How do you become content with all the differing views?

[Ernie]

Posted a few times how I struggle with certainity due to ocd, an analytical mind etc..

For the "normal" person how are you content in being strong in your particular view of Christianity when others are so adamant that their side is correct, and when also these views are quite big deals in the scheme of things?

That's not to even mention so many who are unbelievers and feel they have reasoning behind it.

Curious how your remaining content and steadfast. I would need divine intervention to make it happen.

 

[Matthias]

Posted a few times how I struggle with certainity due to ocd, an analytical mind etc..

For the "normal" person how are you content in being strong in your particular view of Christianity when others are so adamant that their side is correct, and when also these views are quite big deals in the scheme of things?

That's not to even mention so many who are unbelievers and feel they have reasoning behind it.

Curious how your remaining content and steadfast. I would need divine intervention to make it happen.

Paul speaks about the problem you’re describing in Ephesians 4:14-16. We have to become mature in the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).

 

[Ernie]

I understand but what about when those differences are as serious as whether salvation is given or not? Baptism, no baptism etc

 

[Matthias]

I understand but what about when those differences are as serious as whether salvation is given or not? Baptism, no baptism etc

Here’s how I deal with it: I recognize that people advance through stages of understanding in their faith journey and I leave it in the hands of God and Jesus to complete the work that has begun.

 

[Bob]

Thank you for the post. Your question is a good one.

First, become secure in your faith. Daily prayer is essential, especially prayer that asks God to guide and mentor you.

Next, remember what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As you live and work IN the world, but want to resist becoming part of the world, hold tight to those verses.

Also, seek to understand before you would be understood. If you can have profitable conversations with others, welcome them. Otherwise, “shake the dust from your sandals“ and move on.

The fact there can be so many different beliefs, even in this forum, tells us something about the character of God and life itself. Anything of value is attained through diligence and with His help. Remember to Love Your Neighbors in this forum, too, even when conversations become hot.

(Pastor’s joke: one of the people from our church turned out to be a part-time Christian, and unfortunately our encounter happened on her day off.)

Blessings.

 

[Lambano]

Posted a few times how I struggle with certainity due to ocd, an analytical mind etc..

For the "normal" person how are you content in being strong in your particular view of Christianity when others are so adamant that their side is correct, and when also these views are quite big deals in the scheme of things?

That's not to even mention so many who are unbelievers and feel they have reasoning behind it.

Curious how your remaining content and steadfast. I would need divine intervention to make it happen.

Know what you believe and why you believe it.

 

[TLHKAJ]

For the "normal" person how are you content in being strong in your particular view of Christianity when others are so adamant that their side is correct, and when also these views are quite big deals in the scheme of things?

It comes down to being rooted and grounded in Christ. Having a relationship with Him, giving place to Holy Spirit to teach you and open your understanding as you prayerfully read His Word ....this is where your stability comes from.

If you need support in learning the scriptures, I would pray and ask God to connect you with 1 to maybe 3 strong Christian mentors who are rooted in the Word. Otherwise, try to avoid all the strife-filled debates. Those lead to chaos, usually.

 

[Dan Clarkston]

How do you become content with all the differing views?

There's only ONE point of view that matters and that can be found from the Lord in His Word.

 

[stevesonthebay]

I think there has been many debates over which religion is the true way. What I have notice is that most if not all religions say that they are not the only way. That there are many ways to heaven or nervana or whereever it is they are aiming for with their god or gods or enligtenment.

Thats part of the problem. These gods are just as subjective as humans and in fat many pagan beliefs base their gods on human desires and natural instincts like the Greco Roman gods Aphrodite (goddess of love and beauty), Artemis (goddess of the hunt and wilderness).

But Christ makes it clear that he is the only way to God and the truth and life. Thats a direct claim to the world and all other religions that there is only one way and it is through Him as the Christ.

If this is the truth then it should follow that other religions can be shown to be not the true way. As mentioned the pagan gods which really are the majority and even today they are becoming popular such as with New Age beliefs. You see this symbolism everywhere now if you know what to look for.

But even Islam acknowledges that Christ is the true way without them realising it. The Quran says that the Torah and gospel is the truth that God reveals before the Quran and that these books or the people of these books should be consulted as to the truth of the Quran. They could not deny the powerful impact Christ had on the world at that time when Christianity was spreading across the world.

