30,000 Protestant denominations? Fact or Fiction?

[AJV]

IanS:

The Orthodox Churches, although I have much respect for them, are not in union with the Bishop of Rome. However, I believe most are in a position where they could be someday, because they follow the same core doctrines.

I would suggest you visit the Eastern Chritianity forum. There are a lot more differences that one thinks! Of course, these differences also depend on perspective-some feel thyey can be reconciled while others feel they can’t

IanS:

The Anglican/Episcopal Church is clearly protestant and is in a position that makes it virtually impossible to ever be in union with the Bishop of Rome, because they do not follow some the core doctrines of the Catholic Church.

Modern Anglicanism is such a broad spectrum of theological beliefs and liturgical practise, that it is impossile to make make such a blanket statement. Even some of the most Protestant statements of Anglicanism (such as the 39 Articles [of the CofE]) are interpreted in a “Catholic” manner by the “Anglo-Catholic” wing. Although I agree with you that the nature of Anglicanism is Protestant, many Anglo-Catholics would vehemently disagree.

I noticed that someone listed 60 Orthodox denominations. 60? Techanically I don’t think they would classify as separate denominations since they have they same doctrine/beliefs (within the Eastern Orthodox communion-I’m not including the Oriental Orthodox).

Holw big does a group have to be before it gets to be a denomination? In the short years of my life, I have witnessed plenty of Protestant groups splitting up with one pastor parting ways with another because they feel the church’s mission is not expressed properly, or it’s not biblically accurate, etc. If these tiny(ish) groups are considered separate denominations (since they have no equivalent elsewhere in the world), then I can easily believe the 30000 figure.

 

[Isidore_AK]

AJV:

How big does a group have to be before it gets to be a denomination? In the short years of my life, I have witnessed plenty of Protestant groups splitting up with one pastor parting ways with another because they feel the church’s mission is not expressed properly, or it’s not biblically accurate, etc. If these tiny(ish) groups are considered separate denominations (since they have no equivalent elsewhere in the world), then I can easily believe the 30000 figure.

I think I’d classify a ‘denomination’ as a group that has the same theological beliefs (doctrines), whether they acknowledge each other or not…that way we don’t count 2 non-denoms that believe that same thing as ‘seperate’ denoms. As a restriction I’d say ‘house church’ is too small to count (ie. must be more than 50 members…).

 

[IanS]

AJV:

Thanks for your comments. I realize I was being pretty general, but it’s hard to tackle an issue like this in a couple of paragraphs. I guess what I was alluding to were “core” doctrines of the faith which any Church would need to follow in order to be in union with the Bishop of Rome. Because not even the Pope himself can change any of these.

I am no expert on the Orthodox Churches or Anglo-Catholic Churches, but do any of them allow things like the ordination of women or practicing homosexuals? I’m really not trying to offend anyone, it’s just a practical question. Because practices like this contradict a core doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church and would make it impossible to be in union with the Bishop of Rome.

If a Church does follow all of the same doctrines and practices as Rome, it seems to be more a question authority and not dogma.

I should probably visit the east side of the forums a little more.