Why are there so many different denominations in Christianity?

[Hawkins]

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

Because in the lack of reforming churches, those disagree with RCC will have to leave Christianity as a whole. Denominations are for more to be saved as when it's drawing more and more near the end, humans are keen on seeking knowledge to divide by disagreeing with each other in terms of knowledge. Multiple denominations are for them to be under one salvation message (as governed by the Apostles' Creed) but dividing in terms of knowledge.


To increase knowledge is the characteristic of humans especially near the time of the end (which including now).

Daniel 12:4 (NIV2011)
But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

 

[chevyontheriver]

Because in the lack of reforming churches, those disagree with RCC will have to leave Christianity as a whole. Denominations are for more to be saved as when it's drawing more and more near the end, humans are keen on seeking knowledge to divide by disagreeing with each other in terms of knowledge. Multiple denominations are for them to be under one salvation message (as governed by the Apostles' Creed) but dividing in terms of knowledge.


To increase knowledge is the characteristic of humans especially near the time of the end (which including now).

Daniel 12:4 (NIV2011)
But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

Could you make this a bit clearer please. I'm not sure what you are trying to say.

 

[Tree of Life]

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

There are many denominations because there's a diversity of views on secondary and tertiary issues and there is freedom within Christianity to worship according to different views.

What's the alternative? One denomination that does not allow for any diversity and is under human control?

 

[bekkilyn]

Asking why there are so many denominations is comparable to asking why there are so many different people.

I don't come here and see posts like, "God created everyone so why aren't we all the SAME?"

So why should our thoughts, spirituality, worship styles, etc. be all the same? Diversity of worship is blessing that we might enjoy rather than complain about.

And technically, we don't all "believe in" the *same* bible. First, I don't like the phrase to "believe in" the bible as I don't worship the bible. I believe in and worship God and consider scripture to be his gift to us. Second, different denominations use different bibles. Some denominations include more books in their bible than others, so while the majority of books are the same, there are differences there too.

 

[Hawkins]

Could you make this a bit clearer please. I'm not sure what you are trying to say.

I said that it's a trend that humans near the end time are keen on seeking knowledge. For example, secular people usually consider themselves as scientifically equipped. Even some Christians actively think that they are professed in theologies or Greek texts or Hebrew texts and so on. Some of them actively seek biblical knowledge. This behavior cooperates with modern technology such as the Internet. In the past, humans cannot be that active because you need to physically go to many libraries in order to gain knowledge. You need to go to many churches to testify your knowledge gained by exchanging discussions with other Christians. But in today's world, it is as convenient as turning on your computer and hooking up to the Internet.

Under that circumstance, some Christians will thus reject the theology of today's Catholics'. So if there is only Catholic churches in today's world, those reject the Catholic theology (such as worshiping Mary and so forth) can only leave the Catholic Church, in the end they have not a church to attend and may have to leave Christianity as a whole.

To deal with this situation before hand, God established the Protestant churches through the reformers such that those rejected Catholicism can attend a Protestant church. If you reject one denomination of a Protestant church, you can still find another Protestant church with another denomination which suits your brain. The bottom line is, all denomination though deviate in terms of biblical knowledge but not the message of salvation. The message of salvation remains the same throughout all legit Protestant churches. This salvation message is reflected by the statements included in the Apostles' Creed which in turn governs the legitimacy of a Protestant church.

 

[Tree of Life]

First, I don't like the phrase to "believe in" the bible as I don't worship the bible. I believe in and worship God and consider scripture to be his gift to us.

Something like this could only come from someone who does not regard the Bible to be the very words of God. If you consider the Bible to be God's word, how could you say that you believe in God but don't "believe in" his words?

 

[Sabertooth]

Something like this could only come from someone who does not regard the Bible to be the very words of God. If you consider the Bible to be God's word, how could you say that you believe in God but don't "believe in" his words?

Her response could go either way.

Some use her argument as a means to diminish the value of the Bible.

Others point out that even when we recognize it as God's revealed Word, it is a means to an end. Namely, to love the Lord, our God with all of mind, strength, heart and soul; and to love our neighbor as ourselves. If one reveres the Bible without arriving there, it is only Bibliolatry. That point is similar to the theme of 1 Corinthians 13.

I got the impression that @bekkilyn meant the latter. If she didn't, I'll let her clarify her intentions, otherwise.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I said that it's a trend that humans near the end time are keen on seeking knowledge. For example, secular people usually consider themselves as scientifically equipped. Even some Christians actively think that they are professed in theologies or Greek texts or Hebrew texts and so on. Some of them actively seek biblical knowledge. This behavior cooperates with modern technology such as the Internet. In the past, humans cannot be that active because you need to physically go to many libraries in order to gain knowledge. You need to go to many churches to testify your knowledge gained by exchanging discussions with other Christians. But in today's world, it is as convenient as turning on your computer and hooking up to the Internet.

