Your dad seems like a wonderful pastor. I really miss the PCA and the OPC. My wife and I now attend a non-denominational church, because she did not feel at home in the PCA/OPC. I had to compromise and find a church with the same reformed doctrine, but that had a little bit more modern worship. I'll always have a place in my heart for PCA pastors :) Your dad seems awesome.
I’m Orthodox and I was very much appreciating what the pastor was saying about salvation. Talking about how the the crucifixtion and resurrection were wholly necessary for our redemption.
Honestly apart from the way the worship services are conducted & icons, (eastern) orthodoxy & the reformed faith share like 80-90% of the same fundamental doctrine
@@Andyman3k We all share more than we think. What I have found what splits us is always in the weeds. I am not a fan of reformed theology, which often makes me look down on reformed thought. I need to repent of that because their tradition is old, not as old, but it's old enough to be at least respected.
@@Andyman3k maybe 10% - the reformed understanding of predestination is condemned as a heresy by the Orthodox, same with their view on original sin. Orthodox believe sanctification and salvation are basically the same process, reformed deny this. Orthodox pray to the Saints and the Holy Virgin Mary, reformed do not.
@@annwood6812 It doesn't sit comfortably in anybody's mind, because it challenges the concept of absolute autonomy, which we all want desperately to believe that we possess.
Wow, I’m speechless! I’m not from a Christian background, but recently I’ve been getting the urge to visit a church. I tried looking up churches in my area and the one closest to me is a Presbyterian church. While looking up churches around me, I also realized that there are many different kinds of churches. I stumbled across your videos a few days ago (Thursday) and I was binge watching your visits to the different kinds of churches. I remember trying to search up Presbyterian church to see if you had visited one (Friday) or if anyone else had done an in depth review/visit, but I had found none. And voila! The video I was looking for popped up on my feed right now! Haven’t watched the video yet but I’m sure it’ll be a good one!
Awesome you want to try out church, I pray the truth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be revealed to you and you will repent and and believe on Him for eternal salvation. Just bear in mind that not all Presbyterian churches are faithful to the Gospel. Unfortunately many have gone very liberal and some even preach a false gospel and false Christ that might make you feel good about yourself for a time but will not save, sadly same can be said for many other "Christian" denominations as they submit to and conform to the culture of the day... FYI the Presbyterian Church in America, to which the church in the video belongs, is one of the faithful branches of the Presbyterian church.
As a Presbyterian I’m so glad you got around to covering our denomination. The Presbyterian church has a very rich history and worthy of delving into, and the Presbyterian church has produced some of the most important theologians in Christian history (at least modern, though some could argue of all time this far)
@@keithpritz1347 See Matt's videos where he talks with Catholics. If you ask members of your church to pray for you, and you affirm that those who die in Christ are alive in heaven, the only objection to not asking the saints to pray for you is to argue that they aren't part of the "cloud of witnesses" (Heb 12:1). That could be a valid argument. At any rate, it's bearing false witness to act as though Catholics (as well as Orthodox and Anglicans) are idolators for asking the saints to pray for them.
@@keithpritz1347 We don’t worship Mary, we ask the Blessed Mother’s intercession to pray for us and present our petitions to her Divine Son and the Father. That’s not really idolatry. God Bless !
@@1985LISS why are orthodox people always so quick to attack. I swear, on youtube and social media its always orthodox who are being prideful and rude...
I am new to the faith and went to church for the first time yesterday. I chose the Presbyterian church in my neighborhood not knowing much about Presbyterianism but thinking it looked like a nice congregation. Everyone was so welcoming, but there is a lot more to a Presbyterian service than listening to a sermon and singing a few hymns! There are calls and responses, specific prayers said by everyone in unison and periods when the congregation stands, sits and kneels. I liked the service, but I have so much to learn.
I'm from the Presbyterian Church of India (PCI) . But Church windows , we don't decorate like that, infact is plain, simple window. But its great seeing other churches especially from the west .
@@slamdancer1720 honestly that’s perfectly fine imo. I wouldn’t say it’s the end of the world haha, but I wouldn’t install them if I were building a new church building.
I don't mind telling you, of all the ones you've done, this has my ear. I'm amazed at how they look at God, His Word and Theology. I might have to look deeper because this really speaks.
i was always puzzled with the word ebenezer in that hymn because i didn't know what it meant, and i always thought of Ebenezer Scrooge. it's cool beans to hear what the word means
Church names and eras kind of go together. You will find a lot of Ebenezer Churches started late 19th century. I suspect there was a merger or move to get the name they have.
Aeyyyy glad I got to be here earlier! Matt I’d love to interview you! I tried sending a dm on Twitter. I’ve been loving your content and recently became a patreon!
@@CDC39A Im actually from the Netherlands, so my homechurch belongs to the Gereformeerde Gemeenten (Reformed Congregations). In the USA and Canada we have 28 congecrations under the name of the Netherlands Reformerd Congregations (NRC).
Great as always Pastor Matt! As a member of a reformed church, I really appreciated what you said about the confessional Lutherans and the Reformed feeling the obligation and "pressure" of church history and the Reformation. Having grown up in an Evangelical church, it was something that was sorely missed.
You should tour a traditional Methodist Church! Also this provided so much insight into the general over view of a PCA Church! Keep up the great work! Thank God for people like you who are kinda nerds when it comes to the different branches of theology, you even get those of us who don't really know much about the history of different traditions interested in all this super cool stuff!
Methodist church is one church I would never enter just for the fact they allow interrelations, you cannot marry anyone outside the christian faith. The person you are to marry and raise your kids should be the same faith or you can be doomed
@@1985LISS the issue with UMC is their stand on LGBQTxyz...major split in the denomination. Global Methodists are now growing which stands against the woke of the UMC.
Matt, you are really so gracious about each and every tradition that you interact with. You find the absolute best in each one. It’s a REMINDER that we should be charitable with everyone. Thanks for doing these videos.
Reformed Baptists and Reformed Presbyterians get along pretty well. One group baptizes babies and one doesn't. I grew up Baptist and became reformed early on. Two years ago I realized I agreed more with Presbyterian/Covenant Theology and switched.
@@icypirate11 there is also a big difference in eschatology among other secondary and tertiary issues...like real presence. but indeed we do appreciate John Macarthur and Charles Hadden Spurgeon.
I would love for Matt to visit a Messianic Congregation. I would love him to visit Rabbi Greg Hershberg in Macon, GA at Beth Yeshua International. Rabbi Greg is originally from NY, and is a very dynamic Messianic Rabbi, with a growing international ministry with this congregation. I'm not in GA, but watch the Sabbath Service on RUclips. That interview would really reach Matt's audience.
