34
votes
Accepted
What are the main differences between Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses?
There are many doctrinal and practical differences between Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. I think it will be difficult to arrange a complete and comprehensive list, but below are a collection of ...
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27
votes
Can somebody summarize the different "branches" of Christianity to me, and explain why they exist in the first place?
The branches come from difference in opinion. Here is a diagram showing where Christianity diverged.
Image source
From the beginning Christianity diverged from Judaism1:
where Christianity ...
- 8,535
18
votes
Can somebody summarize the different "branches" of Christianity to me, and explain why they exist in the first place?
Such a simple question, and so difficult to provide a simple answer!
Probably the main reasons for Christianity dividing into branches and sects are:
(a) issues of dogma: disagreements about points ...
- 321
12
votes
What is the gist of CARM's criticism of Joyce Meyer?
CARM has said a few things about Joyce Meyer and has called some of her teachings heresy.
[CARM was] glad to see an affirmation [in Meyer's teachings] of the Trinity, that man is a sinner, that ...
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11
votes
Can somebody summarize the different "branches" of Christianity to me, and explain why they exist in the first place?
The other answers here are good, but I'll try to directly address some questions with more detail. And this is the sort of question where a lot of answers are "it's complicated, and no one perspective ...
- 111
10
votes
Accepted
What Christian groups do not observe or celebrate the Eucharist?
Two significant groups at least loosely associated with Protestantism that don't observe communion are The Salvation Army and the Quakers.
The rationale for the Salvation Army's position is more ...
10
votes
What Christianity offers which other religions cannot?
C.S. Lewis answered this question:
During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began ...
- 1,549
8
votes
What are the main differences between Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses?
Using the LDS Articles of Faith (in bold-to clarify only) to examine only principle beliefs one can see the similarities and differences.
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, ...
- 8,535
8
votes
Accepted
What is the biblical basis for Christian denominations to believe in a visible appearance of Christ Jesus when he returns?
Here are a few references to Jesus return:
Heb 9:28, “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who ...
- 703
7
votes
Comparison of Age of Earth according to Biblical theories
There's not really much to say here. There are really only a few of options:
Those who think the Biblical texts are broadly historical and believe they indicate that both humanity and the earth have ...
- 19.2k
6
votes
Accepted
What are the differences/distinctive between the Anglican and Episcopal churches?
Anglican Churches and Episcopal churches are almost all members of the Anglican Communion, a group of churches all associated with the Church of England. As such they all subscribe to a similar ...
- 30.6k
6
votes
Are there any American Christian denominations that refer to the days of the week by alternate names?
Historically, the Religious Society of Friends—commonly known as Quakers—objected to the common names of week days and of months, for exactly the reason you bring up. The website of the ...
- 18.3k
6
votes
Accepted
Is there evidence that Jesus was a Dalai Lama?
No.
From Wikipedia:
Dalai Lama (UK: /ˈdælaɪ ˈlɑːmə/, US: /ˈdɑːlaɪ ˈlɑːmə/;[1][2] Standard Tibetan: ཏཱ་ལའི་བླ་མ་, Tā la'i bla ma, [táːlɛː láma]) is a title given by the Tibetan people for the ...
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6
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Can somebody summarize the different "branches" of Christianity to me, and explain why they exist in the first place?
Interesting question, but where to start? It’s a big ask! The Wikipedia diagram provided by depperm is a very useful illustration showing the timeline and emergence of the different major branches ...
- 27k
6
votes
What Christianity offers which other religions cannot?
It is impossible to speak for every other religion without knowing what every other religion teaches. However, I can give a brief summary of what I believe is unique about Christianity.
“for all have ...
- 329
6
votes
Why there isn't a daily prayer structure like Liturgy of the Hours among Protestants?
As a lifelong Protestant, born into a Protestant family, then converted, personally, at the age of sixteen and a Protestant ever since, it is evident to me - if to no other - that the very nature of '...
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6
votes
Accepted
What are the main differences between Jehovah's Witnesses and Biblical Unitarians?
