Monday, June 7, 2010

14. What are the differences between Roman Catholicism and Protestant Christian?


Protestant religions were a result of the Reformation; there were several resulting sects of Christians such as Lutherans, Presbyterians and Methodists. They have many of the same primary beliefs as Roman Catholics.
There were 5 major differences as a result of the Reformation movement and they became know as the Five Soles.

1. Christ Alone: this finds that Christ alone is the link to God. They do not believe that the Pope is the head of the church.
2. Scripture Alone: They believe in the bible alone and feel the Catholic Church distorts the teachings with doctrine and dogma.
3. Faith Alone: Belief in Christ by itself is enough to be saved and Catholics believe you must also earn salvation through good works.
4. Grace Alone: Protestants believe grace is determined by God only and Catholics believe it is combination of God's grace as well as good works
5. Glory to God Alone: Salvation is determined solely by God, and that no human being, not the pope or the saints is deserving of the glory they have been given.

Protestants believe Catholics are idolaters relating to papal infallibility but have been accused of bibliolatry or idolizing the bible. Some other differences are that Roman Catholic Priests must remain celibate and cannot marry, and women cannot become priests. Protestant priests can be women and are allowed to marry in some instances. Protestants do not believe that the Eucharist becomes the body and blood of Christ but are simply symbols. Roman Catholics believe that the gifts change into the body and blood of Christ or transubstantiation. Also relating to the Eucharist, Protestants believe any Christian can receive the Eucharist whereas Catholics believe only members of the church may receive communion.

Protestants do not believe in the Assumption or Immaculate Conception of Mary and these are both dogmas of the Catholic Church. Protestants do not believe the Pope has the right to speak for the entire church nor that he is infallible; they believe the only infallible teachings are the bible. Catholics believe he has the highest authority in matters of the church and that he is infallible as he relates to faith and morals.

Catholics believe that the bread and the wine become the actual body and blood of Christ thus denying that Christ died once and for all for our sins which undermines the whole Christian faith. They also believe that Mary was born without any original sin which denies scripture which says 'all have sinned and come short of the glory of God'. there is no "except Mary". And that she continued being a virgin until her death which is untrue as it is recorded that Mary had more children.

They also make statues and images of Jesus and Mary and worships them which breaks the second commandment 'thou shaft not make unto thee any graven images'. They also believe that there is a purgatory which is not mentioned in the Bible and denies the teaching of hell. They believe that you can pray to the dead and pay money to get them out of purgatory. They believe that the pope can intercess for you and is "Gods person on Earth" which denies that 'there is only one intercesser between God and man; Jesus Christ.

They also say that the Bible alone isn't sufficient to get someone to heaven and that it has to be combined with the traditions of the catholic church such as veneration of Mary. They also believe that you can get to heaven through doing good works which contradicts the scriptures which says 'it is by grace alone you are saved not through works, lest any man should boast'.

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