are catholics
Matt Ehresman
Director of Communications, Online Engagement
The word “Christian” means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. According to a 2019 survey from Pew Research, around 65% of Americans identified as “Christian,” but specific beliefs and practices can vary dramatically to any people group that makes up two-thirds of a very large nation.
One of the biggest subsets of Christians in American is Catholics, with other Christians falling into a group called Protestants (basically, non-Catholics). These groups share several key beliefs, including the baseline belief in Jesus Christ and His teachings. They both believe in the divinity of Jesus, as well as the idea that His death and resurrection provide forgiveness of sins. Both groups teach out of the Bible, most churches have weekly gatherings, and they hold similar views on theological concepts like the Trinity.
However, there are also several key differences between Catholics and Protestants. Here are a few of the big ones.
One of the biggest subsets of Christians in American is Catholics, with other Christians falling into a group called Protestants (basically, non-Catholics). These groups share several key beliefs, including the baseline belief in Jesus Christ and His teachings. They both believe in the divinity of Jesus, as well as the idea that His death and resurrection provide forgiveness of sins. Both groups teach out of the Bible, most churches have weekly gatherings, and they hold similar views on theological concepts like the Trinity.
However, there are also several key differences between Catholics and Protestants. Here are a few of the big ones.
Authority
Catholics believe in a more centralized form of leadership, found mainly in the Pope. The Pope is considered the highest authority in all matters related to faith and morals. He is seen as the direct successor of Saint Peter, and Catholics believe he has been given unique authority to interpret and teach from the Scriptures.
There is also a term known as “papal infallibility,” which refers to the belief that the Pope’s teaching is infallible, divinely protected from error by the Holy Spirit. Beyond his teaching roles, he is also a symbolic pastor for the millions of people around the world who follow the Catholic tradition. He is seen as a unifying leader who ties all Catholics together.
Protestants, on the other hand, place a higher value on the authority of the Bible. They view the Scriptures as the ultimate guide for faith and practice, and there really isn’t one key leader of the various denominations represented.
Instead, individual Protestants are encouraged to study the Scriptures themselves, with the belief that they can learn and grow their own personal faith through reading the Bible, praying, and pursuing the guidance from the Holy Spirit. Pastors, preachers, and teachers are expected to guide their congregations, but there is less of a hierarchy of centralized leaders with unique gifts or perspectives given only to those in authority.
There is also a term known as “papal infallibility,” which refers to the belief that the Pope’s teaching is infallible, divinely protected from error by the Holy Spirit. Beyond his teaching roles, he is also a symbolic pastor for the millions of people around the world who follow the Catholic tradition. He is seen as a unifying leader who ties all Catholics together.
Protestants, on the other hand, place a higher value on the authority of the Bible. They view the Scriptures as the ultimate guide for faith and practice, and there really isn’t one key leader of the various denominations represented.
Instead, individual Protestants are encouraged to study the Scriptures themselves, with the belief that they can learn and grow their own personal faith through reading the Bible, praying, and pursuing the guidance from the Holy Spirit. Pastors, preachers, and teachers are expected to guide their congregations, but there is less of a hierarchy of centralized leaders with unique gifts or perspectives given only to those in authority.
Salvation
Again, both Catholics and Protestants believe Jesus offers salvation and has the ability to forgive sins, but specifics beyond this bring some key differences. Catholicism teaches that salvation is a cooperative process, where in addition to faith in Jesus, individuals are also required to perform good works and participate in at least some of the seven “sacraments” of the faith. For example, most Catholics practice “confession,” where parishioners confess their sins to a priest in order to receive forgiveness from God.
For Protestants, salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus alone. Once you’ve accepted Jesus and His offer for salvation, there is nothing more expected of you to “earn” right standing with God. These churches stress the importance of a personal, growing, daily relationship with Jesus, with less of a need for specific practices or interactions with leadership to begin or maintain your Christian faith.
For Protestants, salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus alone. Once you’ve accepted Jesus and His offer for salvation, there is nothing more expected of you to “earn” right standing with God. These churches stress the importance of a personal, growing, daily relationship with Jesus, with less of a need for specific practices or interactions with leadership to begin or maintain your Christian faith.
Baptism
Most Catholics practice infant baptism, typically through pouring or sprinkling water on the child. Parents perform this sacrament with the goal of incorporating the child into the church from an early age. They believe the act of baptism cleanses them from sin and unites the child with Christ, officially becoming part of the Catholic church and faith upon the ceremony. They also view baptism as necessary for salvation.
Some Protestant churches practice infant baptism, while others prefer “believer’s baptism,” where the individual must be old enough to personally confess their own, individual faith in Jesus (and not just their parents’). While baptism is important and encouraged, it is not considered “required,” and is instead more of a symbolic act where they publicly and outwardly express their internal commitment to follow Jesus. Some protestant churches practice sprinkling or pouring, while many choose to “immerse,” inspired by the story of Jesus being baptized by John in the Bible.
