Wiccans, a religion based on nature-oriented beliefs, have seen a significant rise in self-identified witches in the United States. This is due to increased interest in astrology and witchcraft practices. The number of self-declared witches in the US now exceeds the total number of Presbyterians, according to the Telegraph. Wiccans do not deny practicing witchcraft, but they claim it is harmless magic. Many come to Wicca after reading a history of witchcraft, such as the “Great Hunt” in Europe between 1560 and 1630.
Wiccans believe that their practice is a modern religion built on age-old witchcraft traditions. They do not engage in magic or believe anything magical happens in their service, but rather follow in obedience to the risen Christ. In Reformation-era Scotland, there was a nearly ubiquitous belief in witchcraft, with accusations against supposed witches being commonplace.
The number of self-identified witches in the US has surpassed the total number of Presbyterians, highlighting the growing interest in witchcraft and natural religions. While some believe that witches outnumber Presbyterians in the US, data is sparse, and the practice of witchcraft has been observed among U.S. millennials. As a result, Wicca and Pagan communities continue to grow in popularity, with up to 1.5 million people in America now identifying as Wicca or Pagan.
📹 Presbyterians Explained in 2 Minutes
Presbyterian Churches and their Beliefs are briefly discussed in this short overview video.
Which Christians don’t believe in Halloween?
Evangelical Christians eschew participation in Halloween festivities on the grounds that they perceive the holiday to be a pagan ritual that venerates malevolent forces. Alternatively, they may commemorate Reformation Day on the same date.
Do Presbyterians believe Jesus is God?
The early Church’s theological controversies affirmed Jesus Christ as “fully human, fully God” (Book of Confessions 10. 2). This concept, which is known as the incarnation in theological discourse, signifies that God has become a human being in Jesus Christ.
Are Presbyterians real Christians?
Presbyterianism is one of numerous denominations within Christianity; however, it is not a distinct religion in its own right.
Why don’t Presbyterians clap?
Pastor Bob Kauflin emphasizes that physical expressions of worship to God should reflect what is happening in our hearts. He believes that motive matters, as God wants our focus to be on Him alone, and He will not share our affections or adoration with anyone else, including the worship leader and worship team. Ligon Duncan, Chancellor at Reformed Theological Seminary, believes that the manner of our public worship matters because the Bible commands us to conduct ourselves in gathered worship. Worship is not about our desires or desires, but about meeting with God and delighting in Him. Therefore, our physical expressions should reflect our genuine love for Him.
Are Presbyterians liberal?
The Presbyterian Church (USA), also known as PCUSA, is a major Protestant denomination in the United States, the largest in the country. It is known for its liberal doctrine and its ordaining of women and LGBT community members as elders and ministers. Established in 1983, it was the merger of the Presbyterian Church in the United States and the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, with congregations in every state.
The denomination is known for its liberal stance on doctrine and its commitment to inclusivity. Other denominations in the denomination include the National Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
What religion is offended by Halloween?
The Jewish Virtual Library asserts that, despite its observance by numerous non-Orthodox Jews, Halloween is regarded as a Gentile festival due to its pagan and Christian roots, which are incompatible with Jewish law.
Do Presbyterians believe in Halloween?
Halloween, America’s second most popular holiday, presents a dilemma for Christian families. While they are generally in favor of carving pumpkins, dressing up in costumes, and visiting neighbors, they are also against ghouls, ghosts, and goblins. Halloween is a dangerous mixture of good and evil. Its origins can be traced back to the druid festivals of the ancient Celts, who were pagan priests who celebrated death on October 31.
They gathered food for their festivities, possibly the origin of “trick-or-treating”, and held sinister rituals, sacrificing animals and humans to appease their gods. These sacrifices were intended to free the souls of the dead from their bondage, ultimately worshipping Satan.
Some of these practices continued even after the Christianization of Europe. The word “Halloween” is derived from the phrase “All Hallow’s Eve”, which was used by early Medieval Christians to remember the saints of the past, especially those who had died during the previous year. Since the church failed to eradicate paganism in Europe, Halloween remains a night for reveling in evil.
What religion is Presbyterian closest to?
Presbyterianism is a Reformed Protestant tradition rooted in the 16th century Reformation, with its church government governed by representative assemblies of elders. The term is applied to churches that trace their roots to the Church of Scotland or English Dissenter groups formed during the English Civil War. Presbyterian theology emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures, and the necessity of grace through faith in Christ.
Presbyterian church government was ensured in Scotland by the Acts of Union in 1707, which created the Kingdom of Great Britain. Most Presbyterians found in England can trace a Scottish connection, and the denomination was also taken to North America by Scots and Scots-Irish immigrants. Presbyterian denominations in Scotland hold to the Reformed theology of John Calvin and his immediate successors, although there is a range of theological views within contemporary Presbyterianism.
Local congregations of churches using Presbyterian polity are governed by sessions made up of representatives of the congregation (elders), a conciliar approach as with other levels of decision-making. There are around 75 million Presbyterians in the world.
What are the main beliefs of Presbyterians?
John Calvin’s principles remain central to Presbyterian beliefs, including the sovereignty of God, the authority of scripture, justification by grace through faith, and the priesthood of all believers. These principles emphasize that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe, and our understanding of God and His purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly through Jesus Christ’s life. Salvation through Jesus is God’s generous gift, and it is the responsibility of ministers and lay people to share this Good News with the world.
The Presbyterian church is governed by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women, at all levels. The 1958 Statement of the PCUA affirms the Church’s responsibility to speak on social and moral issues, aiming to know Christ’s mind and speak in humility and love. The church’s duty is not only to encourage and train its members in daily obedience to God’s will but also to reveal God’s grace in places of suffering and need, resisting tyrannical forces and supporting the restoration of dignity for all men as children of God.
Are Presbyterians against dancing?
In contrast to Calvin’s era, contemporary Presbyterians do not prohibit all forms of dancing and do not espouse a blanket condemnation of dance and movement.
What do Presbyterians not believe?
