| The Catholic Church | Protestant vs. Catholic Comparison |
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You are Peter [rock], and on this rock I will build my church (Mat 16:18)
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I wrote this article is to clear up misconceptions of Protestants and Catholics about each others' views. For more about church unity — here and here.
Protestantism vs. Catholicism: Introduction | The Church | Church History | How Are We Saved? | Living A Holy Life | Sacraments | The Early Church | Doctrines |
The Protestant Reformation |
Protestant Objections |
Protestant Variations |
How to Know What's True |
Liberal Christianity
Church History — From before the time of Jesus to the present. 150+ hours of free MP3 files.
"Catholic bashing" Protestants often misrepresent the doctrines, teachings, and practice of the Catholic Church claiming . . .
Serious dissentions appeared and large communities became separated from full communion with the Catholic Church. . . . One cannot charge with sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers. . . . All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church. . . . Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities [found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church] as means of salvation. (Catechism, p. 216, sects. 817, 818, 819)
Many objections are based not on what the Catholic Church actually teaches, but on the beliefs and practices of some Catholics, including some Catholic leaders (priests, bishops, nuns, monks, sisters, brothers, etc.) A few kinds of poorly formed Catholics . . .
"Catholic bashing" Protestants exaggerate the numbers of these poorly-formed Catholics.
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There is often a discrepency between what Catholics think Protestants believe and practice, and what Protestants really do believe and practice, but the ultimate goal ought to be having a correct, informed understanding.
It is not surprising however that Catholics have this difficulty considering the many differing Protestant views.
The Catholic Church refers to Protestants as "separated brethren" (Catechism, 817, 855) claiming that Jesus did not establish the Protestant denominations (and "non-denominations"). The Protestant Reformation is seen as a schismatic movement resulting in disunity in Christ's true church, the Catholic Church. Martin Luther and John Calvin were declared to be heretics: Luther for dividing the church, Calvin for his views of total depravity (Catechism, 406).
The Catholic Church teaches that, as a consequence of this schism, Protestants are missing out on the many blessings (especially the sacraments) that come only from active membership and participation in the Catholic Church, and that they do not have the Teaching Magisterium to guide them in properly interpreting the Bible, and to provide trustworthy guidance in discerning the truths of the faith.
Some Catholics attempt to convert Protestants to Catholicism.
Some Catholic misunderstandings about Protestants, their beliefs, their practices . . .
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In judging whether or not Catholics can be saved, Protestants should only consider essential Christian doctrines rather than non-essential traditions and practices. Therefore, Catholics are saved if they emphasize Christ and His work on our behalf.
But more importantly, Protestants should consider the origin of their own doctrine and practice. In splitting away from the Catholic Church the Protestant Reformers (revolutionaries) invented new doctrines. It is hard to justify the idea that a single man such as Martin Luther could have gotten right what centuries of church theologians had missed, especially those early Church Fathers who learned the faith first hand from the apostles. It is easier to accept the notion that although the church needed reform, it had a correct doctrinal foundation.
Protestants should consider whether the Bible really teaches we are saved merely by the simple act of believing the gospel message; after all, John the Baptist and Jesus both preached the necessity of repentance from sin.
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Some Protestant missionaries in predominantly Catholic countries believe it is their mission to convert Catholics. This is no different than Baptists trying to convert Presbyterians into becoming Baptists.
The salvation of souls is the key issue, not the denominational distinctives of the various Protestant denominations. Yet missionary programs are often focused on converting those who are already saved and the conversion is often merely a conversion from Catholicism to Protestantism.
Protestants who sincerely desire to help Catholics can best help them by encouraging them to regularly read and study the Bible. The Catholic Church encourages all Christians to do this . . .
The study of the sacred page should be the very soul of sacred theology. (Catechism, 132)
The Church forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ. (Catechism, 133)
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The scriptures (especially the gospels) are read and emphasized in every Catholic mass. Any faithful Catholic who is paying attention will be hearing the scriptures often, since they are required to attend mass weekly and on Holy Days (there are a half-dozen per year). In addition, Catholics are to be fully attentive with a worshipful, prayerful attitude during mass. The only Catholics who are not hearing the scriptures are those who are not faithful in practicing their faith.
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