Protestant History

Protestant History questions and answers

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Q: What is the history of protestant and catholic animosity?
it seems that both sides dont like each other for what they believe in? aren't they both christain though? what are the differences that make such divisions?

A: Protestants sepparated due to differences in their belief of the idolitry in churches and Luther. In several countries with a majority of the population identifying themselves as Catholic, there is a hostility to Protestantism as a whole . This distaste with Protestantism is often religious in nature, but in some areas, such as Northern Ireland, it is the unfortunate result of a battle of the European religious wars having been fought there, which polarised the people on religious and political grounds. In more modern times, with the growth in ecumenism among Protestants in the mid-twentieth century and with the advent of Vatican II, Catholic-Protestant relations have grown calmer. Nevertheless, in general the further a Protestant sect is from Catholicism in its doctrine, the more discomfort may arise among Catholic people. Anglicans and Lutherans are only sporadically viewed in a negative light in modern Catholic countries. However, a Zogby poll of American Catholics showed Catholics having a more hostile attitude toward Fundamentalist Evangelical Protestants than to any non-Christian religion. It is also the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church that Protestant faiths do not contain the fullness of truth. Most modern Catholics would indicate this does not make them outright false or negative, but merely less true. There are, however, Catholics, especially Traditionalist Catholics who deem Protestantism to be a rejection of "the one true faith", and thus in a state of mortal sin. Recently, the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification a document created by and agreed to by clerical representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation as a result of extensive ecumenical dialogue, substantially resolved the conflict over the nature of justification (dealing colloquially with the issue of faith and works) which was a major issue at the root of the Protestant Reformation. The churches acknowledged that the excommunications relating to the doctrine of justification set forth by the Roman Catholic Council of Trent do not apply to the teachings of the Lutheran churches set forth in the text; likewise, the churches acknowledged that the condemnations set forth in the Lutheran Confessions do not apply to the Catholic teachings on justification set forth in the document. According to Luther, salvation was attainable only by faith in Jesus as the messiah, a faith unmediated by the church. Anti-Protestantism originated in a reaction by the Catholic Church against the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. Protestants were denounced as heretics and subject to persecution in those territories, such as Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, in which the Catholics were the dominant power. This movement was orchestrated by Popes and Princes as the Counter Reformation. This resulted in religious wars and eruptions of sectarian hatred such as the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre. They don't like each other due to political differences between catholic and protestant nations.

Q: How did the renaissace or protestant reformation change the world/ history?
just some ideas to help me w/ essay. also causes of the two events above...

A: The renaissance was a rebirth of learning and teaching and art and stuff like that. Back then you had the ninja turtles: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael painting and sculpting and designing. So, a lot of new ideas and different ways to look at things appeared. I believe it was da Vinci who designed a very early version of the helicoptor. So a lot of new perspectives were coming into play. The protestant reformation was when Martin Luther (not MLK) broke away from the Catholic Church and started his own Christian religion, Lutheranism. He challenged the Catholic Church's power and questioned their methods. Example: Catholic priests used to wait until someone made a "donation" to the church before helping them. If Luther had not decided to break away from the Catholic Church, there may not be any Baptist churches, First Assembly of God churches, or anything like that. All the churches would be Catholic. Luther also inspired other people to form their own religions separate from Catholicism. Calvinism is one religion that was inspired by him.

Q: history question...name and describe the underlying causes of the Protestant Reformation of the 16th Century??
this question is for those history buffs out there: please, Name and describe the underlying causes of the Protestant Reformation of the 16th Century. Thanks! p.s.- i need atleast 4. thanks again!

