What Is Presbyterianism? Its Historical past, Theology & Practices

It might sound unusual—and even boring—to call a Christian denomination after a system of church authorities, however that’s precisely what we’ve got in Presbyterianism. Apart from, the Episcopalians have finished the identical factor!

As a matter of reality, setting Presbyterianism beside Episcopalianism makes for an attention-grabbing distinction. Each teams are Protestant. Each have roots within the Reformation period (sixteenth–seventeenth cents.). And each have a typical English/Scottish ancestry. The distinction, nonetheless, may be discovered within the etymology of their Greek-derived names. Presbyterianism comes from the New Testomony Greek phrase that means “elder” (πρεσβύτερος), and Episcopalianism comes from the Greek phrase that means “bishop” or “overseer” (ἐπίσκοπος).

So then, by definition, Presbyterian church buildings are these which are led and ruled by a plurality of elders, who collectively comprise the session or the consistory of the church. These elders are sometimes sub-categorized as ruling elders and educating elders, the latter of that are often identified merely as pastors. Every native congregation, due to this fact, has a crew of elders who lead and direct the church.

Importantly, native church buildings typically cooperate in associations of geographically proximate church buildings referred to as presbyteries. In contrast, conventional Episcopalian church buildings are directed by a singular bishop who has directive authority over a equally geographic area of church buildings.

Within the following article, we are going to focus on the biblical foundations, historical past, theology, and key practices of Presbyterian church buildings.

The Bible’s foundations for Presbyterian polity

Presbyterian church buildings assert that our system of church authorities deeply aligns with Scripture.

Going again to the Outdated Testomony, Moses’s father-in-law, Jethro, instructed him to share his administrative authority with elders (Exod 18:1–26). And whereas Israel had been led at numerous instances by judges, kings, prophets, and even warriors, the respect and esteem of tribal elders was intrinsic to her physique politic.

Within the New Testomony, we see the Presbyterian system emerge organically out of Paul’s three missions to plant church buildings (Acts 13–21). Paul appears to have insisted that every native church be ruled by a plurality of elders, as he personally ensured that the church buildings he based be provided by such godly and competent males (see a key textual content: Acts 14:23). As Paul delegated management to males like Timothy and Titus, he particularly instructed them to safeguard the authority of the native church to elders who have been each trustworthy and capable of lead (1 Tim 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–16).

Presbyterians are fast to level out that the phrases “elders” and “bishops” used within the New Testomony are synonymous, that’s, used interchangeably (cf. Titus 1:5 and seven). Furthermore, Presbyterians have often considered the workplace of deacon as distinct from the elders, with deacons holding a place of humble servanthood to take care of the extra sensible issues of the church (Acts 6:1–6).

Acts 20, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5 use elder, overseer, and pastor interchangeably

Whereas many trendy church buildings maintain a congregational type of authorities, recognizing the independence of native church buildings, Presbyterians have as a substitute emphasised that our church buildings are to be related in an natural and vibrant mutuality. Thus, Presbyterians level to the church buildings of the New Testomony as sharing and receiving funding, ministers, letters, council, and different sources (Col 4:7–18; 2 Cor 9:1–5). Because of this, Presbyterian church buildings affiliate overtly with proximate church buildings of like-minded conviction, assembly repeatedly for prayer, fellowship, ordination, and shared ministry or mission endeavors.

In a quintessential instance of church cooperation, Presbyterians level out the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 as a stellar second during which the New Testomony church:

1. confronted an issue (Acts 15:1),
2. despatched delegates (15:2),
3. mentioned the matter (15:6–11),
4. consulted Scripture (15:13–17),
5. got here to a shared conclusion (15:19–21), and
6. acted cooperatively (15:22–35).

Thus, Presbyterians have held that holding bigger synods or basic meeting gatherings, as mandatory, is nice and proper for the church at giant.

A quick historical past of Presbyterianism

The Protestant manifestation of Presbyterian church buildings started to coalesce on the time of the Reformation beneath the instruction of a number of essential theologians, together with John Calvin (1509–1564) and John Knox (1514–1572).

From John Calvin to John Knox

Calvin, whose theology grew to become definitive for the Swiss, Dutch, Belgic, and English Puritan church buildings, served as a useful Bible exegete and systematic theologian. His commentaries and his magisterial The Institutes of the Christian Faith are thought-about main works in Reformation theology and biblical examine.

