Why Does Christianity Have 3 Branches?

Abstract:

On this page, we hope to explain the beliefs of our fellow brothers and sisters, as well as how their denominations came to be. If we make any mistakes at all and you can prove it to be a mistake, we ask that you email us so we are able to fix the mistake! An important note is some denominations we have on our list will be heretical(which we will note), that is, if a denomination rejects one of the core doctrines of Christianty(so we may disagree with some groups' beliefs, but this is not heretical) such as the divinity of Jesus. We have these groups on so fellow believers can still learn about their faith and know errors in it, we are not, in any way, desiring to promote such groups.

The Three Main Branches:

Roman Catholicism(Latin church or Western church):

Roman Catholicism is the largest branch of Christianity and is led by a person called the pope. The pope is seen as the successor of the apostle Peter, who they believe to have been the first Pope[1]. In all matters of faith, discipline, and morals, the pope is seen as the supreme authority within the universal church[1]. The word "catholic" means universal, so the pope is the authority to all Catholics. The pope is also believed to be infallible in his words, meaning whatever he says pertaining to the faith or morals is correct. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, a document that contains all the beliefs of Catholicism notes, "To fulfill this service, Christ endowed the Church's shepherds with the charism of infallibility in matters of faith and morals. The exercise of this charism takes several forms: 891 "The Roman Pontiff(The Pope), head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals," (The Catechism of The Catholic Church 890-891). The modern-day pope also politically runs the country Vatican city[3] which contrary to one's assumption, is not just some random city even though the actual size of the country is smaller than Chicago. 

Who Are The Cardinals?

The Cardinals are people who the pope elects, and the Cardinals also are the ones who select the next pope if he dies or resigns[.5]. Cardinals usually choose other Cardinals to be popes except for very rare circumstances like Pope Urban VI. Except for electing the pope, Cardinals also help the pope with governmental decisions and help aid the church. They are normally seen wearing red as a symbol to show they are ready to be martyrs for the church if the need arises; purple is worn during the lent and advent seasons to show sorrow and suffering.

The Catholic Canon:

The Catholic Bible contains 73 books, seven more than the Protestant Bible. These extra seven are known as the Apocrypha or deuterocanonical books and are located in the old testament. The names are Tobit, Judith, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch. Catholics also of course have the Cathechism which has instructions all Catholics must follow.

Beliefs of Catholicism:

• Christians are to be baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (The Catechism of The Catholic Church 232)

• Filioque

• Mary is sinless (The Catechism of The Catholic Church 493)

• Mary is the mother of God or Theotokos (The Catechism of The Catholic Church 493, 963-964)

• Monotheism (The Catechism of The Catholic Church 200)

• Original Sin(Read More Here)

• Priests must be celibates(Unmarried and without sexual relations)

• Purgatory (The Catechism of The Catholic Church 1030)

• The Bible is inspired by God (The Catechism of The Catholic Church 105)

• The communion of Saints (The Catechism of The Catholic Church 946)

• The Pope is infallible (The Catechism of The Catholic Church 890-891)

• Trinitarian (The Catechism of The Catholic Church 232-266)

Eastern Orthodoxy or Greek Orthodoxy:

Eastern Orthodoxy is the smallest branch out of the main three and is led by the patriarch. The patriarch, under assistance from bishops, is responsible for overseeing the spiritual life of a particular region or diocese. The main patriarch, or the Patriarch of Constantinople, is greatly similar to the pope as he brings unity to other Eastern Orthodox churches. The other churches the main patriarch controls also have their personal patriarchs.

The Greek Orthodox Canon:

The Greek Orthodox Bible contains 73 books, seven more than the protestant Bible. These extra seven are known as the Apocrypha or deuterocanonical books and are located in the old testament. The names are Tobit, Judith, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch. Orthodoxy also has the Cathechism or Philokalia, which has instructions all Orthodox Christians must follow.

