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coco2
Guest
What do Methodists believe that is different from Catholics. What do Methodists think about the Catholic faith?
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Cat_Herder
Guest
Methodism, like Anglicanism is a very broad denomination so you are going to get a variety of comments.
Methodists share with Catholics that Christians are called to holiness though a lifetime of sanctification (Christian perfection.)
Methodists accept baptismal regeneration but reject the Real Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist, that elders have special authority to forgive sins, and so on.
Methodists share with Catholics that Christians are called to holiness though a lifetime of sanctification (Christian perfection.)
Methodists accept baptismal regeneration but reject the Real Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist, that elders have special authority to forgive sins, and so on.
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guanophore
Guest
The Methodist church is an offshoot of the Anglican church, which is denominated from the Roman Catholic Church.
The founders of the Methodist movement believe basic Protestant doctrines, such as salvation through faith, the authority of the scriptures, and the substitutionary atonement. United Methodists tend to be a little more liberal than their founders. Some are okay with homosexual behavior. Some are not. Some believe that salvation is exclusively through belief in Jesus Christ, and some are willing to accept that people who believe in other “gods” can be saved.
Due to the influence of the Wesley brothers, Methodists are more free-will inclined as a demonination, as opposed to predestination- and election-inclined. That means that the majority of them are more Catholic in their soteriology (reject the “once saved always saved” notion of Calvanism.)
I attended a Methodist Church for 6 years, and was sent by them to a seminary for three. In my experience, most of them don’t ever think or talk about the Catholic Church. In seminary, most everyone assumed that I left the Catholic Church because it taught “false doctrines like Purgatory”. It seems that most Methodists are just as poorly informed about the Catholic faith as the rest of our separated brethren.
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Lutheranteach
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For the Lutherans (at least where I was from) the Methodists were like our next door neighbors. Our youth groups did a lot of things together, we had some joint worship services. Intermarriage between the two didn’t even bring a raised eyebrow. As for Catholics…neither us, nor the Methodists really gave them a second thought.
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lauraabarlow
Guest
Okay-I am confused-my father and his wife-my stepmother are both anti-catholic. My father used to be lutheran, like my aunt and godmother, who isn’t anti-catholic. I was supposed to be lutheran but was switched by my parents (my catholic mom) over to the catholic faith at age 6 and am fully-catholic. I once left the faith and became baptist but came back to tthe catholic faith in 2005. I was told that the methodists and baptists are very similar in their doctrines and beliefs. Now I hear they are very close to the lutherans who to me is very similar to the lutherans. I used to go to the lutheran sunday school and church with my father before 1st grade and remember the similarities between the pastor and the catholic priests with baptism of infants and the vestments they wear. Oh-my brothers were brought up in the lutheran faith yet my sister and I was brought up catholics and I attended catholic schools for all 12 years-thanks for any info on the methodist faith-how is it similar to the lutheran when lutheran is very different from the baptist (independence baptist) denomination.
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achmafooma
Guest
guanophore’s post is right-on.
I’m a former United Methodist who converted to the Catholic Church about two years ago now. Methodists, generally speaking, are typical non-Calvinist Protestants but still retain at least some of the liturgical traditions (because they broke off from the Anglicans). As such, I was familiar with the Creeds and the basic flow of the Mass (the traditional Anglican and Methodist services aren’t that different from the Catholic Mass in their basic structure).
There is a huge amount of variance in actual theology inside the denomination though…there are official doctrines in the Book of Discipline, but many Methodists (like many other Christians, including many Catholics
) often pick-and-choose which doctrines they agree with and which they don’t. Because the church is Democratic in its polity, there is little protection against it endorsing sin and error based on outside society’s influence. If a majority of delegates – made up of lay and clergy – to the General Conference vote that X is okay now, then X is okay now under Methodist doctrine.
Loosely speaking, like most other ‘mainline’ denominations, there has emerged ‘conservative’ (traditional) and ‘liberal’ wings within the church. The official written doctrine on homosexuality, for example, deftly balances between ‘homosexual activity is incompatible with Christian teaching’ and ‘we should love everybody’ (paraphrasing)…but ask an individual Methodist what they think and you’re equally likely to get the Catholic view or the worldly ‘there’s nothing wrong with it’ view.
If you ask me, it’s only a matter of time before the two wings split (like what the Episcopal Church is going through)…but that’s just my opinion.