@@HJKelley47 I would love to see it too. Although my recommendation would be to contact Executive Director Monique Brumbach at the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations and make sure you get dialed in with one of the top theological voices based on their recommendation. There's not a lot in the middle of the country where Matt is but Rabbi Stuart Dauermann in California does a lot of work with the broader Christian community, and Rabbi Dr. Mark Kinzer in Michigan actually is the leading voice in Messianic-Catholic dialogue and might be of particular interest this audience.
@@adambrickley9088 : Which ever way Matt would chose to go,. visiting a Messianic Jewish Congregation would be interesting. I will say Rabbi Hershberg grew up as an Orthodox Jew in NY, with Bar Mitzvah and all things part of the Orthodox Jewish tradition. Had not given thought to the Messianic-Catholic dialogue perspective. I feel it might interest a particular audience. Let's just hope that Matt reaches out to this expression of the Body of Christ (Messiah).
We have IC/XS/NI/KA over the sanctuary at my Catholic church. Another Catholic church about 5 miles down the road is very much in the "Ark" style, as if you were entering an enormous upturned boat.
I love how you actually came at this whole project with an open mind. I’ve watched nearly every episode in this series, and it’s so cool to see how you’re really integrating what your learn as you go and pulling it j in to this bigger understanding of Christianity and of religion and faith in general. Keep up the great work!
I have really enjoyed watching this series - I grew up half Baptist (father's side) and half Catholic (mother's side), and have filtered through a number of protestant churches and have recently joined a Presbyterian church. I hope you have an episode where you talk church history, their concept of a confessional church.
@@garrettknowles4007 The Catholic Church is a mixture of the true faith which was merged with the Babylonian Magi when they settled in Pergamus and influenced the Roman Emperor Constantine to adopt their traditions. The idea of the Pope came from the name that the Magi gave to their priest which was "chief bridge builder". In Latin it is translated as "Pontifus Maximus". So basically Catholicism is a perverted form of Christianity that evolved from the Babylonian Magi polluting the church. That's why we have traditions now of idolatrous statues in churches, gaudy elaborate cathedrals, masses that imitate Old Testament sacrificial ordinances, clergy that dress up in wizard costumes etc. Jesus said "no one comes to the Father except through me". We do not need clergy to intercede for us, and we most certainly are not to call any man father.
Matt I love what you do to point out and EXPLAIN the different views (and why they all make sense for those of us who find one or another makes sense to us). God does meet us where we are -- each of us!
I’ve been watching your videos since I discovered your channel last year, and I’ve come away feeling extremely blessed by all that you do, so thank you. I grew up in the Presbyterian tradition (in Australia), though I now go to a non-denominational church (which would probably be a bit closer to the American evangelical free tradition, but not quite as it has a baptist flavour lol). But, I’m excited to join you in your conversations with the Presbyterians (of the American flavour as I know it’s not exactly the same as the Aussie flavour - why do I keep using the word flavour? Lol), as it’s helping me to understand my childhood church traditions more. So thank you and God bless 🙏🏼
Calvinism has been ruined by people who think that anyone they happen to dislike for petty political reasons is damned and anyone that they happen to like for equally petty political reasons is among the elect. Only God gets to make that call, all we can do is act in ways that meet what we are called to do. Even if I am not among the elect, I still get this life to live and can see the wisdom in doing what is good for its own sake. No transactions involved - God makes the decision and you can’t buy your way into grace with good behavior.
@@Justanotherconsumer I personally haven't experienced this. I don't speak for all obviously bout our churches try to remain very politically neutral. We don't buy into the sham of political evangelical nationalism.
In my experience, even self-identified Calvinists can't fully get with Calvinism. Most are three or four point Calvinists; there's always one point that they can't completely square with.
WOW! Never in my life have I seen someone approach a matter as objectively as you do. You truly do shine a light on all the various beliefs that you encounter, all the while masterfully avoid offending anyone. You sir, really do go into these situations hungry to learn and because of it I am fascinated from all of your content that I have watched thus far.
I love this series of videos, love with conviction, brotherhood with differences is possible in Christ. I have learned so much and it has done much good, please keep it up.
loved all the information from the pastor. I a methodist at a young age, then a baptist but attend several bible studies who never mentioned their denomination but found out later they were independent Bible or Presbyterian who taught the Word verse by verse. joined serval Baptist churches but always spoke from a Reformed presprective and had very little company. finally moved to a PCA and am where my beliefs always were. thanks to a Pastor who really kept the focus on true Christianity and the Word. thanks for you probing questions.
Matt, I love this series you’ve done. It’s a brilliant method of creating dialogue across the denominational divides. Thanks for your work towards conversation and unity.
This was beautiful! This church exudes such reverence...it's hard to describe. I loved all of the comments of the pastor, as well. I especially liked his explanation of the EMPTY CROSS. I have never liked the Crucifix...with Jesus still hanging on the Cross. It was His Resurrection that was so powerful! Thanks for this video. I am a new subscriber to your channel and I have been "binge-watching" your videos.
Matt because of your videos i come to understand that what ever we are doing and what ever we are building we r doing it out of the love we have for God… I think all these denominations are arguing on who loves God the most or who pleases God the most🥰🥰🥰. You are building bridges and I really appreciate it. God bless you brother.
God, under His sovereign will, decided before the foundations of creation that Matt would be predestined to visit Lennox Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. 😉
Predestined.......so I can do as much good or evil as I want, it doesn't matter? Could God not be all knowing without predestination, what if I had free will to do what I want, why can I not choose to be a good person, Christian or not, choose to be a good person and still have a all knowing God.
Thanks for the video Matt! I appreciate you thanking the host and pointing out their role. It's a big responsibility to try to adequately represent the ideas of their whole church on the spot in front of thousands of people! I also appreciate you doing your best to find the most educated people that you can to represent these various denominations. I understand that it would be hard to find the right person for that in many faiths (including my own), so props to you for traveling and making a great series. Its so nice to be reminded how much we all have in common! I look forward to more videos in the future, especially if you could ever do some videos with someone from the church I attend :)
I look forward to future videos where you explore deeper into Presbyterianism. Please remember, there are branches of the Presbyterian church that do differ on key points. Whether PCA, Orthodox Presbyterian, PCUSA, EPC, etc. you will find general similarities but some specific differences that may surprise you. Please remind your audience that this is but one view of Presbyterianism. Thanks a lot for your content!
I'm a member of a ELCA Lutheran church, and we've got some differences from the Missouri Synod Lutheran church (as a generality we're more open to women pastors and the LGBTQ community), so I felt the same way when he interviewed the Missouri Synod Lutheran pastor. I like learning about the different expressions of Christianity.