Presbyterians believe in eternal life in God’s presence, not reincarnation. They do not believe in an endless cycle of death and rebirth, and celebrate The Lord’s Supper on a table rather than an altar. This is because the sacrifice of Christ has already been offered once and for all, and the action of a minister cannot make it occur again. The communion table, although ornate, holds no particular significance or holiness for Presbyterians.
📹 5 Strange Things Presbyterians Believe
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I belong to the Presbyterian Church here in India I am actively involve in church activities but i dont really adhere to whatever the church constitution say which hinder my faith in Christ. I found Christ outside the church through my life experiences and struggles So i would careless about being part of any church But i was born in a presbyterian family so im happy to serve Christ within the our church… I also believe that there is no perfect church Just Christ my perfect Redeemer
If you use the name “Presbyterian” in Scotland you are referring to what they call “The Wee Frees”, an independent church. The dean of Duke University when I was a student (class of 1968), James Cleland, was from Glasgow. During our graduation, he said “Jesus was a Jew. My mother could not understand this. How could Jesus be a Jew when God was a Presbyterian?”
I consider myself Presbyterian because my beliefs are in line with Presbyterian doctrine. I’m Reformed, Postmillennial and so on. But I do not attend a Presbyterian church because the closest one to me is hundreds of miles away. So I don’t know if that makes me a Presbyterian or not. Do I have to attend a Presby church to be considered Presbyterian, or am I Presbyterian because I hold to Preaby doctrine?
Another distinguishing aspect of Truly Conservative Presbyterianism is belief in the establishment principle as taught in the original Westminster standards. It would be an interesting article to cover the establishment principle as expounded in the original WCF since most people today are clueless about it.
Having gone to Presbyterian churches most of my life (mostly PC(USA), but also ECO for a couple of years), it’s interesting to see how the Calvinist view of salvation is really not taught. I learned about it in a high school history class, not Sunday school. I think it’s something that folks struggle with because it eliminates the importance of free will and leads to a nihilistic view of faith (e.g., “why do I need to follow Jesus’s teachings and live a good life if that has no bearing on whether I am predestined for salvation?”).
The single largest Presbyterian denomination in the US (PCUSA) can be rightfully called Presbyterian by their organizational structure, but it hardly resembles the Presbyterian church from even 3 or 4 decades ago, let alone the church of Calvin and of Knox. A corrupting spirit has entered the denomination’s leadership and the seminaries, producing shepherds more lost than the sheep of the fold. Even more “moderate” churches that parted ways with the liberalism of PCUSA seem to embrace questionable and unorthodox practices. For example, enneagram, derived from the occult, is used as a tool in spiritual formation at many Presbyterian churches. Horrific, really.
I spent most of my first year in college living with an aunt and uncle who were Presbyterians. I was a Catholic(and still am) and after a while my aunt tried to convert me saying the usual stupid things about what Catholics believed. She was one of these women who was “right” and if you did not agree with her you were “Wrong”. She would occasionally say to me that I would come home from classes one day and she would be gone, caught up- in the rapture and be taken to heaven. If anything she made me a better Catholic. I didn’t really know that much about my faith at the time so I couldn’t really debate with here. Of course it wouldn’t have many any difference. because she would rather argue than be sensible about things.and so I did do some examining and still believe that it is the One true Holy and Apostolic church.
Lots of non-Calvinist Christians believe God chooses who will be saved. The Calvinists are distinct in that they believe God’s choice is completely unconditional (i.e. nothing an individual says, does, or thinks has any impact on God’s decision) and God’s decision is final so that those who God chooses will not fail to be saved in the end. Lutherans would disagree with, most non-Reformed Baptists would disagree with and other Christians disagree with both of these points.
What do you mean they (Presbyterians) believe HIS body and blood are spiritually present in the elements? As far as I am aware there is nothing in under or with the bread when it comes to location according to Presbyterians. So I don’t think they would say, that when they see the consecrated bread, that this is HIS body. If you mean that then I think it’s not what Presbyterians believe. Or do you mean to describe by “in the elements” the link from the sign (the bread and the wine) to the thing signified (HIS body and blood)?
Presbyterians in as long as it takes to read: 2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 3:5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Jesus was circumcised. The Dean of the Chapel at Duke University, James Cleland was from Glasgow. He told us in a sermon “Jesus was a Jew. My motherdu never could understand that. How could Jesus be a Jew when God was a Presbyterian”. My wife and I went to Glasgow. We attended a service not half a block from our hotel. I told the usher that the dean of our chapel was from Glasgow. “What college did you go to? Duke University. “Was his name Cleland?” Yes. This was his family’s church.
God chooses who will be saved and those who are not chosen will not be saved. Well and good. The question now is, how does the Calvinist know that he or she is one of the elect whom God has chosen to save and not one of the reprobate whom God has not chosen to save? Indeed, I have read that many of the early Puritans died in great agony because, at the end of their lives, they feared that they just might not have been among the elect after all.
Well researched as usual but what a confusing mess this is with all these different religious denominations that disagree with each other and can’t even be found in the New Testament. I left this behind years ago and became just a Christian, a member of the Church of Christ and have never regretted it since. Just trying to follow the Bible without human traditions makes so much sense.
When the Uniting Church was formed here, it consisted on almost all Congregationalists, very many Methodists, but only about 70% of Presbyterians.. The Presbyterians had a very fine building in our suburb (designed by John Sulman) but on merger that went to the new Uniting Church. The Presbyterians were allocated the former Methodist church instead, a drab building that could have passed muster for a progress association in an impoverished country town.
What I find interesting is that there is nowhere in the Bible that says we have to “accept” anything. Believe, yes. “Accept,” no. Yahshua “called” each of his disciples. Today, however, we’re asked “did you accept Jesus as your lord and savior? The question is not what we accepted, but did he call us? I haven’t found anyone that can answer this question. The people I know that call themselves “christians” have institutionalized guilt and call it a virtue. So, if you’re always guilty, why does the verse say that” “there is therefore now no condemnation for those that are in Maschiach Yahshua and have been “called” according to his purpose? Religion is the lie, and keeps people in darkness, and this is why it does not work. Think about it. A pastor behind a pulpit can only preach to egos. That’s why religious people think that they’re always right. They get their egos stroked and massaged.
