Why there are so many denominations

[Ron Arndt]

Did you ever wonder why there are so many denominations? It's easy. Because no one really fully understands just what Jesus and the apostles said in scripture concerning doctrinal teachings. This is easily proved by the various so called study bibles that are available to buy. The Reformation bible is Calvinistic. The Dake bible is fully Arminian. The Hayford bible is Pentecostal. The Scofield bible is dispensational. The Concordia bible is semi Catholic.And on it goes.

You would think after 2,000 years a group of individuals would have understood just what Jesus and the apostles REALLY meant when they wrote and said the the things recorded? But all we're left with is a mass of denominational confusion. Which is not good.

 

[Ed Edwards]

In this context, what do you mean by
"denomination"?

How many denominations are there, according to
your definition? (I have some data that will
help, if you don't have access to that kind
of data).

For example, are 10,000 Independent Fundamental
Baptist local churchs ONE denomination or
10,000 denominations?

 

[MikeinGhana]

I believe the answer to your question is not a matter of not understanding what was written but rather what different people emphasize. Some emphasize sanctification over salvation and get a works oriented view of scripture. Some emphasize love over doctrine and get an eccumenical slant to their views and so on. What do you think about this idea?

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by Ron Arndt:
Did you ever wonder why there are so many denominations? It's easy. Because no one really fully understands just what Jesus and the apostles said in scripture concerning doctrinal teachings.

Some do know understand the facts but still go their own way simply because they are not comfortable with the facts.

 

[Pastor Larry]

You would think after 2,000 years a group of individuals would have understood just what Jesus and the apostles REALLY meant when they wrote and said the the things recorded?

There are. They are called Baptists.

 

[Michaelt]

you just wouldn't know it by reading the forum....lol

 

[prophecynut]

Ron
You would think after 2,000 years a group of individuals would have understood just what Jesus and the apostles REALLY meant when they wrote and said the the things recorded?

God would not choose a group of individuals to clarify and finalized the understanding of Scripture, historically, God has chosen one person as His spokesman.

Here's a comment from a person on another Christian board:

"The amazing part of all this, Peter knew that he was saying all this about many different parts of the bible, even Rev which wasn't yet written. I wonder why it took almost 1900 years to figure it out."

 

[TexasSky]

Because we try too hard to make it complicated.

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by Ron Arndt:
Did you ever wonder why there are so many denominations?

There are several reasons for multiple denominations:

All of us are different people, and the Holy Spirit speaks to each person differently than another.

We're all imperfect, fallible humans, and churches, being setup by humans, are likewise imperfect. If you ever find a perfect church, don't join it, because you'll ruin it.

Differing people have different missions, methods, and mileaus.

We all have different customs and tastes in methodology.

 

[J. Jump]

Well it's basically like the old school game that most people have played called "chain," the "phone game," or the "secret game." Where you share something witht the person next to you and by the time it gets to the end of the line it is so messed up its funny.

That's the way it is with truth. It will not get any better. It will only get more clouded.

 

[RockRambler]

Because Jesus didn't hand out the absolute truth in written form to anyone before he went back to heaven.

 

[Gold Dragon]

Some good answers proposed so far. Here are some of my thoughts to throw into the mix.

1) Churches are made up of humans who have an imperfect understanding of theology. Those who disagree often start down the road towards a new denomination.

2) Churches are made up of imperfect humans who make mistakes. Those who disagree with those mistakes often start down the road towards a new denomination.

3) Churches are made of up people within a specific culture. In different cultures through time or geography, some denominations/traditions are able to identify with a specific culture better than others.

 

[AresMan]

Originally posted by Pastor Larry:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />You would think after 2,000 years a group of individuals would have understood just what Jesus and the apostles REALLY meant when they wrote and said the the things recorded?

There are. They are called Baptists. </font>[/QUOTE]And "Baptist" could mean just about anything too.