I also agree that most Methodists don’t seem to spend much time thinking about Catholics, other than the general errors that most non-Catholics share about the faith. I keep in touch with many people from my former church, and most are of them are ‘perplexed-but-accepting’ of my conversion. There are some, however, who joke that I have ‘turned to the dark side’ and seem to be gently (but unsuccessfully
) trying to convert me back.
One last point – everything I’m saying here is about the United Methodist Church (UMC) specifically. There are other Methodist/Wesleyan churches that have split off over the years that hold some different views. For example, I know the Wesleyan and Church of the Nazarene churches are part of the same basic tradition but hold closer to the traditional moral teachings of Christianity.
Hope this helps a bit!
I’m a former United Methodist who converted to the Catholic Church about two years ago now. Methodists, generally speaking, are typical non-Calvinist Protestants but still retain at least some of the liturgical traditions (because they broke off from the Anglicans). As such, I was familiar with the Creeds and the basic flow of the Mass (the traditional Anglican and Methodist services aren’t that different from the Catholic Mass in their basic structure).
There is a huge amount of variance in actual theology inside the denomination though…there are official doctrines in the Book of Discipline, but many Methodists (like many other Christians, including many Catholics
) often pick-and-choose which doctrines they agree with and which they don’t. Because the church is Democratic in its polity, there is little protection against it endorsing sin and error based on outside society’s influence. If a majority of delegates – made up of lay and clergy – to the General Conference vote that X is okay now, then X is okay now under Methodist doctrine.Loosely speaking, like most other ‘mainline’ denominations, there has emerged ‘conservative’ (traditional) and ‘liberal’ wings within the church. The official written doctrine on homosexuality, for example, deftly balances between ‘homosexual activity is incompatible with Christian teaching’ and ‘we should love everybody’ (paraphrasing)…but ask an individual Methodist what they think and you’re equally likely to get the Catholic view or the worldly ‘there’s nothing wrong with it’ view.
If you ask me, it’s only a matter of time before the two wings split (like what the Episcopal Church is going through)…but that’s just my opinion.
I also agree that most Methodists don’t seem to spend much time thinking about Catholics, other than the general errors that most non-Catholics share about the faith. I keep in touch with many people from my former church, and most are of them are ‘perplexed-but-accepting’ of my conversion. There are some, however, who joke that I have ‘turned to the dark side’ and seem to be gently (but unsuccessfully
) trying to convert me back.One last point – everything I’m saying here is about the United Methodist Church (UMC) specifically. There are other Methodist/Wesleyan churches that have split off over the years that hold some different views. For example, I know the Wesleyan and Church of the Nazarene churches are part of the same basic tradition but hold closer to the traditional moral teachings of Christianity.
Hope this helps a bit!
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dsmantz
Guest
I have to agree with the post above. I was baptized and brought up in a UMC, by my choosing (my parents weren’t much of a church type). After years of lay leadership, and even following through to become a Deacon, I’ve found the church to be disheartening.
United Methodism is defined by their 25 Articles of Religion (an abridged version of the 39 from the Anglican church) and the Book of Discipline. the BOD is similar to the Catechism, as it states everything the church defines as doctrine and procedure. Everything from what the church believes to ordination policies and in between.
But, unfortunately, it seems that you can hold on to doctrine in the church all you want, and it won’t mean a thing. The UMC doesn’t seem to stand for much anymore, and use the term “Everyone is of sacred worth” to mean that we’re all the same, religious pluralism is okay, and so long as you carefully word your speech, you can say pretty much whatever you want. There’s a huge movement right now with MOSAIC (reconciling ministry for GLBT), full inclusion of gay clergy, and an entire reworking of UM doctrine to essentially turn it into a Universalist Unitarian church.
While I’m not (yet) a Catholic, after years of fighting it, and many late nights of theological discussions with my Catholic wife, I feel strangely drawn to the Church, and hope to start RCIA here shortly. I wrestled with 3 points of doctrine, having gone to one of the mostly highly thought of protestant seminaries, but was finally able to just give it up to God, and let him change my mind.
The people of the United Methodist church are like that of most any protestant church. True believers in Christ, with a heart for the Lord. While doctrine might be flawed, that doesn’t remove the love they have for the Lord. I’m reminded of St. Thomas Aquinas, saying that all churches and all gods from other religions are “seeds of the Truth”, and must be thought of as such. While they’re not the entire Truth, they do hold parts of it, and need to be built upon, instead of torn down.
