This is the first installment of a new series concerning Christian denominations.  I think it is important to have at least a grasp on what other Christians believe whether you agree with it or not.  I am only generally summarizing the beliefs of the denominations as to save space and time (and because I don’t know everything about each.)  I also want to note that there are different movements within each denomination that differ from the other but the basic doctrine is the same.  (Such as some Presbyterian movements allowing women clergy and others disallowing it.)  I must give credit to Robert M. Bowman Jr. who is the author of a pamphlet which is the main source for this series  (it’s surprising how much I’ve actually plagiarized here…at least I’m crediting the source right?)  So now without further ado…

~THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH~

Founded:  Catholics believe Jesus’ disciple Peter to be the first pope who died circa 66 A.D.  Pope Gregory the Great (540-604 A.D.) was the first pope who was considered the ruling earthly authority over the entire church.

Adherents:  About 1 billion worldwide; 62 million, USA

How Scripture is Viewed:  The Scriptures teach without error the truth needed for our salvation.  Scripture must be interpreted within the Tradition of the Church.  The apocrypha is included with the Old Testament.

Who is God:  The One Creator and Lord of all, existing eternally as the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Who is Jesus:  The eternal Son incarnate, fully God and fully man, conceived and born of the virgin Mary, died on the Cross for our sins, rose bodily from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will come in glory to judge us all.

How are we saved:  Christ died as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins; God by grace infuses a supernatural gift of faith in Christ to those who are baptized, which is maintained by doing good works and receiving Penance and Eucharist. 

Afterlife:  The souls of Christians go to heaven, or if having died with unrepented sin, go to purgatory where they are purified and then admitted to heaven.  The souls of the wicked are eternally punished in hell.

The Church:  The church is the Body of Christ, established by Christ with the Bishop of Rome (the pope) who may pronounce dogma (infallible doctrine by which Catholics must abide.)  The pope is the church’s earthy head, which has been passed by apostolic succession all the way back to St. Peter.  Christians not in communion with the Roman Catholic church are called “Separated Brethren.”

Sacraments:  Baptism removes original sin (usually in infants).  In the Eucharist, the substance (but not properties) of bread and wine are changed into Jesus’ body and blod.  (Transubstantiation.)

Other Beliefs on Note:  Mary was conceived sinless (Immaculate conception), remained a virgin perpetually, and was assumed bodily into heaven.  She is considered the mother of the church and is considered an object of devotion and veneration (a show of honor that stops short of worship.) 

There are some (not Catholics) who worship the Virgin Mary, but they would be considered cultists and are rejected by the Church and its teachings.  (This is a usual accusation against Roman Catholicism that I thought I’d address.)

Priests may not marry.

Trends: About ¼ of Catholics are doctrinally conservative.  Some priests and parishioners accept liberal, pluralist, beliefs that are contrary to church teaching.

~EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH~

Founded:  The “Great Schism” in 1054 caused the Greek speaking church to break away from the Latin speaking church and the Eastern Orthodox church was founded.

Adherents:  About 225 million worldwide; 3-5 million, USA

Scripture:  The Scriptures are without error in matters of faith only.  Scripture must be interpreted within the Sacred Tradition of the Church (especially in seven Ecumenical councils (325-787 A.D.)  (The Catholic Bible plus three additional books.)

Who is God:  The One Creator and Lord of all, existing eternally as the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Who is Jesus:  The eternal Son incarnate, fully God and fully man, conceived and born of the virgin Mary, died on the Cross for our sins, rose bodily from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will come in glory to judge us all.

Salvation:  Christ became human and perished so that humans might be deified (theosis) that is to say that they may have the energy of God’s life in them (not become gods as it may sound).  Through the sacraments and participation in the church God’s people receive the benefits of Christ’s redeeming work as they persevere.

Afterlife:  The souls of Christians are purified as needed (a process of growth rather than punishment) then get a foretaste of eternal blessing in heaven.  The souls of the wicked get a foretaste of eternal punishment in hell.

The Church:  The Body of Christ in unbroken lineage to the apostles, changelessly maintaining the faith of the undivided church as expressed in the creeds.  It is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.  Organized nationally (Armenian, Greek, Russian, etc.)  with its bishops under the leadership of the patriarchs of which the bishop of Constantinople is “first among equals”.

Sacraments:  Baptism initiates God’s life within the one baptized (usually infants).  In the Eucharist, bread and wine are changed into Christ’s physical elements (a mystery left to be unexplained).

Other Beliefs of Note:  Mary was cleansed of sin when Gabriel appeared to her.  She remained a virgin perpetually, and (in tradition not dogma) was assumed bodily into heaven.  Icons (pictures of Christ or saints) are objects of veneration through which Christ is to be worshiped.  Iconography was in contrast to Roman Catholic statues by which the Easter Church thought was in violation of the commandment to not make graven images.  Some see icons as “windows into heaven”.

Trends:  About 1/3 are doctrinally conservative.  Most Orthodox bodies are members of the National Council of Churches, whose liberal direction is causing some concern.