Fellow Christians............Why is it that some of you seem so close minded?

Question

I love God more than anything else in the world. I have much faith and I believe the bible is the Ultimate Authority and that we must witness to others. My whole point in saying this is because some of the Christians that I see are so close minded to anything at all. It is okay to open your minds and learn new things and expand your mind. We must. How can we effectively witness to others if we do not understand anything about them, because we have been so closed minded?

Answer 1

Preprogrammed mind control will do that to people, it is a common theme of religious thought.

Answer 2

I am confused by what you mean by close minded.
I spend a good amount of time researching what others believe so I can better explain myself to them. However, you have to know what you believe before you can do that. Maybe the people you know are not sure of their own beliefs enough to be comfortable learning about others.
Now, if you are asking why "we" say ____ is a sin or or God hates ___, that's different
Some people get frustrated with the way society accepts certain sins as being normal, natural, or uncotrolable, and then tries to shame us for not doing the same. The line between right and wrong keeps getting moved by the world at large and some people are just trying to hold the line.
There is a difference between loving someone and accepting their behavior. Some are just bad ar expressing that.

Answer 3

You are so right.. too many are close minded on what is outside their comfort zone.

We are to study to show thyself approved... this is not limited to just the man made denomination doctrine in which they follow... I follow the only doctrine.. that's God's.

Not only are the Christians close minded, but those of other religions and no religion at all are close minded. People learn from those around them... atheist.. Christians, ... muslims... etc.. etc... if man told them then it must be in fact all truth. When we know it is not all truth... God's Holy Word is ALL TRUTH.. 100% TRUTH... any one that disputes this does not have the TRUTH within them.

Answer 4

true that! my mother, god bless her, is probably one of the most spiritual and godly person i know. she has immersed herself in her walk with god since my parents got divorced. because of this, other than work, she does not interact with many people outside the church on a daily basis. as a result, i believe, that her wisdom and witness, although it comes in great confidence, is not appealling to a secular population. when people say to put your faith in jesus, and accept him as your personal lord and saviour then you will be saved, how does that project itself to non-christians? i believe in the validity of the statement, but if i were a non-christian, i would dismiss that statement as ludicris.

evangelism and bible thumping is obsolete. the only way modern christianity will survive is by finding a common identity with non-believers. non-christians want facts and evidence. we can't put our own faith and understanding into reasonable evidence because non-christians can't begin to understand christians, just like christians can't really begin to understand non-christians.

we must find the common denominator within all of humanity that binds us, and work from there, understanding and debating as equals. understand that as we have beliefs, so does everyone else, but we must still provide witness through intellectual reasoning. evangelism is alienating the secular crowd.

Answer 5

You're right, it is OK to listen to new thought, and to learn new things

Paul says the same thing to the Thessalonian Church, but then he reminds them to PROVE ALL THINGS.

To the Bearean Christians, he gives them kudos for listening to his teachings with an open mind, AND THEN SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES WHETHER THOSE THINGS WERE TRUE.

I love learning new things, but I won't retain and hold to them if they are not Biblically true or supported by scripture.

Whatever you are thinking or troubled by, maybe you need to look at the Bible. It's a great source for truth for the Christian.

Answer 6

Well said. God never told us to park our brains outside the church door and pick them up on the way back out.

We can't compromise our Christianity and agree with things that we know are wrong. But I think it's OK to learn as much as we can, as long as we submit that knowledge to the authority of Scripture and the wisdom and discernment of the Holy Spirit.

Answer 7

We need to know what others believe so we can give a defense to God's word--to know why they are not walking in the truth, and show them what they believe is contrary to what the word of God says---BUT we are not to just open our minds and accept false doctrine, if that is what you are talking about- we do not need to go on seeking elsewhere, when we know Jesus Christ is the only way, truth and life--as John 14:6 says. I know this, and I am completely secure in this, and I have no desire to keep on seeking.
But yes we need to be equipped with the word of God and ready to make a defense....2 Timothy 4:2-3 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

Answer 8

Those that defend religioun are often stuck in the cyclical definition of religion. This can be very frustrating when trying to defend one's beliefs. For example, the whole notion of if God created us, then who created God? That answer just goes round and round with no adequate explanation other than "he just was". It's kind of like the childish "My dad is better than your dad argument". Logic in no way plays a part in who's dad is better. Religion instead hinders them from thinking it through.

Answer 9

On matters of principle, we are not allowed to be flexible. YHVH has stated the principle, and to be on His side we must agree. In matters of preference, we should be open, and allow total freedom. Needless to say, people have the choice as to whether they choose to accept the Messiah's gift, but there is only one road that leads to the throne, to happiness, and to eternal life. The Almighty said that, and He told the truth. If I said something different, I would simply be lying. (would it make you feel better if I lied?)

Answer 10

I really don't understand what you are meaning when you say closed minded. I know that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. As a Christian, I follow Him with my thoughts and actions. I do know that He is the friend of sinners. Myself included. He is their friend, not to join them in their sin but, to love them and to change their thoughts and hearts.

It is not our job as Christians, to change anyone. It is our job to tell them about Jesus' life, suffering, death and, resurrection for them. He is the one who changes lives.

Answer 11

I am a christian, and my mind automatically closes when I have another person to tell me I gotta. I will decide that, not you or anyone else.