Rachel Evans
There are several differences between Catholics and Evangelicals, and the term 'Evangelical Catholic' is used in Lutheranism to describe those who stress the catholicity of historic Lutheranism in liturgy, beliefs, practices, and doctrines. Evangelical Catholics are members of the Roman Catholic Church who are loyal to the Pope, faithful to Catholic doctrine, observant of the sacraments, and desire to spread Catholicism. Catholics and Evangelicals differ in their approach to the Word of God, with Catholic Bibles containing 73 books compared to the Protestant Bible's 66. Protestants view Scripture through the lens of Sola Scriptura, meaning 'by Scripture alone', whereas Catholics do not.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Evangelicals are Protestants committed to the authority of Scripture alone. Catholics consider the Pope's rulings on matters of belief and practice as authoritative. |
| Bible | Protestants view the Bible as a standalone authority. Catholics believe that Sacred Tradition also helped codify the Bible. |
| Bible Content | Catholic Bibles have 73 books, while Protestants' have 66. |
| Saints | Catholics ask deceased saints to pray for them, which some Protestants consider idolatrous. |
| Sin | Protestants do not categorize sin into different levels, while Catholics distinguish between mortal and venial sins. |
| Eucharist | Catholics consider the Eucharist the highest form of worship. Most Protestants believe the bread and wine in Holy Communion are symbolic, and their highest form of worship is praise music or preaching. |
| Priesthood | Protestants believe all believers are priests. Catholics believe in a specific priesthood that started with the Twelve Apostles. |
| Liturgy | Evangelical Catholics stress the catholicity of historic Lutheranism in liturgy, beliefs, practices, and doctrines. |
| Sola Scriptura | Catholics do not subscribe to the sola scriptura premises that Evangelicals do. |
| Salvation | Catholics and Protestants differ in their beliefs about whether salvation is by faith alone or by faith and works. |
| Superstitions | Some Catholics have embraced Evangelical superstitions, such as the concept of 'generational spirits'. |
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What You'll Learn
- Protestants and Catholics have different views on the Word of God
- Protestants believe in the Bible as standalone authority; Catholics don't
- Protestants don't believe in Sacred Tradition; Catholics do
- Protestants see original sin as total corruption; Catholics see it as a weakening
- Protestants don't ask saints to pray for them; Catholics do
Protestants and Catholics have different views on the Word of God
Protestants and Catholics share the belief that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God. However, they differ in their views on the authority of the Bible and the meaning derived from it.
Protestants, adhering to the principles of the Reformation, believe that the Bible is the "Sola Scriptura", or God's only book. They consider it to be the sole source of authority on all matters of belief and practice. This belief allows them to enter into direct communion with God, without the need for intermediaries. Protestants view the church as having a horizontal structure, where the priesthood can be transferred to every believer, even women, as opposed to the vertical structure of the Catholic Church.
On the other hand, Catholics do not base their beliefs solely on the Bible. They are bound by the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church and its official teaching body, known as the "magisterium", which includes the pope and leading theologians. Catholics view the pope as the successor of the Apostle Peter, the first head of their Church, appointed by Jesus. This apostolic succession is significant for various spiritual offices within the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church also practices the veneration of saints, who are considered intermediaries that the faithful can pray to for help in maintaining their faith in God.
The differences in interpretation of the Bible between Protestants and Catholics are significant. Protestants often express the idea that salvation is by faith alone, through grace alone, and in Christ alone. They see justification as a specific point where God declares a guilty person righteous due to their faith. Sanctification, then, is the process of becoming more righteous throughout life. In contrast, Catholics view justification as both a point and a process, dependent on the grace received by participating in the Church.
The term "Evangelical Catholic" is used in Lutheranism to stress the catholicity of historic Lutheranism in liturgy, beliefs, practices, and doctrines. Evangelical Catholics within Lutheranism teach that their faith is deeply and fundamentally catholic.
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Protestants believe in the Bible as standalone authority; Catholics don't
While Protestants and Catholics share the belief that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, they differ in their views on the source of ultimate authority. Protestants believe that the Bible is the sole source of authority on all matters of belief and practice, a principle known as "sola scriptura". They consider the Scripture to be sufficient in itself, without the need for additional sources of authority.
