Questions regarding beliefs and practices of Protestantism. Also, questions that are seeking answers from a Protestant viewpoint.
2
votes
0answers
57 views
Biblical justification for Protestantism? [closed]
What are the specific biblical passages cited by early Protestant thinkers as a basis for the rejection of Papal authority?
16
votes
4answers
397 views
Are Catholics like pagans, in Evangelical vision?
This question is based on my personal experience. Some time ago I had a discussion with a friend of mine who's an evangelical pastor.
In a very subtle way, he was asserting that I actually believe ...
7
votes
2answers
141 views
For Protestants who believe our dead bodies will literally be raised from the grave in the resurrection
Some Protestants believe that in the "resurrection" we will receive new bodies.
Other Protestants believe that in the resurrection, our old bodies will literally rise up out of the ground for us to ...
12
votes
4answers
5k views
Does God test us?
I was working on a different question and I found that I couldn't actually find anywhere that shows that God actually tests us.
Psalms 26:2 (NIV)
Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and ...
11
votes
4answers
2k views
Why does Catholicism have priests but Protestantism does not?
The Catholic Church (and apparently Anglican or Episcopalian churches) have clergy with the title of "priest", as did Old Testament Judaism. Are Protestant "preachers", "reverends", "pastors", ...
3
votes
3answers
124 views
What is the argument against the imposition of clerical celibacy as practiced in the Roman Catholic Church?
The Roman Catholic Church requires its priests to practice celibacy. This has not always been the case, though. In fact, it was not instituted until the 11th century.
Protestant churches have no ...
4
votes
2answers
45 views
What is the difference between Protestantism vs Protestants?
According to me Protestants are the one who doesn't pray to Mary.
I also came across the Protestantism which speaks about the 95 Theses which Martin Luther started against indulgence.
I don't see ...
4
votes
1answer
38 views
Why do Protestants not refer to Mary by the title “Mother of God”?
I have heard the title "Mother of God" in connection with the so-called "Hail Mary" prayer that is recited by Catholics.
However, I have never heard this term used in any Protestant setting. (I'm ...
2
votes
1answer
39 views
Why is dividing 'event' versus 'process' driven views of justification important to separate Catholic and Protestant theology?
In studying Roman Catholic theology it took me so so long before it dawned on me that justification is not viewed as an event as it is in Protestant theology. Why is this single concept so critical in ...
4
votes
1answer
82 views
What is the Catholic biblical or canon basis saying some moral works without grace (transient or permanent) are good (or not have the nature of sin)?
I am trying to clarify the difference in my own mind between a traditional Catholic and traditional Protestant view of grace, specifically in terms of the 'works of unbelievers'. It seems hard to ...
8
votes
1answer
71 views
Why is the word ‘concupiscence’ so important in understanding the difference between a Catholic view and a Protestant view of ‘Original Sin’?
I have noticed this word ‘concupiscence’ a lot while studying Catholic Theology. It seems to significantly change what ‘Original Sin’ means, making a Catholic meaning of ‘Original Sin’ very different ...
6
votes
3answers
134 views
What do the words Catholic and Protestant mean?
Also, what is the history of use and what languages do they come from? Is it a fitting name today or is it outdated? How do the two relate to each other?
2
votes
1answer
62 views
What is the Protestant biblical basis for those concluding that 'all moral works' without grace have no good in them (or have the nature of sin)?
I am trying to clarify the difference in my own mind between a traditional Catholic and traditional Protestant view of grace, specifically in terms of the 'works of unbelievers'. It seems hard to ...
11
votes
7answers
334 views
How do schisms in the church fit into the plans of a monotheistic God?
Before 1054 a reasonable claim could be made that there existed "one holy catholic and apostolic Church", as the Nicene Creed puts it. Since then, the visible church has divided into at least three ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Protestant rejection of the Catholic implementation of confession
(Pardon the length - my original post was more concise, but wasn't clearly conveying my question.)
Background:
I am currently studying the Spiritual Disciplines at a Protestant seminary. For those ...
-6
votes
1answer
75 views
Is feminism somehow connected to Protestant ethics? [closed]
It seems to me that the highest political success feminism and gay rights movement achieved in Protestant countries, especially the Scandinavian ones, such as Sweden.
