Outline of Protestantism

Updated on Jan 15, 2024

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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.

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.