What We Believe
Scripture
The Bible is a collection of divinely inspired wisdom from over a thousand years of human experience. Because it was collected by different people at different times, it is not always possible (or advisable) to interpret it in black-and-white terms. But as a starting point to develop personal faith, Scripture is filled with inspiration, guidance, and wisdom to teach us how to walk Jesus’ Way of Love.
The 39 books of the Old Testament contain the story of God’s love and his laws from the time of creation to the birth of his son, Jesus Christ. The 27 books of the New Testament contains Christ’s teachings, describes his life as told by his followers, and contains writings from the early Church.
We read from the Bible each week in church—in the lessons, the gospel (Jesus’ teachings), the psalms (Old Testament poems), and in our prayers. Also, roughly 2/3rds of our guide to worship (The Book of Common Prayer) comes directly from the Old and New Testaments.
Do you need to sit down and read the whole Bible? Many do. But the way we structure things, we’ll get it to you in small doses anyway.
Tradition
While Christianity can and should feel new and relevant, it is part of a living faith that spans 3,000 years of human experience. Tradition is the embodiment of our experience as Christians throughout the centuries.
The heart of our tradition is expressed through the Bible, the creeds (statements of faith, written in the first centuries of the Church’s existence), the sacraments of the Lord’s Supper and baptism and the ordained ministry passed on by Christ to his Church.
In addition, you will see symbols and various practices that may seem odd at first glance. Know that they are filled with meaning and form a part of our spiritual discipline which adds beauty, familiarity, and structure to our worship experience.
Take what you will. Participate as you feel comfortable. Over time, it will all make sense.
Reason
The Episcopal Church values not only the diversity of its members but the diversity of their experiences and of their thinking. We believe that reason is a gift and that our faith benefits from its use.
The gift of reason, as a complement to scripture and tradition, leads us to seek answers to our own questions and to grow spiritually in community with others.
Faith is personal if it is to be powerful. We believe that Scripture, Tradition, and Reason are rich tools for you to grow in love of God and neighbor.
Learn more about what it means to be an Episcopalian here.
