List of Christian denominations

A Christian denomination is a generic term for a distinct religious body identified by traits such as a common name, structure, leadership and doctrine. Individual bodies, however, may use alternative terms to describe themselves, such as church or fellowship. Divisions between one group and another are defined by doctrine and church authority; issues such as the nature of Jesus, the authority of apostolic succession, eschatology, and papal primacy often separate one denomination from another. Groups of denominations often sharing broadly similar beliefs, practices, and historical ties are known as branches of Christianity.

This is not a complete list, but aims to provide a comprehensible overview of the diversity among denominations of Christianity. Only those Christian denominations/organizations with Wikipedia articles will be listed in order to ensure that all entries on this list are notable and verifiable.

Description

Some groups included on this list do not consider themselves a denomination. For example, the Catholic Church considers itself the one true church and the Apostolic See, and as pre-denominational.[1] The Orthodox Church also considers itself the original Church, and pre-denominational.

Other groups that are viewed by non-adherents as denominational are highly decentralized and do not have any formal denominational structure, authority, or record-keeping beyond the local congregation; several groups within Restoration Movement fall into this category.

Some groups are large (e.g. Catholics, Orthodox, Lutherans, Anglicans or Baptists), while others are just a few small churches, and in most cases the relative size is not evident in this list. Modern movements such as Fundamentalist Christianity, Pietism, Evangelicalism, Pentecostalism and the Holiness movement sometimes cross denominational lines, or in some cases create new denominations out of two or more continuing groups (as is the case for many United and uniting churches, for example). Such subtleties and complexities are not clearly depicted here.

Between denominations, theologians, and comparative religionists there are considerable disagreements about which groups can be properly called Christian, disagreements arising primarily from doctrinal differences between groups. For the purpose of simplicity, this list is intended to reflect the self-understanding of each denomination. Explanations of different opinions concerning their status as Christian denominations can be found at their respective articles.

There is no official recognition in most parts of the world for religious bodies, and there is no official clearinghouse which could determine the status or respectability of religious bodies. Often there is considerable disagreement between various churches about whether other churches should be labeled with pejorative terms such as "cult", or about whether this or that group enjoys some measure of respectability. Such considerations often vary from place to place, where one religious group may enjoy majority status in one region, but be widely regarded as a "dangerous cult" in another part of the world. Inclusion on this list does not indicate any judgment about the size, importance, or character of a group or its members.

Branches of first-century Christianity

Early Christianity is often divided into three different branches that differ in theology and traditions, which all appeared in the 1st century AD. They include Jewish Christianity, Pauline Christianity and Gnostic Christianity.[2] All modern Christian denominations are said to have descended from these three branches. There are also other theories on the origin of Christianity.[3]

Other early Christians

The following Christian groups appeared between the beginning of the Christian religion to the First Council of Nicaea in 325.

Unlike the previously mentioned groups, the following are all considered to be related to Christian Gnosticism.

Medieval sects

The following are groups of Christians appearing between the First Council of Nicaea and the Protestant Reformation which are generally considered extinct as modern and distinct groups.

Catholicism

Main article: Catholicism

Catholicism consists of the Catholic Church itself, as well as a number of independent churches and movements that self-identify as Catholic. They all claim continuity (based upon apostolic succession) with the early Church.

Catholic Church

Main article: Catholic Church

The Catholic Church is composed of 24 Churches: the Western or Latin Church and the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches.

The Latin Church

Main article: Latin Church

The Latin Church (not to be confused with the Roman Rite, which is one of the Latin liturgical rites, not a particular Church) is the largest and most widely known of the 24 sui iuris Churches that together make up the Catholic Church.

Eastern Catholic churches

All of the following are Particular Churches of the Catholic Church. They are all in communion with the Bishop of Rome and acknowledge his claim of universal jurisdiction and authority. They have some minor distinct theological emphases and expressions (for instance, in the case of those that are of Greek/Byzantine tradition, concerning some non-doctrinal aspects of the Latin view of Purgatory).[4] The Eastern Catholic churches and the Latin church (which together compose the worldwide Catholic Church) share the same doctrine and sacraments, and thus the same faith.

