Alright I dont mind people who go to church and talk about the bible and certain events, and bible studies, but what in the hell is so great about going to church so you can let one guy tell you what the bible means, and you accept it without question, instead of discovering what the bible means to you.
2006-12-05 20:33:20 · 22 answers · asked by Bryan R 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No..God said for us to study to show ourselves approved. Some are just lazy and don't want to do that.
2006-12-05 20:37:43 · answer #1 · answered by Judah's voice 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Who says I don't figure out what it means to me in addition to going to church? Talk to any Christian. A large percetage of them do not always agree with the pastor, priest, etc. (Also note that the Pope's infalibility has only been used once during the Vatican 1 Counsel in the 1800s when Mary's conception was declared immaculate. So presumably the Pope could be wrong in everything else.)
Anyway, you should also note that there are two types of people who go to church. Religious people and church people. Religious people go to church strictly for spiritual reasons. Church people go for spiritual and social reaons. When I say social, that's not a bad thing. If you look at early Christianity, you will find that early Christianity definitely focused on the community (and some would say there were many socialist aspects to early Christianity). Christianity was about spiritualism and community and the community enhanced the spiritualism and the spiritualism enhanced the community. In fact, they went hand in hand. You couldn't have one without the other. As time went on and Christianity became more successful, it became unnecessary to belong to a community to be a Christian. This was especially so when different denominations became prevelant.
The church I attend is somewhat liberal and doesn't require that I do much although it clearly encourages doing good works in society. It definitely speaks about itself as a community and the members of the church support each other. I don't always agree with the pastor (and have almost walked out a couple times when the pastor's rhetoric became overtly political).
But the other day, I walked into church. I hadn't been there in a while. I'd moved away a couple years ago for a job and had just been transfered back with that same company, so now I am back with the same church. Many of my friends are still there. I can be cynical and my faith isn't as strong as some people who never question the existance of God. But the other day, I walked into church and the we were doing communion and I sat next to my wife and I had the best feeling I'd had in a long time. I had the distinct feeling that I was really home. I didn't think I had really missed it. I don't think I'm the type that should have missed it, but I did.
So the social aspect of church is a legitimate one. Moreover, Christianity is all about going out into the world and doing good things and bringing the world into the church. It is not just about listening to some guy spout off his version of Christianity. It is about love. Love requires social interaction. Christian spirituality requires social interaction. So that's what church is all about.
I should also state that some people also like ritual and ritual is a distinctly human requirement. The need for rituals goes back to the earliest humans. I think that modern society lacks the rituals that we had in the past and this causes us to lose something and perhaps to be more insecure of our place in the universe.
So there are good reasons to go to church other than to listen to some guy.
2006-12-06 05:02:30 · answer #2 · answered by Erik B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't let one guy tell me what the Bible means, I listen to the teachings of 3 or four guys (I go to two different churches) who I believe are speaking the word of God, (I chose the churches very carefully, as I wanted something real)
and I also study in my own time.
2006-12-06 04:55:02 · answer #3 · answered by Resolution 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Priest doesn't tell me what the Bible means. There is a lot more than that that happens at Church. Why don't you go and find out.
2006-12-06 04:52:14 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People who go to church live longer and healthier. We go to church because we want to grow in fellowship with God and others. We want further understanding about the truth. What the Word of God means and all that stuff. We raise questions for further clarification. Just like going to school. If the teacher explains, you understand the lesson easier and more thoroughly. When you study in a group, isn't it easier to understand something? You can raise your own personal opinions. Besides, we need to be in fellowship with other believers and serve in what we call our field of ministry. It is a way of pleasing and serving God as well. God bless.
2006-12-06 04:47:11 · answer #5 · answered by hellofriend! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can go to Church and also read and interpret the Bible privately. Religious advisors exist to clarify some aspects of the bible and provide spiritual support, not to give all answers. Only you can define what the Bible means to you.
2006-12-06 04:36:31 · answer #6 · answered by roxusan 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We draw our own conclusions on the meanings from the bible. The wonderful part about going to church is worshiping in the presence of God with, 10, 100, or 1000 people doing it right along side you.
You meet people who will encourage you in your walk to know Jesus. - -I could go on and on
2006-12-06 04:39:22 · answer #7 · answered by Slave to JC 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You know what, I agree with go. There are about 10 million pastors in this world, each one with his own intrepertation of the Bible. I think one should go on ones knees before reading the bible and ask God for wisdom in understanding His word
2006-12-06 04:45:01 · answer #8 · answered by <::SmOkEy::> 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its encouraged to study the scriptures by yourself but God has set an order when it comes to speaking to you. He has got his servants He uses when he wants to bring a message to the people and He just doesn't give the message to everyone. Check the Bible pattern and see if God ever did deal with masses of people
2006-12-06 04:42:20 · answer #9 · answered by Gre2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I go to church becouse it gives me the chance to praise God with other christians I respect my paster but do read the bible myself and let him know my opinions. I have corrected him on some points but then he studyed much more than I have and is much older. I trust God to guide me not just my pastor.
2006-12-06 04:37:46 · answer #10 · answered by Mim 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ministers and teachers of the Word are two of the gifts given to us by Jesus.Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
I Cr 13;8a
12-6-6
Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas
2006-12-06 04:38:22 · answer #11 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