Why Christians Disagree

Vince · Feb 20, 2019

I am new here. Hope to stay a while.

My question to Christians is why do Christians disagree on so much? I hear Christians say all the time that god speaks to them. If this is true, why would he not say the same thing to each person and clear up the differences in biblical interpretation? It even goes to the core of the gospel, how people are saved.

Windmillcharge · Feb 21, 2019

Depends what is meant by disagree. Yes Christians are a diverse bunch with many views about life, the universe, politics, sport and Christianity.
Yes there are many disagreements among us, but there are also many agrements about what is esential and what is nonesential.

Vince · Feb 21, 2019

Many Christians disagree on how we are saved. Some say we are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus, some say we are saved by works, some say God saves all, some say god picks who is saved, some say you choose to be saved etc. etc. The issue of salvation should be clear and if it is not then why won't God clear it up? Christians cannot decide how to be saved how would I know how to be saved? The Bible teaches free will and predestination so I cannot even go to the bible to get a straight answer. So how is it my fault that I am not saved?

marks · Feb 21, 2019

Ephesians 4
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

We all need to grow up.

Oh, and the Bible is clear, IMO, but people complicate it, because they don't feel special enough, and they want to feel more special, among other reasons.

But Jesus is simple and plain, come to me all you who are weary and heavily burdened. He will give rest to those who come to him. You don't even really need to care about the calvinist debate, or the rapture debate, or whatever, plenty of time for that, but for now, it's just a matter of "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead."

Do you believe Jesus is your rightful master? Did God raise Jesus from the dead?

Much love!
Mark

Vince · Feb 21, 2019

marks said:
Ephesians 4
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

We all need to grow up.

Oh, and the Bible is clear, IMO, but people complicate it, because they don't feel special enough, and they want to feel more special, among other reasons.

But Jesus is simply and plain, come to me all you who are weary and heavily burdened. He will give rest to those who come to him. You don't even really need to care about the calvinist debate, or the rapture debate, or whatever, plenty of time for that, but for now, it's just a matter of "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead."

Do you believe Jesus is your rightful master? Did God raise Jesus from the dead?

Much love!
Mark

This is my point. You have your idea of salvation and say it is biblical and others have a different idea and say it is biblical. Some would say repentance is required you don't require it. Shouldn't non believers at least be told a coherent message on the main points of Christianity?

marks · Feb 21, 2019

Vince said:
This is my point. You have your idea of salvation and say it is biblical and others have a different idea and say it is biblical. Some would say repentance is required you don't require it. Shouldn't non believers at least be told a coherent message on the main points of Christianity?

What is Biblical is this:

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Romans 10:8-11 "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

John 3:14-18 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 1:11-13 "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Not my words, God's Words.

If you choose, you can make them of no effect. But if you believe, and you receive, according to this word, then you can be born again.

Much love!
Mark

Windmillcharge · Feb 21, 2019

Vince said:
Many Christians disagree on how we are saved. Some say we are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus, some say we are saved by works, some say God saves all, some say god picks who is saved, some say you choose to be saved etc. etc. The issue of salvation should be clear and if it is not then why won't God clear it up? Christians cannot decide how to be saved how would I know how to be saved? The Bible teaches free will and predestination so I cannot even go to the bible to get a straight answer. So how is it my fault that I am not saved?

The bible is clear we ae saved through faith in Jesus.

amadeus · Feb 21, 2019

Vince said:
I am new here. Hope to stay a while.

My question to Christians is why do Christians disagree on so much? I hear Christians say all the time that god speaks to them. If this is true, why would he not say the same thing to each person and clear up the differences in biblical interpretation? It even goes to the core of the gospel, how people are saved.

