CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT

The chart below provides a quick-reference guide to the major differences between Catholic and Protestant theology,
especially at the time of the Reformation. As is always true with charts and other summaries, the information is
oversimplified for the sake of brevity and should be used alongside more complete explanations.

The Protestant positions listed here are based primarily on the historical Lutheran and Reformed perspectives. The
beliefs listed for both Catholics and Protestants by no means represent those of all churches or individuals within that
tradition.

For more detailed comparisons that take into account differences within Protestantism, see the comparison charts on
Facts and Stats, Beliefs, Practices, and Social and Ethical Views of Christian Denominations.

  Catholic Protestant
Authority Scripture and tradition Sola Scriptura - Scripture alone
Bible Includes apocrypha Excludes apocrypha
Corruption and tendency to
Results of Fall Total depravity and guilt
sin
Free will Free to do good or evil Free only to do evil
Related to God's
Predestination Related to God's decrees
foreknowledge
Death of Christ created Death of Christ was a
Atonement merit that is shared with substitutionary sacrifice that
sinners through sacraments satisfied God's justice
Prevenient grace helps one Common grace enabling good
believe; efficacious grace works given to all; sufficient
Divine grace
cooperates with the human grace for salvation given to elect
will to do good only
Results of divine grace and
Good works Meritorious
unworthy of merit
Received at baptism; may
be lost by mortal sin; Result of divine grace;
regained by penance. unconditional. Those who have
Salvation
Those who have never never heard of Christ may be
heard of Christ may be saved.
saved. (Catech 847)
The Church The Catholic Church is "the There is a distinction between
place where humanity must the visible and invisible church.
rediscover its unity and God saves anyone he chooses,
 salvation" (Catech 845) but
those baptized in other or anyone with proper faith,
Christian denominations are regardless of church
in communion with the membership.
Church (Catech 838).
Convey grace by their
Means of grace only if received
Sacraments operation (ex opere
with faith.
operato).
A special vocation for some
Priests believers; mediators Priesthood of all believers.
between God and man
Transubstantiatio
Affirmed Rejected
n
Purgatory Affirmed Denied
Prayer to saints Accepted Rejected