don’t say any of this to demean our Protestant brothers and sisters, but our souls need 100%. It is a matter of life and death.

Alloho minokhoun,
Andrew