World Religions

Introduction to World Religions Study Guide

7.8 Major Denominations Within Christianity There are three major divisions of Christianity: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism.

Catholic Bishops head the Catholic Church in communion with the Pope. The Bishop of Rome is the highest authority with regards to faith, morality, and Church governance. Through Apostolic succession, the Roman Catholic Church traces its origins to the Christian community founded by Jesus Christ, similar to Eastern Orthodoxy. Catholics state there is, “one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic church”. Catholics strive for the reconciliation of all Christians. Or dox The heritage of the Eastern Orthodox Church can be traced to the foundation of Christianity through Apostolic succession; further, it has an episcopal structure (governed by bishops) through the autonomy of the individual, mostly national churches are emphasized. There are over 200 million adherents to Eastern Orthodoxy, making it the largest single denomination in Christianity. Prot stant In the 16 th century, Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, and John Calvin started Protestantism. Lutherans are the primary theological heirs. Zwingli and Calvin’s heirs are broader denominationally, and are referred to as the “Reformed Tradition”. Under English Reformation is Anglicanism. Other Protestant groups ostracized the Anabaptist tradition; however, in more recent times, it has grown to be acceptable. Some, but not all, Baptists prefer not to be referred to as “Protestants”, and claim a direct ancestral lineage to the apostles in the 1 st century.

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