In contrast, Catholics hold that the Bible is one of several channels of divine revelation. They believe that not all of the revelations given to the apostles were committed to writing, and that sacred oral traditions, consisting of the spoken words of inspired people, are also authoritative. Thus, the Catholic Church considers the Bible to be under the authority of sacred tradition.
The Catholic Church teaches that the mind of God has been revealed through both Scripture and tradition. They argue that the Bible does not contain everything that God wants to say to humanity and that the church has preserved the oral traditions that complement the written Scriptures. Catholics believe that the Scripture and holy tradition cannot be fully understood without the interpretation provided by the church. This interpretation authority is known as the Magisterium, which forms part of the Catholic Church's authority structure, along with Scripture and Tradition.
Protestants, on the other hand, reject the idea that the Bible is subordinate to tradition or the authority of the Catholic Church. They emphasize that the Bible is the final authority and that nothing else is needed to understand God's Word. This belief in the sufficiency of Scripture alone is a key distinction between Protestants and Catholics.
The concept of "sola scriptura" has been a source of debate within Protestantism as well. Some Protestants argue that the plain meaning of the Bible is not always clear, and they turn to secondary authorities, such as Patristic sources, Protestant theologians, or modern scholars. However, there is no universal agreement among Protestants on the veracity or authority of these secondary sources, leading to a diversity of interpretations and denominations within Protestantism.
In summary, the primary difference between Protestants and Catholics on this issue is their understanding of the nature and extent of biblical authority. Protestants uphold the Bible as the sole and final authority, while Catholics view the Bible as one element within a broader framework of authority that includes tradition and the teaching authority of the Catholic Church.
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Protestants don't believe in Sacred Tradition; Catholics do
The relationship between Catholicism and Protestantism is a complex one. While there are many similarities, there are also significant differences between the two denominations, one of which is their respective approaches to Sacred Tradition.
Protestants do not believe in Sacred Tradition in the same way that Catholics do. Protestants tend to adhere to the principle of sola scriptura, or "Scripture alone", meaning they believe that the Bible is the only rule of faith and that it contains all the material one needs for theology. In the Protestant view, anything extraneous to the Bible is simply non-authoritative, unnecessary, or wrong. This is a fundamental difference from the Catholic perspective, which recognises that the "rule of faith" is Scripture plus apostolic tradition, as manifested in the living teaching authority of the Catholic Church. Catholics believe that the true "deposit of faith" is communicated through both the written form (Scripture) and the oral Tradition passed down from the Apostles, who received it directly from Christ Himself.
The concept of Sacred Tradition is important for Catholics because it provides an authoritative interpretation of Scripture. They believe that even after the official canon of Scriptures was determined, Sacred Tradition is necessary to properly interpret the Bible, which can be difficult to understand. This is reflected in the fact that Biblical scholars devote years to studying and interpreting Scripture. Catholics argue that just because one has a genuine desire to understand the truth and a relationship with God, it does not guarantee that their personal interpretation of Scripture will be correct. This is a significant issue, as it has led to numerous Christian denominations, all disagreeing on various issues.
Protestants, on the other hand, often question the Catholic reliance on Sacred Tradition, asking why they believe in ongoing divine revelation when Scripture does not explicitly mention it. They argue that the Bible is sufficiently clear and that no new revelation has been given since the last books of the Bible were written. This belief in sola scriptura is a cornerstone of Protestant theology, with some even arguing that the Bible itself promotes this idea. For example, they cite John 20:31 ("These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God...") and 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ("All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching...") as evidence that the Bible is the sole source of truth and guidance for Christians.
However, Catholics counter this by pointing out that such verses are taken out of context. For instance, the verses preceding 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (2 Tim. 3:14-15) actually emphasise the importance of continuing in the tradition and teachings passed down, which is a direct appeal to apostolic tradition. This highlights the nuanced and complex nature of the debate surrounding Sacred Tradition and how it differs between Protestants and Catholics.
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Protestants see original sin as total corruption; Catholics see it as a weakening
While there are some similarities between the two denominations, evangelicalism and Catholicism differ in several ways. One of the key differences lies in their interpretation of original sin.
