The Denomination Report: Anglicans

By Marian Pope

One of the largest Christian denominations in the world, yet one of the smallest denominations at Cedarville University, Anglicans make up approximately 1.6% of the student body, according to a self-reported survey from last semester.

Because Anglican students compose a small percentage of the student population, not many know exactly what Anglicans believe. Justice Wolf, a third year Biblical Studies major, explained an easier way to break down Anglican beliefs.

“You’ll have Anglicans that are very Puritan, and Anglicans that are very Catholic,” Wolf said. “[Students] don’t understand the idea that Anglicanism is a middle way,” Wolf said.

Noah Praske, a junior Mechanical Engineering major, also belongs to the Anglican Church in North America. Though not an Anglican school, Cedarville stood out above the rest.

“There aren’t many schools with accredited engineering programs that are Christian, and Cedarville is one of four in the country. And it’s the closest one,” Praske said.

Coming to Cedarville has been a relatively positive experience for Praske. 

“I love my professors. I have been very impressed with how well they organize their classes. They care for their students,” Praske said. “I also do think that the community here is good. It is easy to make connections with a lot of people and it’s a pretty friendly campus environment [with] a lot of trust between students.”

Wolf views disagreements between him and his peers as a chance to sort out his own beliefs.

“I knew that even though I had disagreements and came from a different background, those things that I did believe, if put under the flame, if they burned up they weren’t worth believing anyway and if they were refined, then they were good,” Wolf said.

Being at Cedarville University has helped Wolf grow personally. Through his friendships, he realizes that differing from the majority is alright and does not deter him from making good friends.

“Cedarville has helped me grow and see I can disagree with these people and I can still affirm that they are a Nicene Christian who believes the gospel that has been given, and I don’t have to agree with their conclusions,” Wolf said.

He has found community here at Cedarville University with his Presbyterian friends, who are also a minority on campus. 

Being at Cedarville has also helped Wolf grow in his faith. Part of that is due to the faith-based community.

“Many of the people I’ve met here have ministered to me, and they’ve taught me so many things that I’ve never understood,” Wolf said. 

Thanks to the friends he found at Cedarville, Wolf has a better understanding and appreciation of other Christian denominations. He learned what they believed and how it was supported by Scripture. 

“It’s helping me see specific beliefs for what they are and for those who ascribe to them actually believe about them,” Wolf said. “We need to be pursuing holiness of life in all things.”

Marian Pope is a junior in the Professional Writing and Information Design program. When she is not working on homework, she can be found biking, reading, plotting stories or spending time with friends and family over a cup of coffee.