Under that circumstance, some Christians will thus reject the theology of today's Catholics'. So if there is only Catholic churches in today's world, those reject the Catholic theology (such as worshiping Mary and so forth) can only leave the Catholic Church, in the end they have not a church to attend and may have to leave Christianity as a whole.

To deal with this situation before hand, God established the Protestant churches through the reformers such that those rejected Catholicism can attend a Protestant church. If you reject one denomination of a Protestant church, you can still find another Protestant church with another denomination which suits your brain. The bottom line is, all denomination though deviate in terms of biblical knowledge but not the message of salvation. The message of salvation remains the same throughout all legit Protestant churches. This salvation message is reflected by the statements included in the Apostles' Creed which in turn governs the legitimacy of a Protestant church.

I guess you have to figure out what a 'legit Protestant church' is and who has the authority to judge which is 'legit' and which is not 'legit'. Who does have that authority?

 

[bekkilyn]

Something like this could only come from someone who does not regard the Bible to be the very words of God. If you consider the Bible to be God's word, how could you say that you believe in God but don't "believe in" his words?

God's Word is the living Word who is Jesus Christ who is a *person* and not a physical object. We can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit by reading scripture and other spiritual disciplines such as prayer, but the bible itself is not God. To believe such is idolatry no matter how one may twist it. The bible is not the foundation of our faith. The foundation of our faith is Christ (God) alone. I do not "believe in" a book, but in the living person of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Word of God, who is, who was, and who ever shall be. (John 1:1)

 

[bekkilyn]

Her response could go either way.

Some use her argument as a means to diminish the value of the Bible.

Others point out that even when we recognize it as God's revealed Word, it is a means to an end. Namely, to love the Lord, our God with all of mind, strength, heart and soul; and to love our neighbor as ourselves. If one reveres the Bible without arriving there, it is only Bibliolatry. That point is similar to the theme of 1 Corinthians 13.

I got the impression that @bekkilyn meant the latter. If she didn't, I'll let her clarify her intentions, otherwise.

Pretty much. The bible is like a map that points to God and who he is, and helps us navigate our path in the process of salvation, but it isn't actually God and is not to be worshiped as if it was God.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

My take is that because most Christians have a dualistic mindset,i.e."I'm right, they're wrong," we ended up with multiple denominations and religions as well.

People who have the experience of faith which is given by God, grow toward a nondual relationship with God.

They no longer see themselves separated from God or others because of the religion they belong to, but connected to all

They see God in everyone and everything!

When Pope Francis said "we are all children of God," people put his proverbial feet to the irons, rejecting this. They believe they're children of God, but everyone not in their denomination is doomed and not a child of God, but something else.

This is not love as God loves all he has created.

 

[Teacher_Of_Truth]

Asking why there are so many denominations is comparable to asking why there are so many different people.

I don't come here and see posts like, "God created everyone so why aren't we all the SAME?"

So why should our thoughts, spirituality, worship styles, etc. be all the same? Diversity of worship is blessing that we might enjoy rather than complain about.

And technically, we don't all "believe in" the *same* bible. First, I don't like the phrase to "believe in" the bible as I don't worship the bible. I believe in and worship God and consider scripture to be his gift to us. Second, different denominations use different bibles. Some denominations include more books in their bible than others, so while the majority of books are the same, there are differences there too.

I must ask then, which verse tells us Christians that's it's ok to be divided? If each denomination is preaching something different, will they all go to the same heaven that's talked about in the bible? My biggest example of this is Heaven and Hell, vs. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. I mean, funny enough, I can see why people believe in purgatory (I won't explain why because it would confuse too many), but the ultimate end in the bible is Heaven and Hell (Mt 7: 13-14, Rev 20).

 

[Sabertooth]

I must ask then, which verse tells us Christians that's it's ok to be divided?

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

If each denomination is preaching something different,...

"For now we [all] 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​

...will they all go to the same heaven that's talked about in the bible?

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV

That means NO ONE has a clue of what Heaven will be like. (And we only have enough sense of Hell to know that it is undesirable...)

 

[Teacher_Of_Truth]

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

"For now we [all] 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​

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV

That means NO ONE has a clue of what Heaven will be like. (And we only have enough sense of Hell to know that it is undesirable...)

1 Cor 12:12-27 Is talking about people in the church, not churches themselves. Churches today are just as divided as the Jews during the first coming. Some believe in salvation through Baptism (with physical water), some believe in salvation by just saying "I believe that Jesus is the Messiah", others believe in predestination, that God knows if we'll end up in heaven or hell, so there's no point in worrying if we're saved or not. Jesus said in Mt 7:21 that one must do the will of the Father to enter heaven. Of course, the will of the father during the first coming was coming to Jesus. But shouldn't we ask ourselves then, what will be the will of God when Jesus comes back?



You mentioned that no one has a clue of what heaven will be like, yet Jesus described heaven multiple times in Mt 13, Mt 22, and Mt 25. The kingdom of heaven should look like how he described it in those chapters, right? Shouldn't it also look like the description that John saw in his vision when writing Revelation 4?

