Reformed Apologist
Puritan Board Freshman
Being raised in a conservative Baptist family, it wasn’t hard to look on other denominations as heretical abominations. However, as I have grown, matured and become friends with many Christians from every denomination there is, it’s almost impossible for me to maintain that view. Matter of fact, I’ve come to appreciate what I feel they do well. Based on my experience ( exceptions not withstanding ) this is what I feel other denominations to well, along with what they don’t do so well.
Lutherans:
Pros- possibly the best Christ centered preaching I have ever heard. Exceptional teachings of Salvation by Grace through faith.
Cons- over emphasis on sacraments, un healthy dependence on Luther. Roman Catholic corruption of the Decalogue.
Baptist:
Pros- best evangelism practices ( hands down). Importance of sanctification. Balanced teaching of Scripture.
Cons: Too legalistic. Overly autonomous. Unwillingness to entertain better interpretations of scripture, despite greater explanatory scope and power.
Presbyterian:
Pros- Outstanding grasp on the doctrines of Grace and the sovereignty of God. High value on education. Church government.
Cons- Can be intellectually snobbish. Over emphasis on logic
Catholics:
Pros- probably the best scholarship on ethics. They really are doing a lot of work in this area, and the irony is not lost on me.
Cons- they are apostate so, everything else.
Please enderstand, this is a generality and is not true for everybody. Still, this is largely what I have observed, and what I have come to appreciate about these other denominations. I expect a fair amount of disagreement, but I’m curious what you guys have found. Have you noticed what other denominations seem to do well? I think it’s ok that we disagree. We don’t have to fear disagreement and we should be able to take criticism; it can be a good thing, nobody is perfect. That said, I think we should also acknowledge what we do exceptionally well.
Lutherans:
Pros- possibly the best Christ centered preaching I have ever heard. Exceptional teachings of Salvation by Grace through faith.
Cons- over emphasis on sacraments, un healthy dependence on Luther. Roman Catholic corruption of the Decalogue.
Baptist:
Pros- best evangelism practices ( hands down). Importance of sanctification. Balanced teaching of Scripture.
Cons: Too legalistic. Overly autonomous. Unwillingness to entertain better interpretations of scripture, despite greater explanatory scope and power.
Presbyterian:
Pros- Outstanding grasp on the doctrines of Grace and the sovereignty of God. High value on education. Church government.
Cons- Can be intellectually snobbish. Over emphasis on logic
Catholics:
Pros- probably the best scholarship on ethics. They really are doing a lot of work in this area, and the irony is not lost on me.
Cons- they are apostate so, everything else.
Please enderstand, this is a generality and is not true for everybody. Still, this is largely what I have observed, and what I have come to appreciate about these other denominations. I expect a fair amount of disagreement, but I’m curious what you guys have found. Have you noticed what other denominations seem to do well? I think it’s ok that we disagree. We don’t have to fear disagreement and we should be able to take criticism; it can be a good thing, nobody is perfect. That said, I think we should also acknowledge what we do exceptionally well.