Transcript CONSENSUS PROTESTANTS IN UNITED STATES

CONSENSUS PROTESTANTS
IN UNITED STATES
Introduction to Religious Studies
Characteristics
 Friendly or at least tolerant relationships
with other religions and secular groups
 Reliant on births with the congregation to
increase membership or focus on
converting persons with no prior
denominational affiliation (the
“unchurched”)
 Acceptance that changes in teaching and
practices should reflect larger social
changes but no consensus on when or how
such change should occur (i.e.; role/status
of women, gays and lesbians)
Characteristics
 Tolerance of diversity within the
denomination
 Worship tends to be more routine than
spontaneous; focus on liturgy
 Professional clergy must meet specific
educational and certification requirements
for ordination.
 Religion viewed as a matter of voluntary
participation.
Core Beliefs
 Religious life should center on the life,
death and resurrection of Jesus.
 Bible plays a central role for Protestants; it
stands as the only authority for religious
faith and practice. All other creeds or
doctrine subordinate to this principle
 Salvation a undeserved gift from God.
Humans can do nothing to earn salvation
(salvation through “faith” not works)
Core Beliefs
 The church is the gathered fellowship of
believers. Church perceived more event
than institution
 Priesthood of all believers. All Christians
possess the same responsibilities and
authority. No person has an “inside track”
to divine authority. All are equal because
all have access to the Bible (in theory)
Lifestyle
 Protestants must live in the middle of the
world, not separated from it
 God to be glorified (honored) in all aspects
of private and communal life
 Morality seen as a response to God’s free
gift of salvation.
Rituals
 Two sacraments recognized; Only two
acts disciples (according to some gospels)
told by Jesus to carry on after his death
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Baptism
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Immersion
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Sprinkling
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Pouring
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Some denominations practice infant
baptism, others do not
Rituals
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Lord’s Supper or Communion
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Common loaf, common chalice
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Intinction
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Non-flour wafer and individual cup (shot
glass)
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Some use wine, some use unfermented
juice
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Idea of remembrance of sacrifice
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As opposed to transubstantiation or
consubstantiation
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Bread and wine remain bread and wine
Rituals
 Preaching as ritual
 Pulpit occupies prominent place in church
architecture and liturgy
 Considered the focal point of worship
Organization
 Each Protestant denomination is selfgoverning
 Congregation form
 Connectional form
 Hierarchical form
 Ecumenical organizations formed to assist
denominations in meeting shared goals
 National Association of Evangelicals (1942)
 National Council of Churches (1950)
Organization
 Most ministers are married rather than
celibate; rejection of monastic traditions
 Many traditions ordain women
Denominational Distinctions
 Taken on less importance over the past 20
years and American ideas of individuality
and community have changed
 About 60% of adults in US self-identify as
“Protestant”
Denominational Chart
6%
5%
6%
12%
18%
38%
15%
Baptist
Methodist
Lutherans
Presbyterians
Episcopalians
Non-Denominationals
Others
Southern Baptist
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Free Church Movement (church should be adult
voluntary organization
New Testament can be interpreted by each
believer through the Holy Spirit
There exists no official creed
Advocates the clear division of church and state
and freedom of religion
Church should consist only of those adults
spiritually reborn and sincere in pursuit of the
“Christian Life” (regenerate church
membership)
Southern Baptist
 Supports freedom on conscience in
matters of belief
 In South, more likely to express a
fundamentalist perspective
 Inerrancy of Scripture (not myth or
allegory)
 Bible is scientifically and historically
accurate
 Rejection of evolution as viable world view
 Anticipation of final Judgment Day
 Literal Heaven and Hell
Southern Baptist
 Individual congregations may set clear
standards of behavior for members
 Worship tends to be more emotional and
evangelical (emphasis on a conscious,
personal conversion to Christ) and varies
from one congregation to the next
 Actually observe “ordinances” rather
than sacraments
Southern Baptist
 Do not practice infant baptism (requires
understanding and personal consent)
 Baptism by immersion (although some
transfer members may be accepted with
baptism from other denominations—
varies by congregation)
 Congregational but can come together as
a convention
United Methodist
 Founded by John Wesley
 Emphasis on practical divinity (putting
Christian faith into practice)
 Doctrine of salvation based on grace and
assurance, leading to sanctification
 Non-creedal, like Baptists, but doctrine
provides the acceptable guidelines for
understanding Scripture (so not like
Baptists). Both creedal and noncreedal. Carried by tradition rather than
by church law.
United Methodist
 Focus on social dimension of Christian
faith
 Basic principles:
 Do no harm and avoid evil of all kinds
 Do good of every possible sort to all people
 Observe the ordinances of God including
worship, Scripture, preaching, participation
in the sacraments, family prayer, private
prayer, Bible reading, fasting and
abstinence
United Methodist
 Practice infant baptism; confirmation
acceptance of vows taken on ones behalf
when an infant
 Worship varies widely but liturgical order
suggested in Book of Worship
 Baptism can be by any of the three
recognized means
 Connectional
 Noted for diversity
 Religion both a matter of mind and heart
Lutheran
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Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod
Both embrace the basic teachings of Martin
Luther
Small Catechism and Augsburg Confession
Unlike Baptisms and Methodism, Lutherans are
a creedal denomination (in this regard both
Scripture and Creeds are necessary for correct
belief) Creeds of value because they assist in
revealing the truth of the Word of God
Luthern
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Usually culture affirming in approach to modern
world
Missouri Synod the more conservative of
traditions, advocating a private schooling
system and rigid lifestyle
Worship formal and liturgical. Hymns written by
Luther given prominence.
Pulpit and altar of equal importance (unlike
other Protestant denominations)
Consubstantiation – essence but not literal
presence
Presbyterian
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Founded by John Knox, based on teachings of
John Calvin
Known as reformed movement- reformed
theology (emphasizes God’s supremacy over all
things, in God’s majesty, holiness and
providence)
Possesses a creedal faith (Westminster
Confession) (also see complete creed set)
Congregational in organization
Worship tends to be liturgical with the highpoint
the sermon (which primarily serves a teaching
function)
Presbyterian
 Hymns and prayers should reflect
reformed theology
 Worship perceived as God’s work in the
world—one way in which God interacts
with the created order
 Encourage infant baptism
 Communion as Memorial
 Many branches of Presbyterianism with
largest PCUSA (formed in 1983)
Episcopalian
 Often considered Protestant in theology
while Catholic in worship
 Creedal while stressing the “loyalty in
essentials and liberty in non-essentials”
 Book of Common Prayer
 Possesses saints/ saints days (like
Catholics)
 Does possess a small monastic tradition
Episcopalian
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Tend to be most liberal among Protestants while
reflecting the highest socioeconomic status
Sacraments, as “effectual means” of conveying
the Grace of God (consubstantiation)
Eucharistic service on Sunday often called mass
Like Catholics, sacrament called “Eucharist”
Believe that confirmation, reconciliation,
marriage, ordination, anointing of the sick hold
sacramental significance (while still remaining
rites). Unique among Protestants.
Both Hierarchical and connectional