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All closeness scores

Every score below is generated by scripts/build_data.py from the doctrine pages and cites the post-750 row (or verdict) it comes from; hover a score or read the note under it for the basis. Scores marked * were set by a documented override (rule O in the method).

Where tiers are contested

The traditions don’t all agree on which doctrines are first-order (see triage §3). This table shows whether any ranking depends on the default tiers.

TraditionMost correct (default tiers)Under its own tiersIn the faith (default)In the faith (own first-order list)
Catholic#8 · 77%#8 · 77%holds all (95%, 5/16)holds with qualifications (87%, 7 doctrines)
Orthodox#6 · 80%#6 · 81%holds with qualifications (88%, 5/16)holds with qualifications (91%, 7 doctrines)
Oriental Orthodox#7 · 79%#7 · 78%holds with qualifications (88%, 5/16)holds with qualifications (81%, 6 doctrines)
Lutheran#2 · 91%#2 · 91%holds all (100%, 5/16)holds all (99%, 7 doctrines)
Anglican#1 · 91%#1 · 91%holds all (100%, 5/16)holds all (100%, 5 doctrines)
Presbyterian#5 · 85%#5 · 85%holds all (100%, 5/16)holds all (97%, 6 doctrines)
Reformed Baptist#4 · 87%#4 · 86%holds all (100%, 5/16)holds all (97%, 6 doctrines)
General Baptist#3 · 87%#3 · 87%holds all (98%, 5/16)holds all (98%, 5 doctrines)
Anabaptist#9 · 76%#9 · 76%holds all (88%, 5/16)holds all (88%, 5 doctrines)

"Own tiers" moves the doctrines a tradition ranks differently (listed under "Where the tier is contested" on each doctrine page) into that tradition's tier, then recomputes the tier-weighted Scripture score for that tradition only. The rank compares it with the other traditions' default scores.

Every question

The Trinity

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
F01.1One God, three co-equal, consubstantial persons: consensus from T1 (deity of Christ) to the councilsHigh (1)4*
Lateran IV; Athanasian Creed
4*
Dositheus 1
4*
Nerses: 'one essence, one sovereignty, one power and one glory' (verified)
4*
AC I
4*
Art. I
4*
WCF II.3
4*
1689 2.3
4*
Orthodox Creed 3 and the three creeds (to verify article)
4*
Dordrecht I: 'one eternal, almighty, and incomprehensible God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost' (verified)

One person, God and man

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
F04.1One person, fully God and fully man (consensus from T1); the formula splits after 451 between ‘in two natures’ (Chalcedon) and ‘one incarnate nature’ (Cyril, Severus)High (1)4*
Chalcedon received
4*
Chalcedon received
4*
Severus: 'one nature of God the Word incarnate' (verified); full deity and humanity confessed, Chalcedon rejected
4*
AC III; Formula of Concord VIII
4*
Art. II: 'two whole and perfect Natures ... joined together in one Person'
4*
WCF VIII.2
4*
1689 8.2
4*
Orthodox Creed (Christ's two natures; to verify article)
3*
Menno Simons, *True Confession ... of the Incarnation*: Christ 'the Lord from heaven ... generated and nourished in Mary' ('in', not 'of', Mary: the celestial-flesh position), yet 'truly flesh and blood ... like unto us in all things, yet without sin' (verified)

Sin and the need for grace

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
F08.1Real fall; death and corruption passed to allHigh (1)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': F08.1
4*
Overall verdict: 'No tradition departs on O1.'
4*
Affirmed
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': F08.1
4*
Affirmed
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': F08.1
4*
Affirmed
4*
Affirmed
4*
Affirmed
F08.2Grace precedes the beginning of faith (Western conciliar)High (W) / medium (0.5)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': F08.2
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': F08.2 nearer Cassian than Orange
2*
Synergy, like the Greek fathers (to verify)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': F08.2
4*
Art. X: 'without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will'
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': F08.2
4*
1689 10.2: effectual call 'of God's free and special grace alone'
3*
SC 1660 art. 7: the Spirit makes them able, 'without which they are altogether unable'; art. 4 grace gives all a 'capacity'
3*
Dordrecht III: God calls fallen man despite 'utter inability' (prevenient call)

