Denominationalism

If we all claim to be Christians, why all the schisms, thus the -isms

Where Do I Begin?

We can trace Lutheranism and Reformed Theology back to German and Austria in the late 15th, into the 16th century; not a problem

But, where did all these other things come from?

Best place to start is with Christianity in Britain

When it got there is still subject to debate

Eusebius (4th cent.) and some later scholars claims the Apostle Paul himself took the Gospel there

A document in the Vatican claims Simon Zelotes (claimed as a Apostle) and Joseph of Arimathea, c. 35 AD

It was purely Roman Christianity by the time of Henry VIII; but that shifted with his wish to divorce his wife to marry Ann Boleyn; contrary to RC belief

The Archbishop of Canterbury granted the divorce and the split began and the Church of England was established with the monarch to be the Defender of the Faith

From here, “it’s complicated” as the FB status would say

The Church did bounce around a few times, reverting to RC unter the reigns of Mary I/King Phillip, Charles II (with some questions) and James the 2nd

CHURCH OF ENGLAND and IRELAND is that which is established by law in England and Ireland, where it forms a part of the common law of the land, or constitution of the country.

One component of the title of the monarch of England is “Defender of the Faith”

What’s in a Name?

Anglicanism

All those churches in fellowship with the see of Canterbury (similar to the Holy See or the RC Catholic Church)

Among those connected are the many “Episcopal” communions around the world

There are other non-connected groups which are Episcopal in structure and largely similar in practice which are not connected

One group seen locally the Trinity Anglican Church—referring to itself as Anglo-catholic (note small “c”)

The Church of England was the only lawful church of the Colonies

A Footnote of History

Elijah and Lewis Craig were Baptist preachers of the late 18th century

Lewis was imprisoned in Spostyslvania Co. VA, for being an unlicensed preacher

He preached out the jailhouse window and many were saved!

Check out (Travelling Church on Wiki)

Puritanism

A movement to further the reforms of Queen Elizabeth—they were not enough

In England, the term Puritans was applied to those who wished for a farther degree of reformation in the church than was adopted by Queen Elizabeth; and a purer form, not of faith, but of discipline and worship. It was a common name given to all who, from conscientious motives, though on different grounds, disapproved of the established religion, from the reformation under Elizabeth, to the Act of Uniformity in 1662.

Foundational to Puritan ethics were the Calvinist doctrines regarding divine sovereignty, human depravity (see also total depravity) and the covenantal relationship between God and humans. To these the Puritans added an interest in an inward, experiential relationship to God and an outlook toward sanctification that viewed the Christian life as a pilgrimage involving conflict and personal effort. The Puritans also emphasized the importance of education, the proper use of the Sabbath, engagement in work as an aspect of one’s religious vocation and familial relationships

They take something of a “bad rap” as their views were not nearly as extreme on some things as is often thought

They were, however, strictly their way or no way as religion went—no tolerance for the others

Methodism

Spun off out of the Church of England

Began with the “Holy Club” of Oxford; intended (seemingly) as a renewal movement within the C of C

An earlier, similar concept was that of the Puritans—wanting to purify their church from what they saw as ungodly practices

John and Charles Wesley, George Whitfield; thoughts were developed partly from the writings of Jeremy Taylor and Anthony Horneck of the late 17th century

Developed the concept of ascetical piety, a regulated practice of prayer, exercise and reading

From the beginning, the early Methodists were concerned with meeting the needs of the poor, afflicted, and imprisoned, which was an enduring characteristic of Methodism (social justice is still a strong point of Methodism

Methodism became synonomous with Arminianism, with a few exceptions of Calvinistic men in the mix (e.g., Whitfield)

Historically, once again, “it’s complicated”

Among other historical bits and pieces, the Methodist Episcopal Church was established in 1784

A key insight of Methodism, which also existed among the Moravians, was the role of smaller group meetings (societies, classes, and bands) for spiritual growth, a feature of Methodism essentially wherever it went. In the American colonies, as the awakenings spread and men and women, slave and free, repented of their sins and believed in Christ, many were gathered into Methodist societies, classes, and bands for the purpose of spiritual growth.

Methodism spawned the Nazarene Church, Pilgrim Holiness Church and likely influenced others

Currently surviving are Wesleyan Methodists, Free Methodists and United Methodist organizations