Why are there so many different denominations in Christianity?

[Teacher_Of_Truth]

If we all believe in the same Bible, what caused a split in the religion?

 

[chevyontheriver]

If we all believe in the same Bible, what caused a split in the religion?

Because the Bible alone is not clear enough to provide a blueprint of the faith. But people think the Bible alone is clear enough to provide them a blueprint of the faith while everyone else is blind. Start with a false premise and it gets messy.

 

[Friedrich Rubinstein]

When the Bible talks about itself, the word of God, it says:
"The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times".
The issue with denominations starts when we try to interpret the scripture instead of taking it literally. The Bible is absolutely clear on all topics, yet there is people who think they need to interpret it in a certain way or add to it. The result is obvious: some people say we need to be baptized to be saved. Some people say we have to speak in tongues to be saved. Others say we have to believe in some pre-trib rapture to be part of it. And so on and so forth.
Then there is denominations who rely more on the words of church fathers than on the word of God. There are denominations who value traditions higher than the Bible. I would go so far to claim that every denomination contains a good part of the truth, the Bible, but almost none are based on the Bible only. Even though that is exactly what we should do! The Bible is God's revelation to us, it is how God speaks to us and it is refined seven times, absolutely true and not needed to be interpreted this way or another.

It's not really surprising though that Christianity is split and attacked. The devil uses every possible method to irritate, confuse, distract and misgive believers in Jesus Christ.

 

[BobRyan]

If we all believe in the same Bible, what caused a split in the religion?

Many protestant groups will point out that the first century church had pure religion and they all agreed on the books of scripture. In Acts 20 Paul said "29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them"

In 3John 1 - John says that it got so bad near the end of the first century that some Christians would expel/disfellowship people who insisted on continuing to listen to the Apostles.

Just like the religion of the Jews taken over with the Mark 7:6-13 "result" so also men tried to hijack Christianity.

But just as the Bible was the solution in Mark 7:6-13 to the problem the Jews were having ... so it is the solution in Acts 17:11 and it is still the solution today.

Notice what Paul says in Galatians 1:6-9

The "False apostle" business began very early according to Paul -

2 Cor 11: "13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds."

 

[Teacher_Of_Truth]

When the Bible talks about itself, the word of God, it says:
"The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times".
The issue with denominations starts when we try to interpret the scripture instead of taking it literally. The Bible is absolutely clear on all topics, yet there is people who think they need to interpret it in a certain way or add to it. The result is obvious: some people say we need to be baptized to be saved. Some people say we have to speak in tongues to be saved. Others say we have to believe in some pre-trib rapture to be part of it. And so on and so forth.
Then there is denominations who rely more on the words of church fathers than on the word of God. There are denominations who value traditions higher than the Bible. I would go so far to claim that every denomination contains a good part of the truth, the Bible, but almost none are based on the Bible only. Even though that is exactly what we should do! The Bible is God's revelation to us, it is how God speaks to us and it is refined seven times, absolutely true and not needed to be interpreted this way or another.

It's not really surprising though that Christianity is split and attacked. The devil uses every possible method to irritate, confuse, distract and misgive believers in Jesus Christ.

Amen, the devil has definitely split us in many ways.

 

[JohnDB]

When the Bible was first being written paper and ink were not commonplace in any sort of fashion. Hebrew is one of the first written languages in world history (number 4 or 7 I think) there are some others (Egyptian, Ugarit, and others) but it was still a fairly new skill to be phonetic and pictographic at the same time for a completely metaphoric language. The Hebrew language is also unique in that there are no bad words in it...all the bad labels applied to men had to be created out of euphemisms.

So....
To make this very highbrow writings available God, in his infinite wisdom saw to it that those writing scripture did so in the most compact method possible... leaving out "of course" type common knowledge that everyone would know... including in the New Testament.

2,000 years later and after a few decades known as the Dark Ages and then going through the Rennaisance and Reformation...things aren't so obvious anymore except for those willing to put in the hours and years of research to be able to use proper Hermeneutics when deciphering what was said, why it was said, to whom it was said and by whom, and why it was said in the manner it was said in.

It's a lot of stuff to go through. It's not impossible though...

And then we got this other thing...

Everyone is a unique individual...God has a personal and unique relationship with each and every one of us. My brothers have a unique relationship with me versus my son and the relationship seen between me and my friends is different than that. All unique but I am still the same guy...

Couple that with the unique theologies that came about from knowing none of the background of the scriptures. Which was not really rediscovered until the late 19th and the middle of the 20th century.
Now you have a ton of people, sure of their own righteousness, that were out killing others who didn't believe the same as they did. (Guerilla warfare which they left Europe to escape from but brought with them to America)
And today we have the remnants of those old guerilla warfare ideals and theologies that divided people. I understand that some people find them very spiritually uplifting and encouraging...others...not so much.

You however, are responsible for your own relationship with God that drives you. That comes either by listening or personal research.

 

[SPF]

If we all believe in the same Bible, what caused a split in the religion?

Because while we all believe in the same Bible, and while the Bible itself is inspired and inerrant - the problem is that the readers are flawed.

The issue with denominations starts when we try to interpret the scripture instead of taking it literally.

You do realize that every time you read a passage and tell someone what it means, even if you believe you're taking it literally, you're interpreting Scripture. It's not like everyone else is interpreting, and you're somehow just reading.

The Bible is absolutely clear on all topics

Really? You can't actually believe that. if the Bible was "absolutely clear on all topics" then there simply wouldn't be the division we have. Men much godlier, and more educated than you have different beliefs about what a topic teaches than you - what makes you think that you're right and they're wrong?

