Does Protestantism exist today?
Introduction. Many divide the religious world into three divisions: Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic. Some have wondered why the division is not: Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, and Christian. The designation "Protestant" does not necessarily imply Christian.
Origin of "Protestant". The rule of the Catholic Church was being questioned in the 1500's. Two important dates stand out, 1526 and 1529. The diet at Spires in 1526 gained some religious freedoms for "churches" to obtain a measure of autonomy or self-government. However, in 1529 when the diet again met at Spires, the Roman Catholic party was in the majority. The emperor declared: "By my imperial and absolute authority I abolish the clause in the ordinance of 1526 on which the Lutherans relied when they founded their territorial churches...." Those who declared that they would not abide by the decision of 1529 but that they would continue to recognize the ruling of the diet of 1526, were called "Protestants."
There is not much protesting today. The message of the bulk of the denominational world today is positivity (see Isa. 30: 10). Since their concept of positivity does not include but little negativity, they do not protest the doctrinal perversions of Catholicism. Cries against the Catholic doctrine of original sin, the papacy, transubstantiation, and salvation by human merit are not heard much anymore. In fact, there is but little protesting against abortion, pre-marital sex, drugs, adultery, lying, and homosexuality.
Conclusion. Much of the gospel is what man would term negative and demands protestation (Jude 3, Phili. 1: 7, 17, Gal. 2: 14). The Christian is to, "...have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5: 11). This command involves protestation. Alas, protesting is seldom found today, except to protest against those who scripturally protest!
Origin of "Protestant". The rule of the Catholic Church was being questioned in the 1500's. Two important dates stand out, 1526 and 1529. The diet at Spires in 1526 gained some religious freedoms for "churches" to obtain a measure of autonomy or self-government. However, in 1529 when the diet again met at Spires, the Roman Catholic party was in the majority. The emperor declared: "By my imperial and absolute authority I abolish the clause in the ordinance of 1526 on which the Lutherans relied when they founded their territorial churches...." Those who declared that they would not abide by the decision of 1529 but that they would continue to recognize the ruling of the diet of 1526, were called "Protestants."
There is not much protesting today. The message of the bulk of the denominational world today is positivity (see Isa. 30: 10). Since their concept of positivity does not include but little negativity, they do not protest the doctrinal perversions of Catholicism. Cries against the Catholic doctrine of original sin, the papacy, transubstantiation, and salvation by human merit are not heard much anymore. In fact, there is but little protesting against abortion, pre-marital sex, drugs, adultery, lying, and homosexuality.
Conclusion. Much of the gospel is what man would term negative and demands protestation (Jude 3, Phili. 1: 7, 17, Gal. 2: 14). The Christian is to, "...have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5: 11). This command involves protestation. Alas, protesting is seldom found today, except to protest against those who scripturally protest!