Member-only story
Why Do Christians Disagree So Much? A Confused Person’s Guide to Understanding Christianity’s Many Branches
Here is one pastor’s attempt to untangle the mess
If God is real and Christianity is true, then why is Christianity such a mess? Why is there so much disagreement and controversy amongst Christians? Why don’t Christians agree more and get along better?
These are reasonable questions. Indeed, I would argue that the confusing and erratic panoply of denominations, movements, and churches that make up Christianity is perhaps its most discrediting characteristic.
Estimates suggest there are nearly 45,000 distinct Christian denominations worldwide, ranging from massive global churches to tiny, independent fellowships. Trying to count the number of churches is practically impossible.
Christians differ on how God speaks, when He speaks, whether He speaks, and how to understand what God is saying.
Some professing Christians, believe it or not, aren’t even sure God is real. They certainly don’t believe Jesus is divine. They just see Jesus as a great teacher. But even among those who do believe in God and who do regard Jesus as God (I’m in that group), they still debate theology, practice, tradition, and authority.
