Understanding the Origin
Catholics and Christians are two different religious followers that are rooted in two different origins. Although the two are related, they are not the same. In order to understand whether Catholicism existed before Christianity, one needs to gain an understanding of their shared origin of the same faith. Christianity draws its deism from a Jewish monotheism tradition whereas Catholicism borrows its values and practice from a Roman pagan and Jewish faith.
Christianity as we know today, began in the first century AD and was viewed as a breakaway of the Jewish religion. Jesus Christ, a Jewish teacher and prophet who lived in the first century CE, is considered to be the founder of the Christian religion. Whereas, Catholicism can be traced back to the first century AD as the result of the teachings and beliefs of Jesus and his Apostles, mainly the Apostle Peter.
Ethnic Influence Over Catholicism
Ethnicity also has a great influence when it comes to Catholics and Christians. Catholics have predominately been associated with Latin Americans, Africans and Europeans. They believe in a hierarchy and an organized church structure. On the other hand, Christianity is associated with North Americans, Europeans, and majority in African countries. Although Christianity and Catholicism share many similarities, they differ in the types of rituals and practices they follow.
Catholics adhere to rituals that were established in the first century AD and practiced in Rome; whereas Christianity follows rituals which are more of a free-form lesson of Jesus’s teachings and examples. Christianity lacks uniformity in its rituals and relies mainly on the interpretation of Jesus’ teachings in the Bible, while Catholics are guided by the official teachings of the Church as provided by the hierarchy.
Significant Similarities
However, with all the existing differences, the two religions share some similarities as well. Christianity and Catholicism are both examples of monotheistic faiths—they both believe in the existence of a single almighty God. They both draw upon the ancient Jewish texts for their authority and practice. Furthermore, both Christianity and Catholicism share a belief in Jesus Christ as the messiah and son of god who would save old humanity.
Similarly, both religions honor the holy Christian traditions of worshipping on the Sabbath day, observing holy in the Holy Week and celebrating with traditional Christmas and Easter meals. They also share the same basic spiritual tenants of loving one’s neighbor, serving the community and surrendering one’s needs to God.
Differences in Practices
The most obvious differences between Christianity and Catholicism have to do with their practices. According to Catholic beliefs, the Church acts as an intermediary between the divine and the human. This allows for its leadership to have the power to forgive sins and to determine what practices are of God. On the other hand, Christianity does not approach religion in this way. Instead, it encourages individuals to use biblical teachings to figure out what is morally right and wrong, without the help of any other authority.
The differences in practice are also reflected in the way services are conducted. In Catholicism, mass is assumed as a complete binding ritual with numerous formalities to ensure that everything is done correctly. On the other hand, in Christianity, services are more relaxed and open-ended.
Catholicism Before Christianity
The actual answer to the question of whether Catholicism existed before Christianity is unclear. While Catholics consider Peter the founder of their Church, and those who followed Jesus closely were called “Christians” instead of “Catholics”. It is not known whether these early followers were the same followers who would eventually form the Catholic Church.
Some theologians argue that the term ‘Catholicism’ emerged much later, when there was a radical post-Constantine shift in Christian doctrine and that the term ‘Christianity’ was first used to refer to a “follower of Christ”. Whereas, Catholicism is used to refer to the Church’s own system of organization.
Theological Beliefs
In terms of theological beliefs and traditions, the Catholic Church is sometimes seen as a continuation of the Christian religion. This is because of its approach to biblical interpretation and its acceptance of certain Christian doctrines, such as the Nicene Creed. The Catholic Church also follows certain rites and practices that are closely associated with Christianity, such as baptism and the Eucharist. On the other hand, Christianity has its own distinct services, literature and beliefs that are distinctive from Catholicism.
The two religions also occupy two distinct points on the spectrum of orthodoxy and heresy. Catholicism is often viewed as more conservative, while Christianity has often been seen as more liberal.
Influence of the Council of Trent
The Catholic Church’s modern-day theology can be traced back to the Council of Trent which occurred in the sixteenth century. The Council of Trent accepted and adopted many of the beliefs of Christianity, such as the belief in the authority of the Bible and the importance of human works in the process of salvation. However, it also developed doctrines that are unique to Catholicism, such as the concept of purgatory and the veneration of Mary and the Saints.
Perhaps the most significant difference between Catholicism and Christianity is the highly structured heirarchy of the Catholic Church. The Pope is viewed as the visible head of the Church, and his decisions and teachings bind all Catholics. On the other hand, Christianity is much more diverse and decentralized, with each congregation and group having autonomy to make their own decisions.
Role of Papacy
The papacy has had a profound influence on the development of Catholicism. The Pope is the final source of doctrinal authority and is responsible for making the final decisions and rulings on all matters of faith and practice. This power has allowed the Church to remain united and consistent across generations. Additionally, the papacy has enabled the Church to spread its influence and to reach people around the world.
The papacy has also been instrumental in the development of the Catholic Church’s doctrine and teachings. Since the Pope is the final source of power, his decisions and teachings on faith and practice are binding on all Catholics. This has enabled the Church to remain unified across generations, despite a wide range of ethnic, cultural and political diversity.
Role of Politics in Catholicism
Politically, Catholicism has often been closely allied with state powers. In areas where the Catholic Church has been dominant, its leadership has often worked closely with state authorities to protect its interests and those of its followers. This alliance has often brought criticism from other Christians, many of whom view the Church’s actions as being too closely tied to political concerns.
On the other hand, some Christians believe that the Church’s involvement in politics is a necessary part of protecting its members and maintaining its influence. They argue that the Church is entitled to involve itself in matters of state to ensure that its members are protected and that its religious practice and beliefs are respected.
Relevance to Modern Day
In the modern day, the debate about whether Catholicism existed before Christianity still continues. The most salient point on the topic is that Christianity and Catholicism are two distinct religions rooted in different origins, though they hold similar beliefs and practices. The differences between the two remain evident in their hierarchical organization, rituals, beliefs, and political involvement.
The current rise of secularism and the proliferation of online ideologies has had a significant impact on both Christianity and Catholicism. With less people attending religious services and organizations, many clergy and religious leaders are struggling to reach the faithful. Similarly, both Christianity and Catholicism are in need of reexamination as to how they will address the social, political and religious issues of today.
