For Christians, ignorance is bliss?

Question

The christian bible encourages igonorance how can anyone take it seriously?

Christians should not practice free inquiry nor socialize with non Christians:

Don’t associate with non-Christians. Don’t receive them into your house or even exchange greeting with them. 2 John 10

Shun those who disagree with your religious views. Romans 16:17

Paul, knowing that their faith would crumble if subjected to free and critical inquiry, tells his followers to avoid philosophy. Colossians 2:8

Answer 1

Why does it matter to you so much that
you must spread your hate? Live and let live.
You are the one who comes off looking mean
and hateful and ignorant in this debate.

Answer 2

2 John 1:10-11 If someone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don't invite him into your house or encourage him in any way. Anyone who encourages him becomes a partner in his evil work.

This verse is talking about someone claiming to be a Christian who is not teaching what the Bible says.

Romans 16:17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people's faith by teaching things that are contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.

This verse is also talking about people who claim to be Christians who are teaching things that are contrary to what the Bible says.

Colossians 2:8 Don't let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world, and not from Christ.

This verse is reminding Christians to remain true to the truth of Christ and not be lead astray by stories made up by man's wisdom.

To some skeptics no answer is good enough.

John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

1 Corithians 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Open your heart to God's Spirit and then ask your questions. You just might learn something.

Answer 3

I'm afraid that you are mistaken the Bible does not encourage ignorance in fact, the opposite is suggested. Knowledge is important because then one can defend your beliefs. Certainly there are fools who think that they have everything figured out and do not need to read the Bible. However, it is important to note, as in all books there are contexts. The Bible works the same way. For example 2 John 1:10, does not tell us to not associate with non-Christians, it says that if one does not hold the teachings of Christ that he/she should not be welcome in your home, because if you greet him then you share in his evil deeds (2 John 1:11). Romans 16:17 only tells us to not listen to those who speak untruth for it may cause you to stray. And in no way is Colossians 2:8 telling someone to avoid philosophy if you read the verse it says that you should stay away from these things (free and critical thinking, in your words) because they are elementary and do not need to be entertained it would be a pointless endeavor, you would be seeking things that are not important. "The Lord tells you o man what is good: To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." Micha 6:8

Answer 4

Of course the bible does not encourage ignorance. Come, let us reason together, says God. The Bereans searched the scriptures daily (as Paul preached to them), to see if what he was saying was in line with the scriptures themselves.

In 2John 10, that verse addresses those who misrepresent the gospel message and teach falsely....not those who are not believers.

Romans 16:17 is a similar warning; about people who would "cause divisions" also by teaching falsely.

The verse in Colossians speaks about "hollow and deceptive philosophies of this world", as opposed to the eternal truths of God.

With all due respect, misrepresenting what the bible says...is not really a fair way to deal with things you don't understand.

Answer 5

Matthew 4:7 - Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test."

Acts 13:10 - "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?"

Luke 8:12 - "Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved."

You are seriously confused.... you are twisting sciptures to say what you want, not what they mean. Go educate yourself and seek the truth, rather than spreading lies. Go read the Bible and these passages in context. Jesus was a friend to sinners, and teaches us to love all. Who needs God's love more? The righteous person or those who are in sin? Jesus does not discriminate!

Jesus was having dinner one evening when "many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him" (Matthew 9:10). The religious leaders of that day were outraged by His behavior. Their conclusion was that Jesus was a friend of sinners, and as it turns out, He was. "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

Jesus was morally separate from sinners and never took part in their lifestyle. Yet He did not separate Himself physically from sinful people. He spent time with them and became their friend.

Answer 6

What kind of question is this? You can pick out little verses here and there all day long from the Bible to form STUPID questions like this. I'm not going to throw out verses, but you know you should Love thy neighbor as yourself. This world is much different now than when the Bible was written. You come across people on a daily basis from all walks of life. Tolerance and respect are in order. Are you confused?

Answer 7

Hon, you need to re-read these passages.

2 John 10 is talking about "a deceiver and an antichrist."

Romans 16:17 is talking about those who try to divide believers from one another and offend them.

