What does God truly think of all the Christian denominations?
By Pastor Chris Cahill · 3 minute read · First published 2024-04-29
Our denominational sign tells part of our story, not everything about our faith. Consider Christian differences without pretending we can appoint ourselves God's spokesperson on every church down the street.
Who gets to own the truth?
Imagine a fictional card game in heaven: a priest, a pastor, and a rabbi comparing notes and laughing at their own confidence. It is a playful scene, not a report from the afterlife. The joke gives us room for a serious question.
What does God think of the lines we draw around our traditions? We cannot answer by borrowing God’s voice. We can examine our history, convictions, and conduct, including the astonishing ease with which we confuse our own circle with the whole Kingdom.
To unravel this theological mystery, we must journey through the annals of history, tracing the paths of division and unity within the Christian Church. From the early schisms between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism to the Protestant Reformation, which birthed a myriad of denominations, Christianity has weathered its fair share of theological rifts.
Today, the landscape of Christianity is as diverse as it is vast, with thousands of denominations spanning the globe. Some may argue that God looks upon these divisions with disapproval, saddened by the fracturing of His body. Indeed, certain denominations have strayed from the foundational tenets of the faith, embracing doctrines and practices that diverge from orthodox Christianity.
Before declaring that our denomination has the truth cornered, ask what gives us that confidence. Have we understood the other position fairly? Can we explain our own without caricaturing theirs?
Conviction can make room for humility
Perhaps different traditions meet people through different forms of worship and community. That is a possibility to consider, not a claim that every difference is equally true or that we know God’s reason for allowing it.
For those who find solace in emotionally charged worship, there exists the Charismatic movement, where the Holy Spirit moves in powerful and tangible ways. For those who crave the structure and tradition of centuries past, there is the reverence and solemnity of the Catholic Church. And for those who seek intimacy and community in smaller gatherings, there are the humble abodes of home churches.
Moreover, there exists what is known as "High Church," a term denoting denominations or traditions that emphasize liturgy, sacraments, and hierarchical structure, often characterized by ornate rituals and grandeur in worship settings. These traditions, such as Anglicanism or Eastern Orthodoxy, appeal to those who find spiritual significance in the beauty and solemnity of religious ceremonies.
Yet, amidst this kaleidoscope of denominational differences, let us not fall into the trap of arrogance or divisiveness. As the apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
Build a bridge without pretending differences vanish
Learn why another Christian values their tradition. Share what matters in yours. We can take doctrine seriously while practicing grace, listening, and service together. Our allegiance to Christ should be larger than our appetite for winning the denominational argument.
Faith, hope, and love in action through Christ and kindness. Raise a Hand. Build a Bridge. Find a local ministry and put what you believe into practice.
Faith, hope, and love in action through Christ and kindness.
