Many folks fail to see a rather elemental test case caused by the Protestant Reformation. A test case utterly failed.
What the hell you talkin' bout, Willis?
For one and a half thousand years, "Christianity" was solely/officially the Catholic Church with a Christ-stand-in: Pope who 'channeled' Truth.
The Pope said it, you did it. When you failed, you confessed and were forgiven.
You celebrated the 'Memorial' as often as you were moved to do so (communion).
So what?
So...
The Protestant Reformation addressed the dirty little problem of corruption in the sacred institution, the "Organization" of Truth.
Martin Luther faced two rather dodgy issue requiring immediate action.
Can you guess?
Without a Pope and without a Priest granting forgiveness how would Christians now:
1. Know the Truth (which sets men free)?
2. Be forgiven for sins
Martin Luther and John Calvin created a sleeker, faster, more personal solution (which is our Test Case).
1. Sola Scriptura : each Christian approached God individually in prayer and asked Holy Spirit to "reveal" Truth. No clergy needed. Fellowship? Sure, just no Priests.
2. Grace alone : Grace refers to God’s ability to place favor upon any individual. As the creator of humankind, God, according to Christian doctrine, remains unbound by rules. It is thus within God’s purview to grant salvation upon any person he so deems.
_____
WHY CALL THIS A TEST CASE?
Here it is / was:
a chance for Holy Spirit to reveal one unified Truth to all Christians and what resulted? History now reveals the result has been thousands of very *different* ideas, rituals, truths, practices, doctrines abounding in sects, congregations, churches, et al claiming equally to be the ONLY Truth. (Jehovah's Witnesses anyone?)
The verdict is: FAIL!
Holy Spirit is as corrupt as the Catholic Church.
Or, if that's a bit too harsh; we are ALL just making shit up and passing it off as Organization, Truth, holy spirit, anointed elders, etc.
The sniff test revealeth a stench to high heaven.
Go to the buffet of choice and slide your tray past the made-up shit and
enjoy your meal.