List of Christian denominations

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List of Christian denominations (or Denominations self-identified as Christian) ordered by historical and doctrinal relationships. (See also: Christianity; Christian denominations).

Some groups are large (e.g. Catholics, 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. Also, 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. Additionally, some groups viewed by non-adherents as denominational actively resist being called a "denomination" and do not have any formal denominational structure, authority, or record-keeping beyond the local congregation; several groups within Restorationism fall into this category.

This is not a complete list, but aims to provide a comprehensible overview of the diversity that exists among denominations of Christianity. Some links may point to non-existent articles. There are approximately 300 branches listed here. According to one source, there are, in all, approximately 38,000 Christian denominations.[1]

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

Major divisions within Christianity. The different width of the lines (thickest for "Protestantism" and thinnest for "Oriental Orthodox" and "Nestorians") is without objective significance.
Major divisions within Christianity. The different width of the lines (thickest for "Protestantism" and thinnest for "Oriental Orthodox" and "Nestorians") is without objective significance.

Contents


[edit] Catholicism

Main article: Catholicism

[edit] Roman Catholic Church

Main articles: Roman Catholic Church and Primacy of the Roman Pontiff

[edit] Latin Rite

The Latin Rite or Church[2] is the largest and most widely known of the 23 Rites of the Catholic Church. In the past, Catholics in France and Germany have claimed a measure of ecclesial independence from Rome (see Febronianism, Gallicanism), but not to the extent of forming Churches distinct from the Roman Catholic Church as a whole (as happened with the Church of England) or even from the Latin Church.

[edit] Eastern Catholic Churches

All of the following are particular churches of the Catholic Church. They are all in communion with the pope of Rome and acknowledge his claim of universal jurisdiction and authority. They have some minor distinct theological emphases and expressions concerning, for instance, in the case of those that are of Greek (Byzantine) tradition some aspects of the Latin depiction of purgatory.[3]

The Roman Catholic Church considers itself the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.[4]

[edit] Eastern Orthodox Church

Main article: Eastern Orthodox Church
See also: Eastern Orthodox Church organization and Eastern Orthodox Christian theology

List provided in order of precedence. Indentation indicates autonomy rather than autocephaly.

The Eastern Orthodox Church considers itself the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded.

It considers that the Oriental Orthodox Church has the same qualifications save the misinterpretation and misunderstanding that occurred due to mainly political rather than dogmatic reasons in the fifth century that caused the separation of the One, Holy and Catholic Church of God, hoping in a reunion with the separated brothers of the same faith.

It also considers the Roman Catholic Church as Apostolic in nature, a sister Church that has separated itself from the One Holy and Catholic Church of God due to an insistence that the Bishop of Rome is considered a higher authority than the other ancient patriarchs.

The Eastern Orthodox Church does, however, acknowledge a superiority of honor but not of jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, as first among equals in honor.

[edit] Oriental Orthodox Church

Main article: Oriental Orthodoxy
See also: Western Rite Orthodoxy

Oriental Orthodoxy was formed in the fifth century by Christians who did not accept the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451). It is historically related to Eutychian Monophysitism, and other denominations typically call these churches Monophysite, but Oriental Orthodox reject this description, calling themselves Miaphysite.

The Oriental Orthodox Church considers itself the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church that Christ founded, having kept the unchanged faith and religious practices as it was from the time of the Apostles.

It also considers that the Eastern Orthodox Church has the same qualifications save the misinterpretation and misunderstanding that occurred due to mainly political rather than dogmatic reasons in the fifth century that caused the separation of the One, Holy and Catholic Church of God, hoping for a reunion in the near future to heal the separated brothers of the same faith.

It also acknowledged that the Roman Catholic Church is Apostolic in its nature i.e. in its foundation and practice and is a sister Church that has separated itself from the One Holy and Catholic Church of God due to the additional doctrinal interpretations of the orthodox faith without ecumenical synodical conference and consent and on the insistence that the office Bishop of Rome is considered above all other patriarchal office by considering that the title of Pope is of a higher authority that all other four patriarchs of the ancient patriarchates and the only successor of Christ through the misinterpreted supreme apostolicity of Saint Peter.

The Oriental Orthodox Church does, however, acknowledge a superiority of honor but not of jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, as first among equal in honor.

[edit] Assyrian Church of the East

Main article: Assyrian Church of the East

The Assyrian Church of the East is said to have been formed by St Thomas. The Church did not attend the Council of Ephesus (AD 431). It is incorrectly referred to as Nestorianism; Assyrian Orthodox do not consider themselves Nestorians, and recent Christological agreements with the Catholic and some of the Orthodox churches have resolved this debate permanently, clearing the way for union.