Salvation by grace through faith in Christ

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
F12.1No works precede initial justification (Clement, Chrysostom, Augustine, Orange; Hilary, Ambrosiaster, Basil ‘faith alone’, secondary). Justin and Irenaeus target Mosaic ordinancesHigh (initial) / medium (final) (0.5)4*
Trent VI ch. 8: nothing that precedes justification merits it
3*
Dositheus 13: faith working through love; less sharp on prior works
3*
Grace and cooperation (to verify; sources thin)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': F12.1
4*
Art. XI 'not for our own works or deservings'; Art. XIII works before grace 'are not pleasant to God'
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': F12.1
4*
1689 11.1: 'not for anything wrought in them, or done by them'
4*
SC 1660 art. 6: 'the way set forth by God for men to be justified in, is by faith in Christ'
3*
Dordrecht VI: ceremonies avail nothing 'without faith, regeneration'; strong stress on reformation of life

General resurrection and eternal life

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
F14.1Resurrection of the same fleshHigh (1)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': F14.1
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': F14.1
4*
Affirmed
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': F14.1
4*
Affirmed
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': F14.1
4*
Affirmed
4*
SC 1660 art. 20: 'the fleshy bodies of men ... shall be raised again'
4*
Affirmed

Nature of justification

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S01.1Paul: declarative core. Fathers: forensic and transformative held together, undistinguishedHigh / high (1)1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S01.1/S01.5 decided as a binary (can. 11)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S01.1 blend
4*
Participatory, non-forensic framing in the liturgies and Severus (to verify; sources thin)
2*
FC III separates the declaration from renewal; the fathers hold them together
2*
Art. XI: 'accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord'
2*
WCF XI.1: 'not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous'
2*
1689 11.1: 'not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous' (forensic, separated from renewal)
3*
SC 1660 art. 6: faith 'accounted unto them for righteousness', joined to a resolve of 'subjection to all his Commandments'
4*
Dordrecht VI: through faith 'we obtain forgiveness of sins, are sanctified, justified, and made children of God, yea, partake of His mind, nature, and image'
S01.2Augustine: free justification, works do not precede it; content ‘made righteous’; ‘reckoned’ allowedHigh (1)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S01.2 (Augustine)
2*
Less Augustinian; follows the Greek fathers
2*
Pre-Augustinian Greek line (to verify)
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S01.2 (forensic distinct from renewal)
2*
Art. XI forensic, but the Homily of Salvation (to verify) cites Augustine at length
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S01.2
1*
Same as Presbyterian: separates 'reckoned' from 'made righteous' (1689 11.1)
2*
SC 1660 art. 6 joins 'accounted' with resolve of obedience
3*
Dordrecht VI: 'justified, and made children of God' together
S01.3Forgiveness tied to baptism; post-baptismal sin handled through almsgiving and penance (Cyprian)High / medium (0.5)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S01.3
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S01.3
4*
Baptism for remission in the non-Chalcedonian rites (to verify)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S01.3
3*
Art. XXVII: 'as by an instrument ... the promises of forgiveness of sin ... are visibly signed and sealed'
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S01.3
1*
1689 29.1: baptism a 'sign of his fellowship with him ... remission of sins' (sign, not instrument)
2*
SC 1660 art. 5: 'Baptizes in his name for the remission of Sins'
1*
Dordrecht VII: baptism follows regeneration, 'to the burying of their sins'
S01.4James: living faith perfected and vindicated by works; not a co-groundMed–high (0.75)2*
Trent VI canon 24: works increase justification
2*
Dositheus 13: works 'meriting'
2*
Faith and works together toward final salvation (to verify)
4*
Works are fruits (AC VI)
4*
Art. XII: good works 'spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith'
4*
WCF XVI: works are fruits and evidences
4*
1689 16.2: works 'the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith'
4*
SC 1660 art. 14: without holiness the profession is 'of no effect'; works as fruit
3*
Dordrecht VI: 'genuine fruits of repentance'; obedience emphasised
S01.5Exchange language compatible with imputation; not the formulated doctrineMedium (0.5)1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S01.1/S01.5 decided as a binary (can. 11)
2*
Dositheus rejects faith as a 'hand'
2*
No imputation category (to verify)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S01.5
4*
Art. XI: accounted righteous 'only for the merit of our Lord'
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S01.5
4*
1689 11.1: 'imputing Christ's active obedience unto the whole law, and passive obedience in his death'
4*
Orthodox Creed: Christ's 'Mediatoral Righteousness ... is imputed, reckoned, or made over to us' (OCR-verified); SC 1660 art. 6
2*
No imputation language in Dordrecht or Schleitheim

