“although most Protestants will tell you they haven never really encountered anyone with far-flung beliefs among various Protestant denominations—certainly not “doctrinally significant.” (Mr Rogers comes to mind).”
Horse pucky! I’ve always specified Sola Scriptura type churches, not Protestant. I am well aware that many mainline Protestant churches couldn’t find a Bible using a flashlight & a map, let alone read it or believe it.
And among churches that actually believe Sola Scriptura, the doctrinal disputes are primarily charismatic vs non, infant baptism or not, and predestination vs free will. And my experience with charismatics, including in my family, is that they don’t go with sola scriptura, since their experience is their real guide. And lets face it - it is really hard to argue that scripture AFFIRMS infant baptism!
So that leaves PreD vs FW...
I don't know if you have always been specific enough when posting, though. When I made my comment regarding the unlikelihood of Protestant orthodoxy, I meant that there is no set belief system, doctrines, practices, or anything else in the Protestant pantheon.
That is why I personally regard the LDS as Protestant but not Christian (even though the Church does not specify whether they are Protestant or not - how can it?) because they came out of the Protestant movement, and still maintain a version of Scripture. The Protestant movement came about when people started to write their own doctrines and beliefs that were different from the Church's. The first group of Protestants had most of the things and beliefs that make up Christian. But as succeeding innovations and splinter groups with ever more creative theologies and beliefs came about, one might say that they became increasingly non Christian.
But it is difficult to pin it down. What is a Christian? A believer in Christ? Sure. What Christ? Was Christ God? Did He only appear to have a body? Was He a glorified man who became a god? Is the Holy Spirit God? Must you be baptized for salvation? Is there only one God with three modes of appearance? Is there only one God with three names? Must you confess your sins? To whom? Is there a specific priesthood with bishops and deacons? Must you eat the Body and Blood of Christ? Must you tithe 10%? Must you refrain from musical instruments at your services and go a capella only? Can you be fully and publically homosexual? What is the dividing line? Solas? TULIP? A point in time?
So what do you call Episcopalians in my reference? Non-sola-scriptura? Every time I read something Episcopalian they refer to the Bible. Who exactly is "sola-scriptura" according to your map? Just for future reference, in case I find another example of "doctrinally significant" divergence...