What Roman Catholics Need to Know about Protestants

By Robert R. LaRochelle

What is it like in that church across the street? When "that church" is Protestant and the person asking the question is a Roman Catholic, this question can be very hard to answer. In this book Bob LaRochelle will list for you the key beliefs and practices that distinguish Protestants from Roman Catholics. But this book is not just a catalog of differences and similarities. He approaches this topic with a serious interest in dialog, in learning from one another, and in ecumenical outreach. This book is intended for any Christian, but it will be especially useful to parents in multi-faith households, to church congregations with an interest in Christian community, and to religious education programs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Energion Publications
• Release date: May 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781631990373

Robert R. LaRochelle

Robert R. LaRochelle holds a DMin degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. He is an ordained clergyperson in the United Church of Christ and also served as an ordained Roman Catholic deacon for nine years. In addition to his work serving several churches as pastor, he had a career in education as both a teacher and counselor which spanned over forty years. In addition to his doctoral degree, he holds degrees from the College of the Holy Cross, Central Connecticut, and Boston College.

Book preview

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WHAT ROMAN CATHOLICS

NEED TO KNOW

ABOUT PROTESTANTS

Robert R. LaRochelle

Energion Publications

Gonzalez, FL

2014

Copyright © 2014, Robert R. LaRochrlle

Kindle Edition

ISBN10: 1-63199-037-3

ISBN13: 978-1-63199-037-3

Print ISBNs:

ISBN10: 1-63199-006-3

ISBN13: 978-1-63199-006-9

Energion Publications

P.O. Box 841

Gonzalez, FL 32560

energionpubs.com

[e-mail]

Table of Contents

Why This Book? 1

The Importance of This Discussion 2

My Background 4

My Transition and My Current Situation 5

The Different Varieties of Protestantism 6

Two Important Points 7

Groupings of Protestants 8

Can One Define A Protestant? 10

Luther And The Protestant Movement 11

The Practical Effect of the Reformation – or a Guide to What Catholics Will Find in Protestant Churches 13

Potential Catholic Problems with Protestantism 16

The Ecumenical Center 20

Suggestions for Individual Catholics and Local Churches, both Protestant and Catholic 26

Closing Words for Catholics from a Protestant Minister Who Loves

the Catholic Church 27

Suggested Reading 29

More from Energion Publications 30

Topical Line Drives 31

Use This Book with Its Companion Volume

for Ecumenical Study Groups 32

Also from Energion Publications 33

Also by Bob LaRochelle 33

Why This Book?

Over the last several years, events on the world stage have led to an increased need for interreligious understanding. Most prominently, the aftermath of September 11, 2001 precipitated a necessary rise in interest concerning the Islamic faith. Deeper understanding of different religious perspectives is a necessary antidote against the unfortunate increase in prejudice and mistrust of the unknown. These responses are quite often born out of a lack of knowledge and unnecessary fear.

From time to time, news reports lead people to want to know more about particular religious cults (classic examples include the mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana and the killings in Waco, Texas). At other times, people are drawn to stories which illuminate for them aspects of long standing religions such as Judaism or Christianity, especially as they interact with friends and co-workers who are part of traditions other than their own. Immigration patterns in different geographic locations have led to a need for increased knowledge of religious traditions from the East, in particular Hinduism and Buddhism.

As I see it, religious literacy is an important component in human understanding and must never be underestimated or underappreciated. It is within the context of this position of mine that I wish to revisit the understanding Roman Catholics have of Protestant faith. Within the United States, of course, most of those who have expressed a religious preference have traditionally identified themselves as Protestants or Catholics. This remains such, even though studies have shown that the numbers are definitely changing! While those looking at these two Christian traditions from the outside might rightfully note striking similarities, there remains to this day significant differences between them. These differences need to be explored more fully so their similarities might best be