Why Denominations Are Glorious

Many of you will likely have heard that denominations are roughly akin to a putrid pimple on the face of Christ’s bride. Perhaps you grew up Roman Catholic and were told that every denomination was a heretical offshoot of the pristine Mother Church. Or maybe you attended a church in your local strip mall that was too cool to associate with any formal denomination, where your pastor — let's call him Spike — constantly reminded you that denominations are meant to divide, while Fascination Church rose above all that division. 

But what if both sides are wrong? What if denominationalism isn’t the heretical bogeyman of Roman Catholic lore, nor the dangerous threat to unity that Pastor Spike warned us about? What if it is actually a good thing?

Denominations and Cults

In saying this, I am not endorsing all denominations, nor am I saying that everything that calls itself a church is genuine. One of the first things denominations help us do is weed out groups that used to be called cults. There was a time when Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses were actually identified as cult groups, though such harsh words would never be acceptable in the milquetoast, safe-space atmosphere of our day. Men like Walter Martin wrote entire books defining what a cult was, and we were willing to say to our Presbyterian neighbors that we believed they were Christians, while telling our Unitarian neighbor that they were dead wrong. It wasn’t about being harsh; it was about making important distinctions. You know, like who’s actually going to heaven.

A denomination is only defined as such when it has historically affirmed the essential tenets of Christian orthodoxy. This includes doctrines as plainly taught in scripture as the virgin birth of Christ, as well as His resurrection and ascension. It also includes more specifically defined doctrines, such as the Trinitarian nature of God and the hypostatic union of Christ. Though there are major distinctions between denominations, these basic foundations have been maintained. Think of it like concentric circles. The center circle defines Christianity; the second represents denominational distinctives (sometimes called secondary matters), and the third circle covers doubtful things (the ‘adiaphora’).

The Value Denominations Provide

Denominations really shine in the second category. They allow churches to group together based on secondary issues without anathematizing other denominations. For example, one denomination might see baptism as something for believers only, while another might argue it should also be applied to the children of believers. Both cannot be right, but both can coexist as Christians and affirm one another as part of the ‘small-c’ catholic church (as opposed to Roman Catholic). 

Denominations make disagreeing easier because no one has to be burned at the stake. John MacArthur and R.C. Sproul were masterful examples of what can be accomplished when two men from different denominations still affirm one another as brothers. They debated, disagreed, and even poked fun at each other. But they also shared the same platform at conferences and endorsed one another as legitimate men of God, all while holding very different beliefs.

Some people do not understand that the denominational level is where secondary issues should prevail. A few years ago, Rick Warren (the guy who taught us all how to have purpose in the '90s) stood on the floor of the Southern Baptist Convention and declared that they should not have division over secondary issues. In saying this, Warren actually missed the point of why denominations exist. They exist precisely to define and endorse secondary issues. That is part of their value. If that is given up, then denominations shouldn't exist, and Pastor Spike was right all along. But denominations  are great precisely because they allow Baptists to be Baptists, Presbyterians to be Presbyterians, Lutherans to be Lutherans, and Mormons to still be wrong. They provide a place where the primary things are intact, and the secondary things are well defined.

Oh, and by the way, there are not 30,000 denominations. That number is massively inflated by those who believe denominations are inherently evil, counting every fringe group and subdivision as a different denomination, which is simply not the case. It is best to think of denominations as families, with limbs and branches that divide off. You have the Presbyterian/Reformed families, the Lutheran families, the Baptist families, the Anglican families, the Methodist families, and several others. Within these families, there are some great churches. But, like any family, there are also some crazy cousins that no one wants at the family reunion (I’m looking at you, UMC and PCUSA).

But the Pope and Pastor Spike Said…

I realize that many will continue to believe that denominations are inherently bad. The Papists will still claim to be part of the true mother church, and Pastor Spike will still argue that labels are hurtful. Someone might even cite Paul's letter to the Corinthians, where he chastised them for their divisions and called for unity. But here's the thing: I actually agree with Paul. I do believe we should strive for unity, but unity doesn't always have to mean conformity. This is why it is essential to distinguish between primary and secondary matters and keep them distinct. Didn't Augustine himself say, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity"? I'm not sure if he did, which is why I'm asking.

Strangely enough, denominations actually serve as a means to unity. They allow me to hold my convictions alongside like-minded believers without claiming to have all the answers. This structure enables me to fellowship with and love other Christians without compromising on doctrines I consider crucial, and it allows them the same privilege. While each denomination has its own traditions and structure, they collectively affirm Christian orthodoxy, providing both unity and diversity at the same time.