What is the Difference Between Lutheran Church and Catholic Church?

The Lutheran and Catholic Churches are both well-known branches of Christianity, but they have several key differences in their beliefs and practices. Some of the main differences between the two include:

Authority of Scripture: Lutherans believe that Scripture alone has the authority to determine doctrine, while Catholics also believe in the authority of the Pope, as head of the church, to create doctrine.
Salvation: Lutherans believe that only faith in Jesus Christ can bring salvation, while Catholics believe that good works must go hand in hand with faith in God to bring salvation.
Sacraments: Lutherans recognize only two or three sacraments, while Catholics recognize seven sacraments.
Eucharist: Lutherans do not believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, while Catholics do.
Papacy: Lutherans do not believe the office of the papacy has any divine authority, while Catholics recognize the Pope as the head of the church.
Mary, Saints, and Angels: Catholics worship Mary, Jesus' mother, as well as saints and angels, while Lutherans do not.
Ecumenical Councils: Lutherans recognize the seven ecumenical councils common to the eastern and western church, while Catholics affirm 21 ecumenical councils, most of which happened after the east/west schism in the middle ages.
Holy Orders: Most Lutherans do not distinguish bishop and presbyter/priest as separate holy orders, while Catholics recognize the bishop as a distinct holy order from the presbyter/priest.

Despite these differences, both Lutherans and Catholics believe in the Holy Trinity, use the Bible as their holy text, and gather together to worship in the form of Mass.

On this page

What is the Difference Between Lutheran Church and Catholic Church?

Comparative Table: Lutheran Church vs Catholic Church

Here is a table comparing the differences between the Lutheran Church and the Catholic Church:

Difference	Lutheran Church	Catholic Church
Belief in the Eucharist	Lutherans believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but not in the concept of transubstantiation.	Catholics believe in transubstantiation, where the bread and wine become the true body and blood of Christ while retaining their outward appearance.
View of the Church	Lutherans do not recognize the pope as the head of the Church and believe in the Bible alone as the source of religious authority.	Catholics acknowledge the pope as the head of the Church and consider both Scripture and Church tradition as sources of authority.
Number and Nature of Sacraments	Lutherans tend to speak of only two (or three) sacraments, focusing on the Sacrament of the Altar (Communion).	Catholics speak of seven sacraments, including baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist, which are seen as part of the process of salvation.
Salvation	Lutherans believe that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ and personal baptism.	Catholics believe that salvation is through Christ and the Church, and requires baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist.
Human Nature	Lutherans believe that humans are born with original sin and are incapable of choosing goodness without divine intervention.	Catholics acknowledge humanity's inclination towards evil but believe that humans are not entirely corrupt.
Assurance of Salvation	Lutherans believe in a more permanent assurance of salvation than Catholics.	Catholics do not believe in a guaranteed assurance of salvation.

Please note that these differences are general and may not apply to every individual Lutheran or Catholic.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.