Many Protestants think that the Catholic Faith is a gross and unique aberration from "true" Christianity. They see belief in the "Real Presence" in the Eucharist, Baptismal regeneration, infant Baptism, the Sacramental system, Church Hierarchy (Bishops, etc), the honor of Mary as the Mother of God (the Theotokos) and other doctrines as peculiarly Catholic "heresies".

But such is not the case! Many groups share some, and even nearly all, of the Catholic Faith! In fact:

The Catholic Faith is the overwhelming majority position in all of Christendom!

The purpose of this page is two-fold:

1. Apologetics

First and foremost as an apologetics tool. A good apologetics tactic should be to "corroborate" the Catholic Faith with the views of other Christian groups whenever possible. Whenever someone asking about or questioning Catholic doctrine confronts a Catholic, the Catholic can point out that "such-and-such" group shares the same or similar belief. This should be especially useful in defending against those aggressive proselytizing groups who may appear at the doorstep, most of whom clearly will fall outside of the majority view in Christendom on various important issues. My purpose is not to "convert" Protestants to the Catholic Faith. I don't have the talent for that. I will leave conversion up to God and the real Catholic apologists. Rather, my purpose...and hope...is that I might help strengthen fellow Catholics from proselytizing groups. Inoculating the faithful from the wolves and sects, so to speak.

2. Christian Unity

A secondary goal is to see where we, Catholics and Protestants, stand with regard to ecumenism. Is it a real possibility? As a loyal and faithful Catholic, I cannot tolerate any ecumenism that would "re-build" the Church. The Holy Catholic Church already is The Church. Nevertheless, it might be interesting to see where we stand...at least with respect to those groups closest to us

[It is more efficient to right-click and open the following links in a new window]

Sources

Some of my sources

Catholic Numerous and wonderful Catholic sites exist which explain the Catholic Faith. Some are listed at my Apologetics Sites page. I suggest generally using the following sources for the Catholic position:

[Catholic Apologetics on the Internet] The first Catholic site I discovered on the web and the one I usually turn to first. Simple and easy layout. Contains info on apologetics & various non-Catholic groups..

Eastern Orthodox [Orthodox Church in America (OCA)] [Greek Orthodox Church in America (GOCA)]

Anglican ~ Episcopal [39 Articles of Religion] [Book of Common Prayer - Nice layout! Also contains the 39 Articles] [Church of England] [Episcopal Church, USA] [Catechism of the Episcopal Church] [Anglican Catholic Church]

Lutheran [Project Wittenberg] [Augsburg Confession (1530)] [Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS)]
[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)]

Presbyterian [Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)] [Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) - PCA version]
[Presbyterian "Creeds & Confessions"]

Reformed [Reformed Church in America (RCA)] [Belgic Confession of Faith (1561)]

Baptist [The Baptist Faith & Message - from the Southern Baptist Convention]

Methodist [United Methodist Church- UMC] [By Water & the Spirit] - A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism

General Sources

Orthodoxinfo General articles about Orthodoxy

Creeds of Christendom by Rev. Michael H. Anderson, MDiv.

Anglicans Online This page has links to various other "Anglican-Catholic" groups

The (Almost) Total Catholic Home Page by Jon Zuck. Lists "Apostolic Churches". Don't miss it!

The Trinity

This category will include most of Christendom. I don't foresee listing each and every Christian group. Indeed, many of the proselytizers who show up on Catholic doorsteps will be Trinitarians. This category is mainly to strengthen Catholics from assault by Jehova Witnesses. If the Catholic Church went off track here so did virtually all of Christendom. "Not bloody likely...." Here is a good place to recall Christ's words regarding His Church: "...and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt 16:18 The Jehova Witnesses apparently DO believe that the gates of hell prevailed against the Church...and consequently effectively say Christ was a liar! (They also effectively deny that Christ is the head of the Church, but that's another story better suited to an article I intend to write...someday.) Frankly, I don't see how any Catholic can succumb to Jehova Witness proselytizing efforts.

Believes in Holy Trinity

Eastern Orthodox See Holy Trinity (OCA)

Anglican 39 Articles of Religion, see Art. I

Lutheran Augsburg Confession

Presbyterian Westminster Confession of Faith, Chap. II

Reformed By virtue of the "Ecumenical Creeds" below. Also, Belgic Confession, Art. 10 & 11

Baptist See God at the Baptist Faith & Message of the Southern Baptist Convention (Thanks to Lucy for donating this site.)

