Catholic Vs. Methodist?

Question

I am a Methodist/Protestant, Christian. I was wondering what the differences between Methodism and Catholicism are.

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

I don't know what type of Methodist you are. I am United Methodist. It would be helpful to know. Catholic is another liturigical church. They practice the full Christian calendar including Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, and so on. Catholics believe in the immaculate conception. This means that Mary was born sinless. They also think Mary is still a virgin. They also believe in the assumption of Mary. This means that they ASSUME that Mary was taken up into heaven body and soul as Christ was. They pray to the saints and to Mary because they are asking them to pray on their behalf. They don't think Mary is god or anything like that. Catholics follow more sacraments than Methodists. There is Confirmation, Marriage, Communion, Annointing the Sick, Baptism, Confession, and Holy Orders. The Communion at the Catholic church is closed. If you do not follow Catholic doctrine, you cannot take communion there. They also believe that the bread becomes the actual body of Christ and the wine is the actual blood of Christ. The priests cannot marry in the Catholic church. Women are not given a role outside of being nuns. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Methodists are Arminian(free will) Protestants who branced out from the Anglican Evangelical tradition. Their theology of grace and sanctification is more like that of Catholics and Orthodox than that of many other Protestants. "Heart felt religion" was historically important to Methodists.
Most Methodists have an episcopal ( with bishops)church structure which is like the Catholic but they do not have the same sacramental understanding or claim of apostolic succession as Catholics do. Methodists have most of the differences that nonLutheran and non Anglican Protestants have with Catholics and Methodists emphasize the "Solas"of Protestantism (Bible alone,grace alone,faith alone,Christ alone.). The Methodists have multiple denominations from Primitive Methodists to United Methodists and Catholics have only one denomination

Answer 4

I don't know Methodist doctrine, but I'm willing to bet that the differences are in ritual and dogma. Catholics put a high priority on ritual, higher than most Protestant denominations. There is also the fact that Catholics believe that communion is THE body and blood of Christ. (Insert long theological discussion here.)

Answer 5

Because they are a Protestant denomination, Methodists do not accept the authority of the Roman Catholic Pope. Generally speaking, they also do not practice the veneration of Mary, nor do they believe in the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. They are less somewhat less ritualistic in liturgy than the Catholic church.

Answer 6

As a Catholic,I can say the Methodist branched away from the Vatican,much as Lutherans,Protestants etc.I have no beef with that,and I put no such things or religions down,as long as it has peacful,moral teachings,Catholics worship the suffering of Christ,the body and the blood,we dont pray to the saints,we pray for their intercession through Christ.We beleive in Mary,the Mother of Christ,and her intercession to her Son on our behalf.We dont place them above Christ,God or the Holy Spirit.As for the kneeling part,that is the time that the Eucharist(the body and blood) are transformed from wine and a bread wafer.We kneel because the holiest of holies (the miracle of life everlasting) Is.If you notice,Catholic churches have the Crucified Christ at their alters,this reminds us of the suffering Jesus endured.And that we too must follow the path(stick to rules,suffer)

Answer 7

Methodism is a semi-conservative (Pentacostals being "non-conservative, in Christian terms) denomination of Protestantism, which is itself a branch of Christianity. Methodists follow the teachings of John Wesley (hence "Wesleyan Methodism"), a preacher from 18th-century England.

Roman Catholicism is another branch of Christianity; the one from which Eastern Orthodoxy split about a thousand years ago, and from which Protestantism split about half that time. The differences are basically similar between Methodism and Catholicism as the differences are between any branch of Protestantism and Catholicism.

Before anyone jumps on giving me a thumbs-down, everything I've said here is historically-accurate, and from a purely historical standpoint. If you disagree with it, read up again on your basic European history in any halfway decent college textbook on basic world history.

Answer 8

Catholics are more liturgical - a more formal approach to selecting the readings for the day, the accompanying music, and how to preach the sermon. Catholics hold there to be seven sacraments, Methodists two.

Catholics preserve a line of bishops who have been ordained through other bishops. The Methodists broke off the episcopal line of ordinations.

Answer 9

As an ex Catholic and an Ex Methodist I can say that the Catholics do some weird unbiblical things and the Methodist started out as a dynamic evangelical church and has become quite lethargic. BUT. Both have got the core fundamentals down and have radical world changing people in them. I will say that there are members of the Bride of Christ in both and in both there are many going to hell. I am a Baptist and the same goes for us too. All believers are the Body of Christ.

Answer 10

Both churches are very structured and put a high emphasis on rituals. The Methodist church is Protestant, though, and has some differences. One, they have an open communion, that means everyone can take communion whether or not they're members of the church. They also don't believe in infant baptism.