Introduction
Christianity is one of the world’s largest religions and one of the most widely followed. Christianity today is a complex and diverse religion, with many beliefs and traditions belonging to it. Knowing how many versions of Christianity there are has become an important component of comparative religion. To thoroughly understand it, one must take into account how many versions of Christianity exist and how their beliefs and traditions differ from one another.
Different Types of Christianity
When talking about Christianity, it is important to recognize that there are different branches, sects, and denominations that fall under the umbrella of Christianity today. This includes Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestantism, Anglicanism, and Mormonism. Within these branches and denominations, there are further sub-branches and sects, such as Charismatic and Reformed, as well as many different subcategories, such as Lutheran, Reformed, Calvinist, Anabaptist, Methodist, Baptist, and Pentecostal. Understanding the variations of Christianity comes down to recognizing the differences in the doctrinal views of the various branches, sects, and denominations.
Theologies Of Christianity
Theologies vary from branch to branch, which plays a large part in the number of different versions of Christianity that exist today. Catholicism has a very structured approach to its theology and its rituals, with a strong belief in the papacy and hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic Church also has a strong belief in the seven sacraments, along with other core doctrines. On the other hand, Protestantism is relatively more open and free, with no clear hierarchy and fewer rituals and sacraments. Protestantism has more emphasis on the concept of salvation through faith and its relationship with Jesus Christ, with the main difference from Catholicism being the rejection of the authority of the pope.
Practices Of Christianity
In addition to the doctrinal differences, there are also variations in the practice and rituals of the different branches and denominations of Christianity. For example, Catholics practice Confession, which involves confessing one’s sins to a priest. Protestants reject Confession as part of their religious practice, instead focusing on repenting one’s sin directly to God. Similarly, Eastern Orthodoxy has its own distinct rituals, such as baptism and the Eucharist, with a focus on the Divine Liturgy.
Scriptures and Beliefs
One of the other main factors that differentiate the different versions of Christianity is the acceptance or rejection of certain Books of the Bible. For example, the Eastern Orthodox Church maintains the use of the Septuagint and the Book of Maccabees, which are not included in the Protestant Bible and are not accepted by Protestants. Additionally, the various branches and denominations of Christianity also have distinct beliefs regarding the divinity of Jesus and the nature of Salvation. These beliefs influence the interpretation of scripture and the theological views of the adherents of each church.
Differences in Worship
The different versions of Christianity also differ in the way they worship, due to the differences in theologies and beliefs. Catholics and Eastern Orthodox churches have a more liturgical service, with the priest leading the liturgy and the important rituals, such as the Eucharist. Protestants and Anglicans, on the other hand, have a service that is more sermon-focused, with the minister delivering a sermon and then leading a time for people to respond in prayer or reflection.
Conclusion
The variations in Christianity today are vast, and understanding these differences is important to comprehending the complexities of this wide-reaching religion. There is no single answer to the question of how many versions of Christianity exist today, as the various branches, sects, and denominations each have their own unique beliefs, practices, and doctrines that make up the greater Christian faith.
