Catholics vs Protestants

Question 1

Do Catholics or Protestants believe that scripture can be interpreted by man correctly?

Answer 1

• Catholics believe that scripture can be interpreted by man because of Apostolic Succession (The Apostles appointed bishops to continue their work).
• Protestants believe that humans should not add or take away from scripture so disagree with the catholic following of Religious Leaders such as the Pope’s teachings via the Vatican.

Question 2

What do Protestants believe happened to the Catholic Church?

Answer 2

They believe that the Catholic Church did indeed stem from the original Christian Church but it became corrupt.

Question 3

What is Apostolic Tradition?

Answer 3

Apostolic Tradition is the teachings of Jesus which he taught to his disciples/ when he preached the Gospels.

Question 4

What do Protestants believe?

Answer 4

Protestants believe in Sola Sciptura and Sola Fide. These were doctrines introduced by Martin Luther during the protestant reformation.

Question 5

Why must Church teachings be in line with the Bible for Protestants?

Answer 5

If they are not, then they are considered false. The Church is the creation of the word and not the other way around. Without scripture, there would be no Church, so the Church cannot be the judge of Scripture.

Question 6

What is the Catholic Authority of Tradition?

Answer 6

• An established pattern of worship and ritual;
• Catholic teaching is in the Apostolic Tradition that flows from Jesus, to the Apostles, the Church and Church Fathers;
• Catholic structure and leadership are in the Apostolic succession, stemming from the Apostles through an uninterrupted succession of Pope’s and Bishops to the Magisterium, the teaching office of the Church, in which the Pope has the same authority that Jesus gave to St Peter.

Question 7

What is the Protestant Authority of Tradition?

Answer 7

• A broad range of structured and unstructured worships focused on Jesus and his word: strong preaching, Bible study and prayer;
• In some Churches, there is a tradition that a senior minister/pastor should be followed;
• In most Protestant Churches, the Bible alone is seen as having sufficient authority for teaching. This is the Protestant doctrine of ‘Sola Scriptura.’

Question 8

In the New Testament, during Jesus’ baptism Mark describes a voice from Heaven saying…

Answer 8

‘Thou art my beloved son; with thee I am well pleased.’ (Mark 1:11)

Question 9

Martin Luther on the Bible and the changing of scripture.

Answer 9

‘… Let us not change the word of God; we ourselves should be changed through the word.’ (Martin Luther).

Question 10

Catholic View on the Bible on the preaching of scripture.

Answer 10

‘I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you.’