Introduction
Christianity is one of the most practiced religions in the world, representing over a third of the world’s total population. Christianity is a religion of diversity and flexibility, dating back to the early Christian communities of the 1st century AD. The main divisions of Christianity exist in three primary branches – Roman Catholicism, Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy. These three branches alone group around 30,000 distinct denominations, and this does not include smaller independent congregations or denominations that exist within these three branches! So why are there so many denominations in Christianity?
Religious Interpretation
One of the main reasons why Christianity is so divided is its religious interpretation. We can attribute the diversity of denominations to the vast differences in religious interpretation due to the traditions and cultures that each denomination follows. What this means is that different denominations have their own distinct beliefs and customs which then, in turn, dictate their behaviour, rules, regulations and teachings, hence why they each have unique theological perspectives.
One example of religious interpretation is the differing opinions on the sacraments, that is, baptism and communion. The Catholic and Orthodox churches both practice seven sacraments and consider them to be official acts of the church, though Protestant churches mostly only practice two or three sacraments.
Moreover, religious interpretation even affects the interpretation of scripture. For instance, Catholics and Orthodox churches use the Deuterocanon, a type of scripture which Protestantism does not recognize. A divergence in the interpretation of scripture can become the source of dissension.
Theology and Philosophy
Theological and philosophical differences within Christianity can also attribute to why there are 30,000 denominations. For example, the Catholic church emphasizes a hierarchical structure in church governance whereas the Protestant denomination teaches more of a “lay-led” approach.
Another example of a theological difference is the belief in purgatory. This is a concept in which a person’s soul is purified in a temporal punishment after death, but Protestants do not accept this as a theological doctrine. Other theological differences exist in the soteriology of the two branches where Catholics teach that salvation is “faith and works” and Protestant teach a doctrine of “Sola Fide,” or “faith alone.”
Philosophical differences also arise in discussions on gender roles, the origin of life, and the divine nature of Jesus. When there is not a definitive authority to decide whether a particular belief is right or wrong, denominations often practice and teach their own versions of the doctrine.
History and Culture
Apart from religious beliefs, Christians often interpret and practice their faith differently due to their individual cultures and histories. For instance, the African American church has vastly different practices than the Churches in Europe and Asia due to cultural influences.
Additionally, the history of Christian faith is riddled with schisms that often divide churches and congregations from one another. For instance, in 1054 AD, the East-West Schism caused the separation of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. This was the first major split in the church and began the era of different denominations.
Furthermore, different pioneers of the faith often disagree on certain interpretations or ideas and thus, lead to further splitting. The Protestant Reformation led by Martin Luther in the early 1500s is a clear example of this as Luther’s teachings and interpretation of scripture led to the separation of the Protestant church from the Catholic church.
Globalization
In the age of globalization, Christianity has spread to almost every aspect of the world and with that, traditions and cultures have vastly molded and shaped theological doctrine. As Christianity has moved further and further out into different communities, it has developed its own unique forms of expression, both in doctrine and practice. This has led to immense diversity in the faith. The Roman Catholic Church or Protestantism may feel quite similar from one country to another, but as you get closer to local churches, you’ll often find that there are many differences in views and practices.
Probably the biggest sign of this is the rise of evangelicalism and other denominations outside of Catholic and Protestant denominations. These new denominations often take the existing Christian beliefs and mix it with aspects of the culture where they reside. Despite this, many still recognize them as part of the Christian faith.
Political Power
The last major contributor to why there are so many denominations in Christianity is politics. As with all other religions, politics inevitably come into play as churches try to gain influence and spread their message. Churches in power often put forward their own interpretations of the faith which can then lead to arguments over who should be right and who should be wrong.
In the modern era, politics can lead to further division within churches as those with wealth and influence try to take control and spread their views. This doesn’t mean that all political power causes division, but it can be a factor in creating different denominations. It has been seen how political power and authority have helped shape certain denominations or create new denominations.
Missionary Nations
Lastly, another factor for the division of Christianity can be attributed to missionary nations. Missionary nations bring Christianity to countries and cultures by introducing their own doctrines and beliefs, which can sometimes conflict with existing philosophies and ways of thinking. This can lead to clashes and divisions, resulting in new denominations.
In many cases, these tensions can be worked out and the divisions dissolved, however in other cases, the differences become so distinct that they remain disconnected with one another even after reconciling. This is typically the result of wanting to maintain traditional values, often leading to a fractured relationship between Christian denominations.
Conclusion
Christianity is made up of a diverse array of churches and denominations. These denominations often can be traced back to theological interpretations, religious scripts, individual cultures, and political influence. All these factors come together to create the beautiful and diverse array of churches and denominations we see across the world today.
