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Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism are two of the most well-known branches of Christianity. While they share some similarities, the Lutheran and Catholic churches both hold varying opinions when it comes to their beliefs and teachings. Keep reading to learn about the most significant differences and similarities between Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism, plus how these two religions came to be.
How are Lutherans and Catholics different?
The major difference between Lutherans and Catholics is their belief about authority. Lutherans believe Scripture alone holds the sole authority of the Church, but Roman Catholics believe there are 3 sources of authority within the Church: Scripture, tradition, and magisterium (the teachings of the Pope and bishops).
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Differences Between Lutherans & Catholics
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Authority of Scripture Lutherans believe that Scripture alone holds the sole authority within the Lutheran Church. This is one of the defining principles that sets Lutheranism apart from Catholicism. On the other hand, Catholics believe in 3 sources of authority within the Church: Scripture, tradition, and magisterium.[1]
- Tradition refers to understandings and teachings that have been handed down since the time of the Apostles. Catholics believe that their understanding of Scripture and faith is heavily rooted in these traditions.
- The term “magisterium” refers to the teaching authority of the Catholic Church as an institution led by figures such as bishops, cardinals, and the Pope.
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Salvation The Lutheran faith states that a person’s faith in Christ is enough for them to achieve salvation. As long as they believe that their sins are forgiven for the sake of Christ, they’ll be given salvation. Catholics also believe that a person’s faith in God is extremely important in salvation, but they also state that a person must do good deeds as well.[2]
- The Roman Catholic path to salvation is a lifelong process. It starts with a person’s baptism and is strengthened as they participate in each of the remaining sacraments (Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, anointing of the sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony).
- Along with having faith in Christ, Catholics often encourage people to do good deeds, such as doing service for the Church or the greater community, to practice good faith.
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The Pope Within the Catholic Church, the Pope is an authoritative figure who leads the Church. As Catholic Priest Fr. Scott Bailey explains, “The Pope is a very visible symbol of Catholicism. He is the chief shepherd of the Church, a final arbiter on matters of doctrine, and a symbol of unity.”[3] Lutherans, on the other hand, do not generally believe that the Pope has any kind of divine authority.[4]
- Lutherans believe that the Bible contains everything a person needs to know in order to achieve salvation, so they generally don’t give authority to pronouncements by the Pope or follow their declarations.
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Sacraments The Catholic Church has 7 sacraments, or outward signs of an invisible, internal grace bestowed by Christ: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, anointing of the sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.[5] Lutherans only have 2 major sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (communion).[6]
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Baptism The views Lutherans and Catholics hold in regard to the sacrament of Baptism differ slightly. Catholics view Baptism as the forgiveness of sins and an important step in moving forward toward salvation with God. Lutherans generally view Baptism more as the act of giving an infant or adult the faith they need that will give them salvation, and see it less as the forgiving of sins.[7]
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Transubstantiation Transubstantiation is the belief that the substances used during the Eucharist (bread and wine) transform into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This is a major belief within the Catholic Church. Lutherans, on the other hand, believe that Christ is present during communion, but the bread and wine are simply bread and wine, nothing more.[8]
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Saints While Lutherans believe in and remember saints, they generally do not pray to them as Catholics might. This is because many Lutherans believe that praying to saints makes them seem more benevolent or accessible than Christ.[9]
- Catholics consider saints “friends of God” and may pray to them as role models or to ask for their help in securing God’s guidance (intercession).
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Mary Catholics hold beliefs in 4 dogmas when it comes to the Virgin Mary. They believe that she is the Mother of God, that she is without original sin (the Immaculate Conception), that she remained a perpetual virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus, and that she was assumed, body and soul, into Heaven. Lutherans, on the other hand, acknowledge Mary as the mother of Jesus Christ on Earth, but they believe she was born with sins just like everyone else.[10]
- In the Lutheran faith, Mary is regarded more as an exceptional example that others should follow in their journey towards salvation.
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Purgatory Both Lutherans and Catholics believe in life after death; however, they are split over the concept of Purgatory. According to Catholic teachings, Purgatory is a place where people go to have their souls cleansed before entering Heaven. In the Lutheran faith, those who have faith in Christ will automatically receive salvation and go to Heaven and reject the notion of Purgatory.[11]
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References
- ↑ https://www.corpuschristiphx.org/blog?month=202008&id=1012135831&cat=931661708
- ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2017/08/31/u-s-protestants-are-not-defined-by-reformation-era-controversies-500-years-later/
- ↑ Fr. Scott Bailey. Catholic Priest. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://scholar.valpo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer&httpsredir=1&article=1390&context=core_reader
- ↑ https://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/cis/cis112.pdf
- ↑ https://download.elca.org/ELCA+Resource+Repository/What_is_a_sacrament_for_Lutherans.pdf
- ↑ https://www.tlcriesel.org/doctrine
- ↑ https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=3013
- ↑ https://blog.cph.org/read/what-do-lutherans-believe-about-the-saints
- ↑ https://witness.lcms.org/2017/mary-mary-quite-contrary/
- ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2017/08/31/u-s-protestants-are-not-defined-by-reformation-era-controversies-500-years-later/
- ↑ https://www.lcms.org/about/beliefs/doctrine/brief-statement-of-lcms-doctrinal-position
- ↑ https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/general/what-do-catholics-believe
- ↑ https://textandcanon.org/why-the-catholic-bible-has-more-books-than-the-protestant-bible/
- ↑ https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
- ↑ https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass
- ↑ https://www.lcms.org/worship/liturgy-parts
- ↑ https://www.faithlutherancorning.org/lutheran-church-year
- ↑ https://americanhumanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/catholicism.pdf
- ↑ https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=348
- ↑ https://www.zionsr.org/what-we-believe
- ↑ Fr. Scott Bailey. Catholic Priest. Expert Interview