How did Protestants defend themselves against charges of heresy? Why did some groups succeed and others fail?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The ideal answer should include:
a. Protestants drew from the Bible to defend their beliefs.
b. They argued that what were considered "heresies" were actually more accurate understandings of God's original meaning as expressed in the Bible.
c. Protestants distinguished between the authority of Scripture and the authority of the Church.
d. They argued that Catholicism represented the Church's interpretation of the Scriptures.
e. Thus, when Protestants challenged the Catholic Church's doctrines, they were questioning the Church's interpretation of the Scriptures and not the authority of the Scriptures themselves.
f. Protestant denominations that received backing from the state succeeded in countering charges of heresy. This was the case with the sects that were part of the Magisterial Reformation.
g. Protestants who held beliefs that offended both Catholics and Protestants were often charged with heresy from both sides and faced religious persecution. This was the case for most of the sects in the Radical Reformation.