Discussion 1
The first discussion spoke on the differences between Roman Catholic and Protestants regarding their belief in the church. Protestantism arose in the 16th century in response to the corrupt practices that were experienced in the Roman Catholic Church. The reformation developed in objection to the totalitarian control associated with the Roman Catholic Church. Some of the first reformers were Martin Luther and John Calvin, who protested the unbiblical practices of the Catholic Church while advocating for sound biblical doctrine. 1
There are several significant differences between the Roman Catholic Church and Protestantism despite attempts to find common ground. The discussion mentioned several elements in the areas of Salvation, scriptures, Adam’s sin, and bondage. The essential doctrines of reformation include views that the bible is the sole authority for matters of faith and practice and Salvation being proved of God’s undeserved favor. For example, the issue of sufficiency and authority of scripture is a significant difference that is often interpreted differently between the two theologies. Furthermore, the reformation doctrine states that Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone, and believers are justified by faith in Christ rather than works of the law. 2
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The reply also discussed differences between Protestantism and evangelical Christians that exist in the church today. Some doctrines were part of the reformation period and have been dropped by evangelical Christianity today. A majority of the differences touches on the areas of local monopolies in practicing Christianity, Lord’s Supper, atonement, and baptism. For example, where evangelical Christianity does not agree with the view that Christ died substitutionary penal death. The evangelical Christians also do not agree with the perspective that the Lord’s Supper represented Christ’s presence in the sacrament. Furthermore, there have been objections on how the views regarding baptism to receive God’s grace.
In essence, the evangelical churches today bears the stamp of reformation period with Lutheranism defining much of the protestant ethos, though some elements of the mainland Protestants have become obsolete. This discussion has touched on a majority of the points regarding the roman catholic church, the reformation period as well as evangelical Christians today.
Discussion 2
The second reply focused on the influences that reformation theology has on evangelical Christianity today. The debate started by explaining how reformation theology led to the Protestantism, and how modern-day evangelism tends to differ from the mainland Protestantism. The discussion focused mostly on how Martin Luther influenced reformation theology and how the elements of reformation changed Christianity. Christianity across the world has followed chiefly the Lutheranism where every church attempts to set itself apart from the traditional doctrines.
Luther challenged an aspect of papal indulgences in the Roman Catholic Church that promised individuals absolution from their sins and into heaven. 3 In the process, he questioned the whole authority of the church by starting a reformation which is still in practice today. His influence can be seen in how the Lord’s Supper is viewed, which is more than just a representation of the body and blood of Christ. Protestant and evangelical churches today agree with Luther’s viewpoint that the Lord’s Supper is the body and blood of Christ.
Although Luther was primarily involved in starting the reformation, there are other reformers whose legacy lives on as seen with the different protestant traditions. For example, John Calvin came up with his protestant denomination with a specific theology and approach, with John Knox forming the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. 4 While not all protestant reformations were idealistic, a majority of them shared Luther’s original objections to the Catholic Church. In essence, the objections to catholic theological ideas are elements that define the protestant umbrella today.
In the contemporary world, evangelical Protestantism seems to flourish more than the mainline Protestantism. For example, evangelical Christian groups have rejected several doctrines proposed by the mainland Protestantism, creating differences in how reformers viewed the church doctrines from how evangelical Christians do. In essence, this discussion has raised essential components of the reformation period, Protestantism, and evangelism. However, the debate should have added a focus on the differences between the Roman Catholic Church and evangelistic Christianity and how the doctrines have continued to change.
References
Noll, Mark A. Turning points: Decisive moments in the history of Christianity . Baker Books, 2012.
Walton, Robert C. Chronological and background charts of church history . Zondervan Academic, 2018.
1 Mark Noll. Turning points: Decisive moments in the history of Christianity (Baker Books, 2012)
2 Robert Walton. Chronological and background charts of church history (Zondervan Academic, 2018)
3 Mark Noll. Turning points: Decisive moments in the history of Christianity (Baker Books, 2012)
4 Robert Walton. Chronological and background charts of church history (Zondervan Academic, 2018)
