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 ...
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22
votes
Seeking a graphic or flowchart of the history of the formation of Christian denominations
Wikipedia's article on Christian denominations appears to have what you are looking for. The major branches are listed in one graphic:
Branches of Protestantism are best shown separately, for ease ...
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
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
7
votes
How many Christian denominations are there?
I'll restate the comment that this is a hard question to answer because it depends on the definition of denomination and it's hard to count/find every single denomination in the world.
The number you ...
- 8,543
7
votes
Is there any quiz or tool that identifies the denomination which is closest to my personal beliefs?
Is there any quiz or tool that identifies the denomination which is closest to my personal beliefs?
Absolutely, but the true problem here is that there are so many denominations and subsets of those ...
- 61.5k
6
votes
Accepted
Have we failed to follow Paul's instructions to avoid in-fighting?
Yes, agreed, the very fact of denominationalism proves that the present day 'churches' (as a conglomerate) are fallen. But that fact does not obliterate the true Body of Christ, despite that it does ...
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6
votes
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 ...
- 27.4k
5
votes
Is there such a thing as Orthodox Lutheran Christian?
There are several ways in which he could be meaning this.
One, there are indeed churches that identify themselves as Orthodox (big-O) Lutheran. For example: Lutheran Orthodox Church and Orthodox ...
- 2,957
4
votes
Can somebody summarize the different "branches" of Christianity to me, and explain why they exist in the first place?
I’ve done my best to address three of your sub-questions:
Why do we have Christianity if Jesus was a Jew?
God has always called prophets to teach the inhabitants of the earth (His children). These ...
4
votes
Is there a denomination/sect of Christianity that believes that Jesus was the son of an angel?
Latter Day Saints refer to God the Eternal Father as Elohim, meaning God or gods, and to his Son Jesus Christ as Jehovah (YHWH of the Hebrew Bible): "Elohim is the literal Parent of our Lord and ...
- 27.4k
4
votes
What are the differences/connections between the Churches of Christ and the Congregational Churches?
Congregationalist churches are of the Protestant Reformed tradition, and go way back to the English Civil War when the King tried to gain control over the governance of the Church. Back in the mid ...
- 27.4k
4
votes
Accepted
What is the difference between a denomination and a movement?
A denomination is a group of churches in a formal organisation. There is usually some kind of leadership, some kind of joint document that defines what they believe or do, and usually an official ...
- 19.3k
4
votes
Do Christians foresee contradicting Government requirements in prolonged 'lockdown' conditions?
Christians around the world have been forced to meet in secret at various times and places throughout history, and even today there are many countries where Christians must hide to avoid persecution.
...
4
votes
Is it true that Christianity is the most divided religion in the world?
You ask, "Is the Christian community truly so fragmented?" (with some 45,000 denominations). I answer from a Protestant point of view, but Catholics or Orthodox would probably have a ...
- 23k
3
votes
Is Satanism a denomination of Christianity?
No. Christians are followers of the Christ (i.e., Jesus, the King). If a group does not do that, it is not a Christian group.
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3
votes
What is the source of the count of 40000 denominations, and how are they classified?
The 40,000 figure comes from a chart that is quoted by the "Best Estimates" web site, the estimation comes from the a chart that is linked below originally provided by Gordon Conwell Edu. It is an ...
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3
votes
Is it true that Christianity is the most divided religion in the world?
Whether or not Christians recognize the unity that exists in the "holy catholic church," all true Christians ARE ONE IN CHRIST. Whether or not Christians act as though they all are one in ...
- 9,480
2
votes
Accepted
Is there an authoritative resource that spells out the differences and similarities of most major denominations?
I have two approaches in mind, really, because I don't know the intention of your question (i.e. finding the best denomination for yourself, or fact-finding for some kind of research project).
The ...
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2
votes
Was Christianity intended to have denominations?
To answer your question we must agree on (a) what "Christianity" is; (b) what we mean by "denominations"; and (c) whose intent we are referring to when we ask, "Was Christianity intended to have ...
- 5,468
2
votes
Can we be united in prayer?
The header question is actually a different subject from the body of the question. The body of the question is about 'large groups' and their possible 'objections'.
The head question is a fundamental ...
- 21.8k
2
votes
Accepted
Do Christians foresee contradicting Government requirements in prolonged 'lockdown' conditions?
This issue affects all Christians where the state has issued restrictions on worship due to the Coronavirus pandemic. A non-denominational group that serves all Christians on legal issues sent out ...
- 23k
2
votes
Do Christians foresee contradicting Government requirements in prolonged 'lockdown' conditions?
Do Christians foresee contradicting Government requirements in prolonged 'lockdown' conditions?
It is obvious that some individuals will contradict government requirements in prolonged lockdown ...
- 61.5k
2
votes
Do different Christian denominations think each other will be saved?
From a conservative Baptist perspective, which I no longer am but with which I am very familiar, the only people who are 'saved' are those who, in acknowledgement of their sin, have relinquished faith ...
- 13k
2
votes
How to identify the categories of a church?
Based on the link you provided, the City of Hope International Church, based in Kearny, N.J. in the U.S.A., started out as an Assembly of God Church.
In 1979 it became non-denominational.
In 2000 it ...
- 27.4k
2
votes
How to identify the categories of a church?
Most churches identify themselves and their denomination pretty clearly. If a church has a sign outside it generally gives its full name, which usually includes the name of the denomination if it has ...
- 30.9k
1
vote
Can somebody summarize the different "branches" of Christianity to me, and explain why they exist in the first place?
I know about "protestant", "catholic" and then there's something else in the "main three" which I probably "should know" by heart but I simply don't.
(Probably referring to Eastern Orthodox?)
And ...
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1
vote
Do different Christian denominations think each other will be saved?
From the Seventh-day Adventist perspective, yes, people of other faiths will be saved. Jesus said clearly that he has his sheep in other folds.
It is wrong for any Bible believer to judge any other ...
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1
vote
Is it best not to mention a denomination or branch when talking to a person who belongs to a different one?
Christ invites us into relationship with God though him. As Christians, who are called to imitate Christ, we are to extend this invitation to others. Among most Christian denominations, that which we ...
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1
vote
Is it best not to mention a denomination or branch when talking to a person who belongs to a different one?
Unlike politics, Christians of different denominations very rarely are hostile to one another. The differences between denominations are not very significant in everyday life. Most Christians have ...
- 30.9k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible