The Pope and Protestantism
I can explain the division between Catholicism and Protestantism using examples of difference in belief and organisation.
The Pope and Protestantism
I can explain the division between Catholicism and Protestantism using examples of difference in belief and organisation.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Catholicism is a distinct denomination of Christianity led by the Pope.
- Protestantism began from a rejection of the Catholic Church during the Protestant Reformation.
- The Protestant Reformation was initiated by Martin Luther.
- Many Protestant denominations emerged as a result of the Protestant Reformation.
- Protestant Christianity rejects the authority of the Pope and sees the Bible as the sole source of authority
Keywords
Authority - the power to give orders, enforce laws and make decisions
Church - a community of Christians
Infallible - incapable of being wrong
Protestant(ism) - a branch of Christianity that began from a rejection of the Catholic Church
Pope - the leader of the Catholic Church
Common misconception
Martin Luther King initiated the Protestant Reformation.
Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian, initiated the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s. Martin Luther King was a minister and social rights activist in America in the 1900s. They are two different people.
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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