Protestantism is one of the three major branches of Christianity, along with Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. It shares with all other Christians core beliefs in the doctrines of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus, the necessity of grace to save humans from the consequences of sin, and the centrality of Jesus' death and resurrection for salvation. Composed of hundreds of denominations with an expansive variety of doctrines, rituals, and religious practices, Protestantism formed from the split with Roman Catholicism during the Reformation.
Sacred Narratives
Protestants believe that they are saved by God's forgiving grace. There are varying views among Protestants regarding such matters as the nature and extent of human participation in salvation. Read More
Ultimate Reality and Divine Beings
Protestants believe in an all-powerful God who is perfectly good, loving, and holy. Most share the orthodox Christian view of Jesus as fully human and fully divine. Traditionally they believe that angels and the devil exist. Read More
Human Nature and the Purpose of Existence
Human nature was created good, but through the fall became sinful, that is, fundamentally self-centered. The purpose of existence is to glorify God and live a life of service to God and others, which is possible only through God's free gift of spiritual life. Read More
Suffering and the Problem of Evil
Protestants believe that suffering is a form of evil. Evil has come into the world through the work of Satan and through human rebellion against God. With other Christians, most Protestants recognize that we do not fully understand why specific instances of evil and suffering occur. Read More
Afterlife and Salvation
Traditionally, Protestants believe salvation is a gift of God, granted by faith. On the day of judgment, all people will be resurrected, those who have believed and trusted in Christ to a life of blessedness in the presence of God, and those who have rejected God's gift to a place of torment and separation from God. Read More
Sacred Time
Some Protestant traditions do not acknowledge sacred time other than Christmas and Easter. For many Protestants, however, sacred time is organized by a liturgical calendar that celebrates all the major events in the life of Jesus and in the early Church throughout the course of each year. Read More
Sacred Space
Protestants have largely rejected the use of images and statues in worship. They tend to have plainer, more austere worship spaces than Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. There are differences, however, with some Lutherans and many Anglicans tending more toward the Catholic end of the spectrum than other Protestants. Read More
Rites and Ceremonies
The rituals of baptism and the Lord's Supper have been among the most important and contentious aspects of Protestantism. These practices embody important theological differences that distinguish the branches of Protestant Christianity (Reformed/Presbyterian, Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, etc.). Read More
Worship and Devotion in Daily Life
Protestant daily life is shaped by the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers—which has implications for such matters as vocation and work ethic—and by the belief that salvation is by faith, which leads to an emphasis on nurturing a personal relationship with God. Read More
Symbolism
Protestant symbolism tends to direct attention to the key doctrines of salvation by faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (as a gift of the Spirit), and sola scriptura (the primacy of the Bible). Read More
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