The Church created by Jesus didn’t “originate in Scotland”. Jesus created One Church, not tens of thousands of Man made “churches” that came 1500 to 2000 years afterward, all believing different doctrines, yet reading the same Bible, which his Church gave to the world in the late 4th Century. In 107AD, one of the Bishops in his Church wrote a letter calling it “Catholic”, meaning Universal. The name stuck. Try reading 1 Cor 1:10 and John 17:21. That’s how his Church was for 1500 years and then Luther, Calvin, and others brought in all of their False, Man Made teachings, like Bible Alone, Faith Alone, Once Saved Always Saved, and many more. Now there are thousands and thousands of “churches” all misinterpreting Scripture to fit their man made beliefs. In Matt 16:18, Jesus created One Church, the pillar and foundation of Truth, in 1 Tim 3:15, and the Final Authority in Matt 18:15-17. (Not the Bible Alone).
In the chronology of events, which comes ? Mat.28.1 ¶In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. Jhn.20.1 ¶The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Let’s zoom in Mat.28.1…as it began to dawn… Jhn.20.1…when it was yet dark… I’am confident that a 10y.o knows that “when it was yet dark “, comes before “as it began to dawn.” Jhn.20.1-2 Paraphrased. Mary Magdalene arrives at the tomb when it is dark, and the tomb is empty, she hasn’t seen any angels or a resurrected Measiah. Iam positive that you need a body in the tomb at sunrise to have a Easter Sunday Sunrise Resurrection. Mat.12.40For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Mat.16.21¶From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
The Church has the divine guarantee to teach Christ’s truth concerning the Written and Oral Tradition, both of which come from the Church. “The church is the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1Tim 3;15) and not the private interetations of an individual/group. Both the Protestant sects and the Orthodox churches put their own rendering of Apostolic Tradition above the final authority of the Catholic Church.
I have heard a different story of the source of Presbyterianism. During the Dirk Ages, the Celtic Catholic Church was in Ireland, and Scotland. The Celtic Catholic had Churches in France and Cologne, during the Dirk Ages. Church was declared pagen by an English Pope. After that Ireland and Scotland became Roman Catholic. Some Scotish are still Roman Catholic. The Presbyterians have claimed to model their religion after the Celtic Catholic Church. One indication of this is the similarity between the Celtic Cross and the Presbyterian Cross. Both are a cross with a circle in the middle of the cross, although they differ in style. The Presbyterian Cross is thin, and simple, while the Celtic Catholic Cross is ornamental. It seems ironic that the Presbyterian and Roman Catholic fight in Northern Ireland. Actually the Irish being switched to Roman Catholic served a purpose for the English. The Normans settled in Ireland. The English expected the Normans to make Ireland more like England, but the Normans, became Irish. So the English used religion to divide Ireland.
Hi Joshua, I appreciate your articles. However, I think you may have accidentally misrepresented the Reformed view of the Lord’s Supper. The Westminster Confession, for instance, specifically denies that Christ is present in the Lord’s Supper “carnally or corporally,” i.e., that his body and blood are physically present (WCF 29.7). You, however, defined the spiritual presence view as the belief that his body and blood and present. This is an oxymoron, in fact. Thanks!
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I was born and raised in Baptist churches, and grew up singing the old hymns. One of the things that been driving me crazy is its getting really rare to find Baptist churches in my area that still even USE the hymns. They use the contemporary worship songs, that you sing for a few years, then forget them. I cant even rememost of the songs i sang 10 years ago, but i can still remember the old hymns like “The old rugged cross”, “Trust and Obey” “When i survey the wondrous cross” and many others. Most of the old hymns held biblical truths, while most of the “worship” songs is more emotional based.
I enjoyed your presentation. I was partially raised in the Presbyterian church. My family had moved frequently and we went to several different denominations, according to what was near and convenient. For several years we attended the Presbyterian church and I did find Christ as Lord and Savior there. I was baptized there by sprinkling. I had a lot of Baptist friends and they had a lot of skepticism about my faith. But I persevered. I did understand the “singing of the psalms”. Glory! Can I shout? But I did have difficulty with the Five Points of Calvinism. In the providence of God, I did end up in the Church of the Nazarene, where I was called to pastoral ministry, which I followed for 50 years. Even for the few differences of understanding and trying to explain God’s great calling and salvation, I did often thank God for my roots in the Presbyterian church. Thank you for a calm, reasoned explanation of the Presbyterians.
I as an Episcopalian who strongly adheres to Lutheran doctrine, will avoid going to commercial establishments on the Lord’s Day to minimize the work store employees have to do. If all Christians could avoid going to commercial establishments on the Lord’s day store employees could stay home to go to church to worship the Lord and to be with their families.
I was baptised Presbyterian and didn’t know this but very fascinating thank you. Ive been going to an Anglican Church because it’s the one closest to me. They also baptise children, they do sing the psalms but they do have many images of Christ in stained glass. I believe God choose us before we turn to Him.
I am Baptist. Sunday, I attended a PCA church. I was brought to tears. The sermon dealt with election which I affirm. They are Reformed and Calvinistic which has become a bad word in Baptist churches. From the call to worship to the benediction, the worship was completely God centered. I’ve been living in a very dry place.
i’ve attended a local Presbyterian church many times and I have never one time heard the pastors mention the words, “New Birth” or, being Saved, instead, it’s like Bible study for people who are already saved. If you didn’t know the Lord personally, you could go to that church for 50 years and still not know him, then die and go to Hell because no one there ever mentioned that you must be BORN AGAIN!
Interesting talk. My 5th grade teacher in the 1970s was Presbyterian (somewhat unusual where I was raised). He started the school day EVERY day by reading a Psalm to us. He seems very interested in us being familiar with them. I went to his church a few times as well as some other Presbyterian churches, and now that you mention it, I do not recall seeing any pictures or paintings of Christ anywhere. We wound up becoming very good friends.
