What denomination are you?

Ahha! I knew it was something like that! LOL! I got it confused with a kid's church song! I was singing it in my head and typed it I guess.

Slinking away now......I have embarassed myself enough for one day!

 

It's part of Romans Road. ya know...Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans UGH.....I have to look it up now!!!! UGH.

Sunshine...great post! Loved it!

 

I have a question & I'm hoping you ladies can answer it. If the basis for all of Christianity is the Bible, why are there so many denominations?
I hope this doesn't offend anyone. I'm really just curious. It's just one of those things I've never been certain about. I admit that there's a lot about Christianity that I don't know, so I hope this doesn't seem like a stupid question to anyone.

 

That is NOT a stupid question. That is a very good question. There are historical reasons for so many different denominations. Also, different people had different interpretations and at a point of departure had to worship in a different setting. Wow...that was a good way to basically say "don't have any real details." LOL. Seriously, there are historical reasons...I am not even sure where to begin! Guess I will try to formulate a better response.

I know some who believe it was the devil's attempt to divide Christians. Funny...it does seem that way. I mean look at how many brother and sisters in CHrist argue for small things based on religion and not God.

 

LOL no need to be embarassed. Just happens to be ONE of the ones I know, and I don't know tons of them. And I certainly didn't know it was in Romans. I don't know the Roman Road - I know OF it, but I don't know it. LOL


And as to denominations, I think we discussed this on this thread already... but I think it mostly goes to interpretation. I don't know much of the historical basis of it, but that's where I see differences. MOST Christian denominations (but not all, granted) believe that only one thing is necessary - belief in and acceptance of Jesus as Lord and his death, burial, and resurrection as atonement for our sins - to get into heaven. Most denominations don't think that you have to be in their denomination to get to heaven. A few do, but not most.

Anyway. two cents.

 

I am currently going to a Church of the Nazarene, but I am not loyal to any denomination.

There has been times the Lord has sent us to attend churches with which we had conflicts with their beliefs because we were needed to do a task for the Lord there and other times I have been in churches I dearly loved and never wanted to leave. I always learned something about my relationship with God, which did not come from a sermon, with each "mission."

I simply go where the Lord sends us. In my heart, I only want to serve Him.

 

Many of the denominations started because of corruption in the church. Way back in the 1500's, Martin Luther accidently started the reformation because the Roman church at that time had become corrupt. Many of those in charge were greedy, power-hungry men that in many ways oppressed the common person. Martin Luther's goal was to expose those practices and CHANGE the Roman church to what it had once been. Instead, he was ex-communicated, but the people agreed with him and his beliefs took hold. Then Henry VIII also broke away, but not because of his desire to change the church. He broke off because of rebellion and his desire to justify his own sin!!! Many of the denominations started similiar to Luther. There was wrong in the "established" denomination, and people were trying to make change. The Puritans got their name because they were trying to Purify the Church of England. The Seperatists, however, believed the Church of England were too far gone, and wanted to Seperate from it. Look at denominations today that Evangelical Christians consider "dead", and you will see that many of these had their origins in revival. One of the biggest divisions of the Baptist church was the Civil War, resulting in the American Baptists, the Southern Baptists, and the Northern Baptists (ie: a mostly Black conference).

Even today, there's a major split comming in the Anglican church, mostly over the ordination of homosexual pastors/bishops.

 

Really, we've diverse since the beginning and before we even had a bible. Remember that the Christian bible only came into being in 300 AD. The Hebrew Scriptures were already there but there was also lots of other texts and gospels floating around. From the earliest days there were Jewish Christians, Gentiles, Gnostics, those who denied Christ's divinity and those who though he was only divine. Paul lays this out often enough with warnings about false teachers. Those false teachers simply had competeing ideas of what Chrisitanity was.

The next big split was between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Church. Then into Luther and Protestants.

Not being an inerrantist the answer for me is that it's simply that the bible doesn't lend itsélf to one obvious and true interpretation. It was put together over the course of centuries and contains a wide variety of different writing and kinds of writing from two different religions. Some of it is downright contradictory. And then there's still interpretation to deal with.

Other books like the Koran or Book of Mormon were written at once with a focus and intent the bible doesn't have and so there aren't the same splits (not that there aren't any). The bible spans different ages, peoples, places and philosophies.

