Why have different groups of Christians formed?

Answer 1

The Bible is a long text. It is in two parts. The two parts, in some respects, are very different from each other, in others are the same. It is interpretation that creates divisions. Is Genesis an allegory, or is that exactly as it happened? Should we give our wealth to God, or to the poor? Should we flog ourselves because there is suffering, or try to find an alternative explanation to punishment from God? Can God be understood? All these questions, and more, will shape the beliefs of people.

Some people are fundamentalists and would say that if, in the Bible, it says something, Thou must do it. Some are more flexible. They allow gay marriage and the teaching of other religions even though it is well within their power to stop it and crush the gentiles. This is the variety. Some go to church, some form a loose church, some don't go to church at all. Some worship in song, others in prayer, others by serving. Even though two people are of the same branch of Christianity, even they may have different views: are women inferior to men? The general consensus is 'no', but there are increasingly more people who find an alternative explanation or passage.

Also, we may stumble upon some outlawed books which may be worthy of the Bible, but were discounted as outrageous, like Paul and Thecla, in which a women ready to be married, hears the words of Paul, and then casts off her marital responsibilities to follow God. Outrageous! How dare a woman choose her own path and not her husband who has governance over her? This is where there is ground for argument.

Therefore, due to multiple interpretations of the same text, people find grounds to disagree, forming their own slightly different groups, though still with the same fundamental belief.

Additional explanation:Not withstanding the above answer; which has some truth to it;

We should not discount what the Apostle Paul said in Acts 20:30: "Some of your own men will come forward and say things that distort the truth. They will do this to lure disciples into following them." (GWT)

Therefore, while the above answer reflects some innocence; the Bible also describes 'wolves, in sheep's clothing' with a more deceptive purpose. This should not be discounted.

For example:Regarding the religious holiday custom of Christmas: 1) The Bible does not indicate the date of Jesus' birth. 2) The early Christians did NOT celebrate Christmas.

Those two points are just plain factual. It has nothing to do with any 'scripture interpretation' what-so-ever.

History reveals how customs like Christmas; and beliefs like 'the Trinity'; and the 'immortality of the soul' were introduced into Christendom long after the early Christians, whom history reveals did not believe in either. But now 'interpretation' was EMPLOYED by Constantine and others, to introduce these things into religion that was obviously different from the first Christians. Existing scriptures were somehow twisted; people fell victim; and you have a whole bunch of NEW customs / beliefs.