The Tribalism of Denominations

“The unity of Christians lies more in their union with Christ than in complete agreement in every lesser matter.” – John Flavel

When we speak of where one goes to church or what they believe, we generally drift to what denomination they are a part of, which can be helpful for giving a rough view of what they might believe and how their church is structured. However, many of us often use it as a judgment tool, a measuring stick that shows how strict or loose they are in their convictions. This can lead to poor judgments about others and blanket statements of assumption regarding what they believe. Yet we all find in ourselves this natural drift toward denominations, or in this case, tribes. Why is that? Well, hopefully, we can walk through all the ins and outs of tribalism in regard to church denominations while also discussing the dangers and pitfalls as well.

Now, in this article, we will be defining “tribe” as “a group of people connected to one another, connected to a leader, and connected to an idea or belief.” You can easily see how this can be connected and described within the context of Christian denominations.

The Pursuit of Truth

‘For the one who is not against us is for us.’ – Mark 9:40

“Because those that differed in communion, while they agreed to fight against Satan under the banner of Christ, ought to look upon one another as on the same side, notwithstanding that difference. He that is not against us is on our part.” – Matthew Henry (commentary on Mark 9:40)

The goal of all tribalism and denominations is the pursuit of truth and like-mindedness among people. We all desire to fit in with others, particularly those who are pursuing the same goals we are. For most Christians, this boils down to the truth they find in the Bible. With the many differences in how people think and act, along with the subtle influences of culture, this can lead to various perspectives on Scripture. Just because another Christian or church has a different perspective than we do, it doesn’t mean they are right and we are wrong, nor does it mean they must be wrong. Many of our different tribes share the same core truths but focus on certain aspects of truth more than others.

Denominations and tribes are a good and necessary thing. I believe them to be the results of two things. First, the fact that we all have been given different gifts from God for the use of advancing His Kingdom on Earth. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul lays out in his letter that we have all been given different gifts for the same common good: for the building up of the bride of Christ. While one might be for the purpose of wisdom and knowledge, yet another is for faith and discernment. These are varieties of service, but all come from the same Spirit and serve the same purpose. We are of many parts, yet we belong to one body. Now, applying this to a larger perspective rather than an individual, you can see how tribalism can be useful within the Church. While many denominations appear to be vastly different in service, we are still united together as one body. You might have those who focus more on evangelism and missions, compared to the church down the road that is more concerned with discipleship and sound teaching within the body. Both are helpful and useful within the universal Church body, even if they differ from one another over small issues.

“Peace without truth is but a conspiracy against God.” – William Ames

Second reason behind denominational splits is the fact that we must contend for the faith (Jude 3). With this comes an earnest desire to safeguard the truths we observe from Scripture. Some of us might contend more for the sovereignty of God than others do. Some will contend for spiritual gifts more than others. These are things which, in one way or another, separate us physically in our views but do not divide us from the Body of Christ. If we did not gather together with like-minded people, we would never stop fighting over the faith. This would cause us a great deal of harm. Denominations are a good thing for the health of God’s people when viewed and operated correctly. This, in no way, shape, or form, gives us any opportunity to boast over one another or put others down. Remember, we have been given the overall task to build up the Church¹, not tear it down. This doesn’t mean we have to agree with everything other denominations are doing, but it does mean we should not be hostile towards them in all manners. There are great believers on both sides of the aisle.

Sin has led to truth being confused with error and many other issues, which have led others to divide and fight over issues within the faith wrongly. While some divides can be good and helpful for the body², others could very well happen in a harmful way. I think back to all the many denominations that split over the issue of slavery and having mixed congregations within that time period. While I understand the hardship of those issues and why they came about, there was never a return to one undivided body after there was repentance and a change of views later down the road. Those churches still remain split and split over things that they are no longer divided on. See how this could be harmful for the universal church.

“There is no gospel union without gospel truth.” – John Owen

The Dangers of Tribalism

‘What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” ‘ – 1 Corinthians 1:12

Splitting over minor issues can lead to a great many problems, as it brings about unnecessary schisms and divisions. Don’t mistake making secondary things the main thing or tertiary matters as if they were of greater importance³. We have a common problem of splitting and fighting over issues of tertiary importance rather than being bound together by the essentials of the faith. Choosing a church because they agree with you on secondary matters is a good thing⁴, as it allows for greater local unity. We don’t want to be fighting daily with our local brothers and sisters, nor do we want to dismiss others outside of our church altogether just because they see aspects of the faith differently than we do. All of this unnecessary splitting can lead to unhealthy competition⁵ between tribes and, even worse, a wrongful condemnation of other brothers and sisters in the body.

Let us be slow to bring charges against other tribes, but let us do so in an honest pursuit of contending for the faith once delivered to all the saints. By no means am I advocating for a false peace at the expense of truth⁶. We are right to call out and split from Catholics for their false idols and works-based salvation. We are right to condemn “Oneness” Pentecostals for their heretical views on the Trinity. We are right in our aggravation of criticizing the Anabaptists for their wrongful execution of baptism.

