The Rosary Dad

I sometimes get asked, “Are you a Christian or a Catholic?” The question often leaves me momentarily puzzled. My usual response is, “Yes, I am a Christian; I am Catholic.” This reply often confuses the one asking, as they usually equate “Christian” with our Protestant brothers and sisters. These are Christians who separated from the Catholic Church starting in the 16th century and established their own denominations, such as the Lutheran Church, Born Again Christian churches, various Baptist churches, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Methodist Church, the Jesus Is Lord Church, and many others.

So, what does it mean to be a Christian? The brief answer is that being a Christian means being baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and believing in the Holy Trinity—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit—three persons in one God. It means believing that Jesus Christ is both true God and true man, and living according to His teachings as written in the Holy Scriptures.

In essence, both Catholics and the various Protestant churches that branched out from the Catholic Church are Christians because they share these core beliefs.

Some might argue that not all Catholics and Protestants are truly Christian because their personal lives don’t always align with God’s will. This perspective has merit, but isn’t it true that humans are inherently flawed by nature? Even when people stray at certain points in their lives, there is always hope for them to reunite with Christ through the grace that comes from Him.

Now that we understand what it means to be a Christian, perhaps the more precise question should be: Are you Catholic or Protestant?