Did Protestantism exist in the early church? - KingdomCraft

Summary

In this video, the host of 'Kingdomcraft' explores the origins of Protestant beliefs in the early church, challenging the notion that Protestantism is only 500 years old. They argue that while the label 'Protestant' is new, many of its ideas were present in the early church. The video discusses the Reformation as a reformative movement, not a creation of a new church, and highlights how Protestant reformers saw their efforts as a return to early Christian practices. It also touches on the development of doctrine and the progressive revelation in Christian theology over time.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses the misconception that Protestantism is only 500 years old, highlighting the difference between the Protestant Reformation and the inception of Protestant denominations.
• 🏛 The speaker argues that the Protestant Reformation was about reforming the existing church rather than creating a new one, using the term 'reformation' to emphasize this point.
• 📚 The script acknowledges that while Protestantism in its current form did not exist in the early church, many of its underlying ideas and beliefs did, in a 'seed form'.
• 🎨 The video touches on the issue of icons and the differences between the early church's perspective and the later practices of the Catholic Church, as seen by the reformers.
• 🍇 The script points out the practice of communion in both kinds (bread and wine) as an example of a tradition that was followed in the early church but later changed by some denominations.
• 🛣️ The Reformation is likened to the Renaissance, with both movements emphasizing a return to sources and a reevaluation of established beliefs and practices.
• 📖 The importance of reading and understanding the works of the Church Fathers is emphasized, as they are often quoted by Protestant reformers to support their beliefs.
• 🔍 The video challenges the notion that the early church is an infallible standard, suggesting that theological understanding develops over time, similar to the progression from Old Testament to New Testament.
• 🌳 The 'branch theory' is introduced as a way to view church history, with different denominations being branches from the same early Christian roots.
• 🚫 The script refutes the idea that the early church was uniformly Catholic or Orthodox, stating that the early church was simply the early church, distinct from later denominations.
• 📜 Lastly, the video concludes that the Bible is the ultimate authority for determining truth, suggesting that theological knowledge and understanding should be built upon, rather than deviating from, the teachings of the early church.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented in the video against the idea that Protestantism is only 500 years old?

The main argument is that the Protestant Reformation was not about creating a new church but reforming the existing one. It was about taking the existing church and reforming it based on the teachings of the early church, which they believed had been corrupted over time.

Why do some people claim that Protestantism is only 500 years old and was founded by Martin Luther?

This claim is often made by those who do not understand the historical context of the Protestant Reformation. They associate the label 'Protestant' with the Reformation and assume it was a new creation rather than a movement to reform the existing church.

What does the term 'Reformation' imply about the nature of the Protestant movement?

The term 'Reformation' implies that the movement was about reforming or reshaping the existing church rather than creating a new one. It suggests a return to the principles and practices of the early church.

What is the video's stance on the use of the early church as a standard for evaluating Christian doctrines?

The video suggests that while the early church provides valuable insights and a historical context, it is not an infallible standard. It argues against the idea that the early church's practices and beliefs should be followed without question.

How does the video address the idea that Protestant beliefs did not exist in the early church?

The video argues that while Protestantism as a distinct movement did not exist in the early church, many of the ideas behind Protestantism were present in seed form. It points out that the reformers saw a stark contrast between the early church's teachings and the practices of the later Catholic Church.

What is the video's view on the use of the Bible as the ultimate authority in Christian doctrine?

The video supports the idea that the Bible is the ultimate authority in Christian doctrine. However, it also acknowledges the value of tradition and the early church's practices as supplementary to biblical teachings.

How does the video respond to the claim that Protestants only quote heretics or are quote mining when they refer to the early church fathers?

The video refutes this claim by pointing out that Protestant reformers often quoted respected church fathers like Augustine and Gregory Nazianzen. It argues that the accusation of quote mining is often used to dismiss the relevance of these quotes without addressing their content.

What is the video's perspective on the development of Christian doctrine over time?

The video suggests that Christian doctrine develops and grows over time, similar to the progression from the Old Testament to the New Testament. It argues that this development is a natural part of the church's understanding deepening, not a departure from the truth.

How does the video compare the Protestant Reformation to the Renaissance movement?

The video draws a parallel between the Reformation and the Renaissance, noting that both movements were about returning to the sources and re-evaluating beliefs in light of new discoveries and understandings.

What is the video's conclusion on the relationship between the early church and modern denominations?

The video concludes that the early church was the root from which all modern denominations, including Protestantism, Catholicism, and Orthodoxy, sprang. It suggests that each denomination represents a different branch of the same tree, with diverse beliefs and practices evolving over time.

How does the video suggest Protestants should approach the history of the church and its development?

The video suggests that Protestants should adopt a 'branch theory' approach, recognizing the early church as the root and acknowledging the development of various branches over time. It encourages an objective and unbiased view of church history.