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{{Christianity}}

{{Christianity}}

[[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 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 [[St. Augustine|Augustinian]] monk, priest, and professor of theology, he unintentionally launched the Protestant Reformation and founded the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Church]].]]

 

'''Protestantism''' is one of the three major divisions in [[Christendom]]; the others are [[Catholicism]] and the [[Eastern Orthodox]] Churches.   

'''Protestantism''' is one of the three major divisions in [[Christendom]]; the others are [[Catholicism]] and the [[Eastern Orthodox]] Churches.   

Protestantism began in Europe with the [[Reformation]] of the 16th century. Early leaders were [[Jan Hus]], [[Martin Luther]] and [[John Calvin]]. [[King Henry VIII]] in England led the church in his country out of communion with the Church of Rome. Although he opposed Protestant doctrines, his action in ending the Pope's role in England contributed to the advance of Protestantism under Henry's successors.  

Protestantism began in Europe with the [[Reformation]] of the 16th century. Early leaders were [[Jan Hus]], [[Martin Luther]] and [[John Calvin]]. [[King Henry VIII]] in England led the church in his country out of communion with the Church of Rome. Although he opposed Protestant doctrines, his action in ending the Pope's role in England contributed to the advance of Protestantism under Henry's successors.  

Protestant Christianity rejects the Roman Catholic belief that Christ founded the Catholic Church as his sole representative and rejects the notion that priests or saints have special access to the divine.  Although Protestantism accepts that Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ while still a virgin, they reject the teaching of her [[perpetual virginity]], and although she is greatly admired they do not elevate her to the status she holds within Catholicism.  

Protestant Christianity rejects the Roman Catholic belief that Christ founded the Catholic Church as his sole representative and rejects the notion that priests or saints have special access to the divine.  Although Protestantism accepts that Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ while still a virgin, they reject the teaching of her [[perpetual virginity]], and although she is greatly admired, they do not elevate her to the status she holds within Catholicism.  

Most Protestants stress their belief that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, although Quakers and Pentecostals believe in personal revelation as a factor in God's connection to believers.  Protestants reject the Catholic concept that Tradition—beliefs held consistently by the people of God since the time of the Apostles—is a second means (alongside Scripture) by which God reveals his will to the Church, nor do they accept Papal pronouncements as binding on all believers. With few exceptions, Protestant churches observe only two sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper; on the former Protestants differ between those who baptize infants and those who baptize children and adults), not the seven sacraments that the Catholic Church accepts.

Most Protestants stress their belief that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, although Quakers and Pentecostals believe in personal revelation as a factor in God's connection to believers.  Protestants reject the Catholic concept that Tradition—beliefs held consistently by the people of God since the time of the Apostles—is a second means (alongside Scripture) by which God reveals his will to the Church, nor do they accept Papal pronouncements as binding on all believers. With few exceptions, Protestant churches observe only two sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper; on the former, Protestants differ between those who baptize infants and those who baptize children and adults), not the seven sacraments that the Catholic Church accepts.

==Politics==

==Politics==

Europe was polarized by the Reformation, with most of northern Europe becoming Protestant while most of the Mediterranean regions remained loyal to the Roman Catholic Church. In the mid-sixteenth century, the Catholic Church struck back with a [[Counter-Reformation]] that is considered to be responsible for keeping such areas as Italy, France and Poland in the Catholic fold.  

Europe was polarized by the Reformation, with most of northern Europe becoming Protestant while most of the Mediterranean regions remained loyal to the Roman Catholic Church. In the mid-sixteenth century, the Catholic Church struck back with a [[Counter-Reformation]] that is considered to be responsible for keeping such areas as Italy, France and Poland in the Catholic fold.  

Religious wars broke out, the worst being the [[Thirty Years War]] (1618-1648) that devastated much of Germany and neighboring areas. By 1648 a compromise was reached such that, in the Holy Roman Empire, the religion of the Prince determined the official religion of the people.  Nevertheless, religious strife continued in Germany as late as the 1870s in the [[Kulturkampf]], and in [[Ireland]] into the late 20th century.

