How can there be so many interpretations, and thus worship for the Christian faith (i.e. Catholic, Methodist, Protestant)?

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Bible Doctrine F. Reasons for Separation

In most cases these reasons will flow from the need to work for the purity of the church as well as its unity. These reasons for separation can be considered in three categories: (1) doctrinal reasons; (2) reasons of conscience; (3) practical considerations.

Dictionary of Christianity in America Church Union Movements

North American denominationalism was the result of a combination of factors that existed on the vast frontier of the newly discovered continent. Though most religious thinkers, past and present, acknowledge that the testimony of the Christian faith involves a unity of witness not always evident in denominationalism, few denominations were willing to actively seek union for that reason alone.

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Bible Doctrine F. Reasons for Separation

In most cases these reasons will flow from the need to work for the purity of the church as well as its unity. These reasons for separation can be considered in three categories: (1) doctrinal reasons; (2) reasons of conscience; (3) practical considerations.

The doctrinal matters that have divided evangelical Protestant denominations from one another have almost uniformly been matters on which the Bible places relatively little emphasis, and matters in which our conclusions must be drawn from skillful inference much more than from direct biblical statements.

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 134). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

Movements in the lesson:

The unity & diversity of the Godhead (Trinity): ,

The Godhead has eternally existed in perfect harmony. They are ontologically equal, though they are economically subordinate.

When God made man, He made man in his own image - When God created man, he made man to have God’s communicable attributes, including moral attributes such as the following: love, mercy, grace, patience, peace…etc There was a harmony that was to characterize mankind. This harmony was between God and men as well as mankind with mankind.

The unity & diversity of creation: Mankind (worshippers): & 2

God made man and woman as distinct -

God allowed union in spite of diversity -

The cause & severity of disunity: sin & Babel

Division enters into mankind because of sin (in particular, the sin of pride) - It is division at every level. One type of division is that of the soul/spirit from the body. This is called physical death. Another division that comes in is between God (the Source of life) and man. Sin also sets man at odds with other men. See

Sin

Divinely ordained division is caused as part of God’s salvific purpose.

The Christ & unity made possible:

Christ is the one seed of Abraham in Whom all nations would be blessed. ; - There is a reconciliation with God.

Christ is the One in which the middle wall of partition is broken down between each other. .

The coming of the Holy Spirit & unity: ;

The Holy Spirit brings about a contrast to Babel - man was going about to establish a name for himself; but with the Holy Spirit’s coming, we see the name of Jesus Christ being lifted up. A true unity is established.

The Holy Spirit brings us into family with each other. He also brings us into a covenant relationship within the church. ; ;

The gospel & true unity in the church:

These passages on church unity tell us that, in addition to working for the purity of the visible church, we are also to work for the unity of the visible church. Yet we must realize that such unity does not actually require one worldwide church government over all Christians. In fact, the unity of believers is often demonstrated quite effectively through voluntary cooperation and affiliation among Christian groups. Moreover, different types of ministries and different emphases in ministry may result in different organizations, all under the universal headship of Christ as Lord of the church. Therefore the existence of different denominations, mission boards, Christian educational institutions, college ministries, and so forth is not necessarily a mark of disunity of the church (though in some cases it may be), for there may be a great deal of cooperation and frequent demonstrations of unity among such diverse bodies as these.

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 877). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

The gospel & continuing unity:

Unity among God’s people continues as we live in submission to the wisdom of the Cross

The wisdom of the cross calls us to a greater love for our Lord and for each other

Recapitulation:

(1) Division entered our world due to sin (in particular the sin of pride)

(2) Division is spiritual & moral

(3) Divinely ordained division was a judgment for the pride of man (sin)

(4) Jesus Christ brings us back into true, lasting relationship with the Father and with each other.

Since the time of Christ there have been divisions:

Spurgeon: We believe that Baptists are the original Christians. We did not commence our existence at the Reformation, we were reformers before Luther or Calvin were born; we never came from the Church of Rome, for we were never in it, but we have an unbroken line up to the Apostles themselves.

(1) Over doctrinal matters

Biblical authority

Freedom of conscience

Separation of church & state

Local, visible, autonomous church

Believer’s baptism

Perpetuity of the church

Premileenial return of Christ

(2) Over conscience matters

Gap theory

Giants in

View of the “Sabbath”

Going out to eat on Sundays

(3) Over practical matters

Geography

Language

Examples:

The Montanists; Donatists; Novationists; Paulicians....

In addition, you had the split of the Catholic church in A.D. 1054.

In addition, you had the split of the Catholic church in A.D. 1054.

The Reformation separated the Western church into Roman Catholic and Protestant branches - Grudem

Anabaptists

Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Bible Doctrine E. Brief History of Organizational Separation in the Church

John Calvin may have been correct in saying, “Pride or self-glorification is the cause and starting point of all controversies, when each person, claiming for himself more than he is entitled to have, is eager to have others in his power.” Moreover, he says, “Ambition has been, and still is, the mother of all errors, of all disturbances and sects.”9

How do I know when to divide?

When the true gospel is compromised:

When teachers are espousing a gospel of works

A gospel of works is espoused when people are led to believe that their activities make them to be cleaner than others

A gospel of works is espoused when people are led to believe that living the Christian life is about pure discipline and there is no desire

A gospel of works is espoused when people only serve because there is something in it for them - i.e. crowns, rewards, attention....etc

When there is open rebellion against the truth -

2. When the full deity & full humanity of Jesus Christ is compromised: John &

3. When the plain exposition of scripture is not the authority:

[Re: Sufficiency of Scripture] This also is an important principle because there is always the tendency among believers to begin to neglect the regular daily searching of Scripture for guidance and to begin to live by a set of written or unwritten rules (or denominational traditions) concerning what one does or does not do in the Christian life....Furthermore, whenever we add to the list of sins that are prohibited by Scripture itself, there will be harm to the church and to the lives of individual believers. The Holy Spirit will not empower obedience to rules that do not have God’s approval from Scripture, nor will believers generally find delight in obedience to commands that do not accord with the laws of God written on their hearts. [Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 133). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.]

Furthermore, whenever we add to the list of sins that are prohibited by Scripture itself, there will be harm to the church and to the lives of individual believers. The Holy Spirit will not empower obedience to rules that do not have God’s approval from Scripture, nor will believers generally find delight in obedience to commands that do not accord with the laws of God written on their hearts.

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 133). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 133). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

The clear exposition of scripture is for God’s meaning of the passage

The clear exposition of scripture considers the cultural context of the passage

The clear exposition of scripture keeps application within the context of the passage

Example: David & Goliath