Why are there so many different sects of Christianity and different Bibles?

Question

I'm not trying to cause problems or upset anyone, I'm just curious because I don't understand it because I'm not a Christian...

Answer 1

Until the Protestant Reformation, pretty much all Christians were Catholic. The first divide occured because of corruption in the Catholic Church. Other divides occur based on how literally or liberally certain groups interpret the Bible. Some groups decide to believe every story in the Bible as fact, while others see them more as metaphors. The Catholic Church follows traditions set up by the apostles as well as the Bible, while others decide that's unecessary. Basically everyone has they're own idea of how to interpret things, and some don't like to believe in rules they think are too hard to follow, So people alter Christianity to make it fit they're beliefs and lifestyles. Its sad we can't all be united in one church, but it's better to have many different ways to worship God, than to have no one worshiping at all.

Answer 2

There are different Bibles because of different languages and different language styles. They all pretty much say the same thing (though the Bible paraphrases are less translations and more interpretations).

As to the different sects...this has to do with the fact that Christianity involves a personal relationship with Christ rather than some human authority being in charge of what one is to believe. Therefore, each individual Christian has their own interpretation; the true Christian is led by the Holy Spirit to believe and to live those points of Christianity that are necessary for salvation.

Answer 3

Your question is somewhat an historical one. The Protestant Reformation occurred as a result of Martin Luther's desire to call the church back to Biblical teaching. This ended up a a split between the Roman Catholic Church and Protestant (as in "those who protest") churches.

Biblical Protestant churches agree on three fundamental or foundational truths: Scripture Alone (the Bible as the authority on matters of life and faith), Faith Alone (we are saved only by faith in Jesus Christ), and Grace Alone (we are saved only through grace by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.) There are other churches that don't agree with these, for example, they might say you need to work hard enough to earn your way into heaven. Biblical churches consider those who don't share these fundamental truths to be "cults."

Within Biblical Christianity, there are denominations (like Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, etc.) These usually disagree on "Supplemental" issues--that is, things that are important to our faith, but not essential to our salvation. For example, one denomination will baptize infants and have "confirmation" for older children, while another will have "dedication" for infants and baptize only older children. One denomination believes that the bread and wine of communion actually becomes the body and blood of Christ, while another denomination believes it is only symbolic. These kinds of things can be serious issues for believers and it becomes easier to gather together with those who are "like minded."

Even within denominations there are different ideas and opinions in different churches. These are sometimes called "Incidental" differences. For example, one church might want to have a choir and an organ, while another might prefer drums and electric guitar. One church might choose to stick with the King James version of the Bible and another might choose the New American Standard Bible. (Even though I use the term "incidental" here, some religious people will fight to the death over their opinion on these matters.)

And what about all those different versions of the Bible? Well the Bible is translated from Greek, Hebrew, and (a little) Arabic. The King James version was translated by primarily literary scholars with a goal of keeping as much of the poetry and rhythm of the text as possible. (There's a lot of the Bible that is Hebrew poetry.) This is probably why this version flows so well and is the easiest to memorize. The New American Standard was an attempt to be much more accurate in the translation--but it lost a lot of the feel of the poetry and the beauty of the language. The New International Version was an attempt to be both accuarate and bring back in the poetry.

That's obviously a "quicky" explanation of translations. If you want to know more, go to a local Christian bookstore and pick up a translation. In the front cover there should be an explanation by the translators and scholars involved in the translation. A Bible with notes in the margins will also usually explain how the translators chose between different terms and show what other possible words might have been chosen.

One really cool Bible is a "parallel" Bible, which includes several translations side by side so that you can read the differences between the different versions. I know this was long, but I hope it helps.

Answer 4

Sorry, but I still don't get it. One god, one truth, one bible. It should be just that simple. You don't need 20 different versions to explain god's words.

But let's say those 20 or so English versions really are necessary. Which one is the "official" version? You know, the one that EVERY believer would turn to as the definitive source for all things god. The king james version? The new king james version? The 21st century king james version? A king james version that has yet to be published? Something else?

I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but if someone gives me a recipe for a specific dish, any changes to the ingredients will change the way the dish tastes. Chicken tetrazzini is NOT the same as chicken parmesana, even though they both use chicken in the recipe.

