Reformed Churches

[TwinMommy]

If you're researching denominations, check the history. It's very important in that you need to understand why that praticular group came into existence. I have made a brief presentation if you want to see a summarized version of Church history, but I would recommend proper academic textbooks for better accuracy.

Digging into history today. Since I have only been to two types of churches this is all getting very interesting lol That would be great if you could post that.

 

[WisdomTree]

Digging into history today. Since I have only been to two types of churches this is all getting very interesting lol That would be great if you could post that.

My presentation? Here you go!

Brief History of Christianity: Division of the Church

 

[MichaelNZ]

Here's a list of Presbyterian and Reformed churches in the US.

 

[TwinMommy]

My presentation? Here you go!

Thank you very much!!!

 

[WisdomTree]

Thank you very much!!!

You're welcome!

 

[TwinMommy]

Here's a list of Presbyterian and Reformed churches in the US.

Thank you I have been visiting sites and looking into what a Presbyterian church is and how things are done. Seems so foreign to me. Compared to Baptist and non-denominational.

 

[TwinMommy]

You're welcome!

Wow, you are quick to reply LOL

 

[WisdomTree]

Wow, you are quick to reply LOL

I'm just monitoring any developments on this forum before I go to bed.

 

[TwinMommy]

I'm just monitoring any developments on this forum before I go to bed.

Could be more questions from me by the time you come back. My head is spinning from everything I am trying to figure, trying to figure out what churches I will and won't visit come next month.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

If you want some more information on denominations, I've made a presentation slide thing which tries to be brief about it: Brief History of Christianity: Division of the Church

Let's not forget the historical document which really kindled the flames for "division": Luther's 95 Theses, obviously for good reasons. An interesting detail about Luther's 95 Theses is, he did not intend on leaving the Catholic Church, the points of disagreement were meant to be discussed and debated, because he had become something of a Bible scholar, he knew Scripture, and found within the Church at that time many things which were contrary to teachings in Scripture, and so he questioned the Church authorities at the time, and when asked to recant replied:

"Since then Your Majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convinced by sacred Scripture or by evident reason - I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is held captive by the word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to act against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand! I can do no other. God help me! Amen."

The invention of the printing press years before around 1436-1439 revolutionized Christianity. Someone other than Luther, had taken the theses that he nailed to the Church door, and printed copies which spread like wildfire. Also a good study of the history of the English Bible reveals that before the Reformation, and the printing press, only Bible scholars and Church officials had access to the Scriptures, and if the Church in Rome, had her way, the Scriptures would still be in Latin and out of laymen's hands! It was not without much resistance and bloodshed that we have an English Bible, including the Catholic version. People who think that division is not of God or the will of God, are clearly wrong. Christ Himself said that he did not come to bring peace but a sword, referring to divisions within family.

 

[TwinMommy]

Let's not forget the historical document which really kindled the flames for "division": Luther's 95 Theses, obviously for good reasons. An interesting detail about Luther's 95 Theses is, he did not intend on leaving the Catholic Church, the points of disagreement were meant to be discussed and debated, because he had become something of a Bible scholar, he knew Scripture, and found within the Church at that time many things which were contrary to teachings in Scripture, and so he questioned the Church authorities at the time, and when asked to recant replied:

"Since then Your Majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convinced by sacred Scripture or by evident reason - I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is held captive by the word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to act against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand! I can do no other. God help me! Amen."

The invention of the printing press years before around 1436-1439 revolutionized Christianity. Someone other than Luther, had taken the theses that he nailed to the Church door, and printed copies which spread like wildfire. Also a good study of the history of the English Bible reveals that before the Reformation, and the printing press, only Bible scholars and Church officials had access to the Scriptures, and if the Church in Rome, had her way, the Scriptures would still be in Latin and out of laymen's hands! It was not without much resistance and bloodshed that we have an English Bible, including the Catholic version. People who think that division is not of God or the will of God, are clearly wrong. Christ Himself said that he did not come to bring peace but a sword, referring to divisions within family.

Thanks for that link. Looks like it will be a great read.

 

[WisdomTree]

Could be more questions from me by the time you come back. My head is spinning from everything I am trying to figure, trying to figure out what churches I will and won't visit come next month.

Feel free to shoot ahead whenever you want! You can even PM me if you want.

Let's not forget the historical document which really kindled the flames for "division": Luther's 95 Theses, obviously for good reasons. An interesting detail about Luther's 95 Theses is, he did not intend on leaving the Catholic Church, the points of disagreement were meant to be discussed and debated, because he had become something of a Bible scholar, he knew Scripture, and found within the Church at that time many things which were contrary to teachings in Scripture, and so he questioned the Church authorities at the time, and when asked to recant replied:

"Since then Your Majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convinced by sacred Scripture or by evident reason - I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is held captive by the word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to act against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand! I can do no other. God help me! Amen."

The invention of the printing press years before around 1436-1439 revolutionized Christianity. Someone other than Luther, had taken the theses that he nailed to the Church door, and printed copies which spread like wildfire. Also a good study of the history of the English Bible reveals that before the Reformation, and the printing press, only Bible scholars and Church officials had access to the Scriptures, and if the Church in Rome, had her way, the Scriptures would still be in Latin and out of laymen's hands! It was not without much resistance and bloodshed that we have an English Bible, including the Catholic version. People who think that division is not of God or the will of God, are clearly wrong. Christ Himself said that he did not come to bring peace but a sword, referring to divisions within family.

Just to let you know, when I made this, I was not a Catholic. This presentation is intended to be unbaised as possible and as such may seem very secular (which may have been the intent).