Do Protestants consider Catholics to be Christians? [open]

5/16/08 | me

[netmilsmom]

Stemming from this comment

>>I think the RCC doctrines are a product of the enemy<<

Please tell us where we stand here. Examples welcome, but I'm not sure that actual names can be used when quoting another FReeper, so date and thread title may be better.

[Pyro7480]

Is no your answer, or are you answering for them?

[Petrosius]

Although we question the correctness of your theology (sometimes even using the “H” word), as you do ours, and think that your connection to the Church is defective, Catholics would never question the fact that Protestants are indeed Christians.

[Boagenes]

As a Protestant, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, my answer is yes, I consider (as I think most Protestants do) Catholics to be Christians.

We differ on points of doctrine and the authority of Scripture vs. the doctrines of men, the infallibility of the Magesterium, Marian doctrines, etc, but we all adhere to the concept of the Trinity and belief in the basics of the Christian faith found in the Apostle's Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.

[Always Right]

Yes, but on the flip side many Catholics don’t consider us Protestants saved.

[Alex Murphy]

Or, better yet, are non catholics going to heaven?

Individual Catholics can't even be sure if they're going to Heaven - why should they offer us non-Catholics any greater assurance than they have for themselves?

[quadrant]

Absolutely. I disagree with many of the teaching of the RC Church but as the Church believes in the three great creeds of Christianity, I consider Catholics as Christians.
The question should be framed: do Roman Catholics consider Protestants as Christians?

[1035rep]

Thanks, you just reminded me why I don’t belong on one of these threads.

[muawiyah]

You can be a heretic only if you used to be one of whatever it is says you are a heretic. I'm accused by many Protestants of being too soft on the Catholics, and by many Mormons of being too soft on the Gentiles.

It's all a guy can do to keep up with who he's soft on.

I am soft on the Buddhists in fact ~

[big'ol_freeper]

This becomes an emotional issue, so let me just say that IF Catholic dogmas and doctrines were false then they would have to be the work of Satan because he is the father of falsehood.

In the same way, if Catholic dogmas and doctrines are true then anything that goes against those dogmas and doctrines are the work of Satan also for the same reason.

That is not to put the label of satanic on the adherents of the defective faith, it is just a fact that Satan deceives.

I fully believe the Catholic Church holds the fullness of faith.

[Always Right]

I stand on the side that says if one holds to be true all that the Catholic Church teaches then one has attained the fullness of faith.

Was that the truth the Catholics taught in 1600's or the ones they teach now.

[Radl]

If you keep slinging mud in their faces what do you expect?

[Pyro7480]

Yes, but on the flip side many Catholics don’t consider us Protestants saved.

I think that's an oversimplification. I'd say, from my personal understanding, that given the sanctifying grace available in the Sacraments, its potentially easier for Catholics to enter eternal life than for Protestants. But the Catholic Church doesn't deny that Protestants do go to Heaven.

[tessalu]

Yes, indeed. Catholicss are Christian. Many Catholics are bible believing, just as are the Protestants. God knows who truly believes in him or not, and it is he, who will divide the sheep from the goats.

[big'ol_freeper]

One in the same.

[Jacquerie]

I think the RCC doctrines are a product of the enemy.

Are the enemy to be killed? Concentrated in camps? Reduced to servile status?

Please explain why Catholics are your enemy.

[Pyro7480]

Was that the truth the Catholics taught in 1600's or the ones they teach now.

As if Catholic teaching on the matter has changed! By the way, it hasn't.

[Happy Rain]

B-16 said protestants are not “true” Christians.

But as true Christians we turn the other cheek.

[Oliver Optic]

Catholics would never question the fact that Protestants are indeed Christians.

Along those lines, an honest question here (for Petrosius or any of our Catholic posters) ... can (post-baptismal) mortal sin be removed from the soul without confession to a Catholic priest and/or other rites of the Church?

[Pyro7480]

The “enemy” referred to is the Devil, and she was quoting someone else.

[trisham]

That is a quote.