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 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.
@@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).
@@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 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.
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.
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 UA-cam. 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).
@@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.
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.
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.
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 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!
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.
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)
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.
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.
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 :)
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.
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.
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!
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
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
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, 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!
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!
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.
Fun Fact: John Knox, *early* Presbyterian, whitewashed the interior of Edinburgh Cathedral and got rid of ALL the fancy stuff, Icons, etc. I find it interesting / funny that Presbyterians started as "back to basics", and now are more "high churchy".
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!
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
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 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.
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!
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.
Anyone else think it was funny the pastor didn't have a problem with gold calf on his windows but needed to clarify the carefulness of depicting Jesus, our true God? 😂
I grew up Presbyterian, now Catholic. Really enjoyed this video, especially your commentary on simple versus elaborate decoration. To clarify, Catholics do not do anything to try to impress God, it is all about worship of God. God bless!!!
Two things have struck me in this series. 1. If I'm traveling and want to worship somewhere I know enough of some of these other churches that I can worship with them. 2. I'm continually amazed that we all have the same book but have come to such different conclusions as how to act out our faith. Thanks for doing these dig into the trenches videis!!!
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!
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.
The laminated wooden beam construction style of Churches was popular in the 1960s across many denominations. I'm not sure that there was that much denominational symbolism put into it!
I was chatting with my bro about how to get more churches to intermingle with each other. I started attending a multiple churches as a result. Getting to know people who are Catholic, who are Lutheran, who are Pentecostal. Next step is to start inviting other people to each place.
So glad I grew up in the (then) Southern Presbyterian Church. Also glad I grew into a conservative non-Calvinistic Presbyterian theology. Today I appreciate all the rituals and showmanship but am MUCH more interested in growing a personal relationship with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Vibing on those stained glass windows. The Presbyterian church I grew up in had very simple stained glass windows. Taking it to that simplistic extreme makes them look like you're teaching shapes and colors to kids. These take story telling as an elegant gesture. Almost like a stained glass infographic but in a good way.
Look up presbycast. I think it would be amazing if you all did an episode together. The PCA Presbyterian interviews here, with the pastor in S.D. were both really good.
Love the video! I know everyone is asking for Methodists next but along the lines of the more "unusual" churches you've visited I'd be so fascinated to see Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Latter-day Saints) and/or a modern denomination with Anabaptist roots like MCUSA. Those are two denominations that seem really interesting to me but I don't fully understand their "deal".
Methodist are a protestant denomination. Their founder was an Anglican Priest. In Alabama we have a joke. "The difference between a Baptist and Methodist is that Methodists greet each other at the liquor store" lol
6:40 Matt, I really appreciated how you pointed out our symbol which is stamped on the Prosphora before baking! The Reverend is right, it IS an ancient symbol, (from our ancient Church). ;)
Love these videos! Can you do a Church of the Nazarene next? I grew up going to one and now as an adult, I'd be very interested to see a video from you on it!
As a highschooler, I think it's going to be super important for us zoomers to take the hardships we've endured and the lessons we've learned, especially from social media, and use that to fight back against the prevelance of technology. Like I got a phone at 12, and at 15 I already regret having it. When I have kids they will have a lot of restrictions. My brother is a TV/phone/Minecraft kid and he is a disaster.
Thank you so much for the series! Once again, I enjoyed this video And the perspective that it brings. I also got kind of excited because I live about an hour away from Lennox, South Dakota. I also have often wondered about that particular design style in churches because I see it frequently and churches in this area of the Midwest. I’ve often wondered if, at the time these churches were built, there was a major company or supplier that supplied beams like that. In my own town, several churches have very similar designs to the church in this video, and they are from A variety of denominations. In my small town of 10,000, there is a Presbyterian Church, Baptist Church, Methodist church, and reformed Church of America with a very similar design to the Lennox Ebeneezer Presbyterian Church. So I don’t know if it was a theological decision or an engineering and supply decision, but I’ve always wondered. Once again, thanks for the videos, and I look forward to seeing more.
@The Ten Minute Bible Hour: I like your point about building materials. We see that in a huge way in the difference between Greek churches and Russian churches, with the Russian ones looking much more like this one, simple wooden structures. This is especially true in the more "wilderness" churches.
In South Africa we have the VGK (Vereenigde Gereformeerde Kerk) its the exact as this church. It is an Afrikaans denomination but became English overtime today the Engelse VGK became URCSA or the Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa.
Actually, he said that his job was to remind us of who WE are (around 15 minutes in), which is very different from what you're saying about reminding us who God is -- much more Durkheimian with the focus on the community.
I love your show and as a Catholic (means universal in Greek) I want to learn about other denominations of Christianity. You made a point of Catholic Churches being grand gold leaf churches and that how was in the old days. You need to come to los Angeles and visit Our Lady of the Angeles Cathedral, totally different and modern but still holds the core of the Church. At the end as what Pope Francis is working on is to uniting all Christan Churches as Christ spoke to St. Francis and told him to unite my Church.
