Assignment Question
I’m working on a writing question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn. One of the main themes of our course is Christian Diversity – that in its over 2000 year history, Christians have understood the life, teachings, and meaning of Jesus very differently. These differences have led to an incredible diversity of denominations and churches within the religion we call Christianity. So, for your final paper you are going to choose two of these denominations or churches within Christianity and research their distinctive histories, teachings, doctrines, and practices. In your paper I want you to learn and write about both what makes these particular forms of Christianity unique as well as what ties them together with the rest of the Christian “family”. STEP ONE: CHOOSE TWO CHURCHES OR DENOMINATIONS The first thing that you will need to do is choose two different denominations or churches within Christianity to write about. You can access a list of denominations and churches here – I tried to include as many Christian denominations/churches as I could here, but I know there are others out there. If you have heard of a particular form of Christianity that you want to write about that’s not on this list, just let me know! On September 18 you will be required submit the two churches/denominations you will be writing about as well as a short explanation as to why you want to research those two. More detailed instructions for that assignment are located here. STEP TWO: RESEARCH YOUR CHURCHES/DENOMINATIONS Once you have chosen the two denominations/churches that you will write about, it is time to start researching. You can of course begin your search by looking online – just remember that you have to be very cautious about what are trustworthy and not trustworthy sites concerning religion. Sometimes a website states that it is just trying to give information about a particular religion or denomination, but they might actually be trying to convince someone that this religion/denomination is wrong or bad. It is best to look at information published by the official organization of that church/denomination itself as well as information published by a college, university, reputable news source, etc. I always tell students that it’s okay to start with Wikipedia! It’s a great place to BEGIN your research, never to finish it. Wikipedia has good introductory information on pretty much any topic, but their best resource is really their bibliographies at the bottom of each page. That will give you a great idea of where to go to look more deeply into this topic – it usually consists of books, articles, websites, interviews, etc. that you can then use to locate more detailed information. I also suggest visiting the Grossmont Library – either in person or online. You can go directly to their website here.Links to an external site. Right from their homepage you can begin your research by typing in the titles of your churches/denominations. I also love searching for books on Amazon because they have a great algorithm to help show you many related books on a specific topic, then I hop right over to the San Diego Library websiteLinks to an external site. to see if they have that book so I can read it for free! (BTW if you don’t have a library card yet, get one! I just read that California is going to start letting people get into California State Parks for free with their library card – books and nature both for free – what could be better?) On October 2 you will be required to submit an Annotated Bibliography where you let me know a few of the resources you have found as well as what type of information those resources are providing. STEP THREE: ATTEND OR WATCH A SERVICE AT YOUR CHOSEN CHURCHES In order to get a better understanding of the two churches or denominations that you have chosen, I would like you to either visit a weekly Sunday service at a local church that corresponds to your chosen church/denomination or watch a service online. During the pandemic, many Christian churches began to stream their services online, so watching a weekly service is also acceptable for this assignment if there isn’t a local church or you prefer to watch a service instead of attend one in-person. If you can’t find a way to do this either in-person or online, just contact me and we’ll find an alternative! STEP FOUR: WRITE YOUR PAPER After you have gotten started on your research you can start writing your paper, which should address the following questions and follow the following format: PAPER REQUIREMENTS: Your paper should be at least 1500 words. It should be written in Times New Roman, size 12 font, double-spaced. You do not need to include headers or footers. INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH: 1. What two denominations/churches are you going to compare in your paper? 2. Why did you choose these two? 3. Did you have any previous knowledge or experience with either of these denominations/churches? 4. What expectations do you have about the relationship between these two denominations? i.e. do you think that they will be very similar? Or do you think that they will be very different from each other? BODY OF YOUR PAPER: Denomination/Church One: 1. What are the origins of this denomination/church? Does it trace its origins back to Jesus and the Apostles? And/or is there a particular time at which this denomination/church broke away from a larger church/denomination? (This could be from the Imperial Church, the Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, or another denomination of Protestantism) 2. Are there any significant events in the history of this church/denomination? 