BINOMIALISM - NAME CONSISTING OF A GENERIC AND SPECIFIC TERM
This is, of course, a scientific term for the type of naming that scientists do. “Homo sapiens”, for example, is the binomial name for humans. This in and of itself has caused some problems for Christians because of the fact that different species (that is the second part) can sometimes breed. The wolf and the domesticated dog have been mated to produce mixes. Scientists have tried to use these occurrences to prove evolution, and to throw doubt on the Biblical account of creation and the flood. The Bible, however, never says anything about “genus” and “species”; rather it speaks of kinds which is broader than the “species” that we know today. A wolf and a dog are two separate species, but they are the same kind. But, we want to look at a spiritual application.
From a spiritual point of view, Binomialism could refer to the way many who claim to be Christians aren’t satisfied with wearing the name of Christ and only the name of Christ. There are many that claim to be some ‘kind’ of Christian. Many use their denominations name along with Christ’s. Others try to describe some distinction between themselves and others. We have probably heard terms like: Evangelical Christian, Protestant Christian, or Pentecostal Christian. We often hear the question, “What kind of Christian are you?”. The reply may be: Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, etc. Paul condemned this type of thinking when he wrote to the church in Corinth. (1 Cor 1:10-13) “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. {11} For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. {12} Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. {13} Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
If ever unity is to exist we must, among other things, first stop using man made names and titles and stick to what God has given us in his word. We seem to want to insist on this use of man made distinctions, however. We have: non-institutional or anti- churches, one-cup churches, black churches, white churches, liberal churches, mainstream churches, conservative churches, ultra-conservative churches, etc. We must continually ask ourselves as Paul asked the Corinthians, “Is Christ divided”. I am not in any way advocating union without regard to doctrine, quite to the contrary I am emphasizing that we can never truly be the church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ until we give up human names and doctrines and fully embrace his name and doctrine.
This is, of course, a scientific term for the type of naming that scientists do. “Homo sapiens”, for example, is the binomial name for humans. This in and of itself has caused some problems for Christians because of the fact that different species (that is the second part) can sometimes breed. The wolf and the domesticated dog have been mated to produce mixes. Scientists have tried to use these occurrences to prove evolution, and to throw doubt on the Biblical account of creation and the flood. The Bible, however, never says anything about “genus” and “species”; rather it speaks of kinds which is broader than the “species” that we know today. A wolf and a dog are two separate species, but they are the same kind. But, we want to look at a spiritual application.
From a spiritual point of view, Binomialism could refer to the way many who claim to be Christians aren’t satisfied with wearing the name of Christ and only the name of Christ. There are many that claim to be some ‘kind’ of Christian. Many use their denominations name along with Christ’s. Others try to describe some distinction between themselves and others. We have probably heard terms like: Evangelical Christian, Protestant Christian, or Pentecostal Christian. We often hear the question, “What kind of Christian are you?”. The reply may be: Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, etc. Paul condemned this type of thinking when he wrote to the church in Corinth. (1 Cor 1:10-13) “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. {11} For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. {12} Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. {13} Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
If ever unity is to exist we must, among other things, first stop using man made names and titles and stick to what God has given us in his word. We seem to want to insist on this use of man made distinctions, however. We have: non-institutional or anti- churches, one-cup churches, black churches, white churches, liberal churches, mainstream churches, conservative churches, ultra-conservative churches, etc. We must continually ask ourselves as Paul asked the Corinthians, “Is Christ divided”. I am not in any way advocating union without regard to doctrine, quite to the contrary I am emphasizing that we can never truly be the church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ until we give up human names and doctrines and fully embrace his name and doctrine.
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