Methodist See A Triune God

Even the Seventh-Day Adventists! Seventh-Day Adventist World Church Official Website, click on Trinity. See this Catholic article on SDA Beliefs which confirms that the SDA's believe in the Holy Trinity. (Interesting in that Satan would let "anti-Christ" and his "Whore Church" teach the truth about God. Why they focus on Sunday Worship?)

Accepts "Ecumenical Creeds" (Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed)

Eastern Orthodox See Nicene Creed (OCA)

Anglican 39 Articles of Religion, see Art. VIII

Lutheran From ELCA, see No. 4. Also, see Creeds-ELCA

Presbyterian See Presbyterian "Creeds & Confessions"

Reformed See "Beliefs" page

Methodist See Wesleyan Essentials of Christian Faith

 

Tradition

The truth of Sacred Tradition is evident in that even after the Schism of 1054 AD the Orthodox Church "corroborates" nearly all of the Catholic Faith! Even down to transubstantiation (without using the term) and the Mass as a Sacrifice. For those who believe that some "Pope" during the Middle Ages (or the IV Lateran Council, 1215 AD) invented Catholic doctrine regarding the Mass/Eucharist, how do you explain the Orthodox view? Compare the uniformity of Sacred Tradition with the 20,000 (+) chaotic and conflicting Protestant churches, denominations, sects and cults holding to "Sola Scriptura." Nobody in the early Church believed in sola scriptura (scripture alone). See this link on Apostolic Tradition at Beggar King.

Accepts Sacred Tradition

Eastern Orthodox See Tradition (OCA). See GOCA link The Dogmatic Tradition of the Orthodox Church. Also, see GOCA link The Orthodox Faith for a good overview of Orthodoxy...this link alone confirms most of the material on this page

 

Sacramental System

Confers Grace Believes sacraments are not merely symbolic. God, in some manner, works in the sacraments as a means of grace.

Eastern Orthodox See OCA links Sacraments and The Sacraments. See GOCA link, click on "The Sacramental Life of the Church."

Anglican 39 Articles of Religion - see Art. XXV. Also, Catechism of the Episcopal Church The Sacraments.

Lutheran See LCMS link, scroll down to No. 5

Presbyterian See Westminster Confession of Faith, No. XXVII - "Of The Sacraments"

Reformed See The Sacraments. Also, Belgic Confession, No. 33 - "The Sacraments"

Methodist See Sacraments. Also, The Means by Which God's Grace Comes to Us. Also, Introduction - Speaks of recovering sacramental roots.

Seven Sacraments Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Ordination, Matrimony & Last Rites

Eastern Orthodox See OCA link, click on "The Sacraments". See GOCA link, click on "The Sacraments."

Some Anglican See Anglican Catholic Church statement of belief, for example.

Has 2 full Sacraments and 5 "Sacramental Rites"

Anglican See Catechism of the Episcopal Church scroll down to Other Sacramental Rites. [Note: This is the catechism of the Episcopal Church, which is the American branch of the Anglican Communion.]

Has at least 2 Sacraments (Baptism & Eucharist)

Lutheran See LCMS link, scroll down to No. 5

Presbyterian See Westminster Confession of Faith, No. XXVII - "Of The Sacraments"

Reformed See The Sacraments. Also, Belgic Confession, No. 33 - "The Sacraments"

Methodist See Sacraments

 

Baptism

The Catholic view wasn't just made up by some "Pope" in the Middle Ages in order to "deceive the people". The Church is only passing on what it received down through the ages back to the Apostles and the very lips of Christ Himself. Even the most ardent anti-Catholic should cut the Church some slack on this one. See this article The Bible & Infant Baptism by Matt1618.

Accepts Baptismal Regeneration This Presbyterian link, although trashing baptismal regeneration, nevertheless confirms the belief is held by: Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Lutherans & the Church of Christ

Eastern Orthodox See sacraments, click on "Baptism" (OCA)

Anglican 39 Articles of Religion - see Art. XXVII

Lutheran Augsburg Confession. Also, see links from LCMS: Baptismal Regeneration & Benefits

Methodist See Baptism & the Life of Faith. Also, see article RCC & UMC Share Belief in Baptism, Confirmation

Accepts Infant Baptism

Eastern Orthodox See sacraments, click on "Baptism" (OCA). Also, see GOCA, click on Infant Baptism...Great article on Baptism...don't miss it!