Christian believers disagree for the same reasons that natural little children disagree. Sometimes both sides are in error. Sometimes one is in error and the other is right. Sometimes both sides are right but they simply are unable to properly communicate. Real believers begin like natural children and the growth of natural children is a type or shadow of that real growth toward God. Immature people have wrong answers but when they strive in the correct way they will mature. A good natural parent will know how to best help his natural offspring to move toward maturity. It is similar [not precisely as it is a type or shadow rather the reality] with a newly converted follower of God and Jesus. However God, unlike natural parents, never makes mistakes. Only God always has all of the correct answers to all of the questions. His real children are called sheep:

"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers." John 10:4-5

When a sheep is only a little lamb, it can and does misunderstand or like a little child who is learning to understand and communicate in the language of his natural parents. We are not born able to accurate communicate. We must grow to maturity... Mature sheep "know his voice" They follow him.
Not all sheep are the same in their rate of growth nor are the same in the function they are to perform when and if they ever become mature in the Body of Christ.

Vince · Feb 21, 2019

amadeus said:
Christian believers disagree for the same reasons that natural little children disagree. Sometimes both sides are in error. Sometimes one is in error and the other is right. Sometimes both sides are right but they simply are unable to properly communicate. Real believers begin like natural children and the growth of natural children is a type or shadow of that real growth toward God. Immature people have wrong answers but when they strive in the correct way they will mature. A good natural parent will know how to best help his natural offspring to move toward maturity. It is similar [not precisely as it is a type or shadow rather the reality] with a newly converted follower of God and Jesus. However God, unlike natural parents, never makes mistakes. Only God always has all of the correct answers to all of the questions. His real children are called sheep:

"And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers." John 10:4-5

When a sheep is only a little lamb, it can and does misunderstand or like a little child who is learning to understand and communicate in the language of his natural parents. We are not born able to accurate communicate. We must grow to maturity... Mature sheep "know his voice" They follow him.
Not all sheep are the same in their rate of growth nor are the same in the function they are to perform when and they ever become mature in the Body of Christ.

Then how can anyone know how to be saved. Christians have muddied the waters about salvation. If God wants all to be saved as the bible says then why doesn't he clear this up somehow? You can tell me how to be saved, then another Christian tells me a different way to be saved.

Vince · Feb 21, 2019

Windmillcharge said:
The bible is clear we ae saved through faith in Jesus.

How about repentance? Is this required? Some say yes, some say no. ScottA says he has direct knowledge of God, is he saved because he no longer has faith but direct knowledge?

amadeus · Feb 21, 2019

Vince said:
Then how can anyone know how to be saved. Christians have muddied the waters about salvation. If God wants all to be saved as the bible says then why doesn't he clear this up somehow? You can tell me how to be saved, then another Christian tells me a different way to be saved.

How much and what of help does the natural parent provide a crawling toddler as opposed to a budding teenager?

When you listen to a man, be it me or another, if you are sincere in your desire to approach God, also ask of God. What we, the men, may have told you wrong, God will correct when He sees it is right to correct it. Someone asking amiss as per James 4:3, will remain very much amiss and not even see the right road on which to walk.

"And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein." Isaiah 35:8

God does want to clear our vision so that we can see the right road and walk on it, but how and why we ask are really the most important things at the start.

What is it that you are seeking? A church building? A nice group of folks? A way to keep from burning? And so on the questions of men may go...
What is that God wants to hear?
What does a good natural father want to hear from his natural child?

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Prov 4:23

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt 6:33

Waiting on him · Feb 21, 2019

Vince said:
I am new here. Hope to stay a while.

My question to Christians is why do Christians disagree on so much? I hear Christians say all the time that god speaks to them. If this is true, why would he not say the same thing to each person and clear up the differences in biblical interpretation? It even goes to the core of the gospel, how people are saved.

No scripture is open to a private interpretation. This means we shouldn’t read it in a self centered perspective. This is why an atheist cannot comprehend.

Vince · Feb 21, 2019

Waiting on him said:
No scripture is open to a private interpretation. This means we shouldn’t read it in a self centered perspective. This is why an atheist cannot comprehend.