Even within a Presbyterian denomination there can be a diversity of beliefs. My church is Presbyterian within the PCUSA denomination. My church is conservative in doctrine but the music is contemporary and the worship style is informal.
Ebenezer-God sovereignty directed me to that passage the morning after my daughter was stillborn. Always a poignant reminder of God’s unfailing love…even when life doesn’t make sense
How beautiful this Presbyterian temple is! And the pastor, with great wisdom and education, explained everything very well. I am also a Presbyterian, I am part of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil. Founded by the American missionary, Reverend Ashbel Green Simonton, in 1862. 💚
I am a Presbyterian and am thrilled that you visited this church. The church that I attend is not as ornate as this church but has beams on the ceiling like this one that are seem to be pointing to God. I just did not pay it any attention before, but I will from now on. I did notice that a lot of the woodwork on the walls is very similar to my church which must be their for a reason. Anyway, I really enjoyed this visit and thanks so much!
Great job, Matt. And big thanks to Ethan. It's got to be stressful when you are kind of asked to represent an entire denomination. (I know that in my own denomination there is a WIDE spectrum of people)
I am a non denominational Christian and I really like the "ark" look of this church. I think that the theological implications of having church in an ark like structure is awesome and a genius idea!
Good video. I like seeing a Pastor who is willing to explain why they believe what they believe instead of pointing and saying they are right and you are wrong. When you begin to witness by telling someone they are wrong then you loose the witness right away.
I’m excited that you’re finally visiting a Presbyterian church! Not Reformed, but I’ve always wanted to see you cover one in your fair and amicable way that you always give to everyone. Can’t wait to see the sit down talks from this visit!
the architecture reminds me of a medieval catholic parish church, and that speech about it being an ark is actually quite fitting, the space which he was referring to is called the nave, which means ship. I definately see a lot of echoes of Catholicism in that church, the art was especially evocative of that, it shows how close our traditions are, i remember reading a Presbyterian service book and being amazed at how close what i was reading was to the roman missal, many of the basic prayers and structure being the same. And the theology he had of salvation seemed related to our theory of salvation which ultimately goes back to anselm, although obviously there are stark contrasts, and the Presbyterian theory is in reaction to the catholic one. thank you for this series, it has really got me to think about the connections between me and other christians
This practice varies somewhat in Presbyterianism, but the PCA church I attended in college would not applaud during a formal worship service. So for example, a choir member would finish a beautiful solo and there would be silence in the congregation. The thinking was to keep the focus on God and not the people. That's not to say that the church down the street that claps is a bunch of pagans. Rather, they were choosing in their congregation to keep things "decent and in order" as an an act of worship just as much as the hymn choice and the sermon.
Our (PCUSA) church generally doesn’t do applause outside of intentional concerts. The one exception is the folks that sit around to listen to the entire organ postlude, and there’s applause among that specific crowd to acknowledge the organist’s performance.
Choirs and solos are actually non-reformed in origin, because it was thought that they drew attention away from God, and didn't involve the participation of the whole congregation. I think that's probably right, but not a hill I would die on.
Matt, not sure if you have ever visited a Christian and Missionary Alliance Church yet. I am a church pianist/keyboardist. Raised Baptist and Pentecostal. I have played for many churches. I spent about five years in a Christian and Missionary Alliance Church (CMA). This group has an absolutely fascinating history. Started by a Presbyterian minister that had became disenchanted with his Presbyterian congregation, when they protested his efforts to evangelize emigrants coming in to NY. Kind of a big umbrella theology. Famed author, A.W. Tozer was a CMA pastor.
I grew up at a korean Presbyterian Church in Dallas. The stain glass windows, choir and the organ is what I think of church. Right now, I'm just attending any local church (regardless of the denomination). I think I identify more non-denominational. It overwhelms me of which church to pick just because of the denomination. Thank you for educating the public on all the Christian denominations!
Good stuff, Matt. I enjoy learning about the ideas of all believers. It is nice to know you offer a non judgmental open forum for this effort. Bless you, brother.
Was raised Presbyterian but honestly haven't really heard all the details of their beliefs spelled out. This is informative and really interesting to understand the reasoning behind their practices! I will likely be converting to Orthodoxy soon, but this is so helpful in explaining my own background to give priests more context to work with.
I really like how you focus on what makes us ONE in Him! You're taking all the things we as Christians have in common and showing them to us, the viewer, to remind us that as Christians, we are ONE in Him. I like what pastor Ethan said, '...the pastor's job is to remind us who we are and satan just wants to steal our identity...' There is a divisive spirit who wants us to focus on the things we don't have in common (stealing our identity) and you (Matt) are reminding us who (and Who's) we are...that we are ONE in Him together as the body of Christ, just as Jesus and the Father and the Spirit are ONE (St. John 17 20-23). "How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one!" (PSALM 133:1) Btw...cool trivia about the name Ebeneser. I always wondered what that meant in the song, "Here I raise my Ebenezer..." (Come Thou Font Of Every Blessing) and could not get past the only reference I had to the name, Ebeneser Scrooge (produced kinda a funny image in my mind)...makes you wonder, was Dickens trying to say that the protagonist in his Christmas Carol story was a stone of a man, yet even he was not beyond the grace of God (Spirit of Christmas), finding salvation he became the help of God (Eben-Ezer) to others in need? Here I raise my Ebenezer | Here by Thy great help I've come | And I hope by Thy good pleasure | Safely to arrive at home
So many similarities! Beutiful way to show how we are all brothers and sisters in Christ! I have found the most truth in my particular faith but I appreciate the opportunity to continue to search as I "practice" my faith. Thank you for your ministry, Matt!
"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" is a Christian hymn written by the 18th-century pastor and hymnist Robert Robinson. He penned the words at age 22 in the year 1757. The lyrics, which dwell on the theme of divine grace, are based on 1 Samuel 7:12, in which the prophet Samuel raises a stone as a monument, saying, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us" (KJV). Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it, Mount of Thy redeeming love. Sorrowing I shall be in spirit, Till released from flesh and sin, Yet from what I do inherit, Here Thy praises I'll begin; Here I raise my Ebenezer; Here by Thy great help I’ve come; And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood; How His kindness yet pursues me Mortal tongue can never tell, Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me I cannot proclaim it well. O to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be! Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above. O that day when freed from sinning, I shall see Thy lovely face; Clothèd then in blood washed linen How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace; Come, my Lord, no longer tarry, Take my ransomed soul away; Send thine angels now to carry Me to realms of endless day. The original text of the hymn "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"
It might be interesting to note that there is a theory that Norwegian stave churches, medieval wooden churches, were built to look like capsized Viking boats. The tips of the church are topped with dragon heads, much like Viking ships had dragon head ornamentations on the ends.
