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Catholic |
Protestant |
| Authority | Scripture and tradition | Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone |
| Bible | Includes apocrypha | Excludes apocrypha |
| Results of Fall | Corruption and tendency to sin | Total depravity and guilt |
| Free will | Free to do good or evil | Free only to do evil |
| Predestination | Related to God’s foreknowledge | Related to God’s decrees |
| Atonement | Death of Christ created merit that is shared with sinners through sacraments | Death of Christ was a substitutionary sacrifice that satisfied God’s justice |
| Divine grace | Prevenient grace helps one believe; efficacious grace cooperates with the human will to do good | Common grace enabling good works given to all; sufficient grace for salvation given to elect only |
| Good works | Meritorious | Results of divine grace and unworthy of merit |
| Salvation | Received at baptism; may be lost by mortal sin; regained by penance | Result of divine grace; unconditional |
| The Church | Salvation is not found outside the Catholic Church (Catech 846) but those who believe in Christ and are properly baptized are in certain communion with the Church (Catech 838). | There is a distinction between the visible and invisible church. God saves anyone he chooses, regardless of church membership. |
| Sacraments | Convey grace by their operation (ex opere operato). | Means of grace only if received with faith. |
| Priests | A special vocation for some believers; mediators between God and man | Priesthood of all believers. |
| Transubstantiation | Affirmed | Rejected – "Real Presence" instead. |
| Purgatory | Affirmed | Denied |
| Prayer to saints | Accepted | Rejected |
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