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Christian Denominations




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

Some denominations are large (e.g. Roman Catholic , Lutheran s, Anglican s or Baptist s) 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.

This is not a complete list, but aims to provide a comprehensible overview of the diversity that exists among denominations of Christianity, whose branches are collectively referred to as Christendom . Some links may point to non-existent articles. There are approximately 300 branches listed here.

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.


ROMAN CATHOLICISM


Catholic churches accepting the primacy of the Roman Pontiff



Note: The Latin Church , the most common form of Catholicism in Western Europe and North America, is sometimes said to be "the Roman Catholic Church." However, Catholics in Full Communion with Rome regard all of the above to be Particular Church es of the Catholic Church. See also the term Uniate churches.


Catholic churches closely related to, but not accepting the primacy of the Roman Pontiff



EASTERN ORTHODOXY


Greater Eastern Orthodox Communion

(In order of precedence. Indentation indicates autonomy rather than autocephaly.)


Western-Rite Orthodox Churches



Other Eastern Orthodox Churches




ORIENTAL ORTHODOXY


Oriental Orthodox Communion


  • The Antiochian Catholic Church In America is theologically aligned with these Churches, but is not in full communion with them, primarily because it ordains women and does not impose celibacy on its bishops.


Note: 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 .


NON-EPHESIAN ORTHODOXY


Note: The Assyrian Orthodox Church was formed in the fifth century by Christians (in what was then Sassanid Persia) who did not accept the Council of Ephesus (AD 431). It is historically related to Nestorianism , but Assyrian Orthodox do not consider themselves Nestorians.


PROTESTANTISM


Protestants before Luther


Note: These are late-Medieval groups that Protestants have identified as their spiritual forebears. In some respects, however, their beliefs were distinct from 16th-century Protestantism. The historical influence of these groups on the Reformation (if any) is a point of contention.



Anglican / Episcopal Church


Anglican Communion



Independent Anglican and Continuing Anglican Movement Churches



Lutheranism



Presbyterian and Reformed Churches


Note: These are denominations that follow Calvinist theology.


Presbyterianism



Reformed / Congregationalist Churches



Anabaptists



Pietists and Holiness Churches



Methodists

See Also: World Methodist Council#Members




Baptists


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




Brethren Denominations







Pentecostalism



Oneness Pentecostalism


Note: Genealogically, Oneness Pentecostalism can be grouped with other Pentecostals, but doctrinally, it can be listed as a Nontrinitarian denomination.


Charismatics



Neo-Charismatic Church es



United And Uniting Churches



Other Protestant Denominations



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)


Note: Although, historically speaking, the Society of Friends can be listed as a Protestant demonination, this is sometimes contested and many Quakers today consider their faith to be a distinct, non-Protestant form of Christianity.


MESSIANIC JUDAISM



RESTORATIONISM


Note: What these denominations have in common is the claim that they restore the practice and/or faith of primitive Christianity in the modern era. Otherwise their beliefs are quite distinct. Some sects consider themselves Protestant, while some of the demoninations listed under Nontrinitarianism can also be listed as Restorationist.


Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement



Southcottites



Millerites and Comparable groups


Sabbath-Keeping Churches, Adventist



Sabbath-Keeping Churches, Non-Adventist



Sunday Adventists



Bible Student Groups



Sacred Name Groups



Other Adventists



Anglo-Israelism



MORMONISM



CHRISTIAN HERESIES


Heresies condemned in the Roman world


(listed chronologically, by approximate time of emergence)


First Century A.D.



Second Century



Third Century



Fourth Century



Fifth Century



Eighth Century



Later Heresies condemned by the Catholic Church

  • Jansenism (extinct as a modern and distinct group)



NONTRINITARIAN CHRISTIANITY



Unitarianism and Universalism



RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS RELATED TO CHRISTIANITY


Manichaeism

(extinct as a distinct and modern group)


Swedenborgianism


Episcopal




New Thought



Christian Mystery Cults



ETHNIC OR SYNCRETIC RELIGIONS INCORPORATING ELEMENTS OF CHRISTIANITY



SEE ALSO




EXTERNAL LINKS