what is the difference between a catholic church and united methodist church?
Although the differences are many, as a believer in the Bible being the word of God, I will address the differences in how they view the Bible.
As the excepts from these church’s own writings confirm, neither believe that the Bible is the sole authority of the church. Catholics believe that the Bible is to be interpreted in light of their traditions. United Methodists believe that scripture is sufficient for salvation, but do not affirm the scripture as being inerrant or the sole authority of the church. In the way that both church hold a low view of the Bible, they are quite similar.
The low view of the scripture in these churches has manifest itself in different ways in each church. For example, around 500AD the Catholic church first began to declare Mary to be entirely free from sin her entire life. Although the Bible is clear that all except Jesus have sinned, their tradition takes priority on this matter. Another case is communion, according to Catholic tradition, they believe they are actually eating and drinking the flesh and blood of Jesus where the Bible simply states that you are drinking bread and wine as symbols of flesh and blood in remembrance of Jesus. The ways tradition supersedes scripture in the Catholic church are far too many for this answer. Although the Catholic church has strayed far from the Bible in many areas, they remain socially conservative in contrast with the United Methodist Church.
The low view of scripture in the United Methodist Church (UMC) has resulted in social liberalism. For example, homosexual activity is condemned in the Bible as a sin. People living in this sin are accepted as members of the church and are members that fall into this sin are not discipled. Although, hypocritically they declare “The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching” in their official position document.
The Confession of Faith of The Evangelical United Brethren Church (Now United Methodist Church)
Article IV—The Holy Bible
We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.
http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1654
Catechism of the Catholic Church
PART ONE
THE PROFESSION OF FAITH
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT, INTERPRETER OF SCRIPTURE
113 2. Read the Scripture within “the living Tradition of the whole Church”. According to a saying of the Fathers, Sacred Scripture is written principally in the Church’s heart rather than in documents and records, for the Church carries in her Tradition the living memorial of God’s Word, and it is the Holy Spirit who gives her the spiritual interpretation of the Scripture (“. . . according to the spiritual meaning which the Spirit grants to the Church”81).
http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s1c2a3.htm
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