The number bantered about most recently is 30,000. What started out several years ago as 20,000 has increased significantly in recent times. The trend is continuing upwards with no limit in sight. What now stands at an incredible number might well be 40-50-or 60,000 in only a matter of years. What is it, you might be wondering? 

The latest figure I have seen from Roman Catholic apologists to estimate the current number of Protestant denominations is 30,000. This prodigious number is regurgitated gratuitously by apologists who argue against the Protestant position of sola Scriptura in support of papal infallibility in the interpretation of Scripture. (Never mind that Roman apologists fail to mention that their own Church is replete with differing denominations.) 

If you are just as skeptical about the grandiose figure as I was, you would be correct in your incredulity. Setting aside the improbability that 30,000 differing denominations could all qualify as Protestant denominations without falling into heresy, I wanted to find out how the Roman Catholic apologist arrived at such an inflated number. What I soon discovered was that the reference used by Catholics to support this audacious claim comes from David A. Barrett's World Christian Encyclopedia: A Comparative Survey of Churches and Religions in the Modern World A.D. 1900-2000.

When first published over 25 years ago, Barrett identified seven major ecclesiastical "blocs" into which 22,189 different denominations belonged (with the number growing exponentially each year). That is, he identified the 7 "blocs" as follows:

1. Roman Catholicism - 223 denominations
2. Protestant - 8,196 denominations
3. Orthodox - 580 denominations
4. Non-White Indigenous - 10,956
5. Anglican - 240
6. Marginal Protestant (of which includes Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, New Age Groups, and all cults) - 1,490
7. Catholic (Non-Roman) - 504

Thus, the number usually promulgated by Catholics is nothing more than an amalgamation of all non Roman Catholicism "blocs". This disingenuous tactic is not a true representation of Barrett's research. Nevertheless, given the total of 8,196 denominations only serve to raise questions, the chief of which is how did Barrett define the term "denomination" in order to reach his final tally?

Eric Svendsen describes in his article 30,000 Protestant Denominations:

Barrett has defined "denomination," it is clear that he does not think of these as major distinctions; for that is something he reserves for another category. In addition to the seven major ecclesiastical "blocs" (mentioned above), Barrett breaks down each of these traditions into smaller units that might have significant differences (what he calls "major ecclesiastical traditions," and what we might normally call a true denomination) (Barrett, 14). Referring again to our seven major ecclesiastical "blocs" (mentioned above, but this time in reverse order): For (1) Catholic (Non-Roman), there are four traditions, including Catholic Apostolic, Reformed Catholic, Old Catholic, and Conservative Catholic; for (2) Marginal Protestants, there are six traditions; for (3) Anglican, there are six traditions; for (4) Non-White Indigenous, which encompasses third-world peoples (among whom can be found traces of Christianity mixed with the major tenets of their indigenous pagan religions), there are twenty traditions, including a branch of Reformed Catholic and a branch of Conservative Catholic; for (5) Orthodox, there are nineteen traditions; for (6) Protestant, there are twenty-one traditions; and for (7) Roman Catholic, there are sixteen traditions, including Latin-rite local, Latin-rite catholic, Latin/Eastern-rite local, Latin/Eastern-rite catholic, Syro-Malabarese, Ukrainian, Romanian, Maronite, Melkite, Chaldean, Ruthenian, Hungarian, plural Oriental rites, Syro-Malankarese, Slovak, and Coptic. It is important to note here that Barrett places these sixteen Roman Catholic traditions (i.e., true denominations) on the very same level as the twenty-one Protestant traditions (i.e., true denominations). In other words, the true count of real denominations within Protestantism is twenty-one, whereas the true count of real denominations within Roman Catholic is sixteen. Combined with the other major ecclesiastical blocs, that puts the total number of actual denominations in the world at ninety-two--obviously nowhere near the 23,000 or 25,000 figure that Roman Catholic apologists constantly assert--and that figure of ninety-two denominations includes the sixteen denominations of Roman Catholicism (Barrett, 15)! Barrett goes on to note that this figure includes all denominations with a membership of over 100,000. There are an additional sixty-four denominations worldwide, distributed among the seven major ecclesiastical blocs.

