Difference between revisions of "Presbyterian"

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The '''Presbyterian''' Church is a [[Protestant]] denomination founded in the Calvinist [[Reformation]] of the 1500s, although they were differentiated from the [[Lutheran|Lutherans]] over sacraments and church government.  John Knox founded the Scotch Presbyterian church in about 1560.   
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The '''Presbyterian''' Church is a mainline [[Protestantism|Protestant]] denomination founded during the [[Reformation]] of the 1500s. Presbyterians and the Reformed churches were differentiated from the [[Lutheran|Lutherans]] over the sacraments and church government, among other doctrines.  John Knox founded the Scottish Presbyterian church in about 1560.  Presbyterianism can thus be seen as [[Calvinism]] in the Scottish tradition.
  
Traditionally the ethics of the church lean towards strictness and firm church and self discipline. Otherwise the church as a whole is fairly tolerant.  Authority in Presbyterian churches is given to [[Bible|Scripture]]. Church organization is highly structured with a representational system of ministers and laypersons (''presbyters'') in local, regional and national bodies (called ''synods'')
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Traditionally, the ethics of the church lean towards strictness and firm church and self discipline. Authority in Presbyterian churches is given to Scripture. Presbyterians are [[Calvinist]] in doctrine, and their faith is summarized in the [[Westminster Standards]]. Church organization is highly structured with a representational system of ministers and laypersons (''presbyters'') in local, regional and national bodies (called ''presbyteries'' and ''synods'''). The largest governing body of the ''Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'' is called the ''General Assembly'' and is made up of representatives of all the presbyteries.
  
The Presbyterian Church is the dominant religion in [[Scotland]], and because of this was historically strong in areas of the United States where large numbers of [[Scots-Irish]] settled, although many Americans of Scots-Irish ancestry would later convert to the [[Baptist]] and [[Methodist]] faiths during the early 1800s.
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Presbyterianism is the dominant and official religion in [[Scotland]]. Because of this, it was historically strong in areas of the United States where large numbers of Scots and [[Scots-Irish]] settled. Many of these, however, would later convert to the [[Baptist]] and [[Methodist]] faiths during the early 1800s.
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==Schisms==
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In the early 20th century, the predecessor to the [[Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)]], which represented a majority of American Presbyterians, modified much of its theology.  In reaction to such moves towards [[Liberal Christianity]], the well-respected scholar [[J. Gresham Machen]] was forced out of [[Princeton Theological Seminary]] and the main Presbyterian Church. He then helped to found [[Westminster Theological Seminary]] and the [[Orthodox Presbyterian Church]].
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More recently, another such split-off occurred and produced the [[Presbyterian Church in America]]. Its membership is substantially greater than that of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, making the PCA the leader among the various conservative Presbyterian bodies in the United States.
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==See also==
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*[[Robert Morrison]]
  
 
[[Category:Christian Denominations]]
 
[[Category:Christian Denominations]]
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[[Category:Presbyterians]]
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[[Category:Reformation]]
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[[Category:British History]]

Revision as of 18:45, September 12, 2015

The Presbyterian Church is a mainline Protestant denomination founded during the Reformation of the 1500s. Presbyterians and the Reformed churches were differentiated from the Lutherans over the sacraments and church government, among other doctrines. John Knox founded the Scottish Presbyterian church in about 1560. Presbyterianism can thus be seen as Calvinism in the Scottish tradition.

Traditionally, the ethics of the church lean towards strictness and firm church and self discipline. Authority in Presbyterian churches is given to Scripture. Presbyterians are Calvinist in doctrine, and their faith is summarized in the Westminster Standards. Church organization is highly structured with a representational system of ministers and laypersons (presbyters) in local, regional and national bodies (called presbyteries and synods'). The largest governing body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is called the General Assembly and is made up of representatives of all the presbyteries.

Presbyterianism is the dominant and official religion in Scotland. Because of this, it was historically strong in areas of the United States where large numbers of Scots and Scots-Irish settled. Many of these, however, would later convert to the Baptist and Methodist faiths during the early 1800s.

Schisms

In the early 20th century, the predecessor to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which represented a majority of American Presbyterians, modified much of its theology. In reaction to such moves towards Liberal Christianity, the well-respected scholar J. Gresham Machen was forced out of Princeton Theological Seminary and the main Presbyterian Church. He then helped to found Westminster Theological Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

More recently, another such split-off occurred and produced the Presbyterian Church in America. Its membership is substantially greater than that of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, making the PCA the leader among the various conservative Presbyterian bodies in the United States.

See also