Nonetheless, it was his some-time pupil John Knox who was instrumental within the institution of a very Presbyterian system of church authorities (or polity) in Scotland. Knox’s efforts to convey the sunshine and hearth of Reformation preaching to Scotland is considered as a high-watermark within the growth of a distinctly Presbyterian ecclesiology. Right here, we see the arrival of what would turn into a trademark association of Presbyterian church authorities: native classes, regional presbyteries, and bigger, much less frequent, and basic meeting conferences.

The Covenanter motion

Knox’s efforts wouldn’t go unchallenged, nonetheless. As nationwide and worldwide politics modified over time—difficult by ever-changing monarchs throughout the kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Eire—sure kings tried to usurp the facility of the presbyteries by foisting their very own prerogatives upon the church. These efforts resulted in Erastianism (the direct rule of kings over the church) or prelacy (the oblique rule of kings over the church, via regional bishops, who ostensibly did the king’s bidding).

Scottish efforts to withstand Erastianism and prelacy resulted within the emergence of the Covenanter motion, which steadfastly resisted such tyrannical overreach at the price of persecution and martyrdom, particularly within the “Killing Occasions” of the 1680s. The Covenanter motion continues to be revered as one of the zealous and ardent, if uncompromising, branches of the Presbyterian household tree.

Presbyterianism in America

In America, Presbyterians got here to the colonies early (1640s) and remained faithfully vibrant throughout the eventual founding of the nation in 1776. The primary presbytery was based in America as early as 1706, and by 1789 the primary basic meeting had been established.

The Presbyterian motion was seen as an ideological impetus to the Revolutionary Battle, with a lot of our clergymen serving as chaplains and even troopers. This affiliation was in all probability robust attributable to Presbyterianism’s built-in resistance to kingly overreach (recall: Erastianism and prelacy above). To this finish, the Revolutionary Battle was typically dubbed the “Presbyterian Revolt.”

Presbyterianism grew rapidly throughout the colonies, particularly via the immigration of 1000’s of Scotch-Irish settlers who introduced their spiritual convictions with them to the New World. But progress was not completely unchallenged. Two main splits and reunions ensued following on the heels of the 1740–42 Nice Awakening (over revivalism) and the 1861–65 Civil Battle (over states’ rights, slavery, and outright warfare).

Presbyterian theology & apply

Theologically, Presbyterianism historically holds to the system referred to as Reformed theology. Reformed theology developed in parallel to, however typically distinct from, Lutheran theology as a by-product of the Reformation second of the early-to-mid-1500s. Typically, the excellence fell alongside geographical and linguistic strains, with Lutheranism tracing contours of Luther’s thought in Germany, whereas Reformed theology developed in consensus with Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, Martin Bucer, Heinrich Bullinger, and Johannes Oecolempadius on the continent; and in live performance with John Knox, William Perkins, and the rising Puritan motion throughout the Channel.

For higher or for worse, nonetheless, it was John Calvin’s title that caught, and the towering Frenchman’s affect has loomed giant over Presbyterianism since its inception. Thus, Presbyterians are quintessentially “Calvinistic” in title and essence.

Emphases in Presbyterian theology embody:

1. A completely orthodox and creedal understanding of God in his trinitarian glory
2. A excessive esteem for the Holy Scriptures alongside an ardent want to extoll each God’s Legislation and gospel
3. A reverent view of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper
4. The proclamation of salvation by grace via religion alone (normally alignment with Luther’s articulation of justification)
5. A zeal for the furtherance and edification of church, state, household, and vocation

Kind your sources in Logos by denominations like Presbyterian.

Presbyterian confessionalism

Traditionally, Presbyterians have been eager to put in writing new statements of religion, referred to as confessions. This apply shares some commonality with Lutheranism and Anglicanism, as properly. Confessions are usually for much longer than the traditional, historic creeds, and are extra all-encompassing. Presbyterians have esteemed a number of such iterations of regional or nationwide confessions, together with the Scots Confession, Swiss Confessions, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Synod of Dort. Nonetheless, there isn’t a doubt that an important confession to the Presbyterian custom is the Westminster Confession of Religion (1646), together with its Bigger and Shorter Catechisms (1647).

Written on the time of the English Civil Battle (1640s), the Westminster Meeting was referred to as by the Lengthy Parliament with the intention to assist unify the Three Kingdoms (England, Scotland, and Eire) in doctrine and fortify their Protestant pursuits. Assembly over the course of a number of years, 120 “divines” (pastors, theologians, and landowners) met to assist lead the church via this era of super uncertainty and bloodshed. Ultimately, the thirty-three chapters of the Confession have been written, together with proof texts, catechisms, and a listing of public worship. Scotland, certain to England by the Solemn League and Covenant (1643), likewise permitted the Confession for her church buildings. Satirically, on the time of the Restoration (1660), England reverted again to her Anglican methods and doctrine, whereas Scotland retained the Westminster Confession, changing into its champion for the centuries to come back.