Some Protestant churches practice infant baptism, while others prefer “believer’s baptism,” where the individual must be old enough to personally confess their own, individual faith in Jesus (and not just their parents’). While baptism is important and encouraged, it is not considered “required,” and is instead more of a symbolic act where they publicly and outwardly express their internal commitment to follow Jesus. Some protestant churches practice sprinkling or pouring, while many choose to “immerse,” inspired by the story of Jesus being baptized by John in the Bible.
Worship
There is a lot of variety in the style of music and teaching you’ll find in various Christian church services, but most Catholic services look and feel quite a bit different from Protestant services. Catholic services, referred to as “mass,” place a high significance on liturgy and ritual. There are often prescribed prayers, readings, and the practice of the Eucharist (also referred to as The Lord’s Supper or Communion) that feel more formal and traditional.
Protestant churches can be formal, but many are more casual and have a more diverse approach to worship. Some churches prefer more traditional music with hymns and older songs, while others have more modern worship music led by bands. The teaching is often focused on practical application of the Bible and personal expression of faith.
Other notable differences include the “Apocrypha,” a handful of books found in the Catholic Bible that are not considered Scripture by Protestants; the practice of Sacraments; and the role of Mary and the saints.
Protestant churches can be formal, but many are more casual and have a more diverse approach to worship. Some churches prefer more traditional music with hymns and older songs, while others have more modern worship music led by bands. The teaching is often focused on practical application of the Bible and personal expression of faith.
Other notable differences include the “Apocrypha,” a handful of books found in the Catholic Bible that are not considered Scripture by Protestants; the practice of Sacraments; and the role of Mary and the saints.
Both "Christian"?
All of these differences often lead to a fair question: Are Catholics really “Christian”? Catholics certainly consider themselves Christian, based on their belief in the saving nature of Jesus. But what do Protestants say?
This can get tricky, but here’s the bottom line: Protestants believe Jesus alone offers salvation from our sins. A common phrase from these believers is, “There’s nothing we can do to make Jesus love us more, and there’s nothing we can do to make Him love us less.” Upon accepting Jesus as Savior, there’s nothing more to earn or do. You don’t have to say a certain number of prayers or perform certain duties to remain in relationship with Jesus. Jesus alone saves.
So, many Protestants would say Catholics can be “Christian,” depending on how they view salvation. Some Catholics would say Jesus alone saves, and all of the additional sacraments and rituals are simply traditions that help them live out their faith. However, some Catholics may believe the acts of confession and other rituals associated with sacraments are necessary for salvation, and that would cross a line that many Protestants would have trouble embracing.
Within the Protestant branch of Christianity, there are hundreds—possibly thousands—of separate denominations, with faith traditions like Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Mennonites, etc. All of these groups share many beliefs in common, but they also hold differences that are important to them.
The same can be said about Catholics. If they accept Jesus as their Savior and live out the teachings of Scripture, they’re certainly considered “Christians.” If they lean more on tradition, ritual, and duty to try to earn salvation, that would not fall within the Protestant definition.
But here’s another important thing to remember: There are many verses throughout Scripture that encourage believers to be unified and at peace with each other, so that’s a worthwhile goal for all of us to pursue. It’s healthy and good for us to find a local church that fits the specifics of what we believe about God, and to also extend grace to those around us with views that differ from ours.
This can get tricky, but here’s the bottom line: Protestants believe Jesus alone offers salvation from our sins. A common phrase from these believers is, “There’s nothing we can do to make Jesus love us more, and there’s nothing we can do to make Him love us less.” Upon accepting Jesus as Savior, there’s nothing more to earn or do. You don’t have to say a certain number of prayers or perform certain duties to remain in relationship with Jesus. Jesus alone saves.
So, many Protestants would say Catholics can be “Christian,” depending on how they view salvation. Some Catholics would say Jesus alone saves, and all of the additional sacraments and rituals are simply traditions that help them live out their faith. However, some Catholics may believe the acts of confession and other rituals associated with sacraments are necessary for salvation, and that would cross a line that many Protestants would have trouble embracing.
Within the Protestant branch of Christianity, there are hundreds—possibly thousands—of separate denominations, with faith traditions like Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Mennonites, etc. All of these groups share many beliefs in common, but they also hold differences that are important to them.
The same can be said about Catholics. If they accept Jesus as their Savior and live out the teachings of Scripture, they’re certainly considered “Christians.” If they lean more on tradition, ritual, and duty to try to earn salvation, that would not fall within the Protestant definition.
But here’s another important thing to remember: There are many verses throughout Scripture that encourage believers to be unified and at peace with each other, so that’s a worthwhile goal for all of us to pursue. It’s healthy and good for us to find a local church that fits the specifics of what we believe about God, and to also extend grace to those around us with views that differ from ours.