 

[cojosh]

Is having so many different denominations really a bad thing? I know Satan causes divisions but what he uses to hurt the Church could Christ take it and use it for good. I guess what I'm saying is that it is sort of a good thing for individuals to go their different ways if they disagree. I wouldn't want members of our church to disagree with our distinctives/doctrines, and remain members. How can two walk together if they don't agree?


I agree with Ed Edwards when he posted:

**** For example, are 10,000 Independent Fundamental Baptist local churchs ONE denomination or 10,000 denominations? ****

Every individual group is a separate body of believers that are accountable to God and He alone. Unfortunately, many of these groups are not concerned with truth. There's also a lot of cults out there.

I'm thankful that I am a Baptist, but it is strictly by conviction. Some use a this title like a political party or believe that it's something people are born into.

"My grandpappy and grandmammy were Baptists, my pappy and mammy were Baptists... So that makes me a Baptist!!"

 

[Ed Edwards]

MikeinGhana: //I believe the answer to your question is not a matter
of not understanding what was written but rather what different
people emphasize.//

Amen, Brother MikeinGhana - Preach it!

Acts 12:4-5 (HCSB = Holman Christian Standard Bible):

Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit.
5. There are different ministries, but the same Lord.

IMHO God uses "denominationalism" to provide different
gifts and different ministries to His Elect Saints.

 

[Circuitrider]

My dad used to say, "There is more than one way to skin a cat." (By the way that sounds like a fitting treatment for such creatures , but I digress). It seems to me "denominations" are of two kinds. Some different denoms are simply man's effort to change the truth and build a movement that is man-centered rather than Christ-following. Other "denominations" simply reflect the diversity of men in interpretation and emphasis of the truth. IFBs, GARBCs, BBFs, etc are all preaching essentially the same doctrine with differing emphasize. With individual churches we see the same diversity with differing emphasis upon missions, discipleship, preaching, etc. God never intended for Christians, churches, or groups of churches to be exact clones of one another. In fact our diversity is one area of our real strength. While it is true that we can not all be right, Romans reminds us that we must be "fully persuaded in [our] own mind." We must each do what we believe is right and let God sort it out at the judgment seat.

 

[MikeinGhana]

I was told this by an elderly pastor one time long ago. In answer to my statement that one thing that disturbed me about fundamentalism is the divisiveness and bickering among us. He said basically that God uses this to keep us on our toes and to drive us to know what we believe. He said the varying groups are a result of men having convictions, not preferences. A conviction is something you would die for (or fight for). A preference is something you believe when you really do not know what you believe!. What are your thoughts?

 

[StraightAndNarrow]

Personally, I can't believe that Christ wanted internal dissension in His church. As was said earlier, I think much of this is making the gospel message too complicated. I believe in a core gospel which consists of:

1) Accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
2) Living the Christian life through a close ongoing relationship with Christ through the Holy Ghost.
3) Loving God with all my heart as loving my fellow man as demonstrated in how I treat them every day.
4) Spreading the gospel whenever I have the opportunity to do so.

5) Our Lord Jesus Christ is going to return someday in all of His glory and we all need to be ready, like the wise virgins that had enough oil for the wedding feast.

Jesus said "Suffer the little children to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven. If you do not become like one of these you will not enter the kingdom."

Children are naive, trusting and loving. They don't have a clue about the various theoligical positions on end times but they do know how to love and obey their parents and what it means to treat their friends right.

My belief is that this is the message we are to get out to the lost. Debating theological fine points is interesting but not included in the Great Commission.

 

[Mark Osgatharp]

The reason there are so many denominations is because men have introduced false doctrines and set up churches to promote those doctrines rather than submitting to the true doctrines of God's word. This was occuring before the apostles even died and many of the New Testament letters were written to combat it.

Mark Osgatharp

 

[DeadMan]

Children are naive, trusting and loving. They don't have a clue about the various theoligical positions on end times but they do know how to love and obey their parents and what it means to treat their friends right.

My belief is that this is the message we are to get out to the lost. Debating theological fine points is interesting but not included in the Great Commission.

My thoughts exactly!