Comparison of Catholic, Lutheran, and Reformed Theologies

The council also reaffirmed that the seven Catholic sacraments were based on scripture and were authorized objective means of receiving God’s graceIs a term used to identify unmerited assistance by God primarily to redeem and transform human beings. In the early and medieval church it also referred to God’s influence throughout existence. Redemptive grace is important to Augustinian theology which has... more and that one must be an ordained priest to administer these sacraments with the exceptions of baptismFrom a Greek word meaning “to immerse;” and is an initiatory ritual washing whereby one becomes a member of the Christian community. It involves various symbolic meanings including, cleansing, the death and resurrection of Christ, and a sinners death and... more in an emergency. Additionally, it rejected the claim that scripture alone was the sole authoritative criteria to determine true Christian doctrineis derived from the Latin word for teaching, doctrina, and is an important aspect of Christianity more so than other world religions because Christianity focuses on the teachings and nature of Christ. more and proper religious practices. Instead, the Council of Trent(A.D. 1545–1563) The Roman Catholic council of bishops held in the city of Trent near the border Austria and Italy over two decades between 1543 and 1563 to respond to the Protestant Reformation. The council experiences numerous lengthy interruptions, but... more reaffirmed that the Bible and their traditions were authoritative parts of God’s revelationThe divine disclosure to humans of future events, God’s will or his nature. more, and the Latin VulgateA Latin version of the Bible, composed in the 4th Century AD for use in the Roman Church, and which displaced a plethora of previous competing Latin translations. It thus became the “versio vulgate”, or the “version commonly used”/“standard version”.... more translation was the proper version to use, including books that the Protestants rejected.

The Council of Trent(A.D. 1545–1563) The Roman Catholic council of bishops held in the city of Trent near the border Austria and Italy over two decades between 1543 and 1563 to respond to the Protestant Reformation. The council experiences numerous lengthy interruptions, but... more reaffirmed the hierarchical structure of the Churcha term translated from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means an assembly called together and is sometime translated as a congregation. A church is an organized group of believers who adhere to a set of core beliefs. The Church in... more. However, it included an implicit concession that much of the critique of the Churcha term translated from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means an assembly called together and is sometime translated as a congregation. A church is an organized group of believers who adhere to a set of core beliefs. The Church in... more and the anticlericalismBroad discontent with members of the clergy, particularly leading up to and during the Reformation due to clerical privileges and abuses. more was justified. The council took action to reform the institution and morals of the clergyconsists of the priest, ministers and pastors of Christian churches. In the medieval church this term referred to both regular priest who were monks subject to a rule (regula) of a monastic order and secular priest who were not monks... more. It set up guidelines to enhance education of the clergyconsists of the priest, ministers and pastors of Christian churches. In the medieval church this term referred to both regular priest who were monks subject to a rule (regula) of a monastic order and secular priest who were not monks... more and required greater episcopal oversight and discipline within the monasteries. The objective was to improve the moral and educational status of the clergyconsists of the priest, ministers and pastors of Christian churches. In the medieval church this term referred to both regular priest who were monks subject to a rule (regula) of a monastic order and secular priest who were not monks... more and inspire the laityOr “lay persons” is a term derived from the Greek word for “the people,” and refers to the rank and file membership of the church in contrast to the clergy. The distinction is much greater and more important in Roman... more to follow.1

LutheranismIs named after Martin Luther and was the first form of Protestantism and became the official form of Christianity in many German territories and in the Scandinavian countries. It remains one of the major arms of Protestantism in contrast with... more utilized pastors to teach and watch over their congregation instead of ordained clergyconsists of the priest, ministers and pastors of Christian churches. In the medieval church this term referred to both regular priest who were monks subject to a rule (regula) of a monastic order and secular priest who were not monks... more who administered the churches sacraments. It was loosely organized along national boundaries involving conciliatory councils with a doctrineis derived from the Latin word for teaching, doctrina, and is an important aspect of Christianity more so than other world religions because Christianity focuses on the teachings and nature of Christ. more based on faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more alone. This faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more, however, was based on God’s promise of salvation made in the baptismal prayer, so it still included aspects of Catholic sacramentalism. Even though LutherMartin Luther (A.D. 1483–1546) German theologian, pastor, professor at the University of Wittenberg, ex-monk, and founding figure of Protestantism. He was known for his doctrine of justification by faith alone and his insistence on distinguishing between Law and Gospel. more believed God had predestined some individuals to be saved, he taught that discussion and contemplation of this mystery should be minimized. He believed that the revealed gospel of the God of salvation through faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more in His promises was of far greater importance than discovering the hidden will of God regarding predestinationThe Augustinian doctrine that God bestows the grace of salvation on some individuals while assigning others to hell, independent of human choice or actions. This concept was shared by Aquinas, Luther, and John Calvin, with Calvin emphasizing and expanding it... more.

