I saw another blog make the claim that there are an inordinate number of Christian denominations.
According to a quick Google search, there appears to be over 38,000 different Christian denominations.
Yes, there are many denominations. No, there aren’t 38,000. In fact, the previous urban legend claimed that there were 33,000, so I see that the figure has grown recently.
The definition of what makes a denomination can be fluid, so I’m not sure what the real figure is. But I think the solution is simple: Whoever claims a number should defend the number. Whoever claims 38,000 should have a list of them all, right? Otherwise, how do they know it is 38,000? I’ve seen Catholics use the 33,000 figure to “prove” that they are the real church, and I find their logic to be transparently faulty. Again, just ask them for the list of 33,000, including names of the denomination leaders.
You can also use the 80/20 principle to see if it even matters that there are a lot. Add up the figures for the top denominations (say, 30 or so) and see what percentage that is of the total estimated Christians. Then divide the remaining estimated number of Christians by 37,970 and see how many people per denomination you get. I think the number will be pretty small, thus proving that even if there were 38,000 then the members per denomination would be insignificant.
Of course, I think that estimates of the number of Christians are as inflated as the 38,000 figure — especially in the U.S. Lots of people check the “Christian” box but are anything but in terms of beliefs.
I think the denominational differences are unfortunate, but sometimes overblown. Yes, some falsely consider themselves the “one true church,” but many do not. They just recognize that they have different beliefs on non-essential issues (e.g., predestination, forms of baptism, forms of communion, etc.). I attend a Methodist church but would never claim it is the one true church. If I meet Presbyterians or Lutherans I don’t try to convert them to Methodism. So we aren’t quite as divergent as people think.
And as Lone Wolf Archer noted:
The religious (and non-religious) world often misuses the term “denomination”. Denominations aren’t necessarily “different beliefs”, but they have have their own governing board or governing body that directs the various congregations.
I used to do lunchtime Bible studies at Compaq and we’d have a great diversity of people by all measures, including denominations. But you would have had a tough time guessing what denomination anyone was based on the discussions. When we just read the biblical texts there was more agreement that you’d expect.
I enjoy serving in CareNet Pregnancy Center and Kairos Prison ministries as well, which both have Bible-believing Christians from many denominations who work together seamlessly to advance the kingdom.
The number of denominations doesn’t prove that Christianity isn’t true, any more than the divergent views of atheists proves that there is a God. The “one true church” is made up of people who have authentically repented of their sins and put their faith in the real Jesus.
Interesting post. I get dinged on this type of thing because the non-denominational congregation I intend DOES claim to be the true church.
The religious (and non-religious) world often misuses the term “denomination”. Denominations aren’t necessarily “different beliefs”, but they have have their own governing board or governing body that directs the various congregations.
I don’t really want to open this can of worms, but that is not how the church of the New Testament was set up. Each congregation was self-governed. Autonomous. The elders of the church of Rome had no authority over the congregation at Corinth. Neither did the elders at Corinth have any authority over the congregation in Rome. They all prescribed to the scripture (as it was being verbalized and written at that time) for their authority.
The beauty of this design is that error in teaching at one congregation doesn’t spill over into another congregation. Think of what we are seeing right now with denominations like the United Church of Christ.
As someone who believes we should hold as closely to the teachings of the New Testament, and the example in the New Testament of the 1st century church, this is what I prescribe to (non-denominational) for the Lord’s church.
I respect the Christian faith of others as long as that faith is in line with New Testament teachings. That is how I am able to stand firm with others that are of Christian faith, where they adhere to scriptural teaching. Where we disagree I agree to disagree and move on.
But Neil the bigger point of your post is a great one. The number of denominations doesn’t disprove Christianity. In fact, it was foretold of in the NT.
Excellent point – I updated the post with your quote!
I belong to a Baptist church and each Baptist church is self-governed. I guess you could claim that each one is it’s own denomination. Now, we do try to dunk people of other denominations and we hold Methodists’ under for just a little longer
Once in a Sunday school class, a teacher pointed out that some Baptists believed that they were the only denomination in heaven and said this wasn’t the case. I asked quickly , “but we do get to go first, don’t we?”
On a serious note, I visited a friend’s Episcopal church recently. The priest was very helpful to us (a small church) as we had a part in a little girls baptism. I can’t say I agree with everything that went on, but he pointed out early in the service that there was one God, one Faith, one baptism (the Holy Spirit). He asked how I felt about infant (or 3 year old in this case) and I commented how much it was like our baby dedication.
We agreed on the essentials, disagreed on non-essentials.
Yes, we need that, to help wash away the liberal theology that crept into parts of Methodism!
heh yeah I definitely agree with your post Neil. It really annoys me whenever any denominations says that they are the one true church. I don’t try to let it show too much so I just ask if only God’s church is in heaven, then what happens to all the other denominations, God only has one bride after all. Hopefully it helps.. it is definitely a pet peeve
Great post. Denominations have caused unnecessary division in the Body of Christ and consequently effect our voice and power in this country. I think a lot of denominations were started simply over a disagreement between the interpretation of a few scriptures.
Many denominations differ on teachings concerning the Holy Spirit. As a result, denomination loyalty has caused many believers to miss out on the comfort, help, guidance, strength, and power the Holy Spirit can provide when you fellowship with Him.
I think it was apologetics.com that I was listening to that one person said that they thought denominations were a good thing. Ah found it…
http://www.apologetics.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=341:denominations-and-the-church-vice-or-virtue&catid=43:kkla-995-fm-los-angeles&Itemid=74
Good link, thanks! I forgot about that episode.
In general, I find this apologetic approach to be unhelpful. No matter if I’m chatting with non-Catholics but Christian, non-Christians, or those who have simply fallen away from the Church.
I have no idea how many various denominations there are, but let’s say there are 38,000. The person I’m speaking with has never been to that many different churches. They have been to 5 or 10, maybe.
Why would I want to try and convert them by talking about churches they’re never going to attend anyway?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations
It appears there a thousand on Wikipedia.
The Catholic Church itself makes no claim to know the number of denominations. However the Church prays for unity as did Jesus.
That being said, John Paul II said, “The Holy Spirit has taken these divisions into consideration and that it may be necessary to achieve unity through plurality, to learn to come together in the one Church, even while presenting a plurality of ways of thinking and acting…in a certain sense, this is more consonant with the wisdom of God, with his goodness and providence.” John Paul II continues that we should still strive for unity, truth, and love