All Christians believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ saves sinners and enables them to live forever, even after they physically die. Not all Christians agree about whether or not believers still living on Earth can interact with the faithful men and women who are in heaven. Protestant Christianity contends that, according to the Bible,…
Confessing sin to priests, who in turn communicate the requirements for forgiveness, is an important practice in Roman Catholicism. Many people wonder if Protestants have the same practice or a similar one. Confessing sin to God is an important spiritual discipline in most Protestant traditions. Protestants aren’t required to confess their sins to their pastors…
Making the sign of the cross, also called “crossing one’s self,” is a practice common in certain branches of historic Christianity, such as Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. However, it is much less common in Protestantism. Why? Most Protestants don’t make the sign of the cross because they are not persuaded that there is a…
The terms “Protestant” and “Reformed” are both used to describe Christians, each with certain sets of beliefs and practices. However, Protestant and Reformed Christians, as well as their churches, have many overlapping convictions. The term “Protestant” describes the 500-year-old movement that started when its founders attempted to reform certain teachings and practices in the Roman…
Catholics and Protestants have many similarities regarding doctrine, like the Trinity, and practices, such as studying the Bible. While Catholics, and the vast majority of Protestants, participate in the Lord’s Supper, they disagree on what exactly happens when they consume the bread and cup. Unlike Catholics, Protestants do not believe in transubstantiation — i.e., the…
The Lord’s Prayer is one of the most well-known and much-loved passages in the New Testament. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke record the prayer, which believers have recited in their churches and homes for over 2,000 years. But why do Catholics have one version of the prayer and Protestants have another? The ancient manuscripts…
Catholics and Protestants believe in the Trinity and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They both practice baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Catholicism and Protestantism have important differences, too. But how significant are they? Does the Catholic Church teach that Protestants will go to heaven? The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Protestants who are saved by…
Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy are two of the three historical branches of the Christian faith, along with Roman Catholicism. Though the Orthodox tradition is approximately 500 years older than Protestantism, similarities exist. There are also important differences. A key disagreement between the Orthodox and Protestant traditions regards the Holy Spirit. Orthodox theology teaches that the…
Christians have used symbols as expressions of their faith since the time of Jesus Christ. Biblical authors used symbolism in their writings, and readers employed many of them in their churches and homes. Some symbols used in Protestantism are also used in other branches of the Christian faith. A fish, the Latin cross, the Alpha…
Protestantism and Anglicanism are branches of the Christian faith that have roots in Europe. Protestantism and Anglicanism have similarities and differences with each other as well as other historical branches of Christianity like Roman Catholicism. Protestantism emphasizes the authority of Scripture and that sinners are saved by God’s grace, through faith, and in Jesus Christ…
The terms “Protestant” and “Puritan” are both associated with Christianity, but many people are not sure what the differences are between them. The terms often describe people, belief systems, and more. So how do “Protestant” and “Puritan” compare? The word “Protestant” describes the 500-year-old movement that challenged the Catholic church’s teaching of certain doctrines and…
Many people know that the terms “Protestant” and “non-denominational” are associated with Christianity. Sometimes the terms describe churches; other times, they describe people. But what is the difference between them? The term “Protestant” describes one of the three historic branches of Christianity, the other two being Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox. The term “non-denominational” describes…
Many people have heard the terms “Protestant” and “Pentecostal.” They know they are associated with Christianity but are not sure of the difference between them. Are they denominations? Churches? Theologies? Or are they something else altogether? Protestantism is one of the three historical branches of the Christian faith, along with Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy….
Martin Luther (1483-1546) sparked the Protestant Reformation in opposition to the Roman Catholic Church in 16th-century Germany. Luther’s allegations of false teaching and corrupt practices struck a chord with many Christians in Germany, elsewhere in Europe, and eventually in America and around the world. Protestants left the Roman Catholic Church because it was not upholding…
Many people know that Catholic Bibles and Protestant Bibles are not the same. While both contain the same 27 New Testament books, the Catholic Bible has more Old Testament books than the Protestant Bible. Did the Catholic church add these books, or did Protestant churches remove them? Protestants do not accept certain Old Testament books…
Crucifixes — a cross with a physical representation of Jesus Christ nailed to it — is one of the most notable symbols in the Roman Catholic Church. Crucifixes are the centerpiece of sanctuaries, hang on the walls of people’s homes, and are displayed as pendants on jewelry. But why don’t Protestants revere and similarly use…
Christians have celebrated Lent in some way since the church started because preparing to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ has always been considered important. Many people associate Lent with the Roman Catholic Church but are unsure if Protestants observe the 40-day period as well. Many Protestant traditions celebrate Lent, though their observance is not…
When people imagine a nun, they often think about their black and white clothing, the vows of poverty and chastity the woman has made, and the Roman Catholic church. Are nuns only found in the Catholic church, or do Protestant churches have nuns, too? In Protestant Christianity, Anglicanism is the tradition with the most nuns…
The names “Protestant” and “evangelical” both describe Christians. In some contexts, they are differentiated from each other. In other contexts, they are used as synonyms. What are the similarities and differences between the two terms? “Protestant” describes the Christian reform movement that started in 16th-century Europe that opposed certain doctrines and practices of the Catholic…
The names “Methodist” and “Protestant” in Christianity describe similar people, beliefs, and practices. However, the terms are not synonyms because there are important differences between them. The name “Protestant” refers to the reform movement started in the 16th century that challenged the alleged abuses and excesses of the Roman Catholic Church. “Methodist” describes a tradition…
“Protestant” and “Lutheran” are two terms associated with Christianity, but for many, it’s unclear what the differences are between them. While both names describe Christians who have certain shared beliefs and practices, there are important differences between them. “Protestant” is the name of the 16th-century reform movement born in Europe that decried abuses and excesses…
Many people know that the names “Protestant” and “Baptist” are both related to Christianity. Yet with so many names, titles, and terms associated with denominations and churches, it can be difficult to know the difference between them. “Protestant” describes the movement that started in 16th-century Europe, which rebelled against certain teachings and practices of the…
Unlike Catholics, Protestants don’t believe that the Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, the successor of Peter, or the Vicar of Christ on Earth. While Protestants agree with the Pope on certain doctrines (e.g., the Trinity) and support him on various issues (e.g., caring for the poor), they don’t recognize his authority….
Going to church on Sunday morning is a sacred custom for millions of Christians in many cultures around the world. The practice is so embedded in people’s lives that few question why they go on Sunday and not another day of the week. Protestants worship on Sunday because that’s the day of the week that…
Using grape juice during communion is common in Protestant churches, especially in North America. In fact, some Protestant Christians don’t realize that other traditions still use wine. Many Protestants drink grape juice at communion instead of wine because of the potential dangers and negative connotations associated with alcohol. Some Protestants believe drinking alcohol is always…