The English Presbyterian Movement and the Formation of Religious Identity in the Age of the Reformation

Abstract

The Reformation contributed little to the initial influx into the formation of religious denominations and cultural practices in Europe, and especially in Great Britain. In England, the process of Reformation was accompanied not only by profound socio-political transformations, but also by religious changes. The purpose of this article was to analyze the history of the Presbyterian movement in England in the XVI-XVII centuries. in the context of confessionalization. To achieve the goal, a complex of methods was used, including historical, historical, meaningful and contextual analysis, a method of synthesis, and also a method of formalization. As a result of the investigation, the main stages of the formation of the English Presbyterian movement were clarified, its theological ambushes were christened and the key officials who contributed to the formation of religious identity in Reformation. It is clear that the Presbyterian dynasty is a strong part of Protestant Christianity, which collapsed at the time of the Reformation, especially during the influx of the Puritan dynasty in England at the end of the 16th and 17th centuries. Characteristic of this movement is its management model, in which a key role is played by presbyters or elders, instead of the hierarchical clergy and bishops. Such a system reinforces the priority of the Holy Letter and collective worship in the life of the church. The study examines in detail the historical context that conveys the origins of Presbyterianism: from the reign of Elizabeth I to the English Revolution of the 17th century. It is respected that, due to the provisions that are universal for all Calvinist churches about divine preordainment and salvation through faith, Presbyterianism was held with special respect until the baptism of entering the community of believers, given the importance of the chanting of psalms and participation in a single communion for the clergy and laity. The legacy of the arrival before the reign of Oliver Cromwell, the abolition of the episcopate, the defense of the “Book of Holy Prayers” and the supernatural relations between the Presbyterians and Independents during the period of Friendship are also examined. There is a strong emphasis on the fact that after the death of Cromwell and the rapid disintegration of the Commonwealth, the Presbyterian movement lost its positions: the restoration of the monarchy and the turn of Charles II led to the renewal of the Anglican hierarchies, and the Act of 1662 caused the Great Expulsion of nearly two thousand clergy. The inheritance of this Presbyterian splendor quickly diminished and began to reappear only in the 18th century. It has been concluded that the influx of Presbyterianism into the English Empire, although profound and troubling, appears at first glance to go far beyond church discussions and leave a significant trace in the culture, politics and social life of the region. The article argues that Presbyterian practices, such as the election of elders, the collegiality of decision-making, and the integrity of church structures, contributed to the establishment of new models of social behavior and political culture.