Is the multitude of denominations in the Evangelical world just an Italian problem?

[Francesco]

We know, there are many denominations in the Evangelical Christian world!
Although all the Evangelical denominations have their roots in the same Biblical teaching, each one of them remarks some considering them more important than others.
There is nothing bad in all this if men wouldn’t use these differences to create discrimination and even reasons to stay one on the opposite river’s bank to the other (sometimes, in Italy this happens).
By the way, the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to Colosse’s believers taught:

Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

What do you think about it?

 

[oyster67]

We know, there are many denominations in the Evangelical Christian world!
Although all the Evangelical denominations have their roots in the same Biblical teaching, each one of them remarks some considering them more important than others.
There is nothing bad in all this if men wouldn’t use these differences to create discrimination and even reasons to stay one on the opposite river’s bank to the other (sometimes, in Italy this happens).
By the way, the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to Colosse’s believers taught:

Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

What do you think about it?

I think denomination is just another word for division. God never intended this for His Church. There may be diversities in the membership, but this is not division.

We warmly welcome thee to CC, brother Francesco!

 

[Nehemiah6]

What do you think about it?

It is INDIRECTLY an Italian problem. More specifically it is a problem created by the Roman Catholic Church (the Church of Rome). Long before the Reformation John Wycliffe tried to put the RCC on the right track. Instead of listening to him, they killed him. Then during the Reformation, instead of reforming itself the Catholic Church mounted a Counter-Reformation. So eventually the Reformers broke away. But instead of uniting themselves they divided themselves. Thus today we have the various denominations. It is now too late to address this matter.

I will add my Welcome to this.

 

[oyster67]

It is now too late to address this matter.

Best we can do is to refuse to carry any of their baggage around.

 

[Blain]

We know, there are many denominations in the Evangelical Christian world!
Although all the Evangelical denominations have their roots in the same Biblical teaching, each one of them remarks some considering them more important than others.
There is nothing bad in all this if men wouldn’t use these differences to create discrimination and even reasons to stay one on the opposite river’s bank to the other (sometimes, in Italy this happens).
By the way, the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to Colosse’s believers taught:

Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

What do you think about it?

You are absolutely correct after all Jesus himself said a kingdom divided cannot stand
All this only divides the church we use our knowledge of scripture not to help but to point a finger even if it said to be done in the name of truth in reality it is either to prove our own beliefs correct and others false it is not for the healing building and strengthening of body it is to attack to look down upon.

Stay away from the bible discusiion forum please that place has scared away thousands it has only damaged people it is about doctrine scriptural knowledge arguing and debating it is not a place for loving heart.

 

[Francesco]

Best we can do is to refuse to carry any of their baggage around.

I completely agree 👍

 

[Francesco]

It is INDIRECTLY an Italian problem. More specifically it is a problem created by the Roman Catholic Church (the Church of Rome). Long before the Reformation John Wycliffe tried to put the RCC on the right track. Instead of listening to him, they killed him. Then during the Reformation, instead of reforming itself the Catholic Church mounted a Counter-Reformation. So eventually the Reformers broke away. But instead of uniting themselves they divided themselves. Thus today we have the various denominations. It is now too late to address this matter.

I will add my Welcome to this.

Thank you, brother

 

[Francesco]

I think denomination is just another word for division. God never intended this for His Church. There may be diversities in the membership, but this is not division.

We warmly welcome thee to CC, brother Francesco!

Many thanks, brother.

 

[TabinRivCA]

Hi glad to have you joining the fellowship here at CC! I've always been non-denom and it is so nice to just focus on the Word w/o secondary rules. I did work for a Catholic Priest's TV ministry for a few years and once when I happened to be with the Catholic staff at church, I couldn't do Communion with them. The Priest was sad about it. God bless!

 

[ResidentAlien]

We know, there are many denominations in the Evangelical Christian world!
Although all the Evangelical denominations have their roots in the same Biblical teaching, each one of them remarks some considering them more important than others.
There is nothing bad in all this if men wouldn’t use these differences to create discrimination and even reasons to stay one on the opposite river’s bank to the other (sometimes, in Italy this happens).
By the way, the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to Colosse’s believers taught:

Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

What do you think about it?

May I ask what church or group you belong to?

 

[Lynx]

We know, there are many denominations in the Evangelical Christian world!
Although all the Evangelical denominations have their roots in the same Biblical teaching, each one of them remarks some considering them more important than others.
There is nothing bad in all this if men wouldn’t use these differences to create discrimination and even reasons to stay one on the opposite river’s bank to the other (sometimes, in Italy this happens).
By the way, the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to Colosse’s believers taught:

Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

What do you think about it?