There has been a gross exaggeration from Catholic apologists who either out of ignorance or malfeasance continue to propagate this nonsense. A rudimentary study of Barrett's work would yield a sum far closer to the actual number of Protestant and Catholic denominations in existence. His work should also prove sufficient to dismantle the Roman Catholic claims of doctrinal chaos. If Protestantism is proved false because of multiple denominations and that, "God cannot be the author of such chaos," as one apologist recently emailed me, then the same standard must also apply to Roman Catholicism. It too would be proved false on the basis of doctrinal chaos as represented by the multiple denominations within its structure. 

The next time you encounter a Roman Catholic apologist who feels compelled to argue against sola Scriptura because is causes multiple denominations, kindly instruct him in the fact that Protestantism is just ahead of Catholicism in number of denominations, and remind him that unity of believers is not the measuring rod by which to judge the veracity of beliefs for even the apostles were not always of one understanding after hearing the words of their infallible Teacher. The real issue is of authority: do we accept the Word of God as the infallible source, or are we to believe the mutable and contradictory positions of popes and councils?

It should be recognized that God does use a variety of methods to manifest His will. In Acts 11 the story is told how Peter came to know the will of God concerning treatment of the Gentiles. Peter recorded his methodology for finding divine guidance in a variety of ways:

Divine guidance comes through prayer. Acts 11:5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

Divine guidance comes through meditation. Acts 11:6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

Divine guidance comes through the word of God. Acts 11:7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

Divine guidance comes through providential circumstances. Acts 11:11-14 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. 12 And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: 13 And he shewed us how he had se! en an a ngel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

Divine guidance comes through Scripture memorization. Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

Divine guidance comes through the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Acts 11:12 And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

Divine guidance comes through the testimony of others. Acts 11:13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

Divine guidance comes through visual confirmation. Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

God the Father is as anxious to make His will known as believers are to know His will and to follow it. However, once known, the will of the Lord must be obeyed lest the Holy Spirit be grieved, hardened and quenched.

I recently came across Jeremy Stangroom's The Great Philosophers: From Socrates to Foucault. I have enjoyed reading this work, but am curiously surprised at the absence of Jesus being numbered among the great philosophers in light of the attempts to define philosophy. While the word philosophy literally means "love of wisdom," there is no broad based consensus of a working definition.

Some believe philosophy is best viewed in terms of abstract subject matter. It attempts to answer such questions as, "What exists? How do we know? What are we going to do about it? Who am I?  Where did I come from?  Where am I going? How should I then live?"  

Others believe philosophy is best understood in terms of methodology. The method should be a careful and systematic thought process, giving reasons for the conclusions and allowing those conclusions to be focused. Anyone can give a reason for something being right or wrong, but the view becomes philosophy when it is rooted in reason.

There is a third view of philosophy. It is best understood in an attitude or way of life. Socrates, for example died because he believed the unexamined life was not worth living. This understanding of philosophy stands in contrast and sometimes conflict with a systematic methodology, or metaphysics and epistemology.

I would suggest that in Christ all three of these approaches to philosophy converge. It should not come as a surprise for all truth is of God, and Jesus said, "I am The Way, The Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6).

For those lovers of wisdom who lean towards metaphysics and epistemology, hear Christ as He cries out, "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak" (John 12:46-50).

For those lovers of wisdom who enjoy methodology, study the Sermon on the Mount in the gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7, and you will find a systematic way of thinking with rational conclusions for all that is articulated.

