Outline of Protestantism

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Protestantism:

Protestantism – form of Christian faith and practice which originated with the Protestant Reformation, a movement against what the Protestants considered to be errors in the Roman Catholic Church. It is one of the major divisions of Christendom, together with Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

Nature of Protestantism

• Theism
  • Christianity
    • Protestantism

Beliefs of Protestants

• the five solas
  • sola fide – by faith alone
  • sola scriptura – by scripture alone
  • sola gratia – by grace alone
  • solus Christus – by Christ alone
  • soli Deo Gloria – glory to God alone

Branches of Protestantism

• Anabaptist – part of the Radical Reformation of 16th-century Europe. Many consider Anabaptism to be a distinct movement from Protestantism. Amish, Hutterites, and Mennonites are descendants of the movement.
• Anglicanism – churches with historical connections to the Church of England
• Calvinism – a Protestant theological system based in large part on the teachings of John Calvin, a reformer.
• Counter-Reformation – a period of Catholic revival in response to the Protestant reformation
• Dissenters – in this context, one who has separated from the Established Church
• Nonconformism – the practice of refusing to adhere to the practices of the Church of England.
• Lutheranism – a major branch of the reformation, adhering to the theology of Martin Luther
• Polish Brethren – the Minor Reformed Church of Poland, a non-Trinitarian church (1565 – 1658)
• Remonstrants – Dutch Protestants adhering to the views of Arminius, in opposition to Calvinism
• Presbyterianism – a denomination adhering to Calvinist views, with governance by elders (presbyters)
• Evangelicalism – a Protestant Christian movement which began in the 17th century, but grew much more prominent in the 18th & 19th centuries during the Great Awakenings; it emphasizes individual piety
• Liberalism – the belief in liberty and equality. In religion, emphasizes theological diversity over creed or authority.
• Fundamentalism – originally meant a specific set of theological beliefs; has come to mean unwavering devotion to a specific set of fundamental beliefs.
• Pentecostalism – a movement within Christianity putting particular emphasis on the direct experience of God in the form of the Holy Spirit.

History of Protestantism

Pre-Reformation movements

• Waldensians – (Italy, 12th century)
• Avignon Papacy – (1309–77)
• John Wycliffe – (England, 1320–84)
• Western Schism – (1378–1417)
• Jan Hus – (Bohemia, ~1369–1415)
  • Hussite Wars – (1420–~34)
  • Hussites –
• Northern Renaissance –
• German mysticism –

The Protestant Reformation

• Martin Luther – One of the first Protestant reformers in the 16th century; founder of the Lutheran denomination.
  • The Ninety-Five Theses – Martin Luther's list of complaints against the church
• German Peasants' War – A peasants' rebellion in Germany.
• Schmalkaldic League –
• Magisterial Reformation –
• Radical Reformation – a section of the reformation movement seeking radical reform in the Church; the Anabaptists are major adherents
• Counter-Reformation – within the Catholic Church, reforms occurred in response to the Protestant Reformation

Reformation era movements

• Anabaptist – Many consider Anabaptism to be a distinct movement from Protestantism. Amish, Hutterites, and Mennonites are descendants of the movement.
• Anglicanism – churches with historical connections to the Church of England
• Calvinism – a Protestant theological system based in large part on the teachings of John Calvin, a reformer.
• Counter-Reformation – a period of Catholic revival in response to the Protestant reformation
• Dissenters – in this context, one who has separated from the Established Church
• Nonconformism – the practice of refusing to adhere to the practices of the Church of England.
• Lutheranism – a major branch of the reformation, adhering to the theology of Martin Luther
• Polish Brethren – the Minor Reformed Church of Poland, a non-Trinitarian church (1565 – 1658)
• Remonstrants – Dutch Protestants adhering to the views of Arminius, in opposition to Calvinism

Personalities of the era of the Reformation

• Jacobus Arminius – Dutch theologian, founder of school of thought known as Arminianism
• Heinrich Bullinger – successor of Zwingli, leading reformed theologian.
• John Calvin – French theologian, Reformer and resident of Geneva, Switzerland, he founded the school of theology known as Calvinism.
• Balthasar Hubmaier – influential Anabaptist theologian, author of numerous works during his five years of ministry, tortured at Zwingli's behest, and executed in Vienna.
• John Knox – Scottish Calvinist reformer.
• Martin Luther – church reformer, Father of Protestantism, theological works guided those now known as Lutherans.
• Philipp Melanchthon – early Lutheran leader.
• Menno Simons – founder of Mennonitism
• John Smyth (1570-1612), early Baptist leader.
• Huldrych Zwingli – founder of Swiss reformed tradition.
• Henry VIII – king of England.

The Great Awakenings

Main article: Great Awakenings

• First Great Awakening – (c. 1731–1755)
• Second Great Awakening – (c. 1790–1840)
• Third Great Awakening – (c. 1850–1900)
• Fourth Great Awakening – (c. 1960–1980)

The Reformation History