Answer 5

I think this is a good, honest question.

In my view, there are many different Christian denominations because we each wholeheartedly want to interpret scripture correctly and live accordingly. Since we each come from different perspectives, varied interpretations are a natural result when we look to our own wisdom to solve spiritual mysteries . The splits occur because groupings form from these different perspectives and there is a feeling of security from believing you and your group are "right" while the others are "wrong". Living with the tension among varied interpretations is not easy and requires constantly extending grace to one another, recognising the strength that comes from unity of the body, and being committed to maintaining it as we each prayerfully seek to move closer to the heart of God. The closer we get to that end, the less divisive our differences will be.

As to the different bibles...there are differences of opinion as to which books meet the criteria of the true canon as well as differences in scholorly translation from the original texts. Some versions seek to simplify language in an effort to make the scriptures more popularly accessible but some of the subtle meanings may be lost or biases may come through in the process. Keeping the message from getting lost in the confusion is the work of the Holy Spirit.

I pray that the same Holy Spirit will urge you to continue to seek to understand the Good News of the gospel of Christ. Jesus says that if you seek, you will find.

Blessings to you, friend.

Answer 6

for the same reason some people have blue eyes and others have brown, or green, or yellow. different people have different needs and desires. not everybody understands the bible in the same way. I have read the same scripture at different times and got different meanings from the same scripture. there are different bibles for the same reason, although they all have the same meaning, some are easier to read than others. for instance the King James Bible uses word from the 16th century and the meaning of those words have change in the past 400 years. a lot of Christians have researched words like meet and fear and know what they meant 400 years ago, but not all Christians do, the thees and thous get in the way of their understanding.

Answer 7

Simply there are not ANY different Bibles! You are ON your path to truth! GOOD FOR YOU!!! They use the term version to say Old English (British/England. Thee, Thou, etc.) and Other times and styles of the English language. IT IS ALL THE SAME. If you have mastered the English language and are sincere you can pick up different "versions" in a book store and open to the same chapter and verse (= Genesis 1-1, that's the first page first sentence) It all reads the same with more modern lingo. Like, for example, To say- 'Art thou to shop?" OR "Are you going shopping" IS EXACTLY THE SAME. Believe it or sin! It is the Holy Word of God! Fear and Tremble in the name of Jesus-the devils do! Keep seeking God and he will find YOU! Do it in Jesus Christ's name for best results!

Answer 8

Satan has confused the people what to believe in, every religion teaches something different. Some like Jehovahs Witnesses have written their own bible to fit their ideas and false prophesies,it is all a great tactic of the devil to get us to disagree on the God we trust in. It's called spiritual warfare.

Answer 9

Because there are a lot of people who have interpreted the Bible the way they see it and have gathered followings (denominations). Also, people have written versions of the Bible based upon their interpretation of the original languages to make it read the way they believe it is supposed to be read.

Answer 10

Amen i say to the above solutions The christain faith began out organic and easy. greed and potential separated the church's you could desire to alter slightly doctrine here and there to grow to be self reliant from out of your church. how else do ya get a brilliant sort of church's with different coaching's?yet proclaim to have the only and comparable God over them.yet to answer your question sorry i can not bypass into element's for obtrusive reason's. yet you ought to chop up them into 2,i.e catholic and protestant. the sacrament's are given in catholic church homes and the Protestant's do not provide them.the catholic church has dogma's set in place each and every mass worldwide huge is the same on the same day so each and every catholic at mass everywhere in the worldwide will pay attention the same gospel' and the Vatican over see the full instruct. protestant coaching is what ever you think of you say' very open to self explaining the gospel any way ya see it. it is what convey approximately a brilliant sort of different church homes. by ability of how catholic recommend's nicely-known' this is it is the oldest christain faith based faith in the worldwide. i'm not asserting this is the terrific in basic terms it is have been given plenty extra shape to it' yet additionally plenty extra regulations to word in existence a extra durable self-discipline if ya like'yet with plenty off historical past that goe's returned to the apostle's.additionally bible version's selection because of fact it has to in case you get contradicted by ability of what it Say's.