A: The Church was in desperate need of reform, but only a few reforms over many centuries actually worked. One of these was the ban on clerical marriage. Priests had to abide by this, but bishops and cardinals, who were ordinarily aristocrats, kept mistresses and had "nephews" instead of sons. Many women sent into nunneries were sent there because they were surplus family members - too ugly to marry, too old (28 was considered too old back then), or too poor to have a dowry. Many of these ladies were quite unhappy with living like nuns, and took lovers. This was very scandalous and was believed to be a much worse problem than it actually was. To call the Church greedy and grasping is an understatement. It constantly sought new ways to raise funds for the building of cathedrals and for political purposes such as bribes and the patronage of art. Some of these ways of raising money were weird - for instance the Church claimed that since the saints had lived such virtuous lives that the saints in Heaven had acquired a super abundance of virtue. Since the Pope had the keys to heaven, he could authorize agents to sell certificates of indulgences, which forgave past and future sins based on the merit of the saints. Quite a few thinkers thought this was totally bogus, among them Martin Luther, a very angry professor. Martin Luther went to Rome and was horrified by the corruption he saw there - Rome had a huge population of prostitutes catering to all the priests and Vatican officials. He also thought the building of cathedrals such as St. Peter's was a total waste of money. People in Germany in general resented seeing their money flow south to Rome; how much better to keep it in Germany? This idea appealed very powerfully to the barons, who could keep the tithes for themselves. In addition there had been popular demand for centuries to have the Bible translated into common languages, since only a few people could read Latin. It was actually illegal for common people to own a Bible. Luther did a hack job of translating the New Testament into German, but it was a huge success, and thanks to the new invention of the printing press books had suddenly become much cheaper. Pedophilia and the sexual abuse of parishoners by priests has been a problem for hundreds of years. Many people thought that if priests were married that these crimes would stop. This was naieve, but the idea appealed to many, not least to Martin Luther, who quickly married a nun. In England at just about the same time the tyrant Henry the VII, who must have had very poor quality sperm, could not conceive a son with his wife. So he concocted a pretext to divorce her (she had first been married to his older brother Arthur, but Arthur died before the marriage could be consecrated). In one place in the Bible it is forbidden to marry your brother's wife, in another place it is commanded. Henry sought permission from the Pope to divorce his wife, but couldn't get it, so he divorced her anyway and took a succession of wives and mistresses, some of whom he beheaded and none of whom bore him a living son. Henry then decided to seize all the church property in England and call it his own; he then sold these properties to the highest bidders, greatly increasing his own wealth. Other monarchs saw this and did the same. Henry also declared himself the head of the English Church, and broke with the Pope permanently. This was the origin of the Anglican Church. Luther wasn't finished yet. Catholics believed in the seven deadly sins: lust, anger, pride, envy, sloth, gluttony and greed. But they also taught the seven corporal acts of mercy: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting those in prison, burying the dead, and so forth. Catholics got to heaven by being good (the Jews believed this too) and also by the grace of God. Luther denied that good works had anything to do with it, denied the existence of saints, and insisted that people were fundamentally flawed and wicked and that only the undeserving grace of God could possibly save you. This meant that there were only a small number of people chosen to go to heaven; naturally these were the Protestants, and boy didn't this make them feel superior. Luther instigated a peasant revolt and then turned on the peasants and advocated lopping off their heads without mercy. Mercy was not a character trait of Luther's. He was also crudely anti-Semitic, and the Nazis made good use of his slanders of the Jews. In medieval Europe, there were so many saint's days that nearly a third of the year was devoted to religious holidays. Luther thought this a terrible waste of labor. With no saints left, there were no more religious holidays except Sunday, and so now people had to work all the time, except on Sunday, when they were supposed to listen to four hour sermons. Quite a guy, that Luther.

Q: Why were the Protestant and Catholic reformations important turning points in European history?


A: The religious movements were reflections of social anxiety with the time. Catholicism was very strong throughout Europe but with the arrival of humanism people started to challenge the preconceived ideas of religion. Do some research into John Locke, Calvinism, and Martin Luther, Johan Tetzel to find what you are looking for. This religious divide led to the Thirty Years War- remember to think of the implications of that war.

Q: how was the protestant ethic important to history?