I’m Afrikaans. Church Neder-Duits Gereformeerd. You will have a really difficult time finding any difference from The Presbyterians. Acknowledge Martin Luther’s start of the Reformation, but in that regard, we follow the work of Johannes Calvein. All I can add is NO applause! no matter how good the choir sang or the visiting Organist played. Baptism/ Christianing of babies- allways been this wonderfull display of Grace to me. Free of charge, babies not excluded and pure grace- nothing you achieved or decided.
The original Greek word for baptism is a word for immersion. This is what occurred with Christ and that,for me, is the example to follow. It signifies raising to life, from death to life. Also, I was raised with the belief that a person must be the age of accountability, to know right from wrong. Babies don’t have the ability to choose.
I was a member, Deacon and Elder of the Presbyterian Church. I took my family out of it around 10 years ago: our pastor never indicated he accepted Jesus as his Saviour, never made an alter call and when I asked him a question about the Bible, he told me it was just a collection of tribal tales. Next, they ordained homosexuals and approved of same sex marriage. Then they brought a Muslim in to teach us that we all worship the same god, Allah is not god!
Interesting – I was brought up in a Free Presbyterian Church. We dedicate our children to the church but baptism only happens when an individual is of an understanding age, born again and it is initiated of their own volition – a person will give their testimony and then be immersed 🤔 Thank you for sharing! The rest is exactly how I practiced at church
I come from a Bible believing church. What I understand from scripture… 1. God predestined all who hear the gospel and choose to receive Jesus Christ as their savior. As a result, those who reject him go to hell but it didn’t have to be that way because God calls everyone to repent and believe on Him. So there are people in hell today because they rejected him but they could have been saved had they obeyed God’s call. 2. The only new testament water baptism taught in scripture is emersion so you are breaking from scripture there by pouring and by adding child baptism. 3. The Bible doesn’t command only songs to be sung to be Psalms. We can certainly sing praise and worship hymns and songs that glorify God. 4. No where did I read Jesus teaching to do nothing on the Sabbath. He said he is Lord of the Sabbath and made a point to emphasize it is better to do good things on that day. Paul says in Colossians 2:16 let no man judge you in respect of the Sabbath days etc which are a shadow of things to come. 5. We do use pictures of Jesus to teach Bible stories to kids etc and see nothing wrong about it. Jesus is human and God. He walked this earth as a man. We do not, of course, use pictures of “Jesus” as worship icons, stained glass windows and such as.
I’m newly Presbyterian. I attended a Presbyterian church near my house with a friend & I instantly felt connection. I was raised non-denominational/Christian. I have been doing my research, looking for more information on what makes Presbyterians different & this article helped a lot! The no pictures of Jesus points were very intriguing to me. Thank you!
As someone from a non-denominational, baptistic type church I appreciate your explanations of these “strange” things you believe. And although I don’t follow most of them I love learning what other brothers and sisters believe. One thing I’ve come around to is the keeping of the Sabbath. I was always taught, and still believe, that it’s no longer a “must” for believers under grace. However, I’ve come to acknowledge it as a blessing rather than a commandment. I “get” to keep the Sabbath rather than I “have” to keep it. It was made for Man, after all! Blessings to you. ❤️
Being Catholic the image of Christ on the cross reminds me of what Christ did for me. I don’t worship the image or the cross. When I kneel in church, looking at the crucifix reminds me, helps me focus on God’s mercy. We sing the psalms too. Love singing them. We baptize babies too. We hold the Lords day sacred and honor it. Only time we miss ( at least for me), is if I am sick. We are saved by Grace, but good works are a product of our salvation by Grace. We are not saved by works.
“Sola scriptura”. Is the slogan of the reformed movement. Yet they really don’t go by what they say. They don’t really believe in “scripture alone”. And it’s obvious by how they are ALWAYS quoting from other sources such as Calvin, Luther, catechisms, church fathers, and church councils. So it is definitely not scripture alone, unfortunately.
Very interesting. As a confessional Lutheran, I would be quite comfortable with these “odd” practices of Presbyterian service. However, we are in disagreement with our Presbyterian brothers when it comes to Calvinism. I don’t see it as a salvation issue. I’m sure I’ll be meeting many fine Presbyterians, Methodists, Catholics, and Baptists when I am in Heaven. 😊
I grew up in mostly anglican and baptist churches, but have been with pentecostals for the past 11 years or so. To be honest none of this seems strange to me. I absolutely love that you sing the old psalms when I have to listen to Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation on repeat each week being blasted at 90dB+. I also think it’s very thoughtful and biblical that you dedicate your children in baptism. I was baptised or “christened” as the anglicans put it, when I was an infant. But later in life when I was old enough to make my own decisions, I chose to be baptised again and it was a very profound and spiritual experience. My view of the sabbath is somewhat relaxed, in that I work many weekends due to the nature of my job (food delivery driver). So I respectfully try to take a day or two off during the week where possible. But yeah it amazes me how much common ground the different denominations share and also the beauty of our oneness, despite the traditions that we hold to.
I spent a number of years in the PCA in my 20s, and have now been Eastern Orthodox for almost 30 years. Icons have been part of Christian worship since the earliest centuries and are an affirmation of the incarnation of God in the flesh. In the Old Testament God could not be depicted but now in Christ, God has a face. It is holding up the “scandal” of Christianity in a clear and affirmative witness. They also affirm the “cloud of witnesses” on the other side cheering us on.
We just started attending a Presbyterian church. It’s been so nice. Good Bible teaching, incredible worshipful singing. They sing regular current worship songs. My husbands hates the ” turn around and meet someone” part lol . He hates it in every church. We’ve gone to Calvary Chapel for ever but since pastor Chuck died the inconsistency is to great and I’m over it.
Pastor Everhard, I have been a Presbyterian since 1958. I have attended Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina and two cities in California. I have served as an Deacon, Elder and member of Presbytery. All followed the Westminster COF,of which I am very familiar. However,not one of those churches were anything like you described in this article. All used the conventional hymns with hymns by Luther and others. Baptisms were observed and Predestination was preached but Sunday was a day for the family to be together and participate in activities together, such as playing games in the yard or doing things with neighbors, And all had stained glass windows with the images of Christ in them. I think your church may be a bit Puritanical in nature.
