Christianity today is found in a plethora of denominations, perhaps as many as 30,000 worldwide. While those denominations share core beliefs in God's revelation in Jesus Christ, they vary widely in further expressions of that belief and its implications. Even doctrines that Christ is both fully human and fully divine and that God exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-which are central for most Christians-are disavowed by some individuals and groups who identify themselves as Christian.

[Page 288]While the percentage of the world's population that espouses Christianity is dwindling, statistical sources still suggest that it is somewhere around 30 percent. Moreover, Christianity's influence, especially on Western culture, makes it a major factor in the experience and attitudes of a large number of the world's ...