As for theological stance, the UMC is strongly Wesleyan Arminian as opposed to Calvanistic in belief. The founders, John and Charles Wesley were very strong in the faith, and the church essentially started out as a 12 step program for men.
Oh, and one other thing that certainly helped me. John Wesley firmly believed in an “intermediate state” similar to the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory. It was a place for one to further one’s self toward holiness to be acceptable in God’s sight. Sounds like to be just a friendlier way of stating the doctrine of Purgatory, to remove the talk about the purging and penance for one’s sins in this life.
United Methodism is defined by their 25 Articles of Religion (an abridged version of the 39 from the Anglican church) and the Book of Discipline. the BOD is similar to the Catechism, as it states everything the church defines as doctrine and procedure. Everything from what the church believes to ordination policies and in between.
But, unfortunately, it seems that you can hold on to doctrine in the church all you want, and it won’t mean a thing. The UMC doesn’t seem to stand for much anymore, and use the term “Everyone is of sacred worth” to mean that we’re all the same, religious pluralism is okay, and so long as you carefully word your speech, you can say pretty much whatever you want. There’s a huge movement right now with MOSAIC (reconciling ministry for GLBT), full inclusion of gay clergy, and an entire reworking of UM doctrine to essentially turn it into a Universalist Unitarian church.
While I’m not (yet) a Catholic, after years of fighting it, and many late nights of theological discussions with my Catholic wife, I feel strangely drawn to the Church, and hope to start RCIA here shortly. I wrestled with 3 points of doctrine, having gone to one of the mostly highly thought of protestant seminaries, but was finally able to just give it up to God, and let him change my mind.
The people of the United Methodist church are like that of most any protestant church. True believers in Christ, with a heart for the Lord. While doctrine might be flawed, that doesn’t remove the love they have for the Lord. I’m reminded of St. Thomas Aquinas, saying that all churches and all gods from other religions are “seeds of the Truth”, and must be thought of as such. While they’re not the entire Truth, they do hold parts of it, and need to be built upon, instead of torn down.
As for theological stance, the UMC is strongly Wesleyan Arminian as opposed to Calvanistic in belief. The founders, John and Charles Wesley were very strong in the faith, and the church essentially started out as a 12 step program for men.
Oh, and one other thing that certainly helped me. John Wesley firmly believed in an “intermediate state” similar to the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory. It was a place for one to further one’s self toward holiness to be acceptable in God’s sight. Sounds like to be just a friendlier way of stating the doctrine of Purgatory, to remove the talk about the purging and penance for one’s sins in this life.
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CHRISTINE77
Guest
One thing that really strikes me whenever I have attended Methodist services, is how amazingly friendly every one is. The Pastor comes up and introduces himself, before the service, as well as other people in the congregation.
Also how methodical the Methodists are! For example they have little stickum notes that you can mark your hymnal with before the service starts.
Usually Methodists have great music programs, great choirs, etc. They love music.
They are totally against drinking, so when they celebrate communion, it is with bread and grape juice.
Methodists are very service oriented. They do a lot of works for schools, for the poor etc.
And lots of Bible study too.
All and all a very sweet bunch of people.
(I prefer the beauty, mystery and rites of the Catholic church though, personally!)
Also how methodical the Methodists are! For example they have little stickum notes that you can mark your hymnal with before the service starts.
Usually Methodists have great music programs, great choirs, etc. They love music.
They are totally against drinking, so when they celebrate communion, it is with bread and grape juice.
Methodists are very service oriented. They do a lot of works for schools, for the poor etc.
And lots of Bible study too.
All and all a very sweet bunch of people.
(I prefer the beauty, mystery and rites of the Catholic church though, personally!)
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Nicea325
Guest
I’ll pray for you my friend.
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Harpazo
Guest
Welcome to the forum!
I’m a former Methodist myself and I have been struggling for years to explain to people why I left. They just couldn’t understand why I would want to leave them. Doctrine wasn’t important to them, but the social/familial aspect was. While that is important for any Christian community, if you don’t have the Faith, then what are you doing on Sunday mornings?
A Methodist minister that I have become acquainted with is preparing to enter the Orthodox Church, but is having some trouble. He shared this article with me to illustrate how the original Methodists were far closer to Orthodoxy (they fasted twice a week, read from the Fathers, etc.), but then moved away from it. I also know a former Methodist minister who took much of his congregation with him into the Orthodox Church. Ironically, Wesley was a major fan of St. Makarios and this same ex-Methodist minister quotes him on the main page of the church’s website.
