The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations

For those that are confused with so many religios out there and need to either get familiarized with the main elements that characterize each religion or want to find out how their faith differs from others then I recommend this book.

This book was never intended to be a Theology lesson on every church out there. It is a well organized topically given exercise of who the Christian Churches are. Frome whom were they spawned? What are their beliefs based on Historical and Creedal Precedents (statements) and that's all it is meant to accomplish. Perhaps if Mr. Rhodes wishes to make use of some literary criticism whereby some here have chosen to pass on him and maybe in his next version of this book he may choose to give a broader depiction with a better Prologue and Commentary area. But a book about Denominations is just that. A book that tells us as factually as can be sought out through preserved data of who, what and where these churches have come from and what do they believe. No reason for a scholarly lesson on "is this church' teachings this or that and why or why not" is needed! That is not this book's intent. It is not a Theology instructional manual of The Churches. Period!

As Christ told His apostles in Matthew 16:18 the gates of hell would never prevail against His church and of course it hasn't! Ron Rhodes does an excellent job in giving the history of the church and how it grew from a universal catholic church (catholic with a small c), to the Reformation, to today's denominations. The one thing that strikes me in reading Dr. Rhode's book is that all branches of Christianity agree on the essentials of the faith. Yes, they are disagreements on the non-essentials (the reason for all the denominations), but in essentials we have unity. One distinctive characteristic of the book is that Mr. Rhodes only includes true Christian denominations. You will notice that he excludes the likes of Oneness Pentecostals, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses. In other books on Christian denominations you will see these cultic groups included. One critique I have of the book is that Mr. Rhodes seems to present the pre-mill dispensational rapture view as if it were the one true view. You will notice how he lists this view several times and lets it stand alone, as compared to placing it alongside other views in a chart (e.g. partial preterism, or progressive dispensationalism, which are never even mentioned in his book). Overall though this is a must book for those who love the history of the church! Patrick Foss

Hi, I would like to know of the errors,omissions,numerous historical,theological, and terminological errors of fact are in this book. And what may I ask what is your whole deal about the ("complete guide" who can write concerning the First Vatican Council(1869/70):"More than 800 Roman Catholic priests (sic) from around the world attended.") Who cares about Roman Catholic priests what did they do? And what are you remarking to the First Vatican Council(1869/70) what did they twist then? Thanks P.S. Most people do not like to see the truth so they attack it. They also do not like to be told they are wrong!

This was a great book on denominations in the Christian world.It gives you a short history on the church. The book also gives you the break down on the things each church does. The polity of the churches are mention, baptism modes, if the church practices foot washing etc. There views on doctrines like church goverment, Trinity, eschatology, etc. There are also "Fast Facts" on secondary issues like Freewill, rapture, infant salvation, etc. This book was perfect in what Dr. Rhodes set out to do. Also he mentions were the myth of Bloody Mary comes from. Great book. Dr. Rhodes only mention Christian Churches, no cults like mormons or Jehovah Witness.