Comments on: Are Catholics Christian?

By: Daniel Harris

Daniel Harris — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:46:32 +0000

Well, that wasn’t bigoted at all.

By: Matthew Warner

Matthew Warner — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:08:11 +0000

Thanks so much for your comments, Dale! If we are able to have more positive conversations like this about some of the divisions within Christianity, I have no doubt we’ll be able to bring about more and more unity…which is what Jesus’ prayer is for us…to be truly one.

Thanks again!

By: Dale

Dale — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:24:57 +0000

Well, I did get a chance to read your article and think this over a bit. First, I want to say that I was very impressed with the article. Just as a reminder ( although i’m sure you know from my previous posts), I am an Evengelical Christian who is attending school to obtain my Bachelors degree in Christian Ministry. I have to say I completely agree with the article. It reminds me of my proffessor whom just recently was speaking on the importance of reading the Bible as a story (non fictional of course, I don’t want that miss interpreted) and knowing how we fit into that story. It is after all our story too. To start I have to let you know a little background. After turning to Christ, oh I would say two years ago now, after going through some very dark and tramatic times in my life, I have a tendancy to view the world of Christianity in a certain light. I have a huge heart for fellowship. The world is a cruel place and full of wickedness, and no matter what your sect ( as the author truth wrote about above) we are all Christians in a battle to stay strong in this world. We need each other. so when I wrote my previous post my concern was over dissention between Christians. Why fight with each other ya know. I hope that makes sense. I do however beleive strongly in the the Journey as you put it of learning. Without studying and searching for answers really what do we have? Takig part in things such as communion, having fellowship with other Christians, and studying history and most importantly God’s word is how we draw closer to him. Thank you for helping me to realize that we should not try to oversimplify. Your right Christianity is complicated. By the way you are the one who rocks man! I really feel God let me to this website to have ore fellowship mith my brothers and sisters in Christ. Thanks for having this page up.

By: Matthew Warner

Matthew Warner — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:55:35 +0000

You rock, Dale! Thanks for your openness and for making me think, too!

By: Dale

Dale — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:16:54 +0000

Ya know, I actually like your answer quite a bit. Give me some time to read the article you wrote and ponder some of these things, and then i’ll post again. You have me thinking now. I love it!

By: Matthew Warner

Matthew Warner — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:54:11 +0000

Thanks, Dale. First, I think that’s an oversimplification. It would be great if it were that simple, I agree. I wrote more on that here.

Second, I disagree with you that “no one can truly answer” these things. God gave us a brain to use. Through looking at facts and using our rational mind we can figure out quite a bit, actually. We may not be 100% about everything, but I find that we can get to a very rationally sound position that not only helps to win souls but makes our faith that much better.

Third, figuring out many of these things and continuing to learn about them more deeply is one of the primary ways we accomplish the over-simplified dogma that you just gave us (i.e. focusing on Jesus, etc.). One of the key ways we learn about God is through learning about His creation. One of the best ways to learn about Jesus is to learn about His Church (His Body) – the one he left us. One of the best ways to focus on Jesus is to commune with His Body and Blood in the Eucharist and through the other sacraments that he gave us. And of course scripture!…which is ripe for much, much further discussion or “argument” over some fairly complex and nuanced things. But isn’t that beautiful? That there is so much for us to discuss and learn about God? Makes for an interesting and worthwhile journey.

I certainly understand the desire to throw the hands up and say “who cares” about all this stuff when it starts to get complicated or unresolvable or difficult. But when we stick it out and continue to learn and grow we find it worth while and actually essential to a spiritual journey.

Thanks for reading and sharing! God bless you.

By: Dale

Dale — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:16:25 +0000

OK, I honestly am not trying to offend anyone here so I will make that clear right off the bat, but I honestly feel like this needs to be said. What difference does it make? We all read history books or attend churches where they teach this stuff right, and each one will have a different opinion on who, what , when, where, and how. None of us were actually there to experience it for ourselves, so none of us truly knows who called who what and when. The point I’m trying to make is this, it is a foolish argument. I know, because I too used to argue about all of this kind of stuff, and all it creates is dissension between to brothers or sisters in Christ. I’m assuming you are a beleiver and follower of Jesus Christ. I honestly don’t think Jesus wants his children to argue over things like this because when it comes down to it, it takes the focus off of him and the relationship we should as Christians desire to have with him. Focus on Jesus, focus on the heart, love your brother, don’t create needless arguments over things that no one can truly answer or know for fact. That is not the way we should be attempting to fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

By: Matthew Warner

Matthew Warner — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:27:06 +0000

I don’t follow your logic.

First of all, there is evidence that the term “Catholic” was being used to refer to the “Christian” Church within the first century after its birth. It simply means “universal” and it was applied to Christ’s Church fairly early on.

Second, just because people may change the way they refer to something doesn’t mean the “something” itself changes. Those first disciples who, yes, were called “Christian” were the first apostles and leaders of the Catholic Church, which is the same Church that Jesus founded. There is just the one Church. And the present day Catholic Church traces her leadership all the way back directly to those first apostles and their teachings.

By: truth

truth — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:07:23 +0000

Actually the first disciples were christians, not catholics. The catholic name came later. Seems weird if their the true church why then are their still ppl called christians! Bc catholiscm is a sect of christianity. The oldest sect. That’s it.

By: Terri

Terri — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:02:24 +0000

Yes, finally someone who understands. God knows what is in our hearts, only he can judge us. Glad you did your research, and I beg you to spread the word.

By: Dale Williams

Dale Williams — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:32:30 +0000

GIGI, I am a student of Christian Minitry. I am also a Protestant. Since the post that you read where I apparently was bashing the Catholic Church, I have done much searching and research. I also have been doing some talking with Matt Warner. The interesting thing is, since my research, my tune has changed. I do beleive Catholics are Christians. I, like you, do not always agree with how things are done in the Catholic Church, however, I now beleive very strongly in the freedom to interpret the bible and choose how to worship our Lord and Savior. No one will ever interpret the Bible the same way. Now I know the Catholic Church is against other interpretations, but hey lets face it, every Protestant denomination is against other interpretations too. My point is, that God looks at peoples hearts and wether that person has a personal relationship with him. I do not beleive in the final judgment God will look so much on tradition. As a matter of a fact it might be interesting to note that in 1963 Pope Paul VI in the 2nd Vatican Council recognized the legitimacy in alternative churches. So if the Catholics are willing to except the Protestant churches, why are we so quick to judge the Cathoic Church and it’s followers. Everyone who loves and worships Jesus Christ, and has that personal relationship with him, is in my opinion a Christian, and that goes for Catholics or Protestants.