Pick Your Poison

Q: My family is Eritrean and we attend a Greek Orthodox church in St. Louis, MO. But as time has passed, I've begun to go towards non-denominationalism, because of my ideology that denominations create segregation more than they do diversity. I use an elementary example to somewhat prove my point; If you have 2 apples, one is fresh and the other is rotten, on the outside they have many differences but in their core they’re the same. That`s how denominations are, they are all basically Christian, they all have a general belief that Jesus Christ is Our Savior, so why for all this division? I don`t know if my decision to be non denominational is right, but I was looking for some type of answer. I go directly by the Bible, but the Bible has and still is edited (King James, Constantine, etc.) so I am somewhat confused. I am 14. I would appreciate it if you gave me an honest, straight-forward answer instead of a `kiddy` one. Thank you. Finally, my question is, what should I do regarding my change to non denominationalism? Should I keep with it or return to the Orthodox doctrine?

A: Thanks for your question. My advice is to not focus on denominations at all. In fact, even non-denominational churches are denominations. They are just not recognized entities like your more traditional churches. A religious denomination can be described as a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity. If we accept this definition it is quick to see how it has little, if anything, to do with the Bible. When you have one group of like minded individuals reach an impasse on a particular subject, the group splits and, voila, you have a new “denomination.” Repeat that scenario over a couple thousand years and you have over 38,000 denominations as reported by Christianity Today, including the Greek Orthodox Church. Even more mind-boggling is that all of them will claim to have sole possession of the truth. Chances are they are all wrong to a great extent.

The Apostle Paul spoke of the Body of Christ being “built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:12-13).” If Paul speaks of a unity in the faith that means there has to be an agreed upon belief in which to unify Christians. Therefore, when you have 38,000 denominations made up of over 2 Billion people something has to be wrong. My guess is that there is nothing wrong with the Bible, but with the people. In the passage from Ephesians above, it talks of becoming mature in our faith. It is immaturity that leads to so many denominations within the realm of Christianity.

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming (Ephesians 4:14).” When you are immature in your faith, it is another way of saying that you are not familiar with the truth of God’s Word. Therefore, you are unable to discern whether or not what you are being taught is true. And if you combine what you are being taught with the persuasiveness (craftiness) of a charismatic teacher you will follow them wherever they go regardless of whether they are teaching the truth. So, if they start another denomination you will go with them. Furthermore, how does an unbeliever view all of these denominations? Perhaps, the unbeliever sits back and shakes his head at Jesus Christ because His so-called followers can’t even agree on the truth. Your Christian life is not one of trying to find which denomination to sit under. It is about getting to know your God through a trusting and dependent relationship with Jesus Christ.

While it is cliché to say it, there is truth behind the statement that Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship. Christianity does not save anybody and that is what denominationalism is all about; Christian religion. The focus becomes you and what you are doing for God. And the appeal, and deception, of denominations is that they all offer a variety of religious doctrines in which to subject ourselves. And when we grow weary of one, i.e. Greek Orthodoxy, we start looking for another, i.e. non-denominationalism. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that salvation is received and it is by that same faith that we live our Christian lives. This is something totally void of denominationalism. All the denominations should answer one question. That question is, “After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort (Galatians 3:3)?” Denominationalism is another word for human effort. Faith is another word for resting in Christ’s effort on our behalf. Choose Jesus rather than a denomination.