christian & catholic???

Question

I was just wondering what some of the differences are between being a catholic and a christian

Answer 1

"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)

Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.

There are many minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, I believe, do not matter that much.

A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of His new Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

An interesting note. The word catholic means universal or all encompassing. Originally Catholic referred to all of " Christendom"
Now it's more of a denomination, all though they have some doctrines which are hard to reconcile with the Bible - at least in my mind.Like praying to dead Christians, or an inerrant Pope, and salvation more by works. I don't know, that would be different question , for a Catholic.

Answer 3

I really feel sorry for people who seem so ignorant and not know that Catholics are christians...............

So when you ask a question, be more specific on what sect of Christianity you are referring to since just saying "Christian" makes no sense.



St Alphonsus Mary De Liguori (1696-1787)
Bishop and Doctor of the Church :


In the entire history of religion, we find that the Roman Catholic Church alone was the first Church, and that the other false and heretical churches afterwards departed and separated from her. This is the Church which was propagated by the Apostles and afterwards governed by pastors whom the Apostles themselves appointed to rule over her ... This character can be found only in the Roman Church, whose pastors descend securely by an uninterrupted and legitimate succession from the Apostles of the world (Matthew 28:20)

Answer 4

Bubbles says it all. Being Catholic does not mean Christian. Catholics are classified as Christians but follow a religious doctrine created by man.

Answer 5

Being a christain means that you believe Christ was God on earth. That he died for our sins on a cross. And that he rose from the dead after three days to ascend into heaven. A christian believes that you must ask Christ to forgive you of your past, present and future sins and then accept him as your savior before you can get into heaven when you die.

A Catholic is a member of a religious denomination. You can be a catholic and not be a christian. That goes with any other denomination as well.

The two terms do not mean the same thing. One is a belief system and faith in a saviour. The other is a religious affiliation. To be catholic you must declare allegiance to the Pope. You must confess yours sins to your priest. Catholics often pray to Mary or a saint to intercede for them with God. All of the above mentioned criteria makes it difficult to live a Biblically accurate christian life.

So they are not the same. Not the same at all.

Answer 6

Catholics hold to the true teachings of Christ, while the other sects disagree on certain points, like celibacy, the pope, the status of the Blessed Virgin, divorce, purgatory, angels and saints, the trinity, evolution, and so on. They often deride Holy Communion as not qualifying as a "personal" enough relationship with Christ. Not all Christians love one another, sadly enough. Many Christians seem to live to criticize Catholics for their long-held beliefs, while some Christians seem very similar to Catholics and infact are even more strict in adhering to tradition. Lutherans and Orthodox Greek are very similar to Catholic, while fundamentalist Christians seem to derive smug pleasure in pointing out that rituals and dogmas have been derived from pagan practices, which is an out-right lie.

I will derive great pleasure when the gardener comes to prune the tree of its useless branches.

Answer 7

Catholics are Christians, but Protestants (non-Catholic Christians) believe in a more personal relationship with God than Catholics.

Answer 8

a catholic is a type christian. its like saying whats the difference between a pc and a computer

Answer 9

Catholic normally refers to being Roman Catholic which is just a sect or version of being christian. Christian means you believe in Jesus Christ as the savor.

Answer 10

A follower of Jesus is a Christian. No one denomination can say all its members are. I know plenty of Catholics who have no idea what a Christian is.