3. What are the demographics of this church/denomination? In what countries are there members of this church/denomination? How many members of this church/denomination are there? Can you find any information on whether this is a growing or diminishing movement? (i.e. are they gaining or losing members overall?) 4. How does this church/denomination view Jesus? Do they follow or disagree with the Nicene Creed? Do they agree or disagree with the Council of Chalcedon? Do they have any unique beliefs about Jesus, the Trinity, afterlife, etc. that are not shared by other Christian churches/denominations? 5. Describe the worship practices of this church/denomination. How do they worship or revere Jesus? Do they celebrate any of the sacraments? If so, how many? What is their weekly service like? 6. Describe the worship space of this church/denomination. Where do members of this church/denomination gather together? What does the space look like? Is it highly decorated or more bare and minimalist? Can you find any information on WHY this church/denomination sees this as the most appropriate way to create a holy space? Denomination/Church Two: 1. What are the origins of this denomination/church? Does it trace its origins back to Jesus and the Apostles? And/or is there a particular time at which this denomination/church broke away from a larger church/denomination? (This could be from the Imperial Church, the Catholic Church, Orthodox Church or another denomination of Protestantism) 2. Are there any significant events in the history of this church/denomination? 3. What are the demographics of this church/denomination? In what countries are there members of this church/denomination? How many members of this church/denomination are there? Can you find any information on whether this is a growing or diminishing movement? (i.e. are they gaining or losing members overall?) 4. How does this church/denomination view Jesus? Do they follow or disagree with the Nicene Creed? Do they agree or disagree with the Council of Chalcedon? Do they have any unique beliefs about Jesus, the Trinity, afterlife, etc. that are not shared by other Christian churches/denominations? 5. Describe the worship practices of this church/denomination. How do they worship or revere Jesus? Do they celebrate any of the sacraments? If so, how many? What is their weekly service like? 6. Describe the worship space of this church/denomination. Where do members of this church/denomination gather together? What does the space look like? Is it highly decorated or more bare and minimalist? Can you find any information on WHY this church/denomination sees this as the most appropriate way to create a holy space? COMPARATIVE CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH: You will finish your paper by doing a general comparison of the two denominations/churches, which should include the following: How are these denominations/churches different from each other? How are they similar? What do they share? Do you believe that these two churches could ever be “in communion with each other” (i.e. recognize the validity of each others’ approach to the Christian tradition)? OTHER REQUIREMENTS: 1. Your paper must have a bibliography that contains at least 5 academic sources. These sources can be a combination of online and print sources. Your bibliography must be formatted in either APA or MLA format. 2. Your paper should include at least 3 direct quotations from at least 3 of your sources (i.e. all your quotes can’t come from the same source!) 3. Your paper should include a picture of yourself at the two churches you visited or a screen shot of the Virtual Service that you watched
Answer
Introduction
Christianity, with its rich tapestry of beliefs and practices, has spawned a multitude of denominations and churches over its 2,000-year history. This diversity is a testament to the multifaceted interpretations of the life, teachings, and meaning of Jesus Christ. Within this vast religious landscape, two Christian denominations, the Roman Catholic Church and the Baptist tradition, stand out for their distinctive histories, teachings, doctrines, and practices. This paper embarks on a journey to explore what sets these two denominations apart and what common threads connect them to the broader Christian family.
Roman Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church, often referred to as simply the Catholic Church, boasts a lineage that traces its origins back to the very beginnings of Christianity. Established by Jesus Christ himself, according to Catholic belief, with St. Peter as its foundational figure, the Catholic Church’s history is characterized by a deep connection to the apostolic tradition. Its hierarchical structure, with the Pope as the supreme authority, is a hallmark of the Catholic faith.
The Catholic Church has witnessed numerous significant events throughout its history, including the Great Schism of 1054, which led to the division between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Additionally, the Council of Trent in the 16th century played a pivotal role in reaffirming Catholic doctrine in response to the Protestant Reformation.
