The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Protestantism:
Protestantism – form of Christian faith and practice which arose out of the Protestant Reformation, a movement against what the Protestants considered to be errors in the Roman Catholic Church. It is one of the major branches of the Christian religion, together with Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
Nature of Protestantism
Theism
Monotheism
Abrahamic religions
Christianity
Protestantism
Beliefs of Protestants
the Five Solas
Sola Fide – by faith alone (no works involved in justification) Sola Scriptura – by scripture alone (the Bible as the sole infallible authority of Christian doctrine and practice as opposed to the belief in tradition or magisterium infallibility) Sola Gratia – (salvation) by grace alone (without any merit) Solus Christus – Christ alone (Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and man as opposed to Intercession of saints or Mary) Soli Deo Gloria – glory to God alone (no veneration of Mary, angels or the saints)
Branches of Protestantism
Lutheranism – a major branch of the reformation, adhering to the theology of Martin Luther 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. Arminianism – a Protestant theological movement based on the teachings of Jacobus Arminius. Calvinism – a Protestant theological system based in large part on the teachings of John Calvin, a reformer. Continental Reformed Churches – Calvinist churches which trace their origin in the European continent. Presbyterianism – a denomination adhering to Calvinist views, with governance by elders (presbyters) Congregational church – English separatists adhering to Calvinist views, with a congregationalist governance. Baptist – English separatists distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only. Methodism – a revival movement within the Church of England which later became a separate denomination. Pentecostalism – a movement within Christianity putting particular emphasis on the direct experience of God in the form of the Holy Spirit.