It’s interesting that you mention about Wesley believing in an intermediate state. I had never come across that. From what I read of his personal writings, he seemed to be pretty anti-Catholic (as was the climate in England in the day). Anyway, welcome to the forum!
In Christ,
Andrew
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Contarini
Guest
Methodists are a rather amorphous bunch. In the South they do often sound like Baptists, though I’d be very surprised if any Methodist claimed to have much in common with Independent Baptists. Even outside the South, a lot of rural Methodists in particular are pretty much run-of-the-mill American evangelicals and may well feel as if they have a lot in common with Baptists. Methodists are like Lutherans in that they are non-Calvinist, infant-baptizing, somewhat sacramental and liturgical Protestants. But not all Methodists, as I said, emphasize those aspects of their faith. There’s a huge difference between what a Methodist intellectual will tell you Methodists believe and what the average congregation, especially in a small town or a rural area, will actually believe. So you are right to be confused!Okay-I am confused-my father and his wife-my stepmother are both anti-catholic. My father used to be lutheran, like my aunt and godmother, who isn’t anti-catholic. I was supposed to be lutheran but was switched by my parents (my catholic mom) over to the catholic faith at age 6 and am fully-catholic. I once left the faith and became baptist but came back to tthe catholic faith in 2005. I was told that the methodists and baptists are very similar in their doctrines and beliefs. Now I hear they are very close to the lutherans who to me is very similar to the lutherans. I used to go to the lutheran sunday school and church with my father before 1st grade and remember the similarities between the pastor and the catholic priests with baptism of infants and the vestments they wear. Oh-my brothers were brought up in the lutheran faith yet my sister and I was brought up catholics and I attended catholic schools for all 12 years-thanks for any info on the methodist faith-how is it similar to the lutheran when lutheran is very different from the baptist (independence baptist) denomination.
Part of the problem, I think, is that Methodists have a clerical structure much like Catholicism but without Catholicism’s emphasis on dogma. In other Protestant churches, where more authority rests with the congregations, the official beliefs will reflect what people in the pews believe. In Catholicism, at least to some extent, the clergy have the authority to teach people what to believe (though in practice people still often don’t get the message). But in Methodism the clergy aren’t really accountable to the people but also don’t have a lot of authority over them, nor do they have a clear, well-defined set of dogmas to teach in the first place. So you get a huge gap between how the clergy, especially the more elite ones (seminary professors, etc.) see their faith and how people in the pews see it.
As another poster has pointed out, Methodists tend not to care about doctrine that much. There are certainly exceptions–I know Methodist theologians who do care about it very much–but the average layperson or even pastor or bishop tends to care more about fellowship, personal piety, and/or social action.
Edwin
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Erich
Guest
… and, sadly, many non-separated brethren as well
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dsmantz
Guest
socrates58.blogspot.com/2009/07/john-wesleys-belief-in-intermediate.html
Information dealing with John Welsey’s belief in the immediate afterlife.
And I have to say I agree, doctrine has become far from important, and an emphasis on experience and personal belief has taken the front seat. Tradition is spotty, with some churches holding liturgical services (with contemporary services as well), and others you’d be hard pressed to even find an alter.
Now, from what I’ve learned from Methodism will serve me well, in any Christian denomination. John Wesley’s understanding of Scripture and Bible study methods are something I’ve taken to heart, and they’ve done a great job so far.
My best friend is a Methodist pastor, who’s been ordained for 30 years and is married to a Catholic woman. His services (due to the freedom allowed in the church) resemble a Catholic mass in a beautiful way. He and I have had many many conversations dealing with Catholocism and Methodism, and I wouldn’t be suprised if he converted within the year.
Anyway, hope to learn a lot of good stuff here, and meet some good folks.
Information dealing with John Welsey’s belief in the immediate afterlife.
And I have to say I agree, doctrine has become far from important, and an emphasis on experience and personal belief has taken the front seat. Tradition is spotty, with some churches holding liturgical services (with contemporary services as well), and others you’d be hard pressed to even find an alter.
Now, from what I’ve learned from Methodism will serve me well, in any Christian denomination. John Wesley’s understanding of Scripture and Bible study methods are something I’ve taken to heart, and they’ve done a great job so far.
My best friend is a Methodist pastor, who’s been ordained for 30 years and is married to a Catholic woman. His services (due to the freedom allowed in the church) resemble a Catholic mass in a beautiful way. He and I have had many many conversations dealing with Catholocism and Methodism, and I wouldn’t be suprised if he converted within the year.
