Can anyone explain to me why Christianity has so many divisions and groups: Lutherans, Reformed/Presbyterians, Congregational/United Church of Christ, Evangelical, Charismatic, Baptists, Methodists, Nazarenes, Anabaptists, Seventh-day Adventists, Waldensians and Pentecostals, etc?
2007-09-12 06:31:48 · 32 answers · asked by Mr. Beef Stroganoff 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The bible is clearly not clear
2007-09-12 06:35:24 · answer #1 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Not I. These divisions took place so many years ago. One would have to be there at the time of the divisions and the name giving time. The Seventh-day-Adventists as you should be able to figure out; they think that the day of worship should be the same as the day of rest; namely the Sabbath day. Well with all the preparation time involved in the getting ready to go to church it can be a more stressful time than restful time.
The word baptist is a Greek word meaning to go under that is why they immerse the people being baptized; hence the name Baptist.
As for the other names maybe you should research them.
2007-09-12 06:59:56 · answer #2 · answered by Pepsi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity has evolved over the years. (My apologies to Darwin.) In the beginning, Christians banded together in a commune-like situation. Males and females were equally ranked. Here it gets a little fuzzy, but from what I gather Paul (the Apostle) began to redirect the church to a more formal, men's only club. This eventually resulted in the Catholic church. Over the course of history, the church managed to hold control because the people simply couldn't read - only priests could. They convinced the people that the only way to Heaven was through them. The people had no choice.
Later, when learned men began to be able to finally read the scripture, they saw what parts of the church had been up to. Protestantism was born with the idea that people didn't need priests to intercede on their behalf.
Over the years, various leaders came forward, each reading the Bible somewhat differently on key points. Their followers became the "groups".
What I find interesting is that most of the groups have brought out ideas that have led, and are leading, us back to the origins of the church - where men and women were equal, and lived communally, sharing and caring for each other.
It's a long learning curve, but maybe there's still hope...
2007-09-12 06:56:15 · answer #3 · answered by Cat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of the unbiblical manmade tradition of sola scriptura, which guaranteed doctrinal chaos from the start. Before this novel idea was introduced a few hundred years ago, Christianity was united in belief and in worship. Christ knew that we could not have truth without unity and that we could not have unity without genuine authority. He placed that authority in His Church. As a result of that genuine centralized authority, the stated will of God, "that they all may be one", was a reality for 1,500 years. But then a few proud men attempted to transfer authority from the Church to a collection of writings compiled under the authority of the same Church whose authority they were rejecting - which of course really meant that each individual's personal interpretations of the book would be the only authority - which of course really meant that there was no longer any authority at all. The totally predictable result has been the continuous fragmentation of Protestantism into thousands of conflicting denominations, and general doctrinal chaos, in direct violation of the stated will of God. That's why the Bible refers to the one Church Christ founded as "the pillar and foundation of truth". No structure can stand once removed from its pillars and foundation. The truth cannot stand once removed from the one true Church Christ founded for all mankind.
2007-09-12 06:57:39 · answer #4 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People just cant get along. Each of the above groups have some very different ideas about the Church and the Bible.
Some of them are nuts, most are sincere. Most of those listed are good Christian churches with acceptable doctrines, a few are just NUTS, and cults. God sees the heart and he will have the last say.
2007-09-12 06:42:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every major religion has divisions. There are also different types of Jews, Buddhists, and Muslims. One of the major reasons Iraq is in such bad shape is that two different types of Muslims, Sunni and Shite, are fighting with each other
2007-09-12 06:40:00 · answer #6 · answered by xg6 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
2007-09-13 02:55:46 · answer #7 · answered by JoeBama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because religion is a man made invention that is used to rule the people.
Eventually some of the people get sick of some of the rules, so they change them and create their own sub group.
2007-09-12 06:36:08 · answer #8 · answered by Atrum Animus AM 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It all started when the Roman Cath. Church put traditions of man over the bible.
But I think your hat is Hot.
†
2007-09-12 06:36:32 · answer #9 · answered by Jeanmarie 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Because Christians are failing to be the answer to Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane that we may be one.
And many denominations are not based on biblical teaching but on man's teaching.
2007-09-12 06:36:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
It must be because Joe Hovah's Word is so perfect and infallible -- clearly the work of a being of infinite intelligence and wisdom.
Oh, wait....
Never mind.
2007-09-12 06:37:36 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