Why do you think some people put more faith in their pastors than seeking the Word for themselves?

Question

Please do not take this question offensively. This question is for any religion, though I am Christian. For people who didn't know that they were to seek the Word for themselves, were you just being faithful "church-goers" or believing what the majority believed?

Answer 1

People have been conditioned to believe they can't understand the "intricacies" of religion, thus they need someone to explain it to them.

Answer 2

Good question!
As a former preacher's kid (dad's now retired at 84). I can tell you that most ministers go to college for a lot of bible courses including classes on how to translate words from Greek or Hebrew. Because the Bible can be easily misinterpreted, it's a good idea to be able to talk with someone about God's word, especially if you want to make sure you are interpreting the scriptures correctly.

However, it's important not to just take a person's word for what the Bible says. You need to "study to show yourself approved unto God." If you don't agree with what the pastor says, you should pray for wisdom and discernment.

Because you don't want to fall subject to the false prophets spoken of in the Bible.

Answer 3

Everyone should "study to show yourself approved" but God also set in the prophets and apostles and the teachers as well as the deacons and the pastors to help younger believers seek their place in God and His will. Sometimes it can be very difficult to sort out what God has for you. When we have someone to ask for advice it helps us to understand our options and often makes Gods small still voice much easier to hear.
But nothing should replace prayer and fasting and study. That is our "reasonable service".
My blog today addresses the role of Pastor a little bit believe it or not. Take a look.

Answer 4

It's easier to go to Church for an hour then crack open the Bible, don't you think?

Personally, I don't think that it's so much faith in the pastors, but just laziness. No one needs someone to tell them how is it when there's a book that can do it for them. Afterall, it's not like the pastor's got a different version.

Answer 5

Because the pastors felt the call to preach the word and went to special schools to better learn the word of god and what He meant. It is easier to listen to what someone says is in the bible that to read and puzzle it out for your self. the pastors only learned what the church wanted them to preach and passed this along to their flock as the word of God. whither it is right or wrong ideology we will have to wait and learn..
spent twelve tears attending church and decided to leave and search else were as it left me with more questions than answers.

Answer 6

I think many people look to their pastors for answers, because they simply don't understand the Bible. It's a very difficult task to decipher God's word. Some would think they could just look to the easier versions, but after all, aren't they just someone else's interpretations, anyway?

Answer 7

You should seek out and learn from the word yourself, however pastors and teachers are annointed by God to teach us things about the bible that we do not understand. Another aspect is that people are to lazy to find the answers to their life questions for themselves, and insist that someone teach them.

Answer 8

I was guilty of this at one time but God opened my eyes, as my pastor crumbled and fell from grace. I realized that the answers to everything I needed to know was in my Bible, I just had to pray to the Lord for understand and guidance in reading the Bible. But I think some people lack the confidence to do this own their own, they need someone to interpret for them.

Answer 9

Most people don't like to fish, but they love to go out once a week for a fish dinner. Some people don't have the time to fish, so the rely on others to make their meals. Some people don't know how to fish...

Pastors serve many different needs, of many different people. But it all boils down to; fish or make bait...

Answer 10

I think that some people feel that thier pastors are a direct link to God, when in reality you can make that direct connection to him. It is sad, because you pastor is suppose to be a spiritual guide for you, but some of them take advantage of that.

Hope this helps,
Nina

Answer 11

I don't know for certain as I've read the entire Bible for myself but I would say that it is easier to lean on a church leader than to do the reading and thinking for yourself... One thing is certain though, we can't live on borrowed faith - our faith must be our own as we each answer for ourselves in the end.