There are thousands of Christian denominations and counting, while religions are only in the hundreds. Some major Christian denominations are Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist, Jehovah’s Witness, Lutheran, Anglican.
Some major religions are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism.
With so many Christian denominations, many Christians are confused as to the difference between Christian denominations and religions. Many Christians when asked, “What is your religion?” Their common answers are Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Baptist, Jehovah’s Witness or Seventh Day Adventist.
Since the question is about a religion not about a Christian denomination, their answer should be “Christianity” for it is the religion of members of any Christian denomination.
The first part of this article discusses the reasons why there are many Christian denominations. Visit www.wbfmfamily.com for the first part of this article.
In this second and final part discusses: The problems of Christian denominations, Conflicts and Divisions Over Different Biblical Interpretations and What is a Believer to do?
The problems of Christian Denominations
There seems to be at least three major problems with denominationalism. First, nowhere in Scripture is there a mandate for denominationalism; to the contrary the mandate is for union and connectivity.
The second problem is that history tells us that denominationalism is the result of, or caused by, conflict and confrontation which lead to division and separation. Jesus told us that a house divided against itself cannot stand. This general principle can and should be applied to the church.
The third, denominations cause confusion to unbelievers thus, diminishes the impact of the gospel.
Church division started in the Corinthian church. There were those who thought that they should follow Paul and those who thought they should follow the teaching of Apollos, 1 Corinthians 1:12, “What I am saying is this: each of you says, “I’m with Paul,” or “I’m with Apollos,” or “I’m with Cephas,” or “I’m with Christ.”
This alone should tell us what Paul thought of denominations or anything else that separates and divides the body (the church). But let’s look further; in verse 13, Paul asks very pointed questions, “Is Christ divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name?” This makes clear how Paul feels, he (Paul) is not the Christ, he is not the one crucified and his message has never been one that divides the church or would lead someone to worship Paul instead of Christ.
Obviously, according to Paul, there is only one church and one body of believers and anything that is different weakens and destroys the church (see verse 17). He makes this point stronger in 3:4 by saying that anyone who says they are of Paul or of Apollos is carnal.
These are some of the problems we are faced with today as we look at denominationalism and its more recent history:
First, denominations are based on disagreements over the interpretation of Scripture. An example would be the meaning and purpose of baptism. Is baptism a requirement for salvation or is it symbolic of the salvation process? There are denominations on both sides of this issue and have used the issue to separate and form denominations.
Second. disagreements over the interpretation of Scripture are taken personally and become points of contention. This leads to arguments which can and have done much to destroy the church.
Third, the church should be able to resolves its differences inside the body, but once again history tells us that this doesn’t happen. Today the media uses our differences against us to demonstrate that we are not unified in thought or purpose.
Fourth, denominations are used by men out of self-interest. There are denominations today that are in a state of self-destruction as they are being led into apostasy by those who are promoting their personal agendas.
Fifth, the value of unity is found in the ability to pool our gifts and resources to promote the Kingdom to a lost world. But this runs contrary to divisions caused by denominationalism.
Conflicts and divisions over different biblical interpretation could be avoided
Further on the disagreement over biblical interpretation as one of the causes why there are many Christian denominations, it is understandable that there are disagreement over interpretations of biblical passages because the Bible is the word of God, thus, it is impossible for a human mind to understand everything in it.
Not only the Bible is written in parables, narratives, prophecies, proverbs and Psalms (songs, hymns and prayers), it becomes more complicated by the use of figure of speech like personification and metaphor. In fact, the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”
Accordingly, the writings or passages in the Bible could be classified into three categories:
First, passages that are not essential to our salvation, thus, which are not intended for us to understand. They are there to demonstrate that God, being the creator of heaven and earth and the giver of perfect gifts is beyond human understanding. Therefore, these passages, we cannot understand. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever…”
Second, passages that are black and white, meaning, God made them crystal clear that there is no room for any other interpretation. Because they are essential to our salvation, like, The Ten Commandments: “You Shall Not Kill,” “You Shall not Lie,” Do Not Commit Adultery,” “Honor Your Mother and Father…”.
Third, passages that are gray, meaning, not clear and are subject to different interpretations. Those passages do not adversely affect our salvation, but God wants us to study them seriously and prayerfully. Whatever is our honest understanding or interpretation would not do us any harm both spiritually and physically.
It just like a little child asking his/her Father, “Dad, there are apple juice, orange juice, mango juice, and papaya juice in the fridge, which one I have to drink.” Dad could say, “Whatever is your choice is okay.”
Should Christian believers would only avoid interpreting biblical passages not intended for us to understand (Deuteronomy 29:29) and would only exercise tolerance on the interpretations of passages that are not clear (gray), conflicts and divisions in the church would be minimized and Christian denominations would not be in the thousands and counting.
Romans 14:1,4,12,22 say: “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters …Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each of us will give account of himself to God… So whatever you believe about these things between yourself and God.”
As human, we do not have all the answers of everything in life. Much more in understanding every God’s word or passage of God’s book – the Bible. In fact, Jesus Apostles, who were with Jesus for three solid years did not originally understand why Jesus has to die on the cross to save humanity.
What is a believer to do?
What is a believer to do? Should we ignore denominations, should we just not go to church and worship on our own at home? The answer to both questions is no. What we should be seeking is a body of believers (church) where the Gospel of Christ is preached according the Bible (no less no more Rev. 22:18-19 & Deut. 4:2)), where you as an individual can have a personal relationship with the Lord, where you can join in biblical ministries that are spreading the Gospel and glorifying God.
Church (the Bible calls it the body of Christ) is important and all believers need to belong to a body that fits the above criteria. We need relationships that can only be found in the body of believers, we need the support that only the church can offer, and we need to serve God in community as well as individually.
Pick a church on the basis of its relationship to Christ, how well it is serving the community. Pick a church where the pastor is preaching the Gospel without fear and is encouraged to do so.
Christ and His church is all about your relationship to Him and to each other. As believers, there are certain basic doctrines (essential for salvation) that we must believe, but beyond that there is freedom on how we can serve and worship; it is this freedom where there is diversity not disunity. Diversity allows us to be individuals in Christ, disunity divides and destroys.
The topic for the next issue is “ Genuine Faith is Not Blind.”
To find the answers of the increasingly complex problems and frightening developments in the world today, Word Became Flesh Ministries, a non-denominational, Bible based church is inviting you to its free interactive Bible study on the Six Basic Bible Lessons. For details, see its invitation in this paper under “GIVE GOD A CHANCE.”