Howdy Fran and welcome to the forum.

Whether you like it or dislike it, nobody here can fix it. The only net effect we can have is making it worse by arguing about it.

In such situations I have found it is best to take the Hobbes approach - take a nap in a tree and wait for dinner.

 

[Eli1]

We know, there are many denominations in the Evangelical Christian world!
Although all the Evangelical denominations have their roots in the same Biblical teaching, each one of them remarks some considering them more important than others.
There is nothing bad in all this if men wouldn’t use these differences to create discrimination and even reasons to stay one on the opposite river’s bank to the other (sometimes, in Italy this happens).
By the way, the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to Colosse’s believers taught:

Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

What do you think about it?

Exactly Francesco. There is nothing wrong with this unless men create divisions. I have also been thinking the same for many years. Everyone and every culture is trying to please God in their own ways and as long as the message of Jesus is there I don’t think it’s a problem … unless people make it a problem to create divisions or discrimination or anything else.
I can’t imagine what the church looks like in Japan for example. The iconography alone is something that surprises me but I know that they read the Bible and believe in Jesus despite cultural changes that they may have adapted to the gospel.


With this being said Francesco, I don’t think you have a broad view of what a “division“ looks like.
Italy has like 75% Catholics.
Greece has 90% Orthodox.
USA has 33,000 denominations.

I think the differences in the Mediterranean region Francesco are more cultural as opposed to theological.

Again, there is nothing wrong with this in my view because people have free-will to approach God in their own ways.
We are not the judges and we are all trying to please and love God in our own ways.

 

[NightTwister]

Buongiorno, Francesco! I see nothing wrong with denominations, per se. It allows those with different views of script to meet together. What's troubling is those that disassociate with others over non-essential doctrines. We should be able to work together based on what unites us, instead of tearing each other down over what divides us.

 

[Francesco]

Exactly Francesco. There is nothing wrong with this unless men create divisions. I have also been thinking the same for many years. Everyone and every culture is trying to please God in their own ways and as long as the message of Jesus is there I don’t think it’s a problem … unless people make it a problem to create divisions or discrimination or anything else.
I can’t imagine what the church looks like in Japan for example. The iconography alone is something that surprises me but I know that they read the Bible and believe in Jesus despite cultural changes that they may have adapted to the gospel.


With this being said Francesco, I don’t think you have a broad view of what a “division“ looks like.
Italy has like 75% Catholics.
Greece has 90% Orthodox.
USA has 33,000 denominations.

I think the differences in the Mediterranean region Francesco are more cultural as opposed to theological.

Again, there is nothing wrong with this in my view because people have free-will to approach God in their own ways.
We are not the judges and we are all trying to please and love God in our own ways.

Thank you for your reply.
Biblically speaking, there cannot exist an "own way" to approach God. God has given us His Word to point us how to approach Him in "His way". However, all of us can approach God exactly as we are, letting the Holy Spirit transform us as God want.

In my opinion can be very dangerous to adapt the Gospel to own culture. Although, I know, that often happens in many areas.
The risk is to create a strange mix.
Anyway, I was considering the many denominations existing only in the Evangelical world.

 

[Francesco]

Buongiorno, Francesco! I see nothing wrong with denominations, per se. It allows those with different views of script to meet together. What's troubling is those that disassociate with others over non-essential doctrines. We should be able to work together based on what unites us, instead of tearing each other down over what divides us.

I totally agree, my dear brother!! Thank you.

 

[Francesco]

Howdy Fran and welcome to the forum.

Whether you like it or dislike it, nobody here can fix it. The only net effect we can have is making it worse by arguing about it.

In such situations I have found it is best to take the Hobbes approach - take a nap in a tree and wait for dinner.

You are right. Thank you for welcoming me.

 

[Eli1]

Thank you for your reply.
Biblically speaking, there cannot exist an "own way" to approach God. God has given us His Word to point us how to approach Him in "His way". However, all of us can approach God exactly as we are, letting the Holy Spirit transform us as God want.

In my opinion can be very dangerous to adapt the Gospel to own culture. Although, I know, that often happens in many areas.
The risk is to create a strange mix.
Anyway, I was considering the many denominations existing only in the Evangelical world.

I'm not sure if you've run into this scenario but two other members are discussing this very point right now in this forum.
The scenario is this: If you say that I have the Holy Spirit and I say that i have the Holy Spirit and we contradict each-other, then who has the Holy Spirit?

