IF CHRISTIANITY IS TRUE, WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DENOMINATIONS?

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It is interesting to notice that there are different Christian churches just a few steps away from each other. Even in the place where I live, there are Baptist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Reformed, and other churches within walking distance! Others might observe the same thing and be led to ask: If Christianity is true, why are there so many denominations? Critics, such as atheists, often raise doubts about the truthfulness of the Christian faith by pointing to the existence of various denominations. Here are a few points worth considering:

Disagreements are common.

Almost every organization or field has differences within its groups. Not all historians agree on their positions regarding certain historical events. But these differences are not enough for us to dismiss the entire field of archaeology. Likewise, not all medical professionals have the same expertise, practices, or opinions. Yet the medical field as a whole cannot be refuted just because of such diversity. Differences in views and practices exist everywhere, not just in Christianity.

Denominations agree on the essential matters.

While we cannot deny that there are many denominations, they all generally agree on the major and essential doctrines of Christianity. Beliefs such as the Bible being the Word of God, Jesus being both God and man, Christ’s resurrection, and salvation by grace through faith, are held in common. There is no problem in having many denominations because they all share the same core beliefs. Any group that rejects these essentials can no longer be considered a Christian denomination—it would be regarded as a cult because its beliefs deviate from biblical truth. But just because some groups got it wrong does not mean everyone else is wrong too. If one or two students fail an exam, that does not mean the whole class has failed as well.

Disagreement is over minor or non-essential matters only.

Different groups hold varying views on water baptism and its mode of practice. Churches have their own traditions for observing communion. Some prefer hymns while others prefer modern worship songs. Some emphasize particular ministries, while others have different emphases. There are also differing views on spiritual gifts and the Second Coming. But these differences are generally a matter of preference, not a matter of truth. Believers can agree to disagree on these issues, because they do not affect the truthfulness of Christianity. We remain united at the core, despite the differences in non-essentials.

Determining factor: Truthfulness of the essential beliefs.

The truth of Christianity rests on the truth of its core doctrines. Christianity’s central beliefs remain true regardless of how many denominations exist. The resurrection of Jesus is considered a historical fact, and the evidence strongly supports its reality. No matter how many denominations there are today, this does not invalidate the resurrection. There are also strong reasons to believe that the Bible is the infallible and reliable Word of God. Christianity’s truthfulness is not measured by the number of its denominations.

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The growing number of denominations within Christianity is not an objection against it. The differences between groups actually highlight how diverse are the believers God has called and saved. And there is beauty in differences! Such diversity helps in reaching the lost, who are also different from one another. The Bible calls for unity, not uniformity. We can all still be united, even if there are differences among us. Stay Curious.

Sources and Studies:

Crain, N. (2016). If Christianity is true, why are there so many denominations? (pp. 80-85). 𝘒𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘒𝘪𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘎𝘰𝘥’𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘥𝘦. Harvest House Publishers.
Rhodes, R. (2015). Unity in Diversity. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘋𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. Harvest House Publishers

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