Protestant Denominations After The Reformation
Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI
Biblical Authority Ministries, April 28, 2026 (Donate)
The Reformation brought about many changes in Europe (and America) as Christians began returning to the Bible as the absolute source of authority over any church (e.g., Rome). But they didn’t unite together into one body.
This is unlike previous church splits where the Oriental
Churches, largely maintained unification around ~AD 450. When the Eastern Churches
(Orthodox) and Western Church (Roman) split, both sides has largely remained
united to their own.
After the Protestant Reformation with Luther, unity was attempted
but it didn’t work for a host of reasons. So today, there are many various denominations
spread through each with their own unity sometimes sharing or standing side by
side with other denominations on certain issues (standing together to fight abortion
for instance). Let’s evaluate how this happened starting with Luther.
What Was Luther’s Famous Declaration And The Events
Surrounding It?
In 1517, Martin Luther famously challenged the sale of
indulgences by posting his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church
in Wittenberg. His protest was not initially meant to start a new church but to
call the Roman Catholic Church to reform according to Scripture. He
wanted to the church leadership to get back to God’s Word.
For instance, Luther argued that salvation was by grace
through faith like the Bible says (Ephesians 2:8), not purchased through
indulgences as Rome was teaching. His writings spread rapidly due to the
printing press, igniting widespread debate across Europe.
The conflict escalated when Luther refused to recant at the
Diet of Worms (a Diet was a formal theological conference and it was
held in the city or Worms, Germany). There he declared,
“Here I stand; I can do no other.”
He was appealing to Scripture as his final authority. He was
subsequently excommunicated (kicked out!) of the Roman Church and declared an
outlaw by Charles V (head of the Holy Roman Empire at the time). Nevertheless,
Luther was protected by German princes. Then he continued translating the Bible
into German and writing theological works, which laid the foundation for what
became the Protestant Reformation.
After Luther’s Declaration, Protestants Almost Unified
But Didn’t—Why?
Although many Reformers agreed that Scripture is the
ultimate authority (sola Scriptura) and that salvation is by faith alone
(sola fide), unity broke down over other doctrinal differences. One
major division arose at the Marburg Colloque—a large theological meeting at Marburg
Castle—between Luther and another Protestant leader Huldrych Zwingli regarding
the Lord’s Supper.
Luther held to a real presence of Christ in the
Eucharist (the Lord Supper/the bread and the wine), while Zwingli viewed it as symbolic.
This disagreement, was the primary factor that prevented a unified Protestant
front.
It wasn’t just this of course. Other disagreements involved
church governance—should church leaders be elected or appointed (presbyterian-style)
or a mixture of both. Another disagreement is the role of tradition (what
aspect of Roman’s worship services did they get right and should that be
brought over) as well as the extent of reform in hosts of doctrinal positions.
Reformers such as John Calvin developed distinct theological
systems (this led to Calvinism). There were also political factors that kept
many churches from unifying as rulers often supported different reforms within
their territories. Thus, even though Protestants agreed on many core doctrines,
secondary issues often led to lasting fragmentation into many different denominations.
The Four Initial Denominations To Come Out Of The Reformation
The Lutheran tradition followed Luther’s
teachings, with such positions as justification by faith and yet, they retained
some liturgical/formal elements found in Rome. Lutheran churches often
maintained a structured form of worship and upheld a sacramental understanding
of baptism and the Lord’s Supper (obviously not Zwingli’s view), though it was distinct
from Roman Catholic theology.
Puritans, influenced largely by Calvinist
theology, sought to further purify the church from remaining Catholic
elements, especially within England. Anglicans, tied to the
Church of England, emerged under English King Henry VIII and retained a blend
of Protestant theology and traditional structure.
The Anabaptists, by contrast, rejected infant
baptism and strictly pushed believer’s baptism, simple living, and separation
from state control, often facing persecution from both Catholics and other
Protestants initially.
What Groups Today Derived From The Lutherans?
Modern Lutheranism continues through organized bodies such
as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Evangelical Free Churches,
the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), and the Wisconsin Evangelical
Lutheran Synod (WELS). These groups differ somewhat in theology and practice,
particularly regarding biblical authority, worship style, and social issues,
but all trace their roots back to Luther’s reforms.
