Compare
Catholic ChurchandLutheranism
At a glance
- Common groundIn full: Common ground
- A consensus in basic truths of justification, declared in 1999.
Source
- Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, §40Source verified
- Christ's real presence in the Eucharist, explained in different terms.
2 sources
- The Augsburg Confession (1530), Art. XSource verified
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, ¶¶1376–1378 (transubstantiation), ¶1376Source verified
- A consensus in basic truths of justification, declared in 1999.
- Key differencesIn full: Key differences
- Authority: Scripture as the sole norm for Lutherans; Scripture and Tradition with the magisterium for Catholics.
2 sources
- Formula of Concord (Epitome and Solid Declaration), in the Book of Concord (1580), Epitome, Summary §1Source verified
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, ¶¶84–95 (the Magisterium), ¶85Source verified
- Church, ministry and the papacy, left open by the Joint Declaration.
Source
- Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, §43Source verified
- Authority: Scripture as the sole norm for Lutherans; Scripture and Tradition with the magisterium for Catholics.
- How their histories connectIn full: How their histories connect
- Lutheranism began as a reform movement within the Western church in 1517; Luther was excommunicated in 1521.
2 sources
- Christianity: The First Three Thousand YearsIdentified, not independently read
- The Augsburg Confession (1530)Source verified
Provisional: broadly supported, but awaiting fuller checking.
- Reform · 1517–1530 · A gradual processThe Lutheran ReformationRead the account in Lutheranism
- Lutheranism began as a reform movement within the Western church in 1517; Luther was excommunicated in 1521.
- Connected today?In full: their relationship today
Separate, in formal dialogueas of October 2026
Separate churches, not in communion, with 'substantial further work' still to be done.
A summary of the researched comparison below; each point links to its evidence.
Researched comparison. Written for this pair from sourced research; each statement links to its evidence.
Source
- Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, §40Source verified
Where they differ
- Authority. Lutheran confessions hold Scripture as the only rule and norm of teaching and reject papal jurisdiction; Catholic teaching holds Scripture and Tradition, authentically interpreted by the bishops in communion with the pope.
3 sources
- Formula of Concord (Epitome and Solid Declaration), in the Book of Concord (1580), Epitome, Summary §1Source verified
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, ¶¶80–83 (Scripture and Tradition), ¶¶80–82Source verified
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, ¶¶84–95 (the Magisterium), ¶85Source verified
- The Lord's Supper. Both affirm that Christ's body and blood are truly present. Catholic teaching explains this as transubstantiation; Lutheran confessions speak of a sacramental union, 'in, with and under' the bread and wine. 'Consubstantiation' is an outside label that Lutherans have generally rejected.
4 sources
- The Augsburg Confession (1530), Art. XSource verified
- Formula of Concord Study: Article VIISource verified
- The Issue Involved in the Lutheran Rejection of ConsubstantiationSource verified
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, ¶¶1376–1378 (transubstantiation), ¶1376Source verified
Provisional: broadly supported, but awaiting fuller checking.
- Questions the Joint Declaration left open include the church, ministry, authority, the sacraments and the relationship between the Word of God and church doctrine.
Source
- Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, §43Source verified
Mary and the saints
Asking the saints to pray
- Catholic Church
- The saints, above all Mary, are venerated and asked for their prayers
- Lutheranism
- The saints are remembered as examples but not invoked
Different emphases, not necessarily opposed (2)
Salvation and grace
Characteristic emphasis
- Catholic Church
- Justification by grace, which renews the believer and works through love
- Lutheranism
- Justification by grace, for Christ's sake, through faith and not by works
Sacraments and ordinances
How Christ's presence is explained
- Catholic Church
- Transubstantiation: the substance of bread and wine is changed
- Lutheranism
- Sacramental union: Christ's body and blood 'in, with and under' the bread and wine
Where teaching varies within a tradition (2)
Sacraments and ordinances
How the rites are understood and counted
- Catholic Church
- Seven sacraments (holy mysteries)
- Lutheranism
- Lutheran confessions usually speak of Baptism and the Lord's Supper; some also count absolution. No fixed number is recorded here.
Church and ministry
Church government
- Catholic Church
- Bishops in communion with the pope, who holds universal jurisdiction
- Lutheranism
- Episcopal in some churches, synodical or congregational in others.
Ministry
- Catholic Church
- Bishops in historic apostolic succession
- Lutheranism
- Some Lutheran churches keep the historic episcopate; others do not regard it as necessary.
Not yet comparable (3)
No sourced position is recorded for one side, so the Atlas does not say whether they agree:
- Creeds and councils (councils received): not recorded for Lutheranism
- Mary and the saints (how mary is named): not recorded for Lutheranism
- Day of worship (weekly day of worship): not recorded for Lutheranism
How their histories relate
2 sources
- Christianity: The First Three Thousand YearsIdentified, not independently read
- The Augsburg Confession (1530)Source verified
Provisional: broadly supported, but awaiting fuller checking.
Reform · 1517–1530A gradual process
A movement to reform the Western church that, in the 16th century, produced churches independent of Rome.
Luther's challenge to the preaching of indulgences (1517) grew into a dispute over authority and justification. He was excommunicated in 1521, and churches formed around the Augsburg Confession (1530), which teaches that people are justified 'for Christ's sake through faith'.Read in Lutheranism history3 sources
- 1521 Excommunication of Luther: Complete TextSource verified
- The Augsburg Confession (1530), Art. IVSource verified
- Christianity: The First Three Thousand YearsIdentified, not independently read
Their relationship today
Separate, in formal dialogueas of October 2026
Based on The Lutheran Reformation
Developments towards reconciliation
31 October 1999Several communions
Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification
Lutheran World Federation and Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, signed at Augsburg; later joined by the World Methodist Council (2006), the Anglican Consultative Council (2016) and the World Communion of Reformed Churches (2017)
The signatories state 'a consensus in basic truths of the doctrine of justification'; the remaining differences of language, theological elaboration and emphasis are said to be acceptable.Source
- Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, §40Source verified
Still open: The declaration lists open questions, including the relationship between the Word of God and church doctrine, ecclesiology, authority, church unity, ministry, the sacraments and social ethics.
Signed in 1999 and confirmed by an Official Common Statement; the Methodist, Anglican and Reformed world communions later associated themselves with it. The Atlas has not checked reception by each member church.3 sources
- Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ)Source verified
- Letter of Cardinal Kasper and Dr Noko on the fifth anniversary of the Joint DeclarationSource verified
- Official Common Statement and Annex to the Joint DeclarationIdentified, not independently read
Explore further
Catholic Church
All citations link to the Atlas’s single source register.