Are Presbyterians Catholic?
A question was asked about why we use the term "catholic" in the Apostles Creed line: "I believe in the holy catholic church."
The term "catholic" means broad or universal. Here is the definition given from the Random House dictionary:
1. broad or wide-ranging in tastes, interests, or the like; having sympathies with all; broad-minded; liberal.
2. universal in extent; involving all; of interest to all.
3. pertaining to the whole Christian body or church.
Thus, to believe in the holy catholic church is to acknowledge the universal church made up of all true believers in Christ.
The term "catholic" means broad or universal. Here is the definition given from the Random House dictionary:
1. broad or wide-ranging in tastes, interests, or the like; having sympathies with all; broad-minded; liberal.
2. universal in extent; involving all; of interest to all.
3. pertaining to the whole Christian body or church.
Thus, to believe in the holy catholic church is to acknowledge the universal church made up of all true believers in Christ.
posted by M Clark at 8/28/2008 10:29:00 AM
2 Comments:
i.e. we are "catholic" but not "Catholic"
It would more precise to say we are catholic, but not Roman Catholic.
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