Perry wrote: > ... wasn't Jesus a reformer and protester in the first > century, and weren't his disciples fellow protesters? > The reformation closely mirrors the founding of the > church, the RCC mirroring the Pharisaical structure > of the first centruy, and the "protestant" reformers > mirroring the first century church. I also find it > interesting that because Luther was speaking out against > the religious structure of his day, they sought to kill > him.
I recognize some of the parallels that you point out, but I also recognize some differences. Jesus seemed to focus his ministry only upon the lost sheep of Israel, and while sects arose, they were relatively insignificant for 1000 years. In Protestantism, on the other hand, we have a plethora of sects forming. All these sects are carnal, as anyone familiar with 1 Cor. 2 & 3 knows. It is interesting that you bring up Luther, because he was one who tried to reform Roman Catholicism from within, unlike Calvin and others who worked from outside the institution of Roman Catholicism. Still, his work resulted in additional sects, a dominant one being ironically being named after him, Lutheran. I think we have to be careful with Protestantism, because debates and sects are condemned in the New Testament. A person can be right about a particular topic, and yet be wrong in how he wields that truth to bring about division. From my perspective, Protestantism is a post-Biblical term and so I don't see much value in using the Bible to try and define it. It really is a historical term more than anything else. If you or Gary would like to use the New Testament to define it, as some have done with the word "Trinity," I would enjoy reading your attempt to do so. Maybe you will cause me to change my mind. Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
