Christian Denominations Compared: Understanding the Differences Between Christian Churches

Recently, our curious teenager posed some insightful questions about the landscape of Christian churches, much like many seeking to understand the diverse expressions of Christian faith.

• What distinguishes Methodists from Presbyterians?
• How do Lutherans, Catholics, and Anglicans differ?
• Are Baptists considered Protestants?
• Is there a difference between Episcopalians and Anglicans?

These are the types of questions that many people ask as they navigate the world of Christianity. In our conversation, we addressed these and similar inquiries, aiming to clarify the distinctions between the major branches of the Christian faith and some of their key denominations.

To assist you in your own understanding, we’ve compiled a concise guide to various Christian groups, focusing on their names, governance structures (polity), and core doctrines. This guide is intended to be a starting point and will be periodically updated to incorporate further insights and suggestions.

EXPLORING THE MAJOR BRANCHES OF CHRISTIANITY

Christianity, while united by core beliefs centered on Jesus Christ, encompasses a rich tapestry of traditions. To understand the nuances between denominations, it’s helpful to first grasp the three primary branches: Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism.

EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCHES

Name: Often referred to simply as “Orthodox,” Eastern Orthodox churches are also identified by their national or geographic origins, such as Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, or Antiochian Orthodox.

History: The year 1054 marks a significant turning point, witnessing the division between the Eastern and Western churches. While the addition of the Filioque clause to the Nicene Creed by Western churches (asserting the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son) is often cited as the immediate cause, the schism was rooted in a complex interplay of cultural, political, and ecclesiastical factors. Despite the historical division, recent decades have seen promising ecumenical dialogues between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, fostering a greater understanding and seeking common ground.

What Church Is Like: Worship in the Eastern Orthodox tradition is deeply liturgical, centered on the Divine Liturgy. Entering an Orthodox sanctuary, one is immediately struck by the presence of icons, revered as windows into the divine. Orthodox Christians believe in the intercession of saints and the Virgin Mary, considering it a vital part of their spiritual life. Services engage all senses – the scent of incense, the beauty of chanting, the reading of Scripture, and a thoughtful homily – all culminating in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Polity: The Eastern Orthodox Church maintains an episcopal polity, tracing its leadership back to the apostles through apostolic succession. Bishops, considered successors to the apostles, ordain male priests (presbyters or elders) to shepherd local congregations. Deacons play a crucial role in serving the practical needs of the church and participating in liturgical services. Leadership is vested in synods, councils of bishops, rather than a single figure like the Pope.

Distinctives:

• Emphasis on Tradition: Orthodoxy highly values tradition as a vital lens through which Scripture is interpreted. However, it differs from Roman Catholicism by not having a singular magisterium.
• Expanded Scriptural Canon: The Orthodox canon of Scripture includes the intertestamental books found in the Catholic Bible, along with additions such as 1 Ezra, 3 Maccabees, Psalm 151, the Prayer of Manasseh, and additions to Daniel.
• Clerical Celibacy: While bishops are expected to be celibate, priests can be married men.
• Incarnation and Resurrection Focus: Doctrinally, Orthodoxy places a strong emphasis on the Incarnation of Christ and his Resurrection.
• Theosis (Deification): A unique concept in Orthodox theology is theosis, or deification, which describes salvation as a process of union with God, becoming more like Him.

Famous Figures: Key figures in Eastern Orthodoxy include Patriarch Photius, Vladimir Lossky, Alexander Schmemann, Kallistos Ware, John Behr, and Hank Hanegraaff.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Name: Often simply called “Catholic,” meaning “universal,” the term “Roman Catholic” highlights the central role of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome.

History: Prior to the East-West Schism of 1054, the early church convened seven ecumenical councils that established foundational doctrines regarding the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus Christ, doctrines accepted by most Christian traditions. Augustine of Hippo stands as a towering theological figure in the Western (Catholic) tradition. Following the split with the East, the Western Church continued its theological development, shaped by influential thinkers like Anselm of Canterbury, Thomas Aquinas, and Francis of Assisi. In the 16th century, disagreements over papal authority, theological doctrines, and church practices ignited the Protestant Reformation. For a deeper understanding, explore this essay on Roman Catholic theology.

What Church Is Like: Similar to Eastern Orthodoxy, the Roman Catholic Church emphasizes liturgical worship, with the Mass at its heart. Catholic sanctuaries often feature statues and images intended for veneration, serving as visual aids to faith. Prayers to saints and Mary are common practices. Catholic worship engages multiple senses through incense, music, Scripture readings, and a homily, culminating in the Eucharist.

