Why so many Christian denominations???

[angelwings37]

I'm sure all Christians have the same Holy Bible in hand (except for versions n stuff). And do we not regard it 'the Word of God'?? Then why does so many different denominations exist in Christianity if we all believe in the same God???

 

[oi_antz]

I'm sure all Christians have the same Holy Bible in hand (except for versions n stuff). And do we not regard it 'the Word of God'?? Then why does so many different denominations exist in Christianity if we all believe in the same God???

Do you understand what makes people disagree?

 

[angelwings37]

Do you understand what makes people disagree?

Seems we mixed up our own ideas along with the Word.

 

[oi_antz]

Seems we mixed up our own ideas along with the Word.

I meant to ask that for you to understand the human condition that causes people to not find agreement. The way I see it, if two people do not agree, then one of them must be wrong, or maybe even both of them could be wrong. But why can these two people not discuss it and arrive together at the understanding that at least one of them is wrong? What causes those two people to stick so hard to their position and insist that the other person is wrong? .. Then, when people can do this with each other, what stops them from doing it with God?

 

[MiniEmu]

You can have unity and still witness differences, sometimes these differences are drastic and sometimes they are minor. The world is full of people, people who will apply the words of God in a way they understand. Sometimes people find a group of like minded people, who understand His words in very similar ways, and they come together.

 

[Steeno7]

I'm sure all Christians have the same Holy Bible in hand (except for versions n stuff). And do we not regard it 'the Word of God'?? Then why does so many different denominations exist in Christianity if we all believe in the same God???

Because God loves diversity.

 

[graceandpeace]

I'm sure all Christians have the same Holy Bible in hand (except for versions n stuff).

The protocanon OT & the NT are generally expected to be found in any given Bible, but some Bibles also include the deuterocanon (apocrypha) texts, with some variation in the exact canon between different churches.

And do we not regard it 'the Word of God'??

It depends on which Christians you ask, & it also depends on what is meant by using that phrase in the first place.

Then why does so many different denominations exist in Christianity if we all believe in the same God???

The same reasons other religions with their various groups exist: different interpretations & diverse traditions.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Seems we mixed up our own ideas along with the Word.

Here's a classic example of a pretty big issue that divides Christians: Should the Church baptize infants and small children? Why or why not?

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Truly1999]

Of course, the denominations have much in common, but ultimately they differ on fundamental points. Why? They believe their views to be so different that they have to go their own way. John Wesley only intended that the Methodists form their own denomination for a short while and that they would eventually be re-integrated back into the Anglican church.

Then there are sects within the denominations which aim to refine the denomination. For instance in nineteenth-century England, there were numerous Methodist sects, including Independent Methodists, Magic Methodists, Methodist Unitarians, New Connexion, Primtive Methodists, Quaker Methodists, Tent Methodists and Welsh Jumpers. Preachers battled it out through their sermons and some would win more support than others in different areas, across different occupations sometimes, some sects arose because of a different emphasis on organization. Some sects would wither on the vine, some absorbed by another denomination.

It seems to me that answering the question "Why?" is much more difficult than it is to describe how different denominations were formed.

 

[1watchman]

Bowing to the Word of God is our only hope for finding His truth and way, but man likes his various sects and interpretations. Until one returns to the Scripture without his innovations he/she will always be confused. Write me if you wish to discuss this point of view.

 

[angelwings37]

Bowing to the Word of God is our only hope for finding His truth and way, but man likes his various sects and interpretations. Until one returns to the Scripture without his innovations he/she will always be confused. Write me if you wish to discuss this point of view.

I quite agree to this.

 

[Nasrani]

I'm sure all Christians have the same Holy Bible in hand (except for versions n stuff). And do we not regard it 'the Word of God'?? Then why does so many different denominations exist in Christianity if we all believe in the same God???

If you were to share any Biblical saying of Christ (letters in red in some bibles) with someone close to you, both of you would end up disagreeing. The reason is that Gd speaks to each of us a little differently and it depends a great deal on your level of Christian maturity (years as a Christian).

An example of this disagreement is seen with the great (or little) religion of Islam. They misconstrued the Christian belief in trinity of our Godhead, the Union of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In fact it gave all of these persons new identities but getting back to trinity, you will oftentimes hear it quote the Biblical verse found in Deut 6.4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One." They use it to hammer in that Gd is only One and not a unity, thus trying to disqualify Christianity altogether.

What people don't see is the original Hebrew word "echad" (One) in Deut 6.4.
There are two Hebrew words that indicate "one". A numeric one is "yachid". A unified "one" is "echad".
The same word "echad" is used in Geness 2.24 "the two shall become one flesh", where Gd says that man shall leave his father and mother be united to his wife.
Deut 6.4 does say that Gd is One but a One that exists as a Unity, thus Trinity.

