Tag Archives: Protestant Reformation

A Protestant Thinks About the Blessed Virgin Mary

Talking about Mary can feel dangerous, especially if you are a Protestant who adheres to Protestant orthodoxy. Sure, we sing about Mary at Christmas, feel her pain on Good Friday, and maybe even read a little about her in the gospels. But for most American Protestants, almost any other interaction with Mary is borderline Catholic.Continue reading “A Protestant Thinks About the Blessed Virgin Mary”

The Non-Denominational Reformation

Every 500 years or so in the history of the Christian church, a significant restructuring seems to take place. Around the year 500, a church council at Chalcedon published what most of Christendom calls the clearest explanation of orthodox Christology: Christ is one person with two natures. However, large swaths of Christians—the Oriental Orthodox (suchContinue reading “The Non-Denominational Reformation”

The 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation

Today marks the 500th anniversary of the event that launched the Protestant Reformation: the nailing of Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, by a young monk and scholar named Martin Luther. As with all important historical events, this one is debated. Did Luther intend to cause the greatest schismContinue reading “The 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation”

A Brief History of Communion: Five Reformation Views

This post is part of an ongoing series on the history of communion. The Reformation Church With the outbreak of theological reforms in the 16th century came considerable revisions and specifications of the theologies and practices of Communion. Essentially, five major views solidified: Tridentine, Consubstantial, Reformed, Via Media, and Memorialist.

Ep22: What Is Baptism?

In this episode of the Church Debates series, we look at the important questions surrounding Baptism which influence how Christians understand the “washing of water” differently.

Ep21: What Is Communion?

In this episode of the Church Debates series, we look at the five Reformation-era views on communion.

Ep20: Predestination and Freewill Redux

In this episode of the Church Debates series, guest speaker Kyle Harbaugh leads a discussion of the Predestination and Freewill debates during the Reformation period, especially those surrounding TULIP.

Ep19: Should Christians Follow Scripture or Tradition?

This episode of the Church Debates series examines whether Christians should follow Scripture, Tradition, or some elements of both as the guides for Christian life and faith.

Ep18: Can Christians Lose Their Salvation?

This episode of the Church Debates series looks at the questions, What is Salvation?, How does Salvation Work?, and Can Christians Lose Their Salvation?

Ep17: What Must I Do To Be Saved?

In this episode of the Church Debates series, we look at the historical context and major historical events of the Protestant Reformation and begin to examine Martin Luther’s theology of salvation.