Post-750 notes not tied to a question ID (shown for transparency, not scored unless marked *):
Catholic: close: Carthage c. 111; departs: increase through works (can. 24)
Orthodox: close: participatory frame; departs: Dositheus 13 rejects the 'faith as hand' image that Basil and Chrysostom's 'faith alone' sits near
Presbyterian: departs: active-obedience imputation

Baptism: subjects

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S02.1Infant baptism attested from c. 200, unchallenged in principle; delay sometimes advisedHigh (attested) / low–med (apostolic origin) (0.375)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S02.1
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S02.1 (immersion kept)
4*
Infant baptism universal in the non-Chalcedonian churches
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S02.1
4*
Art. XXVII: 'The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained'
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S02.1
0*
1689 29.2: only 'those who do actually profess repentance'
0*
SC 1660 art. 11: 'that Scriptureless thing of Sprinkling of Infants (falsly called Baptisme)'
0*
Schleitheim 1: 'This excludes all infant baptism, the highest and chief abomination of the pope'

Baptism: effect

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S03.1Baptism is the ordinary means of regeneration and remission (faith presupposed)High (1)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S03.1
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S03.1 and S03.2 (immersion kept)
4*
Baptism as new birth in the Syriac, Coptic and Armenian rites (to verify)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S03.1
4*
Art. XXVII: 'a sign of Regeneration or new Birth, whereby, as by an instrument'; 1662 Publick Baptism: 'Seeing now ... that this Child is regenerate and grafted into the body of Christ's Church' (verified)
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S03.1 and S03.2 weakened
1*
1689 29.1: a 'sign' of fellowship, ingrafting, regeneration
1*
SC 1660 art. 11: baptism follows profession of 'repentance ... and faith'
1*
Schleitheim 1: baptism for those 'who have learned repentance'; Dordrecht VII; Menno: infants 'cannot be taught, therefore, baptism cannot be administered to them' (verified)
S03.2Ordinarily necessary; martyrdom an exceptionHigh; infants' fate low consensus (0.25)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S03.2
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S03.1 and S03.2 (immersion kept)
4*
Necessary in the non-Chalcedonian rites (to verify)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S03.2
4*
1662 Catechism: 'Two only, as generally necessary to salvation, that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord'
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S03.1 and S03.2 weakened
1*
1689 ch. 29: an ordinance of 'positive and sovereign institution' (28.1); not said to be necessary to salvation
1*
SC 1660: necessary for church order, not salvation; Orthodox Creed 28 rejects Limbus for unbaptized infants (OCR-verified)
1*
Dordrecht VI: no outward ceremony avails without faith

Eucharist: presence

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S04.1Real, objective presence; ‘figure’ and ‘sacrament’ language does not deny itHigh (1)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S04.1
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S04.1
4*
Armenian Badarak: 'let us taste of the holy, holy and precious body and blood of our Lord ... This is life, hope of resurrection, propitiation and remission of sins' (verified)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S04.1
2*
Art. XXVIII: 'the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ', 'only after an heavenly and spiritual manner'
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S04.1 realism
1*
1689 30.7: Christ 'spiritually present to the faith of believers'
1*
SC 1660 art. 13: 'breaking of Bread' (no doctrine of presence stated; Orthodox Creed 33 to verify)
1*
Dordrecht X: kept 'in remembrance of Him'; Menno: 'a living and an affecting sign' (verified)
S04.2Real change, mode undefined; elements’ nature persists (Theodoret)High (1)1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S04.2 substance metaphysics
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S04.2 ('unsearchable')
4*
Real change, mode undefined (to verify)
0
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S04.2 no change
1*
Art. XXVIII: transubstantiation 'repugnant to the plain words of Scripture'
1*
WCF XXIX.6: transubstantiation 'repugnant ... to common sense'
1*
1689 30.6 rejects transubstantiation
1*
No change taught
1*
No change taught

Post-750 notes not tied to a question ID (shown for transparency, not scored unless marked *):
Orthodox: departs: Dositheus borrows Latin terms
Presbyterian: close: Augustine's sign distinction

Eucharist: sacrifice

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S05.1True sacrifice (Mal 1:11); propitiatory precision is laterHigh / med–low (0.375)2
Listed under both 'closest' (S05.1) and 'departs or sharpens' (S05.1 propitiatory precision)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S05.1
4*
Armenian Badarak: 'Son of God, Who art sacrificed to the Father for reconciliation'; Nerses Shnorhali calls it 'the Holy Sacrifice' (verified)
0
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S05.1 rejected
1*
Art. XXXI: 'the sacrifices of Masses ... were blasphemous fables'
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S05.1
0*
1689 30.2: 'nor any real sacrifice made at all for remission of sin', 'only a memorial'
1*
No sacrifice language (SC 1660 art. 13)
1*
Dordrecht X: remembrance only

