Religious Origins
Explore and Understand Where Religions Started
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0 · Birth of Christ
Ancient Near Eastern Roots | Year -2000 | Root | Foundational | Shared ancient Near Eastern narratives and high-god concepts | Covenantal streams that inform Abrahamic and regional faiths | spiritual: Stories of creation, covenant, and divine kingship | Premise: Foundational revelations seeded later monotheistic claims
Ancient Near Eastern Roots
Patriarchal Covenant | Year -1800 | Judaism | Foundational (Abrahamic) | Abrahamic covenant promises land, posterity, and blessing | Marks the emergence of a distinct monotheistic lineage | spiritual: Covenant encounters at altars and sacred sites | Premise: God elected a family line to steward priestly knowledge
Patriarchal Covenant
Vedic Traditions | Year -1500 | Dharmic | Shruti (Revealed) | Vedic hymns and rituals articulate cosmic order | Priestly lineages memorize and transmit sacred texts | spiritual: Sacrificial fire rites and mantra recitation | Premise: Shruti is timeless revelation heard by rishis
Vedic Traditions
Zoroastrianism | Year -1000 | OtherFaiths | Prophetic (Avesta) | Zarathustra proclaims Ahura Mazda as supreme | Dualistic ethics of truth versus deception influence later faiths | spiritual: Prophetic hymns and priestly preservation | Premise: Priestly Magi guard revealed fire and scripture
Zoroastrianism
Greco-Roman Religious Traditions | Year -700 | OtherFaiths | Civic Cult | City-states integrate cults, philosophy, and imperial worship | Mystery religions promise personal salvation | political: Imperial patronage and civic identity | Premise: Authority mediated by priests, philosophers, and emperors
Greco-Roman Religious Traditions
Israelite Religion | Year -1200 | Judaism | Priestly (Temple) | Torah, priesthood, and sacrificial system shape national worship | Prophets call Israel back to covenant fidelity | spiritual: Sinai revelation and prophetic correction | Premise: Temple-centered authority mediated divine presence
Israelite Religion
Islam | Year 610 | Islam | Prophetic (Qur'an) | Muhammad receives Qur'anic revelation; Ummah formed in Medina | Caliphate structures steward scripture, law, and community | spiritual: Prophetic revelation and preservation of the Qur'an | Premise: Final prophetic authority supersedes earlier scripture corruptions
Islam
Classical Hinduism | Year -500 | Dharmic | Dharma (Smriti) | Epics, Puranas, and bhakti movements diversify devotion | Temple worship and gurus guide communities | spiritual: Quest for moksha through varied yogic paths | Premise: Authority flows through guru-disciple lineages and sacred texts
Classical Hinduism
Buddhism | Year -480 | Dharmic | Sangha (Monastic) | Siddhartha Gautama articulates Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path | Monastic sangha preserves teaching through councils and canon | spiritual: Pursuit of enlightenment and compassion | Premise: Enlightened teaching offers liberation independent of caste
Buddhism
Second Temple Judaism | Year -516 | Judaism | Priestly (Temple) | Temple rebuilt; sects like Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes emerge | Scripture canon formation and synagogue life expand | political: Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman rule | Premise: Covenant authority preserved through priestly and rabbinic stewardship
Second Temple Judaism
Birth of Christ | Year 0 | Root | Incarnation | Nativity narratives situate Jesus within covenant promises | Incarnation claims God’s presence enters history | spiritual: Angel annunciations and prophetic fulfillment | Premise: Messiah is born as promised seed of Abraham and David
Birth of Christ
Rabbinic Judaism | Year 90 | Judaism | Rabbinic | Post-Temple communities center on Torah, Mishnah, and synagogue | Rabbinic courts interpret law for diaspora Jewry | spiritual: Preserving covenant identity after 70 CE | Premise: Authority moves from Temple priests to rabbinic scholarship
Rabbinic Judaism
Ministry of Christ | Year 27 | Root | Incarnation | Public ministry announces kingdom of God | Calls twelve apostles and commissions disciples | spiritual: Teachings, miracles, atonement, resurrection claims | Premise: Christ personally confers authority to apostolic witnesses
Ministry of Christ
