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Presented December 10, 2006

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT CHURCHES? (5)

The Beginnings of Denominationalism

As we continue our study of the history of the apostasy and the church today we want to notice how the concept of denominationalism began.  Thus far we have noted various elements of the true church as we read about it in the pages of scripture and how violations of its organizational structure and doctrines eventually led to the organizational structure of the Catholic Church in 606 AD when Boniface III declared himself “universal bishop.” In our last lesson we noted how this was not universally accepted and the metropolitan under the direction of the bishop of Constantinople (and others) over the course of the next four hundred and fifty years developed into the Greek Orthodox Church (1054 AD) with what is referred to as “the Great Schism.”  Because of corruption within the papacy and organizational structure of the Catholic Church, and in time, increased literacy men began to see some of the numerous deviations from scripture.  This caused many, usually priests or theologians (those who study God and religion), to attempt to reform the corruption within the Catholic Church.

The word “reform” means, “the improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.” (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2006, www.dictionary.com).  These were men, many of whom were loyal to the pope and the church (until they were persecuted or denounced by her), who simply understood that scripture needed to be given more respect in religion.  They studied and noted some of the inconsistencies and corruptions of the then politically powerful church and wanted to get her back on what they perceived to be the right track.  In our last lesson we mentioned two of them (John Wycliffe, ca. 1324-1384 and John Huss, 1369-1415) and some of the reforms they sought.  Along with them there were others, some before and some after.  Their efforts were often met with great resistance by the Church and governments that were controlled or heavily influenced by them.  It is in this vein that we read of the inquisitions (including the Spanish inquisition) and crusades, which were designed to wipe out opposition to the Catholic Church and/or convert “infidels” and “heretics”.  Prior to the 1500’s when what is referred to as “the Reformation Movement” actually began, these early reformers did not begin their own “sects” or denominations.  That is what made them different.

Factors that contributed to this movement included: 1)The corruption in Catholic Church leadership already mentioned, 2)Changes in thought from superstitions and ignorance that were prevalent in the dark ages, 3) the invention of the printing press by Gutenberg in 1455, 4) growing nationalism among the European nations as they increasingly became frustrated with the interference of the Pope and Catholic Church in their national affairs.

I.                     Various Reformers and their Churches

a.        Martin Luther (1483-1546). 
He was born in Eisleben, Germany.  He intended to become a lawyer, and began studies in 1511, but because of a narrow escape from lightening, he entered a monastery in 1505 and became a priest in 1507.  But he was disturbed by the corruption of the priesthood and the church.  And so were many in Germany as a result of heavy Papal taxation and interference in their lives.  (Brethren, there is a reason why we need separation of church and state which Jesus Himself advocated – John 18:36, Luke 17:21).
Also, throughout his early life, Luther was burdened with a sense of sinfulness.  In his studies he became convinced that that meritorious works were not the means of salvation.  Citing Romans 1:17 which says, “the just shall live by faith” he came to believe that our salvation is by the grace of God and the imputation of the righteousness of Christ.   When Johann Tetzel came to Germany in 1517 to sell indulgences (you could buy forgiveness for your sins or even the sins of the dead to reduce or eliminate their time in purgatory) to build St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Luther’s views became solidified.  On October 31, 1517 he nailed his 95 thesis on the door of Catholic Church in Wittenberg, Germany, which was in essence challenging someone to a debate.  In this document he opposed indulgences, the authority of the pope and other issues.  In time he was excommunicated from the Catholic Church.
The problem with Luther’s doctrinal convictions was that he went to the opposite extreme of the works of Catholicism to the need to do nothing but believe in order to be saved.  In fact, he rejected the epistle of James as a “right strawy epistle” because of what it says about our justification (James 2:24).
Understand that it was NOT his intent to do away with the Catholic Church but simply to reform its corruptions.  His view of scriptures was that anything not specifically forbidden was acceptable.
Luther became the founder of what is now the Lutheran Church.  But it is worthy of note that before his death he asked his followers NOT to call themselves after his name, but only after the name of Christ.  This became the first denomination.

b.       Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531).  He was ordained a priest in 1506.  He was an ardent student of Greek so he could read the New Testament in its original language.  In his studies he identified a number of errors being taught by the Catholic Church including: 1)the right to preach without human authority , 2) Christ was the only head of the church, 3) rejection of prayers to saints and priests, 4) the right of priests to marry, and 5) rejection of the mass which he called idolatry.
In his thirties, he read the writings of Martin Luther for the first time.  While he agreed with some of his teachings, he disagreed with others.  IN FACT, Zwigli’s view of scripture was to forbid all teachings not found within scripture.  Though he and Luther met and discussed their differences, because of their different approaches to scripture they could not reach consensus.
Zwigli is quoted at saying, “I will never cease to restore the primitive unity of the Church of Christ.” (Ulrich Zwingli, Opp. III, p. 47)
His efforts were instrumental in the establishment of the Reformed Church.

c.        Anabaptists – around the 1520’s there was a group of Zwingli’s followers who believed he did not go far enough in his teachings about scripture.  They advocated the need to be baptized as adults (because of the silence of scripture on infant baptism) and were called Anabaptists (“rebaptizers”).  They were bitterly opposed by many including Zwingly himself.   They also believed in separation of church and government, and viewed governments as a necessary evil.  Some Anabaptists formed separatist communities.  The Amish, Mennonites, and other communal religions are considered Anabaptists.

d.       John Calvin (1509-1564). 
During this same period a man named John Calvin began reformation work in France and later in Geneva, Switzerland.  He became the founder of a system of religion known as Calvinism.  He sought strong reforms in Switzerland desiring to turn that city into “a model religious community.”  In time in that city they enacted a new ecclesiastical constitution (city run by a specific religion), a catechism written by Calvin and other doctrines.  His teachings which is based primarily on 5 doctrines (T-U-L-I-P) would eventually become the foundation of  the Presbyterian Church, founded by John Knox, and have a profound influence on virtually EVERY denomination.