Number and nature of sacraments

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S06.1An anointing and laying on of hands invoking the Spirit followed baptism as part of one rite (T2 onward); a separate later sacrament is a later developmentMed–high (0.75)3*
Confirmation a distinct sacrament (Trent VII), separated in time from baptism in the West
4*
Chrismation in one rite with baptism
4*
Chrismation with baptism (Coptic and Armenian rites; to verify)
2*
Not a sacrament; catechetical confirmation (AC XIII lists none)
3*
1662 Confirmation: bishop's laying on of hands; Art. XXV not a sacrament of the Gospel
1*
WCF XXVII: only two sacraments; no rite
1*
1689 28: only two ordinances
4*
SC 1660 art. 12: baptized believers come to 'Prayer and Laying on of Hands, that they may receive the promise of the holy Spirit' (verified)
1*
No rite
S06.2Confession and reconciliation through the church’s ministers (public penance, T2–T3); obligatory private enumeration is laterMedium (0.5)2*
Trent XIV: auricular confession of all mortal sins necessary by divine law
3*
Confession to a priest with absolution
3*
Confession and absolution (to verify)
3*
AC XI: private absolution retained, enumeration not required
3*
1662 Visitation of the Sick: absolution after special confession
2*
WCF XXX: censures and church discipline; no absolution rite
2*
1689 26: discipline by the congregation
2*
Congregational discipline
3*
Schleitheim 2: the ban, with admonition before the breaking of bread; resembles early public discipline
S06.3Anointing of the sick by elders for healing and forgiveness (Jas 5; T3); restriction to the dying is laterMedium (0.5)2*
Trent XIV: 'extreme unction', for those in danger of death
4*
Euchelaion for the sick
4*
Anointing of the sick (to verify)
1*
Not practised
1*
Art. XXV: 'corrupt following of the Apostles'; no anointing in 1662
1*
Not practised
1*
Not in the 1689
2*
Practised among some General Baptists (to verify)
1*
Not in Schleitheim or Dordrecht
S06.4Marriage a holy, indissoluble bond (sacramentum, Augustine); not yet a counted sacramentMedium (0.5)3*
Trent XXIV: a sacrament; indissoluble
2*
A mystery; divorce and remarriage allowed by economy
3*
A mystery (to verify)
3*
Holy estate, not a sacrament
3*
Art. XXV: 'states of life allowed in the Scriptures'
2*
WCF XXIV.5–6: divorce for adultery or desertion
2*
1689 25: marriage; divorce not addressed in detail (to verify)
3*
Orthodox Creed 43 on family duties (to verify)
3*
Dordrecht XII: marriage 'in the Lord'; separation only for fornication

Scripture and tradition

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S07.1Scripture the supreme and sufficient norm of doctrine, read within the apostolic rule of faith; unwritten customs honoured (Basil) but not a second source of doctrineMed–high (0.75)3*
Trent IV: Scripture and traditions received 'with an equal affection of piety'; Basil supports honouring tradition, but co-equality goes beyond the evidence
4*
Dositheus 2: the Church's witness 'not of inferior authority' to Scripture; matches Basil's 'same force' but lacks biblical warrant
4*
Scripture within the tradition of the three councils (Nerses Shnorhali, *I Confess with Faith*: 'Instructed by the holy Doctors'); co-equality inferred, to verify
3*
Scripture the norming norm; confessions normed by it; little room for the rule-of-faith role Irenaeus gives the churches
4*
Art. VI: 'whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required'; Art. VIII receives the creeds; Art. XX: the Church 'a witness and a keeper of holy Writ'
3*
WCF I.6: 'nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men'
3*
1689 1.1: 'the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule'
4*
Orthodox Creed 37 (OCR-verified): Scripture's authority 'dependeth not upon the Authority of any Man'; art. 38 receives the three creeds
2*
Dordrecht V: nothing may be added to Christ's New Testament; no creeds or rule of faith received; New Testament priority strains the OT's place
S07.2Split: Hebrew canon plus books ‘read’ (Athanasius, Cyril) vs. wider canon (Augustine, Carthage)Medium (0.5)3*
Trent IV: wider canon defined
3*
Wider canon (Jerusalem 1672); anagignoskomena distinction survives in practice
3*
Widest canon in the Ethiopian church (1 Enoch, Jubilees); to verify
3*
Apocrypha printed and read, not held equal (Luther's Bible prefaces; to verify)
3*
Art. VI: the other books 'the Church doth read for example of life ... but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine', Athanasius's two tiers exactly
3*
WCF I.3: Apocrypha 'no otherwise to be approved, or made use of, than other human writings'
3*
1689 1.3: same as WCF
3*
Orthodox Creed 37 lists the canonical books (to verify list)
3*
Dordrecht II cites 4 Esdras 3:7 alongside Scripture
S07.3Interpretation within the apostolic churches’ rule of faith and their councils; no single infallible officeMedium (0.5)2*
Vatican I: papal definitions infallible 'of themselves'; beyond the rule-of-faith model
4*
Councils received by the church as the voice of the fathers
4*
Three councils as the norm of interpretation; to verify
3*
Confessions as a norm normed by Scripture
4*
Art. XX: the Church 'hath authority in Controversies of Faith' but may not 'expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another'; Art. XXI councils 'may err'
3*
WCF XXXI.4: synods 'may err; and many have erred'
2*
1689 26: congregational; associations advise but have no jurisdiction, which fits Acts 15 less well
3*
Orthodox Creed 39 (General Councils and Assemblies; to verify wording)
2*
Congregational discernment only; no councils

