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To: americanophile
FWIW, you'll find that Catholics usually group all non-Catholic and non-Orthodox "Christian" groups into a single category - "Protestant" - and in doing so, they fail to understand the doctrinal and practical distinctives found among them. Not all Catholic-lumped "Protestant" groups are even Trinitarian in doctrine, however, and IMO some groups shouldn't even be considered Christian, let alone Protestant. But of those that are Trinitarian, I suggest breaking them down into the following categories:

"Reformed/Protestant" (16th century, Lutheran/Anglican/Presbyterian, and any others - largely paedobaptist - that trace denominational and creedal roots back to the Reformation),
"Evangelical" (17th century, Wesleyans/Methodists/Baptists and others - largely anabaptist - that arose after and somewhat in response to the Reformed groups);
"Restorationist" (19th century, independent "first century style" churches/anti-denominational congregations and associations, many of which can be traced back to the Stone/Campbell movement in NY's Hudson River valley);
"Charismatic" (20th century, any "Spirit-led" but anti-creedal church or denomination that followed or appeared alongside the Restorationists, especially those that originated with the "baby boomer" generation i.e. the Calvary Chapel/Vineyard churches).

I'm honestly not sure where I'd place groups like the "emergent churches" or even the Warren / Osteen style megachurches. They lack the strong theological distinctives (Calvinism, creedalism) that characterizes the earlier groups, and the strong cultural distinctives (display of charismatic gifts, fierce cultural isolationism) that characterizes the later groups. I tend to think that they should get their own category, but I usually lump them under the "evangelical" label because they usually associate themselves with that group socially.

10 posted on 07/16/2007 7:58:49 PM PDT by Alex Murphy (As heard on the Amish Radio Network! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1675029/posts)
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To: Alex Murphy
I'm honestly not sure where I'd place groups like the "emergent churches" or even the Warren / Osteen style megachurches.


11 posted on 07/16/2007 11:06:46 PM PDT by P-Marlowe (LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*)
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To: Alex Murphy; americanophile
'm honestly not sure where I'd place groups like the "emergent churches" or even the Warren / Osteen style megachurches.

Osteen is clearly in the 'prosperity gospel' camp - Name it and claim it. I'm not sure that I'd include Warren there. Perhaps 'Emergent Church' for him.

14 posted on 07/17/2007 7:36:30 AM PDT by PAR35
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