Have you ever considered doing a Theology discussion series with Tim Mackie of the Bible Project the way you have done with others? He's my favorite modern theologian and his Bible Project videos were a large component of my return to Christianity from 14 years of agnostic aethiest belief. I'd also like to give out a thanks to you. Your touring of other denominations helped me greatly. I didn't know what direction to go but I didn't want non-denominational or Baptist (as I was raised Southern Baptist). I have found myself drawn to Anglicanism and I am now attending St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Oxford, MS.
I came to be Presbyterian about 3 years ago at my local OPC after a few years in a nondenominational church . The ordinary means of grace are extraordinary 😉
I have been prayerfully considering which church in my area God would have me to be a part of. This video was encouraging. Looking forward to more from your channel.
This is exactly what I love about these videos. We so often learn that we have something beautiful in common: We love Jesus! We may have differences in the way we express it, but that's ok!
Christian 8 years. Baptised by a pentecostal charismatic church, then I became disabled, house bound for 4 years. I joined the local episcopal church so I could go with a friend when I was well enough ( I just wanted to get to church to express my faith) totally different from what I was used to but the people were great and I could attend church. Going to get shown around a local free church on Friday. Easier wheelchair access but also I saw an online sermon from the local free church recently and didn't realise how much I missed the unpicking of scripture, Jesus magnified and just good solid bible. But now I've been reminded I have to go check it out. " your word is a lamp for my feet"
The ark theme in the sanctuary is very old predating Presbyterian churches for sure. This area is commonly called the nave. The word nave in Latin means ship.
I went to a Presbyterian church growing up, and ours looked very similar to this one! I didn't know that specific architecture style was a theological decision, very cool!
I’ve never seen this channel before but my interest was piqued by the topic of this video. I have been part of the Presbyterian Church of Australia for all of my 69 years, willingly embracing the essence of salvation that my parents had taught me from infancy. My father was a Presbyterian minister so I’ve had a close up view of how the Church operates in Australia. Theologically, we are reformed and I resonated with everything Ethan had to say. Churches built more recently don’t seem to have a much symbolism in the architecture as the older ones but I loved the way Ethan explained his church’s architecture. I have been blessed throughout my life to have had really solid Gospel driven reformed teaching wherever I’ve lived.
Was so glad to see you went to a PCA church for this :) while some PCUSA congregations still hold to confessions and conservative doctrine, most are pretty far gone. The PCA may not have the depth of history of the mainline, but we hold to the confessions and respect this history and heritage of Reformed theology. Also, it’s interesting they have images in their stained glass, especially ones with Christ. I’m not a strict iconoclast, but that’s definitely not the norm in Reformed churches (we take the 2nd commandment very seriously). Still, beautiful church and the pastor sounds faithful, looks like a great place to be!
Hey, that’s my dad! Love this video, thanks for coming to Lennox!
Thank you for inviting this channel. This channel is wonderful and accepting
God bless you and your family, dear sister.
That's awesome!
Your dad seems like a wonderful pastor. I really miss the PCA and the OPC. My wife and I now attend a non-denominational church, because she did not feel at home in the PCA/OPC. I had to compromise and find a church with the same reformed doctrine, but that had a little bit more modern worship. I'll always have a place in my heart for PCA pastors :) Your dad seems awesome.
He's a solid dude! Keep rocking frozen chosen.
I’m Orthodox and I was very much appreciating what the pastor was saying about salvation. Talking about how the the crucifixtion and resurrection were wholly necessary for our redemption.
I’m Catholic and I completely agree with you
But as is typical of the Reformed, he says absoultely nothing about the Incarnation -- and focuses on the blood atonement to appease God's wrath.
Honestly apart from the way the worship services are conducted & icons, (eastern) orthodoxy & the reformed faith share like 80-90% of the same fundamental doctrine
@@Andyman3k We all share more than we think. What I have found what splits us is always in the weeds. I am not a fan of reformed theology, which often makes me look down on reformed thought. I need to repent of that because their tradition is old, not as old, but it's old enough to be at least respected.
@@Andyman3k maybe 10% - the reformed understanding of predestination is condemned as a heresy by the Orthodox, same with their view on original sin. Orthodox believe sanctification and salvation are basically the same process, reformed deny this. Orthodox pray to the Saints and the Holy Virgin Mary, reformed do not.
I was predestined to love everything you do Matt.
I see what you did there. Soli Deo Gloria!
You've touched on the issue that doesn't quite sit comfortably in my mind. But it's a very cool church.
I see what you did there
@@annwood6812 It doesn't sit comfortably in anybody's mind, because it challenges the concept of absolute autonomy, which we all want desperately to believe that we possess.
Wow, I’m speechless! I’m not from a Christian background, but recently I’ve been getting the urge to visit a church. I tried looking up churches in my area and the one closest to me is a Presbyterian church. While looking up churches around me, I also realized that there are many different kinds of churches. I stumbled across your videos a few days ago (Thursday) and I was binge watching your visits to the different kinds of churches. I remember trying to search up Presbyterian church to see if you had visited one (Friday) or if anyone else had done an in depth review/visit, but I had found none. And voila! The video I was looking for popped up on my feed right now! Haven’t watched the video yet but I’m sure it’ll be a good one!
Cool! Did you try out a church?
Awesome you want to try out church, I pray the truth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be revealed to you and you will repent and and believe on Him for eternal salvation. Just bear in mind that not all Presbyterian churches are faithful to the Gospel. Unfortunately many have gone very liberal and some even preach a false gospel and false Christ that might make you feel good about yourself for a time but will not save, sadly same can be said for many other "Christian" denominations as they submit to and conform to the culture of the day... FYI the Presbyterian Church in America, to which the church in the video belongs, is one of the faithful branches of the Presbyterian church.
Not all presby churches are the same, look for a good PCA or OPC near you 🙌🏼
@@ninerocks Nice judgement.
Believe in Christ. Love one another. Even your enemies.
Walk with grace and remember that to the pure all is pure.
@@richardwhite6062 Love does not mean being nice. The most loving thing one can do for someone believing a false gospel is to tell them the truth.
As a Presbyterian I’m so glad you got around to covering our denomination. The Presbyterian church has a very rich history and worthy of delving into, and the Presbyterian church has produced some of the most important theologians in Christian history (at least modern, though some could argue of all time this far)
R.C. Sproul FTW
I'm a Presbyterian from north east india..
I’m a Catholic and I love hearing about other Christians. I love what you are doing and I pray for the reunion of all Christians everyday.
If we cannot unite in doctrine in this life, one thing we can be united in is prayer.
Catholics worship statues and pray to Mary.
