I had to re-word the question because someone mistakenly thought that I was saying that Luther started Christianity. I did not say that. I was saying that Luther started Protestantism in 1517, but there isn't a lot of room to word the questions on here.
2006-12-11 14:44:21 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes "Christianity" has been watered down. The world no longer listens to the Spirit of God but the spirit of the world. They no longer are taught that they are to be separate unto God and they listen to smooth and pleasing tales.
The Bible is interpreted in a manner that is attractive to the unrenewed heart, while its solemn and vital truths are made of no effect. A God of love is presented; but his justice, his denunciations of sin, the requirements of his holy law, are all kept out of sight. Pleasing, bewitching fables captivate the senses of those who do not make God's word the foundation of their faith. Christ is as verily rejected as before; but Satan has so blinded the eyes of the people that the deception is not discerned.
2006-12-13 01:30:29 · answer #1 · answered by David R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your assertion (by fact of the question) that all of Christendom has been unified in doctrine throughout the establishment of the church through the 1500’s lacks history. We see dissent, alternate teachings and down right heresy beginning in the middle of the 2nd century with Montanism and Gnosticism. This is not to mention the problems that Paul had with the Judaizers. You see the Church couldn’t even make it out of its first century of existence with out having to battle against false doctrines. And it has always had to maintain this fight.
Now, this question has been used in many arguments to prove the case of the legitimacy of the Roman Catholic Church and to a less extent (not used as much) the Eastern Orthodox Churches. The concept that the unified body retains the legitimacy of the one true faith. The problem with both of these lines in Christendom is that they have never really been unified to the point of not constantly being split apart. We have seen split after split in both lines all the way up to the Protestant Reformation.
A few points of clarification:
1. “Protestantism” wasn’t founded in 1517. Martin Luther was excommunicated in 1521 by the Papal Bull Decet Romanum Pontificem. So if you base the foundation of “Protestantism” on Luhter’s excommuncation, it would have been founded in 1521.
2. Protestantism really has its origins in the 14th and 15th centuries. Well before the 16th century Protestant Reformation.
3. Why is it that people make Martin Luther out to have somehow left the Roman Catholic Church, to strike out “on his own” and form his own church. He was excommunicated by Pope Leo X. One may say that it was the Pontif and the decaying state of the Western Church created Protestantism and the Lutheran Church by their own actions. (I am sure this assertion would be highly debated here.)
2006-12-13 01:44:28 · answer #2 · answered by Martin Chemnitz 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Marvelous question for discussion. Thank you for posing it. More likely, Luther saved Christianity from collapsing. The papacy lacked a meaningful counterbalance and moved further and further into corruption. The people could not read Latin, hence were increasingly led astray by a nominalistic faith. The nobles would have had to step in shortly w/ a dangerous succession of wars.
Since then, Protestantism has lacked the single voice of pre-Luther catholicism. On the other hand, the broad range of socio-economic churches has allowed it to penetrate many levels of society. Finally, the great missionary efforts have largely been Protestant driven.
2006-12-11 16:40:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes, things have gotten a lot worse since the 1960s. there is more violence, and nobody is nice to anybody anymore. A good thing is that Minorities have now become the majority. And they have equal rights to those that were the majority. What Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez set out to achieve in the 1960s has come true. All races in this country now live in harmony. The color of a person's skin is not judged, what is judged is the content of their character. However every now and then you get people that are still tarnished by thoughts of prejudice.
2016-05-23 07:34:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Luther watered down Christianity when he started throwing out many things. It was a response to heretical ideas charging money for prayers, and indulgences.
But, many things were lost, sadly.
If only Luther could have faced East, and joined the Eastern Orthodox, everything would have been fine.
2006-12-11 14:53:08 · answer #5 · answered by Felicitas 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I understand about Luther. What I do not understand is how it could "Water Down" Christianity. If anything it would make it stronger. Men would seek "HIM" in different ways. They would study more and examine more. You not only have the Roman Church you have a German one a Swiss one and English one. All aiming at the same thing and each learning from the other.
2006-12-11 14:48:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some would argue that it was The Catholic Church that had watered down Christianity, with its over-emphasis on following the rules and practices of the Church.
To be honest, I think the only thing that matters is a commitment to a Christian life, which involves putting God's Will before everything else, and requires us to love others like God does.
Catholic? Episcopalian? Lutheran? I don't think God cares what path we choose, as long as that path involves faith, commitment, and love.
2006-12-11 15:07:56 · answer #7 · answered by Colin 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Luther wanted to bring the Church back to its roots, but in the process of questioning the authority of the Church people started questioning a whole lot more. I agree with your statement. It was an unintended consequence of Luther nailing his thesis on the Church door.
2006-12-11 14:48:17 · answer #8 · answered by Just Wondering 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, he exposed a lot of corruption in the Roman Catholic Chruch. Are you suggesting that the Catholic church of that time had no problems? Or that the protestant churches aren't religious enough? I'm not trying to be hostile, but I really don't know what you mean by "watering down".
2006-12-11 14:52:45 · answer #9 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not at all. Protestantism returns us to the simplicity that is in Christ. If anything, it is Catholicism that waters down the gospel by suggesting that our works contribute to our salvation.
http://www.needGod.com
2006-12-11 14:49:27 · answer #10 · answered by revulayshun 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