Denomination Dissatisfaction
Posted: September 9th, 2007, 8:23 pmRecently I've been going through a period of dissatisfaction with denominations, particularly Protestantism in general. It is discouraging that Protestantism is so split up over just the tiniest details. You think believers should be baptized through full immersion instead of sprinkling? Start a new denomination. Predestination versus free will? Start a new denomination. Think priests should be called pastors or reverends or grand poobahs? Start a new denomination.
I've grown up in Protestantism. We were Methodist until I was ten, then went to two different Southern Baptist churches, then a non-denominational-but-really-Southern-Baptist church, and I'm presently attending a Presbyterian church (PCA). However, I've always been very aware that Protestantism isn't everything. My dad grew up Catholic. half of my closest friends are Catholic. I've always been interested in history, so I have a basic knowledge of the Catholic/Orthodox schism.
I guess what I'm writing about, is that I feel lost. For my basic faith I believe in mere Christianity, but for theology I have these problems. I don't feel like the Protestant denominations have authority. I could ask three different people from three different denominations about one verse and get three different answers that are right because Sola Scriptura means you can interpret scripture as you will. Then everyone likes to ignore James, because you can't fit "faith without works is dead" with 'Faith alone'.
So I've been looking into Catholicism and Orthodoxy. And I've accepted as possible many of the teachings that Protestants usually can't handle, like the ever-virginity of Mary, and even the Immaculate Conception to some extent (and I, unlike many of my Protestant acquaintances, actually know what the Immaculate Conception is)
The main problems I have boil down to this: For Catholicism, the supremacy of the Pope. For Orthodoxy, what seems to be a denial of original sin and an acceptance of other ways to God except through Christ. Again, Orthodoxy is probably what I know least about.
I would appreciate any thoughts Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants alike have.
I've grown up in Protestantism. We were Methodist until I was ten, then went to two different Southern Baptist churches, then a non-denominational-but-really-Southern-Baptist church, and I'm presently attending a Presbyterian church (PCA). However, I've always been very aware that Protestantism isn't everything. My dad grew up Catholic. half of my closest friends are Catholic. I've always been interested in history, so I have a basic knowledge of the Catholic/Orthodox schism.
I guess what I'm writing about, is that I feel lost. For my basic faith I believe in mere Christianity, but for theology I have these problems. I don't feel like the Protestant denominations have authority. I could ask three different people from three different denominations about one verse and get three different answers that are right because Sola Scriptura means you can interpret scripture as you will. Then everyone likes to ignore James, because you can't fit "faith without works is dead" with 'Faith alone'.
So I've been looking into Catholicism and Orthodoxy. And I've accepted as possible many of the teachings that Protestants usually can't handle, like the ever-virginity of Mary, and even the Immaculate Conception to some extent (and I, unlike many of my Protestant acquaintances, actually know what the Immaculate Conception is)
The main problems I have boil down to this: For Catholicism, the supremacy of the Pope. For Orthodoxy, what seems to be a denial of original sin and an acceptance of other ways to God except through Christ. Again, Orthodoxy is probably what I know least about.
I would appreciate any thoughts Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants alike have.