The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology - Saint Mary ...

system of any denomination. The Arminians who would accept his
sacramental views, reject his fatalistic ideas. The Calvinists reject his
sacramental views and his Pelagianism. The name of Calvin would not
define denominational character; for within the Calvinistic denominations
there is so real a diversity that parts of the Reformed Churches vary more
from each other than those most in affinity with the Lutheran Church vary
from it. Of all the Church-names suggested by the ingenuity of men, by the
enmity of foes, or by the partiality of friends, what name, in the actual state
of Christianity, is preferable to the name Lutheran? The name “Christian"
has no divine warrant. First used at Antioch, it may have been meant as a
reproach; and St. Peter alludes to it only as actually used, not as
commanded. We know that "Nazarenes" and "Galileans" were the earlier
names of the disciples of Christ. To assume the name Christian, or any
other title which belongs to all believers, as the exclusive name of any part
of Christendom, is in the last degree presumptuous. The name "Catholic"
is also without divine command: it embraces the whole true Church
invisible; and while our Church claims that her true members are a part of
this Church Catholic, and that she confesses in all their purity its doctrines,
she would repudiate the claim of any particular Church to the sole
possession of this great title. The "Orthodox Church" of the East is only
entitled to that name if the rest of Christendom is heterodox. "Roman
Catholic" is a contradiction in terms. The Church which bears it ceases to
be Catholic just in the proportion in which it is Roman. To call a church
“Episcopal," is to give it a title which only marks its government, and that
a government not peculiar to it: the Church of Rome, the Greek Church,
the Oriental sects, are all Episcopal in government. To limit it by
“Protestant" still leaves it vague. The Lutheran Church in Denmark, in
Norway, and in Sweden, and the Moravian Churches are Episcopal in
government and Protestant in doctrine. The name “Presbyterian" only
indicates a form of government in which great bodies of Christians concur
who differ in faith and usage. "Methodist" simply preserves a college
nickname, and is given to a variety of bodies. "Methodist