Dividing denominations.

[GrimLife]

My grandmas a catholic, my mothers a SDA i have friends that are Anglican and others that are uniting.
I am personally to confused and to afraid to join anything.

But what i find so confusing is that we must divide ourselves.

I know it is hard to keep a group together, after all there are people whom are leaders, and a leader never wants to be a follower. such mankind is destined to break apart.

But as Christians are we not supposed to unite ourselves! so many people (and there have been fights!!) have fought between denominations, which one is better ... which one is right for me. Those Catholics don’t believe in contraception or oh! no the Seventh day Adventists worship on Saturday!!!!

Its dividing us!! its removing us from the truth! and hiding us from reality! and what it truly means to be what is so commonly thrown around a !!CHRISTIAN!!

I want people here to discuss, think and ask! why!!!! must we be divided! why must we separate ourselves from each other and why for such ... trivial means

(one dividing was because a king wanted to divorce his wife!)

[Nadiine]

My grandmas a catholic, my mothers a SDA i have friends that are Anglican and others that are uniting.
I am personally to confused and to afraid to join anything.

But what i find so confusing is that we must divide ourselves.

I know it is hard to keep a group together, after all there are people whom are leaders, and a leader never wants to be a follower. such mankind is destined to break apart.

But as Christians are we not supposed to unite ourselves! so many people (and there have been fights!!) have fought between denominations, which one is better ... which one is right for me. Those Catholics don’t believe in contraception or oh! no the Seventh day Adventists worship on Saturday!!!!

Its dividing us!! its removing us from the truth! and hiding us from reality! and what it truly means to be what is so commonly thrown around a !!CHRISTIAN!!

I want people here to discuss, think and ask! why!!!! must we be divided! why must we separate ourselves from each other and why for such ... trivial means

(one dividing was because a king wanted to divorce his wife!)
* I divide for 1 reason: heresy - false teachers - false teaching.
* I disagree for MANY reasons.
Disagreement is not necessarily "division" though.

But even in Acts, Paul divided with Mark & Barnabus. They had a "sharp contention" btwn. them & split up. If it happened with them, it's going to happen with us.

I think the remedy is humility. :blush: Being HUMBLE and loving one another despite the disagreements. My good online friend & I are both Christians, yet we disagree on female pastors, some eschatology (rapture & millenium) & OSAS. What we did was, we just stayed off those subjects & refused to 'debate' one another over it.

We both recognized that our views on those topics didn't alter our salvation any - they aren't central to salvation, so why sit & bicker over it to prove your case? So what?

If she wants to sit under a female pastor, let her.. my conviction is not to, etc. I think we have to just let go of the [minor] differences enough to STAY OFF THE TOPICS when we're together to keep the peace.
We're taught to promote peace when at all possible - that's one way to do it.

Now if it's issues like abortion, universalism, promoting immorality/sin of any kind, anti Trinitarian, & serious doctrinal subjects like that, I have zero problem dividing and I welcome division. I'm not called to fellowship w/ everyone who claims God's name; just love them enough to pray for them.

But if people can't stay together with some minor doctrinal differences, maybe it's best they DO leave; they'll only poison the water for everyone else. Having some people leave (imo) is a BLESSING if they're toxic people that don't show fruit of the Spirit.

my 2 cents :angel:

[GrimLife]

I still dont understand why we must be divided ... ive even had people run away from God because of all the decisions and theroys ect!

[Nadiine]

I still dont understand why we must be divided ... ive even had people run away from God because of all the decisions and theroys ect!
Well, let me ask this, do you realize that we ARE supposed to divide from some people? Division is NOT always "evil".

See 2 John 1:9-11.
People "run away from God" when people refuse to REPENT. Nothing more. We do not BLAME lack of salvation on Christians.
God reveals Himself by revelation (of many kinds) to everyone; even CREATION is His visible revelation & makes us responsible to acknowledge Him as God.
Romans 1:18-32.
That excuse doesn't fly Grimm. It doesnt. In fact, if anything, it PROVES GOD EVEN MORE; that man has a sin nature & continues to sin.
I always find it amazing how the unsaved pardon their own sins & justify those, but if Christians do wrong, "OH, GOD ISN'T TRUE. How terrible... just for that, I refuse to accept that God".

