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One_in_Christ_1
Guest
Why so many divisions in the body of Christ? 
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Theophorus
Guest
It is a terrible thing, is it not? When Christ himself prayed for unity and founded one Church on Peter. Over the centuries groups and individuals have gone their own way. Misunderstandings have also lead to splits in the body of Christ and sometimes not enough has been done to patch these divisions up. Sometimes these groups go so far from the teachings of Christ that reunion seems impossible. We must hope and pray following His example that we all might be one.
God Bless
God Bless
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Advocatus_Fidei
Guest
Pride.
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One_in_Christ_1
Guest
I think Protestantism has gone way beyond what the original Protestant Reformers believed. True Christians are much more united than we think. I value church tradition handed down as sources of authority in what is true. I think Protestants need to value extra-biblical sources that are true, uniting Catholics and non-Catholics together as one in Christ. Do you seem to agree with my conclusion?
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One_in_Christ_1
Guest
Pride and sin, struggling with this body of death in this life seems to be the root of disunity in the body of Christ. However, pride and sin affects all traditions in all churches, right?
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Advocatus_Fidei
Guest
I donāt understand your question. Pride and sin effects every human being.
What I meant however was the pride that deludes us into thinking we can decide which parts of Gods revelation to accept for ourselves and are free to reject the parts we donāt find agreeable. And the pride that leads to the rejection the Moses of our time, the successor of Peter just as the followers of Core did as recorded in the holy scriptures (Numbers 16).
These are the fruits of pride that I was specificity referring to as the cause for the division between Christians.
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Usbek_de_Perse
Guest
I believe that some divisions have come about out of genuine frustration with the situation that Christians found themselves āon the groundā. To attribute all divisions as the sole result of āprideā suggests (without being said openly) that those who split from the RC church are prideful and that the same pride does not apply to many inside the RC church.Why so many divisions in the body of Christ?
I do not know if the first schism, the Copitc monophysite schism, came about as the result of pride or genuine doctrinal difference. Do you?
Similarly, the great East-West schism, was it the result of pride alone? Whose pride?
Did Martin Luther have no grievance? Was Savonarola a heretic? Well he was called one by Pope Alexander VI. Was he prideful? Perhaps. Was Alexander VI prideful? I kinda think so, but maybe not so prideful as that. The Borgias always get a bad rap. They were no worse than the Medicis, after all.
Was Henry VIII prideful
I kinda think so. But that branch of Reformation Christianity that is now beloved of Rome came about as a result of his pride.I think the Roman Catholic Church has shown itself capable of great reform and improvement, without changing its teachings. I personally believe that much of this comes about as a result of the influence of Protestantism. Was the RCC being prideful when it opened its arms to ecumenical dialogue with other churches? I do not think soā¦ but I do think it has learned humility from the light of scandal and it, as an institution is a better place now than before.
Itās a strange, strange world we live in, Master Jack
You taught me all I know and Iāll never look back
Itās a very strange world and I thank you, Master Jack
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Theophorus
Guest
Pride as was said above affects all human beings
. British Anglicanism is in a sorry state and Iām not sure how much longer ecumenical dialogue can continue if Canterbury keeps drifting off course as she is at the minute.
Is there not an element of pride here as well assuming that these groups could āsucceedā where they saw the Church failing. True reform comes from within not without.
Bad theology, bad, bad theology that was rejected at the Council of Chalcedon in 451.
Pride and misunderstanding by both parties involved
A grievance yes, grievances successfully reformed at Trent, but maybe it was pride that made him say of the Bible when his translation was questioned by fellow protestants āIt is my Testament and my translation, and it shall continue to be mineā
All these guys had problems, but on the whole, I think Alexander VI had more.
The TAC in America is coming HomeWas Henry VIII prideful
. British Anglicanism is in a sorry state and Iām not sure how much longer ecumenical dialogue can continue if Canterbury keeps drifting off course as she is at the minute.I think so too and I hope to God we are both right.
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chrisb
Guest
in a wordā¦ āSINā
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One_in_Christ_1
Guest
Iām not sure it has anything to do with following the successor of Peter since there is division in the Catholic church too. I think sin and pride is caused by the fall of mankind, even though we have been redeemedā¦ we are not complete in this life. So, it is my conclusion that sin and pride affects all Christian traditions. All Christians pick and choose due to incomplete knowledge together with sin and pride.
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FAB
Guest
Please remember that even though there are many differnt denominations, the Church recognizes that they contain aspects of salvation truths that they contain through the sacrament of baptism. As such they are part of the body of Christ and through the Holy Spirit share in His mission.Why so many divisions in the body of Christ?
The Church does maintain that she contains all truths and as such is the true Church of Christ.
Peace,
FAB
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shondrea
Guest
This is one of the simplest,. best answers Iāve heard on the subject!
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Jon_Hus
Guest
A better question to ask One In Christ:Why so many divisions in the body of Christ?
Why do you ask the question and then proceed to answer it?
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CMatt25
Guest
We are more united than many think.
Rom 12:5 So we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Thus the lesser divisions which exist are nothing compared to the One Essential Whom unites us. Christ. Without faith in Him none of the other matters much. We are one in Christ as the One who brings us together is far more important than whatever differences set us apart. He is our peace and breaks down the dividing wallā¦
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and breaking down the middle wall of partition, the enmities in his flesh:
15Making void the law of commandments contained in decrees; that he might make the two in himself into one new man, making peace;
17And coming, he preached peace to you that were afar off, and peace to them that were nigh.
18For by him we have access both in one Spirit to the Father.
19Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners; but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and the domestics of God,
Rom 12:5 So we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Thus the lesser divisions which exist are nothing compared to the One Essential Whom unites us. Christ. Without faith in Him none of the other matters much. We are one in Christ as the One who brings us together is far more important than whatever differences set us apart. He is our peace and breaks down the dividing wallā¦
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and breaking down the middle wall of partition, the enmities in his flesh:
15Making void the law of commandments contained in decrees; that he might make the two in himself into one new man, making peace;
17And coming, he preached peace to you that were afar off, and peace to them that were nigh.
18For by him we have access both in one Spirit to the Father.
19Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners; but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and the domestics of God,
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blazerdave
Guest
I spent a couple years in a Protestant divinity school. I do not claim any special expertise because of that experience, but I share it because we had this discussion many, many times. In a setting like that, division is usually blamed on Eucharistic theology (which itself is inherently tragic). But while that may be true for the Reformation churches, there is a deeper problem at its heart. I agree with the earlier posters who blame division on sin. The more I have researched this fact, the more grievous it seems. And without an act of God (which few of us seem to expect), I cannot see how true reunification can be achieved 
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One_in_Christ_1
Guest
Fellowship!
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One_in_Christ_1
Guest
Yepā¦ thatās the truth!
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One_in_Christ_1
Guest
All Christians are united in the truth which makes us distinctively Christian. Our hope is really the same which is Jesus Christ.
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FAB
Guest
Any one who is baptised in the trinitine formula, Father, Son and Holy Spirit is part of the body of Christ. Itās the teaching of the Church. It is the reason why that person who comes to the Church from a Protestent faith, who baptizes in that formula is not re-baptized, they recieve the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
Peace,
FAB
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