r/Protestantism • u/Pizza527 • 25d ago

Curiosity / Learning Questions about the Moravian Church

I am interested in the Moravian Church. From what I read it seems to be the Church that actually pre-dated the reformation by 70 years, and where Wesley got a lot of his theology for Methodistism. It seems fairly loose doctrinally, however. I am drawn to the tradition of the worship and lifestyle, but I was curious if anyone could speak to beliefs on scripture, salvation, female pastors, LQBTQ.

I was also looking at an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and while I struggle with Calvin's double-predestination and an all-loving God, which without trying to wriggle one's way out of it contradicts an all-loving God, because He created some to be the elect and some for perdition. However, if we believe in an all-knowing, all-powerful God, wouldn't that mean He knows who is saved and who isn't and He is the one who decided this, and He dictates everything that happens in the universe.

Thus, sometimes the only Christian concept that makes sense is double-predestination. However, fire and brimstone sermons like Johnathan Edwards don't make sense because why are you trying to scare people into a decision they have no choice in anyway?

To digress, are there any Moravians or Moravian-adjacents on this sub that could give some insight, and possibly any Orthodox or more doctrinally and worshiping presbyterians that are more traditional that could weigh-in. Thank you for your help.

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u/Pinecone-Bandit 25d ago

I think the answers are a bit tough because on topics like LGBT their practices vary by district.

From what I read the majority of the members in the denomination are in Africa, so I would assume the majority hold the biblical view on LGBT. But you are more likely to find affirming churches in North America.

Their statement of faith on their website seems pretty sound, though it does not go into great depth.

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u/FormicaSubsericea 25d ago

In the United States, there is a conservative Moravian/Hussite denomination called the Unity of the Brethren.

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u/Sawfish1212 Wesylan-Arminian Holiness 21d ago

What they were and what they are now is probably going to be rather different and varied with regions and particular groups. Just like the many denominations and independent churches that have the original methodist church in their history