D
dennisknapp
Guest
Is Protestantism an innovation? Why or Why not?
Your comments, please?
Your comments, please?
Have you never read Psalm 119? How about this?The Gospel of Jesus Christ was opened up by the Apostles and was passed down through their successors.
Yes there were innovations that have resulted from the Reformation, especially Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide.
Maggie
My exact sentiments. Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide were unknown in the Church for 1500 years or so, until the Reformers came about. If that’s not an innovation, I don’t know what is.The Gospel of Jesus Christ was opened up by the Apostles and was passed down through their successors.
Yes there were innovations that have resulted from the Reformation, especially Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide.
Maggie
No it wasn’t. It was the breaking away from the Catholic Church.Why would it be an innovation? It is the opening up of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who were under bondage.
Was Protestantism something new? If it is new why buy into it? Why not be a Mormon?I don’t understand the question.
Was pornography an innovation in the film industry? Yeah, but what’s the point? Pornography is still a sin. What does its novelty have to do with anything?
**## Where does St. Paul write about the Immaculate Conception, Papal Infallibility, Mary as Co-Redemptrix, the lawfulness of holy images, the Assumption of Mary… ? **My exact sentiments. Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide were unknown in the Church for 1500 years or so, until the Reformers came about. If that’s not an innovation, I don’t know what is.
Gottle of Geer said:**## Where does St. Paul write about the Immaculate Conception, Papal Infallibility, Mary as Co-Redemptrix, the lawfulness of holy images, the Assumption of Mary… ? **
**He doesn’t**
So the Reformers are not the only people who have to answer questions about innovation. So do most Churches - perhaps all.
**ISTM that Protestantism is as valid as Catholicism and Orthodoxy, and that all three of them can appeal to the NT with equal justification - just, not about all of the same things. It merely happened that the Protestant impulses in mediaeval Christianity, Catholic or otherwise, had not taken institutional form, so Protestantism can looks like more of an innovation than it is. But the spirit was there. **
The Protestant movement would still be valid and real, even if there were no non-Protestants in the world - because Protestantism is not just a protest against certain things; it is also a bearing witness to certain other things. Unfortunately, the former part of it - a** part that is not *essential ***to the Protestant impulse, that could have happened otherwise than it did - the part that is against something, is often the only aspect of the Protestant impulse or movement that people notice or remember. Which leads to a lot of misunderstanding of what Protestantism is. Which is not much good for us who are not Protestants. ##
What do you mean by Newman’s “rather dubious categories?” Was he not a Protestant when he started to write that essay? Why would would his categories be dubious?I voted “maybe,” because it depends on what you mean by “innovation.” I don’t think that the line between development and innovation is as clear as Catholics (following Newman’s rather dubious categories, IMHO) tend to think. The Orthodox think the IC is an innovation, and Protestants think Sola Fide is a development. I don’t think there are clear-cut ways to resolve this historically.
I would prefer to say that Protestantism involved some innovations, and we Protestants need to question those and check them against the historic consensus of the Church. But many of the basic demands of the Protestants were solidly Traditional–communion in both kinds, for instance, or free lay access to the Scriptures. Even Sola Fide, while definitely expressed in an innovative (and hence problematic) way by Luther, was at its root a solidly evangelical and traditional teaching, and not incompatible with Catholicism. The problem was that distortions in catechesis and doctrinal development led the Protestants to overreact and use “sola fide” as a kind of hatchet to slash away practices and beliefs which they thought promoted “works righteousness.” Some of these, such as indulgences, were themselves innovations (yes, I know that will raise a storm of protest here). Others, such as the sacrificial character of the Mass, were Traditional doctrines which had been taken in some problematic directions, and the Protestant reaction was at least as damaging as the original problem they set out to correct.
Much the same could be said of sola scriptura, although sola scriptura, rightly understood (the primacy and material sufficiency of Scripture), has far more basis in the Tradition than does sola fide.
That, at least, is one Protestant’s take on it.
In Christ,
Edwin
It makes no sense to call it an “innovation.” The perpetual virginity of Mary is an innovation. Her so-called Immaculate conception is an innovation. Her assumption into Heaven is an innovation. The teaching that she’s Queen of Heaven is an innovation. The “Magisterium” is an innovation. The doctrine that it’s infallible is an innovation. Prayer to deceased “saints” is an innovation. “Purgatory” is an innovation. Transubstantiation is an innovation. The sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation is an innovation. The Pope as “vicar of Christ on earth” is an innovation. That the church of Rome is the Church that Christ “founded” is an innovation. That the Roman Bishops are the seccessors of the Apostles is an innovation. That the Roman church (that ANY church, for that matter) is the new Israel is an innovation. Sacrificial nature of the “Mass” is an innovation.Is Protestantism an innovation? Why or Why not?
Your comments, please?
No, these things were beleived and taught by the Apostles and their successors.It makes no sense to call it an “innovation.” The perpetual virginity of Mary is an innovation. Her so-called Immaculate conception is an innovation. Her assumption into Heaven is an innovation. The teaching that she’s Queen of Heaven is an innovation.
Nope, these things were all started by Jesus Christ Himself. Can you prove that these are all innovations, or are you just good at regurgitating Fundamentalist poo?The “Magisterium” is an innovation. The doctrine that it’s infallible is an innovation. Prayer to deceased “saints” is an innovation. “Purgatory” is an innovation. Transubstantiation is an innovation. The sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation is an innovation. The Pope as “vicar of Christ on earth” is an innovation. That the church of Rome is the Church that Christ “founded” is an innovation. That the Roman Bishops are the seccessors of the Apostles is an innovation. That the Roman church (that ANY church, for that matter) is the new Israel is an innovation.
Considering you use an abridged version of Scripture, I would say that you are attempting to breach this arguement not armed with all the facts. Go get a complete bible, and do a little more research.Why? Because none of the above are are found in God’s immutable, written Word. Conclusion: Innovations.
Proof? Which Apostle taught the Marian doctrines?No, these things were beleived and taught by the Apostles and their successors.
Can you give me documentation for Christ teaching, for instance, the Marian doctrines or that the Bishop of Rome is His vicar on earth?Nope, these things were all started by Jesus Christ Himself.
I can prove to you that they all lack Biblical support. If the Apostles didn’t teach them, nor did Christ, then by definition they are men’s innovations.Can you prove that these are all innovations, or are you just good at regurgitating Fundamentalist poo?
You still haven’t proven anything. You seem to be perfect at reciting the anti-Catholic Fundamentalistic jargon that has been debunked for over a hundred years. Maybe you should find a better source of information than Lorraine Boettner or Jack Chick.Proof? Which Apostle taught the Marian doctrines?Can you give me documentation for Christ teaching, for instance, the Marian doctrines or that the Bishop of Rome is His vicar on earth?I can prove to you that they all lack Biblical support. If the Apostles didn’t teach them, nor did Christ, then by definition they are men’s innovations.