The Catholic Church considers itself the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.[5] As such, the Catholic Church does not consider itself a denomination, but rather considers itself pre-denominational, the original Church of Christ.

Other churches and movements

Independent (self-identified as Catholic)

See also: Sedevacantism

Eastern Orthodoxy

The Eastern Orthodox Church is organized as a communion of autocephalous (self-headed) jurisdictions, some of which also contain within them several autonomous (self-ruling) units. They are in full communion with each other and claim continuity (based upon apostolic succession) with the early Church.

In addition, there exist a number of churches or jurisdictions which consider themselves Eastern Orthodox but are not in communion with the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Eastern Orthodox Church

This is the main body of Eastern Orthodoxy, consisting of jurisdictions in communion with each other. Some of them have a disputed administrative status (i.e. their autonomy or autocephaly is only partially recognized), and are marked as such, but all remain in communion with each other as one Church. This list is provided in the official order of precedence. Indentation indicates autonomy rather than autocephaly.

The Eastern Orthodox Church considers itself to be the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded. As such, the Eastern Orthodox Church does not consider itself a denomination, but rather considers itself pre-denominational, the original Church of Christ.

Other churches

These are churches that consider themselves Eastern Orthodox but are not in communion with the main body of Eastern Orthodoxy.

Oriental Orthodoxy

Main article: Oriental Orthodoxy

Oriental Orthodoxy comprises those Christians who did not accept the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451). Other denominations often erroneously label these Churches "Monophysite"; however, as the Oriental Orthodox do not adhere to the teachings of Eutyches, they themselves reject this label, preferring the term Miaphysite.

Historically, many of the Oriental Orthodox Churches consider themselves collectively to be the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded. Some have considered the Oriental Orthodox communion to be a part of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, a view which is gaining increasing acceptance in the wake of the ecumenical dialogues.

Other churches

The following Churches affirm a Miaphysite christological position but are not in communion with any of the ancient Oriental Orthodox Churches for various reasons:

Church of the East

Main article: Church of the East

The Church of the East is said to have been formed by St Thomas. It has also been known as the Persian or Sassanid Church. The Church did not attend the Council of Ephesus (AD 431). Historically, it has often been incorrectly referred to as the Nestorian Church. Although at some points throughout their history, Assyrian Christians have been willing to accept the label of Nestorians, they now consider this term pejorative. Recent Christological agreements with the Roman Catholic Church and some of the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches have substantially resolved this semantic debate permanently, clearing the way for ecumenical relations.

In the twentieth century, it was divided into two groups which have recently been working towards reunification:

The Church of the East considers itself to be a part of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.

Protestantism

Main article: Protestantism

This list includes a variety of Protestant denominations which separated from the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation, as well as their further divisions.[6]

It is important to mention that not every further division is eligible to be considered Protestant. A denomination labeled Protestant must subscribe to the fundamental Protestant principles, that is scripture alone, justification by faith alone and the universal priesthood of believers.

It has to be noted that this list gives only an overview, and certainly does not mention all of the Protestant denominations. An exact number of Protestant denominations is difficult to calculate and depends on definition. It has to be noted that a group that fits the generally accepted definition of Protestant might not officially use the term. Therefore, it should be taken with caution.

The majority of Protestants are members of just a handful of denominational families: Adventism, Anglicanism, Baptist churches, Calvinism (Reformed churches), Lutheranism, Methodism, and Pentecostalism.

Nondenominational, evangelical, charismatic, neo-charismatic, independent and other churches are on the rise, and constitute a significant part of Protestant Christianity.[7]

Proto-Protestant groups

Lutheranism

Anglicanism

Main article: Anglicanism

Anglicanism has referred to itself as the via media between Catholicism and Protestantism. It considers itself to be both Catholic and Reformed. Although the use of the term Protestant to refer to Anglicans was once common, it is controversial today, with some rejecting the label and others accepting it.

Anglican Communion

Main article: Anglican Communion
United and uniting churches of the Anglican Communion

Other Anglican churches and Continuing Anglican Movement

As secessionist churches, these churches are not in full communion with the Anglican Communion. A select few of these churches are, however, recognized by certain individual provinces of the Anglican Communion.