Genuine question, if a depiction of Jesus in 2 & 3 dimensional image is discouraged, then is the depiction of Jesus in any play/ movie also discouraged to avoid idolatry?
That's a great question! For some dear friends of mine, the answer would be "yes, such depictions are inappropriate." I love their commitment to keeping their "mind's eye" clear of distortions that could come from movies/pictures/etc of their Lord. Side note: some other people make a distinction between what is acceptable during worship, vs what is acceptable in other contexts (so, for example, a statue of Jesus in a sanctuary could be inappropriate to someone, even if they are OK with having a picturebook Bible with images of Jesus at home)... the idea being to set boundaries to avoid worshipping the image.
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 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.
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!
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 😊
Best video series on UA-cam.
Thanks!
This was perhaps one of the most aesthetically pleasing churches I have ever seen, Matt. You pick out the good ones for this series :)
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.
As a Presbyterian, this was great!
You must leave Protestantism
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!
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!
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.
Wao🥰🥰🥰am Presbyterian Church from Rwanda I really love it till I die
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 UA-cam. 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 :-)
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.
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!
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 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.
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 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!
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 😂
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)
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.
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.
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 :)
Really love the character and knowledge of Ethan, Seems like a great Pastor. Praise God!
What a stunning church. It is both simple and complex, rich and humble. And its minister seems like a very faithful shepherd.
Great video. Thank you Pastor Ethan for sharing your church.
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.
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.
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!
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
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
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.
Hey! Thanks dude. This was great. Good to see my people represented.
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.
Thank you for sharing this church. Much respect to this Paster and the congregation of believers.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Fun Fact: John Knox, *early* Presbyterian, whitewashed the interior of Edinburgh Cathedral and got rid of ALL the fancy stuff, Icons, etc. I find it interesting / funny that Presbyterians started as "back to basics", and now are more "high churchy".
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.
I continue to grow more thankful for my Presbyterian upbringing
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!
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
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 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)
Really love the connection to remind the people. That is clearly their core value and Pastor Ethan always pointed to that fact
God bless
From 'The Presbyterian Church of India (PCI)' ❤️✝️🙏
Matt, you are a thing. Pastors should want to talk with you. You answer questions I never even thought about
It would be rad to see you do a video of a Cambelite Church of Christ!
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!
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.
Its a beautiful building- thanks for sharing
Love your comments about different expressions of Christianity!!!
I think it's interesting that you asked "what" is an ebenezer, not "WHO" is Ebenezer.
Anyone else think it was funny the pastor didn't have a problem with gold calf on his windows but needed to clarify the carefulness of depicting Jesus, our true God? 😂
The golden calf is a caution against idolatry
I grew up Presbyterian, now Catholic. Really enjoyed this video, especially your commentary on simple versus elaborate decoration. To clarify, Catholics do not do anything to try to impress God, it is all about worship of God. God bless!!!
“What is Reformed Theology” by the late Pastor RC Sproul is a really good book that explains Calvinism.
Two things have struck me in this series.
1. If I'm traveling and want to worship somewhere I know enough of some of these other churches that I can worship with them.
2. I'm continually amazed that we all have the same book but have come to such different conclusions as how to act out our faith.
Thanks for doing these dig into the trenches videis!!!
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!
Thank you for doing these videos. It's nice for the Christian community to get to know each other better. To appreciate the differences.
Fun to see my tradition represented! I'm part of the ARP.
Me too. I was pastor of Grace Fellowship ARP in Nova Scotia for 26 years.
I'm wondering how many T-shirts does Matt own? lol
As many as God preordained from the foundations of the world that he ought to possess.
@@Parmandur 😂😂
This, Lester, is THE question of the hour. LOL
Thank you for enriching our lives
Athiest, turned protestant, turned Catholic here--i really appreciate your work. Well done bro!
Yayyyy Presbyterian!!!
I was wondering when it would be our time 🤣🤣🤣
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.
love this channel
The laminated wooden beam construction style of Churches was popular in the 1960s across many denominations. I'm not sure that there was that much denominational symbolism put into it!
I was chatting with my bro about how to get more churches to intermingle with each other. I started attending a multiple churches as a result. Getting to know people who are Catholic, who are Lutheran, who are Pentecostal. Next step is to start inviting other people to each place.
Also you should do Reformed Anglican! With John Fonville in Jacksonville FL 🙂
Love John Fonville !!
I love the Presbyterian church ❤
I've been waiting for a presbyterian video for a while - I know little about it
When reformed theology is well done, it's the most accurate understanding of the Bible.
Matt- you’re amazing! Great work.
I'm presbyterian and I agree with the points about imagery but man I do love those stained glass windows.
Sounds like you might want to check out lutheranism. It's protestant but more high church beauty.
@@popepiusix7444
I'm calvinist theologically but thanks.
@The ten minute bible hour. this was so beautiful. Could you do one where you visit a New Apostolic Church please.
I'd love to! What's the very best church and who's the very best representative of that tradition?
