The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an evangelical Protestant denomination founded in London in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth, structured as a quasi-military organization with ranks, uniforms, and territorial commands. It is known globally for its social services — food banks, disaster relief, homeless shelters, and addiction recovery programs — which are understood as expressions of the gospel. The Salvation Army does not practice water baptism or the Lord's Supper, holding that outward sacraments are unnecessary for salvation. It ordains women on equal terms with men as officers (ministers).
Theology
Christology
Soteriology
Salvation
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith; Wesleyan-Arminian soteriology
Atonement & Ransom
Affirms
Affirm unlimited atonement; Christ died for all people
Predestination
Nuanced
Reject Calvinist election; affirm universal prevenient grace
Original Sin
Affirms
Affirm original sin; humanity fallen and depraved
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Affirms
Affirm conscious afterlife; bodily resurrection and eternal destiny
Hell
Affirms
Affirm hell as eternal separation from God's presence
Heaven
Affirms
Affirm heaven; eternal blessed communion with God
Second Coming
Affirms
Affirm literal return of Christ; judgment and glory
Millennium
Varies
No official millennial position; various interpretations allowed
Ecclesiology
Scripture
Scripture Interpretation
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Affirms
Word is God: Christ's divinity affirmed in Methodist-Holiness Christology
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Affirms
Virgin birth in Isaiah 7:14; foundational to Christ's redemptive work
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Nuanced
Peter faith exemplary; church built on Christ dynamically
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Denies
Gods will for salvation universal; all invited; choice real
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Affirms
Works inseparable from faith; holiness of life demonstrates conversion
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Nuanced
Matthew 28:19 is Scripture but Salvation Army does not practice water baptism
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Affirms
Christ seated on eternal throne; divinity affirmed
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Varies
No official position on millennium; focus on Christs return
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Nuanced
God is creator; Genesis theologically reliable; mechanism less crucial
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Affirms
Mark 16:9-20 is Scripture; resurrection and commission affirmed
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Affirms
John 7:53-8:11 Scripture; Jesus mercy toward sinners
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Denies
Comma Johanneum not authentic; Trinity taught elsewhere
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Denies
Apocryphal books not Scripture; 66-book canon affirmed
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Denies
Shepherd of Hermas not canonical Scripture; early Christian writing
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Nuanced
Sunday worship; no Sabbatarian legal requirement
Blood Transfusions
Affirms
No prohibition; medically necessary blood transfusions permitted
Military Service
Affirms
No prohibition; Salvation Army embraces military metaphor
Holidays
Affirms
Affirm Christmas and holidays; significant for family and worship