Is there a difference between Catholic and Roman Catholic?

[Carbon]

Is there a difference between Catholic and Roman Catholic?

When back in 1981, I attended a United Methodist church, every time they mentioned "catholic" I cringed. The pastor had to mention when new people were there that "catholic" small case "c" meant universal. There were some who had a difficult time accepting that. They would say, why not just say universal then?


So, is there a difference? Should the protestant Church use a different word, maybe universal, instead?


Personally, I have no problem with it. I believe what sends it into a spin, and really changes everything is when the RCC adds the word "Roman" to it.

Thoughts?

 

[fastfredy0]

• Catholic is a broader term that can include all churches with historical ties to early Christianity and that identify as part of the universal church.
• Roman Catholic refers specifically to the branch of Christianity in communion with the Pope and based in Rome.

Source ChatGPT

...and that was my understanding also though many would understand "catholic" to be synonymous with Roman Catholic.

 

[Carbon]

• Catholic is a broader term that can include all churches with historical ties to early Christianity and that identify as part of the universal church.
• Roman Catholic refers specifically to the branch of Christianity in communion with the Pope and based in Rome.

Source ChatGPT

...and that was my understanding also though many would understand "catholic" to be synonymous with Roman Catholic.

Thanks

 

[Carbon]

• Catholic is a broader term that can include all churches with historical ties to early Christianity and that identify as part of the universal church.
• Roman Catholic refers specifically to the branch of Christianity in communion with the Pope and based in Rome.

Source ChatGPT

...and that was my understanding also though many would understand "catholic" to be synonymous with Roman Catholic.

Here is something I found that Loraine Boettner wrote concerning this:

“Strictly speaking ‘Roman Catholic’ is a contradiction of terms. Catholic means universal; Roman means particular. It is the Protestant and not the Romanist who believes in the catholic church. Protestants believe the church is universal or catholic; Rome cannot discover it beyond her own communion. Our formula is: ‘Ubi Spiritus ibi ecclesia’ —‘Where the Spirit is there is the church.’ Her motto is: ‘Ubi ecclesia ibi Spiritus’ —‘Where the (Roman) church is there is the Spirit.’

“It is because of the proper historic use of the word ‘catholic’ that Protestants do not hesitate to recite it in the Apostles’ Creed. We cling to the word because we cherish the concept. Rome has no monopoly on it; indeed, as we have suggested, it is a question whether she has any right to it” (p. 14).

 

[Alive]

This is where it starts. Everything else are man’s constructs.
““For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.””

(Matthew 18:20 NAS20)

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