That's the explanation of this Christian anyway. Due to our diversity you'll find the next Christian's explanation may be wildly different.

 

I think, the Lord just knew that people would have different level of dedication, they could choose how much they want to serve Him, in what capacity etc. Everybody can chose something they like, and as long as they love Him and believe, He is happy.
Does that make any sense?

 

The current issue is often preference for worship. Many people hold fast to hymns and only hymns. Many feel that hymns are dead and only contemporary music should be used. Others find a balance. Some feel that rock is it (we visited a church recently and DH's comment summed it up "I didn't know we were coming to a concert").

Even individual churches divide themselves this way. Have you seen the church signs that said "8:30 service: traditional worship. 10:00 am service: contemporary worship"?

Martin Luther and a few others in church history split the church for valid reasons (though ironically it was usually not their intent to do so). Most, like Henry VIII, split it for selfish reasons (he wanted a divorce, which was forbidden in the RCC, so he started a denomination that would allow it). I'll leave it to you to decide which category you feel splitting over worship falls into.

 

Romans Road:

Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Matt. 9:13
John 3:16
Romans 10:9-10
Romans 10:13

Some also add a few more detours to Rev. 21:8, 1 John 5:13, and Ephesians 2:8-9

This is a basic path to show someone the road to salvation. This is the Word of God and not religion...so regarless of denomination this is a core belief that most Christians have.

I think all the denominiations make things difficult for non Christians to understand. I don't think one can choose a religion based on their lifestyle. I believe we should choose to worship God at a bible believing new testament church and if it conflicts with our lifestyle we need to be open to the fact that our life may be in need of repair. Our lives are all different but the road to Heaven is the same. So, regardless of denomination, the core needs to be that one is saved by faith through the blood of Jesus. Denominations are just confusing. I go to a Baptist church but my dedication is to the Lord. I simply believe the church I go to has a doctrine that honors Christ. My mother goes to an Evangelical church and the doctrine honors Chirst. I would consider her church if I lived near her. It is not about denomination to me. We need to be careful not to show more loyalty for the traditions of man than Jesus Christ.

Geesh....I know this is a touchy subject in some ways....I sure hope I did not touch a nerve. I am flawed. I have flawed eyes and ears...and God knows a flawed mouth.

 

The main question is, "Is it an issue of salvation?" No one is going to heaven based on the type of music they do or don't sing. Some denominations, however, have opened themselves up to "feel good" theology, where they tell people that as long as you "love everyone", God will accept you. This is a much more serious issue.

 

LOL....Amie, I love your dh's comment!

I am grateful that my church finds a lovely balance between hymns and some mild contemporary music. However, the contemporary music is low key so you may not recognize it at first. LOL.

Hymns were written during a wonderful church age. Hymns are filled with scripture and praise for the Lord. There is just something about a hymn sung in church! Music was made to praise the Lord and I feel that hymns certianly fill the bill there.

Now, I am not trying to get into music. We all know we have had that debate several times before. I also listen to contemporary christian music. I just love Third Day! Love it!

Ok....I have no clue where I was going...........

 

Preach it, sister! LOL. I think you hit the nail on the head!

 

FWIW, I think all styles of music can be worship. I also think there are forms of worship that are often over looked.

 

Thank you all for the explination. I kind of figured it had a lot to do with different interpretations. I know a little bit about Martin Luther & I knew about Henry VIII. I just don't like to make assumptions, especially about religion. I've been trying to figure out what I believe for about 18 years, and some thing about certain religions just don't make complete sense to me. I figure the best way to get a better understanding is to ask. So thank you all for your answers.

 

Religion makes no sense to me either. I totally understand.

 

I was babtized in a Lutheran church and happen to fall in love with a fellow Lutheran. Either we both did't go to church at the time we met. We go to a Lutheran church now. We both came from a Missouri Synond and ours now is Evangilcal (sp) The are a bit different but not much. We also have attended Babtist churches and non denomational churches. We don't keep church home for long since we move and travel a bit. I hear about how I am this and my SO is that and it's hard to find a go between so we don't attend. Or just the wife and kids go while dad stays home. My latest was they don't have my church here so I don't go. I go to our church on Sundays, a Babtist church on Thursday and the base chaple on Tuesdays. I was going to a Seventh Advist Church too for something. To me it's just a name. As long as you believe that is all that matters, at least to me.