It sounds like you believe you actually know everything that the Bible teaches. If this is true, have you thought of writing a book for the benefit of everyone else on the planet? Finally, after thousands of years, Friedrich Rubinstein has come along and can provide the correct interpretation for 100% of Biblical topics.

The result is obvious: some people say we need to be baptized to be saved. Some people say we have to speak in tongues to be saved. Others say we have to believe in some pre-trib rapture to be part of it. And so on and so forth.

Yes, and you engage in interpretation each and every time you give your opinion on those subjects.

 

[Friedrich Rubinstein]

Because while we all believe in the same Bible, and while the Bible itself is inspired and inerrant - the problem is that the readers are flawed.

You do realize that every time you read a passage and tell someone what it means, even if you believe you're taking it literally, you're interpreting Scripture. It's not like everyone else is interpreting, and you're somehow just reading.

Really? You can't actually believe that. if the Bible was "absolutely clear on all topics" then there simply wouldn't be the division we have. Men much godlier, and more educated than you have different beliefs about what a topic teaches than you - what makes you think that you're right and they're wrong?

It sounds like you believe you actually know everything that the Bible teaches. If this is true, have you thought of writing a book for the benefit of everyone else on the planet? Finally, after thousands of years, Friedrich Rubinstein has come along and can provide the correct interpretation for 100% of Biblical topics.

Yes, and you engage in interpretation each and every time you give your opinion on those subjects.

If you listen to the Holy Spirit you will know what I mean. The Holy Spirit leads us to the truth and the truth is absolute. There is only 1 truth and when we take the time to listen carefully everyone with the Holy Spirit is able to determine what the Bible really teaches.
It's rather easy to tell what parts of the Catholic doctrine are not biblical - it might be more difficult the smaller the differences in our understanding are. But yes, the Bible is clear on all topics when you read it with an open heart and open mind and let the Holy Spirit teach you God's word.

 

[Dave L]

If we all believe in the same Bible, what caused a split in the religion?

Denominational churches are business franchises that cater to believers of a certain mindset. So just as you have many businesses selling cars and groceries....diverse goods to Christians, you have many denominational businesses selling religious goods and services to the church.

 

[SPF]

If you listen to the Holy Spirit you will know what I mean. The Holy Spirit leads us to the truth and the truth is absolute. There is only 1 truth and when we take the time to listen carefully everyone with the Holy Spirit is able to determine what the Bible really teaches.
It's rather easy to tell what parts of the Catholic doctrine are not biblical - it might be more difficult the smaller the differences in our understanding are. But yes, the Bible is clear on all topics when you read it with an open heart and open mind and let the Holy Spirit teach you God's word.

Again, you should really consider publishing a book and titling it, "Finally, after 2,000 years, I have come with the Truth" since you believe that you have the corner on all interpretation and have the right interpretation on all beliefs.

 

[splish- splash]

Plenty different reasons i think, e.g for some its just a power thing, ( power struggles in the house of God) some wanting to be the leg yet the Lord has clearly made them the arm or something of that sort. On the other hand, some have gone on and started new movements, after believing to have heard from God, but then when one tests the spirit behind they might be shocked to find that, the person in question has either, been deceived by the enemy or is simply a Simon the sorcerer type of prophet. One body with many different parts but no unity in the body of Christ, that's why the confusion.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Again, you should really consider publishing a book and titling it, "Finally, after 2,000 years, I have come with the Truth" since you believe that you have the corner on all interpretation and have the right interpretation on all beliefs.

There are lots of infallible people out there disagreeing with each other.

 

[chevyontheriver]

There are lots of infallible people out there disagreeing with each other.

I am amazed that tulc would ever agree with anything I posted. Color me amazed. Grateful even, but mostly amazed.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

If we all believe in the same Bible, what caused a split in the religion?

Simple answer: Different interpretations of the same Bible.

 

[Sabertooth]

Why are there so many different denominations in Christianity?

1. There are Tares in our midst.
2. I believe that Jesus is building His Bride via cellular division. That is so we won't all be an "eye" or an "ear," etc. See 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Why are there so many different denominations in Christianity?

So, which "flavor" of Christianity do you think should be the "official" form of Christianity...?

(Do you see the flaw in your question, yet?)

 

[SkyWriting]

If we all believe in the same Bible, what caused a split in the religion?

Attend different denominations and you'll find very few differences.

 

[Teacher_Of_Truth]

Attend different denominations and you'll find very few differences.

But why are there any differences at all...isn't it the same word?

 

[Sabertooth]

...isn't it the same word?

Yes & no. It IS the same Word, but we are all different readers, starting at different places. The faithful will all converge to the same Point, eventually.

"For now we see in a mirror, dimly,

but then face to face.​

Now I know in part,

but then I shall know just as I also am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV​

"Beloved, now we are children of God;

and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,​

but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him,

for we shall see Him as He is.​

And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 John 3:2-3 NKJV

 

[Albion]

If you listen to the Holy Spirit you will know what I mean. The Holy Spirit leads us to the truth and the truth is absolute.

and what of all the other people who say the same identical thing about listening to the Holy Spirit and got different marching orders from him?

 

[Archivist]

and what of all the other people who say the same identical thing about listening to the Holy Spirit and got different marching orders from him?

The attitude of some is that their denomination exactly abides by what scripture and the Holy Spirit say, but anyone who disagrees with their denomination is not so abiding.