So glad I grew up in the (then) Southern Presbyterian Church. Also glad I grew into a conservative non-Calvinistic Presbyterian theology. Today I appreciate all the rituals and showmanship but am MUCH more interested in growing a personal relationship with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Vibing on those stained glass windows. The Presbyterian church I grew up in had very simple stained glass windows. Taking it to that simplistic extreme makes them look like you're teaching shapes and colors to kids. These take story telling as an elegant gesture. Almost like a stained glass infographic but in a good way.
since you mentioned culture, you should check out: Ganjuran Church, Jogjakarta Indonesia
Look up presbycast. I think it would be amazing if you all did an episode together. The PCA Presbyterian interviews here, with the pastor in S.D. were both really good.
Love the video! I know everyone is asking for Methodists next but along the lines of the more "unusual" churches you've visited I'd be so fascinated to see Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Latter-day Saints) and/or a modern denomination with Anabaptist roots like MCUSA. Those are two denominations that seem really interesting to me but I don't fully understand their "deal".
Methodists WOULD provide a strong contrast, within protestantism those two are about as "opposite" as you can get theologically
Methodist are a protestant denomination. Their founder was an Anglican Priest. In Alabama we have a joke. "The difference between a Baptist and Methodist is that Methodists greet each other at the liquor store" lol
@@thethinplace Light beer Anglicanism or Catholicism.
Next time see if they’ll fire up the pipe organ! 😁Love your videos!
6:40 Matt, I really appreciated how you pointed out our symbol which is stamped on the Prosphora before baking! The Reverend is right, it IS an ancient symbol, (from our ancient Church). ;)
Love these videos! Can you do a Church of the Nazarene next? I grew up going to one and now as an adult, I'd be very interested to see a video from you on it!
That would be cool although I think doing a Methodist church first would better set up the Wesleyan offshoots.
As a highschooler, I think it's going to be super important for us zoomers to take the hardships we've endured and the lessons we've learned, especially from social media, and use that to fight back against the prevelance of technology. Like I got a phone at 12, and at 15 I already regret having it. When I have kids they will have a lot of restrictions. My brother is a TV/phone/Minecraft kid and he is a disaster.
Thank you so much for the series! Once again, I enjoyed this video And the perspective that it brings. I also got kind of excited because I live about an hour away from Lennox, South Dakota. I also have often wondered about that particular design style in churches because I see it frequently and churches in this area of the Midwest. I’ve often wondered if, at the time these churches were built, there was a major company or supplier that supplied beams like that. In my own town, several churches have very similar designs to the church in this video, and they are from A variety of denominations. In my small town of 10,000, there is a Presbyterian Church, Baptist Church, Methodist church, and reformed Church of America with a very similar design to the Lennox Ebeneezer Presbyterian Church.
So I don’t know if it was a theological decision or an engineering and supply decision, but I’ve always wondered.
Once again, thanks for the videos, and I look forward to seeing more.
Matt, please visit the Christadelphians.
@The Ten Minute Bible Hour:
I like your point about building materials. We see that in a huge way in the difference between Greek churches and Russian churches, with the Russian ones looking much more like this one, simple wooden structures. This is especially true in the more "wilderness" churches.
In South Africa we have the VGK (Vereenigde Gereformeerde Kerk) its the exact as this church. It is an Afrikaans denomination but became English overtime today the Engelse VGK became URCSA or the Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa.
Actually, he said that his job was to remind us of who WE are (around 15 minutes in), which is very different from what you're saying about reminding us who God is -- much more Durkheimian with the focus on the community.
Can you visit a sspx or fssp parish?
I love your show and as a Catholic (means universal in Greek) I want to learn about other denominations of Christianity. You made a point of Catholic Churches being grand gold leaf churches and that how was in the old days. You need to come to los Angeles and visit Our Lady of the Angeles Cathedral, totally different and modern but still holds the core of the Church. At the end as what Pope Francis is working on is to uniting all Christan Churches as Christ spoke to St. Francis and told him to unite my Church.
Please visit a ELCA church. I suggest Lands Lurheran Church in Zumbrota Minnesota.
Genuine question, if a depiction of Jesus in 2 & 3 dimensional image is discouraged, then is the depiction of Jesus in any play/ movie also discouraged to avoid idolatry?
That's a great question! For some dear friends of mine, the answer would be "yes, such depictions are inappropriate." I love their commitment to keeping their "mind's eye" clear of distortions that could come from movies/pictures/etc of their Lord.
Side note: some other people make a distinction between what is acceptable during worship, vs what is acceptable in other contexts (so, for example, a statue of Jesus in a sanctuary could be inappropriate to someone, even if they are OK with having a picturebook Bible with images of Jesus at home)... the idea being to set boundaries to avoid worshipping the image.
Waiting for the next video in this series
Visit a Catholic Church that does Traditional Latin Mass next!
We have all ready seen 5 Catholic churches. Give it a brake 😂
FSSP is something that’s worth discussing.
Finding a sedevacantist Catholic group would be a bit too trippy, I’d think…