13 // Why Is There So Much Division In The Church?

In this compelling episode of "Days and Apologize," Pastor Scott Hand delves into the contentious issue of division within the Christian Church. Addressing a common concern, he explores why the plethora of denominations and differing beliefs might deter individuals from embracing Christianity. Pastor Scott navigates through the history and origins of the three major branches of Christianity—Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism—explaining their development and specific doctrinal differences.

Throughout the episode, Pastor Scott emphasizes the importance of doctrinal purity while acknowledging the practicality and necessity of certain divisions within the Church. By using historical context, biblical references, and personal anecdotes, he underscores that although some divisions are healthy and essential, many are petty and counterproductive. Listeners are encouraged to understand the significance of these distinctions while also recognizing the extensive efforts towards unity and cooperation among various Christian groups in recent years.

### Key Takeaways:

* **Historical Context and Denominations**: A deep dive into the historical origins and doctrinal distinctions of the three major Christian branches: Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism.

* **Theological Triage**: Understanding the concept of theological triage, which categorizes issues into tiers of importance, highlighting which religious differences are worth dividing over and which are not.

* **Healthy vs Unhealthy Divisions**: Distinguishing between necessary doctrinal divisions and trivial, counterproductive separations that harm the Church's unity and mission.

* **Empathy and Engagement**: Engaging skeptics by demonstrating empathy towards their concerns and helping them see the broader picture of Christian unity.

* **Biblical Basis for Division and Unity**: Emphasizing the biblical mandate for unity within the Church and the importance of adhering to sound doctrine.

### Notable Quotes:

1. "There are over 45,000 denominations of the Christian church globally. That blew my mind."

2. "There are times when separation is necessary, when division is needed over doctrinal differences."

3. "One of our most missional proclamations of the gospel to the world is how we treat one another."

4. "We strive to obey the commandment Jesus gives in John 13... By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another."

5. "The world looks at \[trivial divisions] and laughs at us. We need to understand that when that kind of stuff happens in our churches, we become a laughingstock to the world."

### Resources:

* **Gospel Coalition Article**: Mentioned by Pastor Scott Hand as a detailed resource for understanding church divisions.

* **Pew Research Center**: Referenced statistics on Eastern Orthodox (260 million), Roman Catholics (1.2 billion), and Protestants (over 1 billion) globally.

* **Quick Guide to Christian Denominations*** by Trevin Wax: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/quick-guide-christian-denominations/

Stay tuned to this episode of "Days and Apologize" for an educational and enlightening discussion, helping you better understand the complexities of church divisions and the importance of unity in faith.