Protestant Denominations

1. Protestant Denominations

6. Other Denominations • Civil War denominations • Later schisms from the Church of Rome • Old Catholics (1870s) • Society of St Pius X (1970s) • Today: schisms between liberals (modernists) and conservatives and traditionalists • Liberals = revise doctrine, practices and moral teaching • Conservatives = retain traditional moral teaching • Traditionalists = retain traditional doctrine and practices

7. Why so many? • The notion of Sola Scriptura has, built within itself, the idea that one person’s interpretation is just as good as another person’s interpretation. • There is no hierarchy (governing authority) • Everyone is his own pope • RESULT: Protestant denominations foster • Protest • Lack of obedience/submission to will of leaders or others • Lack of humility

8. Why so many • When there is a dispute, instead of working it out or conforming to each other, a new group is formed • New denominations are formed due to: • Differences in theology • Differences in moral teaching • Differences in race

9. Similarities & Differences • What are the three key doctrines that Catholics and Protestants have in common? • Blessed Trinity • Exception: liberal protestants • Person of Jesus Christ • Note: Christology is not always clear in Baptist groups • Inspiration and Authority of Scripture • Exception: liberal protestants

10. Moral Teaching • You shall not commit murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not commit pederasty, you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, you shall not practice magic, you shall not practice witchcraft, you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is born. You shall not covet the things of your neighbor, you shall not swear, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not speak evil, you shall bear no grudge. You shall not be double-minded nor double-tongued, for to be double-tongued is a snare of death. Your speech shall not be false, nor empty, but fulfilled by deed. You shall not be covetous, nor rapacious, nor a hypocrite, nor evil disposed, nor haughty. You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbor. You shall not hate any man; but some you shall reprove, and concerning some you shall pray, and some you shall love more than your own life. (Didache, 80AD)

11. Similarities & Differences • What moral teachings do Catholics and Protestants have in common? • Need to distinguish between liberal and conservative • Liberals favor • Abortion • Homosexual marriage (or blessing homosexual union) • Contraception • All discourage divorce to some degree, but permit second or third marriages

12. Similarities & Differences • What liturgical practices do Catholics and Protestants have in common? • Baptism as a rite of initiation • Exception: When baptism is applied, what it means and how often it is given • Baptism with water in Triune name • Exception: liberal protestants • Eucharist as a feature of worship • Exception: What it gives, how often offered, how it is understood and what it means

13. Similarities & Differences

14. Similarities & Differences