@@keithpritz1347 See Matt's videos where he talks with Catholics. If you ask members of your church to pray for you, and you affirm that those who die in Christ are alive in heaven, the only objection to not asking the saints to pray for you is to argue that they aren't part of the "cloud of witnesses" (Heb 12:1). That could be a valid argument. At any rate, it's bearing false witness to act as though Catholics (as well as Orthodox and Anglicans) are idolators for asking the saints to pray for them.
@@keithpritz1347 this thread isn't the place to start arguments
@@keithpritz1347 We don’t worship Mary, we ask the Blessed Mother’s intercession to pray for us and present our petitions to her Divine Son and the Father. That’s not really idolatry. God Bless !
BEING A PRESBYTERIAN IS SOOOOOOOOOO GREAT!!!!!!! GOD BLESS THE PRESBYTERIAN PASTORS OUT THERE AND GOD BLESS TO ALL!!!!!
BET YOUR PROUD THAT TRUMP IS PRESYTERIAN :D. BUT I LOVE MY ORTHODOX BECAUSE WE KEPT THE TRUTH WHEN CATHOLICS BROKE AWAY FROM US.
Im Presbyterian also
@@1985LISS why are orthodox people always so quick to attack. I swear, on youtube and social media its always orthodox who are being prideful and rude...
I went to Presbyterian Church last Sunday 😊
I'm too Presbyterian (India)
Best video series on RUclips.
Thanks!
I am new to the faith and went to church for the first time yesterday. I chose the Presbyterian church in my neighborhood not knowing much about Presbyterianism but thinking it looked like a nice congregation. Everyone was so welcoming, but there is a lot more to a Presbyterian service than listening to a sermon and singing a few hymns! There are calls and responses, specific prayers said by everyone in unison and periods when the congregation stands, sits and kneels. I liked the service, but I have so much to learn.
I'm from the Presbyterian Church of India (PCI) . But Church windows , we don't decorate like that, infact is plain, simple window. But its great seeing other churches especially from the west .
Calvin wouldn’t approve of stain glass and frankly I agree with him.
I agree with your (PCI) church on that subject. Most PCA churches here don't have so many pictures as a part of their windows.
Lol.. I'm also a Presbyterian from Meghalaya and we only tend to follow what the Bible teaches.
I am OPC and we would agree, as did the pastor of that church, the windows however are historic, so he likely cant remove them.
@@slamdancer1720 honestly that’s perfectly fine imo. I wouldn’t say it’s the end of the world haha, but I wouldn’t install them if I were building a new church building.
I don't mind telling you, of all the ones you've done, this has my ear. I'm amazed at how they look at God, His Word and Theology. I might have to look deeper because this really speaks.
Right on TD.
Hope you find truth and peace brother.
“Ebenezer,” for me, calls to mind the wonderful old hymn “Come Thou Fount”
"Here I raise my Ebenezer
Here by Thy great help I've come
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home"
i was always puzzled with the word ebenezer in that hymn because i didn't know what it meant, and i always thought of Ebenezer Scrooge.
it's cool beans to hear what the word means
For me it reminds me of veggie tales 🤣
@@EthanDyTioco our hymnal has a footnote to explain it.
Church names and eras kind of go together. You will find a lot of Ebenezer Churches started late 19th century. I suspect there was a merger or move to get the name they have.
As a Presbyterian, this was great!
You must leave Protestantism
Aeyyyy glad I got to be here earlier! Matt I’d love to interview you! I tried sending a dm on Twitter. I’ve been loving your content and recently became a patreon!
We neeeed this interview to happen!!🙏🏻🙏🏻
Ayyeee This the collab we need
I'd love to see that interview as you two have some of the best content on RUclips. 😎👍
LETS GOOOOOO
+1
As a Dutch reformed fella this was great to watch, thank you Matt!
Hello fellow Dutch Reformed dude! is your federation within NAPARC?
@@CDC39A Im actually from the Netherlands, so my homechurch belongs to the Gereformeerde Gemeenten (Reformed Congregations). In the USA and Canada we have 28 congecrations under the name of the Netherlands Reformerd Congregations (NRC).
@@Bestevaer did you vote for SGP in the last election?
@@camulodunon I sure did!
This was perhaps one of the most aesthetically pleasing churches I have ever seen, Matt. You pick out the good ones for this series :)
Great as always Pastor Matt! As a member of a reformed church, I really appreciated what you said about the confessional Lutherans and the Reformed feeling the obligation and "pressure" of church history and the Reformation. Having grown up in an Evangelical church, it was something that was sorely missed.
I thought it was a good observation too. Anglicanism also has that "historical pressure."
@@wesmorgan7729 absolutely!
You should tour a traditional Methodist Church! Also this provided so much insight into the general over view of a PCA Church! Keep up the great work! Thank God for people like you who are kinda nerds when it comes to the different branches of theology, you even get those of us who don't really know much about the history of different traditions interested in all this super cool stuff!
Methodist church is one church I would never enter just for the fact they allow interrelations, you cannot marry anyone outside the christian faith. The person you are to marry and raise your kids should be the same faith or you can be doomed
@@1985LISS the issue with UMC is their stand on LGBQTxyz...major split in the denomination. Global Methodists are now growing which stands against the woke of the UMC.
Wao🥰🥰🥰am Presbyterian Church from Rwanda I really love it till I die
Matt, you are really so gracious about each and every tradition that you interact with. You find the absolute best in each one. It’s a REMINDER that we should be charitable with everyone. Thanks for doing these videos.
Yeah but I doubt he is having a difficult time being charitable to a PCA church
On a more serious note, thanks for the video Matt. As always, appreciate the great respect and seeing the heart behind different groups' perspectives
I know right! It helps us to understand that we are all just parts of the greater body.
Not Presbyterian, but reformed and Baptistic. Enjoyed this pastor's hosting your visit and answers to your questions.
Reformed Baptists and Reformed Presbyterians get along pretty well. One group baptizes babies and one doesn't. I grew up Baptist and became reformed early on. Two years ago I realized I agreed more with Presbyterian/Covenant Theology and switched.
@@icypirate11 there is also a big difference in eschatology among other secondary and tertiary issues...like real presence. but indeed we do appreciate John Macarthur and Charles Hadden Spurgeon.
FINALLY! So glad to see us Presbyterians represented! Great video!
Always happy to see a new video drop. And as a Messianic your Saturday uploads actually help keep me focussed on Sabbath.
I would love for Matt to visit a Messianic Congregation. I would love him to visit
Rabbi Greg Hershberg in Macon, GA at Beth Yeshua International. Rabbi Greg is
originally from NY, and is a very dynamic Messianic Rabbi, with a growing
international ministry with this congregation. I'm not in GA, but watch the Sabbath
Service on RUclips. That interview would really reach Matt's audience.
