Why there are so many denominations? I understand the reasons behind Martin Luther and the beginnings of Protestantism… The Roman Catholic Church had moved away from many of the original precepts of being a Christ-follower and Martin was trying to get them back on the right path. His intent was not to start new denominations but rather to refocus the one that was in place. However, the Roman Catholic leadership opposed Martin Luther and the rest is, as they say, history.
In the Gospel of John, chapter 17, verses 20-26, John documents Jesus’ prayer of unity. He prays that all believers become one, just as He and the Father are one. Martin Luther was right in his desire to redirect the church. Unfortunately, his actions are also an example of the law of unintended consequences. Do you know how many Christian denominations there are in the world today? Over 47,000. That is a far cry from unity in my mind.
And, we wonder why we see a decline in church attendance… could it be because we are confusing the heck out of people who are trying to decide what to do? They want to believe, but with 47,000 directions to go, it is hard to make a decision. I reminds me of martial arts and specifically Goju Ryu Karate. It all started with one man, Chojin Miyagi. He blended Okinawan Te with southern China Kung Fu and created Goju Ryu Karate. He even created the name Karate. He had several direct students and it grew from there. Today there are hundreds of different Goju Ryu styles! Why? For the same reason as the growth in denominations. The original style is watered down and modified by next generation teachers and in many instances there are personality conflicts. So, a legitimate 3rd degree black belt starts his/her own style of goju ryu and makes himself/herself a 10th degree blackbelt in that style… and another style (denomination) is born.
In both scenarios it comes down to diluted teaching and unabated egos and the losers are the founding fathers and the students down the generational lines. I’m not too worried about karate… but I am deeply concerned about Christianity and what flawed humans have done to Jesus’ vision of His Church. Thousands of denominations equal false teaching, hypocrisy, confusion and ultimately the tearing down of Jesus’ Church.
Leave a comment