Protestants, including Lutheran and Calvinist Reformers, believe in the concept of "total depravity" or "total corruption", which means that humans are inherently and completely sinful due to the fall of Adam and Eve. This sinfulness, or "original sin", is viewed as a result of Adam's sin being imputed to all humanity, leading to a complete alienation from God. According to this doctrine, individuals are unable to achieve reconciliation with God based on their own abilities, and redemption is possible only through Jesus Christ. Protestant Reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin equated original sin with concupiscence, or hurtful desire, asserting that it persisted even after baptism and destroyed the freedom to do good.
In contrast, the Catholic Church holds a different view of original sin. While Catholics agree that original sin exists and that it stems from the fall of Adam and Eve, they believe that baptism washes away original sin. This is based on the idea that baptism confers sanctifying grace, erasing original sin and any actual personal sin. However, Catholics also believe that while original sin is removed, concupiscence, or the inclination to sin, remains after baptism. This is supported by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states that baptism "erases original sin and turns a man back towards God, but the consequences for nature, weakened and inclined to evil, persist in man and summon him to spiritual battle".
The differing interpretations of original sin have significant implications for the respective denominations' views on human nature and salvation. The Protestant belief in total depravity leads to an emphasis on the need for redemption, with Christ's work addressing all sins at once. On the other hand, the Catholic perspective allows for the possibility of individuals going through life without committing actual sins, presenting a more optimistic view of human nature and abilities.
It is worth noting that within the broader categories of evangelicalism and Catholicism, there are further nuances and variations. For example, the term "Evangelical Catholic" is used in Lutheranism to stress the catholicity of historic Lutheranism in liturgy, beliefs, practices, and doctrines. Evangelical Catholics teach that Lutheranism is deeply and fundamentally catholic, and they may belong to mainstream Lutheran denominations or specific Evangelical Catholic churchmanships.
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Protestants don't ask saints to pray for them; Catholics do
Protestantism and Catholicism are two distinct branches of Christianity, with several key differences in their beliefs and practices. One notable difference lies in their approach to praying for intercession and their views on saints. While Catholics ask saints to pray for them, Protestants generally do not engage in this practice.
Protestants reject the idea of asking saints for intercession because they believe it is a form of communicating with the dead, which they consider dishonouring to Jesus as their sole mediator. They argue that there is no biblical example or instruction to pray to the dead and that it is not possible to do so. Instead, they follow the biblical instruction to pray for each other, asking fellow believers to join them in prayer to God, recognising Jesus as the sole mediator for their salvation.
On the other hand, Catholics explain that they are not worshipping the saints but venerating them. They believe that the saints in heaven intercede with God on their behalf and that asking the saints for help is no different from asking a living friend for assistance. Catholics hold that those who have passed on are still part of the Body of Christ and can offer prayers for their brethren on earth. This belief is supported by their interpretation of Scripture, such as the vision of heaven in Revelation 5:8, where the elders carry golden bowls filled with "the prayers of the saints".
The practice of praying to saints has been a long-standing tradition in Catholicism, with saints viewed as departed brothers and sisters in heaven who can intercede for them. However, it is not a mandatory practice, and Catholics are free to choose whether to ask for the saints' prayers.
The disagreement between Protestants and Catholics on this issue remains significant, with some Protestants expressing discomfort with the idea of praying to saints. This difference in belief and practice highlights the distinct theological perspectives of the two denominations.
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Frequently asked questions
An evangelical Catholic is a member of the Roman Catholic Church who is loyal to the pope, faithful to Catholic doctrine, observant of the sacraments, and possessing a desire to spread Catholicism into new areas.
Catholics and Protestants differ in their approach to the Word of God. Catholic Bibles have 73 books compared to the Protestant Bible with 66 books. Protestants view Scripture through the lens of Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone), whereas Catholics don’t.
Catholics consider the Eucharist the centre of the Christian life and offer it the highest form of worship to God. Evangelicals believe that the bread and wine in Holy Communion are only symbolic of Jesus’ body and blood. Their highest form of worship is praise music or the preaching of the Bible.
Some Protestants, including Evangelicals, like to call all baptised Christians saints. Catholics recognise the validity of this language but aren’t prone to use it since it has become a title in the Catholic Church. Saint, with the uppercase S, is a title ascribed to canonized saints that the Church has investigated and found worthy of imitation.
Protestants, including Evangelicals, do not categorise sin into different levels, whereas Catholics distinguish between mortal and venial sins.