Anyway, hope to learn a lot of good stuff here, and meet some good folks.
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Contarini
Guest
Insofar as there is an official Methodist liturgy, it is indeed a lot like the post-Vatican-II Catholic Mass (since liturgical reformers in various churches were all working off the same liturgical scholarship based on the early Church). However, the freedom you mention allows Methodist congregations to ignore this official liturgy found in the hymnal and worship in pretty much any manner they choose!
This would tend to be more true of the ELCA than the LCMS. LCMS congregations generally don’t participate in ecumenical worship services in this way.
Jon
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achmafooma
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This is spot-on. I’ve been to Methodist services that superficially resembled the Mass very closely, and ones that seem like an evangelical rock concert, and everything in-between. I played bass guitar for a few years in my UMC Church’s praise band at our contemporary service, which was basically several praise music songs, followed by a couple readings, a sermon, and communion in a big circle (there was also a much more traditional service at that church).
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Roy5
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I come from a mixed Catholic-Protestant heritage and have become rather well-acquainted with the United Methodist Church. Here are a few generalizations,
** 1. The Methodists are very broad-minded.** I mean by this that Methodists feel free to hold various beliefs within the general confines of the Christian faith. If you attend a Bible study in a Methodist church you will find different interpretations openly expressed with no one saying: “But that’s not what the Church says.” They often quote John Wesley who said, in effect, “if your heart is right, if you love God as I love God, ;let us join hands and walk together”. He also said: “Think and let think!”
** 2. Methodists vary in their worship services.** “High church” Methodists can resemble Episcopalians (from whence they came) and Lutherans. Traditionally, Methodists have been less liturgical than those. They used to say that if you could coax a Baptist and an Episcopalian into a burlap bag, shake well, they would come out two Methodists!
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3. Methodism has never been heavy on theology**, even though John Wesley had some definite ideas. Few give attention to their 25 articles, borrowed from the 39 articles of Anglicanism. Some Methodists are near-agnostics or Unitarianish. Others are almost fundamentalist. They tend to be more conservative in the south and midwest.
** 6. Like Catholicism, Methodism has its conservatives and its liberals, with most members somewhere in between. **The big issue today involved gays. Should the church ordain practicing gays, officiate at gay weddings, etc.? Resolutions permitting these practices have been defeated over the years at the quadrennial General Conference, but the vote gets closer and closer.
** 7. Methodism always has been interested in social concerns**. Years ago it focused considerable attention on the abuse of alcohol. There always has been a strong peace emphasis within Methodism, especially among the clergy. During World War II there were more Methodist conscientious objectors than any other denomination except for certain peace churches- Mennonites, Quakers, etc. Prominent Methodists have included such liberals as Mondale and McGovern, both children of ministers (as I recall), but also such conservatives as George W. Bush. Rush Limbaugh was raised a Methodist, but so was Ralph Nader.
** 8. Methodism is very ecumenical and ready to cooperate with Catholics as well as Jews. Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, etc.** In some places Methodism has merged with others. In Canada, for example, there is no Methodist church (except for a small independent group like the Free Methodists). Way back in 1925 the Methodists, Congregationalists, and most Presbyterians in Canada merged to become the United Church in Canada. The same thing has been happening in Australia. The UMC is very active in the World Council of Churches and the largest denomination in the National Council of Churches. When it comes to Catholicism, Methodists spend little time being concerned. They have the attitude: “Different strokes for different folks” and “Let’s agree to disagree - friendly-like”.
** As you probably can tell, I admire the United Methodist Church.** Unfortunately, it has suffered attrition, in part because of the rise of evangelical and non-denominational churches that preach a more specific message which many people need. Methodism has become too ‘fuzzy’ for those who want to be told what to believe. It allows its members to think rather freely. That appeals to me. The same is true, of course, of other mainline Protestant denominations.
** 1. The Methodists are very broad-minded.** I mean by this that Methodists feel free to hold various beliefs within the general confines of the Christian faith. If you attend a Bible study in a Methodist church you will find different interpretations openly expressed with no one saying: “But that’s not what the Church says.” They often quote John Wesley who said, in effect, “if your heart is right, if you love God as I love God, ;let us join hands and walk together”. He also said: “Think and let think!”
** 2. Methodists vary in their worship services.** “High church” Methodists can resemble Episcopalians (from whence they came) and Lutherans. Traditionally, Methodists have been less liturgical than those. They used to say that if you could coax a Baptist and an Episcopalian into a burlap bag, shake well, they would come out two Methodists!
