Denominations

What Are Denominations?

• The word denomination was an inclusive term.  It implied that the Christian group called or denominated by a particular name was but one member of a larger group -- the church -- to which all denominations belong.

• The denominational theory of the church, then, insists that the true church cannot be identified with any single ecclesiastical structure.  No denomination claims to represent the whole church of Christ.  Each simply constitutes a different form -- in worship and organization -- of the larger life of the church. (Bruce Shelley, Church History in Plain Language, 3rd ed. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008), 306.

• “An association or fellowship of congregations within a religion that have the same beliefs or creed, engage in similar practices, and cooperate with each other to develop and maintain shared enterprises” (Reid et al, quoted in Rhodes, Complete Guide to Christian Denominations, 13).

Why Are There Denominations?

Are denominations a good thing or bad thing? (Open for Answers)

Pessimistic View: Denominations are man-made, Denominations are divisions, Denominations cause hatred, etc.

Optimistic View: Denominations are good thing because they promote unity in the church and progress in the field.

Balanced View: Denominations are a double-edged sword. It is a good thing because of church unity and mission, but it can also be a bad thing and cause things like tribalism, disunity, or dysfunction if churches are not careful.

The Theological Triage (triage- french for “to sort”)

To have a healthy and balanced view of denominations, we have to understand that not all beliefs, behaviors, and traditions that differ from the Baptist faith is indicative of people being “lost”.

This is not to imply that there are not unbiblical systems of beliefs that are heretical.

Cults: Require a pledged allegiance to a human leader, reject all other belief systems, redefine basic terminology, and claim special revelation.

Cult-Math:

Addition: Add to the Word of God

Subtraction: take away from the deity of Christ or major doctrines of the Bible

Multiplication: Multiply the requirements for salvation (works-based salvation)

Division: divide loyalty between leader, organization, and God

WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT CULTS CAN BE CHRISTIANS, WHERE WE DO BELIEVE THAT DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS ARE A PART OF THE BODY OF CHRIST BUT DIFFER FROM US IN SOME INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION OF THE BIBLE.

Al Mohler designed the “Theological Triage”, so that churches can sort out the level of importance or urgency to different belief systems.

1st Level: These are beliefs that determine whether someone is a Christian or not.

The Trinity

The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus

Salvation by Faith through grace in Jesus Christ

Doctrines of the Bible: Inspired, Inerrant, Authoritative, Preserved, and Sufficient.

2nd Level: These are beliefs that may divide us, but do not cause us to question the legitimacy of Faith.

Baptism: Meaning and Mode

The Lord’s Supper: Administration and Frequency

Women Preachers

Calvinism vs. Arminianism

3rd Level: These are beliefs that neither divide, nor cause us to question the legitimacy of Faith.

Eschatology: Premil, Postmil, Amil.

Order of Service

Style of Music

We must be careful not to fall into the trap of fundamentalism, which is the belief that all doctrinal issues are 1st level issues.