What’s the Difference Between Protestants and Catholics?
We recently passed Reformation Day on October 31st. This day is the anniversary of Martin Luther igniting the fiery start of the Protestant Reformation in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517. It was on this day that Luther, a Catholic monk, nailed his Ninety-Five Theses of theological issues he saw in the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church had held widespread governmental and social control for many years and had begun using their power for monetary and political gain under the guise of godly leadership. As they twisted Scripture, the public had no way of knowing. At this time in history, the Bible was only readily available in Latin, and the only people who spoke or read Latin was Church leadership.
Luckily, as a trained monk, Luther was able to read the Latin Bible, and as he searched Scripture, he quickly saw how the Church was abusing their power. One of the biggest heresies Luther was challenging was the Roman Catholic Church’s sale of indulgences – something that could be purchased in order to lessen one’s punishment for sins and get a soul into heaven. Luther decried this, declaring instead, sola fide – that one’s salvation is by faith alone – not of works. This was the crux of Luther’s work. As he held strongly to his beliefs, the Roman Catholic Church fought back, wanting to maintain their status and power, but others joined Luther’s cause. As they protested and sought to reform the teachings of the Catholic Church, their movement become known as the Protestant Reformation. Out of this movement, the Protestant Reformers published writings supporting their claims, translated the Bible into common languages, and started churches – all in the face of intense persecution.
As the reformers shaped and stated their theological positions, their movement became characterized by five exclusive statements that spoke in contrast to the positions of the Roman Catholic Church:
Sola Scriptura – Scripture alone is the inerrant, inspired, and authoritative Word of God
As Christians, we place an emphasis on the Word of God guiding our lives. Because God has chosen to reveal Himself in His Word, it is sufficient to speak to us as people of God and show us the character of God Himself. We see this in 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Where Catholic doctrine may agree to this on the surface, the writings and establishment of other tradition have an influential hold on the Roman Catholic Church. If you were to pick up a Catholic Bible, you may notice it is slightly larger than one you would find in a Protestant church. The Catholic Church has included books (often referred to as the Apocrypha) of the Bible between the Old and New Testament that many have agreed were written long after John closed the cannon in Revelation; these works are then contrary to 2 Peter 1:21 which states that Scripture is not produced by the will of man.
In addition to these books, Catholics have relied on the writings of catechisms and other works to dictate their religious practices. Reading external books is not sinful in the slightest. (How many Protestants have read and benefitted from C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity?) The issue comes when external works take the place of or are even elevated above Scripture. Our final authority is not these works, but it is in the revealed Word of God. It is through Scripture alone.
Solus Christus – through Christ alone we are saved
Now, with the authority of Scripture established, we can turn to the Bible to learn about our salvation. John 1 reveals that Jesus Himself is the ultimate fulfillment and is the Word of God. If Scripture alone is our authority, so then is Jesus Christ. In Jesus, the plan for our salvation is revealed. The ever-popular John 3:16 shows that salvation is through Jesus, but why did the reformers feel it necessary to stress this point?
The Catholic Church has a strong emphasis on papal authority. Stemming from this authority is the requirement for those part of a Catholic Church to confess their sins to a priest (this can be found in the Catholic Code of Canon Law, Book IV, Title IV). This places each person’s debt of sins to be mediated by a priest rather than Jesus Christ. Not only does the New Testament make it clear that Jesus is our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 12:24), all Christians are called to be a royal priesthood (Hebrews 7:11-12, 1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 2:9). According to the new covenant, we are able to go to God directly because of the saving and mediating work of Christ and Christ alone.
Sola Fide – by faith alone we are brought to Christ
Sola Gratia – by God’s grace alone we are afforded the gift of salvation
It is through Christ alone we are saved, and Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus is the founder and protector of our faith. The beauty of the gospel is that salvation is afforded to us not on the basis of our works. We are called to faith in finished work of Christ – not our work, His. We see in Acts 26:18 that we are sanctified by faith, and in Galatians 2:16, Paul makes it abundantly clear we are not saved by works of the law. This perfectly exemplifies God’s grace towards us. We are completely underserving of the gift of salvation as we can do nothing to attain it, yet God gives us the gift of salvation.
Luther was known for fighting the work of indulgences, but this is not the only Catholic doctrine that promotes a works-based righteousness. The Catholic Church teaches that one must adhere to their seven sacraments (which include baptism and confirmation) for salvation (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1129).
As Christians, we believe that showing fruitful works of salvation is an important truth found in Scripture, but these works do not give you salvation. After we are in Christ, the Holy Spirit works in us in order that we may look more like Christ to give Him glory (Philippians 2:12-13). According to Scripture, our own works are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Thus, it is by faith alone and grace alone that we are saved and may truly follow in obedience to Him.
Soli Deo Gloria – for the glory of God alone we live our lives
It is to the glory of God alone that we live our lives. In Christ, our greatest desire should be to give Him glory in every aspect of our lives. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” All we do is to the glory of God; this means that we should live our lives in such a way that brings glory to God and gives no glory to ourselves or other people. This truth stems back to God creating us in Him image (Genesis 1:27); His creation is meant to point to Him. We also see this in the Ten Commandments. The first two commandments are to not put anything before God and to not make any idols. God’s Word has been clear – we are to only give God glory in all that we do.
Often, one of the most apparent differences people may point to between Catholic and Protestant practices is that of prayers to saints. Protestant Christians only pray to God, but Catholics, in addition to praying to God, pray to Mary (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 965) and others that the Catholic Church has regarded as Saints. Not only is this contrary to the new covenant establishing Christians as a royal priesthood and Jesus as our mediator, it is also contrary to our ultimate call to give God glory. The New Testament calls all who are in Christ saints. This is not some unique designation for the most popular or extraordinary believer; we are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28-29). The only one who is holy and deserving of any exaltation is God Himself, and it is because of that truth that we must live to the glory of God alone.
In summary, Catholics believe in faith + works, glory of God + glory of the saints, grace + merit, Scripture + tradition. The Reformation, which gave rise to Protestantism, dropped the plusses and called the church back to the Bible leading to the 5 solas. The Protestant Reformation was long and brutal, but successful in many ways. As the Catholic Church at the time persecuted and excommunicated those siding with the Reformation, believers held their grounds on the foundation of truth. The work of the Reformers led to millions having copies of the Bible in their own languages. The mission of the Reformers still rings true today – search the Scriptures and stand firm in the truth of God..