It’s amazing to me how different churches will take a few words or a phrase out of the Bible and all but spin it to what that want it to mean as an ABSOLUTE! I grew up in the Methodist Church, and I almost think my wonderful Mother believed that the Methodists were the only ones going to Heaven! In addition, for the last 10 years I have gone to the Church Of Christ, and I can promise you they will take a few words and spin them to their benefit……I tend to think we will all get a big surprise one day! May God Bless you all, everyone.
I’m not Presbyterian so this was a very good explanation of their distinctives. I do believe God does a lot of work leading people to the point of deciding to follow Christ. Salvation is God’s gift to us, to which we contribute basically nothing, yet we must receive it. What do you all do when the believer has apparently no choice but to work on all of, part of, or occasional Sundays?
I grew up in the Christian Reformed Church, was baptized, and made profession of faith as an adult. I transferred membership to a Presbyterian Church many years later as I had moved and it was a local church. I was welcomed and the change was seamless. Only real difference was learning about the Westminister Confession whereas I had learned the Heidelberg Catechism.
I go to non denominational church..I don’t find these practices strange. I myself do take or use any artwork or images of Christ. I’m also not big on the worship music. I would prefer to sing hymns or the psalms(which I never have sung the psalms)…wait.. maybe I need to check out a presbyterian church. Love your articles Matthew!
I fully expected you to mention having a “calling”. A friend of mine from high school is a Presbyterian minister, his calling is woodworking and he’s always posting his latest creations on Facebook. My uncle became a Presbyterian a couple of decades ago, and his job had always been as a maintenance superintendent for a high school, but he felt his calling was psychology, and he went back to school when he was like 40 and earned a doctorate because of this belief. As far as I know that belief is something unique to Presbyterians.
As someone who was forcibly raised in the Mormon church,I was confused by the statues of Moroni on their temples, not to mention the huge state of Jesus in their temple square visitor center and the many statues spread around the state of Utah of their prophets. What ever happened to no idols or graven images?
Raised catholic, married a baptist, attended assembly of God for many years! I’ve been sprinkled, and immersed. I’ve been saved delivered and healed! I’ve been church hurt and dissapointed. I’ve been overflowing with faith and at times had as little faith as the size of a mustard seed. I have more questions than ever before about my beliefs! I truly thought that at my age I would be so rooted in my beliefs that surely I would be comforted by prayer and calling on the Name of Jesus………. I feel so guilty just saying that.
Predestination used to be a stumblingblock to me. My problem was I thought Presbyterians were teaching “determinism” against my almighty attitude of freedom (or voluntarism), all secular philosophical and political ideas. Our Heavenly Father foreknows the dangers facing His impulsive children and as any caring father should He guides us from danger and from prideful things that keep us from confessing that Jesus is Lord. I am grateful for the many, may I call them miraculous interventions than were given me by the Holy Ghost to keep me from self destructing.
Thank you for your calm demeanor in explaining this. As a non-denominational evangelical that is looking for a new church home, I appreciate knowing this. Respectfully this is not a denomination that we would be comfortable with or will be checking out. Thank you again for your time and honesty. God bless you and your ministry.
Hey Matt, I assume it was an honest mistake, but your representation of the history of icons was very misleading and just objectively inaccurate. I appoligize in advance for the long response, but I think this is really important. Icons predate the 700s by quite a lot. That isn’t when they “Took off” That’s actually when they were suppressed, in the Eastern Empire, by iconoclastic emperors. We have surviving images of Christ from 250. Eusebius talks about images when he wrote in 305. We have surviving images of Christ that date back before our oldest surviving (nearly) complete manuscripts of the NT. Let’s keep our timelines straight, the Hagia Sophia was built in the 500s. By the 500s we have TON of surviving examples of icons, and that is despite decades of people actively trying to destroy them in the 700s and early 800s. Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Sini has an extensive collection of icons from the 500s. Thats the difference between us and the American Revolution from when you mentioned. Sadly, many of our earliest icons have been lost or destroyed by either Muslim iconoclasts or Christian iconoclasts during the iconoclast periods. I’ll do my best to stick to the strict facts and I will do my best to lay that out in a timeline going backward I think it would be fair to say that icons have had varying degrees or controversy several times prio to the Reformation, though there are long periods in large areas where they have not been controversial at all really. 1600s onward: With a few exceptions, both East and West used Icons and or Statues in churches right up until the Protestant Reformation.
Thank you for this article. I really enjoyed it and found it “enlightening” :). Question though: I’ve been to a Presbyterian church before and they didn’t sing Psalms and didn’t seem to align much with your 5 points. In fact, they had a fairly liberal theology. So can one tell an “orthodox” presbyterian church from one of the “progressive” ones based upon what the church is called?
I was raised Presbyterian but converted to the original Catholic faith. Studying the history before the Protestant breakaway was so enriching. Everyone should read what the original church doctors wrote from the first century.. Read 33 DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH, a Tan publication, to read the actual writings of the first Christian leaders right after Paul.
I attend a church that is quasi-Presbyterian. My mother was Anglican so I was raised in the Episcopal church while also having country Baptist very active grandparents. It was due to them that I came to faith in one of CEF 5-day clubs. I am formally biblically educated and now consider myself a reformed dispensationalist. I have no issue with 4 of these “weird” things. However, I do have an issue with child/baby baptism unless it is of an anabaptist nature whereas as an adult, understanding the mature things of the Lord, then make a public confession of Christ in the act of baptism. I have met too many “christians” who hang their salvation on the fact that they were baptized as children. This is a hangover from the RCC practice that also should have been reformed (as well as the allegorical hermeneutic). I get the paralleling of circumcision with baptism. But circumcision was given to a nation as a sign. Nowhere in the NT is the mandate of baptism given in that same vein. I have no problems with baby/child dedication. But understanding the nature of water baptism as merely a public confession and identification of The Faith (Jude) and not having any regenerative properties, babies/children do not have the wherewithal to cognitively make such a confession. Again, my biggest beef is that all too often, in my experience, people rely upon baptism as a means of salvation. In the early church often an adult was not baptised until after one or two YEARS of catechism. Sadly most Presbyterian churches no longer hold catechismic schooling for its members.