A: Are you talking about American history? If so, Protestants settled in North America for freedom of their religion. Think Pilgrims & Puritans. If it weren't for them, we would all be Dutch traders. :-) If you're talking European, then look at the history of the Reformation.

Q: Top 15 events in European History?( protestant reformation--French Revolution)?
What are the top 15 events in European History(from the Renaissance 1400s until the end of the French Revolution 1700s. I'm using the treaty of westphalia, seven years war, 30 years war... can you give me your list???

A: Columbus - 1492 The Spanish Inquisition hit its peak in the late 1400s. Britain losing the American Revolution in 1784. Martin Luther's 95 Theses (1517, I think) Gutenberg's printing press (1400s) The Spanish Armada - 1588 The birth of Shakespeare (mid 1500s) Galileo publishes the heliocentric theory (start of the scientific revolution), mid 1600s Adam Smith publishes the Wealth of Nations - 1776 James Watt's steam engine - 1700s 30 Years War and Seven Years War, as you said Battle of Lepanto, maybe English Civil War (1640s) and Glorious Revolution (1688?) establishing Constitutional Monarchy.

Q: What does it mean - "to be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant?"?
Has anyone proven this in his or her life? I have!

A: When looking at the history of Protestantism, I realized that I would have to accept that God abandoned the world to heresy shortly after the apostles died and did not restore a way of salvation until 1500 years later. There is no historic connection between Christ and Protestants. Jesus lived 1500 years before the Protestant Reformation. I would suggest all should read historical Christian works by Justin Martyr, the Didache, St. Agustine, St., ect... They all espouse back as far as 70-100 AD the teachings of the Catholic Church. Where is Sola Scriptura before the Reformation? I say this not to criticize but to challenge all Christians to look at what they believe and why. If anyone would take the time to research the hundreds of years of writings of the Church Fathers, and their successors, they would see a rich treasure of the history of the Catholic Church from the very beginning of its founding, and continuing on through today. So many false charges made against the Catholic Church fall away like the pruned dead branches from the vine. Any subject you can think of is covered in these writings. As just one example, detractors say the Church which Jesus Christ founded, apostatized around the time of Constantine and is not the Catholic Church of today. This is saying that the 'Gates of Hell' did prevail against Christ's Church. Read Matt 16:18. These same detractors cannot produce one shred of documentation to back up what they charge. However, by reading the Church Fathers, you will find just the opposite. The writings make no mention of this 'great apostasy', but instead they show the Church, which Jesus Christ founded, growing and expanding just as He said it would. Read Acts 1:8. You will see that the 'Gates of Hell' did not prevail. Sadly, Protestants are told not to read the Church Fathers. From what Cardinal Newman said, you can readily see why they are taught this. What a waste to disregard such a goldmine of truth. 01. The Church is the guardian and the dispenser of truth, because the Bible said so. 02. Truth is one. There can be only one truth. 03. The Church is the final authority on earth, because Jesus Christ said so. 04. Jesus Christ gave authority to His Apostles. 05. The Apostles in return passed on this authority to their successors through 'Apostolic Succession'. 06. The Church is the mother of the Bible, and not the daughter. 07. The Bible is a product of the Church, therefore it is a Catholic book. 08. Catholic Bishops in Catholic Councils decided which books were to be included in the Bible. 09. The Papacy is well represented by Holy Scripture 10. Sola Scriptura is a man made doctrine and is therefore condemned by Holy Scripture. 11. False charges against the Mother of GOD, fall away like dead leaves when the truth is manifest. 12. Writings of Church Fathers are a wealth of information about the Catholic Church. "To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant." That statement was made by Cardinal John Newman, a convert to Catholicism from the Anglican Church.

Q: "Can anyone recommend a good book on The Protestant Reformation and on the modern history of Israel?"