@@HJKelley47 I would love to see it too. Although my recommendation would be to contact Executive Director Monique Brumbach at the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations and make sure you get dialed in with one of the top theological voices based on their recommendation. There's not a lot in the middle of the country where Matt is but Rabbi Stuart Dauermann in California does a lot of work with the broader Christian community, and Rabbi Dr. Mark Kinzer in Michigan actually is the leading voice in Messianic-Catholic dialogue and might be of particular interest this audience.
@@adambrickley9088 : Which ever way Matt would chose to go,. visiting a Messianic Jewish
Congregation would be interesting. I will say Rabbi Hershberg grew up as an Orthodox Jew
in NY, with Bar Mitzvah and all things part of the Orthodox Jewish tradition. Had not given
thought to the Messianic-Catholic dialogue perspective. I feel it might interest a particular
audience. Let's just hope that Matt reaches out to this expression of the Body of Christ
(Messiah).
@@HJKelley47 Amen :-)
We have IC/XS/NI/KA over the sanctuary at my Catholic church. Another Catholic church about 5 miles down the road is very much in the "Ark" style, as if you were entering an enormous upturned boat.
I’m Catholic as well, I’ve noticed the “Ark” style at a number of the parishes I’ve attended.
I'm a presbyterian from Brazil and I love to see my denomination around the world! Thanks for the video
I'm from meghalaya, north east india.. n I'm a Presbyterian..
I love how you actually came at this whole project with an open mind. I’ve watched nearly every episode in this series, and it’s so cool to see how you’re really integrating what your learn as you go and pulling it j in to this bigger understanding of Christianity and of religion and faith in general. Keep up the great work!
I have really enjoyed watching this series - I grew up half Baptist (father's side) and half Catholic (mother's side), and have filtered through a number of protestant churches and have recently joined a Presbyterian church. I hope you have an episode where you talk church history, their concept of a confessional church.
Give Catholicism another chance brother. The Catholic Church contains the fullness of truth. She is the Church that Christ founded. God bless.
@@garrettknowles4007 lol. You want him to join your wreck of a denomination?
@@garrettknowles4007 The Catholic Church is a mixture of the true faith which was merged with the Babylonian Magi when they settled in Pergamus and influenced the Roman Emperor Constantine to adopt their traditions. The idea of the Pope came from the name that the Magi gave to their priest which was "chief bridge builder". In Latin it is translated as "Pontifus Maximus". So basically Catholicism is a perverted form of Christianity that evolved from the Babylonian Magi polluting the church. That's why we have traditions now of idolatrous statues in churches, gaudy elaborate cathedrals, masses that imitate Old Testament sacrificial ordinances, clergy that dress up in wizard costumes etc. Jesus said "no one comes to the Father except through me". We do not need clergy to intercede for us, and we most certainly are not to call any man father.
Praise God!
Matt I love what you do to point out and EXPLAIN the different views (and why they all make sense for those of us who find one or another makes sense to us). God does meet us where we are -- each of us!
I’ve been watching your videos since I discovered your channel last year, and I’ve come away feeling extremely blessed by all that you do, so thank you. I grew up in the Presbyterian tradition (in Australia), though I now go to a non-denominational church (which would probably be a bit closer to the American evangelical free tradition, but not quite as it has a baptist flavour lol). But, I’m excited to join you in your conversations with the Presbyterians (of the American flavour as I know it’s not exactly the same as the Aussie flavour - why do I keep using the word flavour? Lol), as it’s helping me to understand my childhood church traditions more. So thank you and God bless 🙏🏼
I'm excited. I know that I'm often uncharitable towards Calvinism and could use some learning!
I was extremely against it initially, but the more I looked into it the more I realized how biblically sound it is.
I was as well, now I am one!
Calvinism has been ruined by people who think that anyone they happen to dislike for petty political reasons is damned and anyone that they happen to like for equally petty political reasons is among the elect.
Only God gets to make that call, all we can do is act in ways that meet what we are called to do.
Even if I am not among the elect, I still get this life to live and can see the wisdom in doing what is good for its own sake.
No transactions involved - God makes the decision and you can’t buy your way into grace with good behavior.
@@Justanotherconsumer I personally haven't experienced this. I don't speak for all obviously bout our churches try to remain very politically neutral. We don't buy into the sham of political evangelical nationalism.
In my experience, even self-identified Calvinists can't fully get with Calvinism. Most are three or four point Calvinists; there's always one point that they can't completely square with.
Great video. Thank you Pastor Ethan for sharing your church.
WOW! Never in my life have I seen someone approach a matter as objectively as you do. You truly do shine a light on all the various beliefs that you encounter, all the while masterfully avoid offending anyone. You sir, really do go into these situations hungry to learn and because of it I am fascinated from all of your content that I have watched thus far.
Timothy Keller's denomination, if I'm not mistaken. Probably the most influential person on my life!
It is.
Tim Keller is horible.
@@innovationhq8230 yeah, which is odd in this denom.
I love this series of videos, love with conviction, brotherhood with differences is possible in Christ. I have learned so much and it has done much good, please keep it up.
What a stunning church. It is both simple and complex, rich and humble. And its minister seems like a very faithful shepherd.
loved all the information from the pastor. I a methodist at a young age, then a baptist but attend several bible studies who never mentioned their denomination but found out later they were independent Bible or Presbyterian who taught the Word verse by verse. joined serval Baptist churches but always spoke from a Reformed presprective and had very little company. finally moved to a PCA and am where my beliefs always were. thanks to a Pastor who really kept the focus on true Christianity and the Word. thanks for you probing questions.
Matt, I love this series you’ve done. It’s a brilliant method of creating dialogue across the denominational divides. Thanks for your work towards conversation and unity.
This was beautiful! This church exudes such reverence...it's hard to describe. I loved all of the comments of the pastor, as well. I especially liked his explanation of the EMPTY CROSS. I have never liked the Crucifix...with Jesus still hanging on the Cross. It was His Resurrection that was so powerful!
Thanks for this video. I am a new subscriber to your channel and I have been "binge-watching" your videos.
Matt because of your videos i come to understand that what ever we are doing and what ever we are building we r doing it out of the love we have for God… I think all these denominations are arguing on who loves God the most or who pleases God the most🥰🥰🥰. You are building bridges and I really appreciate it. God bless you brother.
God, under His sovereign will, decided before the foundations of creation that Matt would be predestined to visit Lennox Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. 😉
Predestined.......so I can do as much good or evil as I want, it doesn't matter?