That's like saying this: Becuz there's so many quack doctors with HORRIBLE bedside manners, I refuse to go to any Doctors & ALL medical practices are failed.
Same with bad dentists, bad lawyers, bad plumbers, bad hairdressers, bad construction contractors, bad computer repair people,....... etc etc.

Bad Christians don't remove people's responsibility to acknowledge & accept GOD as their Creator. They're feeding you excuses for their rebellion against God.
Pinning it on US as if that gives them right to reject God.
Do you honestly think when they stand in front of GOD at judgment time that when they point to that 'bad christian who they saw do something wrong', that God will then say, "OHHHH, my goodness, I'm SO SORRY, Please, forgive Christian Bob for his sin... come on in".
Had they ever stopped to think that that "Christian" may not have actually been born again?
Churches are FULL of lost souls claiming to be of God!!!:( (tares).

They are without excuse - blaming US doesn't help and it's not even a valid reason - especially when we know they'll go to Doctors, dentists, attorneys, construction people, hairdressers, etc. who all have BAD people in their industries.

SATAN is the accuser of the brethren... their accusations against us don't work with God. God will deal with each Christian as He deems necessary; & no we aren't perfect, but we aren't the true REASON people reject God... not when there are so many wonderful Christians out there that they could EQUALLY & fairly point to & come to God.

[GrimLife]

Sorry for sounding ... symplisic.

but is there ever a symple explanation to things ...

lol! sorry you have good views there i just think i am in my usual think to much say to much personality right now.

[Nadiine]

Sorry for sounding ... symplisic.

but is there ever a symple explanation to things ...

lol! sorry you have good views there i just think i am in my usual think to much say to much personality right now.
People can view division simplistically, or tackle it in it's more complex issues individually... since you aren't the only one that reads the threads & there's lots of non members that read, I usually like to reply more comprehensively & cover more aspects...

Simply put, blaming 'bad' Christians for rejecting God doesn't float. It's not an excuse to reject their Creator.

Division isn't always "bad" - it all depends on the issues being divided over. Some are necessary to divide from, & less important disagreements shouldn't be divided over.

There's the shorter overview :P

[HeyHomie]

We are not all the same. If we were, life would be incredibly boring. You may love steak & potatoes, while I go for sushi. You may love pop music, while I go for jazz. You may prefer to spend your weekend going hunting, while I prefer to spend it reading.

It's the same with Christians. Some may prefer worship that is energetic and boisterous. Some may prefer worship that is solemn and contemplative. Some may prefer infant baptism through sprinkling. Some may prefer believer's baptism through immersion. Some may believe in premillenialism. Some may believe in postmillenialism. Some may not care one way or the other.

The point is, the divisions that separate us are the result of different beliefs about various doctrines, different styles of church governance, different attitudes about the relationship between the clergy and the congregation, differences in approach to worship, and a host of other issues.

The way to overcome those differences is this: accept that other Christians have the freedom to worship in a congregation that most closely matches their preferences, but to still extend love and fellowship to them. Attend church in a congregation that you are comfortable with, but don't consider the walls of your congregation to be the "city limits" of Christians in your community.

[Seekermeister]

In reality, there is only one Church that counts...The Body of Christ. There will be people of all denominations within this Church, but that will be on their own individual account, not the earthly denomination that they belong to. Most denominations have faults, the question is whether these faults will lead a person too far astray. Even after making a choice of a denomination, or a particular Church, a person should weigh what they are taught for themselves. It is by this process that a Christian shall be judged. Yes, Christians shall be judged, not for their salvation, but for their rewards.

[Nadiine]

We are not all the same. If we were, life would be incredibly boring. You may love steak & potatoes, while I go for sushi. You may love pop music, while I go for jazz. You may prefer to spend your weekend going hunting, while I prefer to spend it reading.