And for those who believe philosophy is best comprehend and understood in an attitude or way of life, "Behold the Man." He has astonished multitudes. Consider:

"Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the Child of a peasant woman. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book... He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put his foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. He had nothing to do with this world except the naked power of His Divine manhood. While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a Cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth while he was dying- and that His Coat. When He was dead He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Such was His human life-He rises from the dead. Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone and today He is the Centerpiece of the human race and the Leader of the column of progress. I am within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as that One Solitary Life."

In Christ, all the philosophies of life are united. All other philosophers are lesser luminaries of that "One Solitary Life."

On February 28, 2008 the Second District Court of Appeals in Los Angeles ruled that all children ages 6 to 18 must attend public or private school full time until they graduate from high school or be tutored by a credentialed teacher. Since there are about 166,000 home schooled children in California this ruling basically means that parents who home school their children must have a state teaching license in order to educate their children.

As a former teacher and school administrator I can appreciate the concern of the state to see that children are properly educated for without an educated citizenry no nation can long survive. What I do not appreciate is the arrogance of a judicial ruling that presupposes the best people to educate children are those with teaching credentials. There is plenty of statistical evidence to prove that home schooled children receive quality education from parents who lack formal credentials given by the state. There is also plenty of statistical evidence that proves the public school system in many cities is woefully inadequate to educate children properly.

In exposing any ruling against parents by judicial activists, I would recommend that parents start naming names and asking specific questions. "Judge Brown, do you think you can educate and rear my child better than I can? Local principal Mr. Smith or Ms. Jones, do you really believe you can impart knowledge and guide my child in life better than I?"

By leaving the rhetoric of discussion in the realm of the abstract such as, "The state has an invested interested in the welfare of its children," etc., the personal touch is lost and so by default individuals who are no different than you or me in ability in certain areas gain the ascendancy in the discussion. Who is to say that my next door neighbor, "Ms. Jane Arrogance" who works for the state, is able to do a better job than I am doing in rearing my child?  Parents, in the act of confronting judicial activism make it personal and name names. This alone will change the dynamics of the discussion.

American parents must remember that every child born is a gift of God to the parents, not to the state, i.e. another HUMAN. By arguing over concepts void of personal names the arrogance of judicial activism is enhanced, and that must be arrested. I say again to home schooling parents, fight for your children. Protect them from well meaning but misguided and delusional legal provocateurs who would rob you of your God given possession. Name the individuals by name as often as possible while debating the issues. Home school parents, make it personal because it is very personal. The "state" is nothing more than other individuals no better than you in this matter.

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned yesterday amid allegations that he patronized prostitutes. According to news sources, Spitzer, 48, stepped down after the New York Times reported he was "Client 9" of an international call-girl ring whose operators were charged with crimes last week.  The Bible warns that "some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after," 1 Timothy 5:24. Many individuals who are reading about the events surrounding Eliot Spitzer are engaged in the same self destructive behavior. Though for the moment their transgressions are hidden, in the day of ultimate judgment they will be revealed under the scrutiny of divine evaluation.

When one news reporter randomly asked pedestrians in a major city why individuals cheat, a variety of answers were forthcoming. Some cheat out of boredom. Others are simply dissatisfied with their spouse. Some do not understand the importance of their wedding vows while others just enjoy the pleasures of passion wherever it might be found and with whomever is available. It is as simple at that.

Sometimes people try to look for deep hidden psychological reasons for irresponsible behavior as if evil has a rationale of its own. It does not. The Bible speaks of the "mystery of iniquity" (2 Thessalonians 2:7).

If there is to be any understanding of evil [i.e. injurious behavior] it is rooted in three elements. First, the will to power. Second, the pleasure principle and third an absorption with self. When counseling others on how to survive marital unfaithfulness, one secular psychologist offered the following counsel: talk openly about the situation, restore self esteem and be ready to move on.

