So reads the title of an insightful analysis by Brett McCracken published in Relevant Magazine recently. It outlines the most divisive issues among Christians. It is poignant, helpful. And it is altogether misleading.
Don’t get me wrong, I actually consider it the perfect starting place to think about differences among Christians. It contains a certain implication, however, that these are the only six factors dividing Christians. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The one thing I know after 2.1 months of this is exactly how much I don’t know about the multi-faceted ways Christians disagree. I seem to have barely broken the surface of the fine theological points on which Presbyterians differ from Methodists – not to mention all the other denominations!
For instance, I spent 2 hours on the disc golf course yesterday breaking down the finer points of predestination and Presbyterian church governance with the youth director. See previous post, but Presbys say God has decided long ago who will enter the kingdom of heaven, while Methos talk more about free will and prevenient grace (which is a whole different conversation).
As for the organization of the church, Presbyterians’ entire philosophy is different (more democratic), believing that no one person should hold any power. Rather, they have committees “teams” at every level of the hierarchy. Methodists, conversely, have individuals in charge at almost every level, though they make decisions as a group. Catholics, of course, are even more accountable to their solitary superiors (Pope, anyone?), and of course Baptists and nondenominational churches just don’t want anything to do with all of that church governance mumbo jumbo.
Or maybe we should talk about baptism? If you are baptized in a Methodist or Presbyterian church as a baby, that doesn’t count if you later join a Baptist church. In fact, I double-dipped when I joined a Baptist church in middle school. Even where churches recognize one another’s baptism, that baptism means different things – for some it is the be-all-end-all, and for others it is but the first step in sanctification.
How about those Ten Commandments? Are they a guide for how to demonstrate gratitude (Presbyterian) or a way to recognize our conviction and sinfulness (Lutheran)?
The specifics of end times? Human depravity? Who receives Communion? Biblical literalism?
When it comes to the specifics of theology among different denominations, you can easily lose any remnant of sanity. Or any motivation to continue thinking about it.
Yet, McCracken also published an article called “The 6 Things that Unite Christians.” My question to you is this: Which is more important?
Do you even care about the specific reasons that denominations divide?
Are the unifying factors enough for your faith?
Are there some things that offer legitimate reason to divide (e.g. the “big six”) and others that shouldn’t matter?
Life Reconciling 
I prefer to focus on unity! Can we find 6 things that unite humanity? Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Pagans, all of the other religious philosophies and atheists? Can we agree that a good goal is to love your fellow human as you love yourself? Or maybe, “thou shalt not judge lest ye also…”? (Sorry, these come from the Christian tradition that I am most familiar with). I think that if we were all able to practice just these two things, the world would be a better place! Maybe a commitment to forgive others would also be helpful!
I think that it is important to note our differences, yet to also have a healthy conversation about our similarities. There are many things that we can agree upon between faith traditions and band together to accomplish from service to study. However, I think that our identity revolves around our differences. In many ways they are small (at least to some) but they can also be huge divisive issues. Ignoring the differences does not help anyone. Highlighting them in a respectful and healthy fashion helps me to better know who I am and be more intentional about the faith tradition that I am a part of. To me this is a large piece of discipleship. While there are many folks who go to a church because they like the feel and the people, there are also many people who are looking for a deeper and more intellectual and yes – theological approach to faith.