SOME CLARIFICATIONS ABOUT DIFFERENT FORMS OF CHRISTIANITY

Let’s start with the more extreme forms of conservative Protestantism, FUNDAMENTALISM and Pentecostalism. The first got its name from the publication of a series of paperback books called “The Fundamentals” (around 1900), which on the surface seemed to reinforce the most conservative Christian beliefs. In fact, several of these authors were not as conservative as the others, but not many folks noticed. Chief among these basic beliefs were (and are) 1. the inerrancy of the original texts of the Bible (which no one has actually seen) as presented in the King James translation, 2. the full Divinity of Jesus Christ, 3. the Trinitarian nature of God, and 4. the Final triumph of God’s rule, with sinners going to hell and Believers going to Heaven, everlastingly.

Pentecostalists often also profess these same fundamentalist beliefs, but for the most part they do not focus much on drawing fine doctrinal distinctions. Their emphasis is on the Life of the Holy Spirit, especially in active, free worship, often including speaking in tongues and the healing of both bodily and spiritual infirmities. There are a few types of “denominational” groups, often called “Holiness” churches, and a great many Independent churches. Right next to these groups, one could also place Mormons (Latter Day Saints) and Seventh Day Adventists, each with its own “special” divergences from traditional Christian beliefs.

At the opposite end of the continuum stand LIBERAL churches, a modern movement that arose around the same time as Fundamentalism but rejected the more traditional stance, with an increasing number of believers who did not take the Bible “literally” and sought an interpretation that better fit modern scientific and theological thought. Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Baptists, by and large, moved in this direction, seeking not to take the Bible literally and to embrace modern cultural norms. Most American Christians would fall into this category. Beginning around 1950, a movement toward a “Neo-Orthodox” Christianity emerged that seeks to stand between these two approaches, as well as an “Evangelical” form of Protestantism that seeks to be faithful to the main emphases of the Christian Faith without being overly “doctrinaire”. Many such churches exist within the structure of nearly every denomination today.    

Throughout, the Roman Catholic Church stands, having undergone many changes in doctrine and emphasis in recent years, reflecting its own developments during the 20^th Century, especially through the Vatican Councils and the ecumenical and World Council of Churches movements. Many, perhaps most, Catholic Churches are doctrinally rather traditional, yet politically “radical.” In my own experience, I have been mostly Protestant, sometimes Catholic, and largely liberal in doctrine and social action. Theological Seminaries also vary widely, with both mainline and independent ones being quite diverse. My emphasis is on solid Biblical scholarship and strong socio/political action.  

In recent years, Mari and I have grown tired of almost all “traditional” churches and have yet to find another that carries genuine Christian roots with “modern” emphases. If you go “looking,” you will find a whole host of more or less “traditional” denominations and/or congregations. You might be surprised to learn that many “off-the-main-line” Christian groups are available. Here’s just a beginning list of church groups that take a less traditional approach to historical Christianity than the “main-liners”:   

SPLINTER GROUPS OFF OF TRADITIONAL PROTESTANT CHRISTIANITY

Southern Baptists

Free Methodists

Nazarene Christianity

Amish Christianity

Mennonite Christianity

Quaker Christianity

Freewill Baptists

Plymouth Brethren

Pentecostal Christianity

Seventh-day Adventist

Latter-day Saints

Fundamental Churches of America

African Methodist