Protestantism
UK: ˈprɒtɪstəntɪzəm | US: ˈprɑːtɪstəntɪzəm
n. The faith, practice, or system of Protestant churches, emphasizing justification by faith alone and the authority of Scripture.
n. The collective body of Protestant Christians or their doctrines.
The term emerged during the Reformation (16th century) when reformers protested against certain doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. The -ant suffix identified adherents, while -ism formalized their beliefs into a movement. The word encapsulates the historical act of dissent and its institutionalization.
Protestantism spread rapidly across Northern Europe during the Reformation.
The core tenets of Protestantism include sola scriptura and sola fide.
Scholars often compare the governance structures of Protestantism and Catholicism.
His research focuses on the cultural impact of Protestantism in America.
Protestantism encompasses diverse denominations like Lutheranism and Calvinism.