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HOW MANY CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS EXIST IN THE WORLD?
According to “World Christian Encyclopedia” published in 2001 by Oxford University Press, back in 2001, there were more than 33,000 registered Christian Denominations in the world. The same Encyclopedia estimated that in 2007-8 the number may increase to 40,000. It is interesting to know that the majority of this huge variety (25,000-30,000) are so called “Independent” Churches emerging from various Protestant Churches. These denominations were radically increased in the last two centuries. In the 18th century they were acknowledged as minorities and their number was less then 800.
WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE ABUNDANCE OF CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS?
We believe, this superfluous abundance of the denominations is the result of contemporary standards and ideologies. The present-day man lives in self-interested societies where the old values are being neglected and the new ideas are accepted as absolute truths. With this context in mind we notice two notions: the rejection of the Holy Oral Tradition of the Church and the misinterpretation of the Holy Bible. These notions generate disorder and chaotic situations, where in one hand they accept “Sola Scriptura” (Bible Only) slogan, and consider themselves as Bible based Churches, and in the other hand deny each other’s teaching and doctrines. This concept opposes the Biblical truth “” and contradicts the true Christian spirit, “”. We successively will touch upon to both of these sources: to Holy Oral Tradition of the Church and to Holy Bible.
WHAT IS HOLY ORAL TRADITION?
It is the oral Word of God, infallible and infinite, exposed through God’s commandments and rules, the creeds of faith, the Holy Sacraments of the Church, the Church literature (liturgical books, lives of Saints, Church Fathers writings, etc.) the feasts of the Church. In fact the Holy Oral tradition is a major part of the Christian truths, conveyed by the Holy Spirit and kept by the Church. It fulfills the Books of the Bible, since very little was written about Jesus in the Scriptures”.