Anglican 39 Articles of Religion - see Art. XXVII

Lutheran Augsburg Confession. Also, see links from LCMS: Infant Baptism and Benefits

Presbyterian Westminster Confession of Faith, Chap. XXVIII, no. 4

Reformed Sacraments and Belgic Confession, Art. 34

Methodist See Baptism as God's Gift to Person's of Any Age. Good section on Infant Baptism!

Church of the Nazarene See XII. Baptism

Immersion Not Required

Eastern Orthodox I'm unclear on this one.

Anglican Book of Common Prayer, click on No. 18 - Baptism of Infants or No. 20 - Baptism of Persons of "Riper Years"

Lutheran See LCMS link (Contrasting with Southern Baptist Convention view which requires immersion) WELS link (see no. 7)

Presbyterian Westminster Confession of Faith, Chap. XXXIII, no. 3

Reformed Sacraments

Methodist See Baptism by Water & the Holy Spirit.

Church of the Nazarene See XII. Baptism

 

Eucharist

A typical fundamentalist tactic is to call our Catholic view of the Eucharist "cannibalism" because of our belief in the Real Presence. But they practice "symbolic cannibalism"...is that any better? The Church did not invent this act of "cannibalism" - Christ did! "This is my body...this is my blood". Matt 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20. It's no coincidence that the only time any disciples left Christ over a teaching (I call them the first Protestants) was during His "cannibalistic" Bread of Life Discourse in John 6:25-71. Christ didn't call them back to clear up any mistake or misunderstanding and explain he was only speaking "symbolically". He let them go. Don't you be one of them! If anyone has a problem with "cannibalism", tell them to take it up with God! for instituting this "cannibalistic" ritual.

Believes in "Real Presence" Christ is really and bodily present, although may quarrel over the mechanics

Eastern Orthodox Its "Real"! See Holy Eucharist from Orthodox Church in America.

Anglican This is most difficult, as Anglican/Episcopal belief sometimes seems vague & conflicting. See 39 Articles of Religion - see Articles XXVIII & XXIX. See Anglican Catholic Church ["We believe in the holy sacrifice of the Mass and that the body and blood of Christ is truly and really present in the Holy Eucharist."] See Corpus Christi - the Blessed Sacrament, Anglican Catholic Church [believes in "the real, and objective presence of our Lord in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, and the sacrificial character of that holy rite."] Compare with The Anglicans: Who are they? What is their Faith?, the Anglican Church in America [scroll down to Holy Eucharist, believes "Jesus is truly, spiritually present under the outward forms of the consecrated Bread and Wine, to infuse our lives with the spiritual strength of His life."] See catechism of the Episcopal Church, USA The Holy Eucharist ["Q. What is the inward and spiritual grace given in the Eucharist? A. The inward and spiritual grace in the Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of Christ give to his people, and received by faith."] But compare The Traditional Protestant Episcopal Church [ (c) Let us now go a step further. There is no real bodily presence of Christ in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, or in the consecrated elements of bread and wine.] Anglican/Episcopal view is all over the board.

Lutheran Augsburg Confession. Also, see LCMS link Real Presence

Believes in "Spiritual Presence" Also rejects mere "symbolic" view. Should be another useful weight against "fundamentalists" & various "Bible" Christians.

Presbyterian Westminster Confession of Faith, Chap. XXIX, see nos. 1, 5, 7 & 8. (I thank those at the Free Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) message board for confirming that their Holy Communion is more than the "symbolic" view.)

Reformed Belgic Confession, Art. 35

Methodist See Communion.

Believes the Mass is a Sacrifice

Eastern Orthodox See Holy Eucharist from Orthodox Church in America.

Some Anglican See Anglican Catholic Church statement of belief

Some Lutheran See Church of Sweden. Liturgy & Worship. Scroll down to Eucharist. Make sure you continue reading their liturgy.

Liturgical Services

Many Churches have liturgical services; some have online liturgies. I'll link to Catholic liturgies for a comparison.

