There are over six thousand denominations and sects of Christianity in North America. Getting an accurate count is virtually impossible. If anyone has a reasonably verifiable number, please post the source here.
There seems to be a long term trend. How many sects and denominations existed one thousand years after the foundation of Christianity? Compare that to how many existed 200 and 100 years ago. Compare that to today. Empirical evidence seems to indicate that divisiveness seems to be built into the fabric of christianity. There are examples where even attempts to bring denominations together results in even more not fewer divisions. Group "M" and group "P" propose a merger into a new group to be known as group "U". Some dissidents in both groups "M" and "P" belive that the merger would not be beneficial so groups "M" and "P" continue their separate existence, with reduced numbers. The net result of the merger is that the number of denominations has increased by one.
Many of the divisions between christian sects and denominations are doctrinal. If the Bible was a complete guide for doctrine, then Christian unity would be a simple matter of resolving the doctrinal issues by referring to the one-and-only complete authoritative guide.
Admittedly, some divisions may be simply cultural. However, most of the purely cultural divisions do not constitute a separate denomination or sect. For example the Korean Presbyterian Church near us is in "full communion" with the Presbyterian Church of Canada denomination.
Some Christian groups agree with me that the Bible is not God's complete revelation. The Church of Jesus Christ and Later Day Saints (LDS) aka the Mormons, readily admit the need for further revelation. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that God speaks through the church as well as the Bible. Of course, these examples raise the issue of if you accept extra-biblical revelation, how do you decide which particular extra-biblical revelations do you accept.
As far as I can tell, most Christian responses to the undeniable fact of divisions fall into one of three categories:
- The differences are trivial
- Our group is right and the other groups are wrong
- The divisions show that Christians are weak fallible humans
1 The Differences are Trivial
This one is often expressed as something like, "Yes, we do have differences but we do agree on the essential things such as ...".
For some of the differences, I have to agree that they are really trivial (in fact, sometimes they seem to be exceedingly trivial). But the fact remains that the leaders of the various churches did not consider these issues to be trivial. They "broke fellowship" with their brothers over these issues. Subsequent church leaders have not found the grace to patch up their differences. At this point the discussion generally tends towards point 3.
But other issues that divide christians cannot be construed as being trivial. These would include issues about
- Does the creator of the universe wish to be worshiped in specific ways? If so how? When? Which rites performed by whom? Who are the proper subjects to the various rites?
- Just how does the Body of Christ on Earth choose its leaders and decision makers?
- Should christians participate in war?
- Is there a hell of eternal torment for all unbelievers?
- In what way should women be allowed or disallowed to participate in the public functioning of the church?
- How should the church react towards specific sins within the church? Sexual sins, fraud, false teaching, gluttony ...
- How should the church react towards the same specific sins outside of the church
- At least one of these issues is non-trivial
- these issues do, in fact, divide christians
2. Our Group is Right and the Other Groups are Wrong
This statement can be accompanied with an invitation to see for myself just how clearly the Bible supports one particular position and a discussion about an evil supernatural being masquerading as a beneficent supernatural being. But, I have to ask why, if the Bible is understandable and complete, do people of good will, thoughtfulness and prayer (to say nothing of almost two thousand years to get it right) appear to differ from others of apparently equal good will, thoughtfulness and prayer and why the true meaning lay hidden and undiscovered until <insert sectarian founder's name here> saw the light. I don't think that it is an exaggeration to say that the Bible is the most studied books ever written. Yet, agreement as to what it actually means seems to evade even those who regard it as being holy. Would it not be valid to fault the authors? I cannot imagine why a perfect loving God would want to writing in a deliberately ambiguous way.
3. Divisions show that Christians are Weak Fallible Humans
To this, I have to agree. The churches and the Bible that they are based upon, are of fallible human origin. God, apparently, is not leading the churches. God is not granting the grace to the church leaders to end their divisions. God's instruction book appears to be inadequate to solve the problems of the churches. Why? Could it be that God is not there? Or is it that the churches are ignoring God and allowing christianity to be laughed at by the unbelievers? Either way, it does not give me much reason to listen to the churches on the very topic of God and what God wants. (Excepting the one denomination which constitutes the One True Church and teaches only the truth from the Bible. I am sure that I can find dozens who can help me identify which one this is
).Edited to change the post from an assertion to be debated into a question.
helpful hint from Harvey1 wrote:Just as a helpful hint, this forum likes to see the threads begin with a main question that the forum participants should try and answer...
