The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Roman Catholics and Orthodox Considered Christians?

I just found out something that surprised me (maybe I shouldn’t be?) that there are some Reformed Christians who believe that because both Roman Catholics and Orthodox practice Trinitarian baptism that they should be considered Christians. They also believe that this is what both the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechism teaches. They go onto say that they are disciples of Christ, they participate in the New Covenant, irrespective of saving faith, and even if they later claim atheism.
The reason this surprises me, is both the Larger/Shorter Catechisms came out of the Protestant Reformation and this view of them seems (unless I am missing something), to contradict the Reformers themselves.
Thoughts?
Tom

You certainly have a history of running into some of the weirdest people that hold to amazingly ridiculous views.

Now, in the past and I have no doubt it continues, there are some Reformed individuals, e.g., Charles Hodge who held that RC baptism was legitimate, i.e., if a "former" Roman Catholic desires to become a member of a Reformed Church, their baptism is recognized as valid. There is no requirement to be re-baptized. I disagree with that view. It is true, that an individual who denies the doctrine of the Trinity is unregenerate and cannot be admitted to membership in any church. Membership in a true church although it INCLUDES the necessity of having at least a rudimentary understanding and embracing of orthodox, biblical doctrine, is mainly based upon a credible profession of faith (the definition of which today has become so open that it has lost any real meaning). If you recall, I have myriad times written on this board that one is not saved on the basis of professing true doctrine, BUT one cannot be saved without holding to true doctrine, especially the doctrine of soteriology (the doctrine of salvation), which is the biblical Gospel (which also has been so distorted and dumbed down today that it is basically unrecognizable when compared to biblical teaching).

Pilgrim
You are right, I do run into some people with rediculous views. What is strange about this particular one, is that these particular people on that particular Reformed Facebook board seemed quite sound; until they revealed that. I didn't even know that was a view of the Larger/shorter catechism. Could this have something to do with the Federal Vision controversy?

Tom

You need have them provide the alleged sections in the Westminster LC & SC that teach,

I can tell you assuredly, that neither document even hints at such a spurious view. Professing that God is triune; one God in three persons does NOT automatically make one a Christian, never mind a 'disciple of Christ'.