Papal primacy and infallibility

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S08.1Peter led the apostles; the Roman church held a primacy of honour and a leading role in guarding the tradition (T1–T2), without universal jurisdictionMedium (0.5)2*
Vatican I: Peter's primacy of jurisdiction passes to the Roman pontiff
4*
Rome's primacy of honour before the schism
3*
Primacy among patriarchates recognised historically; Leo's Tome rejected (to verify)
2*
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope: no primacy by divine right
2*
Art. XXXVII: 'The Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this Realm of England'
1*
WCF XXV.6: the Pope 'that Antichrist, that man of sin'
1*
1689 26.4: the Pope 'that antichrist, that man of sin'
2*
No primacy; Orthodox Creed 39 (to verify)
2*
No primacy
S08.2Not supported: privileges of sees were customary and regional (Nicaea 6; Chalcedon 28); Gregory the Great rejects ‘universal bishop’Med–high (0.75)1*
Vatican I, *Pastor Aeternus* 3–4: universal jurisdiction; definitions 'irreformable of themselves'
4*
Rejected
4*
Rejected
4*
Rejected (Smalcald Articles II.4)
4*
Art. XXXVII; Art. XXI councils may err
3*
Rejected, with the 'Antichrist' identification going beyond the evidence
3*
Rejected, with the 'Antichrist' identification
4*
Rejected
4*
Rejected

Predestination and election

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S11.1Free choice universally affirmed; defended against fate and naturesHigh (1)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S11.1
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S11.1
4*
Free will strongly affirmed (to verify)
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S11.1 (bondage of will) sharper than the fathers
2*
Art. X: man 'cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength'
2*
WCF IX.1 natural liberty; IX.3 total inability to spiritual good
2*
1689 9.3: 'wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good'
4*
SC 1660 art. 4: all men 'put into such a capacity, as that (through the grace of God) they may be eternally saved'
4*
Dordrecht III/V: salvation offered to all; only the 'unbelieving and disobedient' excluded
S11.2Split in the fathers: Augustine’s unconditional election vs. the foreknowledge line (no T1 text verified); Scripture favours election by God’s purpose (Rom 9:11–16; Eph 1:5, 11); no double decree in eitherMedium (0.5)2*
Departs column says 'S3 mostly Augustinian': on a split question it follows one named patristic strand (Augustine) rather than departing from all of them
3
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S11.2 (foreknowledge) (verdict is split; this follows one patristic strand)
3*
Election by foreknowledge (to verify)
3
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S11.2 single (verdict is split; this follows one patristic strand)
3*
Art. XVII: single predestination to life, 'by his counsel secret to us'
2
Listed under both 'closest' (S11.2 (A)) and 'departs or sharpens' (S11.2 double decree)
3*
1689 3.3: 'others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation' (preterition; no parallel decree)
3*
SC 1660 art. 8: elect are 'such as believe', yet election 'not ... from fore-seen faith'; art. 9 ungodly ordained to condemnation 'considered as such'
3*
Dordrecht V: no one excluded 'except the unbelieving and disobedient'; no doctrine of decree

