Anglicanism and the Reformed Churches

[Albion]

Consider this just something to ponder for fun...or take it seriously if you have good information and want to pass it along. If an Evangelical, Low Church Anglican were stranded in a church that is increasingly trending towards the Catholic way of thinking and doing everything, which Presbyterian or Reformed Church would be the closest to his beliefs and practices? PCA, EPC, other? And why? Assume that every one under consideration has a congregation within driving distance so nothing is ruled out for that reason.

 

[Macrina]

Consider this just something to ponder for fun...or take it seriously if you have good information and want to pass it along. If an Evangelical, Low Church Anglican were stranded in a church that is increasingly trending towards the Catholic way of thinking and doing everything, which Presbyterian or Reformed Church would be the closest to his beliefs and practices? PCA, EPC, other? And why? Assume that every one under consideration has a congregation within driving distance so nothing is ruled out for that reason.

Hmm... perhaps more specifics about beliefs would help? Say, some examples of which issues are perceived to be the most significant, and what position is taken on them?

 

[gtsecc]

Lutheran
if that is too Catholic,
then you are going to want a Presbyterian PCA church

Won't you miss the incense and vestments?

 

[cygnusx1]

Consider this just something to ponder for fun...or take it seriously if you have good information and want to pass it along. If an Evangelical, Low Church Anglican were stranded in a church that is increasingly trending towards the Catholic way of thinking and doing everything, which Presbyterian or Reformed Church would be the closest to his beliefs and practices? PCA, EPC, other? And why? Assume that every one under consideration has a congregation within driving distance so nothing is ruled out for that reason.

On a slightly different note , if one is confirmed in the Anglican Church and has been through several other Churchs , (Pentecostal ,Evangelical and Baptist ) is he still an Anglican ?

 

[Albion]

On a slightly different note , if one is confirmed in the Anglican Church and has been through several other Churchs , (Pentecostal ,Evangelical and Baptist ) is he still an Anglican ?

I'd say that you are what your church membership is. In the case you were thinking of, the person would Baptist if that were the last stop in the line.

 

[Albion]

Hmm... perhaps more specifics about beliefs would help? Say, some examples of which issues are perceived to be the most significant, and what position is taken on them?

Fair enough. Let's say the person takes the Articles of Religion seriously. That would include salvation by grace, the primacy of Scripture and their sufficiency for salvation, Christ as our only Meidator and Advocate, the Two Sacraments of the Gospel, that the Church of Christ does not exist in only one form of polity, Christ as spiritually present in the Lord's Supper, and a rejection of Medieval theories about the Supper, sacrificial priestly vestments and unnecessary pomp, etc. But not by eliminating the historic liturgy, hopefully.

 

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

Fair enough. Let's say the person takes the Articles of Religion seriously. That would include salvation by grace, the primacy of Scripture and their sufficiency for salvation, Christ as our only Meidator and Advocate, the Two Sacraments of the Gospel, that the Church of Christ does not exist in only one form of polity, Christ as spiritually present in the Lord's Supper, and a rejection of Medieval theories about the Supper, sacrificial priestly vestments and unnecessary pomp, etc. But not by eliminating the historic liturgy, hopefully.

Without delving into too much detail, I would seriously consider the PCA. These things are very important in many PCA congregations.

 

[Albion]

Without delving into too much detail, I would seriously consider the PCA. These things are very important in many PCA congregations.

Thanks. But is it the case that there is anything in particular to recommend the PCA over any of the others?

 

[Macrina]

I don't know that any one Reformed denomination stands out over another in these respects. Something to keep in mind is that there will be variation in the liturgy from congregation to congregation within the same denomination, especially as regions vary. Theologically speaking, I think you are on solid ground with the denominations I know... although you should always look at statements of faith of particular congregations and establish what that local body of believers holds to be important. That is very important because of the variation that you will get from church to church. Also, simply visiting a lot of them... this would help figure out which ones are "high church" and which are "low church," which again will vary.

The theological issues you put forward should be compatible with the Reformed tradition as expressed in any of the denominations I am familiar with. Beyond that, I think it would be other/"non-essential" theology, worship style, and of course that feeling of "home" that one hopes to find with a particular congregation.