Questions tagged [protestantism]
Protestantism is a broad tradition referring to the churches which broke from the Roman Catholic Church during the 16th Century and those that descended from them.
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What is the basis of my fractured understanding of "Sola Scriptura"?
As a Catholic, I'm often baffled by other Christians who base their faith purely off personal interpretation of the Bible as the be-all-end-all proof for everything under the sun (which is what I mean ...
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Does the Catholic Church officially recognize Protestants as Christians?
I have always thought that the Pope did not recognize the validity of the faith of those outside of the Catholic church, but in comments from a different post I am surprised to find out I may be ...
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What is the basis for Cessationism?
Cessationism is the belief held by some protestants that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as prophecy, do not occur in present day. The general thinking is that these gifts "ceased" at ...
user971
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Is murder allowed if God tells you to do it? [closed]
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 ...
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What Protestant arguments exist for the perpetual virginity of Mary?
It's common knowledge that Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodoxy have the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary. Protestants generally don't have that belief.
Less known is that Zwingli and ...
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How do Protestants deal with pre-Reformation heresies?
Have any of the old heresies (i.e. Manichean, Arian, Nestorian, Iconoclasm) been resurrected and repackaged by main-line denominations
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Do Protestants, in general, still accept the pre-...
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As a protestant, may I participate in the Eucharist (Communion) when visiting a Catholic church?
I think the title sums it up. I'm a protestant Christian, and have many Catholic friends. When I visit their churches, is it permissible for me to participate in the Eucharist/Communion ceremony by ...
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According to Protestants, what is the biblical basis of Jesus being "one substance with the father"?
The only place in scripture where the relationship of the substance of Jesus with the substance of God that I can find in the scriptures is To the Hebrews:1:3 which actually says that they are of ...
user22588
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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 ...
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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 ...
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What is the biblical basis for salvation by faith alone (sola fide)?
One of the key issues in the Reformation was the doctrine of Sola Fide, that is, that salvation is by faith alone, apart from works.
What, then, is the biblical basis for this belief?
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How do Protestants interpret Matthew 16:13–20?
The verses read 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; ...
user3961
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Is there a hierarchy in the Trinity? [closed]
It seems that there is some form of hierarchy within the Trinity.
For example, these passages seem to indicate that the Holy Spirit is subservient to the Father and Jesus:
John 14:26 (NIV)
But the ...
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How have Protestants explained how Jesus could be born of mankind and 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 ...
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What is a brief history on the idea that the Pope is the Antichrist?
I am quite familiar with the Reformers' opposition to the Papacy, and many said the Pope is the Antichrist. What confuses me is this quote from that same page:
In calling the pope the "...
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When did the split in crufix/empty-cross sybolism occur and why did it happen?
Today, we have Catholic and Orthodox churches (and a few others) using the crucifix, whereas most Protestant denominations use an empty cross in their symbolism. Did this difference in symbolism arise ...
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Are Mormons Protestants?
To my understanding, Mormons are neither Catholic nor Orthodox. I believe that they are Christians, but I'm not sure if they are Protestant or not.
Are Mormons Protestants, or are they just "Latter ...
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What does it mean that all scripture is God-Breathed?
In 2 Tim 3:16, Paul writes
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness (NIV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and ...
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Do any Protestant denominations recognize Latter Day Saints as Christians?
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox churches do not so that leaves the Protestants.
By Protestant, I mean the 'mainstream' Protestant denominations, with minimal (...
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What is the historical and theological basis for Protestant anti-Catholicism? [closed]
I am under the impression that Scripture teaches tolerance, not resentment. However it seems there has been some tension between Catholics and Protestants over the centuries – to the point of war in ...
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Why do Protestants allow contraception?
The Catholic Church is strongly against contraception. Most Protestants nowadays accept it; I gather it was less common in the past. Of course it's possible that Protestants have just given in to ...
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Sex outside of marriage is a sin. But what about "less than sex"? [closed]
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 ...
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Under what conditions does the Bible support divorce? [closed]
It seems that Jesus talks out against divorce. But in other places, divorce is allowed. How does this all play out and where does the bible really stand on this? Is it a sin or is it just part of ...
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When was the OT canon as used by Protestants finalized?
At what date (and/or event) was the Old Testament canon currently recognized by most Protestants finalized? What is the earliest occurrence we have of it being referenced in it's current form and who (...
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How do proponents of Sola Scriptura choose the "correct" interpretation of a key Bible verse?