Polity: Authority in the Catholic Church rests with bishops, considered successors to the apostles. Priests (elders or presbyters), ordained by bishops, assist in pastoral care. Deacons serve the material needs of the congregation. The Pope, as the Bishop of Rome, holds a unique position as the supreme earthly authority, believed to be infallible when speaking ex cathedra (from his official seat of authority) on matters of faith and morals.

Distinctives:

• Seven Sacraments: Catholicism recognizes seven sacraments as channels of God’s grace: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders.
• Transubstantiation: The Catholic Church’s doctrine of transubstantiation explains the Eucharist as the bread and wine being transformed in substance (though not in appearance) into the actual body and blood of Christ during consecration.
• Expanded Scriptural Canon: The Catholic Bible includes intertestamental books not found in Protestant Bibles: Tobit, Judith, 1 & 2 Maccabees, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, Baruch, and additions to Esther and Daniel.
• Clerical Celibacy: Celibacy is generally required for bishops and priests, with limited exceptions.
• Atonement Focus: Doctrinally, Catholicism emphasizes the atonement, Christ’s sacrifice for sin.
• Justification and Sanctification: In Catholic theology, justification is viewed as a process encompassing the entirety of salvation, where Christ’s righteousness is infused into believers, enabling them to perform good works.

Famous Figures: Prominent figures in Catholicism include Thomas Aquinas, Francis of Assisi, Erasmus, Teresa of Avila, Blaise Pascal, Mother Teresa, Thomas Merton, John Henry Newman, Pope John Paul II, Dorothy Day, and Robert Barron.

THE PROTESTANT TRADITION

The Protestant branch, stemming from the Reformation, is the source of numerous denominations.

History: The 16th-century Reformation saw leaders like Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli challenge perceived corruption and doctrinal deviations within the medieval Catholic Church. These reformers sought to realign Christian teaching with Scripture and the writings of early church fathers like Augustine.

Core Themes: Reformation theology is often summarized by the five solas (Latin for “alone”):

• Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone): The Bible is the ultimate authority, superseding church tradition and human pronouncements.
• Solus Christus (Christ Alone): Salvation is achieved solely through Christ’s atoning sacrifice and resurrection.
• Sola Fide (Faith Alone): Justification, being declared righteous by God, is received through faith, not through good works.
• Sola Gratia (Grace Alone): Salvation is entirely God’s gift of grace, from beginning to end.
• Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be Glory): God alone receives glory for salvation and all of life.

Anglican Communion

Name: The Anglican Communion is a global family of churches, the third largest internationally, with congregations in over 165 countries.

History: Originating from the English Reformation, the Church of England separated from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534. Anglicanism expanded globally alongside the British Empire. The Thirty-Nine Articles (1571) articulate the Church of England’s Reformation-era beliefs. For further reading, explore this essay on Anglican theology.

What Church Is Like: Anglican services are typically formal and liturgical, emphasizing historical traditions, preaching, and the celebration of Holy Communion. The Book of Common Prayer is central to Anglican worship and personal devotion, providing a structured framework. Church décor varies; some Anglican churches incorporate statues, paintings, incense, and candles, while others maintain a simpler aesthetic.

Polity: Anglican polity resembles Catholicism, with archbishops overseeing bishops, who in turn oversee priests and deacons in local congregations. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the symbolic head of the Anglican Communion, acting as primus inter pares (first among equals).

Distinctives:

• The Book of Common Prayer: This liturgical text is a unifying element within the Anglican Communion, used across diverse regions and cultures.
• Two Sacraments: Anglicanism recognizes two primary sacraments: Baptism and the Eucharist. The other five Catholic sacraments are regarded as important, but secondary, rites.
• Eucharist View: Anglicans affirm Christ’s presence in the Lord’s Supper but reject transubstantiation. While some Anglicans believe in a real change in the elements upon consecration, official teaching emphasizes Christ’s spiritual presence received by faith in the heart of the communicant.
• Protestant Scriptural Canon: Anglicans adhere to the 66-book Protestant Bible. Intertestamental books are valued for historical and devotional purposes, though not considered canonical.
• Clerical Marriage: Bishops and priests are permitted to marry, and many Anglican provinces ordain women as priests and bishops, although practices vary across the Communion.
• Via Media: Anglicanism often embraces a via media, or “middle way,” seeking a balanced theological position, initially navigating between Lutheranism and Calvinism.

Famous Figures: Key figures in Anglicanism include Thomas Cranmer, Richard Hooker, C. S. Lewis, J. I. Packer, John Stott, N. T. Wright, and Fleming Rutledge.

Sub-Groups: Anglicanism includes various sub-groups and movements, reflecting diverse theological emphases within the tradition.

