How Many Christian Denominations Are There?

Heyo · Nov 29, 2022

When I put the above question into my preferred search engine, I got answers ranging from 300 to 45,000+.
This may be in part because of a difference in the definition of "denomination". The high numbers usually result from counting churches (e.g. churches of different countries or even states as different denominations) which have no differences in their dogma. The low numbers otoh lump denominations together which have doctrinal difference but share a common name.

So this will be the counter thread to my recently opened What makes a Christian?. Here I focus on the doctrinal differences. I expect that we will find that the number of denominations is much higher than 300 but lower than 45,000. The simple fact that with every question that gets answered differently, the number doubles (for binary answerable questions).

What are the differences in the denominations you know of?
(Simply think of why you are a not a Catholic/Baptist/Quaker/JW/...)

PureX · Nov 29, 2022

What would be the point of asking this question? Let's say you could get a definitive number. So ... what then?

Sirona · Nov 29, 2022

Heyo said:
What are the differences in the denominations you know of?
(Simply think of why you are a not a Catholic/Baptist/Quaker/JW/...)

If I still was Christian, I'd say they're all wrong but mine.

paarsurrey · Nov 29, 2022

Heyo said:
When I put the above question into my preferred search engine, I got answers ranging from 300 to 45,000+.
This may be in part because of a difference in the definition of "denomination". The high numbers usually result from counting churches (e.g. churches of different countries or even states as different denominations) which have no differences in their dogma. The low numbers otoh lump denominations together which have doctrinal difference but share a common name.

So this will be the counter thread to my recently opened What makes a Christian?. Here I focus on the doctrinal differences. I expect that we will find that the number of denominations is much higher than 300 but lower than 45,000. The simple fact that with every question that gets answered differently, the number doubles (for binary answerable questions).

What are the differences in the denominations you know of?
(Simply think of why you are a not a Catholic/Baptist/Quaker/JW/...)

From Wikipedia, please:
Christian denomination - Wikipedia
List of Christian denominations by number of members - Wikipedia
List of Christian denominations - Wikipedia

And from other:
Why does Christianity have so many denominations?

Live Science·https://www.livescience.com › christianit...
Jul 29, 2022 — Estimations show there are more than 200 Christian denominations in the U.S. and a staggering 45,000 globally, according to the Center for the ...

40000 Denominations Worldwide – Christianity Divided?

thebensmartblog.com·https://thebensmartblog.com › 4...
Feb 12, 2014 — Some critics of Christianity are keen to point out that, according to best estimates, there are roughly 40,000 Christian denominations ...

Q+A: List of Christian Denominations and Their Beliefs

Church Relevance·https://www.churchrelevance.com › ...
Jun 22, 2012 — ANSWER: According to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, there exist roughly 43,000 Christiandenominations worldwide in 2012. That is up from ...

Right?

Regards

PureX · Nov 29, 2022

I doubt there's 200 world wide by any reasonable definition of a separate denomination.

Heyo · Nov 29, 2022

PureX said:
What would be the point of asking this question?

Keeping people from discussing this question in my other thread.

Heyo · Nov 29, 2022

PureX said:
I doubt there's 200 world wide by any reasonable definition of a separate denomination.

So, why are you not a JW/Mormon/Orthodox/Quaker/Amish/Gnostic/... ?
Do you even know about the differences?

PureX · Nov 29, 2022

Heyo said:
So, why are you not a JW/Mormon/Orthodox/Quaker/Amish/Gnostic/... ?
Do you even know about the differences?

What I know is that people are very biased when they proclaim thousands of Christian denominations. They foolishly think that the fact that Christians don't all agree theologically means Christian theology must be "wrong". Or that different religions means theology itself is "wrong". So they wildly exaggerate the differences to make the differences sound more condemning.

Again, I doubt very much that there are even 200 Christian denominations on the planet by any reasonable definition of denominational difference.

Heyo · Nov 29, 2022

PureX said:
Again, I doubt very much that there are even 200 Christian denominations on the planet by any reasonable definition of denominational difference.

Please define "reasonable definition of denominational difference". I may agree to your count on your definition. I may also not agree on your definition.