[edit] Other Churches that call themselves Catholic

[edit] Roman

See also: Sedevacantism and Traditionalist Catholic

[edit] Orthodox

[edit] Byzantine

[edit] Oriental

[edit] Western-Rite

[edit] (Continuing and Independent) Anglican

[edit] Anglicanism

Anglicanism is the via media between Catholicism and Protestantism.
Main articles: Anglicanism, Anglican Communion

[edit] Protestantism

Main articles: Protestantism and Protestant Reformation
See also: Protestantism by country

[edit] Pre-Lutheran Protestants

[edit] Lutheranism

Main articles: Lutheranism and Martin Luther

[edit] Reformed Churches

Main article: Reformed Churches
See also: Calvinism and First Great Awakening

[edit] Presbyterianism

Main article: Presbyterianism
See also: Presbyterian polity

[edit] Congregationalist Churches

Main article: Congregational Church

[edit] Anabaptists

Main article: Anabaptists
See also: Radical Reformation and Theology of Anabaptism

[edit] Methodists

Main article: Methodism

[edit] Pietists and Holiness Churches

Main articles: Pietism and Holiness movement
See also: Higher Life movement, Holiness Tabernacles, and Third Great Awakening

[edit] Baptists

Main article: Baptists
See also: Baptist beliefs and List of Baptist Confessions

Note: All Baptist associations are congregationalist affiliations for the purpose of cooperation, in which each local church is governmentally independent.

Further information: List of Baptist sub-denominations

[edit] Spiritual Baptists

Note: The Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of New York, Inc has congregationalist affiliations for the purpose of cooperation, in which each local church is governmentally independent.

[edit] Brethren

Main article: Brethren

[edit] Apostolic Churches - Irvingites

[edit] Pentecostalism

Main article: Pentecostalism

[edit] Charismatics

Main article: Charismatic movement
See also: Catholic Charismatic Renewal

[edit] Neo-Charismatic Churches

[edit] African Initiated Churches

Main article: African Initiated Church

[edit] Rastafari

Main articles: Rastafari movement and Mansions of Rastafari

The Rastafari are influenced by the Ethiopian movement and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

[edit] United and uniting churches

Main article: United and uniting churches

[edit] Other Protestant Denominations

Movements with distinct theological doctrines, but essentially derived from the wider Protestantism.

[edit] Oneness Pentecostalism

Main article: Oneness Pentecostalism

[edit] Unitarianism and Universalism

Main articles: Unitarianism and Universalism
See also: Unitarian Universalism

[edit] Miscellaneous/Other

[edit] Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Note: Although, historically speaking, the Religious Society of Friends can be listed as a Protestant denomination, this is sometimes contested and many Quakers today consider their faith to be a distinct, non-Protestant form of Christianity, with no compulsory beliefs or creeds. Some Quakers are "post-Christian" and some non-theists.

[edit] Restorationism

Main article: Restorationism
See also: Restoration Movement and Second Great Awakening

[edit] Latter Day Saints

Main articles: Latter Day Saint movement and Mormonism

Most denominations are derived from the Church of Christ established by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1830. The majority of "Prarie Saint" denominations were established after the death of Smith by the remnants of the saints who did not go west with Brigham Young. The Rocky Mountain denominations are various sects who broke from the LDS Church after its abandonment of polygamy in 1890. Other denominations are defined by either a belief in Joseph Smith as a prophet, or acceptance of the Book of Mormon as scripture. Mormonism is generally considered a sect separate from mainstream Protestantism.

[edit] "Prairie Saint" denominations

[edit] Rocky Mountains denominations

[edit] Other

[edit] Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement

[edit] Southcottites

[edit] Millerites and Comparable groups

[edit] Sabbath Keeping Churches, Adventist

[edit] Sabbath-Keeping Churches, Non-Adventist

[edit] Sunday Adventists

[edit] Sacred Name Groups

[edit] Other Adventists

[edit] Bible Student Groups

*Back to the Bible Way

[edit] Universal Life

Main article: Universal Life

[edit] Anglo-Israelism

[edit] Nontrinitarian Groups

Main article: Nontrinitarianism

Groups with distinct theological doctrines, but received major impulse from the Restoration Movement.

[edit] Messianic Judaism

Main article: Messianic Judaism
See also: Messianic Movement and Messianic Jewish theology

[edit] Spiritualism

Main article: Spiritualism (religious movement)

Religious movements associated to Christianity

[edit] Christian Spiritualism

[edit] Swedenborgianism

Main article: Swedenborgianism
See also: The New Church

[edit] Episcopal

[edit] Congregational

[edit] Spiritism

Main article: Spiritism
See also: History of Spiritism, Spiritist centre, Spiritist doctrine, and Spiritist practice

[edit] New Thought

Main article: New Thought

[edit] Christian Science

Main article: Christian Science
See also: Third Great Awakening

[edit] New religious movements

Main article: New religious movements
See also: List of new religious movements

Ethnic or syncretic religions incorporating elements of Christianity.

[edit] New Age movements

Main articles: Neo-Theosophy and New Age

[edit] Religions associated with the Yoruba

Main articles: Yoruba people and Yoruba religion

[edit] Esoteric Christianity

Main articles: Esoteric Christianity and Western Mystery Tradition
See also: Johannine literature and Lazarus

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://christianity.about.com/od/denominations/p/christiantoday.htm
  2. ^ Not to be confused with the Roman Rite, which is one of the Latin liturgical rites, not a particular Church.
  3. ^ Anthony Dragani, From East to West
  4. ^ Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine on the Church. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

[edit] External links
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations"
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