A: As far as the Protestant Reformation Diarmaid MacCulloch, The Reformation. Strang Communications, 2005. ISBN 014303538X. About the modern history of Israel I recommend "The Case for Israel" written by Alan Dershowitz, John Wiley and Sons, Publishers, 2003. gatita_63109

Q: How do Protestants view Church history?
I'm confused. Some, like the early Reformers, hold certain Church Fathers in high esteem, and believe the first few ecumenical Councils to be holy and in no wise to be despised. Other Protestants believe in a great apostasy whereby Christianity had to go underground, either after the death after the last apostle or when Constantine became emperor. I talk with my friends about Church history, and to be honest, they don't know much at all. I mention Nicaea, Arianism, Ephesus, Nestorianism, Chalcedon, Monophysitism, Iconoclasm, and so on, and they dont' know much of what I'm talking about. Nearly all the early Church Fathers are strangers to them. Sometimes they know a little on Augustine, but that's about all. So, my question is, how is Church history portrayed in Protestant seminaries and colleges? Is Protestant history limited to the first century and to the West in the sixteenth century+ ? This is how it seems to me not too infrequently. No offense intended.

A: Most Protestants don't trust anything before the reformation as it would tend to undermine their beliefs. Mostly because the beliefs of the early church fathers were, wow, way to "CATHOLIC" for them. I am not quite sure that most Protestants would even try to recognize the early Church fathers, as those early church fathers that you mentioned supported and pretty much set down the doctrine for the Catholic faith. The doctrine that was in practice wasn't really considered to be at question until the reformation, after which the Catholic Church needed to set down in writing and agreed to doctrine. This was to prevent other Churches/Priests to intrepret the Catholic belief for themselves/parishes as Luther did, thus creating the seperation that has existed since the reformation. Perhaps if Luther had gone through the proper channels to get the Catholic doctrine changed, we would not have as many different Protestant churches that we have today. I have had several exchanges with Christians offering what they consider to be their beliefs, and several have very un-Christian-like refer to the Pope as the anti-christ, some citing that he wears a crown that says "VICARIUS FILII DEI" which is totally untrue, but a Protestant way of telling others that the Pope is the anti-christ (something to do the number 666). At no time has the Pope been refered to by that title except by Protestants. Others say that all Catholics are idol worshippers. I have on several occassions refered them to the early church fathers writings on the subjects that we had been discussing, only to have them tell me that the Catholic Church is totally wrong, afterwhich the exchange usually ends. Usually with them quoting 2 Tim 3:16-17 and that Scripture is the truth and the only truth. Tradition does not belong in their faith. What is incredible with those statements though, is, without tradition, we wouldn't have any of the New Testament as it is written today. As all of the NT was written well after Christ had died and risen. And the "only" way that the Christian "Catholic" faith prospered and survived was through traditions that were taught and handed down by the early Christians and Church fathers. I also believe that the US had a lot to do with the expansion of different religions/views (mostly cults like Jim Jones, Hail Bop, etc.) Given the freedoms that the US gives religious organizations, many unscroupulous people have hid behind those freedoms to support their own twisted beliefs (and get rich on the sufferings of others) .

Q: Is there a reason for the architectural differences between Catholic churches and Protestant churches?
The Catholic churches I'm referring to have very high ceilings, stained glass windows, lots of artwork depicting Christ and the saints, different colored tiles on the floor that add visual texture, and other various artistic detail in the sanctuary. The Protestant (for example: Baptist, Methodist, Nazarene, Pentecostal, Church of Christ) churches I have visited are very simple in comparison- much lower ceilings, no stained-glass windows, no artwork of Christ inside the sanctuary, one color of carpet in the sanctuary, and very little if any artistic detail inside. My question isn't regarding what is better, but is there a historical reason for this difference? Does it relate to the Protestant Reformation? Did Protestant church leaders, years ago, condemn certain architectural elements as being profane, unnecessary, or distracting for worship? Or is it because the Catholic churches have been around longer, time-wise, so they have those elements that were influential at that time in history, while the Protestant churches were built later and made to be more cost-efficient? Thanks for your opinions and information.

