What's the difference?

[Esdra]

Hey

I found two Reformed Churches (Reformed Church in the US & Reformed Church in America) in the US. Both seem to have the Heidelberg Catechism and the Belgic Confession as their doctrine.

Anyone know what's the difference between these two?

Esdra

 

[WisdomTree]

One's probably conservative/traditional while the other is liberal/progressive?

 

[Esdra]

One's probably conservative/traditional while the other is liberal/progressive?

Ah,yes. That well may be.

But let's see what the Reformed here have to say.

 

[WisdomTree]

Ah,yes. That well may be.

But let's see what the Reformed here have to say.

Though mind you, in Korea, there are two Presbyterian Churches where neither are in communion with each other and in Korea, Presbyterianism is considered awefully conservative in contrast to the Methodists who are liberals.

 

[Esdra]

Though mind you, in Korea, there are two Presbyterian Churches where neither are in communion with each other and in Korea, Presbyterianism is considered awefully conservative in contrast to the Methodists who are liberals.

Uhm, and why do you lump Methodists and Presbyterians together here?

 

[WisdomTree]

Uhm, and why do you lump Methodists and Presbyterians together here?

I'm not. I'm saying in Korea, Presbyterians are all considered conservative despite the fact that it is split into two opposing groups with no liberal wings. I was mentioning Methodists because that's like the only liberal groups here. Maybe no the only one, but it is the biggest.

 

[Esdra]

I'm not. I'm saying in Korea, Presbyterians are all considered conservative despite the fact that it is split into two opposing groups with no liberal wings. I was mentioning Methodists because that's like the only liberal groups here. Maybe no the only one, but it is the biggest.

Okay, now I got it.
Interesing two Presbyterian Churches, not in communion and both conservative. mhm.

But anyway, we're going off-topic here I guess.

 

[WisdomTree]

Okay, now I got it.
Interesing two Presbyterian Churches, not in communion and both conservative. mhm.

But anyway, we're going off-topic here I guess.

Yeah, getting back on topic, I think the situation with the North Americans might be similar to the one in Korea. It could be foundational issues or doctrinal issues.

Or maybe, they are actually in communion with each other, but one has a larger jurisdiction than the other i.e. one is like a "vassal" for the larger one.

 

[Anoetos]

Yes, the RCUS is conservative and evangelical, the RCA is quite a bit more liberal in their theology. The Christian Reformed Church is a large Reformed body more conservative than the RCA but with significant shifts to the left at least on the denominational level.

You should also be aware (if you were not), that the Continental Reformed Churches (of the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Hungary, etc.) are organically identical with and related to the Presbyterian churches, those constituting, for all intents and purposes, the Reformed Church in the English speaking lands.

 

[Esdra]

Yes, the RCUS is conservative and evangelical, the RCA is quite a bit more liberal in their theology. The Christian Reformed Church is a large Reformed body more conservative than the RCA but with significant shifts to the left at least on the denominational level.

You should also be aware (if you were not), that the Continental Reformed Churches (of the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Hungary, etc.) are organically identical with and related to the Presbyterian churches, those constituting, for all intents and purposes, the Reformed Church in the English speaking lands.

I knew that the Reformed church of the Netherlands is organically identical with the Presbyterian Church (as there is one near where I live, a minority church; they also use the Westminster Confession), but as far as I know the Reformed Church of Switzerland isn't. - In Switzerland mostly the 2nd Helvetic Confession is used, however. - I don't know what Confession in the Romandie (French-speaking part of Switzerland) is usually used.

For France and Hungary I don't know.

 

[Anoetos]

The Helvetic Confession is accepted as a foundational Reformed confessional statement by Presbyterians (as is the Heidelburg, and others) but the Westminster Confession is specifically ours and is differentiated as the binding confessional statement for all those who would hold office in a Presbyterian Church.

 

[Esdra]

The Helvetic Confession is accepted as a foundational Reformed confessional statement by Presbyterians (as is the Heidelburg, and others) but the Westminster Confession is specifically ours and is differentiated as the binding confessional statement for all those who would hold office in a Presbyterian Church.

Yes, already thought so.
So the Swiss who hold to the 2nd Helvetic Confession aren't "Presbyterians" then?

 

[Anoetos]

Yes, already thought so.
So the Swiss who hold to the 2nd Helvetic Confession aren't "Presbyterians" then?

Well, their church government is presbyterian in structure, so, yes.

We're talking in ideals here. In the modern day there are significant differences of opinion on essential doctrinal loci between many of the churches, though they do tend to align in more or less two camps defined by their approach to the Bible.

 

[WisdomTree]

Yes, the RCUS is conservative and evangelical, the RCA is quite a bit more liberal in their theology. The Christian Reformed Church is a large Reformed body more conservative than the RCA but with significant shifts to the left at least on the denominational level.

You should also be aware (if you were not), that the Continental Reformed Churches (of the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Hungary, etc.) are organically identical with and related to the Presbyterian churches, those constituting, for all intents and purposes, the Reformed Church in the English speaking lands.

So comparatively, the RCA is like the Anglican Communion/The Episcopal Church, while the RCUS is like the Continuing Anglican Movement?

Yes, already thought so.
So the Swiss who hold to the 2nd Helvetic Confession aren't "Presbyterians" then?

I believe the "Presbyterian" denomination is more specifically a Scots Reformed who were founded by John Calvin's disciple John Knox.

 

[Esdra]

I would also say so. The evangelical-reformed church in Switzerland is not part of the Presbyterian denomination.

I believe the "Presbyterian" denomination is more specifically a Scots Reformed who were founded by John Calvin's disciple John Knox.