Lutheranism

Name: “Lutheran” was initially a derogatory label for followers of Martin Luther, but Luther himself accepted it as a descriptor of those who upheld the truth of the Gospel he proclaimed.

History: Lutheranism began with Martin Luther’s teachings in Wittenberg, Germany, in the early 1500s. Initially intended as a reform movement within the Catholic Church, Luther’s theology led to his excommunication. Philip Melanchthon continued Luther’s work, and Lutheranism spread to Scandinavia and eventually to America with 17th-century Swedish immigrants. Explore this essay on Lutheran theology for more detail.

What Church Is Like: Lutheran churches are more liturgical than many Protestant denominations, often featuring pastors in vestments and structured worship services, such as those in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Services typically include confession and absolution, offertory, sermon, creed recitation (usually the Nicene Creed), and prayers.

Polity: Lutheran church governance varies, ranging from episcopal to congregational models. American Lutheran churches tend toward congregationalism, with synods holding some authority at regional and national levels.

Distinctives:

• Justification by Faith Alone: Lutheranism strongly emphasizes justification by faith alone, a core tenet of the Reformation originating with Luther.
• Book of Concord: The Book of Concord (https://bookofconcord.org/) is a collection of foundational confessional documents for Lutheranism.
• Law and Gospel Distinction: Lutheran theology emphasizes interpreting Scripture through the lens of law and gospel. The law reveals sin and God’s demands, while the gospel proclaims forgiveness and salvation through Christ.
• Real Presence in Eucharist: Lutherans believe in the real presence of Christ in the Lord’s Supper, differing from both Catholic transubstantiation and Calvin’s spiritual presence view.
• Two Kingdoms Doctrine: Luther developed Augustine’s two kingdoms doctrine, distinguishing between the temporal kingdom (governed by civil law) and the spiritual kingdom (governed by the Word of God). Christians have responsibilities in both realms.

Famous Figures: Key Lutherans include Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, Philipp Jakob Spener, Carl Braaten, Robert Jenson, Robert Kolb, Timothy Wengert, and Harold Senkbeil.

Related Groups:

• Major Lutheran denominations in America include the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
• The LCMS is the oldest and theologically more conservative among these.
• The ELCA, formed from mergers, represents a more theologically liberal wing of Lutheranism.
• The WELS is also conservative, and the smallest of the three main denominations.

Presbyterianism

Name: “Presbyterian” comes from the Greek presbuteros, meaning “elder,” reflecting the denomination’s governance structure.

History: Presbyterianism arose from the Reformation, influenced by John Calvin and John Knox. These churches emphasized doctrines of salvation and God’s sovereignty, developing a system of presbyteries (regional governing bodies). Two main streams emerged from Geneva: Presbyterianism, characterized by the Westminster Confession of Faith (1640s), and the Continental Reformed tradition (Dutch and German), known for confessions like the Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of Dort. For a deeper understanding, see this essay on Presbyterian theology.

What Church Is Like: Presbyterian services are generally formal, liturgical, and emphasize preaching. Some churches celebrate the Lord’s Supper weekly, while others do so less frequently. Presbyterian sanctuaries tend to be simpler in décor compared to Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox churches.

Polity: Presbyterian polity is characterized by governance through elders. Local churches are led by elders (both teaching and ruling elders), who participate in regional presbyteries, which in turn are part of a larger synod or general assembly.

Distinctives:

• Spiritual Presence in Eucharist: Presbyterians believe in Christ’s spiritual presence in the Lord’s Supper, where the Holy Spirit unites believers with Christ during communion.
• Calvinistic Soteriology: Presbyterian theology is typically Calvinistic, emphasizing God’s sovereignty in salvation, unconditional election, and the perseverance of the saints.
• Infant Baptism: Presbyterians practice infant baptism, viewing it as the New Testament equivalent of Old Testament circumcision, a sign of God’s covenant.
• Clerical Marriage and Women Pastors: Presbyterian elders can be married, and some denominations ordain women as pastors.

Famous Figures: Influential Presbyterians include B. B. Warfield, J. Gresham Machen, J. Vernon McGee, James Montgomery Boice, R. C. Sproul, Eugene Peterson, and Tim Keller.

Related Groups: Presbyterianism has spawned various related denominations and movements, reflecting different interpretations and emphases within the tradition.

Methodism

Name: “Methodist” originated as a pejorative term for the Holy Club at Oxford, founded around 1729 by John and Charles Wesley, and George Whitefield. It highlighted their methodical approach to Christian living and piety.

