Why are there so many different denominations in christianity? Shouln't there be only one truth?

Question

If the Christian faith is the true faith, then why are there so many different versions of the truth? If its the truth, than it's the truth right? And don't tell me God has many different versions of his Word mumbo jumbo. Give me a real answer! If you can.

Answer 1

"Shouln't there be only one truth?"

Yes, this is only logical. Catholicism is the One True Faith. If you study history you will see that all other Christian bodies broke away from the Catholic Church, that the early Church Fathers were all Catholic, that it was the Catholic Church that decided which books would be included in the Bible, that the Catholic Church is the only one to even dare to claim to have the Successor of Peter, etc.

Answer 2

There is only one truth. There is so much confusion floating around based on doctrine. Doctrine has probably been the most effective tool Satan has against the church [and I define church as the entire body of believers]. He can't get their soul but he can certainly keep the church from being an effective witness to the world. Wars have been fought over doctrinal differences.

There are certain basic precepts [the truth of which you speak] to the Christian faith, namely finding redemption through Christ. The other things are small potatoes but believers have made the mistake of elevating those matters to sin. There is a lovely saying I wish all believers could embrace. In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity. There are certain basic truths one must embrace to become a Christian. Then there are doctrinal matters such as alcohol, as an example. Doctrinal issues do not define if a person is a Christian. Certain denominations do not believe you should drink, others could care less. The liberty part of that saying means we are free to embrace whatever view we choose on the non-essentials and what's more we can debate if it is right or wrong so long as it is done in charity [perhaps respect is an appropriate word?]. God has only one Word and the guiding truth that we lose sight of too often is love.

Answer 3

different denominations come from different perceptions of the Bible and what it meant. Some denominations take the Bible very literally (Amish), while others take a more "get the prinicple out of it" kind of approach (PCUSA). It drastically effects how one lives their life (ie, women as preachers or totally submissive, silent creatures; homosexuality as a sin or not; to give 2 hot issues in the church). It also affects worship: bang it out on drums or no music at all?

Quite frankly, there are a few denominations that support more bigotry, judgment, and hate than I want to be associated with. And on the flip side, I have turned away from the "truths of God and have become a heathen liberal" according to others. And when it comes to the worship aspect, maybe God likes a little variety.

Answer 4

It's true, there are many different denominations in Christianity. But if you carefully read the history, you will find that there were various reasons; but mostly through greed and self interests.

One reason was the obvious: some people or head were unsastisfied with the way the church was run. Priests were becoming lazy and materialistic, which was a violation of their vows. So they came up with a denomination which allowed priests to marry, drive cars, and even gamble.

Then we also have some people who don't believe in the holiness of Mary and who rejected her presence in the bible. Others felt that the Saints shouldn't be given honorary roles because they considered them minor.

Answer 5

They all share the same essential set of beliefs and they all generally have the important pieces in common. But, certain churches put emphasis on different teachings (for instance, Baptists will put more emphasis on necessity of baptism than other denominations). Some denominations also add certain beliefs that are not Biblical. For instance, Catholicism adds in that there is such a thing as purgatory, when the Bible never mentions it.

God doesn't have many different versions of the Word (just one), but in the translations from Hebrew to English, it is normal for certain words to not translate cleanly, and then some verses can be interpreted in a few different ways. It all ends up being that some small words can be changed to create small differences, and some denominations come up for new ways to interpret certain verses. As far as I know, though, most denominations are named after different ways of approaching the Bible or the different emphasis some denominations put on certain things.

Answer 6

The answer is that there are many "little things" that tend to divide Christianity into so many denominations.

A simple issue such as baptism. Should it be full immersion? Or, can it be a sprinkle of a few drops of water on the head? For a lot of people, this single question becomes a major dividing issue.

Christians need to embrace the common core of the faith. This is the time for more "non denominational" as opposed to "more denominations".

