The Protestant Melting-Pot

[Christian_Unity]

I’ve been a Protestant my entire life and have been to numerous Protestant churches (including Calvary Chapel) and Catholic services too. The word Protestant is just a generic word and doesn’t mean much when trying to understand what a particular Protestant rooted church believes.

I personally find the confessional and creedal Protestant churches to be more doctrinally sound. Many of the contemporary non-denominational churches and members have no idea what the Protestant Reformation was all about from a historical perspective. Most have no idea what the 5 solas of the Protestant Reformation is about either.

 

[Indifferently]

But aren’t protestants against a works gospel:shrug: Also if this is the case, than why do they attack catholics. Sure there are a few evangelicals I know who didn’t care I was Catholic (simply saw me as Christian), but still, i’ve never got why they think catholics don’t love god.

Only God knows who loves him for sure, but every sincere Roman Catholic I’ve ever met loves God, and I’m sure many of them love him a good deal better than I do. As for justification by ‘faith alone’, that is my belief. But a lively faith will necessarily manifest itself in good works.

 

[ApologiaSophia]

But aren’t protestants against a works gospel:shrug: Also if this is the case, than why do they attack catholics. Sure there are a few evangelicals I know who didn’t care I was Catholic (simply saw me as Christian), but still, i’ve never got why they think catholics don’t love god.

Yes, but they are not against works. I think the difference would be like this; Protestants believe people are saved by faith alone, but that works are the result of true faith and that works are the result of indwelling, salvific work of the Holy Spirit. Apple trees are not apple trees because the produce apples, but they produce apples because they are apple trees. Does that make sense? (There are Protestants who believe that a person can be saved by faith and works and Protestants who believe they can be saved by faith without works. This would not be the majority, and the majority would say that they have misunderstood the idea of Sola Fide.)

 

[JonNC]

Yes, but they are not against works. I think the difference would be like this; Protestants believe people are saved by faith alone, but that works are the result of true faith and that works are the result of indwelling, salvific work of the Holy Spirit. Apple trees are not apple trees because the produce apples, but they produce apples because they are apple trees. Does that make sense? (There are Protestants who believe that a person can be saved by faith and works and Protestants who believe they can be saved by faith without works. This would not be the majority, and the majority would say that they have misunderstood the idea of Sola Fide.)

This.

From the Augsburg Confession:
Furthermore,* it is taught on our part that it is necessary to do good works**, not that we should trust to merit grace by them, but because it is the will of God. 28] It is only by faith that forgiveness of sins is apprehended, and that, for nothing. 29] And because through faith the Holy Ghost is received, hearts are renewed and endowed with new affections, so as to be able to bring forth good works. 30] For Ambrose says: Faith is the mother of a good will and right doing. 31] *

Jon

 

[ltwin]

How do Protestants view the many different denominations?

It depends. There are some divisions that have occurred because of doctrinal differences. The level of conflict will depend on how substantial the differences are.

Then there are those divisions that have occurred because of cultural differences. For example, the Presbyterian Churches and the Reformed Churches are all rooted in Calvinist doctrine. Reformed Churches originated on the European Continent, while Presbyterians originated in Scotland.

Another example for cultural differences is the division of American Protestants into white and black denominations. Methodism is a good example of this, having several historically African-American denominations, such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church. There have been talks between black Methodists and the United Methodist Church for possible unification, but they are still working on it.