City of Dis
Cosmicism without consolation
Reference page
A chronological field guide to the major forms of Christianity: ancient Jewish-Christian beginnings, Gnostic and non-Nicene rivals, Catholic and Orthodox communions, Reformation families, Restorationist inventions, charismatic expansions, and the contemporary fragments still arguing over who owns the word "Christian".
Christianity is not one simple object with a few decorative variations. It is a family of traditions, institutions, scriptures, liturgies, power structures, metaphysical claims and historical accidents. Some forms are recognisably within classical Nicene Christianity. Some are Christian-derived but non-Nicene. Some are sociologically Christian while being theologically alien to Catholic, Orthodox and most Protestant standards.
The useful question is therefore not merely "Is it Christian?" but "Christian by which criterion?" Self-description, historical descent, creedal orthodoxy, sacramental communion, biblical vocabulary and sociological classification do not always give the same answer.
The earliest Jesus movement: Jewish followers of Jesus centred on Jerusalem, messianic expectation, Torah, temple, synagogue and the claim that Jesus was Israel's Messiah. This was not yet Christianity as later Gentile churches would recognise it.
The stream that opened the Jesus movement to Gentiles without requiring full Torah observance. This was decisive in turning the movement from a Jewish messianic renewal into a trans-ethnic religion.
The stream that later became mainstream orthodoxy: bishops, emerging canon, apostolic succession, sacraments, creedal development and increasingly sharp boundaries against rival Christianities.
Jewish-Christian groups preserving Jesus-belief with varying degrees of Torah observance. They became marginal as Gentile Christianity established the future institutional centre.
Diverse movements using Christian language while stressing hidden knowledge, salvation from ignorance and often a sharp spirit/matter contrast. Valentinian and Sethian systems are major examples. Orthodoxy defined itself partly by refusing this cosmic contempt for ordinary creation.
A radical Christianity separating the God of the Hebrew Bible from the God revealed by Christ. Marcion produced an early Christian canon centred on edited Luke and Paul. The later Church's insistence on keeping the Hebrew Bible was, in part, a refusal of Marcion's surgical tidiness.
An ecstatic prophetic movement emphasising new prophecy, rigorism, martyrdom and the imminent work of the Spirit. The Church has never been entirely comfortable with prophets who fail to wait for committee approval.
Non-Trinitarian currents trying to preserve divine unity by identifying Father, Son and Spirit as modes or manifestations rather than distinct persons. Later orthodox theology would condemn this as collapsing the distinctions inside God.
A rigorist movement especially concerned with whether the Church could readmit Christians who had lapsed under persecution. The old question: does holiness mean mercy, purity, or ecclesiastical refusal to let human beings remain human?
A North African rigorist church arguing that the purity of ministers mattered for the validity of sacraments. Catholic orthodoxy answered that the sacrament does not depend on the moral cleanliness of the priest, a doctrine of some practical convenience, given priests.
Non-Nicene Christianity teaching that the Son was subordinate to the Father and not eternally consubstantial with him. It was once enormously influential, especially among some Germanic kingdoms. Heresy, in other words, was not always a minority hobby.
The theological settlement affirming the full divinity of the Son and, later, the Spirit. This became the foundation of classical Catholic, Orthodox and most Protestant Christianity.
Movements or tendencies stressing human moral capacity and free will in ways Augustine and later Western orthodoxy rejected. The dispute over grace, freedom and moral ability would return in many later costumes.
East Syriac Christianity, historically associated with Persia and often labelled "Nestorian", though that label is contested. It developed outside the Roman imperial church and became a major missionary tradition across Asia.
Churches rejecting the Council of Chalcedon, including Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Syriac Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, Eritrean Orthodox and Malankara traditions. Their Christology is better described as miaphysite than crudely "monophysite".
The mainstream Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and later Protestant Christological tradition: Christ as one person in two natures, divine and human.
The Western Latin church centred on communion with Rome, papal primacy, magisterial authority, seven sacraments, canon law, Marian doctrine and developed scholastic theology. It did not drop from the sky in a finished catechism. It accreted authority, doctrine, law and splendour over centuries.
The Chalcedonian Eastern churches: Greek, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Georgian, Antiochian and others. Defined by conciliarity, liturgy, icons, theosis and rejection of papal supremacy.
A broad family of East and West Syriac traditions, including Syriac Orthodox, Assyrian Church of the East, Chaldean Catholic, Maronite, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara lines.
