Liturgical Vs. Doctrinal Church
A liturgical church provides traditional religious services based on a duty to the public. A doctrinal church depends on specific doctrines or religious statements to educate the public about religion. A church often offers religious services based on liturgy and teaches moral principles based on religious doctrine. The Catholic Church can be viewed as a liturgical church with well-structured, historically defined, traditional church services. A non-denominational church based strictly on biblical teachings and less formal ritual of services may be considered a doctrinal church. A majority of religious institutions rely on both liturgical and doctrinal practices.
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Liturgical, a Definition
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A liturgical church bases its practices on liturgy. The word liturgy originates in the Greek language, meaning a public duty of service. Church and church officials practice this duty of service to the public through religious services, traditional ceremonies, structured sermons, biblical hymns, symbolic rites and rituals. Liturgy applies to the services provided directly by the church officiant during a religious service and traditional practices generally undertaken by the worshiping congregation.
Liturgical Examples
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Liturgical services include traditional Sunday mass sermons, biblical hymns, confession of sins, baptismal, holy communion and confirmation ceremonies. Each aspect of a church mass can exemplify liturgical practices. Many Christian churches symbolically use the sign of the cross, holy water, genuflection and offerings as forms of worship. The Eucharist, for example, includes the presentation of bread and wine, as a representation of Christ's body and blood. Other church practices use traditional sets of prayers, rosary beads and stages of the cross as different forms of liturgy.
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Doctrinal, a Definition
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A doctrinal church preaches a defined doctrine of traditional teachings and consistent moral beliefs. The word "doctrine" specifically refers to a statement or set of statements used by a church to share its philosophy with its congregation. A doctrinal church uses these statements or set of statements to teach the basic tenets of the religion. The term catechism refers to the use of doctrine in the act of teaching theology. Catechism often includes religious instruction outside of Sunday mass or formal services, such as Sunday school.
Doctrinal Examples
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Types of religious doctrine include the Bible, the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Ten Commandments and other established formal traditional prayers and songs. One of the oldest doctrines used in a doctrinal church is the Ten Commandments or Decalogue. God gave Moses these moral principles at Mount Sinai for the people of Israel. Based on this doctrine, the church teaches its members from an early age, to worship one God and not to worship false gods or to use God's name in vain. These statements also teach that it is wrong to dishonor, kill, steal, cheat, or lie. The church uses these doctrines to teach its ethical philosophy.
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References
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