What's the Difference?

Pay attention to standard media sources and you'll find that "Christian" and "Catholic" are essentially synonymous. Most clergy in movies and TV are priests. The "go to" minister will likely be a father or a padre. In fact, it seems as if the only time a Protestant (as in "non-Catholic") minister is used is when they are portrayed as fighting the Catholic priest of the town. Now, this is an oversimplification and really not the point. The point is that most Protestants have blurred the lines. While a couple of centuries ago there was literal war between the two and even up into the 20th century Protestant zeal was measured by hatred for Catholicism, we've pretty much laid down our arms. Catholics, Protestants, who cares? We're all alike. We're all Christians and we need to stand together. The ECT says so. Modern "tolerance" says so. Political correctness says so. Let's just get along, okay?

The question has to be asked, then, "So ... what is the difference?" You see, to simply lay down the conflict and embrace the "enemy" is somewhat foolhardy if the conflict hasn't been resolved. Has it? What are the differences between the Protestants and the Catholics? "Oh, I know, I know! Pick me!" No, it's not praying to the saints or the worship of Mary. Those are merely symptoms. We have bigger differences than that.

Authority

To the Protestant point of view, Scripture is our authority. The Wesleyan Quadrilateral includes Tradition, Reason, Experience. The problem with this "equation" is its misuse. Listing it as a "quadrilateral" suggests four equal sides. In fact, the intent was four hierarchical steps. Scripture is the first. In a four-sided shape with equal authority, it is thoroughly possible (and, in fact, has happened) that experience or reason would override Scripture and/or tradition. This is not the aim, nor is it the Protestant position. Scripture is the authority. Where Scripture is not fundamentally clear, the historical position of the Church can help. Where this isn't certain, reason might clear things up. When all three do not provide a sure answer, experience can assist. But always these secondary sources are used to understand Scripture, not to overrule it. The fundamental position of Protestant theology is sola scriptura. Scripture alone is the authority on matters of faith and practice.

To the Roman Catholic Church, the structure of authority is Scripture - Tradition - Church. In the Roman Catholic, Scripture is an authority. Tradition carries just as much weight. And the rulings of the Church, especially the pope, are just as authoritative as Scripture or Tradition. Indeed, the Roman Catholic Church holds that the laity do not have the capacity to understand Scripture. This is why the Church holds such authority. They are the interpreters of Scripture. They hold that "no one, relying on his own skill, shall ... presume to interpret the said sacred Scripture contrary to that sense which holy mother Church,--whose it is to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the holy Scriptures,--hath held and doth hold." Thus, to the common Christian, the practical structure of authority in matters of faith and practice is Church, Tradition, and Scripture.

Justification

To the Protestant, we are justified by faith apart from works.

To the Roman Catholic Church, we are justified by faith and works wrought by faith.

Notice that in both cases we are justified. Good. Agreement. The difference is in the method. One side works for it and, ultimately, ends up spending some time in Purgatory. Get it? Purge-atory. Because no one is simply justified. Justification in Roman Catholic theology is first and foremost achieved by baptism (which, in opposition to the Baptists, does not require immersion ... or even personal faith). But in the Protestant doctrine of justification we find faith alone as the method. Both agree that we are saved by grace through Christ. But Protestant justification is called "forensic justification". We are declared righteous by God, a substitution of our sin for Christ's righteousness, apart from works. So these are not the same thing.

These are the two primary areas of disagreement. A lot of others dance around the periphery. We do not, for instance, worship Mary or pray to saints. Beyond that, there are a lot of individual differences. Many believe that God is Sovereign in everything, including salvation. That would mean that some will surely be saved (a claim that Rome anathematizes). Many believe that God is able to sustain His own until the end (another claim anathematized by the Roman Catholic Church). Many argue that 1 John 5:13 holds that you may know that you have eternal life and the Catholic Church says that's a damnable heresy. But these areas (and many more) are debated even among Protestants.

No, those first two are the big issues. Where is the authority located? The Catholic Church says in them, their traditions, and the Scriptures. The Protestants say in Scripture alone, to which experience, reason, tradition, and the Church must be submitted for approval. And by what means are we justified? Are we justified by baptism and works of faith as the Catholics claim or are we justified by faith apart from works? No small issue. Some would argue that Catholic justification is "another gospel" (Gal 1:6-9). The Catholic Church has declared that justification by faith alone is a heresy and those who hold it are damned. No small issue indeed.

One last point to keep in mind. I am discussing, here, the differences in key doctrinal points between the Roman Catholic Church and those outside the Roman Catholic Church. Please be careful not to extend it beyond "the Roman Catholic Church", because in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant realm, there are many people who sit in their midsts without actually holding their doctrines. If, indeed, Roman Catholic doctrine on the means of justification is, for instance, "another gospel" -- declared by Paul to be anathema -- it would be unwise to attribute this view to all Roman Catholics blindly. I'm talking about the doctrines, not the spiritual conditions of those within. Being a Protestant doesn't make you saved. Being a Roman Catholic doesn't make you damned. It's what you believe that will determine that issue.