Why so many denominations?

[JM]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM6m3fikqoM

 

[phydaux]

I'd much rather talk to you than talk to youtube.

If I wanted to comment on the video then I'd do that I'd post my comment on the video's page on youtube.

 

[BryanW92]

Having been on both sides of the fence (Calvinist and Wesleyan) at various points in my Christian walk, I don't see a problem with denominations as long as they stick to the basics of God and salvation.

The real problem is with how human politics worms its way in and tries to change God or subvert him to the goals of an ideology.

 

[abacabb3]

What I am about to say goes equally for me, so here it goes.

The Scripture is clear. It's reader's are thickheaded.

The EO and RCCs like to accuse Protestants of reading the Bible inadequately and coming up with tons of crazy ideas that contradict one another.

What they don't like to admit is that EO/RCC traditions has shown changes and debates.

Take Baptism. Tertuallian was against the baptism of infants. Several Christian saints with Christian parents (or sometimes parent) were not baptized as infants such as Jerome, Augustine, Chrysostom, just to name a few. In fact, the process only began to dominate by the time Augustine was old, so between the 4th and 5th centuries. So, for hundreds of years, by the RCC's and EO's admission, the church got something wrong.

If the Scripture and tradition are so clear, why do we comes to such different interpretations? WHy do people disagree upon baptism, when there are no infants baptized in the Bible? Or why do people reject the Real Presence of Christ in the elements, when the Scripture literally says He is? Why do people read times and days in Revelation literally, but in Daniel figuratively?

The problem is not the Scripture, but then men who read and apply it. If we did have a politically centralized CHurch like the RCC, we would still have a diversity of opinions and factions. The very factions Paul warned us against.

So, denominations raise from honest disagreements. Disagreements arise from our own ignorance and blindness.

 

[JM]

I'd much rather talk to you than talk to youtube.

If I wanted to comment on the video then I'd do that I'd post my comment on the video's page on youtube.

phydaux,

I don't have your phone number, know where you live, etc. so we can't talk.

jm

 

[abacabb3]

I don't get it, what's going on?

 

[BryanW92]

The Scripture is clear. It's reader's are thickheaded.

Its really not that clear. The gospels are pretty clear, but they can even create some confusion. But, then you add the epistles to the mix and it gets very unclear.

I think God wanted it that way.

He gave us very clear instructions in Leviticus and Deuteronomy and it got turned into a legalistic mess.

Now, Jesus could have designated an apostle as scribe and walked around saying, "Write this down", "Don't write this down.", "Write this down and underline it.", etc. Then, scripture would be clear. Read the instructions and do them.

But instead, he travels around with a money box in the hands of Judas, but tells the rich, young ruler to sell all he has or he can't have salvation. He smashes up the tables in the temple, but says that an angry word is murder. He excuses an adulteress, travels with a prostitute, and says that even a single lustful thought is adultery.

Then, he commissions Saul/Paul to basically create some rules through his letters to various churches.

I believe that this was all to prevent the human tendency to take a set of written rules and turn them into a religion, and then to find loopholes in them for the "right" people.

Even the simple, "Love others as you love yourself" becomes a mess when we start parsing it out. One person says, "Love others so you must accept gay marriage." Another says, "Love others and that means you help a brother stop sinning, even if it seems harsh, because that's what I would want for myself."

I chose Calvinism over the Wesleyan way because of our flawed society. The weakness of thinking that free will reigns over God's will permits all sorts of evil to enter the church. God kept things vague so that various theologies can be created and the ones that are needed for a particular age are always available.

The REAL gospel (i.e. the "Write this down" gospel) and God's theology will only be revealed in heaven.

 

[abacabb3]

I think I was referring to the perspicuity of Scripture. The Scripture is pretty long. If you read it 20-30 minutes every day, it take a year to complete. So, confusion comes from not knowing the whole counsel of God, or remembering where the Scripture addresses a certain point. However, where the Scripture addresses a point there is no contradiction.

When man, who prefers his own ideas, does not seek to find the consistent renderings in Scripture, therein comes needless but inevitable confusion. For, we are idolaters at heart.

 

[gord44]

Interesting post Bryan

 

[GQ Chris]

Man meant it for evil, but God made it good for me because I saw Christ through Calvinism.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

i guess that's possible, no matter how unlikely. actually, as no man can receive anything unless the Father in heaven grants it, it is more in line with His Word to give all the credit and all the glory to Yhvh the Creator of all. since, by reading about him, we can find out that calvin sinned and apparently did not repent of sin, unless the admitted historical accounts are mistaken,
then putting any trust in calvin would certainly be misplaced.

likewise various denominations. if a person seeks Yhvh, that is what is required. if a person is satisfied with another person instead of Yhvh, and doesn't seek Yhvh, then no one can help him. stick with Yhvh's Word , as He is the One Creator and the One Who Gives Life, in and through and by Yahushua.

 

[BryanW92]

since, by reading about him, we can find out that calvin sinned and apparently did not repent of sin, unless the admitted historical accounts are mistaken,
then putting any trust in calvin would certainly be misplaced..

ROFLMAO!

 

[BryanW92]

no matter how unlikely. actually, as no man can receive anything unless the Father in heaven grants it, it is more in line with His Word to give all the credit and all the glory to Yhvh the Creator of all. .

That's a very Calvinist viewpoint! Congratulations.