Christians agree on the gospel essentials (Christ, his death and resurrection, salvation by grace through faith) but disagree on secondary matters (church government, sacraments, eschatology, worship style). This is because Christians are finite and fallen, the Bible is rich, and some questions are genuinely difficult. Diversity within unity is normal.
“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit... One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all.”
“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
“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 though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
“For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us.”
“If Christianity is true, Christians shouldn't disagree.”
This expects too much. Christians are finite, fallen, and culturally situated. Scripture is rich, sometimes complex. Disagreement on secondary matters is expected. What matters is agreement on essentials (Christ, gospel). And Christians do agree on essentials across denominations. The Nicene Creed has united orthodox Christians for 1,700 years.
“Denominations show Christianity is fragmented.”
Diversity is not necessarily fragmentation. Most major Christian traditions affirm the same gospel and creeds. Differences are often about emphasis, practice, and secondary doctrine. The body of Christ has many members (1 Corinthians 12). Unity in essentials and diversity in expressions is biblical, not failure.
“You can't trust the Bible if Christians read it differently.”
The Bible is clear on essentials (salvation, gospel, Christ); careful interpretation is needed on some secondary matters. This is what Christian tradition has always taught (perspicuity of Scripture on what is necessary). Different readings often reflect different priorities or contexts, not the Bible's unreliability.
Christians agree on the gospel essentials and disagree on secondary matters. This is normal. The disagreement does not invalidate Christianity. Focus on what unites: Christ, his death and resurrection, salvation by grace through faith. Hold secondary matters with conviction but charity. Investigate Christianity through the gospel, not through every internal debate.
The historic Christian faith confesses: God exists as Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); Christ is fully God and fully man; he died for sins and rose bodily; salvation is by grace through faith in him; Scripture is God's word; the church is his people; he will return to judge. The Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed capture these essentials. Across Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions, these are confessed.
Historical reasons (Reformation, missions, ethnic origins), theological reasons (different reads of Scripture), cultural reasons (worship styles, language), governance reasons (episcopal, presbyterian, congregational). Some divisions are unfortunate; others reflect genuine convictions worth holding. The body of Christ has many expressions; unity in essentials is more important than uniformity in everything.
All orthodox denominations confess the same gospel. Find a Bible-believing church that preaches Christ, teaches Scripture, practices the sacraments faithfully, and helps you grow as a disciple. Consider your theological convictions (what does Scripture seem to teach on baptism, communion, etc.?). Don't make denominational choice an idol; make Christ the center. A faithful local church is more important than the denomination it belongs to.
No. Disagreement among finite, fallen humans about a rich text is expected. What would be strange is uniformity on every detail. The unity that matters — confession of Christ and his gospel — is widespread across orthodox Christianity. Don't reject Christianity because Christians differ; investigate Christ himself.