What Protestants Are Like Catholics?

[TKramar]

Luther was a Catholic priest--so why wouldn't you expect it to follow Catholicism closely?

[shrimpboat]

I am surprised when Protestants become aware that not all Protestants are alike. It is understandable and my own upbringing in the Baptist church led me to believe that there were Protestants and Catholics and no gray areas in between. But a little study and exploration reveals that the early Reformers were conservative and did not want to leave the Catholic church but rather to reform it. That is why many Lutherans consider themselves a "confessing" movement within the Catholic church and reject the radical reformation of many Protestant bodies that followed Martin Luther. Even the first Mass that Lutherans used was in Latin and later in the the vernacular; the churches remained as they were and just changed from being Roman Catholic to Lutheran and the new churches were built just like Catholic churches because the worship and understanding of the faith remained catholic. It was over 200 years later that some Lutherans became more Protestant, this was especially true in America and had something to do with wanting to fit it with the predominate Protestantism.

But just because some Christians are more like Roman Catholics doesn't mean they need to join the Roman church. It just comes down to degrees of "catholicity".

[Pat Healey]

I am surprised when Protestants become aware that not all Protestants are alike. It is understandable and my own upbringing in the Baptist church led me to believe that there were Protestants and Catholics and no gray areas in between

Very good point. I was Catholic for years until leaving to become Anglican 4 years ago (I am now headed back to Rome) I always thought all protestants were like Baptists, Church of Christ, ect. I now see Anglicans (Still a debate whether protestant or not), Lutherans, some Methodists and Presbyterians retain certain "Catholic" elements in their worship/theology. I see Baptists, Church of Christ, Pentecostals, Church of the Nazarene, Non-Denominational Churches as more of the "Protestant style of worship/theology.

I hope all this made sense.

-Pat Healey

[juj]

Originally Posted by Pat Healey

Very good point. I was Catholic for years until leaving to become Anglican 4 years ago (I am now headed back to Rome) I always thought all protestants were like Baptists, Church of Christ, ect. I now see Anglicans (Still a debate whether protestant or not), Lutherans, some Methodists and Presbyterians retain certain "Catholic" elements in their worship/theology. I see Baptists, Church of Christ, Pentecostals, Church of the Nazarene, Non-Denominational Churches as more of the "Protestant style of worship/theology.

I hope all this made sense.

-Pat Healey

Welcome back.

[Oakback]

Originally Posted by Pat Healey

Very good point. I was Catholic for years until leaving to become Anglican 4 years ago (I am now headed back to Rome) I always thought all protestants were like Baptists, Church of Christ, ect. I now see Anglicans (Still a debate whether protestant or not), Lutherans, some Methodists and Presbyterians retain certain "Catholic" elements in their worship/theology. I see Baptists, Church of Christ, Pentecostals, Church of the Nazarene, Non-Denominational Churches as more of the "Protestant style of worship/theology.

I hope all this made sense.

-Pat Healey

I almost became Anglican.

I remember C.S.Lewis say he attended an Anglican Church because it was the closest church to his home ( sounded good enough for me).

I just couldn't get my arms around ole Henry.

I join Juj in saying "welcome back"

[DNick]

I third, Welcome back home Pat.

[Pat Healey]

Thanks DNick, Oakback, and juj. I start RCIA next Wednesday and I am excited. I pretty much know most stuff about the church but the more education the better.

-Pat Healey

[jaysouthphilly]

Wait, you were Roman and need to take a class to become roman again? Good luck.

[jaysouthphilly]

Anyone who is a Christian, by virtue of Baptism and faith in Jesus Christ, is a member of his Body, the Church. And the last I looked, Jesus had one body: One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. So Orthodox, Roman, Lutheran, Episcopal, etc., all claim to not only be Christ's Body, -but to be his ONLY body; or the fullest expression of his Body. 1st Corinthians / Paul teaches there is one Christ and there is one body. For all the fury about Real Presence, Consubstantiation, etc, -all of this fades fully away when we realize each baptized believer is already the Body of Christ. Live on in faith.

[Julian658]

Originally Posted by SmalltownKSgirl

"Mom," she said to me, "they have a statue of DEAD JESUS on the altar!" She thought it was... how should I put this... in very bad taste.

It is hard to imagine some people are unfamiliar with a crucifix.