Why are their so many denominations in Christianity if we believe in the same God?

Question

I am a Christian but I do not believe in choosing a demonination because we are all christains, but when asked I just say I'm christian but under no denomination. Why are there so many Christian domoninations but we believe in the same God? Do we not read from the same bible? What reasoning are there in having different demoninations? Why do some demoninations seem to dislike each other e.g Catholic vs Presbyterian or Lutheran vs Bapist? Are we not all Christians?

Answer 1

Christ prayed for Christian unity. Yet Christians have splintered into more than 30,000 denominations.

The reason for this splintering was an idea by Martin Luther of "sola scriptura." This idea has two parts.

First, Luther thought only the Bible counts as revelation about who God is and what he wants. Ironically, this is a nonbiblical idea.

Paul, for example, wrote in II Thess 2:15, "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." Jesus and the apostles taught by word of mouth, not by writing books.

Second, Luther thought every Bible reader is authorized to figure out what the Bible means for himself, that the Church Jesus organized has no authority in interpretation.

Since every reader reads a bit differently, we soon had Lutherans, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, and now, more than 30,000 other private readings.

The splintering of the Church is a scandal to Christianity, but worse, a rejection of Jesus' will: "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:23).

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 2

Pastor Billy says: excellent question , denomination-hood is not an allowable concept in either scripture or Christian tradition. I believe exactly what God's revelation teaches
Ephesians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
The reason Christianity has become so visibly divided today can be directly related to the disobedience of the Protestant and English Reformations of 400 years ago. During this period of Western History usage of private interpretation was given card blanche and the abuse of authority began.

addendum: for those arguing about the legitimacy of the Eastern Orthodox let us not forget that this community is also in turmoil and is divided along nationalistic boundaries. The Orthodox cannot even call a major ecclesiastical council as they are missing a temporal head or authority on earth to do so in their break from the Western Church and the bishop of Rome. Read the letters of Clement of Rome writing to the church of Corinith to settle a dispute of doctrine while John the Apostle was still alive in Asia Minor clearly they accepted the authority of the papal office very early on in Christian history.

Answer 3

Religion was always a powerful political weapon. Starting from the Great Schism in XIth century, there were two big Christian centers in the world: Rome and Constantinople (today's Istanbul). The interesting spheres were going along the great division of the Roman Empire on Western and Eastern part. Rome is the center of the catholicism, Constantinople of the orthodox church. Later the reformation movement introduced protestantism and it's various denominations.

It is not only the freedom of interpretation of the Bible. We all live free to interpret it any way we want, but it also means that we are responsible for our interpretations. Sadly, but IMHO, I believe that the roots of all the denominations and divisions within the Christian world are things which are totally ungodly like: greediness for money, thirst for power. I am sick and tired of false spiritual leaders.

Answer 4

Originally, there were different denominations because different cultures have different traditions and customs in worship and praise. Ultimately, it has become a device of Satan to divide Christians. He knows that a house that is divided cannot stand and is trying to divide us as much as possible. I am a member of a church that feels exactly as you do about denominations. We are of no denomination, but are Christian. He received the revelation of this division at the bank one day. While cashing a check, the teller asked what denominations he would like his money. He asked what did she mean and she replied "How would you like your money divided?" That's when he decided not to chose a denomination for the church that he was beginning. We are Christians.

Answer 5

If you don't believe in choosing a denomination then you are like a bird that's trying to fly the continent solo.As a Catholic I have access to the best spiritual and theological help possible.Life's journey is perilous and that is why Jesus instituted the Church.We should not have rivalry between Churches because Jesus Himself said "those who are not against you are for you"
I have come across many Protestants who are model Christians.
There will be many people who will show a lot of animosity ;there is no perfect solution.

Answer 6

I am Christian, life-long Protestant. Was never taught much about apostles, history of church, martyrs. Recently began to study history of Christianity. To paraphrase, back in 1054, there was a split in how Christ's church was managed. The disciples/apostles who learned from Christ himself, had then taught others beneath them, who then taught others, and so on. They had spread the Gospel and created "epicenters" of Christianity. Since its earliest days, the Church recognized the special positions of three bishops, who were known as patriarchs: the Bishop of Rome, the Bishop of Alexandria, and the Bishop of Antioch. They were joined by the Bishop of Constantinople and by the Bishop of Jerusalem, both confirmed as patriarchates by the Council of Chalcedon in 451 . The patriarchs held precedence over fellow bishops in the Church. While the See of Constantinople would come to argue that it should be ranked 2nd because it was, "New Rome," the Patriarch of Rome strongly disputed that point, arguing that the reason for Rome's Primacy had always been that it was the position of the Successor of St. Peter, the first-ranking among the Apostles.

Disunion in the Roman Empire further contributed to disunion in the Church.

So, after Rome introduced some idealogy (e.g. infallability of the Pope, as they claimed direct descent from St. Peter) the Eastern contingency split for good.

It is interesting to note that while Eastern Orthodox has never changed (their worship, and beliefs, and customs/rites) are the same as back in 1054 -- the Protestant reformation caused literally thousands of religious factions to split off, and change with their own view of what Christianity is and found new churches based upon that new belief system.

Whether it be the Catholic/Orthodox split in 1054, or the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century -- the Church split along doctrinal, theological, linguistic, political, and geographic lines, and the fundamental breach has never been healed

Most interestly, myself included, many Protestants today are deciding to "return" to the Eastern Orthodox religion as the original true Christianity, as the apostles set it forth in scripture.

Answer 7

I'm not of any denomination but believe if science finds truth it does not interfere or contradict the supreme intelligent energy since he is truth. If you do find a denomination that will honestly consider science and face it openly, let me know.

Answer 8

Jesus doesn't carry a card. Man made the denominations. Like-minded people who wanted to use the same format forgather and worship the way that makes them comfortable. The happy-clappy shouting Christians get together, while the quiet, meditative Christians go somewhere together to worship that way. Neither way is "right", or "better." What makes us Christians is our relationship with Christ. I have attended a Pentecostal church and other, more formal groups...they all have their good and bad points.
As to people saying one or the other is "bad"--that person just needs to feel superior to others. Their problem, not His.

Answer 9

I am part of a non-denominational church. My pastor preaches from the Bible and teaches us based on the Bible.
Churches that get into arguments about who's doctrine is corect and whos' is wrong really don't have the correct thinking in what matters to God. That's where I think too many people get caught up in being religious instead of having a relationship with God. God doesn't care if you say the benediction after each service, or kneel 8 thousand times during a service. That all is a practice that is meaningless.

Read your Bible, worship Jesus, pray, and teach others about Jesus. That's how you get close to Him.
People need to stop sugar coating the truth. We are SINNERS! We Need Jesus. The world is growing more evil every day and if you are not saved then you are going straight to hell.

Answer 10

I am a Christian but I do not believe in choosing a demonination. I am more of the "Apostles' type" of belief in Christianity. The Apostles/Disciples of Christ were never identified by any of present day sects/denominations.

When our Lord Jesus told His listeners about the God they claimed to worship, He rebuked them:

Joh 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him...

Joh 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

I am quite sensitive to these rebuke, that I tride pleasing our Lord.