Part of Oriental Orthodoxy, but with distinctive canon, liturgy, fasting discipline, Judaic cultural elements and national history.
Monastic, mendicant and reform currents within Roman Catholicism, including Benedictine, Cluniac, Cistercian, Franciscan, Dominican and later reforming traditions.
A medieval lay reform movement stressing poverty, preaching and Scripture. Later absorbed into the Reformed Protestant world.
A Bohemian reform movement associated with Jan Hus, anticipating aspects of the Protestant Reformation and demonstrating, inconveniently, that the sixteenth century had a backstory.
Rooted in Martin Luther and the Augsburg Confession. Stresses justification by faith, law and gospel, sacramental realism and liturgical Protestantism.
Rooted in Zwingli, Calvin, Bucer and others. Stresses divine sovereignty, covenant theology, Reformed sacramental theology and disciplined preaching.
Radical Reformation Christianity stressing believer's baptism, discipleship, gathered churches, separation from worldly power and often nonviolence.
Descended from the English Reformation. Broad enough to include Reformed, evangelical, Anglo-Catholic, liberal and charismatic forms. Bishops, liturgy and the Book of Common Prayer remain central markers.
The main historic Anabaptist family, associated with Menno Simons.
Non-Trinitarian Christianity rejecting classical doctrines of Christ's deity and the Trinity.
Reformed Christianity organised through elders, presbyteries and assemblies, especially associated with Scotland and John Knox.
Reformed theology with local congregational autonomy.
Believer's baptism, congregational polity, local church autonomy and biblical authority. Later branches include General, Particular/Reformed, Southern, Independent, Primitive and many others.
A radical Protestant movement stressing the Inner Light, direct spiritual experience, peace testimony and often non-sacramental worship.
A renewal movement within Lutheran and Reformed Christianity stressing heartfelt faith, Bible study, moral discipline and devotional small groups.
A renewed Protestant tradition with deep devotional life, missionary energy, hymnody and community discipline.
A Wesleyan revival movement within Anglicanism that later became a separate family. Stresses conversion, sanctification, grace, holiness and practical piety.
Based on Emanuel Swedenborg's visions and theology. Rejects classical Trinitarianism and interprets Scripture spiritually.
Churches seeking to restore New Testament Christianity. Includes Churches of Christ, Christian Churches and Disciples of Christ.
Christian by self-description and broad sociological classification, but outside Nicene Christianity. Distinctive claims include additional scripture, restored priesthood, pre-mortal existence, exaltation, divine embodiment and rejection of the classical Trinity.
Free-church restorationist Protestantism stressing simple gatherings, biblical study, lay ministry and, in some forms, dispensationalism.
Movements shaped by expectation of Christ's imminent return. Seventh-day Adventism later becomes the major surviving form.
Non-Trinitarian biblical restorationists rejecting the immortal soul and traditional Hell, stressing resurrection and the kingdom of God.
Sabbath observance, Adventist eschatology, sanctuary doctrine, health teaching and the prophetic role of Ellen G. White.
Methodist-derived evangelical movement stressing evangelism, social work, holiness and military-style organisation.
Non-Trinitarian restorationist movement rejecting the Trinity, eternal Hell, immortal soul, blood transfusions and military service, with a centralised governing structure.
Founded by Mary Baker Eddy. Uses Christian language within a metaphysical healing system radically reinterpreting matter, sickness and evil.
Metaphysical and mind-cure movements using Christian language in a highly reinterpreted positive-thinking framework.
Uses historical criticism, modern philosophy, ethics and symbolic interpretation to reinterpret doctrine.
Stresses baptism in the Holy Spirit, tongues, prophecy, healing and charismatic gifts. Major bodies include Assemblies of God, Church of God in Christ, Foursquare Gospel and others.
Pentecostal but non-Trinitarian, rejecting classical Trinitarian doctrine and usually baptising "in Jesus' name".
A conservative Protestant reaction against liberal theology and modernism. Often stresses biblical inerrancy, creationism, separation and doctrinal militancy.
An esoteric sacramental movement influenced by Theosophy.
A Christian movement influenced by Rudolf Steiner, with distinctive sacramental and cosmic-spiritual theology.
Filipino-origin restorationist church rejecting the Trinity and claiming to be the restored true church.
