what Christians believe & why

Many people in the church today do not know much about their denomination’s history and even less about the history of other Christian denominations. Why is it important to know these things? What is the difference? Hamilton begins to answer these questions in this study while providing the historical knowledge and background needed to understand the branches on Christianity’s family tree. Starting at the very beginning with Orthodoxy and leading up to Methodism, Hamilton shows where eight different Christian denominations originated and what distinguishes them from each other. The emphasis is on what we can learn from other denominations rather than what is wrong about other denominations. In each session, we see a little bit of our own history and understand more about the overall history of Christianity. Hamilton brings it together beautifully at the end as the image of a tree emerges from the map of denominations that has grown throughout the study. By learning more about all of Christianity, we can find new ways to glorify God and love our neighbors.

The study covers Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, Anglicanism, Baptists, Pentecostalism, and Methodism. With the introductory and concluding chapters, there are ten sessions. Each session has a video portion that features Hamilton’s sermons on these denominations and interviews with local church leaders. ( )

NCLA Review - This book gives us a glimpse of the basic beliefs of eight major denominations. These being, Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, Anglicanism, Baptists, Pentecostalism and Methodism. He explains the origins of each and reasons for the many denominations in the world today. He compares them to a family tree with the roots being Judaism, the trunk being Jesus Christ and permeating the branches is the Holy Spirit which feeds it all and allows it to grow. All together it forms the body of Christ. The author explains that although we may disagree with each other on some issues, there are basic beliefs that bind us all together. We can listen and learn from one another and pursue a life of faith by maintaining a balance between grace and holiness, intellect and emotion, evangelism and social justice. We can accept and respect each group as worthy and a member of God's family. Rating: 4 —DM ( )