Spend any time in Christian circles or examining Christian beliefs and you’ll run into a dizzying array of confusion. Estimates suggest there are nearly 45,000 distinct Christian denominations globally, ranging from large international bodies to small independent congregations.
When you try to count up the number of churches, forget it. We can somewhat count church buildings, but even that is a challenge. I’ve seen estimates of between 8 million and 16 million church buildings worldwide. This, of course, doesn’t count the number of churches that meet in homes, offices, schools, or other sites.
The point is…
There are a lot of people who claim to be “Christian” and they do not all agree on what it means to be Christian. Nor do they always agree on:
- how God speaks
- when God speaks
- whether God speaks
- how to understand God when or if He does speak
Understanding this diversity can give you a headache, but this diversity is a reality.
This is where many people start arguing over who is a true Christian and who isn’t. On that note, the real question is who is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (see Revelation 21) — and that is a question to which only God knows the answer. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life – not us. He is the Door, not us. We don’t know (for certain) the hearts of other people or the exact nature of their relationship with God, so let’s try to maintain some humility there. Okay?
For this article, I’m using the word “Christian” very broadly to encompass all those who identify in some form or fashion with Christianity. And when we take that large group into account, we must acknowledge there is great diversity in Christianity. There are countless churches, denominations, fellowships, permutations, spinoffs, and the like. It’s a lot to try to get one’s mind around.
Christianity, of course, began with Christ and His apostles. But confusion and division began to set in even at the beginning. Paul talks about this in…
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. (I Corinthians 3:3-9, KJV)
As you can see, the problem of division and confusion was already underway in Paul’s time, but…
It’s gotten much worse since.
This blog post is a simple overview of a very complex landscape. It seeks to provide a framework to begin understanding the primary divisions within the Christian faith. It cannot address all the nuances and complexities of the subject. Okay, here we go…
Major Branches of Christianity
- Catholicism: The Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination globally. Headquartered in the Vatican (within Rome) and led by the Pope, Roman Catholicism emphasizes the authority of the Church alongside Scripture. It also emphasizes adherence to church traditions, including expanded theological teachings since the time in which the New Testament was written.
- Eastern Orthodoxy: The Eastern Orthodox Church comprises self-governing national churches (e.g., Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox). The Eastern Orthodox Church developed alongside Catholicism and officially split (becoming its own entity) in AD 1054). It emphasizes continuity with early Christian traditions, liturgical worship, and the authority of ecumenical councils.
- Oriental Orthodoxy: The Oriental Orthodox Churches include the Coptic, Armenian, and Syriac Orthodox Churches. These communities split from Eastern Orthodoxy after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD over theological differences.
- Protestantism: Ah, Protestantism. What began mostly as a protest (hence, Protestantism) against the Roman Catholic Church in the Middle Ages exploded into a wide array of churches and denominations. Talk about diversity and confusion. This diverse group includes (but is not limited to) denominations such as Lutheranism, Anglicanism, Methodism, and Baptists. These traditions initially (though now not universally) emphasized the authority of Scripture, salvation by faith, and (in some cases) the ‘priesthood’ of all believers.
- Restorationism: Some movements and groups aim to ‘restore’ what they believe is the original form of Christianity. Many of these movements emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries. Notable examples include the Churches of Christ and the Disciples of Christ.
- Pseudo-Christian or Heterodox Traditions: These are movements or faith communities that may identify as Christian and/or may hold to certain Christian tenets, but depart dramatically from traditional Christian orthodoxy. Examples vary widely but include the Latter-Day Saints (aka Mormons) and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
- Post-Christian Movements: These are religious traditions that originated within Christianity but have evolved to the point where they no longer hold to core Christian beliefs. While they may retain Christian terminology or moral teachings, they blend Christianity with other philosophies, religious influences, or modern reinterpretations. Examples include Christian Science, Unitarian Universalism, and some branches of New Thought or New Age spirituality.
Branches Within Protestantism
Rest assured that I oversimplified to the extreme with the above. It’s a lot more complicated than what this short blog post can possibly explain. Still, if you found the above confusing, then sorry, but it gets worse. Within Protestantism (just Protestantism), several distinct traditions have developed:
- Lutheranism: Founded on the teachings of Martin Luther, emphasizing justification by faith and the authority of Scripture.
- Anglicanism: Originating from the Church of England, blending elements of both Catholicism and Protestantism, with a focus on the Book of Common Prayer. The Episcopalians broke away from the Anglican Church on the occasion of the American Revolution (since the British monarch is the head of the Anglican Church).
- Reformed Tradition (Calvinism): Based on the teachings of John Calvin, emphasizing the sovereignty of God and predestination.
- Methodism: Founded by John Wesley, focusing on personal holiness, social improvement, and an emphasis on free will in salvation.
- Baptists: Emphasizing scriptural authority, believer’s baptism by immersion, and the autonomy of local congregations.
- Pentecostalism: Emphasizing the work of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and expressive worship practices.
- Anabaptists: Including groups like Mennonites and Amish, focusing on pacifism, simple living, and believer’s baptism.
- And many more. There are thousands of denominations and movements (that come from these traditions) of varying sizes.
Approaches to Scripture
A significant distinction among Christian groups (especially under today’s Protestant umbrella) lies in their approach to the Bible. You’ll find that many denominations separate over this distinction or are bitterly divided over this distinction.
- Evangelical and Fundamentalist Christianity: These groups uphold a high view of Scripture, often emphasizing its inerrancy and viewing it as the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice.
- Liberal and Progressive Christianity: These perspectives may regard Scripture as one of several sources of truth and divine inspiration, often interpreting it through the lenses of reason, tradition, and contemporary values and experience.
For more on these approaches, check out “Are You a Conservative, Liberal, or Progressive Christian?”
Overlapping and Nuanced Identities
It’s important to note that these categories can overlap, and many denominations may share beliefs and practices across these lines. Additionally, within each branch, there is a spectrum ranging from conservative to liberal interpretations of theology and practice — with conservatives sticking close to Scripture or tradition and those of a liberal persuasion more favoring science, reason, culture, etc.
This framework serves as a starting point for understanding the diverse landscape of Christianity, recognizing that each branch and denomination contributes uniquely to the global tapestry of the Christian faith.
What about me?
I agree with the Apostle Paul who wrote:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
II Timothy 3:16, KJV
I believe in the authority of the Scriptures. While I believe everyone should respect science, reason, and human experience, none of these things trump God. If God says something, that settles the matter. To disagree with the teachings of the Bible is to disagree with the revelation of God.
This makes me a classic fundamentalist and twenty-first-century evangelical.
I want to emphasize that I’m not setting myself as the standard. I can be wrong, including about how I understand the Scriptures. The standard is God, not me.
The further we get from God and His revelation, the more confused and in the dark we are.
Accordingly, I’m most comfortable worshipping in and serving in a Bible church, non-denominational church, or Baptist church — provided the church is Bible-centered and theologically conservative.
But the important question is…
What about you? Where do you stand?
Hopefully, it’s on the word of God.
May He richly bless you!
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