As a Staff Elder (Associate Pastor, Worship and Visitation) in a Baptist Church, I openly say I can make a stronger argument for infant baptism in a covenant context than for baptizing very young children in a credo baptist context. Premature baptism in the latter setting ironically becomes a false assurance of salvation for adults displaying no evidence of regeneration because “I would not have been baptized if I were not saved.” I do hold to believer baptism, but counsel parents against prompting young children to be baptized. Bar mitzvah age seems an appropriate timeframe, announcing the candidate as a son/daughter of the new covenant. We do not use theatrical lights, lasers or atmospheric effects, but we do employ a diverse team of musicians including orchestral and rhythm instruments… as many skilled musicians as the Lord has added to our assembly. Oh, and we do sing the psalms as well. (And absolutely nothing from Hillsong, Bethel, or the like.) We also affirm and teach the doctrines of grace. And we have elders… Yeah, you’ve got us. We’re pretty much Pres-bap-terians. 🤣
One other difference in the Presbyterian Church. As someone who has been raised Presbyterian it was sometimes strange when visiting other Christian denominations. Where we lived in a brand new suburb, the Presbyterian church had not yet been built and our neighbours often invited us to their Churches. When visiting the town my parents met and wed, we always attended the Presbyterian Church my grandparents belonged to. The difference I refer to is in the words of “The Lord’s Prayer”. It is usually stated as “forgive us our trespasses”, but Presbyterians say “and forgive us our debts, while we forgive our debtors”. While visiting other denominations I was thrown off by hearing different words. Perhaps you could explain these differences.
I hold a fairly strict view of the Lord’s Day myself (Dutch Reformed). I try not to do anything that would necessitate others not being able to observe it (shopping, even filling the gas tank, etc.) However, I do think some forms of recreation at home (walks, reading, smoking, shooting, movies, etc.) are acceptable.
1. In Presbyterianism, pastors are not members of their own church 2. In Presbyterianism, there are three “offices”, which are: Deacons, Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders 3. In Presbyterianism, pastors often wear robes 4. In Presbyterianism, only pastors can serve Lord’s supper 5. In Presbyterianism, they call it a “sermon” if the person saying it is ordained, otherwise it’s an “exhortation”
I appreciated this very much. I did not study at a Presbyterian Seminary, but I would have loved to have a faithful Presbyterian visit as a visiting Professor to teach us to fundamental tenets of Presbyterianism. I think that would have enriched us. Instead we had Professor on the opposing side teaching us what Presbyterians believe, and I found that to be limiting our understanding of our brothers and sisters. I want to know what you believe and say it the way you would say it even if I don’t believe the same. I want to understand how you exegete the texts and arrive at your conclusions. That will help me to appreciate you more. Thank you for this (Broke the Sabbath: I’m perusal and typing this in the early hours of the Lord’s Day in my country🙈)
My first year in college was ruined because I was staying with an aunt and uncle who were Presbyterians. I am Catholic. They knew it and I knew they were Protestants but thought nothing of it. However as time went by my aunt was fanatical about her beliefs and tried hard to convert me to their church. She wanted me to attend Sunday services with her and uncle. I refused to go. I had my church why go anywhere else? Could never understand why they would invite to stay with them if she was going to be this way. Eventually I had to go home on the weekends because she just couldn’t stand it that I would not come to he church. She wanted me to read the bible and find out the truth. What really made me angry was that she called the mass “an empty ritual.” Not sure how she came to hate Catholics so much. She did wake me up and I did some questioning about my faith and got the answers I needed. I am a better Catholic now than I ever was. One thing I was never able to do with my aunt was have a friendly discussion about our faiths. She was one of those women who was right and that was it. My church has a tradition of stained glass windows and statues and other pictures of saints and Christ. You have to remember for many years people were illiterate and these were visual aids to help them understand the faith. As far as being bible based churches as most Protestant churches are you seem to forget that the church didn’t have a bible for over 300 years after Christ. And then it was the Catholic church that produced it.
This was really informative and interesting for me as a Roman Catholic. There are many ways to become confused about the beliefs and practices of the myriad Protestant denominations of Christianity. America in particular has been greatly influenced by the diligence, discipline and simple faith of Presbyterians. Ultimately it is our shared embrace of Our Savior Jesus Christ that binds us all together.
Glad I came across this article. I was raised Presbyterian, but haven’t attended any church regularly for 50 years. This article made my mind click with my old church and the good memories.🌸 I miss the old hymns as well. When a church plays contemporary music I feel like they’ve cut out some important piece of worshiping God.
Interesting, I myself am Atheist, but am always interested in religions and getting to try to understand them. I come from a Catholic upbringing, and know Christianity through that lens, and I found that you left them out, all the protestants and spiritualist, in Catholics, nope. But like I said I am Atheist, and no pointing to scripture can prove things to me about an existence of a God, or Gods, or ancestors, or spirits, but I do like your explanation of your branch of Christianity. Thank you.
Very interesting. I was raised in a Nazarene Church. Same doctrine as Wesleyans. I was taught by the church and my mother that new Christians should be baptised by sprinkling. We called Sunday the Sabbath, even though the the Sabbaths in the Bible were on Saturday. We had a large “picture” of Salman’s head of Christ in the living room. Nazarenes don’t baptise children because they believe you should be of an age that you understand accepting Jesus as Savior and understand what following Him means. Your way makes sense to me though. I wasn’t allowed to do much of anything on Sunday. I could not go outside and play ball with kids. I couldn’t read the paper or comics on Sunday. I couldn’t buy anything on Sunday. You made me understand your reason for believing in predestination. I had always believed that meant that God determined before you were born who would be saved and who would go to hell. That confused me, knowing a person had to be the one to make the choice whether or not to follow Jesus. I believe what you said about God was already at work to bring one to him before you even think about following Him. I certainly agree that was the case with me. Even as a small child I had a desire to follow Christ. In the Nazarene Church if you wanted to accpet Jesus as Savior you’d go down the aisle in church when the invitation was given and kneel at the altar and other Christians would come and pray with you, and if needed explain what following Jesus meant. I think Baptists practice immersion because they say baptism means immersion.