History: Methodism traces its roots to John Wesley, an Anglican priest who ministered in the American colonies in the 1700s. Methodism spread rapidly in America through the evangelistic efforts of ministers and lay preachers. Wesley formally designated his successors in 1784, leading to the formation of Methodist groups as separate entities from the Church of England. The final separation occurred in 1797. For more on Methodist theology, see this essay.

What Church Is Like: While not always following a rigid liturgical script, Methodist churches maintain a consistent worship structure. A typical service includes a musical prelude, hymns, Scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary, congregational prayer, a sermon, offering, benediction, and postlude.

Polity: Methodist polity is based on connexionalism, emphasizing interconnectedness among believers. Methodist governance involves conferences at local, regional, and national levels, composed of both lay and ordained members, to address church matters.

Distinctives:

• Arminian Theology: Methodism generally aligns with Arminian theology, which emphasizes free will, prevenient grace (God’s grace extended to all), conditional election, and the possibility of apostasy (falling away from faith).
• Emphasis on Personal Holiness: Methodism stresses personal piety, sanctification, and living a holy life as evidence of genuine faith.
• Social Justice Focus: From its inception, Methodism has been deeply involved in social justice and outreach to the marginalized.
• Wesleyan Quadrilateral: Methodist theology often utilizes the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, considering Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience as sources of theological reflection.

Famous Figures: Key Methodists include John and Charles Wesley, Richard Allen, E. Stanley Jones, Albert Outler, Thomas Oden, Richard Hays, and Joel Green.

Related Groups: Methodism encompasses a range of denominations and movements, including the United Methodist Church and various Holiness and Pentecostal groups influenced by Wesleyan theology.

Baptists

Name: “Baptist” derives from the Greek baptizō, meaning “to immerse,” highlighting their distinctive practice of believer’s baptism by immersion.

History: Baptists emerged in the early 1600s as a separatist movement from the Church of England. Two primary Baptist streams arose in England: General Baptists, with Arminian leanings, and [Particular Baptists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformed_Baptists#:~:text=Reformed%20Baptists%20(sometimes%20known%20as,was%20formed%20in%20the%201630s.), who were Calvinistic. Facing persecution in England, Baptists sought refuge in the American colonies, where they also initially faced opposition. Baptist churches grew significantly in America, especially after the establishment of religious freedom, diversifying into numerous denominations. Explore this essay on Baptist theology for further information.

What Church Is Like: Baptist worship styles vary widely, but common elements include singing, prayer, tithing, preaching, and a time for response. Baptisms of new believers often occur during or after services, and the Lord’s Supper is celebrated with varying frequency depending on the church.

Polity: Baptist churches emphasize church autonomy and congregational governance. Each local church is self-governing, believing Christ leads through the Holy Spirit within the congregation. While Baptist churches may associate with conventions or fellowships, these are voluntary. Leadership structures vary, from pastor-led to elder-led congregations.

Distinctives:

• Believer’s Baptism: Baptists uniquely practice baptism only for professing believers, by immersion, rejecting infant baptism.
• Church Autonomy: Each Baptist church is independent and self-governing.
• Biblical Authority: Baptists strongly emphasize the Bible as the ultimate authority for faith and practice.
• Separation of Church and State: Historically, Baptists have been strong advocates for the separation of church and state and religious liberty.

Famous Figures: Influential Baptists include Thomas Helwys, John Leland, John Gill, Andrew Fuller, John Bunyan, William Carey, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Lottie Moon, Martin Luther King Jr., Carl F. H. Henry, Billy Graham, David Dockery, Timothy George, and Millard Erickson.

Related Groups: Baptist denominations are numerous and diverse, including the Southern Baptist Convention, American Baptist Churches USA, and various African American Baptist denominations.

Evangelical Free Church

Name: “Evangelical” connects these churches to the broader evangelical movement, while “Free” denotes their historical commitment to church autonomy and separation from state control, aligning with the “free church” tradition.

History: The Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) formed in 1950 through a merger of the Swedish Evangelical Free Church and the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Free Church Association, both founded by immigrant groups in the 1880s.

What Church Is Like: Evangelical Free church services typically resemble Baptist worship in their less liturgical style, contrasting with the more formal liturgies of Catholic and Anglican traditions.

Polity: Evangelical Free churches operate under a congregational governance model, emphasizing local church autonomy.

Distinctives:

• Evangelical Theology: EFCA churches generally hold to evangelical theological convictions, emphasizing the authority of Scripture, the centrality of the Gospel, and the importance of personal conversion.
• Congregational Autonomy: Local churches are self-governing and independent.
• Emphasis on Missions: Evangelical Free churches are typically committed to global missions and evangelism.

