Small "c" catholic

I am currently in a sermon series on what Christians believe and am using the Apostle's Creed each week as a basis for our common beliefs. Along that line, I've been asked by a few folk about the inclusion of the word "catholic" in the line that says, "I believe in the holy catholic church."

I was planning on giving an explanation for that in a couple of weeks when I preach on what Christians believe about the church, but I've had enough questions about it that I will likely say something this Sunday, but I thought I'd blog about it also.

First let me say that although there are certainly significant historical, theological, liturgical, and structural differences between Roman Catholicism and my own Protestant difference, I do believe that we are brothers and sisters in Christ and that we ought to work together as much as possible for the furthering of God's Kingdom. Whatever our differences, we share the common core belief that Jesus Christ is Lord.

That being said, the word "catholic" in the Apostle's Creed is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church it is a reference to all people who are followers of Jesus Christ. The word catholic (with a small case "c") simlply means universal. Thus when we recite the creed we are saying that we believe in the universal church of Jesus Christ that crosses all denominational lines and embraces all who proclaim Jesus as Lord.

Thank you for those who called or emailed me to ask this question, I hope this explanation was helpful. Not so much thanks for those who used your confusion to spend time being critical on the patio or in the hallway, but I hope this explanation helped you too. :) Blessings.

Comments

[Chris Johnson]

Reminds me of the time a fellow student in my Wheaton College class re: Christianity in the Middle Ages thought the particular person we were reading about wasn't a Christian because she was Catholic, and had to be reminded that they were all Catholics back then.

I appreciate your instruction in history, as I think it will be very useful and lead to a much greater understanding of our faith. I get the feeling that most people's understanding of Christianity goes back at most about 150 years, and they don't want to know what happened before that, unless it's in the New Testament.

It also can't hurt to get a greater appreciation for Catholics, who do indeed serve the same God we do. At the same time, I hope they get to understand us better and stop thinking of Protestants as snake handlers.