Protestantism
A real story
How did we
arrive here?
During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church was the dominant in Western Europe
Without a common government in Europe, the Catholic Pope became an important political leader
On the manor, priests were powerful because the controlled peoples’ access to heaven by delivering the sacraments & absolving sins
One of the most corrupt church practices was the selling of indulgences
Indulges began as a �way for people to repent for their sins through good works
But rather than requiring good deeds, church leaders began selling indulgence certificates as a way of raising money
In the 1300s, Reformers like John Wycliffe & priest Jan Hus attacked corruptions like indulges, said that the Bible (not the Pope) was the ultimate authority on Christianity, & wanted church teachings in the local languages not Latin
Title
Catholic leaders responded to these criticisms by excommunicating Wycliffe & Hus
The Protestant Reformation
By the early 1500s, the Catholic Church was in turmoil over the controversy �of corruption & �its unwillingness to adopt reforms
In Germany, a Catholic monk named Martin Luther became involved in a serious dispute with the Catholic Church
Martin Luther
As a young boy in Germany, Luther was going to become a lawyer, but after he nearly died in a thunderstorm he vowed to become a Catholic priest
In 1517, Martin Luther wrote a list of arguments against church practices called the “Ninety-Five Theses”
He posted the Ninety-Five Theses on the church door in the town of Wittenberg & welcomed debate of his ideas
Quotes by Martin Luther
God never remits guilt to anyone without, at the same time, making him humbly submissive to the priest, His representative (95 Thesis)
… A simple layman armed with Scripture is to be believed above a pope or a council without it.…Neither the Church nor the pope can establish articles of faith. These must come from Scripture. For the sake of Scripture we should reject pope and councils.. (Sola Scriptura)
This faith alone, when based upon the sure promises of God, must save us; as our text clearly explains. And in the light of it all, they must become fools who have taught us other ways to become godly (Sola Fide)
(on faith and coming to Christ)
John Calvin (1509-1564)
Believed in predestination (God had predetermined who would obtain salvation)
Government should be in the hands of religious leaders (a theocracy) and society should be governed by strict laws of morality.
Henry VIII(1491 -1547)
Took the decision that England was no longer under the authority of the pope.
Called himself “Supreme Head of the Church of England”
Established the Anglican Church
“It is this idea of the personal interpretation of Scripture which as directly led to the great variety of Protestant groups. Even the most bizarre and unusual beliefs and practices are justified as being found in the Bible”. (Fr. Peter Farrington)
A more complicated picture
The councils
Orthodoxy vs. Protestantism
Topic | Orthodox | Protestant |
Apostolic Succession | This is an important part of Orthodox belief and ensures continuity with the church that Christ founded. | With the exception of the Anglicans and some Lutherans, this idea is rejected. Rather it is important to emphasise continuity of teaching with that of the apostles, rather than a direct line of succession. |
Bible - Composition of | Accept the 39 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books, but also a collection of books not found in the original Hebrew Bible. These are known asDeuterocanonicals i.e. a second canon of scripture. | Protestants reject the deuterocanonicals as not being inspired scripture and term them Apocrypha(Greek: 'Hidden Things'). |
Clergy - Qualification for | Priests and Bishops must be male, but deaconesses are permitted, though the order is dormant. Priests and deacons may marry before ordination but not after. Bishops, on the other hand, must be celibate | The majority of Protestants do not require celibacy as a condition of election to the clergy. Many churches practice female ordination |
Eucharist - Significance of | This makes present Christ's sacrifice and therefore forgiveness of sins is obtained through it. It is also an encounter with the Risen Christ. | The Eucharist, like Baptism is only a symbol of grace. The sacrificial nature of the Eucharist is also rejected. |
Orthodoxy vs. Protestantism
Topic | Orthodox | Protestant |
Eucharist - Presence of Christ in | The bread and the wine: They then change into the actual body and blood of Christ. The precise way in which this happens is a divine mystery. | The bread and wine, being symbols, do not change substance. (Except Anglican) |
Holy Spirit | The third person of the Trinity, proceeding from the Father alone as in the original Nicene Creed | The Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son. |
Marriage and Divorce | Marriage is a mystical union between a man and a woman. Divorce is generally only allowed in cases of adultery, though there are exceptions | Marriage is a contract, but is not unbreakable. Divorce is discouraged, but permitted as evidence of human weakness. Some denominations permit remarriage in church. |
St. Mary - Position of | St. Mary is venerated asTheotokos (Greek: 'God-bearer'). By this is meant that the son she bore was God in human form. She is first amongst the saints and 'ever-virgin'. | St. Mary was a holy woman who was chosen to bear the Son of God. Her perpetual virginity and intercession are denied. |
Orthodoxy vs. Protestantism
Topic | Orthodox | Protestant |
Sacraments | There are at least seven Sacraments known as 'Mysteries' in Orthodoxy: | Generally, only two sacraments (also known asOrdinances) are recognised: Baptism and the Eucharist |
Sacraments - Effect of | The Mysteries convey grace to those who participate in them worthily. | There is a diverse range of opinions, but many Protestants regard the Sacraments as symbols or reminders of Grace already given. |
Saints | A special group of holy people, who are venerated. They may act as intercessors between God and Man and may be invoked in praye | All Christians are saints, called to imitate Christ. Only Christ may mediate between God and Man. |
Salvation | Salvation is "faith working through love" and should be seen as a life long process. (Faith + Work) | Salvation is the free and unmerited gift of God to man. It is obtained by grace through faith in Christ alone. |
For more info go to :
Christiantyinview.com
www.st-takla.org
The main denominations
We meet in our missions
Lutheran
Anglican/Episcopal
Presbyterian
Methodist
Baptist
Pentecostal(Charismatic)
The worship was exciting, it satisfied the natural appetites. It was like chocolate or a fast food burger. But a McDonald’s Burger is attractive in a harmful way. A bar of chocolate is attractive, but if that is my diet I will die!
(Fr. Peter Farrington)
Zionism (Cults)
Non- denominational
Not Christian
1870
1830
1830
Division in Today’s world
Example of weird translations
Matthew 6: 9-13
With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes. !!!!!!!!!!!
So How can we deal
in missions??
P R O T E S T
Thank you