While I agree that it makes it interesting, and while I accept that all of these have a single faith, that being Faith in Yeshua and in Scripture (and pretty well, all 5 solas), it is where they are discontinuous that is remarkable:
To a degree, it is a matter of focus - There is no doubt that Pentecostals have a different focus (or perhaps approach is a better word) than your average Presbyterian - That is a good thing, in my mind, as both roads lead to New Jerusalem... And to the King.
And if one were to separate those who are too novel to be considered, even among the broad support of the Protestant/Evangelical community, ant those who have fallen away and become apostate... Leaving those things which truly separate what is an otherwise very homogeneous community:
In my observation, those things are specifically the parts of Rome which were not rejected (Baptism v. Infant Baptism springs readily to mind as an example)...
It isn't so much about salvation, as it is about confusion - And the winnowing process invariably must separate the wheat from the tare. I expect that process to result in a worship of YHWH which is more Biblical, and more detested by the worldly, as the years roll on (what few there are left). Many sacred cows need to be gored.
[roamer_1:] In that light, I agree with you that the Reformation churches were transitory - and quite likely, the Evangelical non-denoms are too...
I'm with you. The constant is belief in The Gospel and Scripture as the guide. The level of discernment may vary.
Another great point. And to what degree is discernment leveraged by Bible teaching? IOW, Do traditions of men prevent or diminish discernment? No doubt... But by what degree?
The Roman Church has often been accused of producing the Antichrist, but I think that was probably more due to the atrocities committed by this church. I think what we will see, if we are around, is the False Prophet will emerge from the profane ecumenism.
I fully expect the Roman church to be at the head of that profane ecumenical community - if it can survive Islam. There is very good reason to believe that whole pope/Roman church=anti-Christ shtick... It is the only candidate that fits the prophecies almost perfectly.
I am not welded to the idea, by any means, but it is hard to imagine another that fits as well, at least, at this juncture.
Which it certainly did.
But infant baptism aside (I do not consider that particular discussion a salvation issue; Christ's directive was to be baptized. Period. But even without baptism, a man who believes in Christ as Lord, King and Savior will be saved, according to His word.)
I fully expect the Roman church to be at the head of that profane ecumenical community - if it can survive Islam. There is very good reason to believe that whole pope/Roman church=anti-Christ shtick... It is the only candidate that fits the prophecies almost perfectly.
I'm a postmillennial Calvinist, but nobody's perfect. And a trend in some reformed/Christian circles to deny that the papacy may well be the antiChrist is, IMO, a mistake. (This also illustrates the fact that everyone can be deceived about something and no visible church on earth is perfect.)
Almost to a one, EVERY reformer of the Reformation believed that the papacy was the antiChrist.
To a degree, it is a matter of focus - There is no doubt that Pentecostals have a different focus (or perhaps approach is a better word) than your average Presbyterian - That is a good thing, in my mind, as both roads lead to New Jerusalem... And to the King.
The early Christian Churches were very independent and their services were varied.
I expect that process to result in a worship of YHWH which is more Biblical, and more detested by the worldly, as the years roll on (what few there are left). Many sacred cows need to be gored.
If we look at the House Church movement in repressive countries you find a very humble, reflective non ritualistic service. It is a gathering of believers with no elevated clergy. In the end this may be how we are forced to worship if evil controls the planet.
And to what degree is discernment leveraged by Bible teaching? IOW, Do traditions of men prevent or diminish discernment? No doubt... But by what degree?
One of the great things the came from the Reformation was Bible literacy. In the prior 1,200 years Christians had become enslaved to pagan worship dressed up as Christianity in large part under the authority of "tradition". So I believe the historical record shows where "tradition" leads, to a Dark Age.
I fully expect the Roman church to be at the head of that profane ecumenical community - if it can survive Islam.
I don't doubt that it will survive. At heart it is a political entity and they have made clear that they believe muslims worship the same god as them. Their ultimate goal is control of Jerusalem and the muslims might be able to give it to them.