Continental Reformed Protestantism

thumb|300px|[[Grote Kerk, Haarlem|Saint Bavo's Reformed Church in Haarlem, Netherlands]]

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 historic doctrine of the Continental Reformed Churches is explicated in the Three Forms of Unity: the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort, and the Heidelberg Catechism.

The Continental Reformed Churches are distinguished from the 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.

History

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, It continued to influence the Church of England and Church of Scotland through the Puritans, who wished to reform them along continental lines.

Beliefs and practices

thumb|300px|The [[chancel of the Barnabas Reformed Church in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. The baptismal font and communion table are seen in the centre, with the pulpit in the back.]]

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)

Sacraments and rites

thumb|300px|Worship in the [[Restored Reformed Church in Doornspijk, Netherlands]]

Holy Baptism

In the Continental Reformed tradition, duly ordained ministers administer the sacrament of Holy Baptism. The Continental Reformed churches do not hold that elect infants receive baptismal regeneration through this sacrament. Holy Baptism is the sign and seal of the covenant of grace. It initiates the candidate into church membership as well.

Holy Communion

The Continental Reformed churches teach a real spiritual presence of Christ in the Eucharist. 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.

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:

Liturgy

thumb|Title page of the [[Genevan Psalter#1539 edition|1539 Psalter, published in Strasburg when Calvin was a minister there. Calvin's psalters were called "Genevan" due to later editions after Calvin moved to Geneva.]]

300px|right|thumb|[[Netherlands Reformed Congregations|Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Barendrecht, South Holland]]

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:

{| class="wikitable"

! 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

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." 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."

Marriage

Most Reformed Churches in the world, such as the Netherlands Reformed Congregations and the Heritage Reformed Congregations, only support marriage between a man and a woman.

Some Reformed Churches allow local churches to decide about blessings of same-sex marriage, such as the United Church of Christ (USA), the United Protestant Church of France and the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa.

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

thumb|300px|Countries with significant Continental Reformed churches

Many churches in the Continental Reformed tradition spread either by European immigration, or European and North American missionary work.

References

External links

World Communion of Reformed Churches
Reformed Ecumenical Council
Reformed Online – 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