Diaspora Jewish Communities | Year 500 | Judaism | Rabbinic | Yeshivot codify Talmud; communities span Europe, North Africa, Middle East | Authority expressed through rabbinic councils and communal charters | political: Imperial permissions, migrations, and expulsions | Premise: Covenant identity survives through study, halakha, and memory
Diaspora Jewish Communities
Early Christianity | Year 30 | Root | Foundational | Apostolic leadership and early church communities | Core teachings preserved through oral tradition and early texts | spiritual: Apostolic witness and missionary expansion | Premise: Christ established a church with authority to act in His name
Early Christianity
Nicene Christianity (325) | Year 325 | Continuity | Continuity | Council era codifies key doctrines and creedal language | political: Imperial involvement in church unity and councils | Premise: Councils can clarify doctrine without invalidating original authority
Nicene Christianity (325)
Restoration Claims (19th c.) | Year 1820 | Restoration | Restoration | Authority re-instated by divine action (claimed) | spiritual: Claims of visions/angelic ministry and restored authority | Premise: Apostasy occurred (authority loss)
Restoration Claims (19th c.)
Eastern Orthodox | Year 1054 | Continuity | Continuity | Apostolic succession without papal supremacy | Conciliar model of authority | political: East–West tensions (language, jurisdiction, empire) | Premise: Conciliar continuity preserved authority
Eastern Orthodox
Roman Catholic Church | Year 500 | Continuity | Continuity | Apostolic succession and episcopal governance | Papal primacy (in Catholic view) | political: Western empire collapse and consolidation of church authority structures | Premise: Apostolic succession continued without rupture
Roman Catholic Church
Oriental Orthodox | Year 451 | Continuity | Continuity | Non-Chalcedonian churches maintaining ancient liturgies | Patriarchal structure outside of Chalcedonian conciliar definitions | theological: Disagreement on Christological language at Chalcedon | Premise: Authority can persist outside Chalcedonian formulas
Oriental Orthodox
Stone–Campbell Movement | Year 1832 | Restoration | Restorationist (Stone-Campbell) | Back-to-the-Bible primitivism | Desire for visible Christian unity | theological: Rejection of creeds as divisive | Premise: New Testament pattern alone can restore unity
Stone–Campbell Movement
Christian Science | Year 1879 | Restoration | Restorationist (Healing) | Mary Baker Eddy’s metaphysical healing movement | Science and Health used alongside Bible | spiritual: Quest for divine healing and reinterpretation of scripture | Premise: Spiritual reality supersedes material illness
Christian Science
Christadelphians | Year 1848 | Restoration | Restorationist (Biblical Literalist) | Lay Bible study movement rejecting Trinity | Focus on eschatology and literal kingdom | theological: Desire to restore apostolic beliefs via direct scripture study | Premise: Historic creeds added errors; Bible alone clarifies
Christadelphians
New Apostolic Church | Year 1863 | Restoration | Restorationist (Apostolic) | Claimed reestablishment of apostolic ministry in Europe | Continues prophetic/apostolic appointments | spiritual: Catholic Apostolic Movement succession | Premise: Apostolic authority can be restored through prophetic calling
New Apostolic Church
Iglesia ni Cristo | Year 1914 | Restoration | Restorationist (Non-Nicene) | Philippine-origin church claiming restoration of true church | Centralized authority under Executive Minister | human: National identity and anti-colonial context | Premise: Original church disappeared and is uniquely restored
Iglesia ni Cristo
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Year 1830 | Restoration | Restoration | Claim: priesthood authority restored by angelic ministration | Open canon (additional scripture) | spiritual: Claims of John the Baptist; Peter, James, and John restoring priesthood authority | Premise: Apostolic authority was lost and needed restoration
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Seventh-day Adventist | Year 1863 | Restoration | Restorationist (non-priesthood) | Sabbath emphasis; apocalyptic interpretation | theological: Second Great Awakening era movements | Premise: Scripture supports distinctive eschatology and Sabbath practice
Seventh-day Adventist
