nickipicki123
Puritan Board Freshman
What are the main differences in doctrine, practice, and history between the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland, Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, and the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)?
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Nope! Just wanted to know what the differences were between the three, and I figured the folks here would know!I saw the title and was hoping there was going to be a rugby match or something.
What is the right of continued protest?I know a little about the RPCS, but I would want to double check some facts before posting, so hopefully someone else has the time.
For FPCS vs FCC....
So far as doctrine goes, the FCC believes in the "right of continued protest," whereas the FPs do not. Otherwise, I'm not aware of any doctrinal differences. Both subscribe strictly to the original Westminster Confession. Both have the same views of worship and use the KJV (although the FCC is not strictly committed to the translation and a few in the denom use the NKJV) and Scottish Psalter. Both have communion seasons, the table, the common cup, and wine.
So far as history goes, that is complicated. I cannot find the document on the FP website that argues from history with Rev. Kenneth Stewart of the RPCS over a call for unity from some years ago (which I think would also answer your question about the history of the RPCS versus the others), but basically, the FPs separated from the Free Church at the end of the 19th century. Whereas the FCC left the Free Church in the 2000s. Both bodies claim to be the legitimate heirs of the Free Church and therefore the Church of Scotland. To see the history from the FCC point of view, I recommend Alexander McLeod's series from last year's FCC Family Conference. The FPs had a review and response of their own in their magazine somewhere (their magazines are freely available on their website).
So far as practice goes, the basic gist is that things that are left free for ministers and/or communicant members to decide in the FCC are required in the FPCS. I don't recall whether these things are officially required or culturally required in the FPCS (e.g., in the FCC, women are taught to wear headcoverings, but they are not required to do so; I consider that therefore a cultural issue). The FPCS is against movies; requires women to wear skirts; and they shut down their official websites on the Sabbath (although if I recall, this was a debated matter, and they shut them down to avoid scandalizing the consciences of those in their church). The FPCS also tends to be more "separatist" while the FCC tends to be more "catholic" in their relations to other denominations. The FPCS ministers tend to view the FCC as too loose and lax in their practice and discipline (I heard one of their ministers complain that the FCC opposition to Christmas observance in an article an FCC minister wrote was not zealous enough against the day's observance), whereas the FCC ministers tend to view the FPCS as legalistic and too rigid in thier practice and discipline. There is also the issue of public Sabbath transport, which the FPCS takes a stand against, but I'm not sure whether the FCC takes an official view on the matter. I know there is some variance of opinion as to certain forms of mixed dancing in the FCC; I'm not sure of the FPCS position, but at the very least, most ministers would likely be against it; the same goes with card and dice games.
I used to be a member of an RPCNA church and briefly attend an FCC church so I will make a few comments.
To my knowledge, all are exclusive psalmody, strict view of the sabbath and the confessions. The FCC does communion 4 times a year and my pastor had a special Saturday service to prepare us for communion the next day. The RPCNA does not do anything like that.
I have never attended an FPC church but what I do know is that they are strict on matters of entertainment. It is sinful for an actor to pretend to be someone else, i.e. plays and movies are sinful by their very nature. I think they are the strictest of the three in terms of Christian living, not just entertainment. They excommunicated someone for going to a RC funeral. I think they also do not let women wear pants but I could be wrong on that.
http://www.fpchurch.org.uk/
Alexander has given the gist of it. There are certain controls to the idea though that can end a protest, and it would seem (might want to ask on ARCO; I was not aware of this qualification to the view until reviewing the document just now) that the protest can only have to do with constitutional matters. See this document here from the FCC side of things (mostly the beginning and ending portions): https://www.freechurchcontinuing.org/about/other-documents/item/the-right-of-continued-protestWhat is the right of continued protest?
