What is the difference between Christian or Catholic?

Question

Is it the same thing or not? Whats the difference?

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

The best way to answer this, I think, is simply to point out the history. First, Catholics are Christians. The correct distinction is Catholic and Protestant.

The Catholic Church is the original church founded by Christ 2,000 years ago. She has faithfully taught, protected, and spread His teaches throughout the ages.

Protestantism is a movement that occurred around the year 1500 called the Protestant Reformation. It is a revolt against the authority of the Catholic Church.

In general, most Christians believe the same basic things - baptism and repentance of sins, accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and following Him. However, the divisions occur over more in-depth doctrinal issues.

Within Protestantism, it is very difficult to explain what the different denominations believe because there are so many different ones. The reason there are so many is because of differences in interpretation of scripture. When disagreements arise, the typical outcome is a particular denomination/church will split, forming two different, unrelated, often rivaling, churches. This fracturing effect is more or less a built-in element within Protestantism. Currently there are some 54,000 different denominations - and growing. The irony is that while each one is different from the other, each claims to have the correct teachings of Christ.

Please do not think I am bashing Protestants. The Church teaches that all Christians - protestant and Catholics - are brothers and sisters in Christ. However, when one takes an objective look at the history and mechanics of Protestantism and Catholicism, the things I explained above are what come to light.

I strongly encourage everyone to ask the question you did, because honest questions help one to get to the truth, which is what we're all seeking (Christ).

God bless and take care.

Answer 3

This question comes up about 3 times a day.
Catholicism is one the earliest sects of Christianity that has survived time. Almost all surviving early churches are some form of catholic. Roman catholic is the largest but not the oldest. The Assyrian Chrsitian church is older by about 3 or 4 hundred years. Are they Christian?? That is debatable. They say they are. And, there are many Roman catholics who are definitely Christian -no question. But the masses are just Roman catholic-period, and are far from Christianity. Many conservative Christian scholars would say they are a pseudo-Christian cult. And, for good reason. The history of the Roman catholic church is shameful and criminal. You can get information on the catholic church online at many of the apologetics websites. 2 cautions, 1.watch out for hate sites,-they serve no useful purpose, and 2. catholic websites will lie to you. Catholic clergy will also lie-you can not trust them.

Answer 4

This is NOT the same thing. Christianity is the umbrella faith that includes Catholics. The Catholic Church was the 4th (major) incarnation of Christianity and is referred to as the Church of Thyatira (at least the Roman Catholic Church is) many people who quote historical wrongdoings refer to both the Thyatiran Church and the Church of Pergamos (The State Church).

The Catholic Church also believes that the 'sacred traditions' are just as important as the 'sacred scripture' whereas many other Churches only view the Scripture as important. '

It is also important to point out that the Protestant Reformation occurred due to people questioning the Catholic Church (from within) and most sciences have a Christian 'father' figure who started that branch (they did this to see how God worked/did things in the universe. Not to prove/disprove the existence of God. The 'prove/disprove argument was started only recently as an argument to dispel all 'religion' altogether.)

Answer 5

I think the major difference is that Catholics believe the priest can absolve their sins in confession, while the Christian Bible teaches that Jesus is "our great high priest," and a born again believer can come directly before the very throne of God with prayer, confession, praise, and supplication. Christians also do not celebrate the Saints or believe they can help us directly. Christians study the Word and try to apply it to their lives, while many Catholics just accept dictates from the Pope. A Christian comes to Christ as a lost sinner looking for salvation that only He can provide. A personal relationship is then developed. The Catholic church seems to depend more on pomp, rituals, and icons. I respect that there are very devout Catholics who go faithfully to mass....perhaps more faithfully than Christians, but I do not believe any man has power to absolve sin. The Catholic church also reveres Mary, the mother of Jesus. I think that allegiance is the major difference. My best friend growing up came from a large Catholic family and I have total respect for their faith...just believe they are sincerely, somewhat, misguided.

Answer 6

Well its kinda the same thing and its kinda not. Christian is a general description of everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. Like most religions, Christianity has sects in it too and catholicism is one of those sects. All catholics, roman catholics, lutherans, protestants etc are christians but they all have different methods in their beliefs. So basically catholics are christians its just they're one type of christians..

Answer 7

Catholic is defined as universal. Christians are Catholic. Roman Catholic is just another religion/cult.

Answer 8

"thanks mainly to Evangelicals Catholics are not even considered Christians and certainly not regarded as Christian brethren, of course this is totally illogical when you realize that the Catholic church has an unbroken history of 2,000yrs and is the church of Apostolic tradition.
It is a common fact that to validate your own authority you have to undermine and destroy the other`s and this has been the Protestant remit for centuries."




Sentinel's answer bears repeating..

Answer 9

Christians do not war against nations and teach that humans will not all float to heaven but live forever on earth.
The wicked will be destroyed and not tortured in a fiery hell.
Sex is not a sin but a gift to those within the bounds of marriage.
Christians do not over-ride the Bible with traditions of the church.
Christians do not share with the political leaders of this world as they are apart from this world as Christ was.

Answer 10

thanks mainly to Evangelicals Catholics are not even considered Christians and certainly not regarded as Christian brethren, of course this is totally illogical when you realize that the Catholic church has an unbroken history of 2,000yrs and is the church of Apostolic tradition.
It is a common fact that to validate your own authority you have to undermine and destroy the other`s and this has been the Protestant remit for centuries.