Why are there so many different branches of Christianity?

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There may be a lot to list, and I appreciate the line to this one thread of your postulate. I admittedly have a lot to read and digest to make this a well considered observation, but just from the start I’ve made owing to your generous response, I’m not seeing *any *intimation of apostolic succession in *any * fundamentalist congregation, or many other congregations that don’t appear essentially Catholic in nature, if not in name or communion with Rome. That is to say, that it appears that the vast majority of new line American maybe Western churches haven’t any claim to A.S. at all, and if anything, they reject the idea itself. That said, I have heard what I consider a fantasy about the Anabaptist church running parallel but unseen through history to the present. Correct me if I misread that, and feel free to school me. I’m a sponge with desire to learn, and no facility to debate the topic.

Thanks.
 
For the same reason that there are different branches of Judaism, different branches of Islam, different branches of Buddism, etc.

Man is an imperfect animal, and he fights all the time. The devil likes to take advantage of those disagreements, and promote divisions among people of nominally the same faith.
 
Are they not Oriental Orthodox? I thought the Oriental Orthodox encompassed the Ethiopian, Coptic, Assyrian etc Orthodox? Or am I mistake?
No, they are not in communion with either the Eastern or Oriental Orthodox.
 
No.

In the long series of Christological debates and controversies, they are actually polar opposite to the non-Chalcedonians (what some would call “Oriental” Orthodox).

BTW & off topic, which monastery or congregation are you associated with?
I stand corrected, I thought the Assyrian Churches were Oriental Orthodox, thank you for the correction.

I’m attached to Belmont Abbey, I have to renew my Oblation later this year there aswell, probably at a retreat where I live a week with the community (:
 
For the same reason that there are different branches of Judaism, different branches of Islam, different branches of Buddism, etc.

Man is an imperfect animal, and he fights all the time. The devil likes to take advantage of those disagreements, and promote divisions among people of nominally the same faith.
I think this is the best answer I’ve seen to any question in a long time.
 
I stand corrected, I thought the Assyrian Churches were Oriental Orthodox, thank you for the correction.

I’m attached to Belmont Abbey, I have to renew my Oblation later this year there aswell, probably at a retreat where I live a week with the community (:
I was an oblate with St Procopius Abbey in Lisle IL USA, a part of the American-Cassinese Congregation.
 
Because God is like a gardener and always takes care of his garden.
Every time a branch gets infected, he heals it or cut it off depending on the situation.
 
I was an oblate with St Procopius Abbey in Lisle IL USA, a part of the American-Cassinese Congregation.
Hey, that’s my neck of the woods! Small world. Been there lately? I hear that if there were truth in advertising, Benedictine University will soon need to be renamed Muhammed University based on student population and campus culture. What’s up with that? When did you cros the Med (so to speak)?
 
=mdrummer5;7537803]I realize that the extended answer is going to be different depending on which branch you’re looking at but I’m just curious from a general perspective. With Catholicism being able to trace it’s roots back to being the first Church and the only one that can make this claim what is the logic behind denying some of the teachings for the sake of creating a new church?
I realize that this has the potential to turn into a very heated debate between members of different faiths. That is not my intent at all. In fact I point this out to ask that if you’re thinking of posting anything that is in any way degrading to another faith, please do not.
In replying to your OPQ, one must seperate the “Cause /effects,” from the actual “reason.”

The Cause and effects are a result of personal bible interpetation; which we are warned about in the Bible. This usurption of powers not given has led to a abundance of assorted beliefs, and practices.

John 10:16 And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.

Eph. 2:19-20 “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [singular[/COLOR]] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; [singular] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. “

**Eph. 4: 4 -8 **“There is one body Only One Church] and one Spirit, Only One set of beliefs] just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, [Only One God] ONLY one faith, Only One set of doctrine and dogma] one baptism, By water in the Trinity] one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. "

This is a “natural” effect of reading, but not understanding corectly what is read, or a pridefull; “we know more and we know bettter” attitude that rejects truth.

This is NOT simply my opinion; it is FACTUAL based on the Bibles Word of God.

** 2nd. Tim. 3:16-17** All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work"

2nd. Peter 1: 20-21 “First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. “

2 Pet.3: 16 “Speaking of this as he [PAUL] in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. “

Romans 9: 18 “So then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills.”THE REASON is not likely to be accepted by a great many, becuase it cause a rethinking of there position on Faith and religion.

