The Principle of Protestantism

Philip Schaff's work, The Principle of Protestantism, delivered in 1844, explored the idea that Protestantism and Roman Catholicism held positive values that could eventually blend into an ecumenical, evangelical Catholicism. This concept, while controversial and leading to charges of heresy, was part of Schaff's broader work in church history scholarship.1

Protestantism, originating in the 16th-century Reformation, is characterized by doctrines such as justification by faith alone, the priesthood of all believers, and the supremacy of Scripture. While most Protestants recognize two sacraments—baptism and Holy Communion—there is significant doctrinal diversity within Protestantism. The principle of the "priesthood of all believers" emphasizes that all Christians can intercede for one another and have a role in spreading God's word, thus limiting the exclusive privileges of the clergy. The authority of the Bible, or the Word of God, became a central tenet, replacing traditional church hierarchies.234