What Do Episcopalians Believe?

With so many Christian denominations present throughout the United States and the rest of the world, it can be difficult to tell them apart. Sure, some seem to have large, fortress-style buildings while others seem almost pastoral in their appearance. In some churches the bishop or priest wears ornate robes and jewelry, while other churhes have ministers who deliver sermons wearing khakis and a sports coat. But what are the real differences between the various Christian denominations in terms of theology? This is a brief overview of the Episcopalian church.

For clarification, the Episcopal Church in the United States is the same as the Anglican Church in England. The Catholic Church was the official Church of England when King Henry VIII desired to divorce his wife. The Catholic Church would not grant him a divorce, so he started his own church, the Anglican (Episcopal) Church. The new church took the opportunity to change several practices and doctrines which had been in the Catholic church which some felt were unscriptural.

In doctrine and belief, the Episcopal Church shares some traits in common with Protestantism. However, the "flavor" of the worship services are strongly Catholic. Priests wear robes, perform the readings of the creeds, and the music and style of worship is strongly liturgical, or, "high church". The Episcopal Church services aim to accomplish three purposes: Worshipping God, teaching on the Bible and relevant social issues, and giving Christians the opportunity to fellowship with each other.

The Episcopal Church believes that all world religions (Jews, Christians, Muslims, etc.) worship the same God in different ways, which distinguishes it from most other Protestant denominations.

They emphasize the ministry of Jesus as one of teaching humanity that God loves them and that He wants us all to live good, moral lives.

They do not believe that the Bible is accurate in all areas. They believe that modern science and reason should be the guide for determining the "how" of human history and that the Bible should be viewed as the "why" of human history.