Perseverance of the saints

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S13.1Regenerate can fall; final perseverance cannot be known with certaintyHigh (Augustine) (1)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S13.1
4*
Believers can fall away
4*
Believers can fall (to verify)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S13.1
3*
Art. XVI: 'we may depart from grace given'; Art. XVII offers comfort of election
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S13.1 assurance of perseverance
1*
1689 17.1: 'can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace'
2*
Standards conflict: Orthodox Creed art. 36 says the elect 'shall certainly persevere unto Eternal Life' (OCR-verified); SC 1660 art. 18: true believers 'may nevertheless for want of watchfulness, swerve and turn aside ... and become as withered Branches'
4*
Dordrecht XVI: a baptised member may sin 'unto death ... forfeiting the kingdom of God'

Original sin: guilt or corruption

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S14.1East: corruption and mortality (with liability); West from Cyprian: another’s sin remitted in infants; Augustine systematizesMed–high (0.75)3
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S14.1 (Augustinian) (verdict is split; this follows one patristic strand)
3
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S14.1 (East) (verdict is split; this follows one patristic strand)
3*
Eastern line: corruption and mortality (to verify)
3
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S14.1 (verdict is split; this follows one patristic strand)
3*
Art. IX: 'it deserveth God's wrath and damnation'
3*
WCF VI.3 guilt imputed (Western line, sharpened)
3*
1689 6.3: 'the guilt of the sin was imputed'
3*
SC 1660 art. 10: infants 'only subject to the first death', not eternal punishment for Adam's sin
3*
Dordrecht II: 'brought upon themselves the wrath of God, and condemnation'
S14.2ἐφ᾽ ᾧ = ‘because’; the doctrine does not depend on in quo aloneMed–high (0.75)not assessednot assessednot assessednot assessednot assessednot assessednot assessednot assessednot assessed
S14.3Difference of emphasis, not contradictionMedium (0.5)3*
Free will weakened (Trent VI canon 5)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S14.3
4*
Eastern emphasis (to verify)
2*
Bondage of the will
3*
Art. X
2*
WCF IX.3
2*
1689 9.3
3*
SC 1660 art. 7
3*
Dordrecht III 'utter inability' with universal call

Post-750 notes not tied to a question ID (shown for transparency, not scored unless marked *):
Catholic: departs: Concupiscence not sin (vs. Lutheran and Presbyterian)
Lutheran: departs: Concupiscence is truly sin
Orthodox: departs: Modern rejection of any guilt goes beyond Chrysostom's 'liable to punishment'
Presbyterian: departs: Federal imputation; departs: total depravity

Filioque

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S15.1Split: from the Father through the Son (East; the 381 creed) vs. from the Father principally and the Son (Augustine); creed insertion of filioque is laterMedium (0.5)2*
Florence (1439): from the Father and the Son 'as from one principle'; creed insertion
3*
From the Father; Photian 'alone' sharper than 'through the Son'
3*
Nerses Shnorhali: 'emanating, as to its essence, from the Father alone' (verified)
2*
Filioque in the Nicene and Athanasian creeds as used
2*
Art. V: 'proceeding from the Father and the Son'
2*
WCF II.3: 'eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son'
2*
1689 2.3: 'proceeding from the Father and the Son'
2*
Receives the Nicene and Athanasian creeds in the Western form (Orthodox Creed 38; to verify wording)
not assessed

Chalcedonian and miaphysite wording

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S16.2Two natural wills and operations, not opposed (Constantinople III), grounded in Gregory’s ’not assumed, not healed'Med–high (0.75)4*
Constantinople III received
4*
Constantinople III received
2*
Severus rejects Leo's two operations (verified); one theandric will and operation
3*
Two natures with their properties (FC VIII); wills not addressed explicitly
3*
Art. II two natures; wills implicit
3*
WCF VIII.2 'two whole, perfect, and distinct natures'; wills implicit
3*
1689 8.2; wills implicit
3*
Wills implicit; to verify
not assessed

Purgatory and prayers for the dead

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S17.1Prayers and offerings for the dead from c. 200; liturgical by c. 350High (1)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S17.1
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S17.1 and S17.2
4*
Armenian Badarak: 'grant rest to the souls of us that are fallen asleep' (verified); Coptic diptych (secondary-attested)
2
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': partly S17.1
1*
Homily concerning Prayer, part 3: 'neither let us dream any more, that the souls of the dead are anything at all holpen by our prayers' (verified)
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S17.1
1*
1689 22.4: prayer not 'for the dead'
1*
Not practised
1*
Not practised
S17.2Post-mortem purification taught from Augustine (T3), anticipated in a T2 vision (Perpetua); no clear Scripture basis; not the later defined purgatoryMedium (0.5)1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S17.2 over-defined
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S17.1 and S17.2
3*
No purgatory, but prayers aid the departed (to verify)
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S17.2
1*
Art. XXII
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S17.2
1*
No purgatory (1689 31.1)
1*
No purgatory
1*
No purgatory

