Does denomination matter?

[marco]

On a recent flight home I had the privilege of sitting beside someone who called himself a "Seventh-Day Adventist". When we engaged in discussion it seemed clear that he was what I would have called a standard Protestant, capably quoting Scripture from his seat. A big part of his beliefs seemed to be the designation of Saturday rather than Sunday as the 7th day. I didn't think this would alter Earth's movement round the Sun. He also anticipated Christ's Second Coming. Naturally I mentioned that Christ appeared to have said he'd be back pretty soon, but he dismissed this.

He didn't seem to say anything that was significantly different from other pious Protestants.


Do the various religious denominations matter?
Do you think God really cares whether one is 7th Day or First Day or no day at all?

[Royston]

[Replying to post 1 by marco]

Do the various religious denominations matter?

They matter mainly, I suppose, from a historical standpoint and from the manner in which their adherents interact with today's society at large; with history, and as history informs us, forgetting past lessons can prove to be a dangerous shortcoming. And as to how religious denomination matters: one need but toss a glance at Islam, where a centuries-old schism, immigration and the West's recent interventions in the Middle East and Afghanistan, has produced far-reaching and ongoing tensions.

Do you think God really cares whether one is 7th Day or First Day or no day at all?

If God exists, then I wouldn't pretend to know his mind (given the garbled messages he had posted in the Koran and the Bible, who would want to follow his thinking? If he's really that muddle-headed, then I wouldn't particularly care to know him better). If God doesn't exist, then the question is rendered futile.

[1213]

Do the various religious denominations matter?
Do you think God really cares whether one is 7th Day or First Day or no day at all?

Bible tells that eternal life is for righteous. It doesn’t speak about denomination. That is why I wouldn’t also care about denomination, but about is person righteous or not.

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Mat. 25:46

[OnceConvinced]

I will respond with the beliefs I had as a Christian


Do the various religious denominations matter?

Generally no. The main thing that matters is that you acknowledge Jesus Christ, repent of your sins and accept him as your saviour. That is all that it takes to be saved. As a Christian I attended many different denominations, but what was important was my relationship with God. As long as I was right with him it didn't matter which church I went to.

You have to be careful though. You need to be able to weed out the rubbish from the truth, so that means always weighing up what you are being taught with what it says in the bible. So if a pastor is up there in the pulpit and he preaches something that is nonsense then you can treat it as nonsense. We are all human and we all make mistakes. So do church leaders.

There are however denominations that are considered cults and which stray so far from biblical truth, you can't possibly call them true Christianity. Or there are groups that take things to extremes. You have to watch out for them, but even so, just as long as you are right with God, that's all that matters.

There is no Christian denomination that is the true Christian denomination, no matter what some denominations might like to claim.


Do you think God really cares whether one is 7th Day or First Day or no day at all?

No, he doesn't care. You could be a SDA, a Baptist, a Pentecostal, a catholic and maybe even a JW, but God is not about labels and elite groups. All he cares about is that you come to him, repent and accept him. (John 3:16)

[marco]

I will respond with the beliefs I had as a Christian


Do the various religious denominations matter?

Generally no. The main thing that matters is that you acknowledge Jesus Christ, repent of your sins and accept him as your saviour.

That is probably the hope and prayer of the majority. What a world we'd have if we stuck to the view that we should treat everyone as our neighbour, with love and respect.




Do you think God really cares whether one is 7th Day or First Day or no day at all?

No, he doesn't care. You could be a SDA, a Baptist, a Pentecostal, a catholic and maybe even a JW, but God is not about labels and elite groups. All he cares about is that you come to him, repent and accept him. (John 3:16)[/quote]

One would like to think this is the case. The Divine Gentleman in the Old Testament doesn't seem to agree, since he speaks of "my people". He divides; he advocates slaughter. So Yahweh probably has one group as his favourite. Who knows which?

I appreciate this is how you once saw things. So did I.

[marco]

They matter mainly, I suppose, from a historical standpoint and from the manner in which their adherents interact with today's society at large; with history, and as history informs us, forgetting past lessons can prove to be a dangerous shortcoming. And as to how religious denomination matters: one need but toss a glance at Islam, where a centuries-old schism, immigration and the West's recent interventions in the Middle East and Afghanistan, has produced far-reaching and ongoing tensions.

Yes, when we criticise we are referred to the religious ideal that a denomination pretends to uphold. In the case of Islam we hear the pious canticle, after every outrage, that it is a religion of peace - except to those who've lost friends and relatives. The intention may well be peaceful; the reality isn't, else the TV pictures we see of people frothing at the mouth over some supposed insult to Allah must be fabricated.

[marco]

Bible tells that eternal life is for righteous. It doesn’t speak about denomination. That is why I wouldn’t also care about denomination, but about is person righteous or not.

And many righteous people don't read the Bible. If we can attain heaven, as you say, without divisive membership of some religious group, why do we need denominations? If people want to read a holy book, let them do so privately and get on with the work of caring for others.

[bluethread]

It is kind of like what someone told me about the medical professions, which I personally think are as much a set of priesthoods as a professions. If one goes to a GP one will usually get a prescription or a referral to a specialist, after examining the patient and providing them with the various options. The surgeon will suggest making various cuts and attachments. The chiropractor will suggest a proper alignment. The psychologist will suggest you talk about it. The nutritionist will suggest you check your diet. A physical therapist will suggest you get the proper exercise. Does it really matter which one you go to as long as you get healthy? Not really, but what is healthy anyway. Also, if one goes to the wrong one, it might not do any good and even might make things worse. So, it is important to know where each one stands in regard to medical treatment.

Theology is much the same. Denominations serve as a kind of "truth in advertising", though some denomination are unclearly or improperly named. Catholic and Protestant don't really tell you much other than whether the person supports or opposes the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. Many Protestants hold many RCC doctrines, while opposing RCC authority. In the case of a Seventh Day Adventist, one can generally know upfront that they hold to the keeping of all of the 10 commandments and tend to be vegetarians. Other than that, they practice Evangelical Protestantism, as interpreted by Ellen G. White. Now, I say this not to denigrate the Adventists, or minimize the various nuances that individual members might find important. I am just using the example presented in the OP to show how being familiar with a denomination can save one time and effort in getting to serious discussion. If one does not care for serious discussion, it also helps one to avoid possible minefields.

[1213]

... If we can attain heaven, as you say, without divisive membership of some religious group, why do we need denominations? If people want to read a holy book, let them do so privately and get on with the work of caring for others.

I have to say, it was not me, it is the Bible that says �righteous into heaven� and not “denominators into heaven�.

Although I think reading Bible and caring for others is better than denominations, I don’t think denominations are necessary bad. They can be helpful for many people. It would be just good if they don’t forget what the Bible tells, in those denominations. Also, if the denominations become divisons or sects, they are actually against what the Bible tells.

… divisions, … things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Gal. 5:20-21

Disciples of Jesus (“Christians�) should be one, not divided into many groups that are against others.

I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are.
John 17:11

It is not good that “Christians� are not unite group that could be recognized from love as they should be.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35

But maybe there really are no disciples of Jesus anymore.

[fredonly]

Some denominations insist that one must "accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior" to be saved. A baptist co-worker of my wife's told her she would go to hell, because she's Catholic and had not made this commitment. Fine by me...this way we can stay together.