Protestantism Facts & Worksheets

Protestantism is a major branch of Christianity that originated during the 16th-century Reformation. It encompasses various Christian denominations with theological and historical connections to the Reformation movement. Protestants reject certain beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church and emphasize principles such as salvation by faith alone, the authority of Scripture, and the priesthood of all believers.

See the fact file below for more information on Protestantism, or you can download our 25-page Protestantism worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

• Protestantism’s history may be traced back to the Reformation of the 16th century, an important religious and social movement spearheaded by individuals like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others. 
• These reformers tried to make reforms and return to what they thought to be the fundamental teachings of Christianity as found in the Bible after becoming dissatisfied with certain practices and beliefs inside the Catholic Church.
• When German theologian and monk Martin Luther famously posted his Ninety-Five theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, the movement gained traction in the early 16th century. 
• These theses attacked the Catholic Church’s indulgence sales and other policies, igniting a firestorm of philosophical and theological discussions.
• As reformers contested major facets of Catholic teaching, including the primacy of the Pope, the place of tradition in addition to scripture, and the idea of salvation by faith alone, the core beliefs of Protestantism began to take shape.
• A rising number of people in Europe were moved by these concepts because they represented a return to the simplicity and holiness of early Christianity.
• Different reformers, theologians, and religious figures contributed to the growth of numerous Protestant denominations as the Reformation progressed. 
• French theologian John Calvin, who emphasized God’s omnipotence and predestination, was essential in forming Reformed theology. 
• Protestant movements were also greatly aided by other important reformers, such as Thomas Cranmer in England and Ulrich Zwingli in Switzerland.

THEOLOGY

• Although Protestant theology contains a variety of viewpoints, there are several overarching ideas that frequently guide Protestant philosophy.
• First, Protestantism places a strong emphasis on the authority of Scripture as the final authority on matters of faith. 
• The Bible alone has the ultimate authority in questions of faith and practice, according to the Sola Scriptura concept. 
• It implies that people should turn to the Bible in order to comprehend fundamental theological concepts and determine God’s intent.
• Second, Protestant theology stresses Sola Fide, or redemption by grace alone via faith.
• This idea holds that people are justified and saved by their trust in Jesus Christ, not by their own efforts or merit. 
• It emphasizes the idea that salvation is a gift from God that is attained via having faith in and trust in Jesus’ finished work of atonement on the cross.
• Thirdly, Sola Gratia, or the notion of grace alone, is upheld by Protestant theology. This idea stresses that human effort cannot earn or merit salvation; rather, salvation is totally a gift of God.
• It underlines how undeserved and freely provided God’s grace is, highlighting how much mankind depends on God’s kindness to be saved.
• Fourthly, Protestant theology emphasizes Solus Christus, or Christ Alone. This idea emphasizes that there is only one Mediator between God and humans, and that is Jesus Christ. 
• It contends that only Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection make it possible for anyone to find salvation and have access to God. The uniqueness and sufficiency of Christ’s atoning act for humanity are emphasized.
• Finally, Soli Deo Gloria, or the glory of God alone, is emphasized in Protestantism. According to this idea, everything in life, including salvation and faith, should be focused only on bringing God praise and honor. It implies that worshiping and glorifying God in all spheres of life is the ultimate goal of human existence.
• These five solae: Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, and Soli Deo Gloria, encapsulate a number of the fundamental theological tenets of Protestantism. 
• It is crucial to remember that Protestantism is varied and contains a wide spectrum of theological viewpoints, though, since many denominations and theologians may stress and interpret these principles in different ways.

BRANCHES

• As a multifaceted branch of Christianity, Protestantism includes several denominations that have grown over time. Theological perspectives, methods of worship, organizational setups, and cultural influences vary across these denominations.

Lutheran

• The Martin Luther-led Reformation in the sixteenth century is where the Lutheran branch of Protestantism has its origins. Lutheranism places a strong emphasis on the concepts of Sola Scriptura and redemption by grace alone. 
• It tends to have a liturgical worship style and lays a lot of emphasis on the sacraments, notably baptism, and the Eucharist.

