How has Christanity, a faith based on the teachings of one text(the Bible), divided into so many denominations?

It all boils down to tradition. Even within Catholics depending on what part of the world your in the traditions and celebrations and even mass are different. There are so many people who interpret the bible differently and this would be the cause of so many denominations. Interpretation is very much the factor. Different people, see things differently at the same time the goal, God and Jesus are all the same.

Joe

Because people start focusing on their own selfish desires instead of on the Lord Jesus Christ and his word in the Holy Bible... it is really sad, but most people claiming to be Christians probably don't really know Christ

I could point out that the Bible(taken from the word biblias or books) is not one text but 66 different books by 40 different authors over 1600 years of time. But, we as Christians believe that all the Bible is inspired by God and that he is essentially the author of it all. Just as 10 eyewitnesses to the same accident can give a different account, we all have our biases and predjudices and preferences by our culture, our upbringing, our level of intelligence, etc. Paul the apostle had to correct Peter the apostle in one instance and once Paul circumcised a man traveling with him(tho he didn't believe it necessary) so that the group he was going to be speaking to would even listen to him. Each denomination has different things they consider to be important or what makes them feel more comfortable in worship. True Christians do not come from any one group but from all groups.
(One sign a group is a cult, is if they maintain that absolutely no one can get into heaven or paradise unless they are a member of that group)

Scripture has told us that grace is given in measure of the gift of Christ. (Eph 4:7) Knowing this we can expect many different levels of wisdom and knowledge that have been given to whoever Christ has elected. To each that is given, will be for the fulfillment of HIM and all things.
(Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers)


All done to offer us the love from Our Father throught Christ Jesus. In the hope of salvation further taught NOW by a ministry knowledgeable in " HIS Will "... correction brought to us by the body of Christ, in forgiveness of sin, and set free from the bondage of sin. We are offered the new man (Eph 4:24), in an image of righteousness, and in hope of being born again of Spirit to live holy as he is HOLY. Abiding in HIM and HIM in us, knowing we can be the perfect man in the fulness of Christ..

(Eph 4:12-13 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ)

However it is also written to beware of false prophets and false teaching that can beguile you from the simplicity of Christ Jesus (2 Cr 11:3) AND I would rebuke those who speak of keeping man in sin, and calling someone unclean that God has made clean.

For it is man's choice to answer the call of God in belief of ONE GOD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM.

AND to REJOICE in boasting by the one excluded boast... known as THE LAW of FAITH (Romans 3:27)

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Blah blah blah people over the years change around the bible or try to go by it the way they want to try to make everyone "perfect". Which ends up spreading hatred and separation.Once you believe in God, the Holy Spirit and have faith and are a humble person that's all that matters.

People can imagine what they want. It would be like staying in Disney World rather then living in reality.

The reality of life is, good and bad being done. Look around you.... (and) Discipline is the mold that can help in keeping us in love. Of course evil hates discipline.

And the reality of Christianity is that there is a begotten Son of God, who was sent to walk in reality of life here on earth. Who did do all that is written out of love for us. To help us, and bring us to what is perfect.

The reality of evil is, hatred and it separates our lives from God.

Does it matter? You can imagine that God and the Holy Spirit are out there somewhere. But I would say when it is time to go home... Home is with God in a world not like this world. Home is the perfect world of righteousnesss. And there the reality is God holds power, protection, and is our only hope in life. A life of righteousness, and love. Faith is what justifies us to come home. Faith in what God has done in all things to mold us for the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Imagine what you want, but reality is God's way, and HIS will to be done.

Tai18,
I know where you're coming from. If you are about 18, this is the same time I myself made the same statements you've made. I never considered (at the time)the following questions so I hope you will:
1.What makes you think the Bible was changed around? When? What parts of it? Who did this? What did it say before it was changed? What part of the Bible that was changed do you wish was changed back to the original?
2. Since sin is NOT loving,(either God, others, or yourself) how does wanting people to stop sinning spread hatred and separation?
3. Doess the Devil believe in God?
4. What specifically, should you have faith in?
5. What defines a humble person?
6. If what you said IS all that matters, did Jesus waste His life dying on a cross for nothing?

The conversation seems to have morphed from the initial question, so let's see if we can get back on track..

Why are there so many denominations if all are based on a common bible? I think it has to do with the nature of how people in groups behave - large groups always fragment into smaller groups, as each constituency thinks it has a better handle on how to be "true" to the bible than any other. Think of this analogy from the secular world - here in the US we have one common constitution, yet we have political groups that range from liberal to ultra-conservative that all claim to be living by the constitution; we have groups that are for rights of gun ownership and groups that are for gun control; groups that are "pro-choice" and groups that are "pro-life," groups that support capital punishment and groups that are against capital punishment - and every one one of these factions claim to have their belief grounded in the Constitution. I don't want to get int a debate about the merits of any of these positions here, but I think it's indicative of how one document (the Constitution) can have "followers" with widely different views of how to interpret it. And for what it's worth, essentially all major religions have had major splits within their ranks causing different "denominations" - it's certainly true of Judaism an Islam, for example. So again, it's in man's nature that no single large group can exist without multiple factions evolving.

The premise that Christianity is based on the teachings from one book, in my opinion, is somewhat flawed. Christ fulfilled His ministry teaching by word of mouth. Not only did Christ feed the hungry and cure the sick, He also established His Vicar, a representative acting "in the person of" Christ and commissioned a Church to continue to teach. Christ did not leave us his writings.