Are these differences with the FCC, RPCS, or both? The FCC does hold to the Establishment principle. It is true though that not all ministers and officebearers in the FCC use "thee" and "thou" in prayer. The FCC has a document by Sherman Isbell against both presumptive regeneration and presumptive non-regeneration, although I don't know if individual ministers can hold varying views on the matter. Your description of examination for the Lord's Supper sounds like what the FCC does, but there may be a distinction here that I am missing? Likewise with Baptism (how are you distinguishing between an uncontradicted profession and profession of saving faith? Are you merely distinguishing between determining whether a person is really saved and whether a person has done nothing to cast doubt on their profession of Christ?)?Some other differences would include our position on admittance to the sacraments: for Baptism we require an uncontradicted profession but not necessarily a profession of saving faith; for the Lord's Supper we look for an accredited profession, or a profession of saving faith which can be accredited by experience and fruit, examined by the session. We would look for such evidence of conversion from one who was raised in the church as well as one who came into the church as an adult, i.e. we do not assume regeneration of covenant children, a view which has been espoused by the minister of the Glasgow Reformed Presbyterian Church. We would use "Thee" and "Thou" in prayer. We hold to the Establishment Principle.
While the FCC does practice "open" communion in the sense that we allow people from other denominations to join us in the Lord's Supper, people from other denominations are required to be examined by the session before being allowed to commune; so communion is "restricted" in that sense. I don't know about the RPCS, but you are probably correct that they have the same view as the FCC on this matter.We adhere to restricted communion whereas I believe the FCC and RPs allow open communion.
Are these differences with the FCC, RPCS, or both? The FCC does hold to the Establishment principle. It is true though that not all ministers and officebearers in the FCC use "thee" and "thou" in prayer. The FCC has a document by Sherman Isbell against both presumptive regeneration and presumptive non-regeneration, although I don't know if individual ministers can hold varying views on the matter. Your description of examination for the Lord's Supper sounds like what the FCC does, but there may be a distinction here that I am missing? Likewise with Baptism (how are you distinguishing between an uncontradicted profession and profession of saving faith? Are you merely distinguishing between determining whether a person is really saved and whether a person has done nothing to cast doubt on their profession of Christ?)?
While the FCC does practice "open" communion in the sense that we allow people from other denominations to join us in the Lord's Supper, people from other denominations are required to be examined by the session before being allowed to commune; so communion is "restricted" in that sense. I don't know about the RPCS, but you are probably correct that they have the same view as the FCC on this matter.
When I briefly attended a Free Church (FPC Scotland) a few years ago, I asked about its practical differences with the more traditional FCC and was told FCC people might be inclined to walk out of that particular Free Church because (1) that Free Church now does only half its singing from the psalter and without instruments, (2) that Free Church does an annual outreach that involves Christmas caroling, and (3) members of that Free Church don't get huffy about the fact that some people might choose to use public transportation to get to church (We met people there who owned a car just so they could drive to church, but no one so much as hinted that we ought to feel less devout because we took the train).
Practically speaking for the typical churchman, that's all the difference that matters, they said. That church still felt very traditional-Presbyterian to us, even compared to some of the more traditional Presbyterian choices in America, like a typical OPC congregation. And the preaching was exceptional.
When I briefly attended a Free Church (FPC Scotland) a few years ago, I asked about its practical differences with the more traditional FCC and was told FCC people might be inclined to walk out of that particular Free Church because (1) that Free Church now does only half its singing from the psalter and without instruments, (2) that Free Church does an annual outreach that involves Christmas caroling, and (3) members of that Free Church don't get huffy about the fact that some people might choose to use public transportation to get to church (We met people there who owned a car just so they could drive to church, but no one so much as hinted that we ought to feel less devout because we took the train).
Practically speaking for the typical churchman, that's all the difference that matters, they said. That church still felt very traditional-Presbyterian to us, even compared to some of the more traditional Presbyterian choices in America, like a typical OPC congregation. And the preaching was exceptional.
Hi Jack,
I'm glad that you had a positive experience. I've just time for a very brief response, to say, on the basis of your post, that you seemed to have received a very biased response from within the Free Church, aimed at focusing on the perceived "legalism" of the FCC, whilst avoiding, or not recognising any of the failings of the FC.
There are some able and sound preachers in the Free Church, inlcuding some very good friends of mine. However that fails to give the full picture. There are also some very liberal preachers in the FC, who despise and are embarassed by their reformed heritage. This includes, for instance, a minister who publicly welcomed the previous pope to Scotland, as a "brother in Christ." It also includes many ministers and office bearers who broke their ordination vows en masse. The FC is not what it once was, nor does it seek to be what it once was in days gone by.
