The first split in Christianity came at the Council of Chalcedon. Here the difficulty was over the definition of the nature of Christ. His nature was defined as fully divine and fully human, without confusion or mixture. If, as is often suggested, the splits were based on biblical interpretation, where in the Bible is this fully human and divine stuff discussed? If it isn't there how can we maintain that different biblical interpretations caused the splits in Christianity?
Here are two sites on this topic. Both have interesting explanations.
http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=726
http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:ZGKfrN1Iw0oJ:www.copticchurch.org/Texts/Spirituals/Natofchr.pdf+where+in+the+Bible+is+the+nature+of+Christ+discussed&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us&ie=UTF-8
http://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/Biblequestions/Christianity's%20Great%20mystery.html
Many religious folks like threading needles, and one who threads it differently is a heretic. Usually, neither side is interested in attaining a Godly relationship, but more interested in power and supressing disending beliefs. This, in my opinion, was a prime motivator in the Council of Chalcedon actions.
The concept of the nature of Christ being fully divine and fully human without confusion or mixture is derived from the theological interpretation of various biblical passages. Although the specific phrase "fully divine and fully human" may not be explicitly stated in the Bible, there are several passages that support this understanding when studied and interpreted in their broader context.
1. John 1:1,14 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." This passage refers to Jesus as the "Word" or the divine Logos who existed with God and became incarnate as a human being.
2. Colossians 2:9 - "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily." This verse emphasizes the complete divine nature of Christ residing in human form.
3. Philippians 2:6-7 - "Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." This passage highlights the voluntary self-emptying of Christ, who though being in the form of God, took on human form.
4. Hebrews 1:3 - "He [Jesus] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature." This verse affirms Jesus as the exact representation of God's nature, reinforcing his divinity.
These are just a few examples of biblical passages that contribute to the understanding of Christ's dual nature. The early Christian theologians and councils, including the Council of Chalcedon, analyzed and synthesized various scriptural references to articulate the concept more explicitly.
The splits in Christianity, including the one at the Council of Chalcedon, were indeed influenced by differences in biblical interpretation. However, it is important to note that these splits were not solely caused by differences in understanding the nature of Christ but were often the result of complex historical, cultural, and political factors as well.
The interpretation of biblical passages is highly dependent on various factors like historical context, linguistic analysis, and theological frameworks. Therefore, it is crucial to consider not only the explicit words in the Bible but also the broader themes, narratives, and teachings to develop a comprehensive understanding of complex theological concepts like the nature of Christ.