Comments on: What is the difference between a Protestant Christian and a Catholic Christian?

By: Tabula Rasa

Tabula Rasa — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:43:05 +0000

= Catholic Pope
= Protestant Bible
That's the simplest I can get off.

By: International Dave

International Dave — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:43:05 +0000

As far as the central doctrine of salvation, Catholics believe that good works rather than faith to get the sky. You have to believe in the sacraments but also must keep going to church, so church tradition is primary.
Protestants (in the historical roots) believe it is only faith in Christ and his sacrifice for our mistakes is one to heaven. Good works should be there, but they are only outward sign of faith.
But things get confusing, as many Protestant churches these days are teaching, which is our good works, not faith, that leads us to heaven. This is not biblical at all. We have all broken God's laws and could never get anywhere near to God through good works. We all fall short of its ideal level.
And at the same time, some Catholics have put all their faith in Christ and not trust their good works to get to God. There can be general with the names, but the people and churches within each may vary.

By: Gaelan JPAA

Gaelan JPAA — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:43:05 +0000

Not too much of a difference. The Church began with the Protestant Church of England. Was started by Henry VIII, because the Catholic Church refused to grant the annulment of his marriage (hence the site). The Protestant Church has no problem with the divorce and the like.

By: /eemon

/eemon — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:43:05 +0000

Catholics believe something, so therefore Protestant protest!
For example:
Catholics believe the Eucharist, so therefore no Protestant
Catholics say a prayer called "Hail Mary", so therefore no Protestant
Catholics make people into saints, so that the Protestants do not recognize saints.
Catholic crucifixes construct to represent Jesus, so do not build crucifixes Protestants and even call him an idol!
There are more, but I think that is the general idea.
go ahead, give me thumbs down, but all these statements are true catholism when compared to a Protestant church or another.

By: sparki77

sparki77 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:43:05 +0000

Wow, some bad answers above.
Jesus founded a church, not many. People in poor condition and started the division was the only church that Jesus founded, because they wanted to do things his way.
Most of the first groups were splintered apostate - who do not want to be Christians, so when he went on his own, left behind Jesus.
The first real schism (division) occurred in the 11th century - the Great Schism divided the one Church that Jesus founded in the Roman Catholic (which means "universal" or "a") Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
In the 15th century, several people wanted to break from the Roman Catholic Church, but even with the stick of Jesus. Mentioned by Henry VIII, King of England, who wanted a anullment order to marry another person and was refused by the Church. Since it contained was king of England, which should also be the head of the Church of England, so he made his own division of church and Roman Catholicism. That is the Anglican / Episcopal line Christianity.
There were others, too, like Martin Luther and Charles Wesley - on the whole, formed by the Protestant Reformation. They really do not reform anything - just divide groups of people in their own factions, launched 7 books of the Bible who were "too Catholic" and launched denominationalism. Denominationalism is that this phenomenon if you do not like what your church is, just go down the road a piece and start your own. There are over 22,000 Christian denominations, because now, most started in the U.S. in the last 100 years, which makes sense because people in the U.S. it is "individualism" and freedom of expression and freedom of religion. In any event, 22,000 + denominations that can not get along is far from the only church that Jesus founded.
For specific answer to your question about the difference between Catholics and Protestants is impossible because the Christians of different denominations. There are two main differences: the apostolic authority (Catholics say it is important to maintain and Protestants say it's debatable), and the Bible (Catholics have 7 original books, not the Protestants). Everything else varies.
What they all have in common is: We believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. We believe that He was born of the Virgin Mary and became man for our sake. We believe he suffered, died and was buried by our cause. We rose to conquer death for our cause and now sits in heaven and that the only way to heaven is through him.

By: imacatho

imacatho — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:43:05 +0000

"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)
Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.
Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):
Only by grace, faith in Christ in the saving work and not for any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works . http:/ / http://www. vatican.va / roman_curia / pontificated …
There are many minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, in my opinion, it does not matter much.
A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of his Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/inde …
With love in Christ.

By: Phil B

Phil B — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:43:05 +0000

Catholic vs Protestant
Mary is the Mother of God / Mary is the mother of Jesus
Mary free of sin / Mary was a sinner like everyone else
OK to pray to Mary and the Saints / Pray to God
During the communion bread and wine becomes the body of Christ (transubstantiation) / The bread and wine are symbols that represent the body and blood of Christ.
Church tradition and Scripture have equal authority / Bible is the only authority
There are contradictions in the Bible / explanations are apparent contradictions.
73 "books" in the Catholic Bible / 66 "books" in the Protestant Bible
Purgatory purges of imperfections / n Purgatory - the death of Christ is sufficient.
The Pope is the Vicar of Christ, successor of Saint Peter, the Bishop of Rome and leader of the Church / Jesus is the head of the Church.
I am sure there are other differences but I think these are the main points.

By: Niceguy2

Niceguy2 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:43:05 +0000

Pope = Catholic Bible, Magesterium, Traditions, pillar of truth, a physical presence of the Church that Christ established, orthodox and universal.
= Protestant Bible Popular books, bells and whistles, the endless progressive …
Depends what you want as a foundation …

By: Danny H C.A.B.

Danny H C.A.B. — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:43:05 +0000

Catholics recognize the authority of the Church, Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture (the Bible).
Protestants recognize only the Bible, and reject everything else.
God bless.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:43:05 +0000

Catholicism is false. Catholics are not Christians. Could become Christians, but would have to leave Catholicism.
Catholicism teaches a false gospel of works that leads to eternal hell (Galatians 1:6-9).
The Bible teaches that you get into heaven by simply believing that Jesus is God, died for our sins on the cross and resurrected. Belief that it is 100% sufficient for entry into heaven.
The only way to get into heaven is by believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.