Religious wars broke out, the worst being the [[Thirty Years War]] (1618-1648) that devastated much of Germany and neighboring areas. By 1648, a compromise was reached such that, in the Holy Roman Empire, the religion of the Prince determined the official religion of the people.  Nevertheless, religious strife continued in Germany as late as the 1870s in the [[Kulturkampf]], and in [[Ireland]] into the late 20th century.

==Missions==

==Missions==

==Numbers and Distribution in 1900==

==Numbers and Distribution in 1900==

In terms of Europe, Due to the history of the Protestant [[Reformation]], significant Protestant populations can be found in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, the northern part of Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the east, north and west of Switzerland.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/adh_predom.html Predominant religions], Adherence.com</ref>

In terms of Europe, due to the history of the Protestant [[Reformation]], significant Protestant populations can be found in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, the northern part of Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the east, north and west of Switzerland.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/adh_predom.html Predominant religions], Adherence.com</ref>

In addition, one of the most striking facts in the history of Protestantism during the 19th century was its great expansion in North America.<ref>This section is based on [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc09.protestantism.html?highlight=schleiermacher#highlight F. Kattenbusch and Arthur C. A. Hall, "Protestantism" in ''New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge,'' (1911) Vol. IX]</ref> The United States by 1910 had the largest Protestant population of any land—from 65,000,000 to 66,000,000 (out of a total population of 79,000,000),<ref>According to the estimate of H. K. Carroll in W. D. Grant, ed. ''Christendom Anno Domini 1901'', (1902), i. 530–531</ref> which is based upon the census of 1900. Britain probably comes next with 38,000,000 Protestants (total population 42,500,000) and Germany third with somewhat more than 35,000,000 (total population 56,000,000).<ref>H. Zeller's figures for the Eastern Church are 106,480,000, Orthodox; 8,130,000 "other [Eastern] Christians."; H. A. Krose, gives Greek Orthodox 109,000,000l schismatic Orientals, 6,554,913; Raskolniks (Russian dissenters), 2,173,371.  Roman Catholics 265,000,000; Eastern Church 117,000,000.</ref>  

In addition, one of the most striking facts in the history of Protestantism during the 19th century was its great expansion in North America.<ref>This section is based on [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc09.protestantism.html?highlight=schleiermacher#highlight F. Kattenbusch and Arthur C. A. Hall, "Protestantism" in ''New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge,'' (1911) Vol. IX]</ref> The United States by 1910 had the largest Protestant population of any land—from 65,000,000 to 66,000,000 (out of a total population of 79,000,000),<ref>According to the estimate of H. K. Carroll in W. D. Grant, ed. ''Christendom Anno Domini 1901'', (1902), i. 530–531</ref> which is based upon the census of 1900. Britain probably comes next with 38,000,000 Protestants (total population 42,500,000) and Germany third with somewhat more than 35,000,000 (total population 56,000,000).<ref>H. Zeller's figures for the Eastern Church are 106,480,000, Orthodox; 8,130,000 "other [Eastern] Christians."; H. A. Krose, gives Greek Orthodox 109,000,000 schismatic Orientals, 6,554,913; Raskolniks (Russian dissenters), 2,173,371.  Roman Catholics 265,000,000; Eastern Church 117,000,000.</ref>  

According to ''Slate'', "Protestant Christianity has been the fastest growing religion in [[China]]."<ref>[http://www.slate.com/bigideas/what-is-the-future-of-religion/essays-and-opinions/fenggang-yang-opinion When Will China Become the World’s Largest Christian Country?], Slate</ref>  [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christianity]] is especially growing sharply in China.<ref>[https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2015/0111/In-China-a-church-state-showdown-of-biblical-proportions In China, a church-state showdown of biblical proportions]</ref>  See: [[Growth of Christianity in China]]

According to ''Slate'', "Protestant Christianity has been the fastest growing religion in [[China]]."<ref>[http://www.slate.com/bigideas/what-is-the-future-of-religion/essays-and-opinions/fenggang-yang-opinion When Will China Become the World’s Largest Christian Country?], Slate</ref>  [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christianity]] is especially growing sharply in China.<ref>[https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2015/0111/In-China-a-church-state-showdown-of-biblical-proportions In China, a church-state showdown of biblical proportions]</ref>  See: [[Growth of Christianity in China]]