Introductory Notes:
CSE = Christianity Stack Exchange BU = Biblical Unitarianism JW = Jehovah’s Witnesses
CSE Tag Unitarianism = a liberal Christian theological movement (from 1565) known for its ...
- 27k
5
votes
Accepted
Did any of the Catholic or Protestant paramilitary groups of the Northern Ireland conflicts of the 60s and 70s ever have an actual theological creed?
The paramilitary organisations did not hold particular theological positions and members were not, in general, especially pious. They were, for the most part, members or adherents of their respective ...
- 7,280
5
votes
Accepted
What are the differences in belief regarding Hesychasm between the Chalcedonian (Eastern) and Non-Chalcedonian (Oriental) Orthodox Churches?
As a Coptic Orthodox Christian, many of the differences between the two Churches results in the language and definitions of some key orthodox concepts. In fact, much of the Christology of both ...
- 311
5
votes
What is the difference between "ransom theory" and "penal substitution"?
This question is a bit old, but there is an omission in the only answer. fi11222's answer states that both ransom and penal substitution theories of atonement view God as needing payment of some form. ...
- 1,142
5
votes
How have mainstream Christian denominations interpreted the Acts command to abstain from blood?
I only have information from Protestant groups that would include Baptists, Brethren, Church of Scotland, Church of England, and Reformed Presbyterian. Those comprise a broad range of mainstream ...
- 21.7k
5
votes
Accepted
How have mainstream Christian denominations interpreted the Acts command to abstain from blood?
It's necessary to consider the context in which the Council of Jerusalem made their declaration, as described in Acts 15.
And to do that one has to go back to events that happened more than 2600 years ...
- 6,870
5
votes
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Why are there so many priests in the LDS Church?
A priest in the LDS Church is a priesthood office to which young men are ordained at the age of 16, or adults who are still progressing to higher priesthood offices. Most men in the church will be ...
- 11.7k
5
votes
Accepted
Similarities and differences between the priesthood of all believers and the LDS priesthood
Disclaimer: My knowledge of "priesthood of all believers" is limited, what I write always reflects my understanding of the general doctrine and may differ between denominations.
Authority
Priesthood ...
- 5,176
5
votes
Accepted
What is an overview of the similarities and differences between the Catholic doctrine of Original Sin and the Reformed doctrine of Total Depravity?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church deals with this subject in §385–412. A couple sections in particular reveal several significant contrasts between Catholic and Reformed theology:
§405: Although ...
5
votes
Accepted
What is an overview of Christian viewpoints on the eternal destiny of individuals who die never hearing the Gospel?
What is an overview of Christian viewpoints on the eternal destiny of individuals who die never hearing the Gospel?
Many peoples have as yet not been evangelized and are considered uncontacted people!
...
- 59.5k
5
votes
Accepted
According to LDS, do all non-LDS Christians lack the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and if so, how does this lack manifest itself in the lives of non-LDS?
Terminology
The Gift of the Holy Ghost can be a confusing topic in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, not because the doctrine is especially complex, but rather because we don't have ...
- 432
5
votes
Accepted
Do Latter-day Saints consider Jehovah's Witnesses, Biblical Unitarians and any other groups that deny the divinity of Jesus to be 'true Christians'?
Many years ago I created a simple statement...
I wish everyone would be Mormons...
Knowing that I won't see that, I wish everyone would be Christians...
Knowing that I won't see that, I wish everyone ...
- 3,694
5
votes
Accepted
Do Any Protestant Churches do Stations of the Cross?
Do Any Protestant Churches do Stations of the Cross?
The short answer is yes.
Anglicans are considered by many to be Protestants and they pray the (Stations of the Cross. Every major encyclopedia ...
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5
votes
Accepted
What is an overview of Christian epistemological views on scientific skepticism and the epistemic value of eyewitness testimony?
I'll offer a perspective that is compatible with many Christian denominations, though I would not claim it is representative of what all Christians believe.
Respect for skepticism
I have some ...
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