Famous Figures: Key figures in the EFCA include C. T. Dyrness, L. J. Pedersen, Walter Kaiser Jr., Grant Osborne, D. A. Carson, Fred Sanders, and Chuck Swindoll.

Related Groups:

• The Evangelical Free Church of America is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with around 1,600 affiliated churches, united by the EFCA Statement of Faith.
• The Evangelical Free Church of Canada, established in 1917 and based in Langley, British Columbia, includes over 140 churches across Canada.

Restorationist Movement

Name: “Restorationist” reflects the movement’s aim to restore the church to its perceived New Testament purity in faith and practice.

History: Also known as the Stone-Campbell Movement, the Restorationist movement emerged during the Second Great Awakening, seeking to restore local churches to the patterns described in the New Testament.

What Church Is Like: Many Churches of Christ, a prominent group within this movement, practice a cappella singing, believing musical instruments are not authorized by the New Testament. However, practices vary. The Lord’s Supper is typically observed every Sunday.

Polity: Churches of Christ are independent congregations led by elders, deacons, and ministers.

Distinctives:

• Baptism for Remission of Sins: Baptism by immersion is considered essential for salvation and the forgiveness of sins.
• New Testament Authority: The New Testament is regarded as the sole guide for worship and church practice.
• Rejection of Creeds: Many within the Restorationist movement avoid formal creeds and confessions, even while agreeing with core Christian doctrines.

Famous Figures: Key figures include Barton W. Stone, Alexander Campbell, Max Lucado, and Kyle Idleman.

Related Groups: The Restorationist movement includes Churches of Christ, Christian Churches, and Disciples of Christ, among others.

Pentecostal and Charismatic Traditions

Name: “Pentecostal” highlights the emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost (Acts 2). “Charismatic,” from the Greek charisma (gift), refers to the gifts of the Spirit (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12).

History: Pentecostalism has roots in 19th-century movements like Wesleyan-Holiness and Higher Life traditions. Modern Pentecostalism is generally traced to early 1900s revivals, notably at Bethel Bible College in Topeka, Kansas, and the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles. For a fuller understanding, see this essay on Pentecostal theology.

What Church Is Like: Pentecostal services share common elements with other traditions (singing, preaching, baptism, communion), but often include spontaneous expressions of worship, prophecy, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

Polity: Pentecostal churches are typically congregational. They may be independent or part of cooperative fellowships. Charismatic movements often operate within existing denominations, adapting to their polity.

Distinctives:

• Spirit Baptism: A key Pentecostal distinctive is baptism in the Holy Spirit, seen as distinct from and subsequent to conversion, empowering believers for ministry.
• Continuation of Spiritual Gifts: Pentecostals believe all spiritual gifts, including miraculous gifts like healing and speaking in tongues, continue today.
• Emphasis on Experience: Pentecostal theology often prioritizes Scripture and personal experience over reason and tradition.
• Global Diversity: Pentecostalism is one of the most ethnically diverse Christian movements, experiencing rapid growth in the Global South.
• Wesleyan Theology Influence: Pentecostal theology is often influenced by Wesleyanism, though Calvinistic Pentecostalism also exists.

Famous Figures: Key figures in Pentecostalism include Charles Fox Parham, William Seymour, Aimee Semple McPherson, J. Rodman Williams, Gordon Fee, and Amos Yong.

Related Groups: Pentecostalism is highly diverse, including denominations like Assemblies of God, Church of God, Foursquare Gospel Church, and numerous independent charismatic churches.

Non-Denominational Churches

Name: The name “non-denominational” indicates churches that are not formally affiliated with any established Christian denomination.

History: The rise of “independent” or “non-denominational” churches without historical denominational ties became prominent in the 20th century.

What Church Is Like: Non-denominational churches typically have low-church worship styles, similar to Baptist or Evangelical Free churches, though liturgical practices vary based on individual church preference. Many lean towards Baptist-like worship.

Polity: Non-denominational churches are inherently congregational due to their lack of denominational structure.

Distinctives:

• Independence: Non-denominational churches are independent from denominational oversight.
• Congregational Governance: They are governed congregationally.
• Doctrinal Flexibility: While generally evangelical and often Baptist in core beliefs, non-denominational churches have autonomy in defining their doctrine and practices.

Famous Figures: Notable figures associated with the non-denominational movement include Gene Getz, Tony Evans, and Francis Chan.

Related Groups: Non-denominational churches are diverse and do not have formal “related groups” in the denominational sense, but often network with other independent churches and para-church organizations.

Understanding the landscape of Christian denominations can be a helpful step in appreciating the breadth of Christian expression and in finding a church community that aligns with your own faith journey. This guide offers a starting point for further exploration and discernment.

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