Why so many denominations in christianity?

[Talyn]

I know this question has been asked 100s of times, but I'm gonna ask it again. So why? Did some of them decide while they were looking in the bible and think, hey that sounds good, I think I'll base a church on that? Does it even matter? Why compete? Do other religions, like muslim, buddist, wicca, (if that is even a religion, not sure) do they have different denominations? Why argue, what's the point?

 

[Philip]

I know this question has been asked 100s of times, but I'm gonna ask it again. So why? Did some of them decide while they were looking in the bible and think, hey that sounds good, I think I'll base a church on that?

A bit of an over-simplification, but that is the basic reason.

Does it even matter?

Does it matter with respect to what? With respect to salvation? That is up to God.

Why compete?

Many reasons. Near the top of the list is pride.

Do other religions, like muslim, buddist, wicca, (if that is even a religion, not sure) do they have different denominations?

There are two major denominations of Islam: Sunni and Shia. There are other minor groups and offshoots.

There are several denominations of Buddhism. If I remember correctly, there is the Greater Path and the Lesser Path, as well as some other schools. It should be noted that Buddhism can be considered as a "denomination" of Hindu.

As for wicca, it could be argued that each practitioner is his own denomination.

Why argue, what's the point?

If one is correct and another is not, should we not expect arguments?

 

[armothe]

Many reasons. Near the top of the list is pride.

Bingo.

-A

 

[Serapha]

I know this question has been asked 100s of times, but I'm gonna ask it again. So why? Did some of them decide while they were looking in the bible and think, hey that sounds good, I think I'll base a church on that? Does it even matter? Why compete? Do other religions, like muslim, buddist, wicca, (if that is even a religion, not sure) do they have different denominations? Why argue, what's the point?

Hi there!





Reason 1:

1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Reason 2:

Eph 4:4-6
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.


When you put #1 and #2 together, you will find unreconcilable differences.


~malaka~

 

[Abruer]

Because people do not take a fair look at scripture. Pride plays a big role, as it was stated.

 

[Peterson]

History has shown that most churches have come into existence as split-offs of the Roman church, these have then split off into other groups for various reasons. A lot of these reasons have had to do with differences in beliefs and power struggles. In fact this was evidenced at the council of Nicea.

Geography and distance sometimes plays a role, but primarily it boils down to internal differences that boil up to a point where a split occurs. Then occasionally, someone receives a "revelation from God." When you get folks who like to have it their way, you are bound to have problems. The church is no exception.

 

[G4m]

Matthew 12
25Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
Mark 3
24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

 

[Arnold_Philips]

There was this quote from RealLivePreacher.com that struck me as really profound:

"What are you God words? Write them down on paper, I'll take a look, and let's fight over them. If the argument is big enough then we can just split and make two different churches, okay?"

In addition, I caught Dogma on Comedy Central last weekend and apparently I missed a good part the first time around. Rufus, the 13th Apostle, was talking about what Jesus really hates. He said that Jesus really hates that we have taken and good idea and built a belief system around it.

 

[ah_muse]

what's the point?

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to THE CHURCHES."

Jesus knocks on the door of human hearts through His people. His invitation applies to individuals in every one of the churches thoughout all these past two thousand years of church history:

Here I am!
I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
(Rev. 3:20)

We are incomplete until we have fellowship with God through His Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3), which is only possible by inviting Him into your heart. The picture of Christ knocking at the door is not only the picture of what He has been doing these past two thousand years but the picture of all He is going to do in this age to bring people to Him.

 

[Talyn]

So then it wouldn't really matter what christian denomination you belong to? Just as long as you invite Him into your heart? I can definately do that.

 

[Pacigoth13]

The story is told about a small town with two churches, one on each side of the main road. One day a traveller passes through and wonders why there are two churches for such a small town and aks someone about it. The reply is, "One church says there ain't no hell and the other says the hell there ain't. So those who believe in hell go to the one and those who don't believe in hell go to other."

--adapted from Bishop Spong's "Rescuing the bible from fundamentalism"

 

[Philip]

So then it wouldn't really matter what christian denomination you belong to? Just as long as you invite Him into your heart?

I think there is more to it than that. Should you belong to a denomination that does not require you believe that Christ is God?

 

[Gamecock]

I think there is more to it than that. Should you belong to a denomination that does not require you believe that Christ is God?

Or denies the Trinity?

 

[xsimmsx]

Hi there!





Reason 1:

1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Reason 2:

Eph 4:4-6
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.


When you put #1 and #2 together, you will find unreconcilable differences.


~malaka~

Amen.