Criticism of Protestantism

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Criticism of Protestantism covers critiques and questions raised about Protestantism, the Christian denominations which arose out of the Protestant Reformation. While critics may praise some aspects of Protestantism which are not unique to the various forms of Protestantism, Protestantism is faced with criticism mainly from the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church,^[2] although Protestant denominations have also engaged in self-critique and criticized one another.^[3] According to both the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodoxy, many major, foundational Protestant doctrines have been officially declared heretical.

The Catholic biblical critique asserts that the Sola scriptura principle of Lutheran and Reformed churches^[4] is inaccurate according to the Catholic doctrine. While Catholic tradition agrees with Protestantism that faith, not works, is necessary for "initial" justification, some contemporary Protestant Scholars such as N. T. Wright affirm that both faith and works are necessary for justification.^[5] Further complications have arisen from the fundamental difference between the Catholic definition of faith, which is dogmatic, and the Protestant definition, which is called "fiduciary faith".