Very sorry. I didn't mean the effect to be to portray anyone in the FCC in a negative light, just to point out differences from the perspective of the people I met. I can see now that it came off as sounding like "they're all legalists." I truly did not mean that. It's a good denomination, right?
By the way, the Free Church people I met didn't speak in an unkind manner either despite the recent history that got unpleasant. Those were just the things they thought I'd actually notice if I were to attend an FCC church.
(I also may have simply added confusion because, I see as I look back, I carelessly added a P to my abbreviation of the Free Church's name which, of course, turns it into a whole different denomination! Ah, the hazards of Presbyterian alphabet soup!)
In any case, the Free Church people we met and the church we attended gave no hint of any embarrassment at their Reformed heritage. I'm not sure that's a fair characterization, especially the term "very liberal." When you use that term, are you sure you're taking pains to be accurate and to avoid having people draw unfair conclusions? In my corner of the world, "very liberal" denotes churches who deny the exclusivity of Christ and the truth of the Bible outright, and I can't imagine that's what you meant.
very liberal views
Well, I will say for the record that I still think the Free Church deserves much better than to have you double-down on this accusation, which can easily be taken to mean far, far worse errors than anything that might be happening. There are indeed many "very liberal" churches in Scotland, as there are here in America, and I think we both know that the Free Churches do not dwell on the left side of the bunch at all, let alone the extreme left, which I think is the impression "very liberal" gives. But we shall just have to disagree.
The RPCNA does not do anything like that.
What is restricted communion, and what is open communion?2. Differences in matters of practice which have been mentioned above:
We require the KJV to be used in the public worship, Bible Classes and Sabbath Schools of our Church, and it is the only version to be recommended for use in family and private devotions.
We adhere to restricted communion whereas I believe the FCC and RPs allow open communion.
Are you sure this was a Free Presbyterian Church? I thought they were stricter than the FCC in these matters.When I briefly attended a Free Church (FPC Scotland) a few years ago, I asked about its practical differences with the more traditional FCC and was told FCC people might be inclined to walk out of that particular Free Church because (1) that Free Church now does only half its singing from the psalter and without instruments, (2) that Free Church does an annual outreach that involves Christmas caroling, and (3) members of that Free Church don't get huffy about the fact that some people might choose to use public transportation to get to church (We met people there who owned a car just so they could drive to church, but no one so much as hinted that we ought to feel less devout because we took the train).
Practically speaking for the typical churchman, that's all the difference that matters, they said. That church still felt very traditional-Presbyterian to us, even compared to some of the more traditional Presbyterian choices in America, like a typical OPC congregation. And the preaching was exceptional.
Do people have to meet with the session privately? I know that in the RPCNA, we just have to be a member in good standing at a sound church, but you would have to talk to the elders first in order for them to know this about you.While the FCC does practice "open" communion in the sense that we allow people from other denominations to join us in the Lord's Supper, people from other denominations are required to be examined by the session before being allowed to commune; so communion is "restricted" in that sense. I don't know about the RPCS, but you are probably correct that they have the same view as the FCC on this matter.
The FCC does now permit hymns and our congregation uses the NIV as its pew Bible.
We have not used hymns yet but a neighbouring FCC does. Officers must subscribe to the Westminster Confession but members do not need to
Are you sure this was a Free Presbyterian Church? I thought they were stricter than the FCC in these matters.
What is restricted communion, and what is open communion?
Yes, that is correct; people would have to meet with them privately (often in my congregation, this has been done on the Saturday before the Lord's Supper). In our somewhat disorderly state of things (i.e., few of our congregations in the States have a full set of elders on the ground), sometimes an interview by the minister or whatever elders are present will also do. From what people have told me about their interviews in the past, the level of examination will depend on your background. If you are a communicant member in the Presbyterian Reformed Church, the interview will likely be quick and to the point. Coming from other churches may require more questions.Do people have to meet with the session privately? I know that in the RPCNA, we just have to be a member in good standing at a sound church, but you would have to talk to the elders first in order for them to know this about you.
Brother, you're confusing the FCC with the residual Free Church.The FCC does now permit hymns and our congregation uses the NIV as its pew Bible.
We have not used hymns yet but a neighbouring FCC does. Officers must subscribe to the Westminster Confession but members do not need to
Brother, you're confusing the FCC with the residual Free Church.