CalvinismThe main branch of the Reformed Protestant tradition that took its name from its founder, John Calvin. It is characterized by a strong belief in predestination, anti- and austere lifestyle. It began in Geneva Switzerland and spread though areas of... more moved further to the left by rejecting the notion that the sacraments were means of bestowing graceIs a term used to identify unmerited assistance by God primarily to redeem and transform human beings. In the early and medieval church it also referred to God’s influence throughout existence. Redemptive grace is important to Augustinian theology which has... more. Instead, it emphasized the importance of being born again in ChristDerived from a Greek term meaning anointed and is equivalent to the word “messiah” from Hebrew roots. The anointing references the act of installing a new king similar to the modern custom of crowning a king, so the term “Christ”... more to be saved. Because of God’s sovereignty, everything was predestined, so one could find security in knowing that God had elected them to be saved. CalvinismThe main branch of the Reformed Protestant tradition that took its name from its founder, John Calvin. It is characterized by a strong belief in predestination, anti- and austere lifestyle. It began in Geneva Switzerland and spread though areas of... more had a very loose organizational structure and emphasized preaching based on the Bible.

Reformed and Lutheran theology agree on three characteristically Protestant sola statements against Roman Catholic theology: sola fideIs a Latin phrase meaning “by faith alone,” and refers to a popular Protestant slogan during the Reformation that summarized the Protestant concept that individuals are saved and become righteous solely by believing the gospel through the grace of God... more, sola gratiaIs a Latin term meaning “grace alone,” and refers to the Protestant doctrine that individuals are saved solely through God’s grace without any contribution of their own merits or free will. more, and sola scripturaIs a Latin term meaning “scripture alone,” and refers to the popular Protestant slogan during the Reformation that summarized the Protestant conviction that only what is explicitly or by clear implication taught in the Bible is binding on the conscience... more. Sola fide (“faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more alone”) means we are justified by faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more alone, apart from works of the Law. Catholics also teach justificationThis term comes from the root Latin word “jus” meaning law or right and “Justus” meaning justice. The words “justification” and “righteous” are different translation of the same Latin word and literally means “becoming just.” The central issue of the... more by faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more, but they don’t add “alone.” Good works are also required for salvation, because we are justified by “faith working by loveIn a theological discussion “love” refers to one’s love for God and neighbor and is often referred to as “charity” or the pure love of God. It does not mean giving alms to the poor. more” (Gal. 5:6). The “alone” here excludes good works, particularly works of loveIn a theological discussion “love” refers to one’s love for God and neighbor and is often referred to as “charity” or the pure love of God. It does not mean giving alms to the poor. more, which should be done but make no contribution to justificationThis term comes from the root Latin word “jus” meaning law or right and “Justus” meaning justice. The words “justification” and “righteous” are different translation of the same Latin word and literally means “becoming just.” The central issue of the... more. Protestants agree that faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more works through loveIn a theological discussion “love” refers to one’s love for God and neighbor and is often referred to as “charity” or the pure love of God. It does not mean giving alms to the poor. more, but make this part of sanctificationDerived from the Latin word sanctus for “holy” and literally means “becoming holy.” In most Protestant theology it refers to the process of become a more moral individual through an internal transformation following justification that occurs at the time of... more, not justificationThis term comes from the root Latin word “jus” meaning law or right and “Justus” meaning justice. The words “justification” and “righteous” are different translation of the same Latin word and literally means “becoming just.” The central issue of the... more. They say it contributes nothing to ultimate salvation. For Protestants, faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more necessarily results in good works, but good works do not contribute anything to salvation.