Colossians 2:8 is talking about people who try to spoil the purity of Christianity by adding legality and worldly philosophy.

So, if you respect me and my views as a Christian, I'll respect you.

Oh, and the Bible doesn't encourage ignorance. You need to read it.

Answer 8

I'm not sure what version Bible you are looking at, but I am a Christian looking at the New International Version.
Romans 16:17 says "I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them." This does not call for a shun of other non-believers, but moreso it is a general caution sign saying don't hang around people who will make you sin.
Colossians 2:8 says "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic pronciples of this world rather than on Christ." Paul wrote this because he was warning the new Christians that many people would want to deceive them and take them away from God, but that they should be aware of this and not let it happen. You will notice that Paul tells them to avoid DECEPTIVE philosophy, not philosophy in general.
2 John 1:10 does say "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him." However, this is taken out of context. If one were to start reading at verse 7, one would hear this message:"Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the abtichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work." This does not mean not to associate with any old non-Christian. Obviously we have to associate with them or our religion would die out. What the message says is that anyone who is a non-Christian and who is tempting you or causing you to sin, do not associate with that person.
These are all messages that warn Christians not to give up their faith because of non-believers.
And if you look at Matthew 28:19-20, it says "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Jesus wants us to tell non-Christian about God and His mercy and our salvation through Jesus, however Jesus does not want us to put ourselves into situations where we might sin, which is why the other verses are included in the Bible.

Answer 9

2 John 10

"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him in your house or even greet him;

for whoever greets him shares in his evil works. "

This seems to be regarding spiritual teachers. It also has a historical reason:

"At this time false teachers were considered so dangerous and divisive as to be shunned completely. From this description they seem to be wandering preachers. We see here a natural suspicion of early Christians concerning such itinerants and can envisage the problems faced by missionaries such as those mentioned in 3 John 1:10."

Romans 16:17-18

" I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles, in opposition to the teaching that you learned; avoid them.
For such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent. "

I think verse 18 describes 17. It doesn't bar discourse, but rather people who... well read it from a good bible.


Colossians 2:8
"See to it that no one captivate you with an empty, seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ. "

Um, where did you get this interpreted.

Answer 10

Anyone can call themself a Christian,honey. I have a personal relationship with Christ.. Jesus is more about having a personal relationship with you, not be religious. I think people simply look for negative things to say about the word of God because ppl naturally fear what they do not understand. All i can say is before his second coming, we will all have had a chance to repent, and heard the Gospel. Nobody is perfect, I screw up daily,,, but I repent daily too. Now i don't purposely do things b/c i know i can repent later, thats mocking God, and he will not be mocked. I'm not trying to convert you or anything, just wanted to let u know that, because ppl always make things look more complicated then they really are. I was high when i gave my life to Christ. I wasnt some religous scholar, I was a drug addict.
In response to your question: All those verses refer to not allowing false doctrines (teachings) into your life. 2 John 1:10 actually says " If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him" meaning don't recieve what they have to say because its all lies anyway. It's like if you were dating someone and you secretly saw him kissing and huggin up on some other girl. You ask him if he's seeing someone else, and he denies it. But you really know the truth, because you saw for yourself, so no matter what he says, to try to persuade you to believe him, you don't wanna hear it becuase you know the truth. Now if youre, thin skinned, you'll listen and be like "Oh, its ok, and start making excuses for him, and before you know it, things fall apart, and you wonder where u went wrong. Hope this helps (I talk too much). Remember, God doesn't force himself on anyone, he gave us free will, it's wasted energy to try to challenge God and His word. You can either accept it or not. But we'll all be held accountable one day.

Answer 11

wrong. wrong. Wrong!
2 john is talking about people who claim to be Christians but are not living like it. Christians are to be 'in the world but not of it' not 'hide from the world'
and colossians is speaking about false teachers and to guard your mind against false teachings... such as i am doing now!
anyway, that is a serious misinterpretation of the bible. sure you can twist any verse to mean whatever you would like, but context does count and you clearly didn't pay attention when you were reading.