Reformed/Calvinist

• In the 16th century, John Calvin’s ideas gave rise to the Reformed tradition, often known as Calvinism. The sovereignty of God, predestination, and the infallible authority of Scripture are all stressed in reformed theology. 
• It strongly emphasizes the notion of grace and frequently incorporates covenant theology and the view that the visible church is a body of believers.

Anglican

• The Church of England was founded during the Reformation in England, where Anglicanism has its roots. The authority of Scripture, as well as the value of custom and reason, are stressed by Anglicans.
• Anglican worship incorporates aspects of both the Catholic and Protestant traditions, as well as a variety of theological stances and a liturgical framework.
• It emphasizes the importance of the historic episcopate, the Book of Common Prayer, and the authority of Scripture.
• The Episcopal Church, the Church of England, and the Anglican Church of Canada are examples of Anglican denominations.

Methodist

• In the 18th century, John Wesley headed a movement within Anglicanism known as Methodism. Methodists place a strong emphasis on social justice and are involved in their churches. Methodist services frequently feature upbeat preaching and song.

Baptist

• The Baptist tradition began in the 17th century and places a strong emphasis on believer’s baptism, individual freedom, and local churches’ autonomy. Baptists strongly support the division of church and state and hold the Bible’s authority in high regard. 

Pentecostal/Charismatic

• Speaking in tongues, prophecy, and miraculous healing are among the gifts of the Holy Spirit emphasized by the Pentecostal and Charismatic groups within Protestantism. 
• These early 20th-century movements have developed into a number of denominations throughout time. Pentecostal and Charismatic denominations, including organizations like the Assemblies of God, Church of God in Christ, and Vineyard Churches, have substantially developed in the 20th century.

Adventist

• With an emphasis on the soon-to-occur second coming of Christ, Adventism first appeared in the 19th century. It strongly emphasizes biblical prophecy, health concepts, and Sabbath observance. The Advent Christian Church, Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Church of God (Seventh Day) are notable Adventist denominations.

Protestantism Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Protestantism across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Protestantism. Protestantism is a major branch of Christianity that originated during the 16th-century Reformation. It encompasses various Christian denominations with theological and historical connections to the Reformation movement.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Protestantism Facts
2. The Protestant Reformation
3. The Key Figures
4. Impact of the Protestant Reformation
5. Theology of Protestantism
6. Compare and Contrast
7. A Protestant Church
8. Unique Branches
9. Practicing Faith
10. Testing My Values
11. Story of Religion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Protestantism?

Protestantism is one of the major branches of Christianity that originated during the 16th-century Reformation. It emerged as a protest against certain doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church and led to the establishment of various denominations that share common beliefs, but also have their distinct theological interpretations.

Who was the key figure behind the Protestant Reformation?

The key figure behind the Protestant Reformation was Martin Luther. In 1517, Luther, a German monk and theologian, famously posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, criticizing the Catholic Church’s sale of indulgences and calling for reforms. This act is considered the catalyst for the Reformation.

What are the main beliefs that distinguish Protestantism from Catholicism?

Some of the main beliefs that distinguish Protestantism from Catholicism include the rejection of papal authority and the idea of “sola scriptura” (Scripture alone) as the primary authority for Christian faith and practice. Protestants also emphasize the concept of “sola fide” (faith alone) as the means of justification before God, whereas Catholics believe in the combination of faith and good works for salvation.

How many denominations are there within Protestantism?

Protestantism encompasses a wide range of denominations, each with its unique beliefs and practices. It is challenging to provide an exact number due to the continuous evolution of new denominations and the varying criteria used to define them. However, estimates suggest there are thousands of Protestant denominations worldwide.

What are some of the significant Protestant denominations?

Some of the most significant Protestant denominations include Lutheranism (followers of Martin Luther), Anglicanism (Church of England), Calvinism (Reformed tradition), Methodism (followers of John Wesley), Baptists (believers in adult baptism), and Pentecostalism (emphasizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit). Each of these denominations has its specific theological emphasis and historical development.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

<a href="https://kidskonnect.com/religion/protestantism/">Protestantism Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com</a> - KidsKonnect, September 6, 2023

Link will appear as Protestantism Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 6, 2023