Hi CTrent,
I was raised a Catholic, but never took first Communion or Confirmation. I chose to be a Free Methodist. My wife is a former Catholic, however.
And I agree that both Catholic and Protestant doctrine calls for salvation by Grace. It is not by works, though works are an outward sign of our salvation and faith. We are not saved by baptism, or communion, or anything we can do other than profess our faith earnestly and honestly and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
One thing that I think you are a bit off in regards to is the “covering” of the Grace of God. It permeates us as it does Catholics; it is not just an external thing! In fact, it is very common saying that Jesus lives inside us, that we ask Him into our hearts. We are permeated with the Grace and love of Jesus.
Given that, the rest of what you write applies to Catholics and Protestants combined; I believe our differences are dogmatic, not doctrinal. And that’s as someone raised in both faiths, who lives with someone raised in both faiths (yes, we had a mixed marriage).
The reasons that Protestants are often dismissed by Catholics are over dogma - positions that are intrinsic to their particular denomination, and not foundational to salvation.
As I posted earlier in this thread, the Nicene Creed applies to all Protestants, with the understanding that the catholic church means the universal - not Roman/Eastern/Greek “Catholic” churches - and that apostolic means the teachings of the Apostles not the apostolic succession of the papacy.
PugetSoundSoldier:
Thanks for the post, I am glad to see you accept the Creeds of the Church, which is something that we all share in common. Thus, you being a confessional protestant at least gives us a common sharing of Tradition, that some of the later Protestants have thrown away, i.e. the 20th century pentecostal, mega Church, prosperity, health and welfare movements in Protestantism.
Of course, I understand the phrase “One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic” a little diffeently, LOL.
Regards