CLASSIFICATION OF PROTESTANTISM IN THE PUBLICATIONS OF DOMESTIC SCIENTISTS: IN SEARCH OF THE OPTIMAL MODEL

Abstract

The article offers an analysis of attempts to classify Protestantism that are noticeable in the domestic research literature. First of all, the absence of reasoned classification schemes is declared. However, conventionalist rubrics predominate, based on the identification of early and late Protestant movements. The metaphorical representation of the “waves” of Protestantism, which do not contribute to the meaningful ordering of its forms, is being questioned. The semantics of the term “Protestantism” is clarified in the perspective of its perception as a taxon (classification focus). The features of the classification schemes proposed in the publications of V. Lyubashchenko, S. Golovashchenko, S. Pavlov, P. Yarotskyi, A. Denysenko, M. Cherenkov and the authors of the fifth volume of the ten-volume edition “History of religion in Ukraine” are revealed. The classification schemes of the mentioned scientists are presented taking into account their commitment to genetic or confessional approaches. Along the way, the advantages and disadvantages of their classifications are indicated. Generalizations are given about the heuristic potential of classification schemes and comments about the ideal model of Protestantism. The author’s classification of Protestantism is proposed, which is based on a confessional approach. Prospects for further research of the declared topic are outlined.