How To Differentiate Catholics Vs. Christians

[Birgitta Noel]

Ok, so I got into it with my personal trainer again today (in a good way) and he asked the difference between Catholics and Christians. I replied: 1. Catholics are Christians. 2. All Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholics.

He was ok with the Catholics are Christians bit, but then he wanted me to explain the difference between the two. I gave some lame answer about popes, bishops, OSAS, Faith vs Works, etc, but it was really just a jumbled mess.

Can someone help me formulate a clearer answer?

[SanctifyMe]

[color="#663366"][size=3] I think... that one sole important differentiating fact is;


The Eucharist[/size][/color]

[Birgitta Noel]

Excellent point! WHy can I never think of the obvious things?! Can't see the forest for the trees!

Edited October 24, 2006 by The Little Way

[shortnun]

Does he know about denominations? It might be helpful to ask him how much he knows about history. Catholicism isn't a denomination, but I would bet money that he's heard of "Protestants" or "Lutherans" and stuff like that. Then you could help explain why not all Christians are Catholics.

[Resurrexi]

Purgatory, Hyper-Dulia and Tradition.

[Birgitta Noel]

Yeah, he thinks that his church (CHurch of Christ) is the original Church. We've had that conversation. It's more like he wants to know about what we've go that he doesn't....I suspect it's about salvation a bit. We did talk a bit today about not having to earn salvation, about it being a gratuitous gift, but about the need for repentance.

[jswranch]

I like using the early church history... If you read what Christians wrote between 100-200 AD, you will find nothing but Catholics. You will not find anyone who teaches what the Church of Christ believes for more than another 1500 years.

[Jutty1224]

the difference between catholics and christians is the same as the difference between apples and fruit.