As a Protestant who really tries to abide by the sola scriptura principle to subject my understanding of God, His works, and His relation to us under the accepted Protestant canon, I am bewildered on ...
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How do Protestants understand the "unforgivable" sin?
Scripture refers to an unpardonable sin in Matthew 12:31–32, Mark 3:29–30, and Luke 12:10, as well as Hebrews 6:4–6.
There's also "sin that leads to death" (1 John 5:16–17).
Given the Protestant ...
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What do Protestants say was the source for the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary?
Not counting Martin Luther, who appears to have believed in the doctrine of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary, what do other Protestants think is the source and reason for Catholic adherence to the ...
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What did Jesus mean by "this generation will certainly not pass away.." in Matthew 24:34? [closed]
Matthew 24:34 says "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.".
I am a Christian, and it is my duty to seek out truth, not ...
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Why the difference in depiction of the cross between Catholics and Protestants?
As I understand it, Roman Catholic crosses have Jesus hanging on them, but Protestant crosses do not. I understood that Protestant crosses do not because they want to focus on the Resurrection, not ...
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Do Evangelicals see Catholics as pagans?
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 ...
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How can Protestants authoritatively declare something wrong or heretical under Sola Scriptura?
Within Protestantism there is no universal definition of theology or how to understand the Bible: Anglicans have one definition, Lutherans another, Calvinists another, (insert name here), etc.
So ...
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Why do some Christians object to images of Jesus?
Within some branches of Protestantism, many Christians believe that "images of Jesus" are sinful, and that Christians should not attempt to produce them. Some go so far as to say that they should be ...
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Why don't Protestants engage in monasticism?
One distinction between the vast majority of Protestant denominations and those of the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox Church is the lack of monasteries and a monastic class. What is an overview of ...
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According to trinitarians, especially Protestants, who is Wisdom in Proverbs?
In general, Wisdom can be (and is, and was) identified as Jesus. However, there is this verse:
Proverbs 8:22 (NLT)
22 "The Lord formed me from the beginning,
&...
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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 "Hail Mary" prayer that(Ave Maria) is recited by Catholics.
However, I have never heard this term used in any Protestant setting. (...
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What is the protestant apologetic for James' explicit statement that we are justified by works?
James 2:24, RSVC2E: You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Many times I've heard Protestants claim that James isn't really saying what he appears to be saying here. They ...
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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 ...
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What are the main differences between the Catholic and Protestant definitions of Biblical inerrancy?
What are the main differences between the Catholic and Protestant definitions of Biblical inerrancy? Please include a summary of both the Catholic and Protestant definitions in the answer.
user13992
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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 ...
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According to biblical inerrantists, are the apostles' recorded speeches in the book of Acts inerrant?
Evangelicals/fundamentalists who believe in biblical inerrancy hold that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and contains no errors.1 This is typically understood to refer to the original ...
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How does the Roman Catholic Church interpret predestination?
I've been trying to determine how the Roman Catholic church interprets the idea of predestination. From what I have found so far it appears to be a view more rooted in single predestination, though I ...
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Do (or did) any Protestant denominations believe in apostolic succession like Catholics do?
Do (or did) any Protestant denominations believe in apostolic succession? If so, who do they consider the most recent valid Pope?
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What major changes have American Presbyterians made to the Westminster Confession of Faith?
As someone who generally affirms the Westminster Confession of Faith, one comment I hear periodically is that I therefore must believe that the Pope is the Antichrist. However, the Confession ...
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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, ...
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Is there any real significant difference between Protestantism and Catholicism?
I know a lot of people who have very strong views against Catholics and was really starting to wonder, just as the title suggests, other than Catholicism having priests, what differences are there?
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If Protestants won't ask dead saints to intercede because there is no mediator but Jesus then why do they ask living Christians to pray for them?
Protestants reject the Catholic and Orthodox practice of asking deceased saints to pray for them, and I think there are two main reasons why they reject it: it is communicating with the dead, and it ...
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How do Sola Scriptura defenders have a list of "scripture" since the list isn't mentioned in scripture?
Sola Scriptura can be broken into two parts:
Sola - Alone
Scriptura - The sacred Scriptures
One aspect of Sola Scriptura is the idea that Scripture is the Sole Infallible AND Authoritative rule of ...
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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 ...
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Does the act of sex constitute marriage in God's eyes? [closed]
I came across this verse today (bold added):
1 Corinthians 6:15-17 (NASB)
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them ...
user971
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How do schisms in the church fit into the plans of a monotheistic God? [closed]
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 ...