 

[bekkilyn]

I must ask then, which verse tells us Christians that's it's ok to be divided? If each denomination is preaching something different, will they all go to the same heaven that's talked about in the bible? My biggest example of this is Heaven and Hell, vs. Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. I mean, funny enough, I can see why people believe in purgatory (I won't explain why because it would confuse too many), but the ultimate end in the bible is Heaven and Hell (Mt 7: 13-14, Rev 20).

The church is not divided and never has been divided. All who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are in unity regardless of denomination or non-denomination. It's only the various human-created institutions that are divided over precisely how worship needs to be accomplished and quibble over details (like whether or not there is a purgatory) that make no real difference in the end.

Everyone will go wherever God decides to put them regardless of whatever secondary issues they supported, and we really don't need to worry ourselves over it as God has much more love, grace, and wisdom than all of humanity combined. He knows what he's doing even if we do not. Trust him and enjoy the diversity and uniqueness that he has created on this earth.

 

[Teacher_Of_Truth]

The church is not divided and never has been divided. All who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are in unity regardless of denomination or non-denomination. It's only the various human-created institutions that are divided over precisely how worship needs to be accomplished and quibble over details (like whether or not there is a purgatory) that make no real difference in the end.

Everyone will go wherever God decides to put them regardless of whatever secondary issues they supported, and we really don't need to worry ourselves over it as God has much more love, grace, and wisdom than all of humanity combined. He knows what he's doing even if we do not. Trust him and enjoy the diversity and uniqueness that he has created on this earth.

So just trust that it will just all work out the end........

 

[Sabertooth]

So just trust that it will just all work out the end...

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are the called according to His purpose.​

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,

that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.​

Moreover whom He predestined,

these He also called;​

whom He called,

these He also justified;​

and whom He justified,

these He also glorified." Romans 8:28-30 NKJV​

 

[bekkilyn]

So just trust that it will just all work out the end........

It already has, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, so yes.

 

[SANTOSO]

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

Why you are so concerned about so many different denominations in Christianity?

Have you not heard this :
And Christ is before all things, and in Christ ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER. -Colossians 1:17

So, the more important question is are the different denominations or non denominations are in Christ or united in Christ or in union in Christ !

If the denominations or non denominations are not in Christ, they just need to repent and the blood of Christ cleanse them from all unrighteousness. For the Lord Jesus Christ is still working mightily to prepare His church, as we have heard:
Consequently, Christ is able to save TO THE UTTERMOST THOSE WHO DRAW NEAR to God through Him, since He ALWAYS LIVES TO MAKE INTERCESSION for them. -Hebrews 7:25

So those who under different denominations or non denominations who draw near to God through Christ, Christ lives to make intercession for them.

So why you are considering that there is a split ?

Remember what have been spoken:
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; -1 Corinthians 12:4
and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; -1 Corinthians 12:5
and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. -1 Corinthians 12:6

So the different denominations or non denominations with different activities who draw near to God through Christ are empowered by the same God; there may be different services in the different denominations or non denominations but the same Lord; there may be different gifts in the different denominations or non denominations but the same Spirit.

Therefore, there is no split or division in the body of Christ!

All Scripture in the Bible is God-breathed that is words taught by the Holy Spirit expressing spiritual truth in spiritual words because they are spiritually discerned. ( 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13).

All the different gifts, services and activities in Christ are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as the Holy Spirit wills. (1 Corinthians 12:11)

Are judging the Holy Spirit that the Holy Spirit cannot empower different denominations or non denominations with different activities, services, and gifts in Christ?

Remember that:
For we were all baptized by ONE SPIRIT INTO ONE BODY–whether Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, or any denominations or non-denominations –and we were ALL GIVEN THE ONE SPIRIT to drink. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

That Body is the Body of Christ, so there is no split or division.

Remember also what the Lord has spoken:
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life;
whoever DOES NOT OBEY THE SON shall not see life, but the WRATH OF GOD REMAINS ON him.

So those under any denominations or non-denominations, who does not obey the Son; the wrath of God remains on them.

Just as what the apostle Paul have said, too :
So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. -Romans 11:5

Therefore, there will be only a remnant chosen by grace from any denominations or non-denominations.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Years ago I read a book called, "Who We Are Is How We Pray," by Dr Charles J. Keating

He used the Myers Briggs personality profile to show why it is we're drawn toward different methods of prayer.

For myself as a devote Catholic, I never understood why there were different denominations until I read this book.

Not only are there different denominations, but even in the Catholic Church, there are practicing Catholics who are drawn toward different styles of prayer.

Some are drawn toward Charismatic Prayer, others like myself, toward Contemplative Prayer and others just traditional verbal prayer.

In all, those who trust in Christ will be brought to the place He'll feed them best.

I'm not concerned over the differences in denominations and haven't been for a long time.

God is one and we try to unite with Him through Jesus Christ.