What are the main differences of Christian denominations?

Question

Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Penecostal, ect. I don't get it.

Why do some denominations have fathers, reverands, priests, pastor, ect.

I was raised in foster homes, and every other week I was at a different church. So I am very confused. My wife wants to start going to churh, but I am unsure of which one to go to.

I don't like feeling uncomfortable with someone screaming "Jesus! Jesus!" down my throat, but I don't want to be bored to death either.

The main thing I don't like is that "if you don't beleive everything our church says, you're going to hell" type of attitude. How do we know what is wrong or right?

The Bible was written by man, and man is not perfect. And you can interpret the Bible many different ways, And I'm sure that has been somewhat changed over the years.

My theory is that no one has it right, but I think if we get the basic message and believe that is all that matters. Please, your thoughts, and I don't want any self rightous answers.

Answer 1

The first reason there are different denominations lies in the question of, "Where do we derive authority from?" For Catholics, the authority is from the teachings of the Pope and the Catholic Chruch's interpretation of the Bible. For the protestant churches authority lies in "Scripture Alone." Pentecostal churches, while under the protestant umbrella, also tend to emphasize various forms of continual revelation. All of these groups say that the Bible is the word of God.

There are three main forms of chruch government. The Episcopal form is like the Catholic church. They have priests, bishops, cardinals, and the Pope. They base this on the Bible's use of the term Elder and Bishop or Presbyter. They appeal to an event in the book of Acts in which a council met in Jerusalem to make a decision as the basis for their appealing to the church in Rome.The Presbyterian form of church government has churches led by a plurality of Elders. The congregational form of church government tends to be democratic a combination of this and Presbyterian, but the congregational forms of chruch government have no authority above the local church itself.

A reverend is usually someone who is ordained (went through some offical process in their denomination to get a stamp of approval). A pastor is a word used in the Bible of someone who "shepherds the flock." Protestants don't use the word "father" like the Catholics do because Jesus said in Matt 23 don't call anyone your father because you have one father in heaven, so Protestants avoid this term. Priests are catholic. In the Old Testament, they had priests as well. The book of Hebrews teaches that now, all believers are priests and can pray to God directly. There is no need for an earthly priest because now Jesus is our high priest and mediator between God and Man.

As far as the Bible being written by man, and man not being perfect, its self attestation is that "For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" 2 Pet 1 and in 2 Timothy 3:16 it says "Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 3:17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work."

On the issue of interpretation, there are really 2 primary methods of interpretation: "normal" and "allegorical" In normal interpretation, one asks the question, "what did this mean to the original author, and how does it apply to me" In allegorical interpretation, you can make the Bible say anything you want, and there are millions of interpretations.

Stay out of churches that use the term "fundamentalist" or are King James Version only churches. That is where you will get most of the screamers that ram stuff down your throat. I would also aviod the pentecostal churches. Their experiences tend to trump the Bible's authority.

It sounds like you would be comfortable (from your description, but they wouldn't be my preference) in an "EV Free" church (which is evangelical free, meaning, free from the control of church and state. Very old name that doesn't make much sense now, actually). You also might like the CMA church which is Christian and Missionary Alliance. They just major in the majors and have some disagreements, but nobody really gets worked up over them. You might try these denominations from their web sites, then try one of their chruches.

If you are committed to the fact that the Bible is riddled with error, and can't really be trusted entirely, then you might be more at home with the Presbyterian Church, or the Methodist Church. I would try the others first though. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

There is no easy and quick answer to this question. There is an answer, just not short enough for this venue.

The Roman Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, and Lutheran Churches are each what is call a Liturgical Church. This means that the Eucharist is the focus of the service. Other church see the preaching as the focus.

If you don't want a lot of strict dogma and in your face hell fire stay away from the Evangelical Fundamentalist Churches. Baptist and Pentecostal are a couple of these.

You might what to just visit a few such as the Methodist, Lutheran (there are different branches), Presbyterians, and Anglican (Episcopalian in the U.S.) and see what fits.

The theology changes with the church. There is the basis one that Jesus is the Son of God, and other points. All of this is summed up in the early creeds of the Church. But beyond that there is quite a variety of beliefs.

As to why some are priest and some ministers. The Liturgical Churches have Priest, except the Lutherans who have Pastors. All the rest have ministers. The reason we have Priest is that the Mass is considered a sacrifice just as in the Jewish temple. The early church followed this custom and all Priest are in what is called the line of Apologetic succession. (that is what makes the 'magic' happen.) The term Rev. is used for all. For example a male priest is called "father" (he is our spiritual father) and when refering to him formally he is call The Rev. John Doe. Informally he is Father John.

