Is this really a denomination??

[angrylittlefisherman]

I only just recently joined this forum, and until about 2 minutes ago I was not aware that the Salvation Army was a denomination, or it at least appears to be that way. Am I correct? Is it form of Protestantism? or something else? Where can I find your theology? What sets you apart from other denominations? I am very curious.

 

[ChristInAction]

yea, i never really thought of us as a denomination in ourselves but we are.
http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/SALV/STANDARD/PC_60114.html
^^ that is our doctrine, its what we believe in the salvation army & if you look around that site you'll find much more info about what we're about.

I think what sets us apart the most is that we were founded to be a church for the people that no other church wanted, such as the drunks in england at the time. Our main reason for being was sharing the world of God & helping people as Jesus told us to.
In the church we don't believe in doing the sacrments all the time, because it does not mean that you're saved, its your belife in Jesus Christ alone that will save you, not getting baptised or taking part in communion. We also have a guildline, if you become a soldier in the salvation army not to drink, smoke, take drugs or gamble because we are able to live by example to people who are addicted to that stuff that its possible to live with none of it in your life.

I hope that helps you see what we are in the salvos a bit.

 

[GodsoldierClintus]

We are from the Wesleyan branch of the protestants. We are a sort of a Holiness-Charismatic movement - or use to be. There is a calling of sorts back to our roots. But in essence our theology is based on Wesleyan-holiness theology. A part of that theology is permeated in the Senior Soldiers not smoking, gambling, drinking, etc. Added to that our traditional emphasis have been with the poor, the neglected, those that the church back in the late 1800s refused to have anything to do with.

 

[GlennB]

The main thing that seperates the Salvation Army from other protestent denominations (in the eyes of those 'looking in' at any rate) is the focus on temperance (The no-drinking/no gambling etc. principles) and it's lack of focus on the sacraments.

What many people don't realise is that when the Salvation Army started in the mid 1800's the the idea of temperence wasn't unique. People ran for government office for temperence parties. The Salvation Army is pretty much unique in the Christian world for it's sheer focus on social work - some would argue to the detriment of some of it's other work, but yeah, sure, it's definitely a denom in the weslyan/methodist mold.

Sorry for the scatterred response... It's been the end of a very long day!
Glenn

 

[Emmy]

Dear angrylittlefisherman. You had good descriptions of the Salvation Army. May I point out one more thing? I like to think of myself as a Soldier for Christ, and our main ambition is the saving of souls for our Leader Jesus Christ. Our weapon is LOVE, and our greatest enemy is the tempter and destroyer of Mankind. We love our brothers and sisters, and always try to treat them, as we would like to be treated. Are we a denomination, angrylittlefisherman? Perhaps SALVATION-ARMY? I say this humbly and with love. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[Sphinx777]

The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian Church denomination that is organised in a quasi-military manner. This Christian church also does a lot of social services and charitable work.

The founders, William and Catherine Booth, sought to bring Christian salvation to the poor, destitute and hungry by meeting both their physical and spiritual needs.

One of The Salvation Army's stated objectives is:

The advancement of the Christian religion as promulgated in the religious doctrines—which are professed, believed and taught by the Army and, pursuant there to, the advancement of education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole.

The international headquarters is at 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, with branches around the world. It is sometimes colloquially referred to as the "Sally Ann" in Canada, the "Sally Army" in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, and the "Salvos" in Australia.

 

[SarahLee1]

We are a denomination. I didn't think so either until I underwent senior soldier training. We are special because we have a military set-up going on and that we place heavy emphasis on doing the work of God here on earth and focusing on the hurts of the world (that is why so many people think we're a charity). There are small theological differences, such as the belief that baptism is through the holy spirit, not necessarily water. But our theology is mostly the same as mainstream protestantism and we're actually a branch of methodism, I believe.

 

[abbiestract]

i think we are, because of our doctrine...so we cannot be honestly refered to as "common christians"in the army(as i, and all i know call it) even the sunbeams have a pledge thats toatally fits the army's standards​

Sunbeam Pledge:
I promise that I will try
to love God
to be obedient
to be loving and kind to all
and be true to the Sunbeam Declaration.​

Sunbeam Declaration:
I understand that as a Sunbeam I should:
pray morning and evening, speak the truth, be kind to animals, never steal, swear, gamble, touch harmful drugs or strong drinks.
​