Catholic Mass for Dummies. The Catholic Liturgical Library (make sure you continue on to Liturgy of the Eucharist.)

Eastern Orthodox See The Priest's Service Book. Great link! (Donated by Kolo) Divine Liturgy of St. John Crysostomos (Listen to it at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese)

Coptic The Coptic Liturgy of St. Basil.

Anglican See Church of England links liturgy & means. Also, Book of Common Prayer, click on No. 17 - "Holy Communion". Also, see this Episcopalian liturgy page (Rite 2 is very similar to our New Mass. (Site donated by Andrew T.)

Lutheran See LCMS article Theology & Practice of the Lord's Supper. Also, see this article Why is the Lutheran Church a Liturgical Church? Calls it the "Mass".

Reformed Church in America (RCA) See their Orders of Worship page and their various Orders of the Lord's Day/Supper and the Sacrament of Baptism, etc.

Reformed Church in the United States (RCUS) Directory of Worship. (Adobe Acrobat Reader needed - get it!)

Christian Reformed Church of North America (CRCNA) Liturgical Forms & Resources Index (has past & present).

Lutheran, Presbyterian, Reformed, United Church of Christ The Chicago Liturgy Template for the ELCA, PCUSA, RCA & UCC. From the ELCA Plan of worship for liturgy.

United Church of Christ (UCC) See their Worship/Liturgy page.

Lift Up Your Hearts Courtesy of the ELCA. See their Worship & Liturgy sites link - many liturgy links from various Churches. (Is that a Liturgical Dancer I keep hearing about but thankfully have never seen?)

 

Reconciliation/Penance/Confession

Auricular Confession to priest/pastor (Technically, confess to God in presence of priest/pastor.)

Eastern Orthodox See sacraments, click on "Penance" (OCA). GOCA link, click on "Confession"

Anglican Book of Common Prayer. This "proof link" is hidden in the Ministry to the Sick - "Here shall the sick person be moved to make a special confession of his sins, if he feel his conscience troubled with any weighty matter. After which confession, the Priest shall absolve him (if he humbly and heartily desire it) after this sort." (Thanks to Andrew T. for donating this link) See this Episcopalian link under An Exhortation - "And if, in your preparation, you need help and counsel, then go and open your grief to a discreet and understanding priest, and confess your sins, that you may receive the benefit of absolution, and spiritual counsel and advice; to the removal of scruple and doubt, the assurance of pardon, and the strengthening of your faith." (Thanks to Andrew T. for donating this site). See Confraternity of Blessed Sacrament, encourages the one hour Eucharistic Fast and use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (Donated by Andrew T.) See Episcopal Church catechism Other Sacramental Rites, see "Reconciliation of Penitent."

Lutheran Augsburg Confession, Art. XI & Art. XXV See LCMS links Confession and Absolution

 

Hierarchy

Has Bishops

Eastern Orthodox See GOCA link The Orthodox Faith. This is too obvious...see The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople site

Anglican 39 Articles of Religion - see Art. XXXVI. Also, Church of England (photo) links organization & means. Photo Link: Anglo-Catholic/Holy Catholic Church (Anglican Rite) Bishop Consecration.

Some Lutheran See Church of Sweden

Believes in Apostolic Succession

Eastern Orthodox See GOCA link The Orthodox Faith

Anglican Book of Common Prayer. Preface to Ordinations. Also, take a look at the Ordination Rites. (Thanks to Andrew T. for donating this link.)

Some Lutheran See Church of Sweden, scroll down to Ordination

Hello! Just discovered The (Almost) Total Catholic Home Page. Lists the "Apostolic Churches". Great list & chart...don't miss it!

 

Mary

"The Word became flesh" John 1:14

The Third Ecumenical Council (Ephesus, 431 AD) condemned the Nestorian heresy. Nestorianism erroneously taught that Christ was two separate persons, human and divine, and that Mary was only the mother of the human person of Christ and not the divine person. This Council of the Undivided Church upheld the orthodox belief that Christ had two natures, human and divine, which existed in only one person and that Mary gave birth to this one person with two natures. In other words, both of Christ's natures, human and divine, were inside Mary's womb as one person. As the Orthodox link below states:

"The Virgin Mary is 'Theotokos' because she gave birth not to man but to God who became man."

