Is catholic different christian?

Question

if not, what's the difference then.

i mean, is catholic different from christian?

so it means, all catholics are christians? but not all christians are catholics? am i right?

so it means, all catholics are christians? but not all christians are catholics? am i right?

then, who are the real christians?

if i take the explaination of schneb, it seems that catholics are the "bad" christian?
anyone from the catholics to comment about this?

Answer 1

i'm a catholic since birth but schneb comments an eye opener...

Answer 2

For the first 1000 years AD, there was only one denomination of Christianity, just as Christ intended. History shows and proves that the one Christian Church was the Catholic Church, with the Bishop of Rome as the spiritual leader. Some non-catholic Christians will come up with some fanciful histories of Christianity, implying that the Catholic Church was actually started by the Roman Emperor Constantine, which of course is utterly ridiculous, since writings of the successors to the Apostles in the Second Century AD (Clement, Ignatius, Iraeneus) clearly describe a hierarchical church with the Bishop of Rome its leader, and a list of Popes up to that point. This is irrefutable and undeniable, and no fanciful history of the fundamentalist imagination can disprove this truth.

In the 11th Century, the Eastern Church, which up to that point remained in communion with the Bishop of Rome, no longer wanted to recognize the leadership of the Pope, for political and cultural reasons. Rome was considered a backwards, uncultured, insignifcant dirty city in the outskirts of civilization, where as Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) was considered the center of the world. Thus, the Eastern Church broke away and recognized the Archbishop of Constantinople as its leader. This is known historically as the Great Schism.

The next schism occured in the 16th Century, under the guise of a "Reformation." Europe in the 16th Century was undergoing tremendous cultural, social, and technological changes. Martin Luther was not the only reformer. The Catholic Church had many saintly reformers, such as Thomas Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, Catherine of Siena, Charles Borromeo, Ignatius Loyola, Anthony Zaccaria, Juana Inez, Teresa Avila. The difference between these saints and Luther is the former lived up to their promises to God, remained faithful to the Church, and promoted reform from within rather than attempt to establish a man-made institution in defiance of Church Authority.

Some non-catholic Christians will argue that there were always "protestants" from the earliest days of Christianity. However, there is absolutely no evidence that there were Christain communities who were independent from the teachings of the Apostles and their successors. Sure, there were heretical groups who taught heresies, such as those denying the complete humanity of Jesus, or on the other extreme, denying the divinity of Jesus. But they were preaching a false gospel and were certainly not recognized as an authentic church that succeeded the Apostles.

Answer 3

"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.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html

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.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

Catholicism is a specific form of Christianity, but you're right that not all Christians are Catholics. I think that the one big difference between the two is that Catholicism follows very specific dogma, and not all Christians do. Not to mention that Catholics have a very specific set of beliefs, while Christians tend to have varying beliefs.

-The Gnostic Christian

Answer 5

Catholics are the original Christians.

Answer 6

Catholics are christians. Anyone who has Christ is them, is known as a christian. I would say that catholics have more details in their readings and bibles. After all, catholic was the first religion and then came the rest branching out.

Answer 7

All Catholics are Christian, but not all Christians are Catholic.

It is the a denomination of Christianity. The first one in fact.

Answer 8

It depends on what you mean by "Christian".

Catholicism split off from the original Christianity in the fourth century. It falls under the category of "Christian" in the broadest sense, though when you examine its doctrines it doesn't follow what the Bible describes as the essentials of the faith. So it can be argued that it is not "Christian" in the most technical definition of the term.

Answer 9

Catholic was the original christians. The protestants that came later think otherwise though.

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C. L. Richardson ..... News flash .... Catholics were the ones that complied the bible ..... remember?

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Were you a catholic, if not, under what capacity you do you conclude the catholics do not obey the bible? By some lies wrote by some christian apologist? It is the fundies that goes around twisting facts and bending it to their advantage.

Answer 10

Their position in Christ has to do with what the individual does with the errors in Catholic doctrine and what their foundation is built on. Of course, such errors or rejection of errors differ from Catholic to Catholic. There are many Catholics that do not agree with some of the positions below, but many do as well. That said...

Both Catholic and Roman Catholic religions are considered a sect of Christianity. However, their roots are full of error. Why else did they burn other Christians for just wanting to interpret the Latin Bible into English and German? For example, William Tyndale was tried on a charge of heresy in 1536 and condemned to the stake for translating the New Testament into the common man's English. Tyndale was burned alive on 6 October 1536.
Here is what I have found from my own studies on the matter (having been raised Catholic). I have noted some references for those who will appose the list below.

Catholics adhere to the Pope as the vicar of Christ.
Catholic Encyclopedia, "Vicarius Christi"
Christians believe that the Bible is the final authority.
2 Timothy 3:16

Catholic tradition is of equal authority with the Bible.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Christians believe traditions of man cause error.
Matthew 15:3

Catholics adhere to Mary as a co-regent of Jesus.
UBI PRIMUM, (On the Immaculate Conception of Mary), Encyclical of Pope Pius IX
Christians beleive that Mary was blessed, but only human.
Luke 11:27-28

Catholics believe that priests or Mary are mediators.
OCTOBRI MENSE (On the Rosary), Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII
Christians believe there that only Jesus is Mediator.
1 Timothy 2:5

Transubstantiation recrucified Christ at the communion.
Council of Trent Pg. 347, #1376,
Christians believe Christ died just once.
Hebrews 6:6

Catholics believe Mary was a perpetual virgin.
Protoevangelium of James], Patrology, 1:120–1 and many sources
Christians believe the Bible that He had siblings.
Mark 6:3

Catholics call their priests "father".
Started with St. Benedict referring to confessors as "abbot" from "abba"
Catholics call their teachers "pastor" or "minister".
Matthew 23:9

Catholics pray repetitive words with Rosary Beads.
Catholic Encyclopedia, Ingruentium Malorum
Christians pray the same as they speak.
Matthew 6:7

Pope canonizes those to be called "saints".
Caractéristiques des Saints (Paris, 1867)
Christians believe all who believe are saints.
Philippians 1:1

Pope (through bishops) decides who is "priest" in church leadership.
Council of Nicaea I, canon 18
Christians believe all who believe are a priesthood.
1 Peter 2:5

Celibacy is enforced on priests and bishops.
Bishops Committee on Priestly Life, page 54
Christians believe they should be married.
1 Timothy 3:2-5

Catholics believe Peter was the first Pope (so could not have been married)
Primacy of Peter and Apostolic Succession
Christians stand by the Bible that he was married and was not a "pope".
Mark 1:30

Catholics bow down and burn candles to graven images.
debitum honorem et venerationem
Christians do not bow to images.
1 John 5:21

Catholics believe only the priests can understand the Bible.
(main cause of the Reformation and martyrdom of translators)
Christians believe they can study and understand the Bible.
Ephesians 3:4

Catholics believe Mary was without sin.
Council of Trent (Session VI, Canon 23)
Christians believe only Jesus was without sin.
Romans 5:12

Justification pronounced as anathema by Council of Trent.
Council of Trent (Canon 9)
Christians believe we are justified by faith.
Romans 3:28

Catholics hold to Peter as foundation "rock" of the church.
Acts of the Council, session 3
Christians hold to only Christ as foundation Rock.
1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 10:4

Catholics worship Mary as the Mother of God.
Council of Ephesus, Theotokos
Christians only worship the Godhead.
Revelation 19:10