Disagreements are plentiful but as another poster mentioned above, careful scrutiny of the bible reveals the truth.

 

[oi_antz]

If you were to share any Biblical saying of Christ (letters in red in some bibles) with someone close to you, both of you would end up disagreeing. The reason is that Gd speaks to each of us a little differently and it depends a great deal on your level of Christian maturity (years as a Christian).

Note: addressed to OP as rules insist.

I do not agree with this statement. God is not the author of confusion. This post is not indicating that God is inconsistent, it is just saying He is. This post is more accurately describing what happens when people lean on their own understanding. Two people observing Jesus' words might draw different meanings from those words depending how the words relate to them personally. However, in sharing those meanings He will testify to the truth. This demonstrates that we can draw truthful meanings that the author did not intend. Truth is consistent though. I have no doubt about that, and I have never seen contradicting truths.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Often God raises up a strong leader in the church, and they build a big following. People often look to that person for guidance, following a part of their interpretation of the bible. Due to the size and power of the group a denomination is formed. Some times this is a good thing, if the person is open to the LORD and have a balanced view of scripture. But some times men and women of God get it wrong, so wrong teaching follows them.

 

[NJA]

I'm sure all Christians have the same Holy Bible in hand (except for versions n stuff). And do we not regard it 'the Word of God'?? Then why does so many different denominations exist in Christianity if we all believe in the same God???

Because instead of beginning at the beginning of the Church (Acts 2), people follow men who have ignored that and selected other passages that don't repeat the bits they don't like.

Please just read Acts 2, *put yourself there*, then decide, will you stick to what Jesus nominated or de-nominate?

 

[Guru03]

To the OP,

Christian denominations in general tend to agree most of the time on things, especially core doctrine (also known as "The Essentials"). When it comes to more secondary and tertiary beliefs, doctrine, etc (also known as "The Non-Essentials"), the differences between denominations come into play.

I once read a quote (I am not sure who originated the quote) that said "In the Essentials, unity; In the Non-Essentials, liberty". This is the best explanation that I can provide based on my knowledge. The same message is preached (the gospel); the practices, styles, etc. are different.

 

[Job8]

Here's a classic example of a pretty big issue that divides Christians: Should the Church baptize infants and small children? Why or why not?

Can infants repent and believe, or even comprehend the Gospel? Had this question been asked from the very beginning only believers would have been baptized.

 

[Job8]

I'm sure all Christians have the same Holy Bible in hand (except for versions n stuff). And do we not regard it 'the Word of God'?? Then why does so many different denominations exist in Christianity if we all believe in the same God???

Reason #1. Satan
Reason #2. The Flesh
Reason #3. Foolish Pride (also from the flesh)
Reason #4. The lust for power over others (also from the flesh)
Reason #5. Tares among the wheat, bad fish among the good fish, wolves among sheep.

In this particular case, God did NOT want diversity at all. See Eph 4:4-6.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Can infants repent and believe, or even comprehend the Gospel?

Can an adult?

Ephesians 2:8-9

-CryptoLutheran

 

[JESUSKiDtommy]

GOD very well knew what mens minds would do with HIS WORD..... The reason for so many interpretations of the BIBLE and it's meaning is pretty simple..... There are a few people in many different denominations and outside the Church too that (GET IT)..... get it meaning that they realize that LOVING GOD INCLUDES LOVING PEOPLE.... and the teachings of JESUS in how we are to conduct ourselves toward others is really all that will matter when we stand before GOD.

The whole deal is about allowing GODLY LOVE to grow in our hearts without us then being lifted with self pride over the good works that HIS LOVE motivates us to do toward ( A L L P E O P L E ).... Paul plainly says the greatest is LOVE...... and when JESUS is discussing the greatest commandment in one of HIS parables after stating that the greatest command is to LOVE GOD with all our heart mind soul and strength..... HE goes on to add that the second command is like unto it.... that we LOVE our neighbor as ourself..... (and that is a tall order than can NOT be done unless the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD is alive inside us to the point of spilling over into other peoples lives).....

I guess you might say that GOD has written all the things HE has written in the BIBLE for a purpose, and the BIBLE itself speaks of it's mystery.... Paul tells us to AVOID ANY QUESTIONS that are vain in relation to SCRIPTURE. So all the arguing that goes on over whos right about this or that is (to me) like 5 year olds with a deck of cards who don't know how to play whatever game it is they are playing....so the each make up a new rule as their turn comes around..... Focus on CHRIST and being humble enough for HIM to mold you into HIS likeness and you will be fine......

What I have said here may seem like GOD has intentionally made things hard to understand.... and for sure they are UNLESS we are obedient to seek HIM for ourselves... and live as HE says live .... in kindness and forgiveness toward others... it is by HIS SPIRIT being ALIVE that the (seemingly) hard things become so very simple....