I was born and raised in a Presbyterian Church in Upland, California. But I got “saved” and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior when I was 15 in my boyfriend’s Southern Baptist Church! Our church never had us accepting Jesus as our Savior! And I have never returned to a Presbyterian Church! I attend a Vineyard Church in San Luis Obispo county!
I have heard that the Presbyterian Church took things from the Celtic Catholic Church. The Scotish pegans were first converted to Christianity by Celtic monks. On indication of the link between the Celtic Catholic Church is the Presbyterian Cross is similar to the Celtic Catholic Cross both have circles in the middle of a cross. But both are different from each other, because the Celtic Catholic Cross is orninate, while the Presbyterian Cross is plan.
This may have been already answered but in case it wasn’t … there are two types of Presbyterian Churches in the US. Since you are talking about the Presbyterian PCA it may be confusing to others who are in the PCUSA or who know people in the PCUSA who don’t follow some of the practices you mentioned.
My grandparents were Presbyterians, my father didn’t really take us to church but taught us the basics, and I now attend a nondenom pretty conservative Bible church. I help in the kids program and cannot bring myself to have coloring pages of Jesus or the Father! It must be the grandparents kicking in. There are some in my church who don’t think it’s a big deal but I just can’t do it! I remember as a child someone mentioning how the Muslims don’t depict their God and my father said “neither should we!” And it has stuck with me in a big way!
Im new to Presbyterian. Unfortunately after spending 13yrs in a Methodist church in the Assemblies of God (penticostal) and believe it or not in the word of faith. i.e. Ive seen a range of how various groups do church and handle the Word. I find the how Presbyterians handle the Word to be the most solid and accurate. During Sunday worship service reading through a Bible book in chronological manner verbatim and then exegetically via acceptable reformed commentaries reflect on what that biblical text mean. Everything focussed around the Gospel and the Jesus presented in the Gospel. Yes, the worship band is not of primary concern. BUT I sense a very relaxed/complacent almost passion-less, zeal-less response from congregants compared to some of those blatantly false and heretical groups under charismatic and word of faith.
I believe that celebrating the sabbath is under the old covenant and not mandatory under the new covenant. If we were under the law where we all had to keep the sabbath, then hospitals would be closed. Police officers would not be working, etc, just to name a few. I believe since we are in the church age and under grace, we are to worship God everyday, hence, everyday is the sabbath.
Bible says all who are thirsty come it’s our choice. He says I stand at the door and nock so we have choice to open it and allow him in or we can refuse. He has given us the choice to choose him or deny him . All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be save again we choose to call him or deny amen.
In the last days baptizing of the holy spirit, and gift of the spirit, speak in tongues and so many confirmations on it, but many denominations are folding the pages in the scripture and continue to go their ways. In the book of Revelations, if you cut the words of this prophecy you are cutting yourself from salvation, if you add to the words of this prophecy you adding to yourself the plagues writing in the scripture. GLORY TO GOD ALMIGHTY!!!!!
1. I believe that there is a big difference between worshipping a depiction, i.e. a drawing in a children’s book, or a statue, or stained glass and not worshipping them and if a child or an adult looks at it doesn’t mean he/she worships it. I really don’t think that teaching children by using a drawing or a painting depicting Jesus is wrong unless they are being taught to worship the drawing or painting. I think the Presbytarians have misunderstood or misterpreted that commandment.
Eastern Orthodox here, formerly Reformed. Just want to show appreciation for the way you spoke about icons in our Church. So many protestants will say that we worship images, which is so observably false and so tiresome. We do worship God through the use of images, just like we worship God through prayer and songs and psalmody. It’s rare to see a Presbyterian speak on this issue without the editorial slant, so I just gotta give props. Also, I know the Presbyterians won’t agree with this, but I do have to say that Christ is the image of the invisible God – and your history of icons in worship is incorrect. They go back to the first century.
On predestination it’s tricky because some believe only certain ones are predestined to be saved. You wouldn’t believe that, right? I was brought up Mennonite and the view we held to is that through Jesus ALL are predestined. But if one refuses the grace offered and continues to refuse over and over and over and rejects the free gift of salvation, and dies in that condition then they won’t be saved. It’s like if someone bought me plane tickets and hotel stays for a vacation and says come! It’s all paid for! But I refuse to go. We still have free choice in the matter. Some teach that you are led to the airport, seated in your seat, led off the plane and forced to go to all the resorts and hotel stays even against their will! That’s not what the Bible teaches us. IF any man will come… If you baptize children, do you baptize again upon conversion?
I was raised in a federated congregational Presbyterian they didn’t say you couldn’t do other things on Sunday. They didn’t have stained glass when I was young but they did install them when I was in my 20s: The Holy Spirit dove, a loaf of bread—- leavened & I forget what else. They also had banners on the walls faith, hope, love, a dove, bread & wine. Predestination was not taught. Never was The Bible explained IE: how Abraham & Isaac, Joseph, Boaz, Ruth, Naomi etc were stories of types of Christ, why the parable of the prodigal son would have shocked hearers of that time, how Yeshuah-Jesus saying “I Am” when asked by the soldiers if He was Jesus that this was The Name ADONAI Elohim gave Moses at the burning bush & so many more things that should be explained. Neither did they PREACH Repentance, give altar calls, anoint the sick with oil, lay hands on them & pray.
I grew up in the Presbeterian church,what ever you say Pastor we followed and most of these things are still in us . As we moved from place to place we attended diffrent Protestant churches found in those areas like Methodist,Evengalicle,Baptist and others Bible believing churches . I now am in a Pentecostal church,but all the churches have things in common ie we are sinners Christ died for us and rose again from death that we need Jesus for our redemption and He is going to come again,only thing I miss in Pentecostal churches are singing of hymns . Most of the churches don’t have hymn books . I can only say we are (churches,Bible believing ) are brides of Jesus Christ and brothers and sisters in the Lord . Let’s honor each other, we may be diffrent in our ways but Jesus loves His Church and He died for it .