I understand a bit about OCD as my son experiences this. He is on meds for it and has had a little therapy but is reluctant to persist. As I think cognitive behavioural therapy is the key to overcomeing the constant repeating anxiety that creates the unreality.

He knows as does all OCD sufferers that the constant repeating or fixation on certain thoughts is not the reality. But its almost a ritual that has to be done to satisfy that it is ok to stop.

I think thats the key for Christ that He states clearly that He is the way and truth and this is a faith step. Like any religion there is a faith step. You can't get 100% proof or satisfaction that its the truth.

God installed in all humans this natural knowledge of God and people express it in different ways with other gods. Even scientific materialism is a belief. A belief there is no evidence of God. Making science the epistemic qualifier of whether Christ is telling the truth. BUt thats not how it works and humans live by faith in many ways.

As you know these thoughts are irrational when you think about the reality. Like the need to be clean in case of disease to the point it disrupts your life. Or checking locks until they break. When the stats show its unlikely and does not warrant such vigelence or worry. But still the thoughts persist.

Which is really only something therapy can change. Not cure but rearrange, deflate and put in their box through new options and thinking. Gradual exposure to the very issues and learning to live with them without them taking control. You get the tools to control it.

Nevertheless one truth you can always rely regardless because even non OCD people reject Christ and doubt all religion. So Christian faith stands in all these situations. Its the one thing that everything is based on and Christ was a real man who said this directly to us. Like all relationships this is a matter of trust and faith in a good man who says He won't let you down. Just like we would a parent or carer.

 

[Ernie]

I think there has been many debates over which religion is the true way. What I have notice is that most if not all religions say that they are not the only way. That there are many ways to heaven or nervana or whereever it is they are aiming for with their god or gods or enligtenment.

Thats part of the problem. These gods are just as subjective as humans and in fat many pagan beliefs base their gods on human desires and natural instincts like the Greco Roman gods Aphrodite (goddess of love and beauty), Artemis (goddess of the hunt and wilderness).

But Christ makes it clear that he is the only way to God and the truth and life. Thats a direct claim to the world and all other religions that there is only one way and it is through Him as the Christ.

If this is the truth then it should follow that other religions can be shown to be not the true way. As mentioned the pagan gods which really are the majority and even today they are becoming popular such as with New Age beliefs. You see this symbolism everywhere now if you know what to look for.

But even Islam acknowledges that Christ is the true way without them realising it. The Quran says that the Torah and gospel is the truth that God reveals before the Quran and that these books or the people of these books should be consulted as to the truth of the Quran. They could not deny the powerful impact Christ had on the world at that time when Christianity was spreading across the world.

I understand a bit about OCD as my son experiences this. He is on meds for it and has had a little therapy but is reluctant to persist. As I think cognitive behavioural therapy is the key to overcomeing the constant repeating anxiety that creates the unreality.

He knows as does all OCD sufferers that the constant repeating or fixation on certain thoughts is not the reality. But its almost a ritual that has to be done to satisfy that it is ok to stop.

I think thats the key for Christ that He states clearly that He is the way and truth and this is a faith step. Like any religion there is a faith step. You can't get 100% proof or satisfaction that its the truth.

God installed in all humans this natural knowledge of God and people express it in different ways with other gods. Even scientific materialism is a belief. A belief there is no evidence of God. Making science the epistemic qualifier of whether Christ is telling the truth. BUt thats not how it works and humans live by faith in many ways.

As you know these thoughts are irrational when you think about the reality. Like the need to be clean in case of disease to the point it disrupts your life. Or checking locks until they break. When the stats show its unlikely and does not warrant such vigelence or worry. But still the thoughts persist.

Which is really only something therapy can change. Not cure but rearrange, deflate and put in their box through new options and thinking. Gradual exposure to the very issues and learning to live with them without them taking control. You get the tools to control it.

Nevertheless one truth you can always rely regardless because even non OCD people reject Christ and doubt all religion. So Christian faith stands in all these situations. Its the one thing that everything is based on and Christ was a real man who said this directly to us. Like all relationships this is a matter of trust and faith in a good man who says He won't let you down. Just like we would a parent or carer.

Thank you for the lengthy post. I agree with your sentiment, however I was specifically talking about all the differing views in the body of Christ, some of which are quite significant differences.