Why do you think atheists are self centered?

FatalMoves · Feb 21, 2019

Vince said:
Many Christians disagree on how we are saved. Some say we are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus, some say we are saved by works, some say God saves all, some say god picks who is saved, some say you choose to be saved etc. etc. The issue of salvation should be clear and if it is not then why won't God clear it up? Christians cannot decide how to be saved how would I know how to be saved? The Bible teaches free will and predestination so I cannot even go to the bible to get a straight answer. So how is it my fault that I am not saved?

There are also a great deal of biblical topics that Christian's disagree on. I'll pick one.

The rapture

Is there a rapture or not?

Waiting on him · Feb 21, 2019

Vince said:
Why do you think atheists are self centered?

Because your focus is self and not your fellow man

Enoch111 · Feb 21, 2019

Vince said:
I am new here. Hope to stay a while.

What's an Atheist doing on a Christian forum? Not that everyone is not welcome, but what's the agenda?

Of all places, San Antonio, Texas has an Atheist Agenda:
The Atheist Agenda is an organization founded in 2005 by group of atheists from the University of Texas at San Antonio. The group is dedicated to the philosophy of freethought, as well as promoting aggressive activism against theology and theological institutions, encouraging non-believers to take pride in their history and community...

Vince said:
My question to Christians is why do Christians disagree on so much?

Lot's of reasons. But they should be a little concern to Atheists.

Nancy · Feb 21, 2019

Vince said:
Many Christians disagree on how we are saved. Some say we are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus, some say we are saved by works, some say God saves all, some say god picks who is saved, some say you choose to be saved etc. etc. The issue of salvation should be clear and if it is not then why won't God clear it up? Christians cannot decide how to be saved how would I know how to be saved? The Bible teaches free will and predestination so I cannot even go to the bible to get a straight answer. So how is it my fault that I am not saved?

Hi Vince, welcome to the forum,
I will only say to keep your eyes off of other Christians, ask God (sincerely) to show YOU the truth and see what He says about your salvation-through His word. IMHO

Episkopos · Feb 21, 2019

Vince said:
I am new here. Hope to stay a while.

My question to Christians is why do Christians disagree on so much? I hear Christians say all the time that god speaks to them. If this is true, why would he not say the same thing to each person and clear up the differences in biblical interpretation? It even goes to the core of the gospel, how people are saved.

People underestimate God and the depth of His calling. It's like the elephant in the dark room analogy. Everybody tries to judge God and the Christian life by the little teeny bit of experience they have....or lack thereof. Errors ensue. Add pride to that....and you have the history of the church,

Nancy · Feb 21, 2019

Vince said:
Then how can anyone know how to be saved. Christians have muddied the waters about salvation. If God wants all to be saved as the bible says then why doesn't he clear this up somehow? You can tell me how to be saved, then another Christian tells me a different way to be saved.

@amadeus gave a good analogy with our natural fathers and small children. Not everybody had the "model father" on this earth, for sure! But, our Father in heaven IS The model Father. "Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!" Hebrews 12:9

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)
We Christians don't have to ever have to be ashamed of our sins again because: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Repentance (sincere remorse) is where we ALL must begin.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1a (NIV)

nancy

Jane_Doe22 · Feb 21, 2019

Vince said:
I am new here. Hope to stay a while.

My question to Christians is why do Christians disagree on so much? I hear Christians say all the time that god speaks to them. If this is true, why would he not say the same thing to each person and clear up the differences in biblical interpretation? It even goes to the core of the gospel, how people are saved.

One could easily ask the same question: why do Christians disagree on so much? why do scientists disagree on so much? why do liberals disagree on so much? Etc.

The answer is the same to all: different people have different interpretations of the same things. People aren't clones. Yes, there is a common core of beliefs, but there are many different interpretations on other things as us flawed tiny humans do our best to understand huge things.

Why Christians Disagree

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