Questions about christians?

Question

It is a fact that 82% of americans consider themselves a Christian. On the surface it appears that they are a unified group who follow the same belief system.

However, when you look at the numerous different sects, practices and interpretations, you can reach a much different conclusion about their unity.

Isn't it true that only small percentages of christians are actually unified in their belief system and most sects have conflicting ideas about what it takes to "get to heaven" and what god expects of us?

For Example, think about all of these different groups who interpret the bible differently and argue about what god's word means:

Apostolic,Baptist,Catholics, Churches of God,International Churches of Christ,Jehovah's Witnesses,Latter Day Saints,Messianic Judaism,Pentecostalism, Seventh-day Adventists, Unification Church
...and the list goes on and on.

If god's word is perfect, why can't all christians agree on it's interpretation?

To those of you whos say "god's word is perfect": Then why couldn't he make it easy enough so that everyone could understand and agree? Everyone understands that 2+2=4, for example.

idaho mike: You see??? this is what I'm talking about. YOU "THINK" that YOU have all the answers. Well I have news for you.....The other sects "THINK" they have the answers. If you have soooo much evidence to support YOUR beliefs, then why don't the other groups join YOUR group??? I will debate you any time anywhere....Please try me.

Prof kilo: So then, it's been the "end of times" for 2000 years? What about midievil times when every sect waged war against each other? Were those the "end of times" too? Do you ever think about your answers before posting them?

not perfect but forgiven: Nice try. Most "say" they believe in the 10 commandments too. However, ask them about the additonal text in exodus, about what to do with people who violated the commandments, Like "PUT TO DEATH" anyone who works on the sabbath.
Face it, they can't agree on anything and their entire belief system is ONE BIG contradiction.

Answer 1

Becuase they all make it up as they go along

Answer 2

It is true God's Word is perfect but people are not. So each person uses their own interpretation of God's Word all sincerely but not all correctly. Then you get into the issue of which word is God's Word. We say "The Bible" but there are at least dozens of translations and they do not all agree. I use the King James and am passionate about it but you will find some who feel the same way about different version.

Also some hold traditions in just as high regard as the Bible. That is a whole different topic.

I guess a good summary of this is that as long as humans interpret and we come from differing backgrounds and beliefs even all who say they are Christian will have some differences.

Answer 3

First off, not everyone who calls themself a Christian is a Christian. Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, 7th Day Adventists, etc., are not Christians at all, but are cults that deny the deity of Christ; i.e., they deny that Jesus is God.

Apostolic, Baptist, Pentacostals, Messianic Judaism -- these are all denominations of Christianity, and we all hold to the same basic set of beliefs; i.e., that Jesus is God in the flesh, that He died for the sins of humanity, and that by believing in Him we shall be saved. These different denominations all have different, nonessential beliefs -- Pentacostals believe that there are spiritual gifts that are in use today such as the gift of healing, the gift of speaking in tongues, the gift of prophesy, where, say, the Methodists do NOT believe that the spiritual gifts are in use today.
There are also other denominations that believe in Predestination -- that God chooses whom He will save and those He will not, while other Christians don't believe in Predestination. However, all Christian demonimations believe that Jesus is God.

I don't know about the Church og God and the Unification church, but I do know that in order to be considered a Christian by other Christians, you must profess that Jesus is God who died on the cross to pay for the sins of humanity and that He was resurrected from the dead and now sits ALIVE in heaven at the right hand of God. Mormons don't believe this. I know. I used to be one. Jehovah's Witnesses don't believe this, and neither do 7th Day Adventists and a whole host of other 'Christian' religions today deny the deity of Christ, and so are not truly Christian.

God's word IS perfect, but humans are not. Through our sin nature, we find ways to isolate ourselves from some and stick clannishly to others -- this is human nature, but it is NOT God's nature. That is why when you hear Christians talk about being "a brother or sister in Christ," it is a way in which we recognize that we are unified together by a common belief.

A somewhat simple explanation, but the gist of it is there. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

You said: "...Isn't it true that only small percentages of christians are actually unified in their belief system and most sects have conflicting ideas about what it takes to "get to heaven" and what god expects of us?..."

Yes, and No. Most of all of the "beliefs" have different opinions about when and how they will get to heaven. and well, what god expects of us is pretty much all the same.

You said: "...If god's word is perfect, why can't all christians agree on it's interpretation?..."

That is as simple as the word Belief. Likewise, the word belief means what? It means what you know and think is true or right.

God's word is perfect? Each christian pratice belives in Gods word differently and they all interpret it differently.

