It was a great experience to have the opportunity to go to a Catholic Church and a Presbyterian Church for the first time. Some of the similarities found between these churches, in terms of history and theology, were quite surprising. However, there were still quite a lot of differences in their founding history and beliefs but especially in their systems of governance.
History
The history of the Roman Catholic Church and the Presbyterian Church are similar in some ways. For example, both churches believe that Jesus Christ founded the Christian church. (www.ehow.co.uk/) Although John Calvin separated from the Catholic Church, he was originally a Catholic priest, so there are some connections to the history of both churches. However, the founding of both denominations is also extremely different. The Catholic Church had a slow development with many different leaders adding new ideas. Pope Leo I introduced the idea that the pope in Rome was the successor to Peter (from Matthew 16: 18-19). By 606, Pope Boniface III was given the title of the “universal bishop”. (http://www.allaboutreligion.org/ ) However, the Presbyterian Church has mainly one founder, John Knox, who established the denomination much later, in 1560, although his beliefs are based around those of John Calvin (Shelly, 1982:280).
Theology
The theology of the Catholic and Presbyterian churches has some similarities. For example, both believe in the Trinity, infant baptism, Holy Communion, confirmation and the Bible. (www.ehow.co.uk/) Nevertheless, the theology is also what makes these churches totally different. Catholics believe that it is the free will of people that determines their salvation, whereas the Presbyterians believe in predestination, as God sovereignly chooses who will be saved. In a sense Catholics do believe in the predestination of the elect, but they do not agree with the fact that God would chose a certain group of people that would go to heaven and therefore, choose the rest of the world to go to hell. (http://socrates58.blogspot.com/) Although, they do believe in God’s role in people’s free will; "We are able to choose God because God first chose us”. (http://www.religionfacts.com/) Catholics also believe in transubstantiation – that the bread and wine actually become the real body and blood of Christ. However, the Presbyterians believe that when Jesus said “this is my body broken for you… this is my blood, shed for you” (1 Corinthians 11:24-26) it was metaphorical and the sacraments are just symbols of His sacrifice. (http://wiki.answers.com/) Presbyterians only have communion a few times a year, this shows that they do not consider this sacrament as important as Catholics. Also, Catholics pray to saints who have died, whereas Presbyterians believe the Christians should only pray directly to God. (Estep 1986:307)
Governance
Regarding governance, there are hardly any similarities between the Catholic and Presbyterians systems. According to the First Vatican Council, in 1870, the Bishop of Rome is the direct successor of the Apostle Peter; therefore he must be the head of the Roman Catholic Church. (Shelly 1982:150) There are also archbishops, bishops and priests under him. The clergy are elevated to a more spiritual position to the congregation; they wear expensively decorated gowns and stand on a raised altar at the front of the church. The priest also has control over everything that happens in the actual church service and are the only ones holy enough to serve communion. However, the way Presbyterians run their church is almost the complete opposite. The word, Presbyterian, means “ruling elder” and comes from the Greek New Testament. (www.ehow.co.uk/) This is because John Calvin hated the corruption in the Catholic leadership. His system of governance was much more focussed on the early church model. Therefore, in the Presbyterian Church, elders are chosen by the congregation and they run the church, rather than one senior pastor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Catholic Church and the Presbyterian Church have some core similarities, for example that Jesus is the founder of the Christian faith and the bible is the word of God. However, there are many different practices and beliefs, especially in how the church is governed.
Bibliography:
Armstrong, Dave. 2006. “Do Catholics Believe in Predestination?” [Internet], http://socrates58.blogspot.com/2006/08/do-catholics-believe-in-predestination.html, 26 March 2011.
Brumbaugh, Miranda. 2010. “Similarities of Presbyterians & Catholics.” [Internet], http://www.ehow.co.uk/list_7592779_similarities-presbyterians-catholics.html, 26 March 2011.
Estep, William R. Renaissance and Reformation. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1986.
2011. “History of the Catholic Church.” [Internet], http://www.allaboutreligion.org/history-of-the-catholic-church-faq.htm, 26 March 2011.
2011. “What is the difference between the Presbyterian Church and the Catholic Church?” [Internet], http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_the_Presbyterian_Church_and_the_Catholic_Church, 26 March 2011.
Shelly, Bruce L. Church History in Plain Language. Dallas: Word Publishing, 1982.
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