The Alien Episcopalian - Many Christian Ways
Roman Catholic Orthodox Anglican Protestant (Lutheran very similar) Clergy gender men only men only men & women; LGBTQ+; some denominations men restrictions men only in some nations only
Clergy celibacy all clergy, unless only bishops, drawn from none, unless a priest is also none; some denominations previously married & ranks of monks a monastic forbid divorced clergy become Catholic later
Apocryphal books integral to the Old integral to the Old separate section between most denominations do not in the Bible Testament Testament, with several Old Testament & New recognize them nor use (Better name: books more than those Testament; not used for Bibles that include them Intertestamental recognized by the Roman doctrine Books) Catholic church
Sacred art in statuary & stained glass icons Anglo-Catholic statuary; stained glass use varies by churches stained glass in most denominations and by except colonial & some congregations contemporary parishes
Christ on the cross crucifixes & Christus Rex crucifixes Anglo-Catholic crucifixes; bare cross common; some bare cross most common denominations no crosses
Saints formal canonization proved formal canonization not all Christians are saints by “saint” terminology usually by miracles; the virtuous proved by miracles; the virtue of baptism; we avoided, except in cases of living of the saints saints intercede for us remember the more Biblical figures produced more grace than prominent saints (Holy necessary and so is Women, Holy Men) available to others alive or because of their example; in purgatory; the saints saints are united to us in intercede for us prayer 1
Roman Catholic Orthodox Anglican Protestant Monasticism many distinct orders for no separate orders, but several monastic orders for none men and women many monasteries for men men and women and women
Baptism infants, as early as infants, by immersion, infants, by pouring; some infants; some require practicable, by sprinkling; naked; no salvation without salvation not limited to the “believer’s baptism” age 8+; no salvation without baptism baptized some by immersion; baptism (limbo?) salvation not limited to the baptized
Communion “first communion” receive Communion may receive Communion at receive Communion after a timing celebrated between baptism immediately after baptism any time after baptism profession of faith and confirmation
Communion people receive the bread people receive bread people receive bread (of people receive bread and elements (unleavened, not gluten (leavened, often baked in many kinds) and wine wine; many use grape juice free) and wine people’s homes) and wine
Communion bread and wine become the bread and wine are the real “real presence” of Christ a “memorial” of the Last theology body and blood of Christ body and blood of Christ, through, not in, the bread Supper in a mystical way and wine
Confession private confession private confession required private confession private confession not traditionally required only after grave sin available, not required typically practiced before receiving Communion
Nicene Creed added words that the Holy uses original form of creed has used additional words, all who use the creed add Spirit “proceeds from the as adopted at Council of but some national churches additional words; some use Father and the Son” at Chalcedon 451; as per John deleting it in new prayer only the Apostles’ Creed; Council of Toledo 589 15:26 book versions some use no creeds
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Roman Catholic Orthodox Anglican Protestant Church authority all authority rests in the every Bishop is a “living Bishops, clergy, and laity varieties of church Pope, the vicar (agent, icon of Christ”; all have govern national churches governance; many based on deputy) of Christ on earth; equal authority; Bishops by representative authority of each local he is infallible when he meeting in synods have democracy; some actions congregation speaks officially (1870) final say voted “by orders”
Clergy authority clergy act “in the person of clergy represent the Bishop clergy serve specified clergy serve specified roles; Christ” roles: church governance, in some selected by local proclaim Gospel, congregation and serve only administer sacraments, at its will bless & declare pardon
Sacraments Eucharist, Baptism, Eucharist, Baptism, Eucharist, Baptism, Some recognize only Confirmation, Ordination, Chrismation at baptism, Confirmation, Ordination, Communion & Baptism; Penance, Marriage, Ordination, Penance, Reconciliation, Marriage, some recognize no Unction for the sick Marriage, Unction for the Unction for the sick; no sacraments (includes formal and sick; prefers term sacramental Last Rites, but required “Last Rites” for “mysteries” Ministration at the Time of the dying) Death often used
Original Sin figures prominently in not recognized not recognized (the word recognized by Calvinists; doctrines; washed away in “original” does not appear overcome by “accepting baptism in BCP) Christ”
Marriage no divorce under any divorce allowed with the divorce allowed; divorce allowed in most; circumstance; marriages Bishop’s permission remarriage allowed with some do not allow “annulled” as if never took Bishop’s permission place
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Roman Catholic Orthodox Anglican Protestant Mary her Immaculate Conception “the Mother of God” as a she is a very important little or no recognition of with no original sin (1854) worthy vessel for the birth example of faith; only Mary beyond her and bodily Assumption of Christ; does not accept Anglo-Catholics have motherhood of Jesus into heaven (1950); she Immaculate Conception or devotions to her intercedes for us Assumption; she intercedes for us
Purgatory all departed who are not souls go into a state of no doctrine of purgatory no doctrine of purgatory going straight to hell pass waiting until Jesus’ second through purgatory for coming purification before heaven
Sign of the Cross forehead, chest, left forehead, chest, right if used, follows Roman not used shoulder, right shoulder shoulder, left shoulder Catholic order
Language of local language; some local language, yet local language; no other local language worship emphasis upon return to immigrant communities church uses a Rite I Latin rite in some parishes often worship in language equivalent of homeland
Bible Versions any version certified as a no official English NRSV most common; NIV or other newer “Catholic Bible” Orthodox version; RSV some use NIV translations; some use only often used in worship King James Version
Theology legal, philosophical, & Biblical, mysterious, & balance of scripture, mostly Biblical Biblical, with much symbolic, with much tradition, reason, and emphasis on tradition emphasis on tradition experience
Worldwide one church under the Pope self-governing national self-governing national separate national & regional organization churches churches in communion churches with Lambeth
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