Student Essay on Fragmentation of the Protestant Church

Fragmentation of the Protestant Church

The major divisions of the Protestantism are Baptist, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Methodist, Lutheranism, Unitarianism, and Quakers (www.encyclopedia.com). Even the very first Protestant Reformers were unable to maintain a unity of faith or purpose. The divisions of Protestantism are just an example of the continued fragmentation of the churches. The tendency towards this divineness is a strength to the Protestantism religion.

Originally, the Baptist had the same beliefs as the Protestant church had, with the exception of baptism. For Baptists, only true believers could be baptized. Furthermore, when baptized, Baptists are completely immersed in water, rather than following the Protestant method of having a few drops of water sprinkled on the forehead. Baptists do not acknowledge man-made authority within the church and therefore do not select humans as leaders of the church. The Presbyterian Church was developed with the influence of John Calvin. He believed that the church was led only by Jesus, and all of its members we equal under the authority of Christ. Anglicans have a devout admiration for Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus Christ. The communities of the Anglican include a spiritual life of prayer and worship. They also emphasize a life of giving of oneself. For example, Anglicans traveled with Florence Nightengale on her trip to Crimea and worked as nurses (www.encyclopedia.com). The Methodist church developed with the help of John Wesley was was an evangelist. The message of the church is to create the life of God within men. The Lutheran church originated from the philosophical views of Martin Luther. The Lutherans are considered one of the three major branches of Protestantism. Lutherans base their faith on the Bible and, just as Baptist; there is no human authority within the church. Unitarianism started as an organized religious movement in Poland. They wanted to reform the church, so they used Hebrew Scriptures as wall as the New Testament as the basis of their faith. They did not recognize the Holy Trinity in the way the Roman Catholic Church does. Finally, the Quakers base their beliefs on following the guidance of the Holy Sprit, and promoting peace. George Fox founded the first Quaker society in England. The word Quaker actually means friend (www.encyclopedia.com).

In the fifteenth century at the time of the Protestant Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church was quite powerful. The Church used what some individuals considered to be extremely holy artifacts to make money. The opportunity to view these artifacts was used to turn a profit for the Church. In addition to viewing the artifacts, the Church offered release from purgatory for entire families, just by viewing the relics. Martin Luther felt that what the Catholic Church was doing was hypocrisy. Luther began to openly criticize the church, which was unheard of in public forums. Eventually, Luther was not the only one criticizing the church. There was an increase in public outcry for how the wants, and not the actual needs, of the church were satisfied. For example, Saint Peter's Cathedral was an extravagant building, which contradicted the teachings of the church. After the Catholic Church excommunicated Luther, he was sequestered to appear before a German council. A passage from Luther's address to the German Nobility quotes him as saying.

"Therefore, if the Pope wishes to use his power to prevent the calling of a free council, so as to prevent the reformation of the Church, we must not respect him or his power, and if he should be to excommunicate and fulminate we must despise this as the doings of a madman, and, trusting in God."

Luther's brave stance against the Catholic Church took place two years before Henry VIII split from the Catholic Church and declared himself the head of the Church of England. Clearly, Henry VIII was well aware of Luther's actions and realized the opportunity he had to be rid of the influence of the Catholic Church, as well as allow him to divorce his wife, and marry the woman he thought would provide him with a male heir.

Personally, I believe Luther was revolutionist in a sense, he opened the door for new ways of thinking about the Christian religion, including Protestantism. His actions actually made it simpler to create faith and purpose. What the people were exposed to was highly contradictory. They were being taught in holy halls the teachings of humility and obedience; however, the actions of the clergy were neither of humility nor of obedience. Protestantism and this continued divineness strengthened Christianity and enabled people to transition to a religion to which people could actually witness the humbleness.

References:

Fisher, M.P., "Living Religions: Sixth Edition", (2005). Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ

Fisher, M.P., Bailey, L.W., "An Anthology of Living Religions", (2000). Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

Fiero, G. K., "The Humanistic Tradition, The European Renaissance, The Reformation, and The Global Encounter", (2002). McGraw-Hill, New York, NY