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[[File:Martin Luther by Cranach-restoration.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[Martin Luther]] was one of the most important leaders in [[Christian]] and [[Germany|German]] history. An Augustinian monk, priest, and professor of theology, he unintentionally launched the [[Protestantism|Protestant Reformation]] and founded the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Church]].]]

[[File:Martin Luther by Cranach-restoration.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[Martin Luther]] was one of the most important leaders in [[Christian]] and [[Germany|German]] history. An Augustinian monk, priest, and professor of theology, he unintentionally launched the [[Protestantism|Protestant Reformation]] and founded the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Church]].]]

"Protestants" opposed the buying and selling of church positions and the systemic corruption they saw in the Church of the time, which even reached to the position of the [[Pope]]. They were opposed to what they considered to be excessive devotion directed towards [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and the saints rather than true Biblical Christianity seen as a matter of inward devotion.

"Protestants" opposed the buying and selling of church positions and the systemic corruption they saw in the Church of the time, which even reached to the position of the [[Pope]]. They were opposed to what they considered to be excessive devotion directed towards [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and the saints rather than true Biblical Christianity seen as a matter of inward devotion.

Most of the early Protestants wanted less in the way of outward symbols of ceremony and ritual and rejected the authority of the Pope (because they believed the only true authority to be the [[Bible]]). The various Protestant churches wanted the Bible to be available to all by publishing it in the common language and by promoting universal education. The mandatory [[celibacy]] of the [[clergy]] and monasticism were rejected, along with the Catholic use of images in church buildings, priestly vestments, and many of the Catholic Church's festival days. Instead, Protestantism emphasized a new participation in public worship services by the members of the congregation. Congregational singing became a feature of Protestantism, unlike Catholic worship. The wine in Communion was distributed to the congregants, no longer being reserved for the priest as had been Catholic practice. And in most churches, the congregation was empowered to select its own ministers rather than have them chosen, in Catholic fashion, by the bishop.  

Most of the early Protestants wanted less in the way of outward symbols of ceremony and ritual and rejected the authority of the Pope (because they believed the only true authority to be the [[Bible]]). The various Protestant churches wanted the Bible to be available to all by publishing it in the common language and by promoting universal education. The mandatory [[celibacy]] of the [[clergy]] and monasticism were rejected, along with the Catholic use of images in church buildings, priestly vestments, and many of the Catholic Church's festival days. Instead, Protestantism emphasized a new participation in public worship services by the members of the congregation. Congregational singing became a feature of Protestantism, unlike Catholic worship. The wine in Communion was distributed to the congregants, no longer being reserved for the priest as had been Catholic practice. And in most churches, the congregation was empowered to select its own ministers rather than have them chosen, in Catholic fashion, by the bishop.

==History==

==History==

*[[Indulgences]]

*[[Indulgences]]

*[[John Calvin]]

*[[John Calvin]]

*[[Ulrich Swingli]]

*[[Ulrich Zwingli]]

*[[John Knox]]

*[[John Knox]]

*[[Martin Luther]]

*[[Martin Luther]]

*[[Huguenots]], Protestant in France

*[[Huguenots]], Protestant in France

*[[Church of England]]

*[[Church of England]]

==See also==

==See also==

*[[Bogomil: Bogomilism]]

*[[Bogomil: Bogomilism]]

*[[Cathar]]

*[[Cathar]]

*[[Andreas Rudolf Bodenstein von Carlstadt]]

*[[Andreas Rudolf Bodenstein von Carlstadt]]

*[[Ex opere operato and ex opere operantis]]

*[[Ex opere operato and ex opere operantis]]

*[[Revelation, Book of (historical exegesis)]]

*[[Revelation, Book of (historical exegesis)]]

==Further reading==

==Further reading==