Protestantism

One of the main divisions of Christianity, which emerged from Roman Catholicism at the Reformation, a movement that questioned and ‘protested’ against the teachings and authority of the Roman Catholic Church. Denominations include some groups within the Anglican communion, Baptists, Congregationalists (United Church of Christ), Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians, with a total membership of about 300 million.

Protestantism takes its name from the protest of the German Protestant reformer Martin Luther and his supporters during the Reformation, in particular their protest at the Diet of Spires (1529) against the decision to reaffirm an edict against the Reformation made at the Diet of Worms (1521). Initially, Protestantism stood for the position of the Lutherans as opposed to both the Roman Catholic and Reformed churches (Zwinglian or Calvinist), but it later came to be applied to any group who would not accept the pope as their leader. Eventually, all the Reformed churches became known as Protestant or ‘dissenting’.

The first conscious statement of Protestantism as a distinct movement was the Confession of Augsburg of 1530. The chief characteristics of original Protestantism are the acceptance of the Bible as the only source of truth, the universal priesthood of all believers, and forgiveness of sins solely through faith in Jesus. The Protestant church puts less emphasis on the liturgical aspects of Christianity and stresses the preaching and hearing of the word of God.

The many interpretations of doctrine and practice are reflected in the various denominations. The ecumenical movement of the 20th century has unsuccessfully attempted to reunite various Protestant denominations and, to some extent, the Protestant churches and the Roman Catholic Church. During the last 20 years, there has been a worldwide upsurge in Christianity taking place largely outside the established church.