It's the same with Christians. Some may prefer worship that is energetic and boisterous. Some may prefer worship that is solemn and contemplative. Some may prefer infant baptism through sprinkling. Some may prefer believer's baptism through immersion. Some may believe in premillenialism. Some may believe in postmillenialism. Some may not care one way or the other.

The point is, the divisions that separate us are the result of different beliefs about various doctrines, different styles of church governance, different attitudes about the relationship between the clergy and the congregation, differences in approach to worship, and a host of other issues.

The way to overcome those differences is this: accept that other Christians have the freedom to worship in a congregation that most closely matches their preferences, but to still extend love and fellowship to them. Attend church in a congregation that you are comfortable with, but don't consider the walls of your congregation to be the "city limits" of Christians in your community.
I really agree here - I've always said that denoms. are alot about stye of worship. Each one has a different style of music, preaching & even format of study.

But preferences shouldn't make us divide... the only reason we should divide is if the message is false or "off".
One other issue to consider is if a Pastor isn't feeding a flock well. Imbalance & obsessive focus of one doctrine can always be a problem -we should have the spiritual discernment to stay away from that & protect ourselves.

[TheCosmicGospel]

I think diversity can be seen in a good light. Just imagine if God put everything in one denomination. What an easy target they would be. I look at Pau's words in 1 Cor. 12 being helpful.

The church is the Body of Christ. God has arranged the members in the body as He wants. There is One Invisible Body of Believers - the One True Church of Jesus Christ. They are composed of members from all Christian Churches, where the Word is preached and salvation is found in Jesus Christ.

We all had dinner last night. But did we have to agree on what everyone was having?

We have unity in this body. It is not in outward things. One Lord. One faith. One baptism.

Let each man be convinced in his r her mind that they are doing their best in following Scriptures in whatever Church they may attend.

I found this one church that had this as part of their church platform. I really like it. I may have to live harder to apply it to myself. And I think it touches the issue you raise here, which is very important.

"We value being a joyful, optimistic team of people committed to our mission.
a) We will acknowledge our personal limitations and short comings, and defer to other's strengths as we follow Jesus and live out our mission in His church.
b) We will use humor to bring life and joy to others. We will value laughter and recreation as a way to energize us to live fruitful lives of God's kingdom."

Cheers,
Cosmic

[Seekermeister]

TheCosmicGospel,

I think diversity can be seen in a good light.
Diversity has both a light and dark side. While it creats a more suitable environment for some people, therefore attracting a larger number of people, it also repels some because of the confusion that it presents. Yet, this confusion is not as bad as the environment would be in a truely ecumenical church, where everyone would be forced to conform to one rigid system. I think that denominations is a form of the grace that God has given us. Yet, when this Earth age is over, the Church will become one.

[VCViking]

My grandmas a catholic, my mothers a SDA i have friends that are Anglican and others that are uniting.
I am personally to confused and to afraid to join anything.


You need to pray about it and let God guide you as to where to worship. That's what I did. :prayer:

Don't worry so much about denominations. Just seek a Bible believing and preaching church. It may take a while but let God guide you.

[Nadiine]

You need to pray about it and let God guide you as to where to worship. That's what I did. :prayer:

Don't worry so much about denominations. Just seek a Bible believing and preaching church. It may take a while but let God guide you.
Great post again VC :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Godiswithus]

i agree we shouldn't be divided but also having various churches is not that bad. like someone said having just one church would be an easy target. and that one church would be a huge, big church. i think leaders who would then have more income would be more corrupt. also leaders of such a big church will have to much power and too much say. i mean look at the catholic church, i have been catholic (but now non-d) and i don't see as much passion and the one top leader will tend to be seen as a holy man, almost like above other men. we are all sinners and we shouldn't see our church leaders as holy and as my sisters calls the pope-"our holy lord" ....also we have seen the monthly child molestations cases etc

anyway, there are problems everywhere, every denomination. we are all humans. i think various denominations has as much, if not more, disadvantages.

But yeah, sometimes i dream of the catholic, orthodox and protestant churches uniting completely.

anyway the one true church is up there, not down here.