Congolese Christian-derived movement founded by Simon Kimbangu, with strong African prophetic and restorationist identity.
Associated with Karl Barth and others. A reaction against liberal Protestant optimism, stressing revelation, divine transcendence and the crisis of human sin.
Charismatic gifts within older churches: Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Orthodox-adjacent and others.
Charismatic spirituality within Roman Catholicism, including tongues, healing, prophecy and praise worship.
Especially Latin American Catholic in origin, centred on liberation from oppression, poverty and injustice. Later forms include Black, feminist, Dalit and other liberation theologies.
Jewish-identity Christianity accepting Jesus as Messiah. Strongly contested by mainstream Judaism.
Countercultural evangelical revival feeding into Calvary Chapel, Vineyard-style worship, contemporary Christian music and non-denominational evangelicalism.
Independent charismatic movements stressing apostles, prophecy, deliverance, healing, spiritual warfare and contemporary worship.
Liberal or post-liberal Christianity stressing inclusion, social justice, LGBTQ affirmation, anti-fundamentalism and reconstruction of doctrine.
Christian theology and church practice affirming LGBTQ identity and re-reading Scripture, tradition and ethics accordingly.
Usually evangelical, Baptist-like or charismatic in practice, with minimal denominational identity and strong local branding. The absence of a denomination rarely means the absence of a tradition. It usually means the tradition has removed its label.
Especially influential in Africa, Latin America and parts of Asia. Often centred on healing, deliverance, prosperity, prophecy and spiritual warfare.
Churches founded in Africa, shaped by local leadership, healing, prophecy, indigenous forms, anti-colonial identity and biblical Christianity.
West African prayer and prophetic churches, especially Yoruba contexts, stressing healing, visions, prayer and spiritual warfare.
African Christian movements stressing healing, prophecy, ritual purity and indigenous Christian identity. The name should not be confused with political Zionism.
Mostly Gentile Christians adopting Torah observance, Hebrew terminology, biblical feasts and anti-traditional-church rhetoric.
Identifies Christianity with national identity, law, heritage and political order. Often less interested in Christianity as discipleship than in Christianity as flag, border and permission structure.
Former evangelicals rethinking doctrine, authority, sexuality, politics, biblical interpretation and church culture.
These are not denominations, but they shape very different Christianities in practice.
Classical Christianity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit as one God in three persons.
Arians, Unitarians, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphians, Oneness Pentecostals and LDS differ sharply from Nicene orthodoxy.
Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran and some others treat sacraments as central means of grace.
Many Baptists, evangelicals, Pentecostals and free churches treat baptism and communion as symbolic or secondary ordinances.
Structured worship, calendar, vestments, formal prayer and sacramental rhythm.
Preaching-centred, voluntary, often congregational and less formal.
Governed by bishops.
Governed by elders and graded church courts.
The local congregation is the primary authority.
Miraculous gifts such as tongues and prophecy are no longer normative.
Charismatic gifts continue.
Bible history divided into dispensations, often with rapture theology and a strong Israel/church distinction.
A Reformed framework seeing Scripture through covenants of works, grace and redemption.
Theology centred on oppression, poverty, race, class, gender, colonialism or caste.
Christian symbolism blended with occult, Hermetic, Kabbalistic, Theosophical or initiatory systems.
Christian identity fused with people, state, soil, law and memory, usually with unfortunate side effects.
Earliest: Jewish Christianity, Pauline Christianity, proto-orthodoxy.
Second century: Gnostic, Marcionite, Montanist and modalist forms.
Fourth and fifth centuries: Nicene, Arian, Church of the East, Oriental Orthodox and Chalcedonian forms.
Medieval development: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Syriac, Ethiopian, monastic and reform movements.
Sixteenth century: Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Anabaptist, Mennonite, Presbyterian and Unitarian forms.
Seventeenth and eighteenth centuries: Baptist, Quaker, Pietist, Moravian, Methodist and Swedenborgian forms.
Nineteenth century: Restorationist, LDS, Adventist, Christadelphian, Salvation Army, Jehovah's Witness, Christian Science and New Thought forms.
Twentieth century: Pentecostal, Oneness Pentecostal, Fundamentalist, Charismatic, Liberation, Messianic Jewish and Neo-charismatic forms.
Twenty-first century: Global charismatic, non-denominational, progressive, post-evangelical, Hebrew Roots, Christian nationalist and deconstruction movements.