What's the difference?

[indescribable]

I’m curious…what is the difference between Roman Catholicism and PCUSA? Like, the theological differences, and I’m also curious as to how they do their services as compared to Catholics. A big question, I know, but I’d appreciate it if somebody could answer it

 

[rpp]

What is PCUSA?

 

[Namesake]

What is PCUSA?

Maybe it has something to do with pasta? I’m hungry.

I would add a smiley, but someone got on me for that.

 

[inthecloud]

Presbyisterian Church in the U S A (Corrected). The most liberal branch of Prebysterianism. They use to be Reformed in Theology but now they take their Calvinism with a bit of salt.

 

[AquinasT]

By PCUSA I assume you mean the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. -
I actually am familiar with this denomination from some ongoing discussions I am having with a coworker who is a PCUSA member.

One of the main differences in structure (hierarchy) is that
Presbyterians do not have bishops nor do they follow Apostolic Succession.

Their theology is very much in line with most mainline Protestant theology so they would reject the authority of the Pope, prayer to saints, the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the dogmas concerning Mary, etc…

Much of the PCUSA denomination has gone very liberal in its theology and social views in the past several decades as have many mainline Protestants - such as their stance on abortion, openly gay relationships, and ordination of women.

They have the shorter cannon of Scripture and they follow Sola Scriptura rather than Scripture and Tradition as Catholics do.

Their liturgy, while it has a defined structure in theory is not “set in stone” - many PCUSA ministers pick alternate readings or change the order of worship to a certain degree, sometimes to an extreme.

All of these things I get from my coworker as well as reading through the PCUSA website, which is pretty easy to find with a simple search on the web.

Did you have more specific questions?

Thomas

 

[graceandglory]

By PCUSA.
.
.
Their theology is very much in line with most mainline Protestant theology .
.
**
Much of the PCUSA denomination has gone very liberal** in its theology and social views in the past several decades as have many mainline Protestants - such as their stance on abortion, openly gay relationships, and ordination of women.

they follow Sola Scriptura rather than Scripture and Tradition as Catholics do.

I think it’s important to define “mainline” Protestantism.

At least to me, the word “mainline” brings to mind United Methodist, PCUSA, and Unitarian denominations, and much of Lutheranism and Episcopaleanism seems to be going that route.
These churches to me, are defined by secular humanism, “if it feels good do it,” and are strongly ANTI Biblical. Churches like those I listed above, who embrace the ordination of women, “marry” homosexuals, and condone abortions, shouldn’t even be considered “Christian” denominations, in my opinion.

I don’t use the term “mainline” to describe churches that are a part of evangelical Christianity, which is by definition, “Sola Scriptura.”

 

[Roy5]

The United Presbyterian Church is a major denomination with a long-standing status in the USA. It is a ‘big tent’ denomination, meaning that it welcomes people of diverse views - liberals, conservatives, and those in between. By this I mean theological liberals, conservatives, etc. There are other Presbyterians that adhere strictly to Calvinism - not true of the UPUSA.

 The UPUSA is decidedly Protestant but is deeply involved in ecumenism and doesn't regard itself as the 'one, true church'. In Canada, of example, most Presbyterian churches merged with the Methodists and Congregationalists way back in 1925 to form the United Church of Canada. Presbyterianism and the wider Reformed tradition have produced many outstanding theologians, such as Reinhold Niebuhr, Karl Barth, etc. They tend to have a more creedal tradition than, say, Methodists or Baptists. 

   Presbyterian ministers have considerable freedom as far as liturgy is concerned. Worship services may be quite traditional or quite experimental - both even in the same local church. Preaching scholarly sermons is not unusual. Most Presbyterian ministers are very well educated, with at least four years of college and three years of seminary, often with doctorates.

   In short, Presbyterianism has been part of the frabric of America since colonial days. Most people of Scottish ancestry were/or Presbyterian. Many Presbyterians, like most other mainstream Protestants, will shift from denomination to denomination, depending upon where they live and various other factors. In New England, for example, there are few Presbyterian churches because of an comity agreement made 300 or so years ago with the Congregationalists, the largest Protestant group in New England. Cross over into New York State and Congregationalist churches are few, Presbyterian churches are numerous. Both have Calvinist origins.

  Quite a number of presidents have been Presbyterians. Wilson and Eisenhower come to mind immediately, but there were several more who served in earlier years.