In Christianity there are thousands of denominations, but a single catholic faith. The word 'catholic' is an adjective that means 'wide variety' or 'all embracing'. So each denomination of Christianity offers a slightly different way of thinking about the bible, but all hold to the same basic faith.
These minor differences are sometimes categorised as primary, secondary or tertirary issues:
Primary issues - the nature of God and savalation from sin.
Secondary issues - the structure and unity of the church.
Tertiary issues - personal expressions of faith.
All Christian denominations agree on the primary issues, but offer different interpretations or emphasis on the secondary or tertiary issues. In some denominations, what is widely considered not as primary can become so.
What are the different denominations?
It is impossible to list and maintain the many different denominations that exist around the world. However, in the United Kingdom here are some major denominations frequently used in discussion:
Roman catholic
Greek orthodox
Protestant
Anglican
Presbyterian
Lutheran
Baptist
Apostolic
Methodist
Pentecostal
Non-denominational
This list excludes cross-denomination or cross-religious movements such as the charismatic movement.
Why are there different denominations?
Christianity encourages believers to search the scriptures and to understand God. This process naturally produces many different interpretations. Within any single church there will be diverse opinions on all matters of things including: spirituality, politics, sociology or philosophy. As believers agree on a specific teaching they form new congregations and reach others with those beliefs.
This process is not out of division within the church, but out of unity within the church. For God calls the body not to all be a single member, but many members:
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
The biggest threat to Christian thinking is not in the difference of denomination, but the tribalism that can accompany it. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, it is love and unity of the church that matters most.
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