Protestant Christianity

A family of traditions originating in the 16th-century Reformation; today extremely diverse.

Began with Luther's protest (1517) and developed through Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, and Anabaptist branches; later gave rise to Methodism, Baptists, Pentecostalism, and global non-denominational Christianity.

• Justification by grace through faith (classical Protestant emphasis).
• Scripture as supreme authority (sola scriptura) in most traditions.
• Priesthood of all believers.
• Wide internal variation on sacraments, ecclesiology, and worship.

Scripture is supreme; confessions and church order vary widely by tradition.

Most observe two sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper); understandings range from real presence to memorial.

From liturgical (Lutheran, Anglican) to free-form (Baptist, Pentecostal, non-denominational).

• Martin Luther
• John Calvin
• Thomas Cranmer
• John Wesley
• Karl Barth

1. 1517
   Luther's 95 Theses
2. 1534
   Church of England separates from Rome
3. 1536
   Calvin's Institutes
4. 1906
   Azusa Street Revival (Pentecostalism)