General Protestant Forum

[Jonaitis]

Yes, I know that this has been already suggested. I think it should be suggested again.

The famous 'five solas' unites all Protestant traditions, and I think this is what should single out that forum from the others. Simply categorizing us as Non-Denomination is not enough, since many other faith traditions that take exceptions to the five solas can discuss as Non-Denominational.

 

[Barney2.0]

Well many Protestant Churches and sects have varying doctrines that don’t always agree with each other, so I don’t think that they could be united or mashed together in a single forum.

 

[Jonaitis]

Deleted Post

 

[Paidiske]

I don't think all Protestants would agree on Sola Scriptura.

 

[Dave-W]

I don't think all Protestants would agree on Sola Scriptura.

I don't think they would even agree on a definition of "sola scriptura."

 

[FireDragon76]

I don't think they would even agree on a definition of "sola scriptura."

That's true. Does it imply a regulative principle, for instance? That's something that divides many Protestants.

 

[Dave-W]

That's true. Does it imply a regulative principle, for instance? That's something that divides many Protestants.

Some people's definition may include that.

 

[Barney2.0]

To be honest Protestantism isn’t a single sect or organization like say Catholicism or Eastern or Oriental Orthodoxy is. It’s an umbrella term for many different Churches who split from the Catholic Church in the so called “reformation” under the so called “reformers.” So I don’t think we can even use Protestantism to refer to a specific branch of Christianity anymore, as it seems to confuse many people.

 

[FireDragon76]

To be honest Protestantism isn’t a single sect or organization like say Catholicism or Eastern or Oriental Orthodoxy is. It’s an umbrella term for many different Churches who split from the Catholic Church in the so called “reformation” under the so called “reformers.” So I don’t think we can even use Protestantism to refer to a specific branch of Christianity anymore, as it seems to confuse many people.

Yeah, I had a discussion the other day with a non-denominational guy that basically denied everything early Protestants stood for. And all I asked him was "Then why aren't you Catholic if you thought Erasmus had the better arguments than Luther?"

I'm Lutheran. My religion isn't like the typical evangelical's religion in the US. We are a sacramental religion. I see no purpose in a "Protestant" forum.

 

[W2L]

To be honest Protestantism isn’t a single sect or organization like say Catholicism or Eastern or Oriental Orthodoxy is. It’s an umbrella term for many different Churches who split from the Catholic Church in the so called “reformation” under the so called “reformers.” So I don’t think we can even use Protestantism to refer to a specific branch of Christianity anymore, as it seems to confuse many people.

In discussions about church unity, catholics like to lump all protestants together into one church, saying the protestant church is divided.

 

[FireDragon76]

In discussions about church unity, catholics like to lump all protestants together into one church, saying the protestant church is divided.

Actually, they tend to do the opposite, they point out the divisions among Protestants.

 

[W2L]

they point out the divisions among Protestants.

Thats what i said

 

[Albion]

Yes, I know that this has been already suggested. I think it should be suggested again.

The famous 'five solas' unites all Protestant traditions, and I think this is what should single out that forum from the others. Simply categorizing us as Non-Denomination is not enough, since many other faith traditions that take exceptions to the five solas can discuss as Non-Denominational.

The problem, IMO, is non-denominational, the term. It is a catch-all term and a popular catch-all category on CF that does not tell a reader much of anything. This works to the disadvantage of people who actually are members of independent, unaffiliated, congregations--which is what the word used to signal.

 

[Albion]

To be honest Protestantism isn’t a single sect or organization like say Catholicism or Eastern or Oriental Orthodoxy is. It’s an umbrella term for many different Churches who split from the Catholic Church in the so called “reformation” under the so called “reformers.” So I don’t think we can even use Protestantism to refer to a specific branch of Christianity anymore, as it seems to confuse many people.

Could be somewhat cumbersome to do that, but it would be more accurate. Oddly enough, Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and some others are not lumped together as "Catholic," yet the same logic that causes "Protestant" to be used as it is today holds true for them, too.

 

[anna ~ grace]

I can see a need for it, but can also see how the sheer diversity of Protestant thought and praxis would turn it into essentially an arena for debate, and less fellowship. One could try. That's true. But it may not work.

This is why we have separate subforums for Mennonites, Baptists, Reformed Theology, Lutherans (two, actually), and Anglicans.

 

[Albion]

I don't think they would even agree on a definition of "sola scriptura."

There may be some gray areas involved, but no moreso than what their opposite number means to Catholics both East and West. Faith plus Good Works, for example. Or the meaning of "Tradition." We stipulate that all these points, or the counterpoints, define one side or the other, but there is still some imprecision.

 

[Albion]

I can see a need for it, but can also see how the sheer diversity of Protestant thought and praxis would turn it into essentially an arena for debate, and less fellowship. One could try. That's true. But it may not work.

I think you are right about that. While I can see that people who are members of non-denominational congregations seem effectively sidelined, what would be the common factor that recommends giving them their own forum?--"We don't answer to any higher ecclesiastical authority?"

That's the only guaranteed characteristic of any congregation that calls itself "non-denominational."

 

[FireDragon76]

I can see a need for it, but can also see how the sheer diversity of Protestant thought and praxis would turn it into essentially an arena for debate, and less fellowship. One could try. That's true. But it may not work.

This is why we have separate subforums for Mennonites, Baptists, Reformed Theology, Lutherans (two, actually), and Anglicans.

The two Lutheran forums have more to do with disagreements over modernism. Sort of like Salt of the Earth vs. the Lord's Table.

 

[anna ~ grace]

I think you are right about that. While I can see that people who are members of non-denominational congregations seem effectively sidelined, what would be the common factor that recommends giving them their own forum?--"We don't answer to any higher ecclesiastical authority?"

That's the only guaranteed characteristic of any congregation that calls itself "non-denominational."

I agree. And I'm not saying "don't try it", because frankly, with Catholic, EO, and OO Christians getting their own safe haven forums, I can see how some Protestants might see that and want the same. But Protestantism is huge. It's not one, two, or even three things. It's hundreds. If not thousands. It's big. And diverse.

What would unite folks? Sola Fide? Defined how? Sola Scriptura? What about Anglicans who invoke the Saints and pray the Rosary? I can't see that not causing difficulties. So.... hey, try it out. See how it goes. I get it. My husband's a Protestant. I can see how and why they might want their own space. Maybe give it a shot? Would this be a place for debate, too, or only fellowship? Because GT is pretty much already 85-90% Protestants debating stuff.

 

[Hank77]

While I can see that people who are members of non-denominational congregations seem effectively sidelined, what would be the common factor that recommends giving them their own forum?

Non-denominational do have a forum. Four threads were posted there Monday.
Non-denominational