Christianity Today 3 main divisions

Roman Catholicism Most prevalent in central and southern Europe, Southern Ireland, and Central and South America. Makes up more than ½ of the worlds Christians Rome - Vatican Relies on the Bible and ‘Tradition’ as a means of God’s revelations of Christ. Tradition began with the Apostles, who handed it down to their successors, the bishops and popes)

Roman Catholicism The Pope, as Peter’s successor, is the highest authority in the church Modern Catholicism is greatly influenced by the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) Designed to update the church teachings to respond to the needs of the modern world and promote Christian unity Pope Benedict XVI

Roman Catholicism Recognizes 7 sacraments. Sacrament is an outward, physical sign of an inward, spiritual reality Baptism Confirmation The Eucharist / holy communion, Marriage Ordination (of deacons, priests, and bishops Reconciliation / penance Anointing of the sick) Through sacrament Grace (the transforming presence of God) flows forth into the person. The Eucharist (or Mass) is the summit of Catholic worship - every Sunday or Saturday morning.

The Great Schism 1054 AD

Eastern Orthodoxy 250 million adherents, located mostly in Eastern Europe, Russia, and the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. (Examples include Russian and Greek Orthodox Churches) Rather than regard “Tradition” as the process of clarifying the revelation of Christ through the ages (as does the R.C. Church) Eastern Orthodoxy limits its doctrines to those conclusions reached by 7 ecumenical councils held prior to 787.

Eastern Orthodoxy Each branch has its own leader yet they all acknowledge the patriarch of Constantinople as the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The patriarch however has no special doctrinal authority like the pope. The authority instead is held by the entire church body Bartholomew I

Eastern Orthodoxy Observe the same 7 sacraments as Catholicism Great emphasis on religious icons - artistic representations of the New Testament and early Christian saints

1517-1648 the Treaty of Westphalia The Reformation 1517-1648 the Treaty of Westphalia

Protestantism Predominant form of Christianity in Northern Europe, England, N. Ireland, Scotland, Australia, the United States, and Canada Originated as a protest against any form of authority that it perceives as false anything that stands in the way between the Christian’s relationship with God through Christ

Protestantism 4 main branches stemming from the days of the Reformation Lutheran Calvinist Baptist Anglican - from which Methodism emerged Today hundreds of denominations exist, many of them derived from one of these four

Protestantism and the Bible Focus on the Bible as the primary means of knowing Christ Fundamentalist believe the Bible is the direct word of God, and it must be read and interpreted literally For most other protestant denominations, the bible is viewed as a human product that conveys God’s truth, as long as it is interpreted properly

Protestantism Justification by faith: as understood by Martin Luther. As long as one has faith, good works will naturally follow. Sacraments are important but only as accompaniment to faith. Only two sacraments are observed Baptism Eucharist.