“We should no more tolerate false doctrine than we would tolerate sin.” – J.C.Ryle

We can get stuck in this mindset of being consumed with who and what it is that we follow, so much so that we can lose sight of Christ. The mission was never to increase and grow our name but to make much of Christ by sharing Him with the nations for the sake of His glory. Our tribes and denominations are nothing more than mere tools to help us become sharper and advance the Kingdom of God. However, when we misplace our focus on our movement rather than our mission, we can cause many to stumble⁷ within faith, not to mention harm those outside the faith as well. It is crucial that we articulate ourselves carefully during division so that we don’t cause unnecessary harm to the name of Christ. We do not want to be rejected because of our small disputes within the body of the Church. When Christians identify with a denomination over and above Jesus Christ—and His special calling to where they are—their eyes are diverted from the Leader they need most, in place of their own idolization of their tribe.

“Men are naturally more eager to promote their opinions than to preserve brotherly love.” – Jeremiah Burroughs

The Unity of the Saints

‘I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.’ – 1 Corinthians 1:10

Just because a Christian holds a contrary position to us doesn’t mean that they don’t love Jesus, prize Scripture as the highest authority, or have a passion for the lost. And it’s okay to disagree with them on matters; it doesn’t make them any more or less Christian. Our unity should be in the essentials of the Faith, not in tertiary issues. The essentials among these crucial doctrines would include doctrines such as the Trinity, the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, the resurrection, justification by faith, and the authority of Scripture, much of which finds fuller explanation in the early Church creeds such as the Nicene and Chalcedonian⁸. We should not make matters such as eschatology or methods of baptism as the main focus, as these are areas in which we have a degree of liberty.

“Satan loves to set Christians at work disputing lesser things that greater truths may be neglected.” – Thomas Brooks

When we advocate for unity among Christians, we must be careful not to do so at the loss of the truth. While unity matters, we shouldn’t open ourselves to theological suicide by allowing it to become an “anything goes” type of belief. We have certain truths that are necessary for the Church to profess, as they are clearly taught in Scripture by Christ and His Apostles. These are core doctrines; without them, there is no unity to be sought, and there must be division. We are not compromisers of the truth that God has given to us. Now, there are a few degrees of importance when weighing the matters of truth.

Level 1: The faith of the whole Church.
Level 2: The shared beliefs of a theological tradition, confessional community, or denomination.
Level 3: Issues left to the discretion of individuals or local churches.

As you can see, ultimately, most Christian denominations center their distinctness based on level 2, all while still being in union with all other true Christians on their shared beliefs on level 1. So you can see how our union with Christ brings the whole body of believers together as one universal Church, while we remain locally divided on secondary issues. This, in no way, shape, or form, makes less of our one shared faith. Socially and locally, we seem outwardly to always be divided and always bickering; however, we are never truly separated from the universal body. Being reminded of this will help prevent us from trying to devour one another. This would help us not create unnecessary stumbling blocks, pinning each other in competition, or distracting us from our mission.

“Christ is not divided, though Christians sadly are.” – John Flavel

Theological triage helps Christians discern which doctrines are essential to the faith, which shape church identity, and which belong to Christian liberty. Understanding these distinctions promotes both doctrinal fidelity and biblical unity.

Conclusion

‘Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.’ – 1 Corinthians 11:1

Humans are messy, broken, and sinful people; this is no different for the saints within the Church. Our own sinfulness can and does lead to unhealthy division within the local and global body of believers. However, as we have tried to clarify in the previous paragraphs, not all separation is sinful, nor is it truly a division at the core. There are many wrong reasons that we divide over the smallest and silliest of issues, but that doesn’t mean that every time you see a Christian describe themselves differently from another, there is no unity at all. The body of Christ is made up of many different members, gifted in various areas, all ultimately serving towards one goal. How can we compare the feet against the hands or the brain against the heart? They all serve a purpose and are in unity within the same body, though they may be divided by distance and outward appearance.

What these tribes are is not the problem, but how we relate, behave, and steward our interaction with one another must be kept in careful view. When our tribe becomes more important than loving our neighbor, it is a telling sign that we have come to idolize our likeness over our call to love others. Christians across a vast denominational range can stand together on the first-order doctrines and recognize each other as authentic Christians, while understanding that the existence of second-order disagreements prevents the closeness of fellowship we would otherwise enjoy. This in no way diminishes our unity with each other.

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” – Romans 12:18

Denominations and tribes are a good and necessary thing. It is perfectly natural to want to be with likeminded people, tribes, or, in this sense, denominations. Let us focus more on the things we share in common rather than on minor differences with secondary issues. Let us be reminded that those who are not against us are for us. Let us uphold both unity and truth while attempting to live peaceably with all. May God use you within the tribe that He has called you to for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

“In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity”