Roman Catholics & Evangelicals: Where We Disagree - Part 2
Last week we started looking at the areas of doctrinal disagreement between Roman Catholics and Evangelicals. To read it, click here. There are some major differences in the areas of Scripture, infallibility of the pope, and justification. This week we'll look at our two more important topics: Sacramentalism (the sacraments) and Ecclesiology (the church).
Sacramentalism - The Catholic Church declared infallibly that the sacraments "of the New Law were not all instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord...let him be anathema." This excommunicates virtually all Protestants. Sacraments, or holy thing, has two aspects: the outward symbol and the grace it conveys. The Catholic Church states, "The sacraments...not only point externally to salvation; they contain and betwo the salvation they signify."
Catholics have seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, extreme unction, [holy] order, and matrimony. Baptism, communion, and holy orders hold important differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. Catholics contend water baptism is required for salvation. Infant baptism is also necessary for a child’s salvation. The Eucharist, communion, has stark differences between camps. Catholic theology of transubstantiation is the wine and bread actually becomes the blood and body of Christ. Catholics defend this view to Jesus’ words found in Matthew 26:26. Protestants view communion as symbolic and to remember His death. Viewing baptism tied to justification poses problems for several reasons. Baptismal regeneration pushes against the need for grace and faith. Paul taught contrary to its necessary in 1 Corinthians. Likewise, transubstantiation poses several problems. Jesus often spoke in metaphors. It is not plausible or possible to view His words as literal. Last, Catholics view mass as a miracle and as a sacrifice.
Ecclesiology - There are some key issues of disagreement of ecclesiology between Catholics and Protestants: visibility, unity, priestly, authority and constituency. According to Catholic doctrine, the church both invisible as a spiritual body, as well as a visible organization based out of Rome. Catholics point to Scripture and tradition to defend their position. Scripturally, Catholics point to Matthew 16 where Jesus makes Peter not head of the universal visible church. From tradition, as early as the 2nd century, Irenaeus held to the visibility of the church. Protestants reject the Catholic position of the mandatory visible church is Roman Catholic. Protestants defend their position from Scripture and hold Catholics take Scripture out of context. In regards to tradition, even Catholic scholars admit church fathers did not agree unanimously.
Unity to Catholics means it "consists in the fact that all members of the Church inwardly believe the truths of faith proposed by the teaching office of the Church, at least implicitly and outwardly confess them." The Church means the Roman Catholic Church. Again, Catholics defend their position from Scripture and heavily on tradition. Protestants agree that the Apostles' Creed affirms a universal Church in regards to doctrine and spirit, not organization.
Priesthood is the center of the Roman Catholic system. The power entrusted to priests is unending. Functions of the dispersing of sacraments is solely for Roman Catholic priests. Inside this priestly authority is the succession of popes, which point to Christ as the instigator of the masgisterium. Here too Catholics use tradition and Scripture for their defense. Again Protestants argue Scripture is manipulated to fit the Catholics purposes. And tradition is based on false teaching and misguided understanding of Scripture.
Traditionally constituency meant non-Catholics, regardless of the Christian denomination, those outside the Catholic faith were condemned. There is disagreement in what Church membership truly means. Claims made about those outside the Catholic faith is ex cathedra, it is fallible. That is why Protestants are now are now called separated brethren.
Next week we'll look at the final areas of disagreement: purgatory and Mariology.
Sacramentalism - The Catholic Church declared infallibly that the sacraments "of the New Law were not all instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord...let him be anathema." This excommunicates virtually all Protestants. Sacraments, or holy thing, has two aspects: the outward symbol and the grace it conveys. The Catholic Church states, "The sacraments...not only point externally to salvation; they contain and betwo the salvation they signify."
Ecclesiology - There are some key issues of disagreement of ecclesiology between Catholics and Protestants: visibility, unity, priestly, authority and constituency. According to Catholic doctrine, the church both invisible as a spiritual body, as well as a visible organization based out of Rome. Catholics point to Scripture and tradition to defend their position. Scripturally, Catholics point to Matthew 16 where Jesus makes Peter not head of the universal visible church. From tradition, as early as the 2nd century, Irenaeus held to the visibility of the church. Protestants reject the Catholic position of the mandatory visible church is Roman Catholic. Protestants defend their position from Scripture and hold Catholics take Scripture out of context. In regards to tradition, even Catholic scholars admit church fathers did not agree unanimously.
Unity to Catholics means it "consists in the fact that all members of the Church inwardly believe the truths of faith proposed by the teaching office of the Church, at least implicitly and outwardly confess them." The Church means the Roman Catholic Church. Again, Catholics defend their position from Scripture and heavily on tradition. Protestants agree that the Apostles' Creed affirms a universal Church in regards to doctrine and spirit, not organization.
Priesthood is the center of the Roman Catholic system. The power entrusted to priests is unending. Functions of the dispersing of sacraments is solely for Roman Catholic priests. Inside this priestly authority is the succession of popes, which point to Christ as the instigator of the masgisterium. Here too Catholics use tradition and Scripture for their defense. Again Protestants argue Scripture is manipulated to fit the Catholics purposes. And tradition is based on false teaching and misguided understanding of Scripture.
Traditionally constituency meant non-Catholics, regardless of the Christian denomination, those outside the Catholic faith were condemned. There is disagreement in what Church membership truly means. Claims made about those outside the Catholic faith is ex cathedra, it is fallible. That is why Protestants are now are now called separated brethren.
Next week we'll look at the final areas of disagreement: purgatory and Mariology.
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