e.        John Knox (1505-1572)
Followed the teachings of Calvin and wrote the first articles of faith that is now the Presbyterian Church.

f.         Henry VIII (1491-1547)
Was king of England from 1509 to 1547.  As he began, he was faithful to the Catholic Church and Rome.  He strongly opposed the doctrines of Luther.  But in 1527 when he asked Pope for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so that he could marry Anne Boleyn, he was refused.  As a result of this he introduced legislation in England which would declare the king “the only supreme head in earth of the Church of England” (1534).   This would eventually become the Episcopalian church (or Anglican Church), which held to many Catholic beliefs with the exception of the power of the Pope.

g.       Other Reformationists
John Smyth – a congregational leader in the Netherlands baptized himself in 1608 & 1609 and established the first Baptist church. 
John Wesley (1703-1791).   Became founder of the Methodist Church.  He was ordained a priest of the Church of England.  He never really intended to break away from the Church of England but saw it as apathetic.  He started the first real “Methodist society” in 1739.  Their name is derived from their methodical approach to scripture and Christian living.  It was a somewhat Charismatic approach to religion.  He and his brother, Charles actually traveled to America (Georgia) in 1735.

Many other names could be added to these as we find attempts to reform Catholicism and various protestant movements. 

II.                   Why is Denominationalism Wrong?

a.        Last week we noted that God’s word calls for TRUE unity.  Not a simple agreement to disagree.  We examined passages like John 17:20-21 where Jesus prayed for this unity and 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 where Paul condemned sectarian attitudes (i.e. ‘I am of Paul’ or ‘I am of Apollos’ or ‘I am of Peter’, etc.)

b.       Denominationalism is also wrong because of its fruits.

                                 i.            It implies that we cannot understand the Bible in its simplicity.   Many in denominations today will admit they believe we can’t all understand the Bible alike.  (And we are not simply speaking of matters that God is silent about.)  Without completely studying a subject there is a simple agreement to simply disagree.  But Paul taught in Ephesians 5:17 that we are commanded to understand what the will of the Lord is.

                                ii.            It exalts sincerity above truth.  Often when questioning the division of denominationalism you will here people say that what we believe is not important as long as we are sincere.  In studying for this lesson I am convinced that many of the leaders of the protestant movement were sincere (though I am not convinced all of them were) and their sincerity often led them CLOSER to the truth.  But is sincerity ENOUGH to save one? 
Consider the example of Paul? Acts 23:1, 26:9.  John 8:31 tells us that it is the TRUTH that will make us free.  Matthew 7:22-23 speaks of many of could be sincere in their beliefs about Jesus, but that was not enough.

                              iii.            It exalts the teachings of men above that of scripture.   
In some of the examples we have examined we have noticed that some of these reformers had agendas (but others did not).  We must ALWAYS be careful of the teachings of men (Galatians 1:8-9.
Jesus taught in Matthew 15:9 that it is vain to worship God if we are following and teaching “the doctrines of men.”
Many of the denominations we have mentioned in this lesson have creed books that one must accept and follow in addition to the Bible to be a part of their denomination.

                              iv.            It encourages a “pick and choose” attitude of religion.  In this instance, truth is NOT important.  What becomes a priority is what a man wants.  Paul warned Timothy of those with itching ears in 2 Timothy 4:2-4.

                               v.            It promotes confusion.  With so many different denominations, those who look at the religious world from outside are overwhelmed with all the differences.
Note 1 Corinthians 14:33 which says, “God is NOT the author of confusion.”

c.        Does John 15:1-8 teach the concept of denominationalism?
NO!  Jesus is speaking to His disciples (individuals).  Men are the branches and Christ is the vine.  Consider also the fact that these denominations all produce different fruits (i.e. You cannot get a Presbyterian with the Methodist Discipline; or become a Baptist with Luther’s Catechism).   The branches in Christ all produce the SAME fruit.

III.                 What did denominational leaders say about this concept?

a.        Many of these reformers we have studied made great headway in leading us back to the Bible.  While they did not ultimately achieve complete restoration, they had concepts of God’s word and their own efforts that we would to well to heed.

b.       Martin Luther said, “ "I ask that men make no reference to my name, and call themselves not Lutherans, but Christians.  What is Luther? My doctrine, I am sure, is not mine, nor have I been crucified for any one. St. Paul, in 1 Co. 3, would not allow Christians to call themselves Pauline or Petrine, but Christian.  How then should I, poor, foul carcass that I am, come to have men give to the children of Christ a name derived from my worthless name?  No, no, my dear friends; let us abolish all party names, and call ourselves Christians after Him Whose doctrine we have." – Martin Luther

c.        "Would to God that all party names, and unscriptural phrases and forms which have divided the Christian world, were forgot and that the very name [Methodist] might never be mentioned more, but be buried in eternal oblivion." - John Wesley

d.       "I look forward with pleasure to the day when there will not be a Baptist living!  I hope that the Baptist name will soon perish, but let Christ's name last forever." - Charles Spurgeon

Thus we can see the beginning of the protestant movement and how it led to denominationalism.  It is my hope that in this we understand in a small way why there are so many different denominations and that it is NOT the result of following the pattern we find within the church.  Much good came out of this movement and these brave men helped pave the way for us to return to the church of the New Testament.  But there was more that needed to be accomplished.  In our next lessons we will examine the restoration movement and also take notice of where we are as churches of Christ today.  May this series help us to appreciate more fully the whole of God’s word and nothing else.