Sola gratia (“graceIs a term used to identify unmerited assistance by God primarily to redeem and transform human beings. In the early and medieval church it also referred to God’s influence throughout existence. Redemptive grace is important to Augustinian theology which has... more alone”) means we can never do anything to earn or deserve salvation. The word “alone” here excludes meritA person’s right of deserving reward. In Catholicism it consists of two parts, Condign merit (a concept developed by Augustine) referring to good works of love that are performed through God’s grace making a person worthy of the reward of... more. Even after graceIs a term used to identify unmerited assistance by God primarily to redeem and transform human beings. In the early and medieval church it also referred to God’s influence throughout existence. Redemptive grace is important to Augustinian theology which has... more and faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more, our works earn no meritA person’s right of deserving reward. In Catholicism it consists of two parts, Condign merit (a concept developed by Augustine) referring to good works of love that are performed through God’s grace making a person worthy of the reward of... more before God. By contrast, for Catholics, our good works, which are the result of graceIs a term used to identify unmerited assistance by God primarily to redeem and transform human beings. In the early and medieval church it also referred to God’s influence throughout existence. Redemptive grace is important to Augustinian theology which has... more, do indeed have meritA person’s right of deserving reward. In Catholicism it consists of two parts, Condign merit (a concept developed by Augustine) referring to good works of love that are performed through God’s grace making a person worthy of the reward of... more in God’s sight. Whereas Protestants refuse to believe in any merits of their own, Catholics insist especially on the merits of the saintsIs a term used in the New Testament for Christian believers. In Roman Catholicism it refers to officially canonized, deceased holy men and women who can intercede with God on behalf of ordinary men and women and whose ascension to... more.

Sola scriptura (“scripture alone”) means that nothing is required for salvation that is not in the Bible. Here the “alone” excludes the power of the church to make new doctrines and impose burdens on people’s consciences that are not imposed in scripture. In the sixteenth century, the doctrineis derived from the Latin word for teaching, doctrina, and is an important aspect of Christianity more so than other world religions because Christianity focuses on the teachings and nature of Christ. more of private interpretation did not mean an individual could adequately interpret the Bible apart from the church. “Scripture alone” did not mean you could just forget about the church, the traditionThis word comes from a Latin term meaning “to hand down,” that originally referred to the teaching of the apostles as handed down in the churches they founded, which led to these churches gaining authority of other locations due to... more, or other Christians. Nor does it imply that the church can read the Bible adequately without being informed by the Christian traditionThis word comes from a Latin term meaning “to hand down,” that originally referred to the teaching of the apostles as handed down in the churches they founded, which led to these churches gaining authority of other locations due to... more. It sets limits on what the church’s teaching authority is, which must not go beyond what is taught (explicitly or by clear logical implication) in scripture.2

Lutherans agreed with the Calvinists regarding total human depravity. However, they ended up agreeing with the Arminians on most other points. They departed from Luther’s original teaching and accepted a version of conditional electionFrom the Latin word for "choice," is a doctrine based on the concept that God chooses (predestines) some individuals to salvation while other to damnation. "Unconditional election" is a Calvinist label for the proposition taught by Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, and... more based on resistible graceIs a term used to identify unmerited assistance by God primarily to redeem and transform human beings. In the early and medieval church it also referred to God’s influence throughout existence. Redemptive grace is important to Augustinian theology which has... more, the idea that God predestines some for salvation based on His foreknowledge that they will not resist His grace. Additionally, the Lutheran traditionThis word comes from a Latin term meaning “to hand down,” that originally referred to the teaching of the apostles as handed down in the churches they founded, which led to these churches gaining authority of other locations due to... more later adopted much of Calvin’s concept regarding conversionThis term is derived from the Latin word for “turning,” and is a theological term that refers to one turning his will from evil to good and is generally used to denote one becoming a Christian and/or joining a particular... more instead of leaving open the idea of a revealed God of salvation and a hidden God of predestinationThe Augustinian doctrine that God bestows the grace of salvation on some individuals while assigning others to hell, independent of human choice or actions. This concept was shared by Aquinas, Luther, and John Calvin, with Calvin emphasizing and expanding it... more.

