Based on the information provided, here are the key differences in how Evangelical Christians view salvation compared to Catholics and Orthodox Christians:
- Justification vs. Sanctification:
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Evangelicals typically make a clear distinction between justification (being declared righteous by God) and sanctification (the process of becoming more holy). They see justification as a one-time event that occurs when a person puts their faith in Christ.
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Catholics and Orthodox tend to view salvation more as a process, not making as clear a distinction between initial justification and ongoing sanctification. They see these as more integrated.
- Faith vs. Works:
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Evangelicals emphasize salvation by faith alone (sola fide). They believe good works are a result of salvation, not a means to it.
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Catholics and Orthodox believe both faith and works play a role in salvation. They see good works as necessary and cooperating with God’s grace in the salvation process.
- Assurance of Salvation:
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Many Evangelicals believe in “eternal security” - that once truly saved, a person cannot lose their salvation.
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Catholics and Orthodox generally do not teach assurance of salvation in this way. They see salvation as an ongoing process that requires continued faithfulness.
- Sacraments:
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Evangelicals typically view sacraments (like baptism and communion) as symbolic ordinances.
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Catholics and Orthodox view sacraments as means of grace that play an important role in salvation.
- Concept of Theosis (Orthodox):
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Orthodox Christianity emphasizes the concept of theosis - becoming more like God through union with Him. This is seen as the goal of salvation.
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While Evangelicals believe in sanctification, they typically don’t use the language of theosis or deification.
- Purgatory (Catholic):
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Catholics believe in purgatory as a place of purification after death for those saved but not yet perfected.
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Evangelicals reject the concept of purgatory, believing sanctification is completed at death or Christ’s return.
- Role of the Church:
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Catholics and Orthodox place more emphasis on the role of the Church in mediating salvation.
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Evangelicals tend to emphasize a more direct, personal relationship with God in salvation.
In summary, while all three traditions believe salvation comes through Christ, Evangelicals tend to emphasize salvation as a decisive moment of faith, while Catholics and Orthodox see it more as a lifelong process involving faith, works, and participation in the life of the Church.
Citations: [1] https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2011/06/22/global-survey-beliefs/ [2] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/evangelical-theology/ [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_again [4] https://www.catholic.com/qa/what-is-the-catholic-understanding-of-the-biblical-plan-of-salvation [5] https://thejesuitpost.org/2021/02/catholic-101-how-are-we-saved/ [6] https://www.goarch.org/-/how-are-we-saved- [7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_theology [8] https://orthodoxchristiantheology.com/2017/02/09/orthodox-catholic-and-protestant-soteriology-compared-and-contrasted/ [9] https://merechristianfellowship.org/articles/an-introduction-to-what-catholics-and-evangelicals-believe-about-salvation [10] https://g3min.org/the-false-salvation-of-the-roman-catholic-church/ [11] https://www.catholicscomehome.org/your-questions/church-teachings/salvation/ [12] https://www.reddit.com/r/OrthodoxChristianity/comments/sri6gx/what_does_salvation_mean_to_eastern_orthodox/ [13] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/salvation-as-theosis-the-teaching-of-eastern-orthodoxy/