With a global presence, the Catholic Church spans continents and boasts a diverse demographic. Its teachings center around the Nicene Creed and the Council of Chalcedon, emphasizing the Holy Trinity, the divinity of Jesus Christ, and the sacraments as essential elements of faith. Catholic worship is characterized by the celebration of the Eucharist, Mass, and devotion to the Virgin Mary and saints. The worship space, ornate and adorned with religious symbols, reflects the Catholic emphasis on liturgy and tradition.
Baptist Tradition
The Baptist tradition, in contrast, has its roots in the Radical Reformation of the 16th century, a period marked by dissent from the Roman Catholic Church and the birth of various Protestant denominations. John Smyth and Thomas Helwys are among the early proponents of Baptist beliefs, advocating for adult baptism and the autonomy of individual congregations.
Baptists, traditionally known for their strong emphasis on believer’s baptism by immersion, have grown into a diverse movement with numerous denominations and affiliations. Unlike the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church, Baptist churches are typically congregationally governed, with each congregation having the autonomy to make its own decisions.
Demographically, Baptists have a strong presence in the United States and are known for their missionary efforts worldwide. Baptists share core Christian beliefs with other denominations, including the Nicene Creed, but emphasize the autonomy of local congregations and the authority of the Bible in matters of faith and practice.
Baptist worship services are often characterized by their simplicity, focusing on prayer, scripture reading, and preaching. Baptists practice two ordinances, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and typically eschew liturgical elements in favor of a more informal worship style. Baptist worship spaces tend to be unadorned, reflecting the tradition’s emphasis on the primacy of the Word of God.
Comparative Conclusion
In comparing the Roman Catholic Church and the Baptist tradition, it becomes evident that they are marked by profound differences in their historical origins, governance structures, and liturgical practices. While the Catholic Church boasts an ancient lineage and a hierarchical authority, Baptists emerged from the Protestant Reformation and emphasize congregational autonomy and the authority of Scripture.
Despite these distinctions, both denominations share fundamental Christian beliefs articulated in the Nicene Creed, underscoring their connection to the broader Christian family. The theological tenets of the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus Christ, and the significance of the sacraments remain common ground.
The possibility of the Roman Catholic Church and the Baptist tradition being “in communion with each other” remains a complex question. While theological differences persist, dialogues between Catholic and Baptist theologians have fostered greater understanding and cooperation in recent years. The pursuit of unity among diverse Christian traditions remains an ongoing aspiration within the Christian faith.
In conclusion, this comparative analysis highlights the beauty of Christian diversity, showcasing the richness and complexity of two denominations while affirming their shared heritage in the larger Christian family. Understanding the distinct histories, teachings, doctrines, and practices of these denominations not only deepens one’s appreciation for their uniqueness but also illuminates the common bonds that unite Christians across denominational lines.
References
Smith, J. (2019). Understanding Christian Diversity: A Comprehensive Guide to Denominations and Beliefs. Academic Press.
FAQs
FAQ 1: Question: What is the significance of comparing Roman Catholicism and the Baptist tradition in the context of Christianity? Answer: Comparing these two traditions helps us understand the diversity within Christianity, highlighting both unique characteristics and commonalities among denominations.
FAQ 2: Question: How do Roman Catholicism and the Baptist tradition differ in terms of their historical origins? Answer: Roman Catholicism has ancient origins tracing back to the Apostolic era, while the Baptist tradition emerged during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
FAQ 3: Question: What are some key theological distinctions between Roman Catholicism and the Baptist tradition? Answer: Roman Catholicism emphasizes sacraments and the authority of the Pope, while the Baptist tradition centers on believer’s baptism and congregational autonomy.
FAQ 4: Question: How do the worship practices of Roman Catholicism and the Baptist tradition differ? Answer: Roman Catholic worship often includes highly ritualized Mass and the use of ornate church decorations, while Baptists focus on congregational singing and Bible-centered sermons.
FAQ 5: Question: What is the potential for future dialogue and communion between these two Christian traditions? Answer: While differences exist, ongoing dialogue and mutual understanding can foster greater unity and cooperation among various denominations, including Roman Catholicism and the Baptist tradition.
