Is Catholicism a Branch of Christianity or Something Else?

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Is Catholicism a Branch of Christianity or Something Else?

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Ask five Christians what Catholicism is, and you might get five different answers. Some see it as just another denomination, others view it as a separate religion altogether—and some aren’t even sure where the lines are drawn.

Historically, the Catholic Church claims direct succession from the apostles and sees itself as the original expression of Christianity. Protestants, however, have long objected to certain doctrines, practices, and authority structures they believe stray from biblical teaching.

This breakdown from Crosswalk walks through the basics of Catholic theology and what sets it apart from evangelical Christianity:
https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/what-is-catholicism.html?utm_medium=cwforums&utm_source=Forums&utm_campaign=cwpost

What do you think? Is Catholicism best understood as a denomination of Christianity, or does it teach a fundamentally different gospel?
How should Christians engage with Catholic friends and family—especially when it comes to questions of salvation and authority?

Unity doesn’t require uniformity—but it does demand clarity on the Gospel.

Catholicism: History, Tradition, & Beliefs of the Catholic Church

[Who-me]

Christianity is the worshipp of only God, of prayers only to God and of salvation through Faith alone. Our good deeds are not for a reward but are a demonstration of our love for God.

IF Catholicism fits this it is Christian if it doesn’t it is pagan.

[SincereSeeker]

Oh bless this thread’s little doctrinal heart—trying so hard to untangle whether Catholicism is Christianity or some kind of Vatican-themed cosplay. Let’s set the incense down, blow out the candles, and let Scripture speak louder than tradition.

Short answer?
Roman Catholicism isn’t a “branch” of Christianity. It’s a mutation—a theological Frankenstein stitched together with Scripture in one hand and man-made tradition in the other. It wears the Christian label but then prays to Mary, bows to wafers, calls a man “Holy Father” ( Matthew 23:9 much?), and thinks purgatory is real estate you can buy your way out of. That ain’t New Testament faith. That’s religious fanfiction.

You want Biblical Christianity? That’s faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, Scripture alone, and to the glory of God alone. Catholicism? It’s grace + works + sacraments + papal infallibility + centuries of ecclesiastical gaslighting. You can sprinkle a little Jesus on that, but don’t pretend it’s the Gospel.

Let’s be real: the Reformation didn’t happen because Luther was bored. It happened because Rome had turned the Church into a spiritual Ponzi scheme. Selling indulgences like they were eternal raffle tickets, exalting tradition above the Word, and locking Scripture behind Latin bars while the sheep starved in the pews. That’s not a “branch.” That’s a break—and not the good kind.

The Catholic Church claims to be the “one true church” while standing on a foundation of doctrinal drift and manmade additions. Sounds more like the Pharisees than the apostles.

Is Catholicism Christian?
Depends. Is a shadow the same as the substance? Is a knockoff Rolex still Swiss? They might use the same terms—grace, faith, salvation—but redefine them with just enough twist to poison the well. Paul warned about “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6–9), and Rome’s got a version with all the right vocabulary but none of the saving power.

If Jesus is the Head, and Scripture is the rule, then Catholicism’s not just a different branch—it’s growing on a whole different tree. And that tree is heavy with the fruit of tradition, ritual, and works-based righteousness.

So call it what it is: not a branch of Christianity, but a religious empire in Christian clothing—powerful, ancient, ornate… and spiritually off-key. Smells like incense, sounds like Latin, but it ain’t the Gospel.

And if that singes a few sensibilities—good. Better scorched by truth than soothed by error.

[Bruce_Leiter]

I would classify Catholicism as a cult if they denied the Trinity, the two natures of Jesus, and the other basic beliefs of the Bible. However, they don’t. Therefore, I consider them a branch of Christianity with whom I disagree on less important doctrines that they have added to Scripture with their tradition.

[SincereSeeker]

Oh Bruce, bless your tolerant little theological heart—trying to hand out Christianity’s membership cards like it’s a bake sale instead of a blood-bought covenant. But let’s not confuse orthodoxy with obedience. Just because someone says Jesus is fully God and fully man doesn’t mean they’re walking in the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).

Let’s break this down, Bible-style.

Yes, the Catholic Church affirms the Trinity and the dual nature of Christ. Congratulations—they’ve managed to keep the cover on the book. But once you crack it open? You’ve got Mary as co-mediator, dead saints getting more prayer time than the living, and a priesthood that claims to re-sacrifice Christ on every altar in every Mass across the globe.

Hebrews 10:14 says “For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” SINGLE. OFFERING. Not a repeat show with incense and vestments. Rome’s version of the Gospel adds layers of tradition thick enough to choke sola scriptura out of the room.

Now you say these are “less important doctrines”? Less important than how salvation works? Less important than whether the Word of God stands alone or gets weighed down by man-made dogma? Paul didn’t call that “less important.” He called it damnable: “If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:9)

See, the devil doesn’t show up with horns and a pitchfork. He shows up in a cathedral, in robes, holding a chalice, whispering that grace needs just a little help from your works. That’s not Christianity. That’s bait with a cross-shaped hook.

So no, Bruce. Catholicism isn’t just a different flavor in the Christian Baskin-Robbins. It’s a different recipe entirely. You can slap “Trinity” on the label, but if the ingredients inside preach “grace + works,” “Scripture + tradition,” “Christ + Mary,” then what you’ve got is a spiritual counterfeit.

Don’t call it a branch when it bears fruit Jesus never planted. Call it what it is: a system of additions that buries the Gospel under centuries of religious rubble.

We’re not called to tolerate false gospels—we’re called to tear them down with truth (2 Corinthians 10:5). So let’s stop inviting error to the family reunion just because it knows the lyrics to the Nicene Creed.

[Bruce_Leiter]

Okay. I agree with you about the biggest objection that I have to the Catholic doctrine, their addition of added tradition to the Scriptures. However, I cannot put them in the territory of a cult, because of their agreement to those beliefs that I mentioned. The rest may or may not be negotiable.