Christian Variants
Anglicanism
The Anglican Church emerged from the context of the Catholic Church in England in the 16th century during the reign of Henry VIII. The Anglican Church does not recognize the Pope but the English King as the head of the Church as the English Parliament passed Acts in 1534-535 to abolish such beliefs. A national Church was created with a doctrinal basis formulated in 1562 as the thirty-nine Articles of Religion. Distinguishing features include Authority, Justification, The role of the Sacraments and Priesthood. There are two strands of Anglicanism that are known as 'low' - evangelical and the 'high' - Anglo-Catholic. Most Anglican clergy are married and some Anglicans accept the ordination of women.
The Anglican Church emerged from the context of the Catholic Church in England in the 16th century during the reign of Henry VIII. The Anglican Church does not recognize the Pope but the English King as the head of the Church as the English Parliament passed Acts in 1534-535 to abolish such beliefs. A national Church was created with a doctrinal basis formulated in 1562 as the thirty-nine Articles of Religion. Distinguishing features include Authority, Justification, The role of the Sacraments and Priesthood. There are two strands of Anglicanism that are known as 'low' - evangelical and the 'high' - Anglo-Catholic. Most Anglican clergy are married and some Anglicans accept the ordination of women.
Catholicism
Catholic Church consists of the Eastern and Western traditions. There are four original eastern traditions including: Antichian, Alexandrian, Byzantine and Armenian. These Churches are best described as a communion of Churches that recognise the pope as their head on earth. Catholicism has a strong emphasis on Mary as the Mother of God and Mother of the Church and on the communion of saints that intercede for those on earth. There is also a strong belief in the existence of Heaven, Hell and purgatory.
There are very strong monastic traditions embedded in the Catholic tradition. Women have no rights to be ordained into priesthood in the Catholic Church. To be a priest in the roman catholic rite you must be both male and unmarried. Catholics differ from Christians on points such as Necessity of penance; The meaning of communion, The composition of the canon of scripture, Purgatory and the means of salvation.
Catholic Church consists of the Eastern and Western traditions. There are four original eastern traditions including: Antichian, Alexandrian, Byzantine and Armenian. These Churches are best described as a communion of Churches that recognise the pope as their head on earth. Catholicism has a strong emphasis on Mary as the Mother of God and Mother of the Church and on the communion of saints that intercede for those on earth. There is also a strong belief in the existence of Heaven, Hell and purgatory.
There are very strong monastic traditions embedded in the Catholic tradition. Women have no rights to be ordained into priesthood in the Catholic Church. To be a priest in the roman catholic rite you must be both male and unmarried. Catholics differ from Christians on points such as Necessity of penance; The meaning of communion, The composition of the canon of scripture, Purgatory and the means of salvation.
Orthodoxy
There are currently fifteen self-governing churches within Orthodox communion. Over time, differences emerged in ideas and practices; the authority of the Pope was not accepted and there were some differences in the Doctrine of the Hole Spirit – the flioque clause. The heart of Orthodox worship is the Divine Liturgy – the celebration of the Eucharist.
Greek was the first language of Orthodoxy and there has been no change to translation of scriptures. Orthodoxy has an important element of Monasticism but it has not developed religious orders for specific works. Only males can become priests – they may be married, but married priests cannot become patriarchies or bishops.
There are currently fifteen self-governing churches within Orthodox communion. Over time, differences emerged in ideas and practices; the authority of the Pope was not accepted and there were some differences in the Doctrine of the Hole Spirit – the flioque clause. The heart of Orthodox worship is the Divine Liturgy – the celebration of the Eucharist.
Greek was the first language of Orthodoxy and there has been no change to translation of scriptures. Orthodoxy has an important element of Monasticism but it has not developed religious orders for specific works. Only males can become priests – they may be married, but married priests cannot become patriarchies or bishops.
Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism took shape at the start of the twentieth century in the USA. It has sought to restore the ‘gifts of the Holy Spirit’, those gifts bestowed on the Church at Pentecost, to Christian thought, worship and Practice. Another distinguishing feature of Pentecostalism is its emphasis on the corporate element in worship. They hold that ‘Spirit Baptism’ usually becomes apparent when the baptized person breaks into tongues.
Pentecostalism took shape at the start of the twentieth century in the USA. It has sought to restore the ‘gifts of the Holy Spirit’, those gifts bestowed on the Church at Pentecost, to Christian thought, worship and Practice. Another distinguishing feature of Pentecostalism is its emphasis on the corporate element in worship. They hold that ‘Spirit Baptism’ usually becomes apparent when the baptized person breaks into tongues.
Protestantism
Protestantism is the system of Churches faith and practice based on the acceptance of the principles of the Reformation. The three founding branches of Protestantism are Lutheranism, Calvinism and Zwinglianism. None of these groups acknowledge the supremacy of the Pope and most minimize the liturgical and sacramental aspect of Catholic Christianity. Clergy can generally marry and some but not all Protestant Churches allow women to be leaders.
Distinguishing features are:
· The bible as the only source of revealed truth
· The importance of faith alone
· Baptism and the Eucharist are the central sacraments
· Recognition of ‘the priesthood of all believers’ in gaining access to God
· The emphasis of the transcendence of God, and therefore the effects of the Fall and Original Sin
· The emphasis on preaching and hearing of the Word.
Protestantism is the system of Churches faith and practice based on the acceptance of the principles of the Reformation. The three founding branches of Protestantism are Lutheranism, Calvinism and Zwinglianism. None of these groups acknowledge the supremacy of the Pope and most minimize the liturgical and sacramental aspect of Catholic Christianity. Clergy can generally marry and some but not all Protestant Churches allow women to be leaders.
Distinguishing features are:
· The bible as the only source of revealed truth
· The importance of faith alone
· Baptism and the Eucharist are the central sacraments
· Recognition of ‘the priesthood of all believers’ in gaining access to God
· The emphasis of the transcendence of God, and therefore the effects of the Fall and Original Sin
· The emphasis on preaching and hearing of the Word.