Home > Religions > Christianity
What is Christianity | Origins | The New Testament | The Early church | Beliefs | Divisions | Practices | Chruches & Worship | Holidays | Test Your Knowledge
Divisions
Eastern and Western Churches
Today there are countless different Christian denominations but they can be broken down into three or four major family groups. The oldest of these groups are the Eastern Orthodox in Eastern Europe and Asia and the Roman Catholic in Western Europe. These two groups officially broke from each other in the year 1054. The spiritual leaders of these churches, called priests, officiate over the rituals and teaching in the churches. Their higher ups are called bishops. The most important of these men in the Catholic Church is referred to as the Pope. Both these church bodies have developed monasticism as a way for men and women to live their Christian lives apart from the general society. Those who become monks & nuns take vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience to their superiors. Most Christians, however, live ordinary lives in the world.
The Protestant Reformation 
Beginning in the 16th century the western church divided, giving birth to the Protestant reformation. Early leaders of these movements such as Martin Luther and John Calvin rejected the leadership of the Pope and the many church teachings that had developed over the centuries, in favor of a return to the basics as found in the New Testament. Rather than priests, these newer churches are lead by ministers or "pastors." Some of these churches include the Lutheran, named after Martin Luther and the Anglican, or Church of England. In America this church is called Episcopal because it is lead by Bishops. Other churches that developed at this time were known as "Reformed" churches because they made more radical changes in both beliefs and practices. Yet other churches are referred to as Anabaptist ("second baptizers") because they reject the practice of infant baptism and only baptize adults. Some examples of these churches would include Baptists as well as sectarian churches such as Quakers and Mennonites.
Newer Divisions
Divisions occur in every generation wherever Christianity has spread to. In 19th and 20th century America many newer denominations and movements had their start: The AME, Churches of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Seventh Day Adventists, and Pentecostalism. "Fringe" Christian sects also developed such as the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses and Christian Science - groups than many "mainline" Protestants criticize.
|
|
My academic homepage |
|
return to top | previous page | next page | quit