Beliefs of Greek Orthodoxy:

• Mary is the Theotokos or Mother of God[7]

• Original Sin(Read More Here)

• Rejects the Filioque

• The communion of Saints

• Trinitarian[7]

Protestantism:

Protestants are quite diverse; one protestant may hold completely separate ideas from a different protestant as there tends to be little authority in Protestantism. Not to say there are no authorities, as there are such as the Southern Baptist Convention, but it is very different compared to the papacy(the pope system) and patriarchs of Catholicism and Orthodoxy. Protestants are, in a way, a mash of groups who are still Christian but just do not apply as Orthodox or Catholic so beliefs, traditions, and authorities depend on one's denomination.

The Protestant Canon:

Protestants usually have 66 books in their Bibles; however, some accept the Apocrypha or deuterocanonical books and sometimes even accept the books of Enoch but this is rare.

Beliefs of Protestants:

(Note: This is just majority belief, some may disagree):

• The five Solas (see more here)

• Trinitarian 

Denominations:

Here we will explain sections of Christianity. Their beliefs/how they started. Just because we added them doesn't mean we agree with their beliefs. 

Anglican:

How Did It Start? The king of England, Henry the 8th, desired something called an annulment. Think of this as something that denies a marriage or makes it invalid. He desired an annulment because his current wife, Catherine of Aragon, failed to produce an heir. This was needed as a king with no heir would make the people nervous. If our president(I am from America) was to die and there was no one suitable to take his place, we would feel the same worry. When Henry asked the current pope for an annulment, the pope denied his request resulting in King Henry creating the Anglican church to be able to appeal his marriage.

Beliefs: 

• They allow women to be pastors

• They are Trinitarian, meaning they accept the Trinity.

Mormonism(or The Church of Christ & Latter-Day Saints): Heretical

How Did It Start? The Mormon church, now called The Church of Christ & Latter Day Saints or L.D.S. was started by a man named Joseph Smith in 1830 AD. The term Mormon comes from a book by Joseph Smith known as the Book of Mormon which was published in 1830 AD. The term Mormon is now discouraged in most churches, preferring the name L.D.S.. It is believed by this church that the angel Moroni came to Mr. Smith where we was given information that engraved golden plates were buried on a nearby hill. Four years later, he excavated the plates and translated them into English from reformed Egyptian. These plates created the Book of Mormon which is believed to be named after an American prophet who had compiled the text on the plates. The book recounts the supposed history of a history of Israelites who migrated into America centuries before Christ. According to Mormons, the church had become completely corrupted and had to be restarted(Mormonism being this restart). After the death of Smith, many Mormons began to split into other denominations such as the Community of Christ. This was primarily due to leadership and polygamy. 

Beliefs:

• Baptism by Immersion

• Baptism For The Dead

• Millennialism

• Polytheistic(they believe when they die they become gods)

• Prohibition on: alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea

• Revelation from God still occurs(Charismatic)

Canon: 

The Book of Mormon, the Protestant Bible(usually KJV), the Book of Abraham, and Doctrines and Covenants.

Works Cited:

[.5] Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "cardinal". Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Sep. 2018, https://www.britannica.com/topic/cardinal-Roman-Catholicism. Accessed 20 December 2022.

1 Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "pope". Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Oct. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/topic/pope. Accessed 20 December 2022.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "papal infallibility". Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Jan. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/topic/papal-infallibility. Accessed 20 December 2022.

[3] Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Vatican City". Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Dec. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/place/Vatican-City. Accessed 20 December 2022.

Chadwick, Henry , Crow, Paul A. , Pelikan, Jaroslav Jan , Lindberg, Carter H. , Benz, Ernst Wilhelm , Fredericksen, Linwood , Hogg, William Richey , McGinn, Bernard J. , Hick, John , Spencer,

Melton, J. Gordon. "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints. Accessed 4 May 2023. Sidney, Marty, Martin E. , Sullivan, Lawrence E. , Wainwright, Geoffrey and Stefon, Matt. "Christianity". Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Oct. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity. Accessed 21 December 2022.

English Translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for the United States of America © 1997, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.

[7]Meyendorff, John. "Eastern Orthodoxy". Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Dec. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Eastern-Orthodoxy. Accessed 21 December 2022.