User:Filll/Denominations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The World Christian Database (2004), compiled by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary includes 9000 Christian denominations.[1]
- Dictionary of Christianity in America (1989) states that "As of 1980 David B. Barrett[2] identified 20,800 Christian denominations worldwide . . ."[3]
- The United Nations states that there were over 23,000 in 1989.[4]
- The Encyclopedia of Christianity (1999) stated that "In 1985 David Barrett could count 22,150 distinct denominations worldwide."[5]
- The World Christian Encyclopedia (1982) stated that the number of denominations will be ". . . a projected 22,190 by 1985 . . . The present net increase is 270 denominations each year (five new ones a week)." [6]
- The World Christian Encyclopedia(2001) stated that there are "over 33,000 denominations in 238 countries." (Table 1-5, vol 1, page 16).[6]
- "According to Barrett’s calculations, there are 8,196 denominations within Protestantism—not 25,000 as Roman Catholic apologists so cavalierly and carelessly claim." [7]
[edit] Trend
1970: 26,350 1995: 33,820
- More than 1500 faith groups in Christianity.[8]
The World Christian Encyclopedia definition of "denomination" is
- "an organized Christian Church or tradition or religious group or community of believers or aggregate of worship centers or congregations, usually within a specific country, whose component congregations and members are called by the same name in different areas, regarding themselves as an autonomous Christian church distinct from other denominations, churches and traditions."[6]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Denominations Represented, World Christian Database, Breuer & Co., 2004.
- ^ David B. Barrett is an editor and statistician who helped compile the World Christian Encyclopedia (1982;2001).
- ^ The Dictionary of Christianity in America, Intervarsity Press,Downers Grove, IL, 1990; "Denominationalism," page 351
- ^ World Census of Religious Activities, U.N. Information Center, NY, 1989
- ^ Encyclopedia of Christianity, edited by E. Fahlbusch, et al., Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1999, vol. 1, p. 800, s.v. "Denomination"
- ^ a b c pages 15-18 of first edition of World Christian Encyclopedia: A Comparative Survey of Churches and Religions in the Modern World Volume I: The World by Countries: Religionists, Churches, Ministries, David B. Barrett (Editor), George Thomas Kurian (Editor), Todd M. Johnson (Editor), Oxford Univ Pr (Sd); 1st printing 1982; 2nd edition (March 2001) ISBN-10: 0195103181
- ^ 30,000 Protestant Denominations? from Upon This Slippery Rock, Eric Svendsen, Calvary Press, 2002.
- ^ Christian Denominations: The History and Evolution of Christian Denominations and Faith Groups, Mary Fairchild, Your Guide to Christianity-General.
