Comparison Table - Christianity in View

1 Comparison TableA Table showing the differences and similarities between the three greatChristian traditions. Comparison between Orthodoxy, Protestantism & Roman Catholicism:The Table below aims to given an outline of some of the key issues in Christian belief and how the threetraditions view these issues. I have tried to state what might be called the 'representative' view of eachtradition, though there are obviously differing views within each of them the diverse range of opinions onthe presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The links under the More information section should be consulted forthe definitive thanks to Father Gregory Hallam for his assistance. PDF CatholicApostolic SuccessionThis is an important part ofOrthodox belief and ensurescontinuity with the church thatChrist the exception of theAnglicans and some Lutherans,this idea is rejected.

2 Rather it isimportant to emphasisecontinuity of teaching with thatof the apostles, rather than adirect line of in Orthodoxy, this is of vitalimportance to the church. Thereis also some degree of mutualrecognition of the validity ofOrthodox - Composition ofAccept the 39 Old Testamentand 27 New Testament books,but also a collection of booksnot found in the originalHebrew Bible. These areknown as Deuterocanonicals a second canon of reject thedeuterocanonicals as not beinginspired scripture and termthem Apocrypha (Greek:'Hidden Things').Agrees with Orthodoxy as tothe validity of these - Qualification forPriests and Bishops must bemale, but deaconesses arepermitted, though the order and deacons may marrybefore ordination but not , on the other hand,must be majority of Protestants donot require celibacy as acondition of election to theclergy.

3 Many churches practicefemale ordination, includingthose within the Anglicancommunion, where the issue offemale episcopacy is currentlybeing clergy are required to bemale. Priests and Bishops mustalso be celibate, with theexception of Eastern RiteCatholics and Anglican marriedclergy who subsequentlyconvert to Catholicism. Thesegroups are allowed to havemarried - Significance ofCommonly termed the 'MysticSupper' or 'Divine Liturgy' -This makes present Christ'ssacrifice and thereforeforgiveness of sins is obtainedthrough it. It is also anencounter with the Eucharist, like Baptism isonly a symbol of grace. Thesacrificial nature of theEucharist is also position is similar to theOrthodox. The Eucharist is alsoknown as the 'Holy sacrifice ofthe Mass'.

4 Eucharist - Presence of ChristinDuring the Eucharist, the Priestcalls down the Holy Spirit (inThe bread and wine, beingsymbols, do not changeAs in Orthodoxy, the Priestinvokes the Holy Spirit duringGreek: epiklesis) upon the gifts(the bread and the wine). Theythen change into the actualbody and blood of Christ. Theprecise way in which thishappens is a divine There are however, awide variety of views heldwithin Protestantism on thissubject ( some Anglicansaccept the Catholic view,whereas Baptists deny it).the Mass. However, theconsecration becomes effectivethrough the Priest, who acts inthe person of Christ. The giftschange completely into Christ'sbody and blood and this changeis termed 'Transubstantiation' the outward appearanceremains the same, but thesubstance - Distribution ofThe consecrated elements canonly be received by policy is to havecommunion in both kinds ( the bread and wine aregiven to those present).

5 The elements are usuallyoffered to all Christians whofeel able to partake of vast majority of Protestantchurches have communion inboth with Orthodoxy, onlymembers of the church mayreceive. In some CatholicChurches, the bread alone isgiven to the congregation, thePriest receiving the , it is becomingcommon for churches to havecommunion in both SpiritThe third person of the Trinity,proceeding from the Fatheralone as in the original NiceneCreed. The Father sends theSpirit at the intercession of theSon. The Son is therefore anagent only in the procession ofthe Holy Spirit proceeds fromboth the Father and the Nicene creed includes thefilioque (Latin: 'and the son').Agrees with the of Milan (340-397)wrote: 'When the Holy Spiritproceeds from the Father andthe Son, He is not separatedfrom the Father, He is notseparated from the Son'.

6 Marriage and DivorceMarriage is a mystical unionbetween a man and a is generally onlyallowed in cases of adultery,though there are is a contract, but isnot unbreakable. Divorce isdiscouraged, but permitted asevidence of human denominations permitremarriage in is seen as anunbreakable contract & a typeof Christ and the after divorce is notpermitted unless there is somecanonical impediment to themarriage. In this situation, anannulment may be - Assumption andImmaculate conception ofThe Assumption is acceptedand it is agreed that Maryexperienced physical death, butthe immaculate conception isrejected. Orthodox belief is thatthe guilt of original sin is nottransmitted from onegeneration to the next, thusobviating the need for Mary tobe are denied.

7 The claim thatMary was sinless is rejected -only Christ was are dogmas of the church has not as yetdecided whether Mary actuallyexperienced Physical dogma of the ImmaculateConception states that Mary,was at conception 'preservedimmaculate from all stain oforiginal sin' and should not beconfused with the virgin - Position ofMary is venerated as Theotokos(Greek: 'God-bearer'). By this ismeant that the son she bore wasGod in human form. She is firstamongst the saints and 'ever-virgin'.Mary was a holy woman whowas chosen to bear the Son ofGod. Her perpetual virginityand intercession are view is similar to theOrthodox church - the title'Mother of God' being usedmore commonly thanTheotokos. This title forms oneof the 'Marian Dogmas' of theChurch.

8 The others are Mary'sperpetual virginity, assumptionand immaculate - Authority ofAs the Bishop of Rome, he hasa primacy of honour whenOrthodox, not of present, his primacy is noteffective as the papacy needs tobe reformed in accordance withOrthodoxy. His authority isThe Pope is the leader of theCatholic church, having noauthority to speak for thechurch as a Pope is the 'Vicar of Christ' the visible head of thechurch on earth and spiritualsuccessor of St. Peter. He hassupreme authority (includingthat over church councils)within Christendom (Thethus no greater or lesser thanany of his fellow Bishops in of the keys).Pope - Infallibility ofPapal Infallibility is Holy Spirit acts to guidethe church into truth through(for example) ecumenicalcouncils.

9 This Orthodoxyrecognises the first sevenecumenical councils (325-787)as being also reject Papalinfallibility. The only source ofinfallible teaching is that foundin the Pope is infallible when,through the Holy Spirit, hedefines a doctrine on faith andmorals that is to be held by thewhole church. This is a dogmaand is therefore a requiredbelief within and heaven is recognised,occur in this life, not the on the cross is sufficientour for heaven. Also adue to unremitted venial sinsmay be are at least sevenSacraments (known as'Mysteries' in Orthodoxy):Baptism, Chrismation,Eucharist, Holy Orders, HolyUnction, Marriage (HolyMatrimony) and Penance(Confession). The list is , only two sacraments(also known as Ordinances) arerecognised: Baptism and theEucharist (often called 'HolyCommunion' or the 'Lord'sSupper').

10 The number of Sacraments isfixed at seven and is the samelist as that in Orthodoxy, withthe exception of Chrismation,which is generally known as'Confirmation'.Sacraments - Effect ofThe Mysteries convey grace tothose who participate in is a diverse range ofopinions, but many Protestantsregard the Sacraments assymbols or reminders of Gracealready with the Orthodoxposition. The Sacraments aresigns that effect that which special group of holy people,who are venerated. They mayact as intercessors between Godand Man and may be invokedin Christians are saints, calledto imitate Christ. Only Christmay mediate between God position is very similar toOrthodoxy. For sainthood, it isalso required that at least twoverifiable miracles haveoccured as a result of theintercession of that is "faith workingthrough love" and should beseen as a life long process.