Are Catholics Christian?

[andrew_no_one]

Yes or no and why.
This is meaning collectively as determined by faith and the Gospel....not on an individual basis.

[TomH]

I didn't vote because there is really no yes or no answer.

You could possibly ask the same thing with Christians.

They're supposed to be, but they're not always.

Catholics are supposed to NOT be, but not always.

My stance has always been, Catholics are religious people with a lot of baggage.

[BrianW]

Catholics see Christ as the head of the church and the head of their lives. They preach the entire bible and go through scripture in their services and the catholic church does preach salvation as being from Jesus.

Say what you will about doctrine that they practice that is outside of scripture (And I'll agree with you most likely) but they do have the core principles of Christianity down just as well as any Protestant denomination.
You may as well ask if Presbyterians (For example) are Christians in my opinion.

Edit to say: I think that this thread should be moved to Areopagus so that it can be discussed in full and fully addressed by the catholic members that we have.

[Jeanne D]

I think some Catholics are Christians.

I was originally a Catholic as a child. As Brian said, I did get the core principles from Catholicism, however I disagree with a lot of the doctrine and could not remain in the Catholic faith.

That's not to say that Catholics aren't Christians. I knew a Catholic lady who went to mass every single day. She also loved Billy Graham and listened to him whenever she could. She always talked about Jesus and lived the life of someone who truly loved the Lord.

Jeanne

[keck553]

Ther is no yes or no answer. Some Catholics are Christians. Some "Christians" are Christian.

God knows who his people are. Wouldn't it be better to discuss the doctrine and theology of the religion than to blanket-judge the people's salvation who attend a particular church?

God can call anyone out He chooses.

[A Seeker]

Agreed. Be like saying "are ginger people Christians". Some are, some are not, and having ginger hair no more makes you a christian, nor means you;re not, than belonging to a particular church or supporting a particular football team.

If you stand in a garage, it doesn't make you a car.

[Vhayes]

Agreed. Be like saying "are ginger people Christians". Some are, some are not, and having ginger hair no more makes you a christian, nor means you;re not, than belonging to a particular church or supporting a particular football team.

If you stand in a garage, it doesn't make you a car.

But a car inside the dining room is still a car :-)

[BrianW]

There are many Catholics that believe that if you aren't a part of the Church ( RCC ) then you aren't and cannot possibly be a Christian though the RCC itself seems to have changed it's view on that.

[Free Indeed]

There are many Catholics that believe that if you aren't a part of the Church ( RCC ) then you aren't and cannot possibly be a Christian though the RCC itself seems to have changed it's view on that.

Historically speaking, the RCC considered itself the Church founded by Christ, the Body of Christ. Therefore, there could be no salvation outside of it. Eventually, the moderate view won out, which sees Protestantism as a type of "mistaken Christianity".

[Godslittleangel]

I agree with others here. Some Catholics are Christians as I'm sure there are those who aren't, and this goes for any church. Every church has those who go but don't have Christ in their heart. Churches of any denomination and even nondenominational churches have them. Not just the Catholics.

[decrumpit]

The OP specified that he wasn't talking about all people who are Catholic.

Basically, if there is someone who is a genuinely believing Catholic, would he be a Christian?

I voted yes, because although doctrinal formulas do not a Christian make, the disciple of Jesus who attends a Catholic church would be a child of God based on his faith.

I think the Catholic church has doctrinal errors which can open the door to heresy including pure evil, but the same problems are present in the Protestant church. We shouldn't have our salvation hinge on churches, doctrinal systems, systematic theologies, schools of thought, charismatic leaders, or anything else other than Jesus. This is difficult to live out in our personal lives, because it's easier to have someone live our spiritual lives for us. It's human nature.

[andrew_no_one]

The OP specified that he wasn't talking about all people who are Catholic.

Basically, if there is someone who is a genuinely believing Catholic, would he be a Christian?

Thank you. As I said (and seemed to not have said it in a way it could be understood) I am not talking about individuals. I am talking about collectively, as a group. Examples: Are Mormons Christian? Are Jehovah's Witnesses Christian?

So: Are Catholics (in general) Christian (in general) based on the Biblical teaching of Salvation?

[andrew_no_one]

Edit to say: I think that this thread should be moved to Areopagus so that it can be discussed in full and fully addressed by the catholic members that we have.

I disagree. I think it should stay where I put it.

[BrianW]

I did answer your OP in the general sense but I'll be more clear this time.

Yes.

Why?

Catholics see Christ as the head of the church and the head of their lives. They preach the entire bible and go through scripture in their services and the catholic church does preach salvation as being from Jesus.

Say what you will about doctrine that they practice that is outside of scripture (And I'll agree with you most likely) but they do have the core principles of Christianity down just as well as any Protestant denomination.
You may as well ask if Presbyterians (For example) are Christians in my opinion.

Catholic Mass presents the gospel every time it is held unless things have changed recently.

[andrew_no_one]

I did answer your OP in the general sense but I'll be more clear this time.

Yes.

Why?



Catholic Mass presents the gospel every time it is held unless things have changed recently.

So in your understanding of RCC teaching, salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone plus nothing?