The TRUTH is that there is but ONE true God, and salvation of the eternal soul thru His Son, Jesus.

Answer 7

The real answer is that Christianity was unified as long as the community as a whole was considered the foundation of Christian doctrine. Christianity started out as a democratic republic, where elections were approved by the congregations, and where disputes were settled by vote. The usurpation of the democratic opinion in the Roman Catholic Church lead to the Reformation, which shifted the emphasis of Christian doctrine from the corporate religious experience to the Bible. This, in effect, made everyone their own pope, and made the individual responsible for interpreting Scripture for themselves. The Bible is a complex collection of writings that are often contrary to each other and ambiguous. As you can imagine, this lead to a new condition in Christianity. Those who were studious and charismatic developed their own interpretations, and those who were not so studious or charismatic fell in line with whatever interpretation seemed right. Voila - now we thousands of denominations, with the newer denominations taking more and more vague stances on doctrine in an attempt to preserve unity. If you sample the opinions of members of any denomination formed in the last 200 years or so, you will get as many opinions as you have questions. Ask a question to two Protestants, and you will get three answers.

However, the situation is not as drastic as it sounds. Most Protestant denominations do not exist in open enmity with one another. Denominational divisions are largely matters of ambiance, personal preference, or social bonding. There are, for example, nearly 100 denominations of Apostolic Pentecostals, even though they all agree with one another.

Answer 8

There is only one truth. It is the human consciousness that has formed splinter groups of Christianity. There are different focal points of denominations, some being power, money, and others being spiritual truth, the truth that sets us free from human bondage. Each person must find a spot that works for them in this age. If it isn't quite right, adjustments will be made in the next age.

Answer 9

There is only one truth,All Christians know Jesus.We all believe the same, only the way people practice i.e. pray attend different types of Churches.We all know there is one God and Jesus is The Messiah.

Answer 10

According to the bible there is only one truth Let's look at Ephesians 4:4,5,6,There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were 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.

One is one, not many. Jesus said there would be people to come in his name telling people that he was the Christ, but would decieve many. Jesus also said the gate is wide and broad is the way that leads to desrtuction and many will enter, but narrow is the gate and straight is the way that leads to eternal life and few will find it.So according to the bible there is only one church all others are false.


Let's examine modern christianity. They say that the many denominational churches is the one church. They claim the many forms of baptism is the one baptism even though there is many. They claim the only heretics are those churches who claim to be the only ones going to heaven AND CLAIM THAT BAPTISM IS ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION,and label those churches cults, but the bible says there is only one faith one body, which is the church. Scripture calls the church the body of Christ, so when it says there is one body, it is saying there is just one church.

Jesus said in vain they do worship me teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.

I am not Christian, but pagan Wicca is my religion, but I know what the bible says on such matters. Isn't it shameful that a pagan should know more about the bible than the average Christian?

One way to tell if a church is false is by what they teach about baptism. According to scripture baptism is essential for salvation, but the doctrines of men says no that baptism is a work and if you are baptized for salvation you are working your way to heaven.

Read for yourselves what the bible says about baptism Mark 16:16 Acts 2:38 Romans 6:3,4,5,6, 1Corinthians12:13, Galatians 3:27, 1Peter3:21 These are just a few verses that clearly claim Baptism is essential for salvation, but man says no, it is not, but read what Paul says about man preaching another gospel than that in which they preached Galatians 1:8,9 But if we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.(9) AS WE HAVE SAID BEFORE, SO NOW I SAY AGAIN, IF ANYONE PREACHES ANY OTHER GOSPEL TO YOU THAN WHAT YOU HAVE RECIEVED, LET HIM BE ACCURSED.

Man says that you need to ask Jesus into your heart, but the bible says no such thing. Man says to say the sinners prayer and you will become a Christian, but the sinners prayer is not in the bible at all. Man says we must have a personal relationship with Christ, but the bible says we must obey Christ and do what he says.

Who is right? Man or the bible?