It has to do with Grace, which in turn permits one to accept God’s PURE GIFT of His Faith.

When Faith is weak, not rightly understood, or rejected there is a void: a natural lack of understanding. Many are so inflicted by God Himself, for holding and teaching views NOT in acord to His Faith [The Catholic Faith] or His Church [The Catholic Church.]

Being that there are over 100 NT references to ONLY On Church, one ought not be surprised that God Himself witholds RIGHT Understanding.

**John 3:36 ** “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him".

These folks may attain heaven BUT with EXTREME DIFFICULTY. It’s a HIGH RISK set of bliefs tht are simply not God’s Will and not founded on the Bible. ogivenes of sins is a KEY example.READ 1 Jn. 1:8-10; 1 Jn. 5:16-17 and John 20:15-19…These are exceedingly clear and specific.{ignore at your own risk teachungs}.

Dear Lord; Grant to all those in need, True Understanding and the ift of YOUR FAITH.

Gos Bless,
Pat
 
Hey, that’s my neck of the woods! Small world. Been there lately? I hear that if there were truth in advertising, Benedictine University will soon need to be renamed Muhammed University based on student population and campus culture. What’s up with that? When did you cros the Med (so to speak)?
No, I haven’t been there in perhaps 9 years, although I drive by once in a while.

Actually, one does not have to be a Roman Catholic to become an oblate, and we had some Protestants among us.

But I was a Roman Catholic at the time I discovered them, already exploring eastern Catholicism. One of the parishes I became interested in was Holy Redeemer Belorussian Catholic mission in the city, the mission was actually founded by His Grace bishop Tarasevicz who resided at the abbey after he left Europe.

The abbey had a long history bi-ritual work, ecumenical efforts and supporting this particular group as well as the local Ruthenian and Ukrainian Catholics. I was quite impressed and wanted to be a part of that milieu. However, by the time I became an oblate those days were long gone. The abbey had become more and more exclusively Latin, and I was going the other way.

The Abbey did have a daughterhouse in Pennsylvania, which was Benedictine but eastern rite. They were too small to have an oblate program and a bit too far away.

I eventually became a Byzantine Catholic, but over time I found that I was more involved with the parish and less and less involved with the abbey.

By the time I became Orthodox in 2005 I had already ceased my work with the abbey.
 
I stand corrected, I thought the Assyrian Churches were Oriental Orthodox, thank you for the correction.

I’m attached to Belmont Abbey, I have to renew my Oblation later this year there aswell, probably at a retreat where I live a week with the community (:
Belmont Abbey in NC? My daughter almost went to BAC, decided not to because of a lack of either a math or secondary ed major. A wonderful school, and filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit

Jon
 
Belmont Abbey in NC? My daughter almost went to BAC, decided not to because of a lack of either a math or secondary ed major. A wonderful school, and filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit

Jon
No, Belmont Abbey in Hereford, UK, im from the other side of the pond (:
 
Excuse me guys, but if I’m sent an email to go look at a new post in a thread I’m following (third time today) I’m not really interested in your private conversation that isn’t remotely related to the topic. I have far better things to do with my time. Thanks.
 
Excuse me guys, but if I’m sent an email to go look at a new post in a thread I’m following (third time today) I’m not really interested in your private conversation that isn’t remotely related to the topic. I have far better things to do with my time. Thanks.
Hi, Saul…you can disable the notification option in the thread…i think you can do this in your profile page somewhere…I think you go to “list of subscription” and go from there. The email usually has a link to delete your name from being notified.
 
Thanks Pablope I appreciate that, and I know to do that, but I am actually interested in following the thread, when and if it gets back on track. In the end, it did cause me to discover what an Oblate was, which I appreciated. Looking for the silver lining. 😉
 
Excuse me guys, but if I’m sent an email to go look at a new post in a thread I’m following (third time today) I’m not really interested in your private conversation that isn’t remotely related to the topic. I have far better things to do with my time. Thanks.
Saul,
I truly apologize that my participation in a side bar caused you inconvenience. Generally, most of us try to stay on topic, but it seems to me that casual banter can be a good thing in developing friendly relationships, particularly since forums that are, by nature, annonymous, can sometimes deteriorate. It seems to me that these friendly reltationships lead to a humanizing view of each other, and leads to more charitable conversations. The opinions of others may vary.

Jon
 
Yeah, I suppose I was being a little cranky…It’s not a real big deal
 
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