A quick, but important caveat: I teach at a denominational seminary, was ordained into and serve in a denomination -- and therefore have much of my retirement savings tied to a denominational pension plan -- and not only take seriously, but take pride in, my Lutheran identity and heritage. (Whether that makes you want to take more seriously or dismiss altogether my feelings about denominations is, of course, for you to decide.) Despite my obvious denominational loyalty, however, I'm not sure Christian denominations have a future -- or whether they even should.
In fact, here are five reasons that I not only suspect the day of denominations has passed but also can't seem to find it in me to shed many tears about it.
1) Denominations are incredibly confusing in a post-Christian world. When the larger culture was nominally Christian, believers had the luxury of squaring off behind denominational identities. No longer. Ask the typical person with little or no familiarity with the Christian faith the difference between Methodists, Lutherans, and Presbyterians and she'll likely give you a blank stare that indicates she's wondering whether you're still talking about Christianity. The facts of the matter are pretty straightforward, if not that encouraging: most people in the various denominations have little sense what they mean and absolutely no one outside them really cares.
2) The theological differences between the major denominations are relatively minor. As much as I love a good real-presence vs. memorial-feast slugfest or round of justification/sanctification truth-or-dare, the truth is that most of the theological differences between denominations not only are unintelligible to their own members but are, in the larger scheme of things, relatively minor. Across the board, the major Protestant denominations, for instance, share a biblical canon, confess the major ecumenical creeds, and observe the same two sacraments. I therefore can -- and regularly do -- worship at churches of any of the major denominations and feel not the slightest tremor in my theological conscience.
3) Inordinate amounts of funding are spent on maintaining denominational structures and bureaucracies, money that could be spent on mission. Even though every denomination I know has in recent years cut way back on spending, eliminated various divisions or boards, or extended the times between major assemblies or conventions, denominations are still expending vast sums of money to prop up dated denominational bureaucracies. Would it not make sense to conserve resources by efficiently combining structures? Are seven or eight struggling denominational publishing houses better than one robust one? Where there are three beleaguered denominational seminaries in a single region, might not one healthy pan-denominational school suffice? (And we haven't even started on congregations!) Think of what might happen if the savings were channeled to funding creative media campaigns that didn't extol the virtues of one denomination but taught the Christian faith.
4) Political differences outstripped theological ones decades ago. Let's face it: progressive Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Episcopalian congregations have a lot more in common than do progressive and conservative congregations in the same tradition. Differences over how to read the Bible, the nature of the atonement, and the character of God are far more important today than nuanced differences in polity or regarding the sacraments.
5) Denominational affiliation often represents the triumph of ethnic and cultural loyalties over theological convictions. While denominations may have initially arisen over theological differences, they were soon co-opted by the political realities of their sponsoring state. Little wonder, then, that ethnic and cultural identity is closely tied to denominational affiliation. Those in the club, after all, talk not simply of Presbyterians and Lutherans but Scotch Presbyterians and Swedish or German Lutherans. This has always made it difficult to reach beyond one's ethnic enclave because interested seekers, even if they were attracted to, for instance, Lutheran theology, had to accept it in the form of German chorales or Swedish traditions. Moreover, as ethnic culture has declined as an important identity-maker, so also has religious affiliation -- after all, for many folks, if Lutheranism isn't about Santa Lucia, what is it about? And if they've stopped going to the Santa Lucia festival, why bother with church?
The bottom line is this: while I love my denominational heritage and am all for a robust theological identity and spirited theological conversation, I'd give up denominational identity and structure in a heartbeat if it meant a more unified, comprehensible, and compelling witness to the Gospel.
This makes some of my tribe, I know, rather nervous. But lest we imagine that denominations are, like the Holy Trinity, one of those things that, "always have been, are, and forever will be," perhaps a few words from one of the original Reformers will ease our fears. Just a few years into what would eventually be called the Protestant reformation, some of the followers of Martin Luther began to take his name for their cause. Luther, however, was neither amused nor pleased. In 1522 he wrote the following in a public treatise:
I ask that people make no reference to my name; let them call themselves Christians, not Lutherans. What is Luther? After all, the teaching is not mine. Neither was I crucified for anyone.... How then should I -- poor stinking maggot-fodder than I am -- come to have people call the children of Christ by my wretched name? Not so, my dear friends; let us abolish all party names and call ourselves Christian.
Not a bad idea, if you ask me. In fact, if denominations have a future, perhaps it rests precisely in taking the counsel of their founders to heart.
Note: An earlier version of this post appeared at the website ...In the Meantime.
Jonathan_Miller: Presbyterians: Help Prevent Injustice Against Israel
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5.
A man’s heart is not subject to the understanding of any human, for it is too complex and full of mysteries to be discerned by any but Almighty God, including political candidates.
W. Ralph Mangum
www.thetotalmanministries.org
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I want my religion fancy and guilt free, with lots of incense and no sermons. If my brand dies out, I will be worse off, and so will others who share my taste.
In this environment the burdon of ownership of church buildings for worship will decline and a professional clergy will also become overskilled. In short, church budgets are in for big changes.
Remember gang, the Bible has death penalties for about 90% of America's citizens. It's just which ones they choose to apply.
I have attended church services in just about every denomination there is. And, I can truly say that I enjoyed every one...even, the Pentacostal churches or Assembly of God Churches. I have felt welcome in all churches that I have attended. I am a member of the Lutheran Church, and my Children were all baptized in the Lutheran Church.
I can easily tell you the doctrinal differences of each denomination. But, the main criteria for me is...if they teach and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There will be no denominations in Heaven, and we will all sit at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb together.
A Sneak Attack on Christianity
Jesus foretold that his teachings would be subverted. He said: “The kingdom of the heavens has become like a man that sowed fine seed in his field. While men were sleeping, his enemy came and oversowed weeds in among the wheat, and left.” Surprisingly, when servants brought the evil deed to the man’s attention and asked for permission to collect the weeds, the man said: “No; that by no chance, while collecting the weeds, you uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and in the harvest season I will tell the reapers, First collect the weeds and bind them in bundles to burn them up, then go to gathering the wheat into my storehouse.” —Matthew 13:24-30.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR CHRISTIANITY?
http://www.watchtower.org/e/200702/article_01.htm
Frankly, I don't care about the denomination of the church I attend. My primary concern is 'do they faithfully teach the WHOLE Bible, or does the pastor spend most of his time on a few 'pet' subjects'.
Do they teach that the Kingdom of God is a real government?
Do they take seriously the commission that ALL disciples are to publicly preach the Word of God?
Do they endorse man's governmemts and kill ?
Do they perform idolotris acts to idols such as crosses, statues, etc.?
Really, I could go on and on.