Protestantism, one of the three major branches of Christianity, emerged out of the 16th-century Protestant Reformation. It’s defined by biblical authority, salvation through faith alone, and the priesthood of all believers. Protestantism encompasses a wide range of denominations and beliefs, yet there are several core beliefs that most Protestant Christians share.
One of Protestantism’s foundational beliefs is sola scriptura — Scripture alone. This doctrine asserts scripture alone as the supreme authority in all things of belief and practice, rather than tradition and church authority. This focus on the Bible as the final authority caused much of Protestantism to splinter, as believers and churches disagreed over how best to interpret and live out the Bible’s instructions.
Another of Protestantism’s tenets is sola fide, or faith alone. It instructs that salvation is a free gift from God, accepted by faith in Jesus Christ, not by good works or religious codes. This focus on grace and faith is a hallmark of Protestant theology, distinguishing it from other Christian traditions that might emphasize sacraments or ritual observance as paths to salvation.
Protestantism also emphasizes the “priesthood of all believers” — that every Christian has direct access to God and is called to be a minister and ambassador of Christ in the world. This conviction subverts clerical hierarchies and promotes all Christians’ involvement in church life and mission.
And although Protestantism is a kaleidoscope of theological nuance, it is unified by gospel preaching, discipleship nurture, and social justice/mission.
Its focus on the authority of the Bible, salvation through faith alone, and the priesthood of all believers influenced Christian history and still influences the theology of millions of Christians to this day.
Through a Glass Darkly: Contested Notions of Baptist Identity
edited by Keith Harper
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