Why so many denominations?

[pathfinder777]

Again the divisions starting all the way back to the johannine communities all the way up to the reformation including the great schism pale in comparison to the divisions theologically that occurred after the reformation.

 

[pathfinder777]

The unique difference..... Sola Scriptura and rejection of Church authority in exchange for individual Interpretive authority

 

[Albion]

Again the divisions starting all the way back to the johannine communities all the way up to the reformation including the great schism pale in comparison to the divisions theologically that occurred after the reformation.

Did you miss the part about the ones that came before the Reformation being BIGGER, MORE SIGNIFICANT, LONGER RUNNING, and LESS JUSTIFIABLE?

 

[Albion]

The unique difference..... Sola Scriptura and rejection of Church authority in exchange for individual Interpretive authority

That doesn't even make sense.

 

[pathfinder777]

That doesn't even make sense.

Sure it does

 

[pathfinder777]

So what's your hypothesis for the exponential increase in theological differences following the reformation? Coincidence???

 

[bbbbbbb]

So what's your hypothesis for the exponential increase in theological differences following the reformation? Coincidence???

A lot of it had to do with the lessening of the secular power of the Catholic Church. Previously, the Catholic Church could, and did, exterminate all dissidents within its boundaries, so there was a very heavy price to pay if one put a toe over the Catholic party line. At the Reformation this power, having been abused for so long, finally met resistance which could not be overcome, even despite all the anathemas of the Council of Trent.

Coupled with that was the growth of literacy and education. Before the Reformation even the nobility were very frequently illiterate, so that there was a complete dependence upon the Catholic clergy for explanation of the Christian faith. Part of that faith revolved around the Bible. When the Bible began to come into common use along with literacy people could easily understand that much of what the Catholic church was teaching had no basis in the Bible. Hence, the opposition of the Catholic church to Bible reading by the laity up through most of the twentieth century. An ignorant laity is the easiest to control, by far.

 

[Albion]

So what's your hypothesis for the exponential increase in theological differences following the reformation? Coincidence???

I don't know that it's correct to say there's been an exponential increase in theological differences since the Reformation. In the early church we had all kinds of Gnostic theories about the nature of God, almost none of them active anymore with the exception of the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons, neither of which are considered Protestant. And arguing over the Filioque, plus a host of little theological nit pickings from groups that are now mainly forgotten. By contrast, what you are looking at is a proliferation of organizations, not theological differences.

Many church splits occur these days over technical, administrative matters, not at all because of theology, and that's made possible--as it was not in earlier times--because we have religious liberty.

I can assure you that if we had an emperor, an established church, and no hesitation on the part of the rulers, both religious and secular, to use violence against all dissenters, we'd have a lot less of it.

 

[Unix]

Forming different parts for Your theology from different eras, scholars and Churches/denominations. Besides the past 500 years I'm interested in the 2nd century:

Okay, so denominational identity is evil. What alternative do you have to it?

 

[bbbbbbb]

Forming different parts for Your theology from different eras, scholars and Churches/denominations. Besides the past 500 years I'm interested in the 2nd century:

That IMO is not at all an unreasonable solution.

 

[ContraMundum]

Contemporary Protestantism is hardly a shattered and fractured movement. Protestants from many denominations share the same Bible translations, scholars, books, movies, teachers. They see themselves as co-heirs to the Reformation despite they denomination they attend. They tend to form academic alliances and co-opt each other on missions, cultural issues and social justice. They share hymns, praise music, liturgy and general lifestyle.

The worn-out argument that the Body of Christ is torn asunder by "23,000" denominations simply doesn't add up. The fact is that very few Protestant groups see others as enemies or heretics. There is clearly a greater Christian unity in practice. Just like in Catholicism not that long ago or Eastern Orthodoxy now- there is diversity, but still a genuine, real and testable unity.

 

[parsley]

Denominations are a wonderful thing. Would we want one school, one brand of shoes, one author in the bookstores?

 

[pathfinder777]

Contemporary Protestantism is hardly a shattered and fractured movement. Protestants from many denominations share the same Bible translations, scholars, books, movies, teachers. They see themselves as co-heirs to the Reformation despite they denomination they attend. They tend to form academic alliances and co-opt each other on missions, cultural issues and social justice. They share hymns, praise music, liturgy and general lifestyle.

The worn-out argument that the Body of Christ is torn asunder by "23,000" denominations simply doesn't add up. The fact is that very few Protestant groups see others as enemies or heretics. There is clearly a greater Christian unity in practice. Just like in Catholicism not that long ago or Eastern Orthodoxy now- there is diversity, but still a genuine, real and testable unity.

Protestantism not divided theologically? really? Christianity is more divided today than at any other time in history. I am glad we don't let theological differences stop us from unifying in missionary work, scholarship etc but i think painting a picture of Protestantism as unified isn't very convincing.

 

[pathfinder777]

Denominations are a wonderful thing. Would we want one school, one brand of shoes, one author in the bookstores?

Not if they are led by false teachers teaching false teachings.

 

[ContraMundum]

Protestantism not divided theologically? really? Christianity is more divided today than at any other time in history. I am glad we don't let theological differences stop us from unifying in missionary work, scholarship etc but i think painting a picture of Protestantism as unified isn't very convincing.

Being a Roman Catholic yourself you would have to acknowledge (if you are honest) the very fierce theoligical divisions in the RCC- material schism. Formally, all RC's have a unity. The same goes for Protestants, as there is formal agreement and material division. It's where the boundaries are drawn.

There have been several studies done that show the catastrophising of those who run around in hysteria about "division" in the Church are pretty much guilty of hyperbole. Like I say- I had coffee today with a minister of another denomination. We don't have a lot to disagree on. We met at a Christian book store where we both buy our books. Division, or unity? We say unity.

 

[ContraMundum]

Not if they are led by false teachers teaching false teachings.

Everyone is someone else's heretic.

 

[pathfinder777]

Everyone is someone else's heretic.

This statement presupposes theological relativism which reminds me of liberal scholarship that argues that orthodox, gnostic etc early Christian teaching were all equally plausible or held equal weight, orthodoxy just won out... Not that it was objectively true or corresponded to any objective truth statement in relationship to apostolic Christianity.

 

[pathfinder777]

Being a Roman Catholic yourself you would have to acknowledge (if you are honest) the very fierce theoligical divisions in the RCC- material schism. Formally, all RC's have a unity. The same goes for Protestants, as there is formal agreement and material division. It's where the boundaries are drawn.

There have been several studies done that show the catastrophising of those who run around in hysteria about "division" in the Church are pretty much guilty of hyperbole. Like I say- I had coffee today with a minister of another denomination. We don't have a lot to disagree on. We met at a Christian book store where we both buy our books. Division, or unity? We say unity.

Comparing theological divisions today within the CC to Protestant divisions among different denominations is hyperbole. I think it's interesting that so many here seem to down play these divisions and at the same time almost praise theological diversity. Or even more interesting exaggerate divisions within the CC.

 

[ContraMundum]

This statement presupposes theological relativism which reminds me of liberal scholarship that argues that orthodox.......(fill in the standard argument)

Nope. Just stating the reality. It is what it is. Live with it and you'll be happier in your life. You don't have to surrender your doctrine to do that either.

 

[ContraMundum]

Comparing theological divisions today within the CC to Protestant divisions among different denominations is hyperbole. I think it's interesting that so many here seem to down play these divisions and at the same time almost praise theological diversity. Or even more interesting exaggerate divisions within the CC.

Nah. Not my scene either. Too old to care about this.