Protestantism

Protestantism, a term derived from the part taken by the adherents of Luther in protesting against the decree passed by the Catholic states at the second diet of Spire or Speier in 1529. This decree had forbidden any further innovations in religion, and enjoined those states that had adopted the Reformation so far to retrace their steps as to reintroduce the Mass and order their ministers to avoid disputed questions, and to use and explain the Scriptures only as they had hitherto been used and explained in the church. The name is repudiated by a considerable section of the Anglican Church. See CHURCH HISTORY, LUTHER, REFORMATION.