Post-750 notes not tied to a question ID (shown for transparency, not scored unless marked *):
Orthodox: departs: Openness to restoration among some (minority)

Veneration of icons and relics

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S19.1Honour of relics attested from c. 155; universal by the 4th centuryHigh (1)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S19.1 and S19.2 and S19.3
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S19.1 and S19.2 and S19.3
4*
Relics honoured
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S19.1
1*
Art. XXII
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S19.1 and S19.2 and S19.3
1*
Rejects
1*
Rejects
1*
Rejects
S19.2Honour distinguished from worship (τιμή, not λατρεία)High / medium (0.5)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S19.1 and S19.2 and S19.3
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S19.1 and S19.2 and S19.3
4*
Severus preached at the martyrs' chapel on 'the commemoration of the martyrs' (Select Letters, verified); veneration practice to verify
1*
Memory without veneration
1*
Art. XXII: 'Adoration ... of Reliques' a fond thing
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S19.1 and S19.2 and S19.3
1*
1689 22.2
1*
Rejects
1*
Rejects
S19.3Miracles through relics affirmedHigh (1)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S19.1 and S19.2 and S19.3
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S19.1 and S19.2 and S19.3
4*
Affirmed (to verify)
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S19.3 practice
1*
Not affirmed
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': S19.1 and S19.2 and S19.3
1*
Not affirmed
1*
Not affirmed
1*
Not affirmed
S19.4Minority objection (Vigilantius) rejectedHigh (1)4*
Overall verdict: 'Catholic and Orthodox match the patristic consensus' (which rejected Vigilantius)
4*
Overall verdict: 'Catholic and Orthodox match the patristic consensus' (which rejected Vigilantius)
4*
Patristic consensus
1*
Rejects veneration, Vigilantius's side in effect
0*
Art. XXII
0*
Closest column: 'Vigilantius's side'; overall verdict: 'revives an objection the patristic church rejected'
0*
Vigilantius's side
0*
Vigilantius's side
0*
Vigilantius's side
S19.5Scripture permits made images (cherubim) but forbids representing the invisible God; no T1–T2 support for images in worship; early evidence hostile (Epiphanius); settled for icons only in 787 (T4)Med–high (0.75)4*
Closest column: 'Nicaea II', the council the I1 verdict says settled the question in 787
4*
Closest column: 'Nicaea II (fullest)'
3*
Icons used; did not receive Nicaea II; Armenian iconophobic currents (to verify)
3
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S19.5 partly
1*
Homily against Peril of Idolatry, part 3: 'all images of Christ and his saints also were forbidden by God's word' in churches (verified)
1*
Departs column: 'Nicaea II', the settlement named in the I1 verdict
1*
1689 22.1: not worshipped 'under any visible representations'
1*
Rejects images in worship (Orthodox Creed, to verify)
1*
No images in worship
S19.6προσκύνησις/λατρεία distinction applied to images has no biblical warrant (Exod 20:5 forbids bowing to images) and no T1–T3 support; a T4 (7th–8th-c.) developmentMedium (0.5)3*
Follows Nicaea II, but the revised I2 verdict (proximity review) finds that applying the distinction to images is a T4 development with no T1–T3 support. The tradition matches one late strand only (rule 3).
3*
Same as Catholic: matches the T4 strand (Nicaea II), which has no T1–T3 support per the revised I2 verdict.
3*
Veneration practised (to verify)
2*
Rejects veneration (departs from T4) but agrees with the T1–T3 silence: mixed.
2*
Art. XXII: adoration of images 'a fond thing vainly invented'
2*
Rejects the T4 settlement but agrees with the T1–T3 silence on icon veneration: mixed (rule 2).
2*
1689 22.2: worship 'not to angels, saints, or any other creatures'
2*
No veneration
2*
No veneration
S19.7Real early opposition (Epiphanius)Medium (0.5)not assessednot assessednot assessednot assessed3*
The Homily against Peril of Idolatry, part 2, quotes Epiphanius tearing the painted curtain (verified)
3*
Closest column: 'Epiphanius', the early opposition named in I3; overall verdict: 'a real patristic foothold ... but not a consensus'
3*
Agrees with early opposition
3*
Agrees with early opposition
3*
Agrees with early opposition

