“Evangelical” Protestants, as opposed to what other kind of Protestants? Southern fried? Yankee bean?
I think the goalposts are moving.
I don’t think there’s any point in making comparisons between Catholics who don’t believe what the Church teaches and Protestants who do believe what their particular sect teaches.
The thread I linked to has Calvinists and Wesleyans going at each other hammer and tongs. Both claim their distinctive doctrines are taken from Sacred Scripture. Are Wesleyans not “Evangelical” Protestants? I grew up as a Nazarene and hilariously we just thought we were evangelicals period.
In my experience anyway, Catholics who "don't believe" what the Church teaches frequently (not always, sadly) don't actually know or understand a particular teaching but are quite amenable to accepting it when it's explained.
Well, this Baptist has gone at it hammer and tongs with some of the Catholics on this thread...and after many hundreds of posts over months, I think we largely agreed that we disagreed on many doctrines, but agreed on the saving grace of God, the sacrifice of Jesus, the need for all to repent of their sins and ask God in the name of Jesus to forgive them and to change them by the indwelling Holy Spirit. We agree on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
So I call them my brothers and sisters in Christ, and will rely on God to correct each of us in His time...or to wipe our tears away when we see Him and repent of our fighting.
In like manner, I’ll note the Society of Evangelical Arminians says, “If you agree with our statement of faith and our recognition of Calvinists as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, and you are committed to engaging this issue with love and respect for all, and you would like to join the society, please contact us with a request for membership...”
I have no doubts whatsoever about RnMomof7’s sincerity or that she has been saved and God is preparing a place for her. I’ve read too many of her posts to believe she is either a troll or a malicious person. Her disagreements with me spring from love, not hate - as do mine with her.
I must always remember that my sincerity doesn’t mean I cannot be wrong, or that most of the tears shed on that Day may be mine for my many erroneous posts. Maybe I’m wrong about Calvin. Maybe I’m wrong about the real presence in the Eucharist. Or maybe I’m right, but arguing for my pride rather than in love. I’m saved, but a saved sinner still prone to sin and error.
When I remember that, I can participate on these forums and rejoice for Christians who disagree with me. The thief on the cross didn’t pass a theology test - he merely believed Jesus (”Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”) I would hope to do more than the thief, but it will suffice if I do not do less...