What is absent in all of the media discussion concerning Gov. Spitzer is the Biblical perspective which involves confession of evil [injurious behavior], repentance as deep as the transgression itself and waiting on the Lord and others to forgive. The idea that bad behavior is rooted in low self esteem and that individuals are in a position to "forgive themselves" and move on is why true righteousness (as opposed to self righteousness) and thus inner happiness and wholeness of mind with a renewed integrated personality remains elusive. Who can forgive sins but God? (Mark 2:7). Where in the world did the idea arise that individuals can and should "forgive themselves?" No one has a right to "forgive themselves". That is the essence of mental, emotional and spiritual arrogance?though I know it a foundational concept to modern day counseling which is rooted in secularism and not Scripture. I am open to being shown from Scripture where individuals are taught to "forgive themselves."

And as far as "low self esteem", it too is another great myth of the 20th and 21st centuries even though it is embraced by many ministers and secular counselors. Whatever "low self esteem" may mean it is not a Biblical concept for the Bible consistently says the problem with the human heart is that every single person thinks TOO MUCH of themselves and THAT is the essence of sin's expression. The reason why Jesus said in Matthew 7:12 "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets" is because people always want others to do things for them. That is not low self esteem but the essence of self esteem. Jesus had to teach us to think about others and do good for them for by nature we do not do good to others nor do we even want too. So we have to be taught to be different by thinking differently.  

There is much to learn from the moral transgressions of Gov. Spitzer. If he and his family want to be made whole then let it be according to gospel terms. My heart goes out to the wife and children and the governor himself. Only this do I know. Repentance is a gift of God (2 Timothy 2:25). I shall pray the Lord will grant him the gift of repentance and humble him deeply. H he has now known humiliation, but humbleness of heart is needed, not just for him but for all who struggle with secret sins.

On March 10, 2008 I had the privilege of hearing General Colin Powell speak at the Riverside Theater in Vero, Florida. General Powell is a gifted communicator and a skilled diplomat having served as the 65th Secretary of Sate under President George W. Bush. He has been personally involved in many of the major world events in the later part of the twentieth century and the beginning of the 21^st. As a patriot and eyewitness to history, General Powell presented his vision of America and the future of the country. My understanding of his remarks is that America is a great country, but she needs a leader who has a vision of the future which is not unlike that of King Arthur's in Camelot. The objective is to sit down with world leaders who are now willing to engage in dialogue. The belief is of a better world tomorrow through peaceful and diplomatic means today. Being a "Reluctant Warrior" does resonate with the human spirit for many Americans do want our present involvement in the foreign military affairs of Iraq to soon end. I know I do. I do not want to sacrifice my son needlessly or the children of any American family to this war in the Middle East.

With that said, while it was proper and just to respond to the 9/11 attacks on America, it is not right, in my opinion, to withhold the available means at our disposal to bring the war to a decisive conclusion. Some of the parallels to the Vietnam experience are valid and worth considering. It seems we learn from history and yet we learn nothing from history. My larger thought while listening to General Powell is that the ultimate solution for peace in the world, a better image and the ability to trade "bullets for butter" is spiritual in nature. A military agenda has profound yet limited ability. A diplomatic solution to the problems of the world is an idealistic thought but unrealistic until the hearts of mankind are changed.

There might be minor progress at moments for certain leaders of this world. Men, like Mikhail Gorbachev, who rise to challenge the direction of their country, taking it from a cold war mentality to economic freedom. However, with all due respect to the military and diplomacy, the safety and security of America and the solution to the problems of the country is in the Lord. There is a familiar promise that could be applied but is not and therein is the concern. The promise is found in  2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

In 2 Chronicles 7:13 God has forewarned what He will do to a nation. He will send drought, famine, and pestilence. However, God also has provided a divine blueprint for recovery. So let the church call upon the name of God. Let the church seek His face consciously and collectively. Let the church depart from personal acts of wickedness as the Holy Spirit reveals what grieves Him. Let the church believe that God will listen, will forgive and will heal the land. Spirituality, not diplomacy or military might is the key to a brighter today and a better tomorrow.