As one who’s attended four different Presbyterian churches over the course of my life, I was rather surprised by a lot of what the pastor said. I knew that some Presbyterians worship and believe in the ways he describes but I certainly wouldn’t say that all do. Most of the doctrines that are pretty unique to Presbyterianism were not emphasized in the churches I attended. Not that they weren’t there, but I don’t recall a single person believing as fundamentalists do, that the Bible is the unerring work of God. Rather, Scripture was seen as inspired by God but written by man. Evangelism was never a point of emphasis. And the doctrine of predestination was mostly ignored. I also don’t recall a single sermon where the topic was hell or Judgement. I guess that the churches I attended might be considered more liberal, though putting the words liberal and Presbyterian together does seem like a contradiction. And one thing that all Presbyterians seem to prefer is a more emotionally reserved service. I always liked to say that Presbyterians like a little starch in their collars. I always assumed that these specifics of faith were not openly addressed in order to allow for a diversity of views, and that those who differed with some of the specific tenets of the faith were nonetheless welcomed.
I was born and raised in the Ukrainian Catholic Church (Byzantine) and we do have icons everywhere – interestingly, there was a time we considered banning them, but decided they were more helpful than graven in terms of helping people to focus. Very helpful summary, but I don’t see anything strange about it –
It’s true that when evangelicals and others speak of “historical Christianity” they are often picking up their history much later than the original Church of Jesus Christ (that Paul and company were establishing) . . . as followers of Jesus Christ we need to discuss these points of belief in a spirit of respect. I live in Korea right now. The Presbyterian Church is the big dog here as far as Christian churches. They tend to look down their nose at other sects, love to slap the derogatory “cult” label on others, and I believe are partially responsible for the general public losing interest in religion in general. People of faith need to be allies, not adversaries.
My tradition is Baptist and I and my wife miss the traditional hymns. The contemporary “worship” songs — sometimes called “7/11” i.e., a seven-word verse sung eleven times — have crept into too many churches. We attend a PCA church that is excellent in every way but does not sing the Psalms or the traditional hymns from a hymnal. Our worship music is led by a “modern” worship team (guitars, mandolin, violin, and too-much drums); while the songs we sing are contemporary they are NOT of the 7/11 type (like Getty’s “In Christ Alone”). Oh how we would love to be worshipping through the traditional hymns or even sing the Psalms.
I have been in Presbyterian churches, and worshipped with them. I learned some things from your article that I wasn’t aware of before. My only suggestion would be for you to refrain from mentioning how “weird” some of your beliefs are, perhaps “different ” might be a more suitable word. I mention this because I don’t think any of us would like to consider ourselves “weird” or that our beliefs are “weird”. It brings to mind eerie, witches, cults, voodoo, all “weird” and scary. Thanks.
I was raised Catholic, married a Presbyterian in a Presbyterian church…did 5 combat tours and came back to Scripture after a near death experience. I had always chosen to display only “Christian” on my dog tags in over 26 years, but lately finding more and more the PCA is the strongest supporter of Jesus first, Scripture always mindset. I’ve travelled to 63 countries and the divisions we’ve sowed among so-called Christians with cross emblems and tattoos that have no idea what the bible actually says. The only issue I’ve had with Presbyterian along with any denomination is the stuck on the laws issue. After the Cross, we have several Commandments, but not the ten. Of course I’m a sinner, but I don’t let rules get in the way of finding ways to witness the Truth, even at football games or buffets on a Sunday, which Scripturally also has issues…which Sunday are we choosing by which calendar? Even the closest “man’s calendar is off by at least 11 days and in some cases 42 days. I love these articles though, please keep it up…I am open to changing my mind with Scriptural proof…almost always when 2 – 3 english translations agree with Greek and Hebrew and after deep prayer. HalleluYah, Peace and Grace Brother in Yeshua’s holy name
I was born and raised in the Presbyterian Church ironically in Pennsylvania. The Presbyterian Church now looks nothing like it did back in the 1950s. All the Presbyterian Churches that I have gone to have had pictures of Jesus and stained glass pictures of Jesus. I feel that the Presbyterian Church has sold out to what our society wants. I can no longer accept the Presbyterian Church and it principles, or lack thereof.
They believe in the communion of saints . This comes from Wescott a spiritualist and Bible revisionist which is a call to all recent dead saints who are waiting for Heaven to receive them, and an invite to join them to participate with the living to partake in communion. As well as to take a vacant seat in the sanctuary during the service . The Presbyterians also have an office in the U N which is working to unite all religions into a one world denomination ? One faith ?
I was a Baptist for 27 years before converting to Catholicism 30+ years ago. Many forget or are unaware just how. Evangelical the Catholic Church in bringing people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and converting them to Christianity. Pope Francis has set a goal of bringing 400 million Souls to Jesus, and grow God’s Holy Church. This is a 86 years old man that is on fire for Christ. There are Missionaries, Nuns, Monks, Deacons, Priest, Lay Persons, teachers, Counselor’s, Construction workers, Cooks to help feed the students, people in society, and help with needs of the many countries who cannot afford the needs of their people; Such, as Feeding their Citizens, Pupils, and pay teachers. Saint Francis said, “Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary use words”. Now Pope Francis says, “It is hard to speak of the Soul when there is no food in one’s Stomach”. The Out Reach of the Holy Catholic Church has been advanced under Pope Fracture. May God bless y’all my brother’s & sister’s in the Presbyterian Church. ❤️ Timothy 🎚
I have attended and been a member of several Presbyterian churches in Canada and only years later have I become aware of your point 5. ie total depravity, the first of the five points of Calvinism. I graduated from a Bible school that is Calvinist, and yet do not buy in to Calvinism. Why? How can one believe man has no capacity to say “I need Jesus in my life” when confronted with John 1:12 and Revelation 3:20? The most famous verse in the Bible John 3:16 does not say “God so loved the elect, that just the ones He chooses should not perish.” My God is not willing that ANY should perish! How about: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you??? <- Ye and you are in the plural form!! He is talking about the church, not individuals. Same can be said of Romans 9.... Paul is speaking about Israel, not individuals (for context read the previous chapter...... Romans 8). If God only chooses some, by default he created the others to burn in hell. A devilish depiction of God, imho. Satan would be smiling.