This is a take on another question asked by Ecclesiastes "Problems with Catholicism" he chickened out with his chosen answer so I think it appropriate to ask the same question of Protestantism.
Here is where I have the problem and I'll keep it shorter than good old Ecclesiastes, lack of unity. How can the Holy Spirit be guiding all these differing denominations in the fullness of truth and they each refer to each as "Christian" (to the exclusion of Catholics) but totally lack doctrinal unity?
I'm anticipating the answers which claim "But we do agree on what is primary and disagree on what is secondary or peripheral". Question two: who decides what is primary your local pastor? In my opinion many of you haven't thought this invisible body theology out very well.
I agree. One reason I couldn't buy into the "guidance of the holy spirit" is because it seems to guide everyone in a million different paths. And of course, everyone is equally convinced that they've been shown the true way and those who don't think like them are being deceived or using their "free will" to determine what works best for them and not god.
I think you should deal with the fact that official Roman Catholic teaching on St. Thomas Aquinas is that he could make himself levitate and be in two places at the same time (bi locality). It would take Haliburton to clean RCC doctrine from all its superstition. No thanks. I am fine with my Protestantism.
I think your premise is wrong. I know of no differences in doctrine between Catholics and Anglicans (and other Protestant groups that I have come across). These are the only essentials: that Jesus is God incarnate, His blood was shed on the Cross as a sacrifice for us, and He rose from the dead; and only through Him shall we see God.
The "problem" with Protestantism is the concept of "so la Scripture". Protestants hold the Bible as the sole authority for matters of faith and practice. This is ironic since "so la Scripture" is not found anywhere in the Bible.
The other flaw in this concept is that the church existed for a few hundred years before the Bible as we know it was put together. This is where the Catholic concept of Apostolic Succession comes in. Catholics believe that Jesus handed leadership over to the apostle Peter. Peter than passed it down to his successor. Catholics believe that this authority has been passed down through the popes.
The reason that Protestant churches are so divisive is that they are run as democracies and preachers are considered more to be guides to personal revelation. Sometimes personal issues between members can be turned into church issues. Protestants do not have an authority to tell them what his orthodox and what is not and so disagreements between members can lead to splits in the church.
Catholics believe that Tradition and the Bible should be used to understand Jesus' message, and the Pope and the curia are where the buck stops. While disagreement on some issues is allowed, in the end, Catholics are expected to abide by the final decision of the Pope when he invokes infallibility. The Catholic Church is not a democracy, that is why it has lasted so long.
Well, I can tell you are not an authority on the Holy Spirit. Thank goodness you are not nor am I. Nor is any man. The Spirit of the Living God does not answer to whims of a man or to a denomination or to any, but does abide in those who are faithful, who are born of God, who are filled with the Spirit, and who lives in them abundantly and overflowing.
But about denominations, unfortunately they exist, and many have tried to do away with them and in the process have just made another denomination. God's Love is powerful and august enough to work in all that walk in the Spirit. Denominations exist because of men not because of God, men who have been earnest in their study of the Word and believed one thing while others have studied and believed another, and still another and still another. Yet, they believed themselves to be right just those who were of the original group to be right, just and holy to make a split. If God move whole denominations and live with it, though, He has the power to mold them together if He so desired to do so - why can not you, who are filled with His Love that illuminates all barriers, all walls all classes all distinctions. Or is your love up to the challenge - or is your love truly of God - don't worry about the others follow Christ wholeheartedly - don't worry about those who are already Christians, worry and put your energies into winning the lost those outside the Church and the rest will take care of itself - sufficient to say there is enough evil to combat without us com batting one another over denominational ism - please - if only out of the Love of God in Christ - let us love one another as we see the day approaching of His glorious return - in which he alone will make all things right.
The scripture commands that we believe in Jesus Christ, not religion. That we read-my people perish for a lack of knowledge. Not follow the pastor.
We are added to a body of believers-those that believe in Jesus. Catholicism is a man made religion and most protestants church are an out growth of Catholicism-remember Martin Luther. It is called the Mother of all churches, but is an apostasy of the true church, but are they Christians?
Christianity is an individual walk. Work out your own soul salvation. Christians are at different level of their believes. Some believe one thing and others another. Are they any less Christian, No, the only head is Christ. As they grow in Christ they will become the same in their believer. Religion does not offer this unity. By its very definition, it causes division.
Probably related to the 7 deviations to God's word that I faced coming up in a 'Protestant church. (They may not admit it presently). (See my profile also). Many other denominations have not 'cleaned them up' either.
Problems with Protestantism?