A: Yes. Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, God the Son, in the Eucharist (Holy Communion). This Real Presence resides in each Catholic Church in the tabernacle. Thus each church is both the house of God and a house of worship. A Protestant church were the members do not believe in the Real Presence is just a house of worship. The guidelines of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops "Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship" state that: A church building "is both the house of God on earth (domus Dei) and a house fit for the prayers of the saints (domus ecclesiae). Such a house of prayer must be expressive of the presence of God and suited for the celebration of the sacrifice of Christ, as well as reflective of the community that celebrates there." For the entire document, see: http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/livingstones.shtml With love in Christ.

Q: Are Protestant churches offshoots of the Catholic Church, or do they have a continuous history since NT times?


A: Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians were the first protestants who split from our Catholic Church in the 16th century. Protestants multiply by division. So, all the remaining 25,000 protestant denominations have split off from their protestant roots. They have splintered or shattered into thousands of pieces since the reformation, and each splinter group says they are guided by the Holy Spirit. The only thing that nearly all of them teach in commom, is that the Catholic Church is wrong. Pax Christi.

Q: What is the major Protestant denomination that proudly traces its history back to John Calvin?
(Not Calvinists)

A: I would say it is the Presbyterian, Congregational, United Church of Christ, Huguenot (L'Eglise Reformée de France), and some Baptist sects.

Q: Did you know that Baptist are not Protestant, and has a history that dates back as for as 300 years A.C.?


A: Actually, they date back to the time of Christ. The Church that Jesus Christ started before Pentecost was in doctrine and practice a Baptist Church. Every denomination has a human founder except the Baptists. Baptist is a name that our persecutors gave us because we rejected infant baptism, among other things. Here are some quotes from a variety of historians: Zwingli, great Protestant Reformer: In the Sixteenth Century he wrote: "The institution of Ana-Baptism is no novelty, but for thirteen hundred years has caused great disturbance in the 'church.' " Mosheim, a great Lutheran Historian: "The first century was a history of the Baptists. Before the rise of Luther and Calvin there lay concealed in almost all countries of Europe persons who adhered tenaciously to the principles of the Dutch Baptists," "The true origin of that sect which acquired the name 'Ana-Baptist,' is hid in the remote depths of antiquity, and is consequently difficult to be ascertained." ~ (Century Sixteen, part 2, chapter 30). James Murdock, translator of Mosheim, though opposing the view of Rainerius Saccho, a 13th century enemy of the Cathari, nevertheless quotes him as follows regarding the Waldensian Baptists: "Their sect has been the most injurious of all to the church of God on account of their antiquity; for they, according to some, originated in the times of the Roman bishop Silvester in the fourth century; and according to others, existed as early as the days of the apostles. Alexander Campbell: "The Baptist denomination in all ages and all countries has been, as a body, the constant asserters of the rights of man and the liberty of conscience. They have often been persecuted by Pedobaptists; but they never politically persecuted, though they have had it in their power." ~ (Alexander Campbell on Baptism, p. 409, editions 1851, 1853). "Clouds of witnesses attest the fact, that before the reformation from popery, and from the apostolic age, to the present time, the sentiments of Baptists, and the practice of Baptism have had a continuous chain of advocates, and public monuments of their existence in every century can be produced ." ~ (Campbell - McCalla Debate, p. 378). "The Baptists can trace their origin to apostolic times, and can produce unequivocal testimony of their existence in every century can be produced." ~ (Campbell's Debate with Walker). Benjamin Franklin, "If popery were born too late, or it is too young, to be the true 'church' [assembly], what shall we say of those communions born in the past three centuries? They are all too young, by largely more than a thousand years. No 'church' [assembly] that has come into existence since the death of the apostles can be the 'church' [assembly] of the living God." John O. Ridpath, Methodist, Historian: "I should not readily admit that there was a Baptist 'church' [assembly] as far back as A.D. 100, though without doubt there were Baptists then, as all Christians were then Baptists." ~ (Jarrell's "Church Perpetuity," p. 69). Cardinal Hosius, a Catholic dignitary, spoke these words at the Council of Trent, A.D. 1554: "If the truth of a religion were to be judged by the readiness and cheerfulness which a man of any sect shows in suffering, then the opinions and persuasions of no sect can be truer or surer than those of the Ana-Baptists; since there have been none for these twelve hundred years past that have been more grievously punished." ~ (Orchard's History, p. 364.) Like it or not, these are historical facts. And for the record, the link to Baptist History above simply reiterates the false teaching of WIlliam Whitsitt. His position is historically, factually, and doctrinally incorrect. For a short history on the Baptist people you can read a trail of blood by JR Carrol. Can be downloaded free on the internet.

