Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian evangelical denomination and, consequently, a charity and social services organisation, with international headquarters at 101 Queen Victoria Street London, England.

History

The Salvation Army was founded by William Booth on July 5, 1865, in the East End of London, as an Evangelical movement called The Christian Revival Society. It then changed its name to The Christian Mission. William Booth resigned as a New Connexion Methodist minister because the New Connexion attempted to shackle his emerging ministry.

Related Topics:
William Booth - July 5 - 1865 - East End of London - Evangelical - The Christian Mission - Methodist - Minister

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In 1878, the name was changed to The Salvation Army and a quasi-military style and outlook was adopted. On March 10, 1880, Commissioner George Scott Railton and seven young women, landed in the USA and began operations. The Salvation Army is led by a General, currently John Larsson.

Related Topics:
1878 - Military - March 10 - 1880 - USA - General - John Larsson

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The Salvation Army's main converts were at first alcoholics, drug addicts, prostitutes and other "undesirables" of society with whom the church refused to have any association. As a result of Booth's pragmatic approach to ministry, they decided not to include the use of sacraments (mainly baptism and Holy Communion) in the Army's form of worship, believing that many Christians had come to rely on the outward signs of spiritual grace rather than on grace itself. William and his wife Catherine Booth believed in the teachings of Apostle Paul, that salvation came solely from the grace of God personally received by faith. They felt that much of what passed for Christianity in their day was primarily an observance of outward ritual.

Related Topics:
Converts - Alcoholics - Drug addicts - Prostitutes - Sacrament - Baptism - Holy Communion - Apostle Paul - Salvation - God

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Among the other long-established beliefs of The Salvation Army are that its members should completely refrain from drinking alcohol (teetotalism), smoking, taking illicit (illegal) drugs and gambling. The Salvation Army grew rapidly, and as it did it created friction among certain people within the society. These people, grouped under the name of the Skeleton Army, hired thugs to disrupt Salvation Army meetings and gatherings, the usual tactics being the throwing of rocks, rats, and tar, and physically assaulting members of The Salvation Army.

Related Topics:
Alcohol - Teetotalism - Smoking - Illicit (illegal) drugs - Gambling - Skeleton Army

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The mission of The Salvation Army is to win the world for Jesus. General Booth, the Army founder, explained, "Salvationism means simply the overcoming and banishing from the earth of wickedness." The Salvation Army has from its founding been uncompromisingly opposed to what it sees as sin. Their idea of wickedness is based on their belief in the inerrancy of the Christian Bible. This sometimes puts them into conflict with immoral people. This can put them into conflict with people who see themselves as moral but base their morality on different interpretations of the Bible or on different moral systems, for example secular humanism.

Related Topics:
Jesus - Salvation - Bible - Moral systems - Secular humanism

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The Salvation Army, due to its interpretation of the Christian Bible, does not approve of homosexuality. Although they do not approve and call it a sin, homosexuals who work for The Salvation Army are given benefits as anyone else is. Their same sex partners, however, are not given the benefits of a spouse.

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At the turn of the 21st century The Salvation Army has grown to operate in over 100 countries. The phrase of "Heart to God and Hand to Man" was its focus and its driving goal during that time. In the United Kingdom, the Salvation Army became the second largest provider, after the government, of social welfare.

Related Topics:
21st century - United Kingdom - Government

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The Salvation Army is sometimes affectionately referred to as the "Sally Anns" (though this expression is generally unknown outside of Canada). In the UK the usual affectionate name is the "Sally Army."

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In Australia, The Salvation Army is frequently referred to as the "Salvos" and has adopted a popular secular expression, "Thank God for the Salvos," for their annual fundraising campaigns.

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