Right this moment, most Scotch-influenced Presbyterians and their respective denominations formally subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Religion and Catechisms, though Dutch Reformed church buildings (very related in doctrine and ethos) subscribe to the Three Types of Unity, consisting of the Belgic Confession, the Synod of Dort, and the Heidelberg Catechism.

Though undoubtedly anachronistic, Presbyterianism actually holds to the so-called “5 Solas” in addition to to the T.U.L.I.P. doctrines, generally related to Calvinism. These two schemas are trendy simplifications of our doctrine, however they will nonetheless be useful in sure didactic methods, particularly in introducing neophytes to Presbyterian life and theology.

Presbyterian worship

Presbyterian worship is often safeguarded by the so-called regulative precept of worship, during which worship is restricted to solely these parts which are particularly commanded in Scripture. Thus, companies are stuffed with parts comparable to prayer, studying of Scripture, confession of sin, giving of tithes and choices, singing of “psalms, hymns, and non secular songs” (Col 3:16), and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and baptism.

Presbyterian church buildings are often constructed fantastically and stately, however free from ornamentation comparable to photos of Christ, that are thought-about to be violations of the Second Commandment (see WLC 109).

Presbyterians emphasize the “strange technique of grace,” that are the preaching of the Phrase, celebration of the sacraments, and prayer.

Presbyterian covenantalism

As a result of Presbyterians apply toddler baptism, they contemplate themselves to be “covenantal,” that means that they worth not simply the individualistic expertise of faith, however the entire Christian household strolling collectively in faithfulness. Thus, it is not uncommon for Presbyterians to emphasize private devotion, household worship instances, the catechism of our youngsters, and the household observance of the Sabbath or “the Lord’s Day.”

Presbyterian missions & evangelism

Presbyterians anticipate that the world can be “stuffed with the information of the Lord because the waters cowl the ocean” (Hab 2:15), and due to this fact ship missionaries and church planters all around the globe. Apart from the Americas, Presbyterianism has a stronghold in a number of international locations in Africa, and most notably South Korea, the place Presbyterian missionaries have been extremely profitable. Presbyterians have typically pressured evangelism to the Jews, with each the Westminster Listing of Public Worship and the Bigger Catechism no. 191 extolling pastors and members to wish for his or her conversion repeatedly.

Fashionable Presbyterian denominations

Right this moment, the mainline department of Presbyterianism, based in 1706, nonetheless exists in America, although demographic research recommend that it’s dying rapidly. The mainline PC(USA) is the results of a number of splits and mergers, however has fallen into large decline within the final century, arguably attributable to an inflow of secularism, liberalism, and progressivism. A lot of its church buildings have departed from conventional understandings of marriage and sexuality.

That however, trendy Covenanters, although maybe a lot smaller and fewer, are sometimes vibrant and robust, nonetheless holding to the important theology of Westminster. The ARP and RPCNA are each associated to the Covenanter motion.

Maybe probably the most vibrant and energetic expressions of the Presbyterian motion at present, a minimum of in America, are present in church buildings which have needed to go away the mainline church, forsaking their property. The PCA is the most important and most sturdy of those conservative church buildings. The PCA is energetically evangelical and faithfully confessional. So too the older, smaller, and considerably extra regionalized OPC. Certainly, a number of trustworthy actions of conservative Presbyterian denominations are loosely affiliated within the affiliation referred to as NAPARC, during which membership is reserved for these denominations that retain a excessive regard for Westminster.

Distinguished figures in Presbyterianism

Presbyterianism has bequeathed to the world the present of many wonderful and competent theologians moreover these already named. Amongst newer notables are:

And plenty of others.

Conclusion

Presbyterianism has a protracted and storied historical past on the very heart of Protestant Christianity. Together with the Anglican and Lutheran branches of Protestantism, the Reformed church buildings normally and the Presbyterian church particularly have maintained an essential function not solely in Europe and America, however on the Korean Peninsula, Africa, and world wide. Presbyterianism has contributed positively to world missions, revivalism, theological analysis and writing, and social concern for the poor, uncared for, and marginalized. Its concentrate on doctrinal constancy, confessional id, and reverent worship has made it a fabulous residence for tens of millions of believers world wide.

Matthew Everhard’s really helpful sources on Presbyterianism

• Sean Michael Lucas, On Being Presbyterian: Our Beliefs, Practices, and Tales

Extra sources on Presbyterianism and Reformed theology

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