"How can Christians convert me when they cannot even agree on Biblical interpretation?"?

Question

I have heard this comment from non- Christians many times. For example, we have different interpretations on salvation, eschatology, Christ's divinity, etc., etc. If we cannot agree on the correct interpretation of Scripture can we at least stop bashing each other? Haven't we forgotten the 30 years war between Catholics and Protestants, which claimed more lives than the holocaust? It looks like this war is being fought again right here on Yahoo Answers. Does God approve of this war of words? How can we have "peace on earth" when we are not peaceful ourselves?

I like your answer Star girl.

I am not an Atheist San Antonio.

Serena, I agree with the points you raised.

I also like your answer THA. I guess I will have to put my question to a vote.

Answer 1

amen brother

Answer 2

(It's important to read the bible verses copied below...)

I agree that it is not right that the Church is divide so much over things that make no difference. It seems that People are too afraid to become true servants of the Lord, and therefore of others. People want to be in control, but this is not what God wants. Though I do not agree with all the bickering done over pointless things,
The Bible tells me that I must be considerate. And since We are all allowed a personal relationship with God through Christ, I will trust the Lord to direct the hearts of my fellow Christians.

Interpretation of the Bible is not the most important thing, but Loving the Lord is. The Bible is a living book, I may read a passage 50 times and get something new out of it each time. God speaks to our souls, so I will trust him, and not worry over wether or not I think that others are 'right with the Lord' For it is not my place to Judge others, for only God knows our hearts.

Answer 3

Eschatology is not an important issue,or a salvation issue.It's one of those things that's okay for Christians to have differing opinions about,and I'm quite ahocked at the amount of people who think that differing opinions on,say,baptism,means that Christianity isn't true.They musn't be aware of that verse.
Salvation is pretty much set in stone.We should all be following scripture on that.
Christ's divinty is important.If they don't believe in that,they are pseudo-Christian,not Christian.All Christians believe that Christ is divine.

Answer 4

I as a Christian can`t convert you or any one else.The Holy Spirit does that.I agree that a lot of disagreements over the Bible isn`t smart,we should let others believe in their interpretation of the word because someone who is truly saved is a child of God.We won`t all agree on everything but we can agree that Jesus Saved us and that God is still on his throne.That is the most important thing.Living by the commandments is our guide and the rest is just convictions that we`ve somehow acquired through our interpretations and that doesn`t mean because someone else doesn`t agree with it that we or they are wrong.We need to show love one to another.

Answer 5

I couldn't agree with you more but if you wish to speak of Christ, you have to expect others to challenge you in any way that they can. Christ told us this would happen. We do not need to defend our beliefs and God certainly does not need us to defend Him.

But to address the reason you hear that question from non believers... It is because "religions" are made by man, not by God. Man is imperfect as we all know therefore anything that man does is imperfect. For myself, I am not affiliated with any church body other than Christ's. I try very hard not to make interpretations of his word to suit what works for me but instead take his life and his words literally as much as I possible can. Peace on Earth is God's final plan but I doubt if we will ever see it happen without Him.

Answer 6

Good point.........

There is no question that Christians need to be in united agreement with doctrine, prophecy, morals and other important issues and have no right to have their own interpretation:

(2 Peter 1:20-21) “20 For YOU know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. 21 For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.”

Please note how fine tuned that type of agreement needs to be & the dangers that can take place:

(1 Corinthians 1:10-16) “10 Now I exhort YOU, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that YOU should all speak in agreement, and that there should not be divisions among YOU, but that YOU may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought. 11 For the disclosure was made to me about YOU, my brothers, by those of [the house of] Chlo´e, that dissensions exist among YOU. 12 What I mean is this, that each one of YOU says: “I belong to Paul,” “But I to A·pol´los,” “But I to Ce´phas,” “But I to Christ.” 13 The Christ exists divided. Paul was not impaled for YOU, was he? Or were YOU baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful I baptized none of YOU except Cris´pus and Ga´ius, 15 so that no one may say that YOU were baptized in my name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Steph´a·nas. As for the rest, I do not know whether I baptized anybody else. . .”

The churches & the leaders have set the poor example, with confusing doctrines they advocate.

--Among Jehovah's Witnesses some 6 million of us are in agreement with what was mentioned above.
--We are careful & try not to favor individuals no matter what their position is & we are always trying our best to obtain more clear understanding, especially focusing in on Jesus teachings and sterling example as the Son of Jehovah God.
---We do have our differences in personal matters which is human & nobody can escape--
--When we have misunderstandings we try to clear matters up if at all possible~

Answer 7

Hi Star,
I would say that it is impossible to become a True Christian if one refuses to read, study, and follow the Biblical Scriptures as they are written. You believe that it is possible to be a Christian and only follow a portion of what we are told to do? I believe that GOD had the BIBLE written as HIS WORD and it is our LAW not our "suggested reading". Why do you suppose that GOD wants us to follow what satan has caused many to do??? Please do not feel that GOD wants all of these groups of people doing their own thing. HE has given us examples and scriptures to lead us in our service to HIM.
Thanks,
Eds

Answer 8

Well many people including christains dont always look at the facts...and they take the same thing to mean totally differnet things.Also some dont want to forfit a false belief because they dont want to be wrong.(some people are unreasonable)

Answer 9

we're workin it out ... imo some issues are getting settled .. nobody is converting anybody imo ... thats Gods job is it not .. all we can do is say what we know and feel and try to have some semblance of being civilized about it ...

Answer 10

I agree with you. Ironically even Christians are divided.

Answer 11

Whoa. I didn't realize the consequences of being on Y/A was so influential to survival of world. Thanks for letting us know. Oh, and by the way, it is the Holy Spirit who convicts, not Christians.