Posted on 02/15/2006 6:22:47 AM PST by NYer
It is from Jewish roots that the church of Antioch sprung. In fact, the church of Antioch was founded by St. Peter and it was there that the terms "Christian" and "Catholic" were first used. The first Christians were Jews and entire communities came to accept Jesus as the Messiah.
Still, Protestants, in general, are not considered heretics because, in general, most of them were never previously adherents of Catholicism. (You have to have been "one" to become a "heretic").
I suspect that as long as Catholics are in the habit of referring to themselves as Catholics, both they and others are going to continue to refer to Protestants, as well as Lutherans, as Christians.
At some point, I suppose, Catholics will discover that they, too, are Christians, and we'll all do a big group hug and sing kumbayah.
You're going to get some flack from posting this, both from the Protestants and their "Reformist" Christian brethren, and from the Catholics, for one reason or another, don't like the New Oxford Review. The funny thing is, I just read this article this morning. I've been a subscriber for just under 3 years. I don't always agree with them, but they produce a decent publication.
I imagine they'll be along to reply to this article very shortly. Its sentiment is one I agree with, however, especially in regard to a sort of conscious ahistoricism I've noticed in some Protestants I've spoken with, pastors and lay folks alike.
As stated previously,
The problem is, at least based upon conversations I've had with my Protestant friends, is that they do not comprehend that there is one Church and that is that (cf 1 cor 3:1-5, 1 cor 12:12ff, Eph 5:27, etc.). Jesus Christ is the head of that Church and is the bridegroom of that Church (cf Eph 5:23). He installed Peter as his "prime minister," to deal with the temporal issues relating to that Church (Matt 16:19, cf Isa 22:20-23). Additionally, they do not comprehend the concept of Apostolic succession (cf Acts 1:15ff, and many other examples of episcopal ordinations).
Until that realization happens, they will always try to get the Church to 'admit' She is just another denomination...I truly believe that in most cases, it's not a matter of evilness, I just believe it to be a matter of honestly not understanding.
Great article and one that has crossed my mind many times!
Great article and one that has crossed my mind many times!
Sorry for the double post!
It sounds like the Catholics have been reading the DU - now they are big fans of Lakoff and "framing". Are Catholics the "stern father" or the "nurturing mother?"
It is natural for Protestants to call themselves Christians. The "unit" of interest is faith in Jesus Christ. I would not call myself a theist because I do not believe that other faiths provide a path to God. OTOH, I do think all Christians (all of those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior) do.
Huh? Explain.
I've never seen tinfoil constructed into such an ornate shape before. The picture definitely suits the article!
You might want to know what you are talking about before you post.
Just a suggestion.
SD
I just became a "Christian", and I use that term generically because I just came out of a "cult". I have no official church affiliation except I attend a non-denominational church in my area. I accept the doctrines of grace, but that is probably the closest I get to being able to claim a denomination. I have no idea what the Baptists teach, or the Lutherans, or the DoC, etc., so I cannot choose a denomination, so I am stuck with the title of generic non-denominational protestant. And, I think being "non-denominational" is a growing trend. So, when someone asks me what religion I am, I am not going to say "I'm a generic non-denominational protestant", but I will say I am a Christian.
This author doesn't realize that many non-Catholic Christians do not self-identify as Protestants, because, unlike Muslims who are still fighting the Crusades, some have simply moved on.
They were not part of that old struggle on a personal level and many of the denominations were't a part of that struggle at ANY level. For example, Assembly of God and Evangelical Free came about after that debate was long over.
In short, they aren't protesting anything, so they are not protestants. They don't identify as protestants, so they are not protestants. The historical ties to the protestant raison d'etre are nearly invisible with the passage of time, so they are not protestants.
They are Christians.
I "understand" all those things you mentioned. And being a student of history I am not convinced of the RCC's claims regarding them. It's not always a matter of not understanding, but it also happens that there are many of us on the Christian (Protestant) side who simply do not accept those claims you mention.
The vast majority of Protestors are left wing. A group many Protestants want to move as far away from as possible.
Excellent article. It's an issue that's been on my mind lately.
Hmph. Everybody knows that Roman Catholics are just bunch of polytheistic idolators...
(/joke)
This protestant coverted to Judaism. :-)
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