PureX · Nov 29, 2022

Heyo said:
Please define "reasonable definition of denominational difference". I may agree to your count on your definition. I may also not agree on your definition.

I'm not seeking anyone's agreement. So I feel no need to do for others what they are totally capable of doing for themselves, if they're at all inclined.

Heyo · Nov 29, 2022

PureX said:
I'm not seeking anyone's agreement. So I feel no need to do for others what they are totally capable of doing for themselves, if they're at all inclined.

Have a nice day.

Nakosis · Nov 29, 2022

Heyo said:
When I put the above question into my preferred search engine, I got answers ranging from 300 to 45,000+.
This may be in part because of a difference in the definition of "denomination". The high numbers usually result from counting churches (e.g. churches of different countries or even states as different denominations) which have no differences in their dogma. The low numbers otoh lump denominations together which have doctrinal difference but share a common name.

So this will be the counter thread to my recently opened What makes a Christian?. Here I focus on the doctrinal differences. I expect that we will find that the number of denominations is much higher than 300 but lower than 45,000. The simple fact that with every question that gets answered differently, the number doubles (for binary answerable questions).

What are the differences in the denominations you know of?
(Simply think of why you are a not a Catholic/Baptist/Quaker/JW/...)

Major differences I can think of
Trinity vs non-trinity.
Church authority vs biblical authority.

Quakers have a "Holy Spirit" authority. An internal authority which is neither church nor biblical.
Catholic and Mormons I see as church authority.
Baptist and JW, biblical authority.

It'd be interesting to create a set diagram to see how many could be divided into these categories and if other categories need to be added.

Heyo · Nov 29, 2022

Nakosis said:
Major differences I can think of
Trinity vs non-trinity.
Church authority vs biblical authority.

I think that the divinity of Jesus is also important.
Of lesser concern but still enough to split are the questions of "grace only vs. grace and works" and literal inerrancy of the Bible.

Orbit · Nov 29, 2022

I think a place to get a realistic start to answering the denomination question, and how it plays out in U.S. cities, is to start here: Congregational Membership

You can put in any US county and get a list of congregations for that county. I put in Los Angeles County and it returned many congregations. I think this kind of thing is more relevant to how many are in one community, and how religion feels "on the ground". It's more useful in local context, I think.

Kenny · Nov 29, 2022

Heyo said:
When I put the above question into my preferred search engine, I got answers ranging from 300 to 45,000+.
This may be in part because of a difference in the definition of "denomination". The high numbers usually result from counting churches (e.g. churches of different countries or even states as different denominations) which have no differences in their dogma. The low numbers otoh lump denominations together which have doctrinal difference but share a common name.

So this will be the counter thread to my recently opened What makes a Christian?. Here I focus on the doctrinal differences. I expect that we will find that the number of denominations is much higher than 300 but lower than 45,000. The simple fact that with every question that gets answered differently, the number doubles (for binary answerable questions).

What are the differences in the denominations you know of?
(Simply think of why you are a not a Catholic/Baptist/Quaker/JW/...)

This is good.

If I could attack it somewhat differently giving the other reasons for different denominations before talking about doctrinal differences.

Most denominations came about through a central figure. John Wesley was strongly used by God. Eventually there were so many churches impacted by his message that the Wesleyan Methodist started. Not doctrinally different but just a move.

Likewise, Calvary Chapel, which could be listed as a denomination, it was just a move of God and people working together.

The Isuzu Street revival gave birth to Four Square Church, Pentecostal Church, Church of God and Assemblies of God. All preaching the same thing but different leaders. And so it is with so many denominations.

Some were birthed by Romans 14 where one group were more particular about a certain subject. Like Saturday vs Sunday worship. (That could be listed as doctrinal - but covered in Romans 14) - There have been a few threads on people who religiously will hold to a Sabbath vs Sunday.

That being said, other issues...

Groups that bring in other Bibles (like JW and LDS). Then again, there are some who are so KJV (as if Jesus spoke English) that any other version is wrong.

Other doctrinal differences, the charismatics gifts vs those who believe they aren't available any more.

