Difference between revisions of "Protestantism"
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'''Protestant''' is one of the three major divisions in [[Christendom]] that traces their heritage back to the [[Western Church]]. Other divisions include [[Catholicism]] and the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. | '''Protestant''' is one of the three major divisions in [[Christendom]] that traces their heritage back to the [[Western Church]]. Other divisions include [[Catholicism]] and the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. | ||
| − | The founding of Protestantism has its origins in the [[European]] [[Reformation]]. | + | The founding of Protestantism has its origins in the [[European]] [[Reformation]] and its rejection of the false [[doctrine]]s and [[malpractice]]s within the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Those included the teaching and sale of [[indulgences]], the buying and selling of church positions and the systemic [[corruption]], which even reached to the position of the [[Pope]], devotion to [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and the [[saint]]s rather than true [[Christianity]] which is a matter of inward devotion to [[faith]] and [[God]] rather than outward symbols of ceremony and ritual, rejection of the [[authority]] of the [[Pope]] because the only true authority is the [[Bible]] which Protestants made available to all by publication of the Bible in the common language and universal education. The unnatural mandatory [[celibacy]] of the [[clergy]] (including monasticism) was also rejected. |
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| + | Notable events: | ||
:[[Martin Luther]]'s nailing of [[The 95 Theses]] to the church doors in [[Wittenberg]] on October 31, 1517 | :[[Martin Luther]]'s nailing of [[The 95 Theses]] to the church doors in [[Wittenberg]] on October 31, 1517 | ||
:In [[England]], by decree of King [[Henry VIII]] in 1533. | :In [[England]], by decree of King [[Henry VIII]] in 1533. | ||
Revision as of 00:21, January 7, 2008
Protestant is one of the three major divisions in Christendom that traces their heritage back to the Western Church. Other divisions include Catholicism and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The founding of Protestantism has its origins in the European Reformation and its rejection of the false doctrines and malpractices within the Roman Catholic Church. Those included the teaching and sale of indulgences, the buying and selling of church positions and the systemic corruption, which even reached to the position of the Pope, devotion to Mary and the saints rather than true Christianity which is a matter of inward devotion to faith and God rather than outward symbols of ceremony and ritual, rejection of the authority of the Pope because the only true authority is the Bible which Protestants made available to all by publication of the Bible in the common language and universal education. The unnatural mandatory celibacy of the clergy (including monasticism) was also rejected.
Notable events:
- Martin Luther's nailing of The 95 Theses to the church doors in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517
- In England, by decree of King Henry VIII in 1533.
- John Knox, inspired by John Calvin and aided by many martyrs, liberated Scotland from the yoke of Rome in 1560.
Protestants are the largest Christian division in the United States of America.
In the United States, denominations in the Protestant division include:
- Anglican
- Lutheran
- Presbyterian
- Reformed
- Anabaptist
- Baptist
- Episcopal Church in the United States of America
- Mennonite
- Amish
- Methodist
- Brethren
- Pentecostal
- Society of Friends ("Quakers")
- Holiness
- Restoration Movement
- Adventist