Q: What is the difference between a Protestant and Catholic?
In my history class, we are currently going over Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. I think protestants are split up a little in groups that are Methodist, Presbyterian, etc. but I really have know idea for sure since I'm hindu. So really my question is what is different between a Catholic believer and a Protestant one?

A: Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Protestant doctrine, also known in continental European traditions as Evangelical doctrine, is in opposition to that of Roman Catholicism. It typically holds that Scripture (rather than tradition or ecclesiastic interpretation of Scripture) is the only source of revealed truth. The Roman Catholic Church, more commonly and properly called the Catholic Church (Latin: Ecclesia Catholica) is the world's largest Christian Church, representing over half of all Christians and one-sixth of the world's population. It is made up of one Western church (the Latin Rite) and twenty-two Eastern Catholic churches, all divided into 2,782 sees. The Church looks to the pope, currently Benedict XVI, as its highest earthly authority in matters of faith, morality and Church governance. The community is made up of an ordained ministry and the laity; members of either group may belong to organized religious communities. The Catholic Church defines its mission as spreading the message of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity. It operates social programs and institutions throughout the world, including schools, universities, hospitals, missions and shelters, as well as organizations such as Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Internationalis and Catholic Charities that help the poor, families, the elderly and the sick. The Church and many historians believe it to be the continuation, through apostolic succession, of the Christian community founded by Jesus in his consecration of Saint Peter. It has defined its doctrines through various ecumenical councils, following the example set by the first Apostles in the Council of Jerusalem. On the basis of promises that Jesus made to his apostles, it believes that it is guided by the Holy Spirit and so protected from falling into doctrinal error. Catholic beliefs are based both on the Bible and traditions handed down from the time of the Apostles which are interpreted by a teaching authority. These beliefs are summarized in the Nicene Creed and formally detailed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Formal Catholic worship, termed the liturgy, is regulated by Church authority. The Eucharist, one of seven Church sacraments and a key part of every Catholic Mass, is the center of Catholic worship. With a history spanning almost two thousand years, the Church is one of the world's oldest institutions, and has played a prominent role in the history of Western civilization since at least the 4th century. In the 11th century, the Eastern, Orthodox Church and the Western, Catholic Church split, largely over disagreements regarding papal primacy. Eastern churches which maintained (or later re-established) communion with Rome form the Eastern Catholic Churches. In the 16th century, partly in response to the Protestant Reformation, the Church engaged in a substantial process of reform and renewal, known as the Counter-Reformation. The Catholic Church maintains that it is the "one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church" founded by Jesus, but acknowledges that the Holy Spirit can make use of other Christian communities to bring people to salvation. The Church teaches that it is called by the Holy Spirit to work for unity among all Christians—a movement known as ecumenism. Modern challenges facing the Church include the rise of secularism and opposition to its pro-life stance on abortion, contraception and euthanasia.

Q: why does deep in history mean to cease to be protestant?


A: That's a quote from John Henry Newman, one of the great Protestant thinkers of the 19th century. "To go deep into history is to cease to be Protestant." It means the more you read about the early church the more you see that it was what the Catholics say it was. They had sacraments, the Mass, the Communion of Saints, etc. He converted to Catholicism and helped spur the Catholic revival in England. He also became a Cardinal. His writings have convinced many Protestants to convert. His books aren't the easiest to read, but the logic is "spot on."