Could God not be all knowing without predestination, what if I had free will to do what I want, why can I not choose to be a good person, Christian or not, choose to be a good person and still have a all knowing God.
@@JuanRempel do you think God knows everything that is ever going to happen?
Is… is this joke really going to spark a debate about predestination?.. 😅
@@gingerjeff6385 only God knows…
Agreed 😂
What a fabulous church! In a world full of darkness we need the light more than ever.
Thank you for sharing this church. Much respect to this Paster and the congregation of believers.
Thanks for the video Matt! I appreciate you thanking the host and pointing out their role. It's a big responsibility to try to adequately represent the ideas of their whole church on the spot in front of thousands of people! I also appreciate you doing your best to find the most educated people that you can to represent these various denominations. I understand that it would be hard to find the right person for that in many faiths (including my own), so props to you for traveling and making a great series. Its so nice to be reminded how much we all have in common! I look forward to more videos in the future, especially if you could ever do some videos with someone from the church I attend :)
I look forward to future videos where you explore deeper into Presbyterianism. Please remember, there are branches of the Presbyterian church that do differ on key points. Whether PCA, Orthodox Presbyterian, PCUSA, EPC, etc. you will find general similarities but some specific differences that may surprise you. Please remind your audience that this is but one view of Presbyterianism. Thanks a lot for your content!
As an OPC guy, seconded!
I'm a member of a ELCA Lutheran church, and we've got some differences from the Missouri Synod Lutheran church (as a generality we're more open to women pastors and the LGBTQ community), so I felt the same way when he interviewed the Missouri Synod Lutheran pastor. I like learning about the different expressions of Christianity.
Even within a Presbyterian denomination there can be a diversity of beliefs. My church is Presbyterian within the PCUSA denomination. My church is conservative in doctrine but the music is contemporary and the worship style is informal.
Agreed! I was raised PCUSA, and I was really surprised by the differences.
@@Sincyn241 most PCUSA churches are more like a Methodist church than a truly reformed church. There are exceptions.
Ebenezer-God sovereignty directed me to that passage the morning after my daughter was stillborn. Always a poignant reminder of God’s unfailing love…even when life doesn’t make sense
That's so powerful and beautiful ❤❤❤ bless you
Thanks so much for talking to a Presbyterian! Been waiting years for this!
I like the stained glass windows a lot, very unique yet reverent style. I wouldn't expect them from a Reformed church.
How beautiful this Presbyterian temple is! And the pastor, with great wisdom and education, explained everything very well. I am also a Presbyterian, I am part of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil. Founded by the American missionary, Reverend Ashbel Green Simonton, in 1862. 💚
I am a Presbyterian and am thrilled that you visited this church. The church that I attend is not as ornate as this church but has beams on the ceiling like this one that are seem to be pointing to God. I just did not pay it any attention before, but I will from now on. I did notice that a lot of the woodwork on the walls is very similar to my church which must be their for a reason. Anyway, I really enjoyed this visit and thanks so much!
Really love the character and knowledge of Ethan, Seems like a great Pastor. Praise God!
Great job, Matt. And big thanks to Ethan. It's got to be stressful when you are kind of asked to represent an entire denomination. (I know that in my own denomination there is a WIDE spectrum of people)
I watched this two years ago when it released and cane back to see this church. Its really beautiful!
I am a non denominational Christian and I really like the "ark" look of this church.
I think that the theological implications of having church in an ark like structure is awesome and a genius idea!
Nondenomination is a domination.
Good video. I like seeing a Pastor who is willing to explain why they believe what they believe instead of pointing and saying they are right and you are wrong.
When you begin to witness by telling someone they are wrong then you loose the witness right away.
Very interesting I love How this minister Explained The reformed faith . This is exactly how I would explain my belief in Christ
I love his church shaped like the ark! And those stain glass windows 😇🥰
I’m excited that you’re finally visiting a Presbyterian church! Not Reformed, but I’ve always wanted to see you cover one in your fair and amicable way that you always give to everyone. Can’t wait to see the sit down talks from this visit!
As a Presbyterian, I thank you. I appreciate your non judgment. We have specific things that mean a lot to us.
Hey! Thanks dude. This was great. Good to see my people represented.
the architecture reminds me of a medieval catholic parish church, and that speech about it being an ark is actually quite fitting, the space which he was referring to is called the nave, which means ship. I definately see a lot of echoes of Catholicism in that church, the art was especially evocative of that, it shows how close our traditions are, i remember reading a Presbyterian service book and being amazed at how close what i was reading was to the roman missal, many of the basic prayers and structure being the same. And the theology he had of salvation seemed related to our theory of salvation which ultimately goes back to anselm, although obviously there are stark contrasts, and the Presbyterian theory is in reaction to the catholic one. thank you for this series, it has really got me to think about the connections between me and other christians
00:17:15
That is because both of those churches are the twin sisters of the Magisterial Reformation.
Thanks Matt, for acknowledging us…Joe and Linda Ha
As a South African Presby Minister , this was a pleasure to watch, thank you and thank you to the Rev.
This practice varies somewhat in Presbyterianism, but the PCA church I attended in college would not applaud during a formal worship service. So for example, a choir member would finish a beautiful solo and there would be silence in the congregation. The thinking was to keep the focus on God and not the people. That's not to say that the church down the street that claps is a bunch of pagans. Rather, they were choosing in their congregation to keep things "decent and in order" as an an act of worship just as much as the hymn choice and the sermon.
We Presbyterians LOVE doing things decently and in order! 😁
Our (PCUSA) church generally doesn’t do applause outside of intentional concerts.
The one exception is the folks that sit around to listen to the entire organ postlude, and there’s applause among that specific crowd to acknowledge the organist’s performance.
Choirs and solos are actually non-reformed in origin, because it was thought that they drew attention away from God, and didn't involve the participation of the whole congregation. I think that's probably right, but not a hill I would die on.
We don't do that either in PCI( India)
Matt, not sure if you have ever visited a Christian and Missionary Alliance Church yet. I am a church pianist/keyboardist. Raised Baptist and Pentecostal. I have played for many churches. I spent about five years in a Christian and Missionary Alliance Church (CMA). This group has an absolutely fascinating history. Started by a Presbyterian minister that had became disenchanted with his Presbyterian congregation, when they protested his efforts to evangelize emigrants coming in to NY. Kind of a big umbrella theology. Famed author, A.W. Tozer was a CMA pastor.
I grew up at a korean Presbyterian Church in Dallas. The stain glass windows, choir and the organ is what I think of church. Right now, I'm just attending any local church (regardless of the denomination). I think I identify more non-denominational. It overwhelms me of which church to pick just because of the denomination. Thank you for educating the public on all the Christian denominations!
