Evangelical
Catholic and Evangelical Protestant
Evangelicals emphasize a personal conversion experience, the final authority of Scripture alone, and salvation by faith alone, while Catholics affirm Scripture and Tradition together with a sacramental life of ongoing grace.
Catholic view
The Catholic Church teaches that salvation begins with grace received at baptism, is nourished through the sacraments, and involves a lifelong cooperation with grace through faith and love. Scripture is inspired and inerrant but is rightly interpreted within the living Tradition and teaching authority of the Church.
Their view
Evangelicals, following the Reformation principle of sola scriptura, hold that the Bible alone is the sufficient and final rule of faith. Salvation is received by grace through faith alone at the moment of trusting Christ, often marked by a definite born-again experience, per statements like the Lausanne Covenant and many evangelical statements of faith.
Key differences
Rule of faith
- Catholic view
- Scripture and Sacred Tradition, interpreted by the Magisterium.
- Their view
- Scripture alone (sola scriptura) as the final authority.
Justification
- Catholic view
- A process begun at baptism, involving ongoing cooperation with grace.
- Their view
- A single, forensic declaration received instantly by faith alone.
Sacraments
- Catholic view
- Seven sacraments as real channels of grace, especially the Eucharist.
- Their view
- Baptism and the Lord's Supper as symbolic ordinances of obedience.
Church authority
- Catholic view
- Visible hierarchical Church with the pope as successor of Peter.
- Their view
- Local congregational autonomy under Christ, no single earthly head.
Common ground
Both affirm the Trinity, the deity and resurrection of Christ, the inspiration of Scripture, the necessity of grace for salvation, and the call to personal holiness and evangelization.
Biblical foundation
Catholics point to 2 Thessalonians 2:15, John 6:53-58, and Matthew 16:18-19 for Tradition, the Eucharist, and Petrine authority, while evangelicals emphasize Ephesians 2:8-9 and John 3:16 for faith alone and personal conversion.
Historical evidence
The early Church, as attested by second-century writers, practiced infant baptism, believed in the real presence in the Eucharist, and recognized bishops in apostolic succession, showing continuity with Catholic practice long before the Reformation of the sixteenth century articulated sola scriptura and sola fide.
The Church Fathers
“It is possible for everyone in every church to see the tradition of the apostles made manifest throughout the whole world.”