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Christianity was supposed to be about becoming like Jesus. | |
We went in the wrong direction. |
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The Danger of Denominations
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| Paul wrote the
Corinthians that denominations were a symptom of immaturity (1Cor
3:1-4). Denominations tend to form in reaction to error or perceived
error.The desire to “get it right” can be a powerful emotive force.
However, presenting a denomination as having the final word in what is
right is damaging for several reasons. 1. Treating people as a receptacle into which the conclusions of others are dumped is not the same as helping them grow and learn. Assuring people that their Christian walk is complete because they have memorized a few doctrinal bullet points is cheating people out of real learning which keeps them from actual maturity. It is like the “Celestial Railroad” written by Hawthorne as an “improvement” on “Pilgrim’s Progress” in that no one need any longer struggle in this world because all the work has been done by others. 2. Being presented with a finished “package” of doctrine implies that there is nothing left to learn. They only thing left to do is “cash in” in the expected rewards for having met denominational criteria. This can promote both smugness for being on the winning team as well as contempt for those who have missed out. 3. One often becomes triggered by hearing anything different than their denominational distinctives because anything different must be wrong. One can feel threatened or even betrayed if someone describes consideration of anything alternative to what is practiced. As a result, one shuts oneself off from anything that might help them advance in their understanding. 4. A pastor is often more like a franchise holder whose primary job is to maintain the “brand”. In all fairness, if the pastor would deviate from established doctrine or practice, he would likely find himself corrected or unemployed. 5. A denomination creates a comfortable enclave where people can convince themselves that they have fully satisfied the Christian life. However, the bible says that pastors (who who are supposed to shepherd by teaching, Eph 4:11) are given so that each Christian can achieve the goal of Christ-likeness (Eph 4:13). Denominations are not suited to the dynamic environment of learning and growth. Instead they are often poor copies of the academic lecture hall. 6. Denominations are usually run as organizational systems more suited to processing components. This mechanical nature is not well suited to the relationships that are supposed to define Christianity (us with God and each other). 7. Having an entrenched doctrine can mean having entrenched error. Error can be so significant that none of the church members who have been assured that they are on their way to heaven are even Christian at all. Christians are supposed to grow and mature into Christ-likeness. Denominations tend to rely on transmitting doctrines and “being right” more than helping their members each become more like Christ. |
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