Continental Reformed Protestantism
Template:Calvinism Continental Reformed Christianity or Continental Reformed Protestantism is a part of Reformed Christianity within Protestantism that traces its origin to continental Europe. Prominent subgroups are the Dutch Reformed, Swiss Reformed, French Huguenot, Hungarian Reformed, and German Reformed Churches.
The term is used to distinguish these Churches from Presbyterian, Congregational, Reformed Anglican or other Calvinist Churches, which can trace their origin to the British Isles or elsewhere in the world. Notably, their theology is largely derived from the Swiss Reformation, as Switzerland (specifically Geneva and Zürich) was a base for the most influential Reformed theologians of the era. It was inaugurated by Huldrych Zwingli, who formulated the first expression of the Reformed faith. Swiss Reformation was more fully articulated by Martin Bucer, Heinrich Bullinger and especially John Calvin, who became recognized as the leading figure in the Reformed tradition. In the sixteenth century, the movement spread to most of continental Europe, sometimes with the protection of monarchs or members of the nobility, as in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Hungary, some German states, and France.
Continental Reformed Churches are represented in the International Conference of Reformed Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, and World Reformed Fellowship.
Beliefs and practices
Sacraments and rites
Holy Baptism
Template:Main In the Continental Reformed tradition, duly ordained ministers administer the sacrament of Holy Baptism.<ref name="WatkinsonDavison1891">Template:Cite book</ref> The Continental Reformed Churches do not hold that elect infants receive baptismal regeneration through this sacrament.<ref name="Holifield2002">Template:Cite book</ref> Holy Baptism is the sign and seal of the covenant of grace. It initiates the candidate into church membership as well.<ref name="BoersmaLevering2015">Template:Cite book</ref>
Holy Communion
Template:Main The Continental Reformed Churches teach a real spiritual presence of Christ in the Eucharist.<ref name="Elwell2001">Template:Cite book</ref> This doctrine was developed by John Calvin and Heinrich Bullinger, who taught that Christ's person, including his body and blood, are presented to Christians who partake of it in faith.<ref name="Gerrish2004">Template:Cite book</ref>
Confession and Absolution
In the Continental Reformed tradition, confession and absolution is normatively practiced corporately, though confession on an individual basis is an approved rite:<ref name="PP2025"/> Template:Quotation
Liturgy
The Lord's Day liturgy in the Continental Reformed tradition includes the Apostle's Creed, Collection of Alms, Confession and Absolution, the Lord's Supper, Doxology, prayers, Psalms, the Lord's Prayer, Benediction, etc. The following is the Order of Service for the Lord's Day as designed by John Calvin, a key figure of the Reformed tradition:<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
| Calvin: Strasbourg, 1540 |
|---|
| Scripture Sentence (Psalm 124,8) |
| Confession of sins |
| Scriptural words of pardon |
| Absolution |
| Metrical Decalogue sung with Kyrie eleison after each Law |
| Collect for Illumination |
| Lection |
| Sermon |
| Liturgy of the Upper Room |
| Collection of alms |
| Intercessions |
| Lord's Prayer in long paraphrase |
| Preparation of elements while Apostles' Creed sung |
| Consecration Prayer |
| Words of Institution |
| Exhortation |
| Fraction |
| Delivery |
| Communion, while psalm sung |
| Post-communion collect |
| Nunc dimittis in metre |
| Aaronic Blessing |
Soteriology
Covenant theology
Template:Main The Continental Reformed Churches uphold covenant theology, which interprets the "sacraments as seals of the covenant of grace, bearing God's promise of salvation, though only to the elect who would persevere in faith. Like the seal on a royal document, a sacrament guaranteed the validity of the Word that it bespoke."<ref name="BoersmaLevering2015"/>
Regulative principle of worship
Hymnody
Sunday Sabbatarianism
Template:Main The Heidelberg Catechism of the Reformed Churches founded by John Calvin, teaches that the moral law as contained in the Ten Commandments is binding for Christians and that it instructs Christians how to live in service to God in gratitude for His grace shown in redeeming mankind.<ref name="OPC2018">Template:Cite web</ref> The doctrine of the Christian Reformed Church in North America thus stipulates, with regard to the Lord's Day, "that Sunday must be so consecrated to worship that on that day we rest from all work except that which charity and necessity require and that we refrain from recreation that interferes with worship."<ref name="CRC2019">Template:Cite web</ref>
History
Template:See The first Reformed (Calvinist) churches were established in Europe after 1519 and were part of the Protestant Reformation. Reformed doctrine is expressed in various confessions. A few confessions are shared by many denominations. Different denominations use different confessions, usually based on historical reasons.
The continental Reformed churches had an impact on Anglicanism and Presbyterianism during the Protestant Reformation in England and the Scotland,<ref name="González1987">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="McDonald2013">Template:Cite book</ref> It continued to influence the Church of England and Church of Scotland through the Puritans, who wished to reform them along continental lines.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The following is a chronological list of confession and theological doctrines of the Reformed churches:
- First Helvetic Confession (1536)
- Consensus Tigurinus (1549)
- French Confession (1559)
- Scots Confession (1560)
- Three forms of Unity
- Heidelberg Catechism (1563)
- Belgic Confession (1566)
- Canons of Dordrecht (1619)
- Second Helvetic Confession (1566)
- Helvetic Consensus (1675)
- Barmen Declaration (1934)
Forms of government
In contrast to the episcopal polity of the Anglican and many Lutheran and Methodist churches, Continental Reformed churches are ruled by assemblies of "elders" or ordained officers. This is usually called Synodal government by the Continental Reformed, but is essentially the same as presbyterian polity, with the elders forming the consistory, the regional governing body known as the classis, and the highest court of appeal being the general synod.
The Reformed Church in Hungary, its sister church in Romania, the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, and the Polish Reformed Church are the only continental Reformed churches to have retained the office of bishop.
Reformed churches worldwide
Many churches in the Continental Reformed tradition spread either by European immigration, or European and North American missionary work.
See also the list of Continental Reformed churches.
See also
- Category: Reformed church seminaries and theological colleges
- Community of Protestant Churches in Europe
- Congregationalist polity
- World Alliance of Reformed Churches
- World Communion of Reformed Churches
- North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council
- List of Reformed denominations
References
External links
- World Communion of Reformed Churches
- Reformed Ecumenical Council
- Reformed Online Template:Webarchive – Comprehensive resource
- International Conference of Reformed Churches – 25 Reformed member churches from 14 countries
- Heritage Reformed Congregations
- Association Of Reformed Charismatic Churches
- International Union of Reformed Churches