Does it ever make you wonder why we have so many man made sects/denominations of christianity?

They are all denominations of sects that started with a man/woman disagreeing with an original church (e.g whether it be Catholic or Orthodox).

I mean we have Jehovahs witness, baptist, Anabaptist, Evangelical, independent, pentecostal, lutheran and the list goes on and on and on.

Its either God says only one is right and the rest were teaching false religions or we all go to heaven.

Thoughts?

I think of two things Jesus said.

1. Matthew 4:19 - And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Jesus wants as many to follow him and he knows different people react in different ways to different things. Just like you have to use a different bait for different fish, so is it with people. Some people immediately fall in love with how Pentecostals use music along with drums and speaking in languages, some love the regal atmosphere of the Catholic Church and the connection they feel to saints, some love the discipline they have to show to keep the Sabbath along with the peacefulness they experience of going a day without technology and just spending it with family. One thing is for sure, humans love separating ourselves into tribes

2. Mark 9 38-41

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name,[f] and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.

I don’t think I have to expound too much on this one, but I don’t believe God will say “This one denomination is correct, the rest of you chose to follow me and do my works under the incorrect denomination. You lose”

Don’t focus on the denominations. At the end it’s not the domination that will bring you closer to God. We need to learn to hear from God directly. If your pastor/leader isn’t teaching you to have a relationship with God and talk to God directly then you are at the wrong church and detonation.

I don’t know why but this post reminded me of the book Pagan Christianity, about how many of Christian church rituals are from pagan rituals.

So much to unpack from this post. First, there is a difference between churches/denominations that are truly Christian in their beliefs versus those who are not (as evidenced by their published doctrinal statements and/or their teachings). Jehova's Witnesses (JWs), for example, espouses beliefs that are against what the Bible says.

OP is correct that the main reason for so many different denominations and sects is the fact that humans disagree on various aspects of faith. I think this is an excellent example of God's grace. He could have spelled out exactly how to "do church" in Scripture. Rather, He allows us the freedom to embrace this variety.

However, we must adhere to the core tenets of Christianity, if we identify as Christians.

In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. And on all things, charity (i.e., love).

I struggle with this, I mean if I was God, someone has to be the true sect and the rest are not my teachings. Also it seems every year some new denmination sect is popping up with their own beliefs and flavor.

We all still accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and savour. The rest is, as D1 eloquently put it, a way of bringing you closer to God.

The Christianity/Islam/Judaism split would be more of a problem if I was God because it is the same guy we are all worshipping.

I also don’t think God really cares what type of Christian you are (maybe Mormons raise an eyebrow…). He can see your heart.

I have wondered this before and I think its wonderful so many find Jesus Christ's existence, diety/sovereignty, and salvation undeniable. Denominations are simply men getting involved in the mix in an attempt to clarify truths which tend to mainly detract from Christians focus on the ultimate truth - Jesus Christ is Lord, the way, truth and life and no ones comes to the Father except through Him. We must focus on Jesus and our relationship with Him and study the holy scriptures for wisdom and discernment.

I’m orthodox so I’ll caveat that as I’m sure there will be some bias.

It’s a great question, and while we are all Christians, I think it helps to know the history of the church, and to understand how Christianity was initially practiced.

As Christians we MUST have a relationship with God, so while one denomination may claim to be this or that, if the Christians aren’t building a relationship with God, the practices, no matter what denomination, become fruitless.

I haven’t read this book, but I’ve heard great things - “Becoming Orthodox” by Peter Gillquist. He was not originally orthodox but began studying church history, and concluded that the Orthodox Church was the only unchanged church in history.

Orthodoxy is not perfect but you must find it interesting that we didn’t have all these denominations until the 16th century after the Protestant movement. Before that it was the Orthodox and Catholic Churches, which have much much more in common with each other than the other denominations.

If beeing actively aware of what is the invention of people and their egos and what is what the heart knows to be true it is at least easier for me. Much of the practice is just practice and ceremony after all. There is some value in that in conveying traditions and culture but it is not the same as what the heart knows to be true. I find it helps to separate these in my thinking and by that beeing more tolerant of ”practices” that are just by people for people compared to relationship to God.