Denominationalism?
One product of the Reformation is the [further] division of Christians into denominations.
Since the official start of Roman Catholicism, and to some degree the religion of the “church fathers” Christianity existed in a remnant of Faithful Believers. Periodically some catholic church attendees realized Christianity and Catholicism do not mix and left, often in hiding.
Catholicism is not Christian. There has been a push for decades to overlook their doctrines and include them in the fold – ecumenicism.
The Enemy, in all its forms, found a vulnerability in denominations which effects Christianity in totality. If the top of the chain is convinced of the current trends, they being in leadership have an easier time convincing or deceiving those underneath, whether it is climate change, no borders or transgender. Unfortunately, the free-fall of the Reformation has not yet stopped. The inability of Christians to completely break from Catholicism and the error of the “church fathers” puts all Christians in a vulnerable position. The lack of unity encourages some to invent methods, additional unbiblical hierarchy and even more doctrines and theologies. The vulnerable position is a weak Christian caused by a lack of true discipleship. Preaching and discipleship not based on the Foundation the Holy Spirit put in place by the Apostles has proven very dangerous.
Denominations evolved into the same or similar model some of the “church fathers” instituted with a tiered layer of bishops, local, outlying and ultimately one bishop “above” all churches. The catholic church continued this model renaming the tiers including the overarching bishop, which is now the pope. At first denominations seemed to make sense, a larger voice and type of unity among like minded Believers. As with any organization corruption takes place. When the top of the denomination strays from the Truth it is not uncommon for churches to follow [often blindly]! When Christians rebel against (not follow) the Foundation of the Apostles trouble follows. The Enemy has infiltrated churches from the beginning for the sole purpose of destroying or nullifying Christianity.
Christians were never meant to put anyone between them and God, A Christian’s immediate and only mediator is Messiah Jesus who left the Holy Spirit inside sealing that direct link with God – 1 Timothy 2:5. Common mediators, denominational leaders, pastors, teachers, elders, and to some the pope. All Christian groups are meant to follow the 1 Corinthians 14, especially verse 26. This Foundation has error correction built-in, if the Holy Spirit is allowed full access.
I regularly read the articles on the IRD (Institute on Religion and Democracy) and keep up with the status of the Southern Baptist Convention. On the one hand I commend those trying to encourage the two largest Protestant denominations to stay on the Straight and Narrow Path but then again how long will an institution devised by Man last? Yes, I know that post-Reformation churches try to follow the basic idea of the 1st century Church but it still has too much Man in it. After researching the “church fathers” I have concluded that their writings appear to have influenced churches more than the Foundation laid by the Apostles. For some reason the “church fathers” structure, which resembles the Roman Catholic model, only has a similarity to the 1st century church. That similarity makes it dangerous and opens itself up to error and corruption. If Christians look outside the Foundation for guidance, a denomination for example, they will be misled.
A recent misdirection the Enemy injected into denominations is critical race theory (CRT).
Critical Race Theory – a bait-and-switch tactic infiltrating the Church
You might ask, should Christians feel bad or remorse for racism? Christians received a new commandment from Jesus, to love one another. Does anyone love perfectly, no? If the Enemy can convince a denomination it is evil it will be much easier to pass the guilt down to the individual Christian. CRT is a rebranding of racism, which lost it flavor, died away or disappeared. One goal of CRT is to nullify not only an individual but the whole of Christianity .
I cannot speak for all Believers but I believe that racism, any flavor, had pretty much died out. Does that mean that 100% of all Believers never struggle, no. To create more chaos, the Enemy has now injected gender identity, and all sexual deviations into the mix increasing division among all people on earth. If that does not work the Enemy has more tricks.
CLOSING REMARKS
Unfortunately, unless churches follow the model described by the Apostles they will not survive the error and corruption building up in post-Reformation churches. Start by reading Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 14 then begin to follow the Foundation described by the Apostles.
1 Corinthians 14:26 (ISV) {Maintain Order in the Church } 26 What, then, does this mean, brothers? When you gather, everyone has a psalm, teaching, revelation, other language, or interpretation. Everything must be done for upbuilding.
Acts 2:41–47 (KJV 1900) 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Pilgrimage of Truth 