PROTESTANTISM�COMPARATIVE THEOLOGY
CONTEXT
MARTIN LUTHER
1517AD
95 THESIS
JOHN CALVIN
1509-1564AD
HENRY VIII
1491-1547AD
SUPREME HEAD OF CHURCH OF ENGLAND
Started as an attempt to reform the Catholic Church which at the time suffered from several corrupted doctrines and practices including the teaching and sale of indulgences (was sold to release a sinner from punishment in Purgatory before going to Heaven) and the buying and selling of church possessions.
It began when Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk and professor at the university of Wittenberg, called in 1517 for reopening of the debate on the sale of indulgences.
Protestant Reformation began in Europe in 1517
Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, which served as a notice board for university-related announcements. These were points for debate that criticized the Church and the Pope.
Luther's dissent marked a sudden outbreak of a new and irresistible force of discontent which had been pushed underground but not resolved.
In the early stages of Reformation, following the excommunication of Luther, came the work and writings of John Calvin which were influential in establishing a loose consensus among various groups in Switzerland, Scotland, Hungary, Germany and elsewhere.
BASIC BELIEFS/FOUNDATION
The Five Solas: five Latin phrases (or slogans) that emerged during the Protestant Reformation and summarize the Reformers' basic theological beliefs in contradiction to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church of the day.
The Latin word sola means "alone," "only," or "single" in English.
The Five Solas were believed to be the only doctrines needed for salvation.
Listing them as such explicitly excluded other doctrines that Protestants believed hindered salvation.
The 5 Solas not bad teachings but just incomplete ones (misses the mark).
Based on what was happening in the Catholic church at the time these reforms come from a place of wanting the church to be reformed from its wrong ways (good intentions)*
THE 5 SOLAS
Solus Christus: Christ Alone
01
Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone
02
Sola Fide: Faith Alone
03
Sola Gratia: Grace Alone
04
Soli Deo gloria: Glory to God Alone
05
1. SOLA CHRISTUS (CHRIST ALONE)
Protestants see the dogma concerning the Pope as Christ's representative head of the Church on earth, the concept of works having a bearing on salvation, and the idea of veneration of the saints, as a denial that Christ is the only mediator between God and man.
IS IT INCOMPLETE: CHRIST ALONE?
As Ephesians 2:19-20 says “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,”
Protestants believe that the doctrines of Apostolic churches obscure Bible teaching by convoluting it with church history and doctrine.
Specifically oral tradition and teachings of the Fathers are rejected as human tradition and not authoritative.
2. SOLA SCRIPTURA (SCRIPTURE ALONE)
IS IT INCOMPLETE: SCRIPTURE ALONE?
It is true to say that Scripture is infallible and authoritative. However, not all that Christ taught to the Apostles is in Scripture. Moreover, the Holy Spirit has never stopped protecting and guiding the Church.
Acts 1:3 says “ to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Jesus taught the disciples after the resurrection, was it written down?
Therefore, the writings, traditions, and dogmas of the historical Church help to maintain the teachings of the Apostles as well as define doctrine and Biblical interpretation. See 2 Timothy 2:2
The church and church fathers were those who originally compiled the books of the Bible together that protestants now use.
Protestants believe that faith in Christ alone is enough for eternal salvation as described in Ephesians 2:8-9, whereas Apostolic churches believe that the phrases "faith without works is dead" (as stated in James 2:20) and "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." (James 2:24); points to salvation needing to be earned.
Protestants, pointing to the same bit of scripture, believe that practicing good works attests to one's faith in Christ and his teachings.
3. SOLA FIDE (FAITH ALONE)
IS IT INCOMPLETE: FAITH ALONE?
It is true that any good works we do are nothing compared to the magnitude of our sins. Therefore, we are saved through our trusting in Christs salvific work.
However, Christian is called beyond just trust, into obedience to Christs commandments. A faith that produces nothing is incredibly disordered. As Christ said to His disciples in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments. ”
The Reformers posited that salvation is a gift of God (i.e., God's act of free grace), dispensed by the Holy Spirit owing to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ alone, and not depending on good works.
Synergism. (grace and work) posed a problem to their belief
4. SOLA GRATIA (GRACE ALONE)
IS IT INCOMPLETE: GRACE ALONE?
Salvation was, is being, and will be accomplished by the Holy Trinity, so it is true to say that salvation is by grace. However, Scripture shows that God consistently works in history through partnerships with willing persons.
The Christian must cooperate with grace, this includes the Sacraments, which Christ instituted as visible means of His grace. As Ephesians 2:10 says: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Just as someone might give you a gift the person must also accept and receive it, our relationship with God is two ways, depending on our response.
All glory is due to God alone
The reformers believed that human beings, even saints canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, the popes, and the ecclesiastical hierarchy, are not worthy of the glory that was accorded them.
5. SOLI DEO GLORIA (GLORY TO GOD ALONE)
IS IT INCOMPLETE: GLORY TO GOD ALONE?
Honour, glory, and worship is due to God. God has accomplished our salvation so that we may glorify and love Him. However, praise given to the saints does not detract from God, it enhances His glory.
As Psalm 16:3 says, “As for the saints who are on the earth, They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
HOW ARE WE THE SAME?�HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT?
SAME
We are fellow Christians!
DIFFERENT
It depends but main:
Secondary :
WE DON’T KNOW HOW MANY THERE ARE
MOST COMMON OBJECTIONS AND ANSWERS
Intercession and veneration of saints:
THEY WILL USE: 1 John 1:1-2 and 1 Timothy 2:5, Exodus 20:1-4
YOU CAN REFERENCE: Luke 20:34-38, Hebrews 12:1, 1 King 7:27-37, Exodus 25:10-11
And the multitude of instances in the Bible where people pray for each other in the Bible
The efficacy of baptism and the eucharist:
YOU CAN REFERENCE: John 6, Mark 16:16,
You can also discuss the practices of the early church and how they believed that Christ is present in the Body and Blood
St. Ignatius of Antioch, who was born about the year of Jesus’ death and resurrection, writes this in his letter to the Romans: “there is a water that lives and speaks within me, saying, ‘Come to the Father.’ I have no desire for corruptible food or for the pleasures of this life. I want the bread of God that is the flesh of Jesus Christ, of David’s seed, and I want his blood as my drink that is love incorruptible.” (Mystery of the Altar by K.J. Howell & J. Crownwood, p373)
St. Justin Martyr about 50 years later in writing to the emperor says, “…we are taught that the food that is made the Eucharist by the prayer of His word is, in fact, the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.” (Ibid, p157)
MOST COMMON OBJECTIONS AND ANSWERS
The efficacy of baptism and the eucharist:
“St. Cyril of Jerusalem reminded them that “you have been taught and you are firmly convinced that what looks and tastes like bread and wine is not bread and wine but the body and the blood of Christ” (Catechetical Lecture 22).”
MOST COMMON OBJECTIONS AND ANSWERS
Apostolic succession:
CONCLUSION
Learning about Protestantism really helps us also understand the reason for what we do as well like the sacraments, veneration etc. It helps us in the future to also speak to people who may have the incomplete understanding
Keep digging and learning!