To say someone who never thinks about Catholicism defines themselves as “Whatever Catholics say or do, the Protestant does and says as close to the opposite as he can” is just stupid. Someone who never thinks about A cannot be striving to be the opposite of A.
Baptists try to follow the Bible. We never discuss what Catholicism is, nor does anyone I’ve met in 40 years CARE. The ONLY standard I’ve ever heard discussed in Baptist discussions on what we should believe is “What does the Bible say”.
Sorry, but our theological world doesn’t revolve around you. In terms of defining what we should accept or reject, you don’t even exist. You might as well suggest we are trying to be different from Hinduism.
Baptists try to follow the Bible. We never discuss what Catholicism is, nor does anyone I’ve met in 40 years CARE. The ONLY standard I’ve ever heard discussed in Baptist discussions on what we should believe is “What does the Bible say”.
“We never discuss what Catholicism is, nor does anyone I’ve met in 40 years CARE...”
Just search ‘independent Baptist Catholic tracts.’ I mean, have you ever walked out of your church after services and the cars in the lot have tracts specifically about the faith you belong to on the windshields? That’s caring a heck of a lot in my book, I mean what else would it be called? I don’t think it is a high %, but at least some Baptists care a heck of a lot.
Freegards
“To say someone who never thinks about Catholicism defines themselves as “Whatever Catholics say or do, the Protestant does and says as close to the opposite as he can” is just stupid.”
So you say, but that is a rather accurate summation of what happened in the 16th century and beyond. Even in the 19th century a Russian Orthodox theologian said Catholics and Protestants are two sides of the same coin. Now, he was saying that both Catholics and Protestants were wrong, of course, but he also was strongly implying that Protestants and Catholics were the opposites of one another.
“Someone who never thinks about A cannot be striving to be the opposite of A.”
That’s not necessarily true. It isn’t that modern Protestants might be doing that, but that it happened historically and that Protestants even today judge certain things to be off base – not necessarily because of it smacks of Catholicism in itself, but because it smacks of what they have always been taught was wrong.
“Baptists try to follow the Bible.”
Try? Why don’t they just do it? What you’re really saying is they follow their interpretations of the Bible.
“We never discuss what Catholicism is, nor does anyone I’ve met in 40 years CARE.”
Okay, then at your next discussion mention any of the following:
1) “Guys, I’ve been studying John 6 and I’ve come to the conclusion that the “flesh” Jesus is talking about people eating really is His flesh. What do you think about that?”
2) “I’ve been studying the phrase “obedience of faith” in Paul and I’ve come to the conclusion that Paul means we receive grace for not only our faith but also the works which God starts in us and which we co-operate. What say you on that?”
3) “You know I’ve really been thinking and praying about Luke’s description of the interaction of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the angel Gabriel, and I’ve come to the conclusion that her response to him – since she was not punished with muteness – must mean that she had never intended to have a conjugal relationship with Joseph. What do you think about that?”
How many minutes will go by before the word “Catholic” comes up?
“The ONLY standard I’ve ever heard discussed in Baptist discussions on what we should believe is “What does the Bible say”.”
R-I-G-H-T. Like I said, mention any of the things I numbered above and see what happens.
“Sorry, but our theological world doesn’t revolve around you.”
Maybe not, but that was not the case in the 16th century. Again, mention any of the things I numbered above and see what happens.
“In terms of defining what we should accept or reject, you don’t even exist.”
If we didn’t exist, you wouldn’t exist – and neither would the New Testament.
“You might as well suggest we are trying to be different from Hinduism.”
So you’re claiming to be a pagan group ultimately descended from pagan Hindus? Do tell.
Sorry, but our theological world doesn’t revolve around you.
Yes, I am Evangelical and all dealings with Baptists are good because we both use the "What does the Bible say" approach. So Amen brother.
As a former Roman Catholic, born, raised, properly cathechized, practicing and educated (by Jesuits), you are right, if you are not focused on Roman theology and comparing your "obvious" "heresy" to the 3,000 page Roman Catholic catechism (there are a few in circulation. Some really like the Baltimore variant), then shame on you! (/sarcasm-which is inbred to those educated by Jesuits).
I mean, what were you thinking trying to interpret the Bible on your own! It is a well KNOWN FACT that Peter himself KNEW that Rome in her glory would be the center of all Christian worship, honor and glory! One BISHOP! One Ring to Rule them ALL!!!(of course giant embellishment, theater and sarcasm on my point).
Mr. Rogers, you and the Baptists have been warned! Row well and live! Row to the beat of the Roman drum!
I agree completely with this! In fact, the Southern Baptist Church of my grandparents that I went to, where I first heard the truth of the gospel of the grace of God through Jesus Christ and received Christ as my Savior - leaving the Roman Catholicism I was raised in up to then - not once said a word against Catholicism. They didn't need to since I could see for myself what the word of God said and how it countered what I had been taught all my life. In all the other churches I attended since then - SBC and nondenominational Evangelical - the subject of Roman Catholicism was not discussed. It is as you said the truth of God's word by the illumination of the Holy Spirit shines through.
Of course, for some Roman Catholics, this will come as a shock since they HAVE been brought up to believe anyone but Roman Catholics are of the devil and especially those "Protestants" - whom, I believe, they imagine all the world would be Roman Catholic had it not been for the Reformation. It's probably the other way around in that they have to battle against everyone who isn't Catholic in order to retain the facade of the "one, true church outside of which no man can be saved" - it's like we're living rent-free in their brains!
It is sophistry for this author - and any Catholics who agree with him - to imagine that Protestants "define" themselves as being the opposite of Catholics in everything. Where Catholics continue to follow Scripture, there is no difference. The Reformers' desire was to REFORM the church back to the tenets of the ancient Christian church - to bring it back to true orthodoxy (something even the Eastern church recognized Rome had departed from.
There will not be a "Reformation Catholic" designation for non-Catholic Christians. The word "catholic" - which originally meant universal - has been tainted in the same way that "choice" has been by the anti-life, pro-abortion faction. I know I will never adopt it. It is enough to know that receiving Jesus Christ and following Him in obedience to God out of gratitude for His amazing grace is sufficient. I desire nothing that Rome offers.
Concur. Believers focus on faith through Christ.
In regards to Church History, Catholicism had it’s place up until around Gregory circa 600AD, but too many birds entered their arena. His Church continues and those seeking to usurp His authority with theirs will reap little at the bema seat.
Human good and human evil are impotent in the face of Christ. Works through faith in Christ are far more valuable with eternal consequence.
AMEN!!!
Preach it, brother.
I constantly here about how Protestants are supposed to be so fixated on attacking Catholicism and yet I have rarely heard even mention of Catholicism from the pulpit.
We have more important issues to deal with, and it does revolve around what God says through the Bible about how we should live and developing the character of Christ in our lives.