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3. Methodism has never been heavy on theology**, even though John Wesley had some definite ideas. Few give attention to their 25 articles, borrowed from the 39 articles of Anglicanism. Some Methodists are near-agnostics or Unitarianish. Others are almost fundamentalist. They tend to be more conservative in the south and midwest.
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**4. Methodism established several hundred US colleges**, some still formally affiliated with the church, though you would hardly notice when you visit them. Their biggest university is Boston University. Others include Duke, Syracuse, Emory, SMU, etc. All colleges with Wesleyan in their names are Methodist or were founded by Methodists. Some, such as University of Southern California, were founded by the Methodists, but no longer officially connected. They have 13 official seminaries, but Methodist seminarians attend many other seminaries approved by the church - Yale, Harvard, and many others of no or various denominations.
**5. Methodism has more churches in the USA than Catholicism,** but their churches are usually smaller. About 35,000 churches altogether. This does not count another 15,000 or so Methodist churches not affiliated with the UMC. There is a World Methodist Council that meets regularly somewhere in the world, and these pan-Methodist meetings are attended by many Methodist denominations along with some like the Church of the Nazarene that have Wesleyan roots. Counting retired clergy, there must be about 50,000 UM ministers in the USA, The largest Methodist parishes in the world are in Korea - churches not part of the American UMC denomination, of course.** 7. Methodism always has been interested in social concerns**. Years ago it focused considerable attention on the abuse of alcohol. There always has been a strong peace emphasis within Methodism, especially among the clergy. During World War II there were more Methodist conscientious objectors than any other denomination except for certain peace churches- Mennonites, Quakers, etc. Prominent Methodists have included such liberals as Mondale and McGovern, both children of ministers (as I recall), but also such conservatives as George W. Bush. Rush Limbaugh was raised a Methodist, but so was Ralph Nader.
** 8. Methodism is very ecumenical and ready to cooperate with Catholics as well as Jews. Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, etc.** In some places Methodism has merged with others. In Canada, for example, there is no Methodist church (except for a small independent group like the Free Methodists). Way back in 1925 the Methodists, Congregationalists, and most Presbyterians in Canada merged to become the United Church in Canada. The same thing has been happening in Australia. The UMC is very active in the World Council of Churches and the largest denomination in the National Council of Churches. When it comes to Catholicism, Methodists spend little time being concerned. They have the attitude: “Different strokes for different folks” and “Let’s agree to disagree - friendly-like”.
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** 9. Methodism has an episcopal polity, meaning that they have bishops.** Years ago these bishops exercises considerable power, but less so today. Ministers are appointed by the Bishop, but each local church has a lay committee to interview prospective pastors. The ministers are appointed for a year at a time. The educational requirements for ordination are high.
**10. Methodism always has emphasized hymns and other music**, whether 'European imports' or gospel songs by Fanny Crosby and such. Charles Wesley wrote over 6000 hymns himself. It also was important in starting the Sunday School movement 250 years ago. It owns a large publishing house in Nashville, which publishes tons of Sunday School material as well as books (Abingdon Press). **God bless Catholics, Methodists, and those of every creed, color, culture and country. Let us work together to make religion a bridge instead of a barrier.**
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CHRISTINE77
Guest
Amen! And thanks for your very thoughtful and informative post.
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Maureen1125
Guest
I was born and raised catholic but I have wondered alot lately about the different denominations of christianity.
Does anyone know of a good website that compares/contrasts all the different branches? I think if would be fascinating to learn about. I would love to take a course as I know of several catholic universtities in my area, however, I am out of work and simply can not spend the $$ of this right now.
I am in no way interested in converting, I am just curious as to what makes us all different and the same
Does anyone know of a good website that compares/contrasts all the different branches? I think if would be fascinating to learn about. I would love to take a course as I know of several catholic universtities in my area, however, I am out of work and simply can not spend the $$ of this right now.
I am in no way interested in converting, I am just curious as to what makes us all different and the same
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CHRISTINE77
Guest
Catholic and Orthodox are the oldest Christian religions. Then came the Reformation, which added Lutheran, Anglican and Calvanists, then came the Methodists and then when Christianity came to the US, it really started to diverge, and many many types of Christian sects and not so Christian sects formed. It’s pretty complicated, and historical, but I’m sure there are websites that can explain the differences.
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