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Christianity Protestantism
Geographical distribution and predominance:Europe, North and South AmericaNorth America, Europe
Place of origin:PalestineGermany
Place of worship:Church, chapel, CathedralChurch, chapel, Cathedral
Day of worship:Sunday but varies throughout many individual churches.Sunday
Scriptures:Holy Bible, a collection of canonical books in two parts (the Old Testament and the New Testament)Holy Bible, a collection of canonical books in two parts (the Old Testament and the New Testament)
Confessing sins:To God or to priestsTo God
Clergy:priests, monks, ministers, pastors, bishops, Elders, Deacons, Youth Ministers, Sunday School Teacherspriests, monks, ministers, pastors
Use of statues and pictures:While crosses and pictures are generally accepted, the act of prayer to saints (their statues), Mary, or deceased believers for intercession or to the image of Jesus is not accepted and is labeled worshiping false idols.Not used
Religious Law:laws are recognized but this religion focuses on Grace. The 10 Commandments are a base but they focus on the idea of following the whole Bible as they have been freed from the legalistic following of the OT laws.canon law (Anglicans((Episcopalians)) )
View of other Abrahamic religions:According to Christian doctrine, Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation and Islam is a false religion.Judaism is a true religion, but with incomplete revelation. Islam is a false religion.
About:Christianity is an Abrahamic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, believed to be the son of God.Protestants broke away from the Catholic Church, & follow strict adherance to their own interpretations of the Bible.
Status of Adam:Sin came through the fall of Adam in the garden and resulted in separation from God but was reconciled through Christ's death and resurrection.Disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden.
Belief of God:Christianity believes in the Trinity of God. They also believe that there is only one true "God" while there are many other "gods" that the world serves.Most Protestants believe in the Trinity of God.
Concept of Deity:Believe in the Trinity of God. Three persons in one Godhead: Father, Son and Holy SpiritMost believe in the Trinity; three persons in one Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Second coming of Jesus:AffirmedAffirmed
Holy days:Christmas, Easter, New Year, Pentecost, Saints' Feast DaysChristmas, Easter, New Year, Pentecost
Status of women:Variable. Conservatives & liberals differ greatly. Women can become nuns, pastors in some denominations and only teachers in others.Variable. Conservatives and liberals differ greatly.
Resurrection of Jesus:AffirmedAffirmed
Belief:Christians recognize Jesus as the Messiah, believing that salvation to eternal life is God's will for all peopleBelieve that Jesus Christ is the Messiah & the Saviour.
God's role in salvation:Many denominations believe in predestination, while others do not. Salvation is available to all people, but not everyone will accept it. However grace is extended to all who will accept it and God would have no man perish.predestination, various forms of grace
Practices:Regularly visit the church especially on Sundays for Holy Mass & Bible studies. And encouraging involvement not only within the church (body) but also in the community, doing good works and spreading the word.Regularly visit the church, especially on Sundays.
Birth of Jesus:Virgin BirthVirgin Birth
Prophet:JesusJesus
Means of salvation:Salvation through faith, while differing denominations debate eternal security, they generally agree that salvation is secured through a relationship with Jesus Christ and daily repentance of sins.Correct belief, faith alone
Human Nature:"original sin" inherited from Adam, tendency towards evil, but the sins of the father do not pass through to the son, therefore, Children are holy, and until they reach the age where they can know good from evil, their sins are not held against them."original sin" inherited from Adam, tendency towards evil, but the sins of the father do not pass through the son, therefore Children are holy, and until they reach the age where they can know good from evil, their sins are not held against them.
Identity of Jesus:Son of God, God Incarnate, Saviour of the world, one with God the Father and Holy Spirit. We become family as we receive the "spirit of adoption" to God, therefore Christ is ones huband, brother, savior, and Lord.Son of God, God Incarnate, Saviour of the world
Death of Jesus:Death by CrucifixionDeath by Crucifixion
Legislation:Prerogative of the church denominations or independent churches. Each church decides it's own bylaws but usually follows the greater authority of the General Counsel of that denomination for rulings in disputes on church issues.Prerogative of the people
Original Language:Aramaic and GreekGerman
Original Languages:Aramaic, Greek, and LatinGerman
Geographical predominance:Europe, North and South AmericaNorth America and Europe
Literal Meaning:Christian" (Greek Χριστιανός Strong's G5546), meaning "belonging to Christ" or "partisan of Christ". Also referred to as "little Christs"Protestant - to 'protest'
Ressurection of Jesus:affirmedaffirmed
Time of origin:c. 33 A.D.Approx. 1500 A.D.
Population:1.8 Billion (Wikipedia)


Protestantism broke away from main stream Christianity some time around the 15th century. The original Protestant Reformer was Martin Luther. Unlike Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, it has no Apostolic Succession, and relies soley on the Holy Bible. Protestantism is divided into thousands of churches. The main ones being Lutheran, Anglican(Episcopalian), Presbyterian, and Methodist. In recent years, Evangelical churches, such as Baptist and Pentecostal churches have been gaining more and more adherents in Protestant churches.

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Comments on Christianity vs. Protestantism
Whoever wrote this comparison chart does NOT know much about Christianity! Protestantism is part of Christianity; not separate from it! It is part of the Christian faith; not another religion! Christianity incorporates these Churches: Coptic Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Church, Catholic Church, and Protestant Church. These five Churches developed more from local, cultural,and linguistic differences than theological ones. Only the Protestant Church was a "break-away" and even that was unintentional. Protestants originally sought to reform the Catholic Church from the inside; they did not desire to become a separate group. The information given in this comparison is completely wrong!
- by 71.202.30.170 on 2009-10-07 13:29:57