Difference Between Reformed Churches and Presbyterianism?

[jinc1019]

What is the difference between the Presbyterian Church in America (or classic Presbyterianism in general) and the Christian Reformed Church/Reformed Church in North America? I know that the CRC/RCA now ordains women, but other than that, I don't see much of a difference between the two groups. Any help on this would be just wonderful!

Justin

 

[JM]

Church government.

http://www.christianforums.com/t3678779/

 

[universalsoldier]

Doesn't the Reformed Church believe in the Real Presence?

 

[hedrick]

Doesn't the Reformed Church believe in the Real Presence?

Sort of. The Reformed tradition generally, Reformed and Presbyterian, believes that we commune with Christ's body and blood, but that this is mediated by the Holy Spirit. So Christ's body isn't physically present. Do you consider a spiritual connection real? I think it's real presence, but Catholics think nothing but physical presence is real.

 

[JM]

Sort of. The Reformed tradition generally, Reformed and Presbyterian, believes that we commune with Christ's body and blood, but that this is mediated by the Holy Spirit. So Christ's body isn't physically present. Do you consider a spiritual connection real? I think it's real presence, but Catholics think nothing but physical presence is real.

hedrick is right. Calvin's view was latter softened by framers of the Confessions as being too popish.

Dabney’s view of the Lord’s Supper for example is identical to that of Hodge. He believes Calvin’s view, “is not only incomprehensible, but impossible.” Dabney also maintained that the Westminster Assembly modified Calvin’s view so as to remove “all that was untenable and unscriptural in it.” (source: Antithesis at Reformed.org)

 

[jinc1019]

I agree with Hedrick as well regarding the Lord's Supper (his analysis of the Reformed position). My question though, really hasn't been answered. I meant specific doctrinal differences between the groups...I know the church government is different, although it doesn't seem too different to me on the surface (I admit I know very little of all three churches). Any help on this would be great...even a description of the differences in church governance.

 

[JM]

I can't think of any big differences at all. Presbyterians are Reformed in doctrine, Reformed churches are not necessarily presbyterian in government.

The Reformed churches are from continental Europe and hold to Three Forms of Unity and Presbyterians find their roots in the Scottish Kirk/Church and hold to the Westminster Standards.

Try this:

A Comparison of the Westminster and the Reformed Confessions

I haven't thought about this book in a while but it was helpful to me when I was really looking into the confessions:

http://www.amazon.com/Reformed-Confessions-Harmonized-Joel-Beeke/dp/080105222X

 

[jinc1019]

I can't think of any big differences at all. Presbyterians are Reformed in doctrine, Reformed churches are not necessarily presbyterian in government.

The Reformed churches are from continental Europe and hold to Three Forms of Unity and Presbyterians find their roots in the Scottish Kirk/Church and hold to the Westminster Standards.

Try this:

A Comparison of the Westminster and the Reformed Confessions

I haven't thought about this book in a while but it was helpful to me when I was really looking into the confessions:

Reformed Confessions Harmonized: Joel R. Beeke, Sinclair B. Ferguson: 9780801052224: Amazon.com: Books

Thanks! I will check it out.

 

[jinc1019]

Any thoughts on which is better to join in general?