Globally, Lutheranism remains one of the largest Protestant
traditions, especially in parts of Europe and Africa. They largely hold to
historic confessions like the Augsburg Confession. Modern Lutheran though can deviate
extensively from one another. Groups range from more conservative and biblical (LCMS
and WELS) to more liberal and woke expressions (ELCA).
What Groups Today Derived From The Puritans?
Many Presbyterian churches were born out of Puritanism and
broader Reformed theology shaped by Calvinist principles. Puritan influence
also extends to many Baptist groups, particularly those holding to Reformed
theology. The minor differences between Presbyterian and Baptists can usually
be seen between the Westminster Confession of Faith of 1647 and the London Baptist
Confession of 1689.
Puritan theology also strongly influenced Congregational
traditions. Groups such as the United Church of Christ and various
Congregational churches trace their roots to Puritan settlers in New England.
What Groups Today Derived From The Anglicans?
The Anglican tradition continues globally through the
Anglican Communion, including churches like the Church of England and The
Episcopal Church. These churches maintain a liturgical style of worship and
episcopal governance (rule by bishops), blending Protestant doctrine with
historic forms.
From Anglicanism. We also get Methodism and later Wesleyan
traditions through the work of John Wesley (and his brother Charles). Methodist
churches, including the United Methodist Church, tend toward Arminian theology.
This branch also gave rise to the later Holiness Movement and Pentecostal deviations.
Thus, Anglicanism has given rise to a wide spectrum of traditions.
What Groups Today Derived From The Anabaptists?
Anabaptist descendants include groups such as the
Mennonites, Amish, and Hutterites (Hutterian Brethren). These communities held
strongly to believer’s baptism, simple living, and often pacifism. They
typically maintain a separation from worldly systems and prioritize community
life and discipleship.
Some Baptist traditions also share theological similarities
with Anabaptists, particularly regarding believer’s baptism and congregational
governance, though historically Baptists developed independently out of the
Puritan line.
Why Do Denominations Persist Today Despite Broad
Agreement?
Despite agreement on most core doctrines such as the
Trinity, the authority of Scripture, and salvation through Christ,
denominations persist due to differences in interpretation and emphasis on certain
matters. Key dividing issues include modes of baptism (infant vs believer’s
baptism), views of the Lord’s Supper, church governance, and theological
systems such as Calvinism versus Arminianism. Eschatological differences (views
of end times) also contribute to division.
Additionally, historical, cultural, and geographic factors
have reinforced denominational identities. Over time, traditions develop
distinct practices, confessions, and institutional structures that are not
easily unified. While many modern efforts aim at cooperation and unity, these
longstanding doctrinal and practical differences continue to sustain
denominational diversity within Protestant Christianity.
Today, many new denominations have appeared—some with the same
focus of returning to Scripture as the sole and supreme authority—others developed
a new split within denominations that have roots and ties to one of these four
initial groups at the Reformation but a secondary issue—or even church leadership—often
divides.
Unbiblical Denominational Directions
Today, we are witnessing something even more unique in the way
certain churches are. Some are giving up biblical authority and borrowing
from the world’s secular ideas to supersede what God clearly teaches in His
Word.
We observe some denominations giving up Genesis and six-day
creation to borrow the secular humanistic origins account with things like big
bang, millions of years, and evolution.
We see some denominations give up godly marriage to push for homosexuality
and transgender ideology (i.e., woke concepts). We see churches deviate from
fact there is one race of man going back to Adam and Eve (i.e., the human race
or Adam’s race) and heavily holding to racist ideas. And there is so much more
that could be added!
What we need for churches is to step back and let God be
God. We need to treat the 66 books of the Bible like the authority that it is (sola
Scriptura) and get back to what God clearly teaches in His Word in all matters—marriage,
race, origins, etc. What makes any denomination healthy and functional to do
the Lord’s work? Trusting God and His Word in in all areas—science, history,
life, theology, relationships, law, and all things.
If you would like to see an even more specific breakdown of denominations in graphic format see here.
Bodie Hodge, Ken
Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing
evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as
a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers
News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.
Bodie
launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal
website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken
on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and
universities. He is married with four children.
Mr. Hodge earned a
Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at
Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a
Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and
running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic
materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a
grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar,
Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.
His love of science
was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one
year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and
scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over
25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.
*Images done by ChatGPT
