Protestant Christianity began in the early sixteenth century as a reform movement
directed against Roman Catholic doctrines and practices. Early leaders such as Martin Luther and
John Calvin laid out the movement's foundational principles, which emphasized the individual's
relationship to God and scripture through the Bible and God's grace rather than through the authority
of the church. Through this Reformation, four distinct forms of religious expression emerged: Lutheran,
Reformed, Anglican, and some radical extensions of these movements. As times change, Protestant
Christianity continues to diverge and transform.

The Religion, Scriptures, and Spirituality series describes the beliefs, religious practices, and the spiritual
and moral commitments of the world's great religious traditions. It also describes a religion's way of
understanding scripture, identifies its outstanding thinkers, and discusses its attitude and relationship
to society.

Erskine Seminary