Doctrine Explorer
How the traditions teach
Each row presents the topic across Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant Christianity in short form. For deeper context, see each tradition's page.
| Topic | Catholic | Eastern Orthodox | Protestant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authority | Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium together. | Scripture and Holy Tradition; conciliar consensus. | Sola scriptura in most traditions; confessions inform interpretation. |
| Scripture | 73 books including Deuterocanon; Vulgate tradition. | Old Testament follows the Septuagint; broader canon. | 66 books; Apocrypha rejected (Reformed) or read for edification (Anglican/Lutheran). |
| Tradition | Sacred Tradition, equal in dignity to Scripture. | Holy Tradition as the life of the Spirit in the Church; Scripture is part of it. | Tradition normed by Scripture; sometimes minimally received. |
| Baptism | Regenerative; usually by infusion in infancy. | Regenerative; triple immersion, with chrismation and Eucharist. | Ranges from infant covenantal/regenerative to believer's baptism by immersion. |
| Eucharist | Transubstantiation; real presence under the species. | True Body and Blood; mystery without scholastic definition. | Real presence (Lutheran), spiritual presence (Reformed), memorial (Baptist/Zwinglian). |
| Salvation | Grace, faith working through love; sacramental life. | Theosis through participation in divine life. | Justification by grace through faith; sanctification follows. |
| Mary | Theotokos; Immaculate Conception (1854); Assumption (1950). | Theotokos; ever-virgin; honored above all saints; rejects Immaculate Conception as defined. | Honored as mother of the Lord; devotional cult generally rejected. |
| Saints | Veneration and intercession; formal canonization. | Veneration and intercession; glorification by the Church. | Honored as examples; intercession typically not practiced. |
| Church Structure | Episcopal, with universal jurisdiction of the pope. | Episcopal, conciliar; primacy of honor for Constantinople. | Episcopal, presbyterian, or congregational depending on tradition. |
| Apostolic Succession | Bishops in unbroken succession from the apostles. | Bishops in unbroken succession; tied to right faith and communion. | Varies; many traditions affirm a succession of doctrine rather than office. |
| Eschatology | Particular judgment, purgatory, general resurrection, final judgment. | Toll-houses (debated), prayer for the dead, general resurrection, final judgment. | Heaven and hell at death; final resurrection and judgment; purgatory rejected. |