On the other hand, in Catholic ...
3
votes
1answer
242 views
A set of traits common for all protestant believers
What is a set of traits that are common for all protestants (excluding those who call themselves Christians, but don't pray to Christ), yet setting them apart from other Christians (the Catholic, the ...
6
votes
4answers
208 views
How do Protestants interpret Matthew 16:13-20
The verses reads like this:
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; ...
5
votes
3answers
144 views
Who do mainline Protestants believe an “archangel” (such as Michael) to be?
Some sects including Jehovah's Witnesses believe the archangel Michael to be one in the same with Christ. The basic premise of this claim seems to stem from the unique usage of the role archangel ...
3
votes
2answers
96 views
What happens when a Protestant doesn't tithe?
I heard in another question that some Protestants have to tithe. That is, they must give one-tenth of their salary, or more broadly, a specific amount or percentage. That seems a bit strange to me, ...
5
votes
2answers
88 views
How do married clergy (preachers) in Protestant denominations support their family?
In Roman Catholicism the clergy is predominantly celibate and hence there is no pressure of sustaining a family.
What exactly is the system in a Protestant clergy? Are they employed in a gainful ...
2
votes
1answer
64 views
In general, in the Protestant branch, who can baptize a new believer?
I know quite well that the plethora of Protestant denominations means that there are almost no universal traditions. However, there are a number of particular traditions or beliefs that are held by ...
3
votes
1answer
63 views
What religious significance is there in marriage for Catholics and Protestants?
To be clear: This is not a question about why Catholics and Protestants get married. This is not a question about the biblical support for or against marriage. (I am very much for marriage).
I ...
4
votes
4answers
521 views
How does Free Grace Theology reconcile 1 John?
My understanding of Free Grace Theology is that it separates the believers salvation from their sanctification, in that sanctification is not the necessary result of salvation. It separates the call ...
10
votes
1answer
116 views
Do any Protestant denominations practice meditative or contemplative prayer?
Having read David's answer to How much are psalms and other prayers from Bible understood as actual prayer in Protestantism?, I wonder whether any Protestants practice meditative or contemplative ...
3
votes
2answers
70 views
How much are psalms and other prayers from Bible understood as actual prayer in Protestantism?
I know psalms and other Biblical songs are often sung as hymns, read and cited, but I wonder to which extent is this understood as a prayer by Protestants.
To be more concrete, is the use of psalms ...
4
votes
2answers
91 views
Why did Protestants abandon Liturgy of the Hours?
In Divine office or Liturgy of the Hours as it is practiced in Catholic Church there's nothing bad for Protestants (or at least nothing of which I know that Protestants consider bad); prayer is good ...
11
votes
8answers
821 views
How can Jesus, born of mankind, be sinless?
Very simple question really. If the sin of Adam is passed down through the generations, so that all of us are born with a sin nature, how can it be that Jesus was born of Mary (a human being), yet ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
What is the difference between Protestantism and Evangelicalism?
What is the difference between Protestantism and Evangelicalism? Are all Protestants also Evangelicals? Are all Evangelicals also Protestants?
6
votes
2answers
118 views
Why is Infant Baptism considered to be invalid by so many Protestant denominations?
Catholics and several Protestant denominations (and maybe even Orthodox churches) practice Infant Baptism, while many other Protestant denominations do not.
This question addressed the argument for ...
1
vote
3answers
998 views
Why are Protestants allowed to divorce?
Since Paul said that divorce is forbidden, and Paul's letters are to be taken as word of God, why do some Protestant churches permit divorce?
-1
votes
1answer
105 views
Have there been any high-profile converts from Catholicism back to high-church traditions? [closed]
There are several high-profile "defectors" (tongue-in-cheek!) or converts from high-church traditions (such as Anglicanism) to Roman Catholicism. I am thinking in particular of G. K. Chesterton and ...
13
votes
3answers
447 views
What is the difference between Evangelical and Protestant?
Just the other day, I heard somebody talking politics and contrasted the Roman Catholic church's political influence with "the Evangelical vote". In this sense, as is often done in US media, the word ...
