Take this quiz to find out how vast your knowledge about the three main Cristian denominations is.
How much do you know about Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism?
Various differences in terms of beliefs exist between the three major Christian groups (denominations), the Catholics, the Evangelicals (Protestants) and the Orthodox. Do you know which of these key issues belongs to which of the three denomination?
How much do you know about Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism?
The Orthodox view of salvation
According to the Orthodox beliefs, how can a Christian obtain salvation?
A life-long process
Salvation is "faith working through love" and should be seen as a life long process. The Ultimate aim of every Orthodox Christian is to obtain Theosis or union with God. This is done through living a holy life and seeking to draw closer to God.
Purgatory
Which of the three major Christian groups (denominations) adheres to the doctrine of the Purgatory?
Catholicism
In the Catholic faith, Purgatory is an intermediate state of cleansing and preparation for heaven. Also a state where the punishment due to unremitted venial sins may be expiated.
Filioque
Which two of the Christian Churches (denominations) agree upon the doctrine of the "filioque" (the doctrine according to which The Holy Spirit proceeds from both The Father and The Son)?
The Protestants and the Catholics
The Catholic Church agrees with the Protestant view in regards to The Holy Spirit proceeding from both the Father and the Son. The Nicene creed includes the filioque (Latin: 'and the son'). Ambrose of Milan (340-397) wrote: "When the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, He is not separated from the Father, He is not separated from the Son".
Accepted by Protestantism
Which of the following is accepted by (several subgroups of) Protestant Christianity?
Female ordination
Many Protestant churches practice female ordination, including those within the Anglican communion, where the issue of female episcopacy is currently being discussed.
Transubstantiation
What is "Transubstantiation", according to the Catholic faith?
The gifts change into the actual body and blood of Christ
In the Catholic Church, as in Orthodoxy, the Priest invokes the Holy Spirit during the Mass. The consecration becomes effective through the Priest, who acts in the person of Christ. The gifts change completely into Christ's body and blood and this change is termed 'Transubstantiation' (i.e. the outward appearance remains the same, but the substance changes).
The Virgin Mary in Orthodoxy
What are the Orthodox beliefs about the Assumption and the Immaculate conception of Mary?
Assumption - yes, but not Immaculate conception
In the Orthodox faith, the Assumption of Mary is accepted and it is agreed that Mary experienced physical death, but the Immaculate conception is rejected. Orthodox belief is that the guilt of original sin is not transmitted from one generation to the next, thus obviating the need for Mary to be sinless.
Rejected parts of the Scripture
Which parts of the Scripture, accepted by Orthodoxy and Catholicism, does Protestantism reject?
The Deuterocanonicals
The Orthodox and the Catholic Churches accept the 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books, but also a collection of books not found in the original Hebrew Bible. These are known as Deuterocanonicals (i.e. a second canon of scripture). Protestantism rejects the Deuterocanonicals as not being inspired scripture and term them Apocrypha (Greek: 'Hidden Things').
The Pope in Catholicism
What authority does the Pope have in the Catholic Church?
The Vicar of Christ
In the Catholic Church, the Pope is the 'Vicar of Christ' (i.e. the visible head of the church on earth and spiritual successor of St. Peter). He has supreme authority (including that over church councils) within Christendom (The Power of the keys).
Catholic distribution of the Eucharist
Are Christians who are not members of the Catholic Church allowed to receive the Eucharist?
No
As with Orthodoxy, in the Catholic Church only members of the church may receive the Holy Eucharist. In some Catholic Churches, the bread alone is given to the congregation, the Priest receiving the wine. However, it is becoming common for churches to have communion in both kinds.
Protestant foundational principle
Which of the following is a foundational principle of Protestantism?
Sola Scriptura
Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) is the only infallible guide and the final authority on matters of Christian faith and practice (it is one of the foundational principles of Protestantism).
Clerical celibacy
Which of the three major Christian groups (denominations) require that all priests and bishops be celibate?
Catholicism
All Catholic clergy are required to be male. Priests and Bishops must also be celibate, with the exception of Eastern Rite Catholics and Anglican married clergy who subsequently convert to Catholicism. These groups are allowed to have married priests.
How many sacraments?
How many sacraments do the Orthodox and Catholic Churches recognize?
7 Holy Sacraments
In the Catholic Church, the number of Sacraments is fixed at seven and is the same list as that in Orthodoxy, with the exception of Chrismation, which is generally known as 'Confirmation'. Orthodoxy recognizes the 7 Holy Sacraments, but doesn't consider the list to be fixed.