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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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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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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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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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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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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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; ...
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What is the basis that some Protestants teach the non-necessity of baptism for salvation?
I have heard many Protestants say that "baptism is not necessary for salvation". They follow Paul I guess, who says all works including Baptism or circumcision are optional. But having read the ...
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Why do Catholic churches have a red lamp burning inside?
Is there any significance to the red lamp that is lit inside Catholic churches?
I ask because I recently saw a green lamp lit at the entrance to a Church of Scotland village church and wondered if ...
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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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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 did Jesus mean when he said ‘Go and sin no more’ if sinlessness is impossible?
I came across these two instances in the New Testament when Jesus told someone to "sin no more."
John 13:15 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as ...
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If both the Orthodox and Catholic Church affirm salvation by grace through faith, why did the Protestant Reformation happen?
I will often engage in dialogue with Catholics and Orthodox Christians who tell me that the doctrine of their churches affirms that salvation is by grace through faith.
If that is true, then what ...
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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 ...
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In what order should the books of the (Protestant) Bible be read? [closed]
The Bible is probably one of the most historically significant books for the Western civilization, so it should be a worthwhile read for many a literature geek.
In which order should it be read, then?...
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Do Protestants believe Jesus and Satan are brothers?
Many, many times, I've seen or heard "Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are brothers".
Technically, it's true. Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are sons of God, and by dictionary definition, ...
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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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Difference between Augustinianism and Calvinism
Is there a difference between Augustinianism and (Five Points) Calvinism as they relate to the doctrine of salvation?
If so, what is the difference?
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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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Why does the Salvation Army not administer the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper?
While reading a book on Reformed theology (The Shorter Westminster Catechism, by G. I. Williamson), I came across a brief criticism of the Salvation Army's views on the sacraments:
A very different ...
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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 do Protestants view "Catholic" miracles, such as those that attest to a saint?
An important part of Catholicism is the canonization of saints in the present day. One of the criteria for canonization is the confirmation of miracles associated with the would-be saint. In ...
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What are the practical applications of "two will become one flesh"? [closed]
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 ...
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Since God provided for the forgiveness of sins in the Old Testament, why do we need Jesus?
I thought of this when I was researching this question.
Leviticus 4 goes into great detail about the sacrifice that must be made in order for a sin to be forgiven. However, we see here that God ...
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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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How do Protestants interpret "baptized for the dead" in 1 Corinthians 15:29?
1 Corinthians 15:29 (KJV)
Else what shall they do which are baptized
for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized
for the dead?
I know that the LDS Church interprets ...
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Why does Catholicism have priests but Protestantism does not?
The Catholic Church (and apparently Lutheran, Anglican and Episcopalian churches) have clergy with the title of "priest", as did Old Testament Judaism. Are Protestant "preachers", "reverends", "...
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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.")
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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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What is "sin that leads to death" in 1 John 5:16?
1 John 5:16 (NIV)
If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is ...
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What do Protestants who deny transubstantiation do with the remainders of wine and bread after the Eucharist?
What do Protestants who deny transubstantiation do with the remainders of wine and bread after the Eucharist?
For example, in Eastern Orthodox Church, after the liturgy the priest must consume (I ...
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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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How do Protestants respond to the JW interpretation of John 14:28?
According to What Does the Bible Really Teach?, a Watchtower publication, pp.41–42:
The only-begotton Son never even considered trying to be equal to his Father. The Bible clearly teaches that the ...
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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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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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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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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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What is the Protestant belief known as "faith alone"?
"Faith Alone"?
If you have heard the term "Protestant" before, chances are you have also heard the saying "faith alone." The way Protestants speak of "faith alone" might almost give one the ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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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Was Jesus finite or infinite? (human or God?) [closed]
I've always heard it said that Jesus was "completely human" and "completely God".
How could he be both human (finite by very nature) and God (infinite by very nature)?
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What is the argument in support of personal interpretation of the Scriptures?
The Catholic church teaches that only the Church (Magisterium) has the right to interpret Scriptures whereas Protestant churches typically believe that anyone has that right.
What is the argument ...
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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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Why are wives considered the "weaker partner"? (1 Peter 3:7) [closed]
In 1 Peter, we read:
1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the ...
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According to Protestant trinitarians, what is the significance of the father-son relationship between God and Christ?
What is the significance of the father-son relationship between God and Christ in the Trinity? Non-trinitarians believe that Christ is literally the son of God, but that doesn't quite work with the ...
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