-1
votes
2answers
161 views
What is the biblical basis for the claim that abortion is morally acceptable (when there are no complicating factors)?
Several Protestant denominations take an official position on abortion that it can be acceptable under certain circumstances, and that in those circumstances the choice can be made by the woman.
...
6
votes
2answers
227 views
What is the Protestant argument against the doctrine of Purgatory?
The Roman Catholic Church teaches the idea of Purgatory, which is defined by Wikipedia as follows:
Purgatory is, according to Catholic teaching, the state or place of
purification or temporary ...
10
votes
3answers
268 views
Did Jonah fail the test of a prophet?
I came across an article on the FAIR Mormon wiki that discusses the prophetic test (Deut. 18). It applies the test on some Biblical prophets, and shows how someone could claim these prophets fail the ...
8
votes
4answers
404 views
Why do many protestants congregations not require attendance at services on Christmas and Easter?
It came to my attention from living, driving around and listening to Christian radio that many Protestants do not have any services on what Catholics would consider solemnities (Christmas and Easter ...
6
votes
2answers
289 views
Counterarguments to “KJV-only”?
Some people believe the King James Version of the Bible is the only version English-speakers should be using, as it is the only inspired translation. (This is referred to as "KJV-onlyism.")
...
19
votes
5answers
728 views
Is murder allowed if God tells you to do it?
The Bible pretty clearly says not to murder (Exodus 20:13).
But if we examine Numbers 25 or 1Kings 18:40, we see God (or more accurately, his prophets) telling us to kill people. Indeed, entire ...
6
votes
7answers
360 views
Why are Independent Baptist Fundamentalists labelled Protestants?
Something that always bothers me which I witness to Catholics: the well-meaning ones tell me I am a Protestant and say that "we protested the Catholic Church". This isn't true, the Baptist Church was ...
21
votes
7answers
1k views
Sex outside of marriage is a sin. But what about “less than sex”?
Inspired by Is masturbation a sin?
This is a tough subject that I've grappled with my whole life. It's clear in God's word that sex outside of marriage (adultery) is a sin.
But, what is acceptable ...
4
votes
1answer
118 views
How does Reformed theology interpret 1 Corinthians 9:27
This questions is aimed at those Christians who frequently refer to living people as "saved" or "unsaved", and especially to those who believe that someone saved can't become "unsaved" later.
At least ...
10
votes
4answers
295 views
When did the one-way monologue sermon first become a normal feature of church assemblies?
Of course Jesus preached a lot of monologue sermons, but I have noticed that Jesus did not usually preach sermons like nearly every church does today. He never seems to have, or at least rarely ...
18
votes
7answers
2k views
What are the practical applications of “two will become one flesh”?
Mark 10:8 (NIV)
and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
What does this mean for a marriage? What are the practical applications of this? Obviously, this is ...
11
votes
3answers
884 views
Should protestants not make the sign of the Cross?
I'm not a Catholic, but I've been aware since I was little that Catholics will "Cross" themselves. Early on I felt like I shouldn't copy it as it always had been portrayed in tv/film as something ...
7
votes
2answers
179 views
Paul's suggestion to not marry vs Great Protestant Theologians
Paul states:
1 Cor: 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.
Yet, if we look at the great Protestant theologians: ...
2
votes
1answer
130 views
Which Protestant churches as of today officially recognize homosexual marriage unions? [closed]
Which Protestant churches as of today officially recognize homosexual marriage unions? Is there any such information available?
5
votes
1answer
578 views
Are there Protestants in Italy today?
Are there Protestants in Italy today and what became of the Protestants reformers from the peninsula during the reformation? The reason I ask is that I've never heard of any particular persecution ...
2
votes
2answers
168 views
Did Protestants get “Thine is the Kingdom etc…” from the Didache?
So, I was writing an answer to a question a few minutes ago, and I was going to smugly tell all you Protestants that your "thine is the Kingdom" doxology is so non-Biblical, it's apocryphal.
Well, ...
7
votes
6answers
428 views
What did God mean when He said 'lest they live forever'?
I was talking to a Jehovah's witness who did not believe in the immortality of soul and he pointed out a scripture to me.
Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold ... lest he put forth his
...
