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{{Christianity}}

{{Christianity}}

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

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

Protestantism began in the European  [[Reformation]] of the 16th century, especially with such reformers as [[Martin Luther]] and [[John Calvin]], as well as [[King Henry VIII]] in England.  

Protestantism began in Europe with the [[Reformation]] of the 16th century. Early leaders were [[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.

 

 

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. With few exceptions, Protestant churches observe two sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper), and not the seven sacraments that the Catholic Church accepts.

==Politics==

==Politics==

Europe was polarized by the Reformation, with the Catholics striking back with a [[Counter-Reformation]] that held key states such as Italy, France and Poland for Catholicism. 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 the religion of the Prince determined the 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.

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.

 

==Missions==

==Missions==

Each Protestant denomination launched missionary activity to spread the gospel, and they competed with each other and with Catholic missions.  

Each Protestant denomination launched missionary activity to spread the gospel, and they competed with each other and with Catholic missions.  

The greatest successes came in the United States, where a series of [[Great Awakening]] converted most of the people to Protestantism by 1860, and in Africa, where Protestantism grew rapidly in the 20th century, as it did in South Korea.

The greatest successes came in the United States, where a series of revivals called the first and second [[Great Awakening]]s resulted in many converts to various Protestant churches by 1860, and in Africa and South Korea, where Protestantism grew rapidly throughout the 20th century.

==Numbers and Distribution in 1900==

==Numbers and Distribution in 1900==

One of the most striking facts in the history of Protestantism in 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>  

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>  

'''Reformed Protestantism in 1900:'''     

'''Reformed Protestantism in 1900:'''     

== Impact ==

== Impact ==

Protestants made the Bible available to all by publication of the Bible in the common language and universal education. The mandatory [[celibacy]] of the [[clergy]] (including monasticism) was also rejected.

Protestants made the Bible available to all persons through publication of the Scriptures in the common language and by promoting universal education. The mandatory [[celibacy]] of the [[clergy]] (including monasticism) was rejected, resulting in married clergy becoming the norm in Protestant churches. Unordained persons were permitted more voice in church affairs and in the worship services themselves. Some historians have also contended that Protestantism played an important factor in the growth of Democracy and Capitalism.

==Notable events==

==Notable events==

* [[Martin Luther]]'s nailing of [[The 95 Theses]] to the church doors in [[Wittenberg]] on October 31, 1517; Luther was the spiritual leader of [[Lutheranism]], which came to dominate much of Germany and all of Scandinavia

* [[Martin Luther]]'s nailing of [[The 95 Theses]] to the church door in [[Wittenberg]] on October 31, 1517. Luther became the spiritual leader of the Evangelical movement later called [[Lutheranism]], which came to dominate much of Germany and all of Scandinavia

* In [[England]], by decree of King [[Henry VIII]] in 1533.  

* [[King Henry VIII]]'s asserting the independence of the English church from Papal control in 1533. Under Henry's successors, Edward VI and Elizabeth I, the English Church became Protestant, although it retained the Catholic system of governance by bishops.  

* [[John Knox]], inspired by [[John Calvin]] and aided by many [[Martyrs' Monument|martyr]]s, took [[Scotland]] into the [[Presbyterian]] fold in 1560.   

 

* [[John Knox]]'s leading of [[Scotland]] into the [[Presbyterian]] faith in 1560. He was a follower of [[John Calvin]] (and was aided by many [[Martyrs' Monument|martyr]]s).   

== Protestantism in the United States ==

== Protestantism in the United States ==

Protestants are the largest Christian division in the United States.  There are two main groupings, the more conservative [[Evangelical Christians]] and the more liberal [[Mainline]] denominations. Many of the Evangelicals incline to [[Fundamentalism]], but the lines are blurry.

Protestants represent the largest Christian division in the United States.  There are two main groupings, the more conservative [[Evangelical Christians]] and the more liberal [[Mainline]] denominations. Many of the Evangelicals incline to [[Fundamentalism]], but the the terms are often used casually and inconsistently.

In the United States, there are over 200 denominations. The largest include:

There are over 200 major denominations in the United States. Among the larger groupings are:

*[[Baptist]]

*[[Baptist]]

*[[Presbyterian]]

*[[Presbyterian]]

*[[Reformed]]

*[[Reformed]]

*[[Episcopal Church in the United States of America]], also called the Protestant Episcopal Church of the U.S.

*[[Episcopal Church]]*

*[[United Church of Christ]]  

*[[Disciples of Christ]]

*[[Disciples of Christ]]

*[[Church of Christ]] (Evangelical/fundamentalist)

*[[Churches of Christ]] (Evangelical/fundamentalist)

*[[Pentecostalism]] (Evangelical/fundamentalist)

*[[Pentecostalism]] (Evangelical/fundamentalist)

*[[Assemblies of God]] (Evangelical/fundamentalist)  

*[[Assemblies of God]] (Evangelical/fundamentalist)  

*[[Amish]]

*[[Amish]]

*[[Brethren]]

*[[Brethren]]

*[[Religious Society of Friends|Quakers]]  

*[[Religious Society of Friends|Quaker]]  

*[[Unitarianism|Unitarians]]

*[[Unitarianism|Unitarian]]

 

The [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]] (Mormons) considers itself Christian but not Protestant.

The [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints]] (Mormons) considers itself Christian but not Protestant.