You have the Jesus only group, you have the Father only and the Trinity.

Today, new groups will be formed by those who hold to the traditional marriage and those who don't.

I'm sure there are others but my mind isn't engaging any other at this time.

1213 · Nov 30, 2022

Heyo said:
...
What are the differences in the denominations you know of?
(Simply think of why you are a not a Catholic/Baptist/Quaker/JW/...)

As I said in the other topic, a Christian meant originally a disciple of Jesus. I think all the denominations are the same in that all of them are in some way not loyal to Jesus, have replaced teachings of Jesus with their own ideas. That is why I would say there is no denominations, there is only those who are disciples of Jesus, loyal to Jesus and those who are not. For example, Lutherans are disciples of Luther. Luther had good points, but if person is a disciple of Jesus, Christian, his loyalty is for Jesus and Jesus is his king. And Catholics are disciples of Pope, they don't follow Jesus.

When he found him, he brought him to Antioch, and for a whole year they were guests of the church and taught a large crowd. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 11:26

Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
John 8:31-32

Heyo · Nov 30, 2022

1213 said:
As I said in the other topic, a Christian meant originally a disciple of Jesus. I think all the denominations are the same in that all of them are in some way not loyal to Jesus, have replaced teachings of Jesus with their own ideas. That is why I would say there is no denominations, there is only those who are disciples of Jesus, loyal to Jesus and those who are not. For example, Lutherans are disciples of Luther. Luther had good points, but if person is a disciple of Jesus, Christian, his loyalty is for Jesus and Jesus is his king. And Catholics are disciples of Pope, they don't follow Jesus.

When he found him, he brought him to Antioch, and for a whole year they were guests of the church and taught a large crowd. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 11:26

Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
John 8:31-32

So, you make this an individual problem even though Christians are meant to and have formed communities? And you make it a binary thing, True Christian™ or "other" and you assume that it is a clear thing who is and who isn't?

syo · Nov 30, 2022

None. They are cults.

IndigoChild5559 · Nov 30, 2022

paarsurrey said:
Why does Christianity have so many denominations?
View attachment 68991Live Science·https://www.livescience.com › christianit...
Jul 29, 2022 — Estimations show there are more than 200 Christian denominations in the U.S. and a staggering 45,000 globally, according to the Center for the ...View attachment 68990
40000 Denominations Worldwide – Christianity Divided?
View attachment 68987thebensmartblog.com·https://thebensmartblog.com › 4...
Feb 12, 2014 — Some critics of Christianity are keen to point out that, according to best estimates, there are roughly 40,000 Christian denominations ...View attachment 68989
Q+A: List of Christian Denominations and Their Beliefs
View attachment 68986Church Relevance·https://www.churchrelevance.com › ...
Jun 22, 2012 — ANSWER: According to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, there exist roughly 43,000 Christiandenominations worldwide in 2012. That is up from ...View attachment 68988
Right?

Regards

And the overwhellming majority of these denominations are protestant (and that's not even counting the little independent non-denominational protestant churches). Catholicism only has seven rites, and these are united under the Pope and the catechism. Eastern Orthodoxy has 15 self governing churches, but like the Catholics, they are united by a common doctrine. It simply appears that "sola scriptura" is inadequate to maintain unity.

9-10ths_Penguin · Nov 30, 2022

PureX said:
What I know is that people are very biased when they proclaim thousands of Christian denominations. They foolishly think that the fact that Christians don't all agree theologically means Christian theology must be "wrong". Or that different religions means theology itself is "wrong". So they wildly exaggerate the differences to make the differences sound more condemning.

Again, I doubt very much that there are even 200 Christian denominations on the planet by any reasonable definition of denominational difference.

Personally, I think it's perfectly reasonable to look at the issue in terms of:

- authority: the churches and members of one denomination are all under a common authority.

- community: the churches and members of one denomination all recognize themselves and their fellows as members of the same denomination.

By that measure, a single church can be a denomination in and of itself, and two churches with identical doctrines can be in two different denominations.

I think you make a mistake when you assume that "different denomination" implies "disagreement."

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