Iām not asking this question myself. Iām actually assuming that any Christian can see the wrongness of asking such a question. Yet, after reading some of the posts here and knowing a little history, it seems that this question is the primary focus of protestant theology.
Most of the sincere questions (as opposed to those that are starters for preaching at us) are along the lines of ādo you really need that?ā
Letās look at the reformation. The āpillarsā of the reformation all seem to have aimed not at reforming the church, but eliminating large parts of it. Sola Scriptura tries to eliminate the need for a Magesterium and Apostolic Tradition. Sola Fide tries to eliminate the need to follow Christs laws. Sola Cristos tries to eliminate preisthood and most if not all of the sacrements. Luther elimnated the Deuterocanonicals to try to eliminate purgatory.
More recent development continue this chopping away at the faith. OSAS eliminates repentance and perseverence. While the early denominations set up parallel heirarchies, Congregationalists tried to eliminate that and Non-denomās go even further with that. Although most would refuse to admit it a lot of the most pared down churches have in practice eliminated or nearly eliminated the bible from Genesis thru Luke. Baptism is of the spirit so no water is needed. Eucharist is symbolic so you donāt really need to do it, at least not often. Etc, etc.
The development of Catholic theology is often likened to an oak growing from an acorn. A lot of the Protestant trees have been pared down to the point that they resemble telephone poles.
The one exception to this seems to be dispensationalism. Any thoughts on why those most obsessed with eliminating parts of the faith have embrased this addition most strongly?
