If God speaks to those who read the bible why are there so many sects in Christianity?

Question

I hear people say all the time if you just read the bible God will tell you what it means. If this is so why are there so many different beliefs among Christians. Even those that say they take the bible literally cant agree. Even in the same congregations you get splits all the time. I am not asking this question to attack, but to make people think. I do want serious answers.

Robert aren't you being a bit judgemental? I know people that have studied the bible and prayed very hard and still come up with different conclusions. I am not nearly as judgemental as you are, and I am an atheist.

Answer 1

Probably because no one "speaks" to anyone who reads the Bible. Readers just read it and pick and choose what "clicks" with them. Hence you get Fred Phelps vs. Ernest Holmes. I'd say that people's interpetations of the Bible and what it may or may not say is more a reflection of the reader and not God.

A grim, humorless, intolerant person gets the image of a grim, humorless, intolerant God. A cheerful, compassionate person READING THE SAME BOOK gets an image of a cheerful, compassionate God. I have yet to encounter a person who experienced a personality transformation from reading a Bible: Habits mioght have changed, but a career jerk will still be a career jerk.

Answer 2

There are so many denominations for several reasons. (1) Each denomination has a slightly different doctrine or emphasis from the others. (2) As people started churches, they simply gave them different names. (3) Denominations are good in that if you attended a Baptist church in one town, and then moved to another town, you could attend a similar Baptist church in the new town. The Lutheran denomination was named after Martin Luther. The Methodists got their name because their founder, John Wesley, was famous for coming up with “methods” for spiritual growth. Presbyterians are named for their view on church leadership - the Greek word for elder is "presbyteros." Baptists got their name because they have always emphasized the importance of baptism.

We, as believers, must believe the same on the essentials of the faith, but beyond that there is great latitude in how a Christian should worship, serve, and live his life. This latitude is what causes so many different flavors of Christianity. Diversity is a good thing, but disunity is not. If two churches disagree doctrinally, it is fine that they remain separate. This separation, though, does not lift the responsibility Christians have to love one another (1 John 4:11-12) – and ultimately be united as one in Christ (John 17:21-22).

Answer 3

Paul himself writing to the Corinthians said: "For there must also be factions among you, in order that those who are approved may become evident among you."
(I Corinthians 11: 19)
No person or group has a corner on the truth and no one has a perfect grasp of all issues pertaining to truth.
Paul said "If anyone supposes he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is acknowledged by Him." (I Corinthians 8:2,3)
There are some issues that are not negotiable, namely, the essential truths that a man must embrace in order to be saved. Compromise on these is treachery that can only result in the destruction of the hearer. Paul said the matters of first importance were that Christ died for sins, according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures." (I Corinthians 15:1-4)
These and certain other points of faith I will never disavow, because if I did, I would be hating the souls of those before whom I did this.

Answer 4

I think this is a very good question. From my experiences I am absolutely convinced that the Holy Spirit does enable us to interpret things that seemed like nonsense before accepting guidance from the Spirit.

So assuming most Christians actively request guidance from the Spirit how can we come to different conclusions?

One clue, I have noticed that I can read a verse at one point and find understanding. Then I will read it at another time and find a whole new layer of understanding. And then again, another layer.

I suspect that part of the answer is related to how much we keep digging and reaching for more and more understanding.

But I don’t think that’s the whole answer.

Ask me in a year and I might give you a completely different answer.

Answer 5

Get a good book on the history of the christian church. It will explain to you how the church split up into various demoninations through the ages. One thing that all true christians should agree on is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who suffered, bled and died as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind, rose from the grave on the third day and ascended into heaven and will come again. This is the foundation of christianity.

Answer 6

Humans are not perfect! Even those who seek to do God's will and follow his commandments don't always get it right. Even though God does promise to help us understand his word (through the holy spirit), we still let ourselves get in the way! We can't quiet our own voices/thoughts down enough to let Him do the talking.

There are lots of things in the Bible that aren't exactly clear...and people have interpreted these things in lots of different ways, some with God's guidance, some without. Yes, different Christian denominations do have different beliefs or ways of doing things, but that doesn't make one "right" or "better"; each Christian just needs to follow their heart and do what they believe God's word is saying.

As long as you believe that Jesus is the son of God, that he died on the cross and then rose again, and you have accepted him as your lord and savior, your going to heaven! the rest, literally, is just details.

Answer 7

Sometimes it's because we are all human, all learning, and have a partial knowledge, so we don't always agree.

Some factions calling themselves "Christian" are totally false and violate the central message of the Bible, ie, they forsake love. They hate, harm, control, and seek their own good only. Those should be disregarded.

Also, diversity of churches can be a good thing... because they have different strengths and weaknesses so they serve people of different needs. The Bible compares groups of people to parts of the body. You have to have different parts that look and function differently to have a healthy body.

Answer 8

The one thing that all christians do agree upon is that Jesus is the son of God.

It is good that there are multiple denominations, because that allows people are many types to worship God in there own way.

Some churches are very inclusive and some include everyone. We are all sinners, and in need of a saviour, if you want to see a multicultural, mult age, biblical church, check out this one in SF, you can watch a sermon online. ....

http://www.cornerstone-sf.org/home.htm

click on this weeks message.

Answer 9

It's hard to explain. When we say that he speaks to us we mean through his words in the bible. He uses his bible to talk to us. Oh just forget it. I can't really explain this. I hope someone can answer this better for you than I can. Sorry. This is one of those questions where I really need to think deeply and it's getting late here and I'm very tired. Sorry sweetie, but I tried! Good luck though!

Answer 10

We all agree on the important ,fundamental doctrines.It's only small things that amke denominations different,such as whether to baptize by immersion,whether to baptize infants,church leadership,small things like that.We're even told in the Bible that it's okay to have differences of opinion over the small issues.