Jehovah’s Witnesses | Year 1870 | NonNicene | Restorationist (Non-Nicene) | Non-Trinitarian theology | Distinct authority structure | human: Bible study movements and new interpretive frameworks | Premise: Non-Nicene readings best reflect original Christianity
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Greek Orthodox | Year 1054 | Continuity | Continuity (Autocephalous) | Ecumenical Patriarchate as primus inter pares | Strong liturgical and monastic tradition | political: Byzantine heritage and Ottoman-era governance | Premise: Autocephaly preserves orthodox faith without central papacy
Greek Orthodox
Russian Orthodox Church | Year 988 | Continuity | Continuity (Autocephalous) | Baptism of Rus' traditions | Patriarchate restored after Soviet era | political: Tsarist symphonia and later Soviet repression | Premise: Local church can maintain apostolic faith despite political shifts
Russian Orthodox Church
Eastern Catholic Churches | Year 1596 | Continuity | Continuity (Eastern Rite) | Eastern liturgical traditions in communion with Rome | Union agreements such as Brest and Uzhhorod | political: Efforts to reconcile Eastern communities with Roman primacy | Premise: Communion with Rome restores or maintains legitimate succession
Eastern Catholic Churches
Old Catholic Movement | Year 1870 | Continuity | Continuity (Conciliarist) | Rejects papal infallibility defined at Vatican I | Maintains apostolic succession via Utrecht Union | theological: Concern over centralized papal authority | Premise: Councils, not unilateral papal decrees, safeguard apostolic authority
Old Catholic Movement
Latin American Catholic Renewal | Year 1968 | Continuity | Continuity (Pastoral) | Medellín and Puebla conferences emphasize liberation pastoral approach | Base communities focus on lay scripture engagement | human: Social inequity and political upheaval | Premise: Magisterial authority can prioritize justice for the poor
Latin American Catholic Renewal
Protestant Reformation (1517) | Year 1517 | Reform | Reform (Scripture) | Sola Scriptura (Bible as supreme authority) | Reform of doctrine and practice | theological: Disputes about indulgences, justification, authority | Premise: Scripture can function as sufficient authority for church legitimacy
Protestant Reformation (1517)
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo | Year 330 | Continuity | Continuity (Oriental) | Ancient Christian kingdom with unique liturgy | Claims Solomonic and apostolic heritage | spiritual: Integration of Christianity with national identity | Premise: Authority can be localized yet apostolic
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo
Coptic Orthodox Church | Year 451 | Continuity | Continuity (Oriental) | Alexandrian patriarchate outside Chalcedon | Strong monastic tradition | theological: Miaphysite Christology | Premise: Chalcedon language not required for orthodox Christology
Coptic Orthodox Church
Armenian Apostolic Church | Year 301 | Continuity | Continuity (Oriental) | First nation to adopt Christianity | Catholicos-centered hierarchy | political: National identity preservation under empires | Premise: Local apostolic church can remain orthodox outside imperial councils
Armenian Apostolic Church
Churches of Christ | Year 1906 | Restoration | Restorationist (Stone-Campbell) | A cappella worship | Congregational autonomy with shared restoration hermeneutic | theological: Biblical literalism regarding silence of scripture | Premise: Silence of scripture is prohibitive
Churches of Christ
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) | Year 1968 | Restoration | Restorationist (Ecumenical) | Ecumenical wing of Stone–Campbell movement | Open table communion and denominational structure | human: Negotiating unity and mission in modern context | Premise: Institutional denominational form can serve restoration ideal
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Community of Christ | Year 1860 | Restoration | Restoration (progressive) | Lineal succession through Joseph Smith Jr.’s descendants led the church until 1996 | Rejected plural marriage from the beginning, claiming Joseph Smith did not practice it (position later revised) | theological: Rejection of plural marriage and Brigham Young’s theological innovations as departures from original Restoration | Premise: Prophetic succession should follow Joseph Smith’s lineage rather than quorum seniority
Community of Christ
