Okay, let's take a look at this number 34,000 (actually, it is 33,820). This information is found from the World Christian Encyclopedia by David Barret. I will admit from the beginning that I did not have a ton of time to look through the books (it is two volumes) and they are HUGE. However, I found the information I needed to lay this issue to rest, hopefully for good.
Barret breaks up Christianity into six megablocs: Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Protestant, marginal Christian, and Independent. The sum of ALL the denominations of each group is where 33,820 comes from. It is NOT just Protestant, as we have been led to believe by some here. He then divides these six megablocs into two groups: 1) Denominationalism (henceforth signified by 'D')(consisting of Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Protestant, and marginal Christian) and 2) Postdenominationalism (henceforth signified by "PD" (consisting just of Independent groups).
Here are some stats for the two groups:
Denominations: D-11,830 PD-21,990
Congregations/churches: D-1,654,000 PD-1,791,000
Christians: D-1,502,000,000 PD-386,000,000
And here is the all important definition of "denomination" that he uses:
Denomination: An organized aggregate of worship centers or congregations of similar ecclesiastical tradition within a specific country; i.e. as an organized Christian church or tradition or religious group or community of believers, within a specific country, whose component congregations and members are called by the same denominational name in different areas, regarding themselves as one autonomous Christian church distinct from other denominations, churches, and traditions. As defined here, world Christianity consists of 6 major ecclesiastico-cultural blocs, divided into 300 major ecclesiastical traditions, composed of over 33,000 distinct denominations in 238 countries, these denominations themselves being composed of over 3,400,000 worship centers, churches, or congregations. (p. 16, emphasis mine)
I am sure many would not agree with this definition of a denomination, but this is what the author clearly spells out as his criteria. Please note that he goes country by country, not worldwide. So the RCC in America is a different denomination from the one in Mexico, so on and so on.
Further, here are some more stats:
Amongst the RCC he says there are 22 major traditions with 242 denominations. Amongst Protestants he says that there are 27 major traditions with 8,973 denominations. However, please remember, he is going country by country. At most, being very generous, there could be 1,000 to 1,500 distinct Protestant denominations worldwide. However, I do not swear by this, and with a little research it could be obtained. But I don't have the time nor do I care to, so I will leave that to someone else. Any concerns on my part have been laid to rest. I will admit there are many Protestant denominations (remember, I feel 1,000 to 1,500 is being very liberal), but there is absolutely, positively nothing close to what has been claimed here by Catholics. Especially in the sense they insinuate when they use the term denomination. So I hope this is the last time I see the 10,000-34,000 numbers tossed around. And before you say, "Oh well, there are still a lot," please think of what you are saying. You are excusing your false witness like it is nothing. Do you really take it that lightly? Can we pass it off that easily? Is not Jesus THE Truth?
Here are a couple of other tidbits:
He counts "non-denomination" as a major tradition of Protestants with more than a hundred denominations. I just found that funny.
Also, he counts such groups as marginal Christian groups and includes their denominations in the 33,820 number: Divine Science, Jehovah's Witnesses, Theosophists, Unitarians, and Mormons. I don't think many of us would agree with this assessment.
Interestingly, this Independent major bloc appears to be very, very small groups for the most part that do not identify with any of the major traditions. I would like to look at these more, but many appear to be local or national groups.
It appears to be an interesting set, but quite questionable with the definitions. Please, draw your own conclusions. Look at the set. But before you use it against someone, remember it as a whole. Your group may be in there and add a few denominations itself.
In Christ,
Neal
P.S. Ron, I just wanted to clarify that I am in graduate school, not college. Lest you get wrong ideas in your head about me.