Catholics and Protestants also disagreed about the nature of the Eucharist more. Catholics believe in transubstantiationRoman Catholic doctrine, developed in the 13th century, that the bread and wine literally changes to become the literal body and blood of Christ when the priest pronounces consecration of these elements during the Mass. Protestants reject the dogma of... more, while Luther rejected this unnecessary second miracle in favor of the idea that the real presence of Jesus(c. 4 B.C.–A.D. 30-33) Also known as Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and Savior of the World. He is the founding figure of Christianity and accepted by Christians as the Son of God in the flesh. He taught... more was already in the bread and wine. ZwingliUlrich Zwingli (or Huldrych) (A.D. 1484–1531) Swiss pastor and theologian based in Zurich, a founding figure of the Reformed Protestant tradition, most famous for his low view of the Eucharist. more rejected the whole idea of Jesus(c. 4 B.C.–A.D. 30-33) Also known as Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and Savior of the World. He is the founding figure of Christianity and accepted by Christians as the Son of God in the flesh. He taught... more being in the Eucharist more, insisting it was simply a symbolic memorial of the Savior. CalvinJohn Calvin (A.D. 1509-1564) French Protestant theologian who lived most of his adult life in Geneva. He was the most influential figure in Reformed theology and author of the Institutes, the most important systematic theology text of Protestantism. more adopted a middle ground by agreeing with ZwingliUlrich Zwingli (or Huldrych) (A.D. 1484–1531) Swiss pastor and theologian based in Zurich, a founding figure of the Reformed Protestant tradition, most famous for his low view of the Eucharist. more that Jesus(c. 4 B.C.–A.D. 30-33) Also known as Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and Savior of the World. He is the founding figure of Christianity and accepted by Christians as the Son of God in the flesh. He taught... more is physically up in heaven on the right hand of God, but his essencethe English word generally used for the Greek term ousia, that is also translated as “being” or “substance” and refers to that which makes something what it is such as human nature is the essence of a human being. This... more is in all things so believers who partake of the Eucharist more with real intent actually receive Christs body and blood while unbelievers simply eat bread and drink wine. ProtestantContrary to popular belief, the term does not refer to protest against the Roman Catholic Church. The term original refers to a formal protest lodged by Lutheran princes against an unfavorable decision made by the imperial Diet of Speyer in... more traditions vary among these three approaches, but they reject the Catholic doctrineis derived from the Latin word for teaching, doctrina, and is an important aspect of Christianity more so than other world religions because Christianity focuses on the teachings and nature of Christ. more involving special power allocated to the priest to transform the substance of the Eucharist, and they reject the idea that the liturgy more is an actual sacrifice of Jesus(c. 4 B.C.–A.D. 30-33) Also known as Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and Savior of the World. He is the founding figure of Christianity and accepted by Christians as the Son of God in the flesh. He taught... more.

Justification and salvation take center stage for Catholic, Lutheran, and Reformed traditions. The Calvinist Reformed traditionThis word comes from a Latin term meaning “to hand down,” that originally referred to the teaching of the apostles as handed down in the churches they founded, which led to these churches gaining authority of other locations due to... more turns inward and focuses on an inner experience with the Divine. The Dutch Calvinists stressed obtaining the assurance of salvation by seeing the fruits of God’s graceIs a term used to identify unmerited assistance by God primarily to redeem and transform human beings. In the early and medieval church it also referred to God’s influence throughout existence. Redemptive grace is important to Augustinian theology which has... more in one’s life while the Puritan arm of CalvinismThe main branch of the Reformed Protestant tradition that took its name from its founder, John Calvin. It is characterized by a strong belief in predestination, anti- and austere lifestyle. It began in Geneva Switzerland and spread though areas of... more found in England and America emphasized the necessity of a conversionThis term is derived from the Latin word for “turning,” and is a theological term that refers to one turning his will from evil to good and is generally used to denote one becoming a Christian and/or joining a particular... more experience. LutheranismIs named after Martin Luther and was the first form of Protestantism and became the official form of Christianity in many German territories and in the Scandinavian countries. It remains one of the major arms of Protestantism in contrast with... more is more focused on the external sign of graceIs a term used to identify unmerited assistance by God primarily to redeem and transform human beings. In the early and medieval church it also referred to God’s influence throughout existence. Redemptive grace is important to Augustinian theology which has... more found in its sacramental promise but over time, it has adopted much of the Reformed tradition’s turn to experience.
The Catholic traditionThis word comes from a Latin term meaning “to hand down,” that originally referred to the teaching of the apostles as handed down in the churches they founded, which led to these churches gaining authority of other locations due to... more is older with its own internal variations, but generally, it is based on the concept of sacramentality with emotional components.

