Question: What is the difference between a Methodist and a Presbyterian (Reformed) church? I know in the Lord's Prayer in a Methodist church you say “trespasses,” while in a Reformed church you say “debtors.” Other than this, what are the differences?

Response: Briefly, here is a comparison of Methodists (spiritual descendents of John Wesley) and Presbyterians (spiritual descendents of John Calvin).

1) Not all Methodist churches are the same - some are very traditional and orthodox, holding to the historic doctrines of Christianity; some are very "progressive" or theologically "liberal", and have abandoned traditional, orthodox Christian beliefs.

2) Much the same can be said about Presbyterian churches.

3) The theologically liberal Methodist and Presbyterian churches are probably more like each other than they are like theologically conservative churches in their respective fellowships.

4) Conservative churches within these groups are alike in that they believe in:

a) the authority of the Bible as God's Word

b) the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit as one in essence, three in Persons

c) the full deity of Jesus Christ

d) that God created the universe and man in particular ("in His image")

e) that in Adam mankind "fell"; becoming subject to sin and death

f) the substitutionary atonement - that Christ's death on the cross paid for our sins and is the sole basis upon which God offers us forgiveness for sin

g) that sinners are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross

h) Christ's second coming - that Jesus Christ will return physically to earth to bring history to its completion

5) Conservative, Bible believing Methodists and Presbyterians differ on some specific issues as to how people are saved. Presbyterians tend to emphasize God's grace and man's total inability to save himself. They hold the doctrines of predestination - that God sovereignly determines who will be saved and who will be lost - and irresistible grace – that God “effectually calls” those whom He has chosen to salvation so that they will without fail respond to the gospel in faith and be saved. Methodists, on the other hand, often emphasize man's freedom to accept or reject the free gift of salvation offered in the gospel. Consistent with this belief, they teach that those who have placed their trust in Christ can and sometimes do turn away from God and are ultimately lost. Presbyterians would say this is impossible - that if someone is truly a child of God, God preserves them in faith until death so that they will surely, ultimately be saved. I personally believe the Bible supports the reformed or Presbyterian view on the issues.

Regarding the Lord's Prayer, the Greek term in Matthew 6:12 is most literally translated as "debt," but may also have the secondary meaning of “sin” or “guilt.” A different Greek term is used in Luke 11:4 and is best translated by “sin” or “trespass,” and includes the idea of violating a law or boundary. So, the question really comes down whether we prefer Matthew’s or Luke version of the Lord’s Prayer. I don’t know if Methodists generally or Presbyterians generally prefer to use one version over another in public worship.

Rick Lum