Poteau, Oklahoma.
A town of nearly 8,000 people. The seat of LeFlore County. Home of the world's tallest hill. Home of forty-two churches.
Forty-two churches comprised of some 19 differing denominations (not including the hodge podge of non-denominational churches). Realize this fact; if you have never been to Poteau you'll know you're there when you see steeple after steeple after steeple. If your coming from the North you immediately see one pentecostal church, two non-denominational churches, a multi-racial church (thats what their signs says), and a LDS church. Coming to Poteau off the bypass will bring you right past two of Poteau's biggest churches; a southern baptist and church of christ. If you come into Poteau through the old highway you see three churches all in a row; souther baptist, 1st christian, and presbyterian.
Forty-two churches with forty-two different opinions about one main subject; Christianity. Forty-two varying opinions over communion, eschatology, soteriology, prophecy, baptism, and many many other topics.
So, what has me thinking about forty-two churches?
One, does any one else think that its absurd that a town of 8,000 people has forty-two churches? Especially when one considers the fact that only 1/3 of Poteau's population goes to church! Lest we also forget how many people who do go to church from Poteau leave LeFlore county to attend church across the state line in Ft. Smith.
Two, when the ministerial alliance meets together at their monthly meeting how can 42 churches all claim to be of one mind and heart. For the sake of discussion, we'll say that all churches of the same denomination think and practice theology alike.
So then, how can 20 different denominations in Poteau all claim to be of one mind and heart. These groups may come together and say that fundamentally they all believe the same thing. However, they may phrase things the same, but what the distinct wording means to each group is different. When the preacher from the Church of Christ speaks of salvation he means a salvation dependent on man's choice to respond to God's offer, however, the one who comes to salvation can freely walk away from salvation as well. The minister from the Southern Baptist Church speaks of salvation as where it's dependent on the person to respond to God, but the person can do nothing to lose or walk away from said salvation. Furthermore, the presbyterian pastor speaks of salvation as something totally dependent on God for who he chooses to save and who he chooses will be damned. Just on this one topic, three different denominations all have different ideas of who Jesus is and how he saves. Don't even get started asking what role Baptism does or doesn't play in salvationto these same people.
Three, Poteau is just a microcosm of the bigger picture around the world today. Current stats tell us that there are some 30,000 different denominations (God knows what that number would look like if you counted every individual independent non-denominational church as its own denomination). 30,000 denominations that have been forming and re-forming ever since the reformation five centuries ago. It looks as simple as this to me; the issue comes down to tradition.
Every body and their brother is trying to interpret the Bible without tradition because they believe tradition is bad and it keeps you from fully understanding the Bible. However, when you have nothing to help you interpret the Bible except your knowledge and pre-conceived notions you end up with a million different opinions. Since everyone thinks that their opinion and interpretation of the Bible is the right one they go off and start their own church or denomination since they think every one is wrong and they're right. It started with Luther's followers in Germany and became a slippery slope of other's who decided their personal interpretation was the only correct one and some 500 years later we have over 30,000 different denominations set up on the premise that the way they look at the scriptures is correct. All of these denominations say they are being led by the Holy Spirit, yet, how does the Holy Spirit lead so many thousands of groups into different answers. Either the Holy Spirit can't make up his mind about sound doctrine, has a split personality, or not everyone "led of the Spirit" has been.
Tradition is essential to interpreting the Bible. For 1500 years the one church, Catholic/Orthodox used tradition hand in hand with scripture. They understood the importance of tradition. This isn't some sort of doctrine that was invented after Christianity was made the religion of the empire in the 300's as many suppose. This teaching goes all the way back to the time of the Apostles. St. Paul told the believers as Thessalonica...
2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by ourspoken word or by our letter.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
What are these traditions that Paul speaks of? They are both teachings that were handed down orally and written. The written tradition we have before us now as the Bible and the non-canonized teachings of the church Fathers. The oral traditions are the teachings that the Church has held for 2000 years without reservation that aren't formally defined in scripture i.e. the assumtion of Mary.
Some may ask, well didn't Jesus condemn traditions in Matthew? Yes, but look, he condemned the traditions of man! Why would Jesus condemn tradition, but inspire Paul to tell believers to follow tradition? It's all a matter of where your tradition comes from. You don't have to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
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