Because of this contradiction i have taken the stance that both people have the Holy Spirit and are both approaching God in their own ways.
Because otherwise Francesco if you want to search for the truth among men, then Christianity doesn't have much of a leg to stand on.

 

[Francesco]

May I ask what church or group you belong to?

I belong to the church whose founder was Jesus Christ, my Savior.
I have been attending, for many years, an evangelical Christian group (a church) that identifies itself with the Italian Church of the Brothers Movement. This Movement was born in Italy at the beginning of the 19th century, from the desire of some believers in Florence to gather to read the Word of God pray together and experience fraternal communion. More or less in the same period, other similar movements came to life in other European nations. Did I answer your question?

 

[Francesco]

I'm not sure if you've run into this scenario but two other members are discussing this very point right now in this forum.
The scenario is this: If you say that I have the Holy Spirit and I say that i have the Holy Spirit and we contradict each-other, then who has the Holy Spirit?

Because of this contradiction i have taken the stance that both people have the Holy Spirit and are both approaching God in their own ways.
Because otherwise Francesco if you want to search for the truth among men, then Christianity doesn't have much of a leg to stand on.

You are right, that can be a real situation. But if everyone says "I have the Holy Spirit" and this can be just a pretext to discriminate against each other, they are probably both liars because the Holy Spirit unites, not divides.

Galatians 5: 13-26
13 Because you, brothers, were marked out to be free; only do not make use of your free condition to give the flesh its chance, but through love be servants one to another. 14 For all the law is made complete in one word, even in this, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself. 15 But if you are given to fighting with one another, take care that you are not the cause of destruction one to another. 16 But I say, Go on in the Spirit, and you will not come under the rule of the evil desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; because these are opposite the one to the other; so that you may not do the things which you have a mind to do. 18 But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are clear, which are these: evil desire, unclean things, wrong use of the senses, 20 Worship of images, use of strange powers, hates, fighting, desire for what another has, angry feelings, attempts to get the better of others, divisions, false teachings, 21 Envy, uncontrolled drinking and feasting, and such things: of which I give you word clearly, even as I did in the past, that they who do such things will have no part in the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, a quiet mind, kind acts, well-doing, faith, 5:23 Gentle behaviour, control over desires: against such there is no law. 5:24 And those who are Christ's have put to death on the cross the flesh with its passions and its evil desires. 25 If we are living by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us be guided. 26 Let us not be full of self-glory, making one another angry, having envy of one another.

 

[Eli1]

You are right, that can be a real situation. But if everyone says "I have the Holy Spirit" and this can be just a pretext to discriminate against each other, they are probably both liars because the Holy Spirit unites, not divides.

Galatians 5: 13-26
13 Because you, brothers, were marked out to be free; only do not make use of your free condition to give the flesh its chance, but through love be servants one to another. 14 For all the law is made complete in one word, even in this, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself. 15 But if you are given to fighting with one another, take care that you are not the cause of destruction one to another. 16 But I say, Go on in the Spirit, and you will not come under the rule of the evil desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; because these are opposite the one to the other; so that you may not do the things which you have a mind to do. 18 But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are clear, which are these: evil desire, unclean things, wrong use of the senses, 20 Worship of images, use of strange powers, hates, fighting, desire for what another has, angry feelings, attempts to get the better of others, divisions, false teachings, 21 Envy, uncontrolled drinking and feasting, and such things: of which I give you word clearly, even as I did in the past, that they who do such things will have no part in the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, a quiet mind, kind acts, well-doing, faith, 5:23 Gentle behaviour, control over desires: against such there is no law. 5:24 And those who are Christ's have put to death on the cross the flesh with its passions and its evil desires. 25 If we are living by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us be guided. 26 Let us not be full of self-glory, making one another angry, having envy of one another.

Indeed. I would also agree with you there in your assessment.
Since our standard to measure things is Jesus Christ Himself, His life and His teaching than this case would be easy and obvious to see when someone pretending to be a believer of God is nothing more than a politician.
However i don't think you've seriously considered the implications of free-will here, something which even God himself respects and gives us because He wants free-willed creatures to follow Him not robots.
Because of free-will someone may approach God and express himself to God in different ways than what we might agree upon.
And because of this, i also am okay with certain "contradictions" or writing-styles in the Bible.
I think all these men were expressing their love for God and Jesus Christ and we should not see it as who among them was right but we should see different ways they expressed their love for God.