Says the Catholic Church, that's who!
Denominationalism is an ideology which views some or all Christian groups as being, in some sense, versions of the same thing regardless of their distinguishing labels. Not all churches teach this. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches do not use this term as its implication of interchangeability does not agree with their theological teachings.
And...
The term denomination was innovated in the late seventeenth century by those groups of Christians in England who dissented from the established Church of England but considered themselves to be entirely loyal to the British state and recognized the monarch as having rights with respect to the Church of England.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/denomination
So tell me again how the Catholic Church doesn't meet the definition above. Thanks.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . . .
So . . . doctrine defines denomniationalism! LOL.
I think most Americans would be quite surprised to read that. Denomination for them has become a very generic term.
Welllll, Romans are certainly entitled to think of themselves as they see fit . . . as are all groups.
However, most Christians in the USA will likely continue to consider the Roman church one of many Christian denominations. Haughtiness on the part of Romans about being "loftier than thou" will not change the meaning of "denomination" for most Christians and probably for most western citizens.
No huge thing to me . . . in a lot of respects. Though pride in human aspects of RELIGION has routinely been eventually disciplined most harshly by God Almighty throughout the ages.
Certainly it will be so again in this END TIMES age.
BTW, NO organization of man impresses me a great deal.
The Vatican was interesting and impressive as far as buildings go. I found some of the art works interesting, indeed. And the vastness of St Peters was fun. But buildings and art are chaff. Wood, hay, stubble. The Pieta is chaff. The beautiful dome is chaff. The high altar is chaff.
The Pharisees and Saducees of Jesus' dusty pathed days were quite intent on Lording it over others; on being loftier than others; on being more "perfectly righteous" than others; on being more "right" than others; on having the 'inside track' with God.
Yet, God Himself called them children of satan and white-washed tombs.
I take that as an exceedingly important warning about becoming puffed up regarding individual supposed accomplishments, stations in life, positions, organizations, whatever.
The only thing that matters is WHAT IS GOD DOING WITH ME IN THIS SITUATION NOW. WHAT IS HIS HIGHEST WITH ME IN THIS SITUATION NOW?
Past is history. God is interested in my obedience NOW. God is interested in my humility NOW.
God has a habit of pulling or applying anointing in a flash for whatever seconds seem fitting TO HIM.
I can't find an unbroken record in all of Scripture where GOD HIMSELF allowed persistently wayward spiritual leaders to continue walking unfettered, undisciplined in His blessings and anointing. And there are plenty of examples of Him lifting the anointing and even of ending a lineage because folks began to be proud; immoral; do their own thing instead of God's thing, etc.
The Roman group/denomination is no different on this score from any other. ALL ARE EQUAL BEFORE THE CROSS.
God will be making this abundantly clear supernaturally in this era. But those who discern such sooner will be ahead to have done so.