Major Schisms in Church History
The following diagram illustrates the major schisms (divisions) in the church leading up to and including the Protestant Reformation.
Each of these schisms was in some significant way dealing with Christ. In fact, there is a noticeable progression between them. The first and most foundational was primarily concerned with Christ’s nature. The second with His role. The third with His work of redemption.
It is also worth noting that each of these divisions represented a break from the same authority. In the Reformation, that authority was essentially the rule of Christ over His church through His written “voice”, namely the sacred Scriptures.