Answer 5

Try this one on, Think about your question here...We all consider ourselfs human, yet we still all think differently... I am a christian, and consider myself Cathloic but I do not vote for george bush nuts because he said he will stop abortion..By the way how many abortions has he stoped???? Oh yeah, NONE!!!!! Now, I do not adhear to all that catholosisim tells me I should..that is the great thing about Jesus...You get to have your own understanding of him and your own personal relationship with Him.... Most christians judge others and point the finger at others and say gays are bad...This is so totally aginist what Christ has taught me... They also are quick to tell others when they are sinning.. Christ told me, He who is without sin cast the first stone... See, I am a sinner for pointing out there faults... Either way dude... You are looking at christianiaty all wrong... We all have our own free minds... Some of us may be right, some of us may be wrong.. We just all think different just like anybody else.. Now the Jewish Faith as well as Muslums also have several different splinter groups.... All religions have... So I do not really see where you are going with the question in the first place..The bottom line is that it is a Good Idea to Follow the 10 Commandments, The 3 religions that I have mentioned adhear to these rules or are suppose dto anyway... Now it is best to be a good person and try to be as good and as giving as you can to others and espically those in need... Love your family and be good to your children.... Smile and spread love and peace instead of war and hate... This will cover you.. I think... Anyway, It is what I beleive and try to stick to.. But I fall short at times.. Oh Yeah.. Don't make money or material goods your god.. This is gonna get you no where.. If htere isn't a million examples of this out there than there are none, but hey, don't say I didn't warn ya.... Be good my friend and have a good life.. Now I see you are blaming all this on the bible.. well here is my theroy on that.. The bible is a book and just that... Does one person read moby Dick and understand it as another.. Jesus Himself never spoke of facts.. He more often than not, taught in parables... It is for us to figure out in our own way... This is exactly how he wanted it... Now the ones that fight over it, don't get it... There is the problem... Real christians do get along.. and very few divisions of the faith have forts and cannons set up and pointed at eachother.. Your worried about right answers and who is arguing about interpitations... That is not good my friend... If you don't beleive, why not just don't beleive and stay out of the whole picture... Your not going to help anyone see things differently... Have I made you?

Answer 6

God's word is perfect, people aren't. Most mainstream Christians believe in the following:
1. The deity of Jesus Christ, the second part of the Trinity
2. The virgin birth
3. The death, burial, and resurrection
4. The rapture of the church and the judgment seat of Christ
5. The second coming
6. The millennial reign
7. The great white throne judgment
8. World without end

Answer 7

There are about six million true Christians in the whole world. Some are trying very hard, but they are being blinded by Satan from seeing the real truth, mainly because of their lack of knowldge of the scriptures. If you vote, or support wars you are not a follower of Christ-He was no part of this world. If you bow down to images or have them in your life You are not obstaining from idolatry, which God hates. If you don"t have love among yourselves, then you are not following the teachings of our Christ. If you are not teaching others the good news you are not follwing the command that Jusus gave his Christian followers (mathwew 24;14) If you don't love your God, Jehovah, with all your mind, all your soul, and your heart you are not following the most foremost of commands of our Savior. And the list goes on and on. And that is why there are only six million true Christins in the world.... you mentioned them in your question, now I'll let you decide what group they belong to....Well they are Jehavahs Witnesses, and Iam on the road to joining them....KECK

Answer 8

By and large, people have begun to follow the doctrines of men rather than God's word. In truth, God's word does not really need interpretation. At the very least of it, scripture should interpret scripture. But when selfish desires and improper motives come into play, troubles begin. Take for example the account at Luke 4:1-12. Three different times, the adversary misuses and misapplies scripture. And he knew it.

Hannah

Answer 9

because, Christians, like all others are human- we are all driven by fleshly desires- power, wealth, lust of the flesh, pride of life, need to be right- everyone creates their own god in order to satisfy their own desire for these things. Becoming a Chrsitian does not make one perfect, all knowing or right all the time.
This does not make the one true God any less than He is. As christians we are called to humilty, something, unfortunately very few strive for.
God's word is perfect and it is only by laying down our own will, pride, selfishness and desires that we are truly able to understand and receive the truths of God's word- it is not His word that is a problem it is a fallible and sinful people. We are not there but a work in progress- praise God for His patience and new mercies every day.

Answer 10

Most people that call themselves Christians do not read the Bible. They let the preacher tell them what to believe. They are so concerned the material world that they do not want to take the time to understand what life is really about. TV, Hollywood and the media arts are to blame for the downfall of Christianity in this country. Prior to the advent of motion pictures, People took their faith seriously. The Bible was actually used as a textbook to teach reading and morality. We have come so far in our quest to go to hell that it is going to take a serious shocker to bring this country out of the calamity that it is heading for. 9/11 did not do. What will?

Answer 11

Good Question! I wish I knew. I just read the bible and try to do what God would want me to do!

I think there are basic beliefs of Christianity that are common to all the denominations that you mentioned, but some are a little different in their details.

It would be wonderful if all Christians everywhere could live in peace and harmony, loving our neighbours as ourselves - what a world we could have!