Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism (Gk., presbuteros, ‘elder’). Forms of Christian Church order and doctrine which emerged from the Reformation (although in their own estimate they are in direct continuity from the New Testament), relying on the ministry and governance of elders. When the Swiss reformation reached Scotland, the quest for a Church order which would be both scriptural and open to constant reformation (the principle of semper reformanda, ‘always to be reformed’) led to Presbyterianism (the government by presbyters, parity of ministers and the participation of all church members) and beyond Scotland to Congregationalism (the autonomy of congregations). Reformed/Presbyterian Christianity has been characterized by constant division, to such an extent that the myriad Churches cannot be listed here. In the opposite direction, various alliances have been made, culminating in the formation in 1970 of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (Presbyterian and Congregational).
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Presbyterianism
