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Scottish Episcopal Religion
The Scottish Episcopal Religion is a Christian religion in Scotland and a member of the Anglican Communion. The church had its origins in 1582 when the Church of Scotland, rejected government by bishops, and adopted full presbyterian government by elders as well as reformed theology. Scottish monarchs made repeated efforts to introduce bishops, and two ecclesiastical traditions competed.
The church was incorporated as it is now known, in 1712. It is stated that Saint Ninian conducted the first Christian mission to what is now southern Scotland. Members are sometimes referred to as Piskies, as a shortened form of the name, this is not usually derogatory. The Scottish Episcopal Religion boasts of 356 congregations, with a total membership of 125,000, and 324 working clergy in 1900. Membership did not grow in the following decades as it was believed it would.
The history of Christianity in Scotland began in ancient times. The Scottish Episcopal Church today is a Christian denomination in Scotland and a member of the Anglican Communion. It has enjoyed a distinct identity and is neither Roman nor English and is therefore not considered a daughter church of the Church of England. Like all Anglican churches, it recognizes the primacy of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who does not however have any formal authority in Scotland. It has enjoyed a distinct identity since the 17th century. In many respects it is a thoroughly Scottish institution both in terms of its history and modern character, but its history is also marked by extensive English and Anglican influences. The Book of Common Prayer came into general use at start of the reign of William and Mary. The teachings of the Scottish Episcopal Church believe in the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The basic teachings of the church, or catechism, include: Jesus Christ is fully human and fully God. He died and was resurrected from the dead. Jesus provides the way of eternal life for those who believe. The Old and New Testaments of the Bible were written by people "under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit". The Apocrypha are additional books that are used in Christian worship, but not for the formation of doctrine. The two great and necessary sacraments are Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist. Other sacramental rites are confirmation, ordination, marriage, reconciliation of a penitent, and unction. Belief in heaven, hell, and Jesus return in glory. The threefold sources of authority in Anglicanism are scripture, tradition, and reason. These three sources uphold and critique each other in a dynamic way.
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