Protestantism 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)[1] is the source of revealed truth.
It's a form of Christianity started by Martin Luther in "protest" of things being done by the Catholic Church. There are various denominations of Protestantism, such as Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, etc. And they all argue with each other about what Jesus really wants.
In the simplest terms, Protestants think that they can understand the Bible themselves and have a personal relationship with God. Catholics think that they need to be guided by the leaders of the Catholic church and that they need to go through them to get to God.
Any religion who PROTESTS against the Catholic Church IE Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, etc. you get the idea. It is based on the reformation. Get it? PROTESTantism...
Protestantism is the branch of Christianity that is not Catholic, Anglican, or Eastern Orthodox. However, it does NOT include more recent heretical doctrines like those held by Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses.
Basically any denomination that isn't part of the Catholic Church. (Although I don't know if you would include LDS & JWs or if they include themselves)
And all Protestants aren't against Catholics, the beliefs are just different.
A group of born-again Christians protested against Catholicism...
...because of the apostolic succession that the Roman Catholic Church claimed as a unique authority to interpret Scripture and to establish doctrine. They also protested against the claim of having a supreme leader in the Pope who is infallible.
A collection of Western Christian denominations and movements that are directly or indirectly descended from the groups
(Lutheran,Reformed/Calvinist,Anabaptist,Socinian,Anglican,etc)
and principles(Bible alone for Doctrine and faith alone for salvation) of the 16Th century Reformations
that broke off from Roman Catholicism
A group of Christians that were scandalized by the actions and beliefs of the Church (aka Roman Catholic Church), under the administration of the Bishop of Rome. They proposed new beliefs and eventually broke off into a different group. Some of the things they profess that is different than their origin:
-The bible alone is the sole source of reliable data from which to make doctrine, while continued historical practices (tradition) is unreliable.
-The powers of Christians to do good on earth ends at death.
-Correct interpretation of the bible is revealed to the individual believer and there is no visible body to determine the correct interpretation of scripture.
-The seven books referred to as the OT Deuteronomy are not equal to scripture in authority and truth.
-The roll and effect of sacraments changed.
They soon broke into thousands of varying factions with different opinions of what Christian truth is and how it should be lived.
The system of Christian faith and practice based on the acceptance of the principles of the Reformation. Technically only those churches present at the Diet of Speyer (1529), or those churches tracing their lineage from them, count as 'Protestant', although the term has become applied more widely to cover most Western churches who have broken away from the Roman Catholic church.
The chief characteristics of original Protestantism, common to all its denominations, are the acceptance of the Bible as the only source of revealed truth, the doctrine of justification by faith alone, and the universal sainthood of all believers. It has tended to emphasize the transcendent elements of God, the effects of the Fall and original sin, as well as minimizing the liturgical aspects of Christian practice. It has emphasis ed the preaching and hearing of the word ahead of sacramental practice.
What Is Protestantism?
