Roman Catholicism vs. Evangelicalism: Compared

Roman Catholicism and evangelicalism, two prominent branches of historic Christianity, have shaped the spiritual landscape for centuries.

While both traditions uphold the centrality of Jesus Christ, their histories, practices, and beliefs present distinct nuances.

This article compares these two Christian traditions, highlighting their similarities and differences to provide a clearer understanding of their respective identities.

Roman Catholic and Evangelical Churches: Differences

“Roman Catholicism” combines “Roman” (referring to the church’s central location in Rome) with “Catholic,” from the Greek “katholikos,” meaning “universal.”

“Evangelical” derives from the Greek “euangelion,” translating to “good news” or “gospel,” emphasizing the tradition’s focus on the gospel message and personal conversion.

	Catholicism	Evangelicalism
Name	Roman Catholicism	Evangelicalism
Size	Approx. 1.3 billion worldwide	Approx. 300-400 million worldwide
Date Started	1st century AD	Historically rooted in the Reformation, but the modern movement began in the 18th century
Founder	Jesus Christ (as believed by the Church)	Varied; key figures include John Wesley, George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards
Key Beliefs	Seven Sacraments, Papal Authority, tradition and Scripture	Authority of Scripture, personal conversion experience, centrality of Christ’s atonement
Key Practices	Mass, confession, praying the Rosary	Bible study, personal evangelism, worship services
Divisions	Various rites (e.g., Roman, Byzantine) but unified under the Pope	Numerous denominations and independent churches
Central Location	Vatican City	No central location; widespread globally
Sacred Texts	Bible (including the Deuterocanonical books)	Bible (typically Protestant canon)

What is the Authority of Scripture in evangelicalism?

In evangelicalism, the Bible is considered the inerrant word of God.

It’s the ultimate authority for faith and practice, guiding believers in doctrine and life.

Evangelicals emphasize personal Bible study and its central role in understanding God’s will and purpose.

What are the seven sacraments in Catholicism?

In Catholicism, a “sacrament” is a visible sign instituted by Christ to convey invisible grace to the recipient.

It’s a means through which believers receive God’s grace and are drawn closer to Him.

There are seven sacraments, each serving different stages and moments in a Catholic’s life.

Sacrament	Description
Baptism	Initiation into the Church; removal of original sin.
Confirmation	Strengthening of baptismal grace; sealing with the Holy Spirit.
Eucharist	Receiving the body and blood of Christ; central act of worship.
Reconciliation	Confession and forgiveness of sins.
Anointing of the Sick	Healing and comfort for the ill or dying.
Holy Orders	Ordination of priests, bishops, and deacons.
Matrimony	Union of a man and woman in a lifelong covenant.

Evangelical and Roman Catholic Beliefs

Catholicism and evangelicalism affirm the Trinity: one God in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They believe these three are distinct yet coexist eternally and harmoniously.

	Catholicism	Evangelicalism
The Bible	Sacred Scripture, interpreted within Church tradition	Inerrant word of God; ultimate authority for faith and practice
God	One God, omnipotent and omniscient	One God, omnipotent and omniscient
Jesus Christ	Fully God and fully man; Savior of humanity	Fully God and fully man; personal Savior
The Trinity	One God in three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit	One God in three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit	Active in the Church, guiding and sanctifying	Active in believers, guiding, convicting, and empowering
The Atonement	Christ’s sacrifice provides salvation, applied through sacraments	Christ’s sacrifice is the sole means of salvation; received by faith
The Resurrection	Literal and bodily resurrection of Jesus; believers will also be resurrected	Literal and bodily resurrection of Jesus; believers will also be resurrected
The Church	Mystical Body of Christ; hierarchical structure	Body of Christ; local congregations with varied governance
Church Tradition	Equal importance with Scripture; shapes interpretation	Generally secondary to Scripture; varies by denomination
The Second Coming	Jesus will return to judge living and dead; details less emphasized	Jesus will return imminently; varies in details among denominations

In Catholic theology, both Scripture and Tradition are vital sources of revelation.

They’re intertwined with Tradition, preserving and interpreting the teachings of Scripture.

Together, they comprehensively understand God’s word and the Church’s teachings, ensuring continuity and consistency in faith and practice.

Important Practices in Catholicism and Evangelicalism

	Catholicism	Evangelicalism
Worship Services	Mass, centered on the Eucharist	Worship services focused on Bible teaching and communal singing
Sacraments/Ordinances	Seven sacraments, including Eucharist and Confession	Typically two ordinances: Baptism and Communion
Prayer	Structured prayers (e.g., Rosary), personal prayers	Personal and communal prayers, often extemporaneous
Bible Study	Scripture readings within Mass; personal study encouraged	Central to worship; personal and group studies common
Evangelism	Missionary work; catechesis for new believers	Active outreach; emphasis on personal conversion
Fasting	Obligatory during Lent and on specific days	Varies; some emphasize fasting as personal spiritual discipline
Church Governance	Hierarchical: Pope, bishops, priests	Varies; often congregational or led by elders/pastors
Veneration	Saints and Mary venerated; icons and relics used	Generally no veneration of saints; focus on direct relationship with God
Church Calendar	Liturgical calendar with feasts and seasons	Some observe traditional Christian holidays; less structured

Why don’t evangelicals venerate Mary and the saints?

Evangelicals focus on a direct relationship with Jesus Christ.

While they respect Mary and the Saints, they don’t venerate or pray to them.

Evangelicals believe intercession comes solely through Jesus, emphasizing the Bible’s teaching of Christ as the sole mediator between God and humanity.

What do evangelicals think of the pope?

Evangelicals respect the Pope as the leader of the Catholic Church but don’t recognize his authority over all Christians.

They believe in the priesthood of all believers, emphasizing a direct relationship with God without hierarchical intermediaries, and prioritize Scripture as the primary authority in matters of faith.

10 Key Events in Catholic and Evangelical History

Catholic History	Evangelical History
1. Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection (c. 30 AD)	1. The Great Awakening (1730s-1740s)
2. Council of Nicaea (325 AD)	2. Publication of John Wesley’s “Standard Sermons” (1746)
3. Conversion of Constantine (312 AD)	3. The Second Great Awakening (1790-1840)
4. Great Schism between East and West (1054)	4. Azusa Street Revival (1906)
5. Crusades (1096-1291)	5. Founding of the National Association of Evangelicals (1942)
6. Thomas Aquinas writes “Summa Theologica” (1274)	6. Billy Graham’s Los Angeles Crusade (1949)
7. Council of Trent (1545-1563)	7. Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (1974)
8. Vatican I defines papal infallibility (1870)	8. Rise of megachurches (1980s-present)
9. Vatican II reforms (1962-1965)	9. Evangelicals and Catholics Together document (1994)
10. Canonization of Mother Teresa (2016)	10. Rapid growth of evangelicalism in the Global South (late 20th century)

References:
[1] The Vatican
[2] Evangelicalism