Amendantism

Amendantism is a type of Christianity which has its origins in the 16th-century Ebrarian Reformation. Amendants reject major points of Orthodox traditions, but disagree among themselves regarding the number of sacraments, the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and matters of ecclesiastical polity and apostolic succession. Amendants reject holy orders and the venerations of icons; support the teaching that salvation comes by divine grace or "unmerited favor" only; and affirm the Bible as being the primary authority for Christian doctrine, rather than being on parity with sacred tradition.

The Amendant Reformation has its origins in 1502 with the separation of the Ebrarian Church from the wider Orthodox communion, when King Charles 'the Greedy' declared himself head of the church in Ebrary in order to expropriate church lands and wealth for the use of the Ebrarian state. This caused a break in communion with other autocephalous churches in the Orthodox churches. Discontentment with the state of the church ultimately led the priest August Roel to publish his "Proposal for Amending the Church" in Miron in 1513. Due to the weakening nature of the Ebrarian monarch, and a succession of short-lived kings after the death of Charles, the Amendant Reformation spread throughout Ebrary and Vorstland. Various denominations of Amendantism sprang up in this time, chiefly Christenism, the Sanctity movement, and Parishism. Vorstish King Gustav II, a convert to Parishism, inherited the throne of Ebrary in 1567. He took control of the Church of Ebrary, instituted reforms to scale back the corruption which had plagued it, and appointed Amendant theologians to positions of leadership. This heralded the complete break of the Church of Ebrary with the Orthodox communion, and its reinvention as a national church.

Theology

Rejection of icons

While most Amendants are not iconoclasts in the strict sense, there is a strong belief in the rejection of the usage of icons in religious service. Amendants allow for religious artwork representing Biblical figures, but these works are never the focal point of the church or part of religious rituals. Some Amendants, particularly the Lamenters, are strong iconoclasts and reject any religious artwork whatsoever. These anti-icon sentiments can be seen as a rejection of previous Orthodox usage of icons.

Rejection of holy orders

Holy orders, which existed in Ebrary before the Amendant Reformation, were dissolved after the ascension of Gustav II to the Ebrarian throne. Amendantism emphasizes the community of all believers, so holy orders are seen as a way of separating some believers from others and creating a special status for members of such orders.

Salvation by grace alone

Amendants believe that believers are pardoned for sin, or receive salvation, solely on grace from Christ rather than a combination of faith and good works.

Trinitarianism

All sizable, mainstream Amendant denominations affirm the trinitarian view of God.

Comparison of Amendant groups

Group	Polity	Baptism
Ceresism	Episcopalian	Child and adult baptism
Christenism	Presbyterian	Believer's baptism only
Parishism	Congregational	Child and adult baptism
Lamenterism	Congregational	Do not practice
Sanctity movement	Presbyterian	Believer's baptism only