Hence, the council upheld the orthodox belief that Mary was the "Theotokos": God-bearer or Mother of God. Some classical Protestants may initially resist calling Mary the Mother of God. However, this is most likely a knee-jerk reaction based on their anti-Catholicism. They will eventually realize that their own traditions probably also hold to the Council of Ephesus and the historic, orthodox teaching of the Church. (Veneration of Mary, of course, is another matter.)

"Fundamentalists" and "Bible" Christians will most likely be another matter entirely. These groups have virtually no respect whatsoever for Church History, Ecumenical Councils or the views of Christians who came before them. Their theological outlook may be summarized as "Me & Jesus & my Bible in the here & now". Their reaction to Mary as the Mother of God most definitely will be based on their anti-Catholicism. Many have apparently reverted to the ancient Nestorian heresy and believe that Mary only gave birth to the human part of Christ. Consequently, these groups deny the full Incarnation and therefore are not fully Christian. (Note: This does not mean they cannot be saved.)

Mother of God (the "Theotokos")

Eastern Orthodox See this Orthodox link on the Third Ecumenical Council (Council of Ephesus, 431 AD)

Anglican

Luther, Calvin & Most Reformers See Guest Article "Mary & Protestantism (The Reformers vs. the Fundamentalists)" by John E.

Honors/Venerates/Prays to See "Prayer to Mary & the Saints" by Gary Hoge for meaning of "pray to."

Eastern Orthodox See articles at About the Theotokos (Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary). Also, Veneration of the Virgin Mary and Prayers to the Mother of God.

Anglican Society of Mary. This Anglo-Catholic site not only honors Mary, but also has the Rosary and calls her "Mother of the Church!" (Thanks to Andrew T. for donating this site!) Also, The Sodality of the Most Holy Rosary.

Luther, Calvin & Virtually All Reformers (Except pray to) See Guest Article "Mary & Protestantism (The Reformers vs. the Fundamentalists)" by John E.

Perpetual Virginity (No Other Kids!)

Eastern Orthodox See articles regarding ever-virgin at About The Theotokos (Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary). Also, Why is Mary Considered Ever-Virgin?

Luther & Most Reformers See Guest Article "Mary & Protestantism (The Reformers vs. the Fundamentalists)" by John E. Also, see "Brothers & Sisters" by Gary Hoge which includes Martin Luther, John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli.

Assumption (Taken Into Heaven Body & Soul)

Eastern Orthodox Taken into Heaven body & soul at her death (Dormition). See Orthodox vs. Catholic, scroll down to No. 9, Mother of God. [Note: Catholic theology is non-committal as to whether Mary actually died before her Assumption...is an open question. See this Catholic site re Mary, click on What About Mary's Death?]

Possibly Luther & Other Reformers See Guest Article "Mary & Protestantism (The Reformers vs. the Fundamentalists)" by John E.

Miscellaneous

Veneration/Intercession of Saints

Eastern Orthodox See GOCA link The Saints of the Orthodox Church.

Has Prayers for the Dead

Eastern Orthodox

Anglican See Catechism of the Episcopal Church, scroll down to The Christian Hope.

Rejects Eternal Assurance (Once Saved; Always Saved)

Eastern Orthodox

Anglican

Lutheran LCMS link

Assemblies of God The Security of the Believer

Church of the Nazarene See VII. Free Agency

Accepts Crucifixes/Statues/Icons, etc

Eastern Orthodox See Icons. Also, GOCA link, click on "Orthodox Art & Architecture."

Lutheran LCMS link on Statues & Crucifixes Also, see pic from St. Augustine's House

Has Monks/Nuns (Monasteries/Convents)

Eastern Orthodox See OCA link, click on "Monasticism"

Anglican Thought only Catholics & Orthodox had monks/nuns? Think again! See Directory of Communities for listing of various Anglican Religious Orders and their Home Page. (Many thanks to Andrew T. for donating this site!). Also, scroll way down to Religious Orders & Other Christian Communities. Photo links: Anglican Nuns and their USA Episcopal Branch (check their homepages for confirmation.)

Lutheran St. Augustine's House

Has Daily Office/Prayers (vespers, etc.)

Eastern Orthodox OCA link, see "The Daily Cycle of Prayer"

Anglican See The Daily Office. (Site donated by Andrew T.)

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