Answer 3

It's really tough to explain ALL of the differences, but here are the basics as I understand them. Christianity began with Christ. His apostles went out to many different parts of the world after the resurrection, and each taught the Gospel as he knew it. The Catholic church eventually evolved from Peter, in Rome. The Bible was compiled from a great number of books based on certain criteria and was one of the two bases of the Church, the other being Church tradition. The Catholics kept the scripture in Latin, and most uneducated people were not able to read the Bible on their own. In about the 1400's, Luther became dissatisfied with the way things were going and this began the reformation.

Luther rejected a few of the books that the Catholics held, and also published scripture in the vernacular. He was the start of all protestant religions.

Calvanists tend to believe in predestination, believing that all are predestined to heaven or hell, and as such believe that free choice has already been determined by God.

Pentacostals believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, and gifts of the spirit are evidence of salvation.

Baptists are adamant about the form that Baptism takes, and reject the sprinkling at birth method of the Catholics. They believe in complete immersion.

Mormons follow the teachings of Joseph Smith who claimed to have found a book detailing the ministry of Christ in the New World. This is called the book of Mormon.

Anyway, from what I've seen, there is no Christian denomination that isn't condemned by at least one other. If you are looking for a church in which you are guaranteed a spot in heaven, you won't find it.

Look into your self. Discover what YOU believe, and live it with all you've got.

Answer 4

You will get so many answers to this question and none of them will really answer your question. Most people do not have the slightest idea why they go to one church over another. Many times when they do, it is because they like the minister or the building is pretty and the doctrine has very little to do with it or no one would go to church because they would have no idea which one to attend. If this weren't true, we'd all still be Jewish or Catholic. Everydbody thinks they've got it right when they are really just full of their own ideas and will NEVER listen to what someone else has to offer even though they are wrong and can't possibly be happy with their church. I wouldn't be asking this question to the people who will likely respond in this forum. If you truly want to find a church to go to, go to all of them and then make your decision. Our Father in Heaven will let you know when you've got it right.

Answer 5

You could always try Jehovah's Witnesses. There are never any collections. Anyone and everyone is welcome. We don't have any of these: "fathers, reverands, priests, pastor." Everyone is referred to as brother or sister. There's never any screaming. But, you won't be bored, because we look up many scriptures. And, we don't have the "if you don't beleive everything our church says, you're going to hell" attitude. Give it a try and see what you think. Hope this helps.

Peace,
:)

Answer 6

Well....where you live has a great impact. If you are from southern US, a baptist church will have screamers. If you are from north of that point, I would say a baptist church is right for you.

If you ARE from the south, I cant really help because I dont live there. I have been to church there, and I know Southern Baptist is louder and more screaming, where northern has none of this.

Baptist (I am pentecostal, lots of screaming and dancing) would be a great fit, I think! Bible believinf, respecting of personal opinion and family oriented.

Again, if youre a southerner I'd rather offer no advice than bad advice.

Also, pray about it and check out a few services. Your spirit will sit right in one of them!

God BLess you and your family my brother!

Answer 7

If you want the closest interpretation of the Bible, you might have to learn Greek and study the Bibles preserved in Ancient Greece to get the closest unchanged version. Most denominations have small and large differences. It just depends on your personal beliefs. Write down your beliefs and what you stand for. Then compare it to the different denominations. Choose what relates to you the most. Don't forget there is always Judaism, too.

Answer 8

"What separates us as believers in Christ is much less than what unites us." (Pope John XXIII)

Almost all important doctrine is completely agreed upon between Catholic Christians and other Christians.

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.

There are many minor doctrine issues and some major cultural traditional differences which, I believe, do not matter that much.

A Catholic worships and follows Christ in the tradition of Catholicism which, among other things, recognizes that Christ made Peter the leader of His new Church and Pope Benedict XVI is Peter's direct successor.

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

Go to the Bible. Though it was penned by man it was written by the Holy Spirit using the instrument of man with his personal nuances. The Bible claims that it was God breathed. In II Peter 1:21 Peter says that prophecy (scripture written down) did not come by the will of man but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. If the Bible was not from God what would it matter? Any one could write anything. But it was and that's why it has such power in the lives of people. It has authority like no other book. And it tells us that God has prepared us to be with Him and left the Bible (His love letter) to show us the way.

Go to the Book and ask God to help you understand it. Ask God to show you its truth.

Answer 10

You are almost on to something. You said "if we get the basic message".. Read what Jesus taught.. decide if you agree with or like what Jesus taught and ignore the churches.