Presbyterianism
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Cannot be understood without looking @ John Knox
John Knox
John Knox
1514-1572
Billy Graham has said: “John Knox prayed, and the results caused Queen Mary to say that she feared the prayers of John Knox more than she feared all the armies of Scotland. John Wesley prayed, and revival came to England, sparing that nation the horrors of the French Revolution. Jonathan Edwards prayed, and revival spread throughout the American colonies. History has been changed time after time because of prayer. I tell you, history could be changed again if people went to their knees in believing prayer. Even when times are bleak and the world scorns God, He still works through the prayers of His people. Pray today for revival in your nation, and around the world.”
…and he did pray; Mary queen of Scots is quoted as having said “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.” (often quoted as …all the armies of Scotland”
Another noted prayer: “Give me Scotland or I die!:
(This lesson gives us a bit of good exhortation, not just information)
Was involved in early work to reform the Scottish church—then RC in nature
Exiled to France ~1547, served as a galley slave for a time
Exiled to England in 1549 & then licensed to work in the Church of England
Served under Edward I as Royal Chaplain, his work had influence on the wording of the Book of Common Prayer
When Mary came to power, re-establishing RC, he fled to Geneva, then Frankfurt
Having been influenced by Calvin, he worked among refugees there
Ultimately returned to Scotland, became a key player in reforming the church there
Constantly critical of Mary Q of S—invoking her ire; calling for her execution
(NOTE: she was executed in 1587, not for the reason JK called for)
We could distill the origin of the Presbyterian Church to the work of Knox in Scotlant
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism
In general, defined by being a system of polity in which government is by representative bodies called presbyteries (from presbuteros—elder)
As the denomination came to be in Scotland it was Calvinistic in theology, and organized under the pattern put forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Catechisms of 1647 (long after Knox)
Again, like much of the reformation, there is a link to the Church of England in that both were instrumental in the development of the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646 and the Greater and Lesser Catechisms
These documents largely directed the doctrine and theology of the development of the Presbyterian Churches in general
These have been revised over the years (more to the WC than the catechisms
…came to the New World with the Presbyterian Church
In the Western Hemisphere
In the Western Hemisphere
Began to settle up and down the East Coast as early as 1630; one of many “reformed” denominations by the time of the Revolution
Westward push began shortly thereafter their arrival
In 1706, the first presbytery, in 1717 the first synod, containing four presbyteries
Many Presbyterians were active in writing founding documents of our nation and the various states
Some would claim that Presbyterian doctrine influence the concept of checks and balances in our national government
In 1778, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was formed
Overall, a force for good in the developing country, educational, missional work was done by them and their members
Schisms within the ism
Schisms within the ism
Some of the research tends to conflict
In the 19th century, divisions formed over slavery, theology, governance caused some splits
Cumberland Presbyterians
United Presbyterian Church of North America, from which came the Presbyterian Church of the Confederate States of America which then became the PCUSA
Currently, the dominant groups are the PC (USA), and the PCA
Of the two, the PCA is the more conservative group, we would have much agreement
It is strictly complementarian, seeks to be faithful to the Scripture—high view of Scripture, and is generally conservative in its thinking and outlook
PCUSA, leans historically to liberal causes, though they affirm the Word of God in their statements, in practice they stray
Third is the Orthodox Presbyterian Church—possibly the most conservative of the group, which which we will have most agreement
The Cumberland Presbyterians still common throughout the south and in multiple other nations; they are socially progressive, egalitarian, lean to the liberal side of things