However, Peter’s keys to teach have been passed from Pope to Pope since Christ. Though inspired by God, the text came later as a special form of this teaching tradition. The text cannot discern from one age to the next, nor can it discern from one interpretation to the next, nor does it reveal more of God’s truth. So, to say there is one teaching based on one text is an oxymoron. The reason is quite simple, without one authority to interpret the text, lending credence to the text; the number of denominations will continue to grow until it matches the number of protesters. Obviously, not recognizing an authority each feels free to interpret the meaning to conform to his own will.

JoeT

Actually, look at scripture and see what Jesus Himself used when doctrinal questions arose - He always validated His points by going straight back to scripture. If Jesus used scripture, why should we go to words of men?

This is also outside of scripture - Not only is there nothing known as "Peter's keys" in scripture, there is nothing about a pope or papal succession.

There are many different reasons for different denominations.

The Bible does not promise denominational unity, nor that denominations would be the standard of truth. Denominations did not exist in the 1st Century. Churches are a mix of believers and unbelievers. Jesus prayed for unity amongst believers not churches or denominations. This was answered when the new ministry of the Holy Spirit indwelling believers began.

Denominations came about for many reasons:

- Common region or language
- Common beginnings
- Common ministry / mission
- Some came about due to doctrinal emphasis (non-essentials)
- Some came about because of difference on essentials

Where denominations have arisen because of doctrinal differences, this is typically because men have chosen to add their own interpretations to scripture, or to make their denomination supreme over God's word, or to claim only their leadership can rightly interpret or add to the Bible, or they add their denominational traditions to what scripture says.

Denominations therefore are not, in and of themselves bad. They only become an issue when we place the denomination over scripture rather than submitting ourselves to God's word.

No fake preachers here please.No clue why you quoted me.Everyone has their own opinion. Mine religion separates us all."homosexuality" is a "sin" some get thrown out of Gods house church where everyone is welcomed ,by "priest" people who are supposed to be teaching God. They now even say being overweight is a "SIN" that you "love food more then you love God" rubbish they change around the bible to their own evil deeds of what they think is perfect and spread it in the lives of everyone which separates us all and causes hate. Once you have faith,humbleness and believe in God that's all that matters.My opinion.

Anyone can make up their own belief system, but without validation, it is nothing more than a personal belief. How have you validated that your belief is the only true one?

I don't recall writing my views are the "only true ones".as I have written these are MY opinions. & I respect everyone else own views

Because, as you mentioned, the Bible is faith-based, it's left up to people to translate and interpret it's meaning, so it's entirely based on opinion which is arguable. The individual's goal is to read it himself and find his own meaning.

I was raised Greek Orthodox and thought it was the only form of Christianity until I was 12 or so because we were always taught it's the "original church". Services really haven't changed all that much in their 2,000 year history. Pope John Paul II even went to Greece in 2001, first time in almost 1,000 years, he and his entourage were greeted with protests. That's all held-over from the Great Schism.

Anyway, one is always more right than the other. It reminds me of the "Go God Go" and "Go God Go II" of Southpark. Watch 'em both, they're relevant to this question.

However, you do seem to be putting down those who disagree with your position. Further, since Christianity states that there is ONLY one true God, and ONLY one true gospel, though we can respect the right of others to hold vaying beliefs (and I do), it is impossible for all beliefs to be equally valid.

By the fact that you are putting down the beliefs of others, you appear to have some basis for believing that your beliefs are more correct. What is your basis for that position?

I guess I need to repeat myself I never stated my views are the "only true ones" everyone is entailed to have their own and I RESPECT that I don't jump on every person that writes they have a different view about something and say "HOW ARE YOU CORRECT ABOUT THIS???" everyone has their own views. I couldn't care less if all beliefs are valid or not its better then not believing anything,maybe all religions play a role in something who really knows,just like you care deeply about Christianity there are people that care deeply about there religion so I won't tell them they are wrong about everything because they are respected and it is not my place to judge anyone I will leave that up to God just like it isn't anyone's place to preach unless they are living by it 100%. I will say again MY OPINION. Have a nice day

I disagree. Believing something which is wrong can be very dangerous because it can lead a person to feel comfortable that all is okay when in fact it is not. Let me give another analogy. If you take your car to someone who claims to be a mechanic, but you do not validate his credentials, and he tells you your brakes are great. You may believe that everything is fine, only to find out, when driving down the highway at 60 miles per hour that you are without any brakes.

Now, why should I care? Well, using that analogy, would you knowingly send anyone out in a car like that with the realization that it had been inspected by someone who does not know what they are doing? Could you let someone go without warning them?

[QUOTE=homesell;1773934] [QUOTE]True Christians do not come from any one group but from all groups.[/QUOTE


Surely we should worship God in a way that HE approves, not in a way that we feel comfortable or the way we interpret the scriptures. The bible clearly defines what is acceptable to God and what is not when it comes to true worship.

Galatians 5:19-21 gives us an indication of what is not acceptable to God, among these "works of the flesh" are "divisions and sects" which will not inherit God's kingdom. Does this not sound like there should be only ONE group of True followers whom God will accept? Surely not all religious groups can possibly be approved by God when they all teach and believe different things.


Think of the ancient nation of Israel. They were ONE group of God's chosen ones who were under strict law not to practice any of the rituals/celebrations of pagan nations around them.

This is no different for God's people today. So many pagan rituals/celebrations have oozed into so called chirstian religion and have tainted the truth for many today.

2 Tim 4:3,4 "For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories."

We are in that period.