Post-750 notes not tied to a question ID (shown for transparency, not scored unless marked *):
Catholic: close: Nicaea II
Lutheran: close: Memory of saints
Orthodox: close: Nicaea II (fullest)
Presbyterian: close: Epiphanius; departs: Nicaea II; close: Vigilantius's side

Penal substitution and satisfaction

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
S20.1Substitution widely presentHigh (1)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S20.1
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': Underplays S20.1 and S20.2
3*
Present (to verify)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S20.1
4*
Art. XXXI: 'perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction'
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S20.1
4*
1689 8.4–5
4*
SC 1660 art. 3: 'gave himself a ransome for all ... a propitiation'
3*
Dordrecht IV: 'yielded up as a sacrifice and offering'
S20.2Divine sentence/law satisfied; not honour-satisfaction or explicit wrath on the SonMedium (0.5)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S20.2
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': Underplays S20.1 and S20.2
3*
Not penal (to verify)
2*
Sharper penal accent than the fathers
4*
Art. II: 'a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for all actual sins'
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': S20.2
4*
1689 8.5: 'fully satisfied the justice of God'
4*
SC 1660 art. 3 propitiation
3*
Sacrifice, little penal precision (Dordrecht IV)

Post-750 notes not tied to a question ID (shown for transparency, not scored unless marked *):
Catholic: departs: Anselmic framework (1098)
Lutheran: departs: Sharper penal accent
Presbyterian: departs: Penal precision; departs: limited atonement

Mode of baptism

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
T04.1Immersion (threefold) is the norm; pouring permittedHigh (1)1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': T04.1 (pouring normal)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': T04.1 (immersion kept)
4*
Immersion kept (to verify)
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': T04.1 practice
4*
1662 rubric: the priest 'shall dip it in the Water discreetly and warily', 'But if they certify that the Child is weak, it shall suffice to pour Water upon it' (verified)
1
Listed under 'departs or sharpens on': T04.1
3*
1689 29.4: 'Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary' (immersion, but pouring not permitted)
3*
SC 1660 art. 11: 'Baptise (that is in English to Dip)'; Orthodox Creed 28 'by Immersion or Dipping' (OCR-verified)
2*
Dordrecht VII is silent on mode; Dutch Mennonite practice was pouring (to verify)

Atonement models beyond the core

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
T06.1Victory pervasive; devil-ransom disputed (Nyssa vs Nazianzen)High / low (0.25)3*
Affirmed, less central
3
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': T06.1 (verdict is split; this follows one patristic strand)
4*
Central in the Syriac and Coptic liturgies (to verify)
4*
Central in Luther
3*
Affirmed in the BCP collects
3*
Affirmed (WCF VIII)
3*
1689 8.10
3*
Affirmed (to verify article)
4*
Dordrecht IV: 'bruised the serpent's head, destroyed the works of the devil'
T06.2Recapitulation foundational, integrates the other motifsHigh (1)3*
Affirmed
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': T06.2
4*
Central (to verify)
3*
Affirmed
3*
Affirmed
3*
Federal Adam–Christ
3*
Federal Adam–Christ (1689 ch. 7)
3*
Adam–Christ (SC 1660 art. 10)
3*
Dordrecht III–IV: Christ restores the fallen race

Intermediate state

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
T09.1Conscious intermediate state (rest or affliction)High (1)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': T09.1
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': T09.1
4*
Affirmed (to verify)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': T09.1
4*
Affirmed
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': T09.1
4*
Affirmed
4*
Affirmed
4*
Affirmed

Final punishment

Category page · overall verdict

QVerdictConfidence (weight)CatholicOrthodoxOriental OrthodoxLutheranAnglicanPresbyterianReformed BaptistGeneral BaptistAnabaptist
T10.1Eternal punishment the consensus; restoration a real minority (Nyssa); annihilation negligible; 553 targets the Origenist systemHigh / medium (0.5)4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': T10.1
2*
Departs column: 'Openness to restoration among some (minority)'; the L5 verdict names restoration as a real patristic minority (Nyssa), and the overall verdict says 'L5 majority A, with tolerance of a minority hope'
4*
Eternal punishment (to verify)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': T10.1
4*
Athanasian Creed (Art. VIII)
4
Listed under 'closest to the fathers on': T10.1
4*
1689 32.2
4*
SC 1660 art. 21: 'An eternal Judgment'
4*
Dordrecht XVIII: 'everlasting pains of hell, where their worm shall not die'