Is it a Lust for Power?

A recent post I found of great interest which sought to determine the role of personalities in what I consider the "break-up" of Christianity through the use of denominations. I too have often wondered why we, as Christian soldiers, are the only army of consequence that seeks to destroy it's own wounded and condemn the innocent and unlearned. I refuse to point fingers at any one "denomination" as having been the cause for so many professing Christians to behave in such contrast to Christ. That is, to me, a consequence, not the problem. I would love to identify a single cause for the development of denominations so that there could then be a single solution to the problem but I am aware that is simplistic. I do however perceive that the differences that are so clearly identified in denominations were in place for at least two hundred years prior to their own existence. Men have always abandoned the teachings of Jesus and labeled one another heretics, fighting desperately to defend what they wanted to believe rather than confirm it to themselves. At times it seems love is selective or even altogether absent. So was there a defining moment when these differences gave birth to what we now call denominations?

I understand that the Truth of God's Word was and is revealed to man through a power not of men. It seems that men, not content to rely on or trust in this power, empowered themselves through barbaric means to force their truth on other men. I perceive that for some the cause was not nearly so noble having only greed at heart. Their methods and the consequence were alike. I believe that lust for power as well as the attitudes that spawn it are alive and well today. Would you force your beliefs on others if you could?

View an excellent work by Matt on this topic