Church of Christ (Temple Lot) | Year 1852 | Restoration | Restoration (primitivist) | Owns the 2.5-acre temple lot in Independence, Missouri, dedicated by Joseph Smith in 1831 | Rejects most Doctrine and Covenants revelations after 1833 | theological: Belief that the church had strayed from Joseph Smith's original teachings after 1833 | Premise: The original 1830 Church of Christ represented the fullness of Restoration principles
Church of Christ (Temple Lot)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) | Year 1844 | Restoration | Restoration (prophetic succession) | James Strang claimed appointment by Joseph Smith via a letter dated days before Smith's death | Strang translated the 'Voree Plates' and the 'Plates of Laban' (Book of the Law of the Lord) | political: Succession crisis following Joseph Smith's assassination in 1844 | Premise: The letter of appointment from Joseph Smith is authentic
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite)
The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite) | Year 1862 | Restoration | Restoration (egalitarian priesthood) | Rejects the Doctrine and Covenants; accepts only the Bible and Book of Mormon | Non-salaried lay ministry—no professional clergy | theological: Desire to return to the simplicity of the New Testament and Book of Mormon church without Nauvoo-era additions | Premise: The Bible and Book of Mormon are sufficient scripture without the Doctrine and Covenants
The Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite)
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints | Year 1890 | Restoration | Restoration (fundamentalist) | Formed by those who refused to abandon plural marriage after the 1890 Manifesto | Practice of plural (polygamous) marriage as a religious commandment | theological: Belief that D&C 132 established plural marriage as an irrevocable eternal covenant | Premise: D&C 132 represents an irrevocable commandment that cannot be withdrawn by church leaders
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Apostolic United Brethren | Year 1929 | Restoration | Restoration (fundamentalist) | Practice plural marriage as a requirement for exaltation | Claim priesthood authority through a separate line via Lorin C. Woolley, apart from the LDS Church | theological: Belief that plural marriage is an eternal requirement for exaltation that prophets cannot revoke | Premise: John Taylor received a revelation in 1886 setting apart men to ensure plural marriage would never cease
Apostolic United Brethren
Martin Luther (1483-1546) | Year 1517 | Reform | Reform (Scripture) | Apostolic succession and episcopal governance | Papal primacy (in Catholic view) | political: Western empire collapse and consolidation of church authority structures | Premise: Apostolic succession continued without rupture
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Radical Reformation (Anabaptists) | Year 1525 | Reform | Reform (Believers' Church) | Believer’s baptism and gathered church membership | Non-violence and separation from state structures | theological: Desire for New Testament replication of church life | Premise: True church is formed only by professing believers
Radical Reformation (Anabaptists)
Lutheran | Year 1520 | Reform | Reform (Scripture) | Justification by faith emphasized | Retains some liturgical continuity | human: Martin Luther's reform program and disputes with church authorities | Premise: Reforming doctrine does not require apostolic succession to remain valid
Lutheran
Reformed / Presbyterian | Year 1536 | Reform | Reform (Scripture) | Emphasis on covenant theology | Elders/presbytery governance | theological: Doctrinal systemization in Geneva and beyond | Premise: Church governance can be reorganized under scripture
Reformed / Presbyterian
Anglican | Year 1534 | Reform | Reform (Mixed) | National church separation (England) | Mix of catholic/protestant traits | political: English crown and church jurisdiction conflict | Premise: National separation does not invalidate church legitimacy
Anglican
Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints | Year 2000 | Restoration | Restoration (conservative) | Formed in 2000 by conservative former RLDS members opposed to progressive direction | Maintains the Book of Mormon as literal, historical scripture | theological: Opposition to the Community of Christ's progressive theological shifts, especially women's ordination and Book of Mormon historicity questions | Premise: The Book of Mormon is a literal historical record, not merely an inspirational text
Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Mennonite | Year 1536 | Reform | Reform (Believers' Church) | Community discipline and peace witness | Shared resources and mutual aid | spiritual: Commitment to discipleship in community | Premise: Jesus’ teachings on peace are prescriptive for church life
Mennonite
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod | Year 1847 | Reform | Reform (Confessional) | Confessional Lutheranism with strict subscription to Book of Concord | Synodical polity | theological: Desire to preserve orthodox Lutheran doctrine among immigrants | Premise: Confessional standards safeguard doctrine
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America | Year 1988 | Reform | Reform (Mainline) | Merger of LCA, ALC, AELC | Largest Lutheran body in U.S. | human: Ecumenical movement and desire for unified Lutheran witness | Premise: Doctrine can be articulated through democratic synods
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Church of Scotland | Year 1560 | Reform | Reform (Presbyterian) | National Kirk shaped by John Knox | General Assembly governance | political: Scottish Reformation and covenanting | Premise: Presbyterian polity reflects biblical eldership
Church of Scotland
Presbyterian Church (USA) | Year 1983 | Reform | Reform (Presbyterian) | Merger of northern and southern streams | Connectional polity via General Assembly | human: Desire for national unity after Civil War era splits | Premise: Shared confessions can guide a broad communion
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Christian Reformed Church | Year 1857 | Reform | Reform (Presbyterian) | Dutch immigrant denomination in North America | Three Forms of Unity confessions | theological: Desire to preserve Dutch Reformed distinctives | Premise: Confessionalism can coexist with Kuyperian cultural engagement
Christian Reformed Church
Episcopal Church (USA) | Year 1789 | Reform | Reform (Episcopal) | American Anglican province after independence | General Convention governance | political: Need for autonomous church post-American Revolution | Premise: Communion with global Anglicanism can exist without British monarch
Episcopal Church (USA)
Anglican Global South / GAFCON | Year 2008 | Reform | Reform (Conciliar) | Coalition of Anglican provinces emphasizing traditional doctrine | Advocates conciliar accountability | theological: Debates over scripture authority and ethics | Premise: Global councils can correct perceived doctrinal drift
Anglican Global South / GAFCON
English Separatists | Year 1580 | Reform | Reform (Congregational) | Congregational independence | Purity of worship emphasis | political: State church enforcement and dissent | Premise: Local congregations can embody legitimate church authority
English Separatists
Methodists | Year 1738 | Reform | Reform (Revival) | Revival emphasis, holiness, practical discipleship | spiritual: Evangelical revival movements | Premise: Revival movements can renew without institutional continuity requirements
Methodists
Amish | Year 1693 | Reform | Reform (Believers' Church) | Strict Ordnung and community separation | Emphasis on humility and simplicity | human: Debates over shunning and community discipline | Premise: Separation from broader society preserves faithfulness
Amish
Congregationalist | Year 1603 | Reform | Reform (Congregational) | Each congregation governs itself | Covenant theology applied locally | theological: Desire to purify worship without bishops | Premise: Christ’s authority is present where believers covenant together
Congregationalist
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) | Year 1650 | Reform | Reform (Inner Light) | Inner Light guidance | Peace testimony and social witness | spiritual: Experiential emphasis on direct guidance by Christ | Premise: Holy Spirit can guide worship without ordained clergy
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Baptists | Year 1609 | Reform | Reform (Congregational) | Believer's baptism | Congregational governance | theological: Baptism and church membership debates | Premise: Scripture and the gathered congregation are sufficient for legitimate church authority
Baptists
African Methodist Episcopal Church | Year 1816 | Reform | Reform (Episcopal) | First independent Black denomination in U.S. | Combines Methodist doctrine with liberation focus | human: Racial segregation in Methodist Episcopal Church | Premise: Self-governance necessary for justice
African Methodist Episcopal Church
United Methodist Church | Year 1968 | Reform | Reform (Connectional) | Merger of Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren | Global connectional polity | human: Desire for unity among Wesleyan bodies | Premise: Connectional system can adapt globally
United Methodist Church
Wesleyan / Methodist Holiness | Year 1843 | Reform | Reform (Holiness) | Entire sanctification teaching | Mission societies and camp meetings | spiritual: Renewed call to holiness within Methodism | Premise: Sanctification crisis experience is normative
Wesleyan / Methodist Holiness
Salvation Army | Year 1865 | Reform | Reform (Holiness) | Militarized mission structure | Social services alongside evangelism | human: Urban poverty response in Victorian England | Premise: Flexible structures can extend holiness mission
Salvation Army
Pentecostal | Year 1906 | Reform | Reform (Charismatic) | Spiritual gifts emphasis | Revival/charismatic experience | spiritual: Azusa Street revival-era movements | Premise: Spiritual gifts continue and validate renewal movements
Pentecostal
Evangelical Movement | Year 1942 | Reform | Reform (Evangelical) | Bebbington quadrilateral (conversionism, activism, biblicism, crucicentrism) | Coalitions across denominations | spiritual: Revival heritage from Great Awakenings | Premise: Shared core doctrines and mission can transcend denominational structures
Evangelical Movement
United Church of Christ | Year 1957 | Reform | Reform (Synod-Congregational) | Merger of Congregational Christian and Evangelical & Reformed churches | Emphasis on ecumenism and social justice | human: Post-war ecumenical movement | Premise: Shared covenants and synods can guide autonomous congregations
United Church of Christ
Southern Baptist Convention | Year 1845 | Reform | Reform (Congregational) | Largest Protestant denomination in U.S. | Cooperative program for missions | political: Split over slavery and mission governance | Premise: Autonomous churches can cooperate voluntarily
Southern Baptist Convention
National Baptist Convention | Year 1895 | Reform | Reform (Congregational) | Historic African-American Baptist body | Strong focus on education and civil rights | human: African-American autonomy post-Civil War | Premise: Congregational polity can empower marginalized communities
National Baptist Convention
Holiness Movement | Year 1860 | Reform | Reform (Holiness) | Camp meetings across the U.S. | Second blessing teaching spreads | spiritual: Revivalism and pursuit of spiritual power | Premise: Holiness teaching reflects apostolic Christianity
Holiness Movement
Assemblies of God | Year 1914 | Reform | Reform (Charismatic) | Largest classical Pentecostal denomination | General Council governance | human: Need for coordinated missions and doctrine | Premise: Voluntary fellowship can guard doctrine while embracing gifts
Assemblies of God
Church of God in Christ | Year 1907 | Reform | Reform (Charismatic) | Largest African-American Pentecostal body | Episcopal governance with Presiding Bishop | spiritual: Holiness and Pentecostal revivals in Black churches | Premise: Spirit baptism empowers holiness and mission
Church of God in Christ
Charismatic Renewal | Year 1960 | Reform | Reform (Charismatic) | Pentecostal practices adopted in historic denominations | Focus on spiritual gifts alongside liturgy | spiritual: Desire for experiential renewal within mainline churches | Premise: Gifts can operate within existing church structures
Charismatic Renewal
Non-denominational Evangelical | Year 1975 | Reform | Reform (Independent) | Independent congregations with evangelical theology | Often use contemporary worship and media | human: Desire for flexible governance and cultural adaptability | Premise: Local elders/pastors can provide sufficient authority if doctrine is orthodox
Non-denominational Evangelical
Megachurch Movement | Year 1980 | Reform | Reform (Independent) | Large congregations with multisite strategies | Seeker-sensitive and contemporary services | human: Suburban growth and media technology | Premise: Large-scale organization can remain spiritually accountable
Megachurch Movement
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