Bible Study - Criticizing other Denominations and Groups?

Bible Study: Should We Criticize Other Denominations and Groups?

In a recent Bible study, I read a question that I had received from a student in an email in 2006 when I was a campus pastor. He wrote: “I am doing a paper on the Christian faith and its denominations. One main point in my paper is that we all share the same basic beliefs, and therefore, should not criticize each other, as is commonly seen and heard. I was wondering if I could get a brief overview of your outlook on this situation.”

We talked about this question a little, in our study, and I thought it might be helpful to give more of a response, in what I wrote back to the student and with some additional comments for all of us.

Dear           , I would agree that there is one holy Christian and apostolic Church, as we say in the Nicene Creed, which includes all true believers in the one true Triune God and in the saving work of Jesus, by God’s grace alone. There are essential Christian beliefs, and there are people who hold to these beliefs, from numerous Christian denominations and groups, who are already or will be in heaven, when they die.

At the same time, we read in the Bible that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful” (2 Timothy 3:16), and we are to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), and to “Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the doctrine you have been taught” (Romans 16:17).

A problem with too many denominations and especially with non-denominational churches and parachurch groups is that they want to take Christianity to the lowest common denominator and ignore much of Scripture or say it doesn’t really matter what you believe about many issues.

Those who call themselves Christian do not all believe all the same things. Some would say on moral issues, for example, that homosexual behavior and LGBTQ activity and actions or abortion are acceptable, while others, including our conservative Lutheran churches, would condemn such activity, on the basis of Scripture, and others would just avoid taking a stand on such issues.

On issues of doctrine, some would say, for example, that baptizing infants and children, as well as adults, is Scriptural and important, as our conservative Lutheran church does. Others would say that baptism is only for adult believers, and some would say it doesn’t matter what one believes about this. Closely related to this would be questions about whether an infant or child is sinful or has a sinful nature or is not accountable for sins until a certain age - and what age?

Take also the issue of Communion (or the Lord’s Supper). Some use an open communion policy, welcome to all, and it doesn’t matter what you believe about Communion, while Scripture says that one could actually sin taking Communion the wrong way (1 Corinthians 11:27).

Closely related, are Baptism and Communion called Sacraments (Means or Channels of God’s grace, with the Lord bringing forgiveness and grace and blessings to us, as conservative Lutherans say) or are these just ordinances, simply some things we do to show our faith and obey God’s laws?

I could go on and on about genuine differences among various groups and denominations. Some would say, though, “Just believe in Jesus” and nothing else matters. But how does belief itself come? Is faith a gift from God, worked by the Holy Spirit through His gifts of the Word and Baptism? Or do we come to faith by our own choice and decision, as an act of our own will, before we can be acceptable to God?

All these and more are important issues, in our view, and it is therefore important to take Scripture seriously and stand up for what it says, even though that means criticizing some ideas and positions of others. There are many warnings in Scripture about false teachers and wrong ideas (1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, and 4:1-5, 1 John 4:1-6, etc.). We are to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:14-15) and “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15, 2 Timothy 2:24-26), but we are to speak the truth - as one finds Jesus and Paul and Peter others doing, in Scripture (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

May we all seek “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27 - and look at v.28-32) and stay close to Christ our Savior and His Word, which is truth (John 8:31-23, 17:17). One last thought. We want to speak the truth to others with whom we disagree and who are drifting from God’s Word, as we understand it. But realize that every time we hear or study God’s Word, we are also subjecting ourselves to criticism, for we are hearing both Law and Gospel. The Law criticizes us and shows us our own sins since we are far from perfect. As Jesus says in Matthew 7:3-5, we need to be open to that criticism of ourselves and our churches, too, and the call for us also to repent, where we are falling short. Thank the Lord for also providing us the Gospel and the sure forgiveness through Christ of our own sins, as we confess our sins and ask the Lord to forgive us, too.