Calvinism (Reformed tradition)

Continental Reformed churches

Presbyterianism

Main article: Presbyterianism

Congregationalism

Main article: Congregational church

Anabaptism and Schwarzenau Brethren

Main article: Anabaptists

Plymouth Brethren and Free Evangelical churches

Methodism

Main article: Methodism

Pietism and Holiness Movement

Main articles: Pietism and Holiness movement

Baptist churches

Main article: Baptists

Spiritual Baptists

Pentecostalism

Main article: Pentecostalism

Charismatic Movement

Main article: Charismatic movement

Neo-Charismatic Movement

African Initiated churches

United and uniting churches

Churches which are the result of a merger between distinct denominational churches. Churches are listed here when their disparate heritage marks them as inappropriately listed in the particular categories above.

Quakers

Main article: Quakers

Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement

Main article: Restoration Movement

Millerism and comparable groups

Main article: Millerites

Adventism (Sunday observing)

Adventism (Seventh Day Sabbath/Saturday observing)

Church of God movements (Sunday observing)

Church of God movements (Seventh Day Sabbath/Saturday observing)

Sabbath-Keeping movements, separated from Adventism

Sacred Name groups

Main article: Sacred Name Movement

Movements not related to Millerism but comparable to it

Sabbath-Keeping movements, predating Millerism

Other Protestant churches

Nontrinitarianism

Main article: Nontrinitarianism

Christians who do not believe in the doctrine of the Trinity ("one God in three co-equal Persons")

Latter Day Saint movement

Most Latter Day Saint denominations are derived from the Church of Christ established by Joseph Smith in 1830. The largest worldwide denomination, and the one publicly recognized as Mormonism, is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some sects, known as the "Prairie Saints", broke away because they did not recognize Brigham Young as the head of the church, and did not follow him West in the mid-1800s. Other sects broke away over the abandonment of practicing plural marriage after the 1890 Manifesto. Other denominations are defined by either a belief in Joseph Smith as a prophet or acceptance of the Book of Mormon as scripture.

Original denomination
"Prairie Saint" denominations
"Rocky Mountain" denominations
Other denominations

Oneness Pentecostalism

Unitarian and Universalist

Bible Student groups

Swedenborgianism

Main article: The New Church

Christian Science

Main article: Christian Science

Other Nontrinitarian churches

New Thought

Main article: New Thought

The relation of New Thought to Christianity is not defined as exclusive; some of its adherents see themselves as solely practising Christianity, while adherents of Religious Science says "yes and no" to the question of whether they consider themselves to be Christian in belief and practice, leaving it up to the individual to define oneself spiritually.

Esoteric Christianity

Racialist groups

Main article: Racialism

Interdenominational (ecumenical) churches and organizations

Main article: Ecumenism

Other

Southcottism

Main article: Southcottism

Apostolic churches and Irvingism

Messianic Judaism / Jewish Christianity

Main article: Messianic Judaism

Christian Movements

Internet churches

Main article: Internet church

LGBT-affirming Christianity

Miscellaneous

Syncretistic religions incorporating elements of Christianity

Main article: Syncretism

The relation of these movements to other Christian ideas can be remote. They are listed here because they include some elements of Christian practice or beliefs, within religious contexts which may be only loosely characterized as Christian.

See also

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ "Dominus Iesus". Vatican.va. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  2. ↑ http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_brief2.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.earlychristianhistory.info/frac.html
  4. ↑ Anthony Dragani, From East to West
  5. ↑ "Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church". Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
  6. ↑ "Protestant, I.2.a" Oxford English Dictionary
  7. ↑ World Council of Churches: Evangelical churches: "Evangelical churches have grown exponentially in the second half of the 20th century and continue to show great vitality, especially in the global South. This resurgence may in part be explained by the phenomenal growth of Pentecostalism and the emergence of the charismatic movement, which are closely associated with evangelicalism. However, there can be no doubt that the evangelical tradition "per se" has become one of the major components of world Christianity. Evangelicals also constitute sizable minorities in the traditional Protestant and Anglican churches. In regions like Africa and Latin America, the boundaries between "evangelical" and "mainline" are rapidly changing and giving way to new ecclesial realities."
  8. ↑ The United Church of Christ

External links

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