Good stuff, Matt. I enjoy learning about the ideas of all believers. It is nice to know you offer a non judgmental open forum for this effort. Bless you, brother.
Loved what you said about unity. Keep going with these excellent videos. Great stuff.
Good old Press Button B’s 😊 my church although I use a Lutheran Church now because there are no Presbyterians in my new country. Good bless all, Ian
Was raised Presbyterian but honestly haven't really heard all the details of their beliefs spelled out. This is informative and really interesting to understand the reasoning behind their practices! I will likely be converting to Orthodoxy soon, but this is so helpful in explaining my own background to give priests more context to work with.
He sure puts a lot of significance on those beams. I thought there was just a sale on them in the 1970's. There were a lot of churches built that way.
This church was built long before the 70's.
@@slamdancer1720, how do you know? It sure looks like the architecture from the 70s.
I really like how you focus on what makes us ONE in Him! You're taking all the things we as Christians have in common and showing them to us, the viewer, to remind us that as Christians, we are ONE in Him. I like what pastor Ethan said, '...the pastor's job is to remind us who we are and satan just wants to steal our identity...' There is a divisive spirit who wants us to focus on the things we don't have in common (stealing our identity) and you (Matt) are reminding us who (and Who's) we are...that we are ONE in Him together as the body of Christ, just as Jesus and the Father and the Spirit are ONE (St. John 17 20-23). "How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one!" (PSALM 133:1) Btw...cool trivia about the name Ebeneser. I always wondered what that meant in the song, "Here I raise my Ebenezer..." (Come Thou Font Of Every Blessing) and could not get past the only reference I had to the name, Ebeneser Scrooge (produced kinda a funny image in my mind)...makes you wonder, was Dickens trying to say that the protagonist in his Christmas Carol story was a stone of a man, yet even he was not beyond the grace of God (Spirit of Christmas), finding salvation he became the help of God (Eben-Ezer) to others in need? Here I raise my Ebenezer | Here by Thy great help I've come | And I hope by Thy good pleasure | Safely to arrive at home
So many similarities! Beutiful way to show how we are all brothers and sisters in Christ! I have found the most truth in my particular faith but I appreciate the opportunity to continue to search as I "practice" my faith. Thank you for your ministry, Matt!
"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" is a Christian hymn written by the 18th-century pastor and hymnist Robert Robinson. He penned the words at age 22 in the year 1757. The lyrics, which dwell on the theme of divine grace, are based on 1 Samuel 7:12, in which the prophet Samuel raises a stone as a monument, saying, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us" (KJV). Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I'll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothèd then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.
The original text of the hymn "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"
I continue to grow more thankful for my Presbyterian upbringing
I love churches with the A-frame, Ark-type architecture. At first I wasn't a fan, but it's become one of my favorite church styles.
It might be interesting to note that there is a theory that Norwegian stave churches, medieval wooden churches, were built to look like capsized Viking boats. The tips of the church are topped with dragon heads, much like Viking ships had dragon head ornamentations on the ends.
Have you ever considered doing a Theology discussion series with Tim Mackie of the Bible Project the way you have done with others? He's my favorite modern theologian and his Bible Project videos were a large component of my return to Christianity from 14 years of agnostic aethiest belief.
I'd also like to give out a thanks to you. Your touring of other denominations helped me greatly. I didn't know what direction to go but I didn't want non-denominational or Baptist (as I was raised Southern Baptist). I have found myself drawn to Anglicanism and I am now attending St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Oxford, MS.
I came to be Presbyterian about 3 years ago at my local OPC after a few years in a nondenominational church . The ordinary means of grace are extraordinary 😉
Awesome, would be really cool if you could have an outsider come interview you or your pastor in your church.
I think he is a Baptist preacher himself of sorts if I'm not mistaken
I have been prayerfully considering which church in my area God would have me to be a part of. This video was encouraging. Looking forward to more from your channel.
Really love the connection to remind the people. That is clearly their core value and Pastor Ethan always pointed to that fact
As always I love these series. This is close to my home. I am in Uniting Church and this denomination is part of uniting church.
Matt, you are a thing. Pastors should want to talk with you. You answer questions I never even thought about
Thank you for enriching our lives
This is exactly what I love about these videos. We so often learn that we have something beautiful in common: We love Jesus! We may have differences in the way we express it, but that's ok!
Love your comments about different expressions of Christianity!!!
Oooh, my denomination! I really love all of these church tours.
Its a beautiful building- thanks for sharing
Christian 8 years. Baptised by a pentecostal charismatic church, then I became disabled, house bound for 4 years. I joined the local episcopal church so I could go with a friend when I was well enough ( I just wanted to get to church to express my faith) totally different from what I was used to but the people were great and I could attend church.
Going to get shown around a local free church on Friday. Easier wheelchair access but also I saw an online sermon from the local free church recently and didn't realise how much I missed the unpicking of scripture, Jesus magnified and just good solid bible. But now I've been reminded I have to go check it out. " your word is a lamp for my feet"
Fantastic clip brotha!!!! I loved this! Thank you for doing this work and visiting all these different perspectives of Worship. Keep going! :) :) :)
Another great video! Can't wait for part 2!
I really enjoy these videos brother, thank you. Praise God!
The ark theme in the sanctuary is very old predating Presbyterian churches for sure. This area is commonly called the nave. The word nave in Latin means ship.
It would be rad to see you do a video of a Cambelite Church of Christ!
I went to a Presbyterian church growing up, and ours looked very similar to this one! I didn't know that specific architecture style was a theological decision, very cool!
I’ve never seen this channel before but my interest was piqued by the topic of this video. I have been part of the Presbyterian Church of Australia for all of my 69 years, willingly embracing the essence of salvation that my parents had taught me from infancy. My father was a Presbyterian minister so I’ve had a close up view of how the Church operates in Australia. Theologically, we are reformed and I resonated with everything Ethan had to say. Churches built more recently don’t seem to have a much symbolism in the architecture as the older ones but I loved the way Ethan explained his church’s architecture. I have been blessed throughout my life to have had really solid Gospel driven reformed teaching wherever I’ve lived.
Was so glad to see you went to a PCA church for this :) while some PCUSA congregations still hold to confessions and conservative doctrine, most are pretty far gone. The PCA may not have the depth of history of the mainline, but we hold to the confessions and respect this history and heritage of Reformed theology.
Also, it’s interesting they have images in their stained glass, especially ones with Christ. I’m not a strict iconoclast, but that’s definitely not the norm in Reformed churches (we take the 2nd commandment very seriously). Still, beautiful church and the pastor sounds faithful, looks like a great place to be!
“What is Reformed Theology” by the late Pastor RC Sproul is a really good book that explains Calvinism.