This distinction was demonstrated when the leading Lutheran theologians sought an alliance with the Orthodox Churcha term translated from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means an assembly called together and is sometime translated as a congregation. A church is an organized group of believers who adhere to a set of core beliefs. The Church in... more in their conflict with the Roman Catholic Churcha term translated from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means an assembly called together and is sometime translated as a congregation. A church is an organized group of believers who adhere to a set of core beliefs. The Church in... more. The Lutherans thought they had discovered the original message of the GospelEnglish translation of the Greek term evangelion, used in the New Testament meaning “good news.” This is a central term in Luther’s theology that emphasized the contrast between Law and Gospel. The Law condemn while the Gospel justifies believers through... more with their idea of free graceIs a term used to identify unmerited assistance by God primarily to redeem and transform human beings. In the early and medieval church it also referred to God’s influence throughout existence. Redemptive grace is important to Augustinian theology which has... more and figured that the ancient Orthodox traditionThis word comes from a Latin term meaning “to hand down,” that originally referred to the teaching of the apostles as handed down in the churches they founded, which led to these churches gaining authority of other locations due to... more also followed the same doctrineis derived from the Latin word for teaching, doctrina, and is an important aspect of Christianity more so than other world religions because Christianity focuses on the teachings and nature of Christ. more. However, when they sent a copy of their confessionthis word has several theological uses. 1) It refers to the act of confessing one’s sins, and particularly the confession of sins to a priest in the sacrament of Penance, that is often called “Confession;” 2) reciting a creed or... more of faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more to the Eastern Orthodox Patriarch, Jeremias II, in 1575, he rejected it as heretical doctrineis derived from the Latin word for teaching, doctrina, and is an important aspect of Christianity more so than other world religions because Christianity focuses on the teachings and nature of Christ. more.
Augustine’s sin paradigm with its focus on justificationThis term comes from the root Latin word “jus” meaning law or right and “Justus” meaning justice. The words “justification” and “righteous” are different translation of the same Latin word and literally means “becoming just.” The central issue of the... more created anxiety regarding a believer’s status before God. Were they predestined to go to heaven to live in eternal bliss, or were they going to hell to suffer for eternity?

When Catholics, Lutherans, and the Reformed get anxious, they get anxious about different things. Catholics get anxious about whether they are in a state of mortal sinIs the Roman Catholic doctrine that various sins are so grave that they kill the new life in Christ that was conferred at baptism, and if a person dies in this state of mortal sin he or she goes to... more, so they go to confessionthis word has several theological uses. 1) It refers to the act of confessing one’s sins, and particularly the confession of sins to a priest in the sacrament of Penance, that is often called “Confession;” 2) reciting a creed or... more. Calvinists get anxious about whether they have true faithIn word for belief and faith is the same in Latin and most European languages, but in English faith often denotes an active believe, one that inspires action based on a belief. For Luther, faith and belief generally meant the... more, so they seek internal or external evidence that their faith is real. Luther has the anxiety he calls Anfechtung, whose deepest form is the worry that the hidden God of predestinationThe Augustinian doctrine that God bestows the grace of salvation on some individuals while assigning others to hell, independent of human choice or actions. This concept was shared by Aquinas, Luther, and John Calvin, with Calvin emphasizing and expanding it... more might be different from the revealed God of the promise, so he keeps returning to the promise of baptismFrom a Greek word meaning “to immerse;” and is an initiatory ritual washing whereby one becomes a member of the Christian community. It involves various symbolic meanings including, cleansing, the death and resurrection of Christ, and a sinners death and... more.3

The Lutheran and Reformed traditions were the two main arms of Protestantism in continental Europe during a century of religious wars ending with the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, which changed the map of Europe to roughly correspond with the one that exists today. In the eighteenth century, JohnJohn (c. A.D. 6–100) was a Jewish fisherman, chosen by Jesus to be one of his 12 Apostles, and appears to have developed an especially close bond with Jesus. John outlived the other Apostles and heavily influenced early Christian thinkers... more Wesley’s message of universal grace and free will influenced the theology of many ProtestantContrary to popular belief, the term does not refer to protest against the Roman Catholic Church. The term original refers to a formal protest lodged by Lutheran princes against an unfavorable decision made by the imperial Diet of Speyer in... more denominations, particularly in the Americas. Almost all the numerous ProtestantContrary to popular belief, the term does not refer to protest against the Roman Catholic Church. The term original refers to a formal protest lodged by Lutheran princes against an unfavorable decision made by the imperial Diet of Speyer in... more traditions that followed incorporated much of the fundamental theology of the Reformed traditionThis word comes from a Latin term meaning “to hand down,” that originally referred to the teaching of the apostles as handed down in the churches they founded, which led to these churches gaining authority of other locations due to... more and aspects it shared with LutheranismIs named after Martin Luther and was the first form of Protestantism and became the official form of Christianity in many German territories and in the Scandinavian countries. It remains one of the major arms of Protestantism in contrast with... more as modified by Wesley’s gospel of hope to all. All of them are based on Augustine’s sin paradigm which focuses on justificationThis term comes from the root Latin word “jus” meaning law or right and “Justus” meaning justice. The words “justification” and “righteous” are different translation of the same Latin word and literally means “becoming just.” The central issue of the... more to go to heaven.

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