A self-proclaimed Christian who claims to believe the Bible but denies half of what it teaches, or a Christian who believes the Bible is the inerrant Word of God from start to finish and does not doubt one word of it? Just curious.
2006-08-23 05:30:06 · 20 answers · asked by Preacher 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Not my place to judge. Live and let live.
Blessings )O(
2006-08-23 05:31:50 · answer #1 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
So let me just make sure I know my choices
a) a self-proclaimed Christian who claims to believe the Bible but denies half of what it teaches
b) a Christian who believes the Bible is the inerrant Word of God from start to finish and does not doubt one word of it
If I had to choose I'd say that I think b) is worse because that means that they do not see the mythological metaphorically usages within the Bible and read it just like it was some text book or law book (not to mention that whatever version of the Bible they happen to have is the inerrant Word of God and all others are blasephamy....and usually they don't even want to begin to hear about the Bible in its original language!).
Although I have to admit that I don't any Christians that fit into either a) or b) exclusively. Either they are a combination of a) and b) in that they are self-proclaimed Christians who claim to believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God from start to finish and does not doubt one word of it but then disregards or denies half of what it teaches (and they hate when you point it out to them) OR I know Christians who believe the Bible is the Word of God but that it is not without its faults and mistranslations and therefore strive to go back to the original texts to search for meaning. Moreover, these same Christians tend to be more "Christ-like" in that they are very giving, helpful, and loving and that they don't go around telling people "I'm a Christian. I'm a Christian." You know they are Christian by their actions, not by their words, and when you ask they simply confirm it but do not bother to evangelize to you.
But all of this is just my humble opinion.
Peace be with you.
2006-08-23 05:49:22 · answer #2 · answered by gabriel_zachary 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, I'm Christian, but I have to reply because I think you may have worded your question incorrectly. Instead of "believe the Bible but denies half of what it teaches," do you really mean "believe the Bible but interprets some parts non-literally." Because, since you've been bashing evolution so much recently, I thought this question might be referring to Christians like me, who believe the Bible but still believe in evolution. If I am wrong, I apologize. I can guarantee you if you worded your question differently, it would result in different answers.
Out of curiosity, are you a real preacher? If so, what is your denomination?
2006-08-23 05:59:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The person who judges others beliefs. Clean your own doorstep before cleaning others.
Who really understands every word in the Bible? Every person interprets the word in a different way. To be a good Christian, all one needs to understand in the Bible is The Ten Commandments and to love all people no matter what their beliefs. Jesus loved everyone and we should try to do the same. Jesus forgave the people who crucified him, he forgave and loved the thief on the cross beside him.
We should all stop worrying about what the next person believes and focus on being the best we can be.
Judge not, lest ye be judged.
2006-08-23 05:39:45 · answer #4 · answered by nellie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Christian who believes the Bible to be the literal truth. The self-proclaimed Christian rarely goes around trying to convert everyone they see. I know 'Christians' who are pot-heads, drunks, sex perverts, and criminals. Even they don't bug me as much as the white-bread suits who think they can convert complete strangers. They are the brain-washed ones who truly make Christianity less of a theology and more of a cult. It's folks like that who sell all their worldly possessions, move into the Church Compound, follow the lead of a meglomaniac child-molester, and drink the Kool-Aid when the comet comes.
2006-08-23 05:39:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question.
Both are equally as frightening, in all honesty. But if I was forced to pick, I would say it is someone that beleives in the inerrancy of the Bible. This viewpoint holds back advancement of mankind and civilization in a broad manner....just look at the fundamentalist Muslims as an example....
The other half is simply a holier- than-thou hypocrite that deserved the full extent of God's wrath - if he indeed exists. Which he doesnt. So he wont. Bummer...
2006-08-23 05:34:48 · answer #6 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Can "both" be an answer?
Actually, I'd say #2. There is a lot of bad stuff in the Bible. To actually follow all of it would mean being a horrible person half the time. Not to mention, lots of the history and "science" is just wrong and it contradicts itself. I'd rather see someone take out just the good parts.
2006-08-23 05:33:32 · answer #7 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
How about a Christian who follows the words of Christ and works for peace, tolerance and charity rather than a Christian who ignores Christs teachings and looks for passages in the books like Leviticus to justify their own hatred and intolerance? The Bible can and has been used to justify anything from racism to sexism to slavery to genocide. Literalists are just Christians who don't want to follow the words of Christ and probably wouldn't even like the guy (a liberal Jew) were they to meet again.
"I like you Christ, but I do not like your Christians - your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
- Gandhi [the most Christian (though non-Christian) leader ever]
2006-08-23 05:35:52 · answer #8 · answered by HelloKitty 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Ohhh...the lesser of two evils....I'd say the Christian who does not doubt one word of it, as I'd take that meaning for someone who also does what it says, so that in my opinion is the worst as that book has some crazy ideas in it.
2006-08-23 05:37:11 · answer #9 · answered by HiKo73 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All people who live word for word what the bible says are annoying to me. They try to preach their ways on to me and try to shove their opinions down my throat and i hate it. I believe what i want to believe and if they don't like it then they can get over it. I am very stubborn and no matter what some one says i will always think like this. Sorry to all y'all bible and church Nazi's, but i am who i am.
2006-08-23 05:34:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The former is a hypocrite the latter is an idiot.
I can forgive idiocy I guess. Some people just aren't as smart as others.
Hypocrisy is a choice, however
2006-08-23 05:32:44 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