Do most Christians practice homemade Christianity?

Question

The other day I was having a conversation with my in-laws about religion. I, as a deist, stated that I did not believe the stories of Noah’s Arc, Moses parting the Red Sea, etc. and that I did not like the way that women are depicted in the bible, as well as how homosexuals are condemned. My in-laws and my wife, all of whom are Christians, agreed with me and voiced their own doubts about these stories/principles. However, when I went on to say that I believe there is a Creator of some kind, but that I feel that most, if not all of Christianity, is a myth, the room got silent. Everyone said, “Oh well, I know that Jesus died for my sins,” “What about Jesus, don’t you think he died on the cross,” …… This is not the first time I have come across Christians who say that part of the Bible is true and part of it is not. Christians: There are only two possibilities: 1) The Bible is totally unreliable or 2) the Bible is 100% accurate. If the Noah story is not true, if God really does not dislike homosexuals, then nothing in the Bible can be relied upon. If the Bible is 100% accurate, all homosexuals will burn in hell, women are inferior to men, incest is okay, etc. Pick a side?

Answer 1

we have attended churches where they can 'pick or choose' what they want to believe out of the bible... i even knew pastors who didnt believe the bible, as a whole, is the Word of God.

I believe that the bible is 100% accurate.

the bible does not say 'all homosexuals' will go to hell... but it does state that all who sin are seperated from God (homosexuality, based on the bible, is a sin, among so many other things, lying, stealing, cheating, etc) but they can turn from sin and receive forgiveness and salvation thru Jesus Christ.

Answer 2

I agree that if the Bible is not 100% accurate, then its not the Word of God. The Bible is then inaccurate and undependable. How can one depend on something as a whole when it proves itself at certain areas to be unreliable?

I would like to comment on a few things you mentioned:
1. God LOVES homosexuals. He loves everyone (despite what certain churches may say). Jesus died for gays as well as straight people.

Of course, the Bible does declare that homosexuality is a sin. And even though many believe that its perfectly fine to be gay, I don't think its a stretch to believe that a creator created man to be with woman, and only women. To many, it might be an uncomfortable truth that homosexuality is wrong - but that doesn't mean the idea is false.

And on something else you mentioned - I don't believe that all homosexuals will go to hell. The Bible mentions that homosexuals will, but the list also includes theives and liars. Doesn't that include all of us? Well, if you understand the context, you'll understand that means that those who choose to live IN sin and apart from God will die.

There are those who struggle with homosexuality (born with it or not, I do not know), but still seek God. Its a thorn in their side. I believe that those who genuinely seek God but find temptation with those of the same race will still be with God in glory.

2. Women are not inferior to men. Women are partners and co-equals, although they were designed with a different role, and cursed in a different way from God. That in no way denies their equality before God.

3. Incest is not okay. The Bible sets strict laws against incest. Lot's daughters are looked down upon for their sinful incestual deeds.

As for the beginning of time and incest - that's a tricky question. I believe that, if taken literally, yes, incest did take place between Adam and Eve's children. However, the question becomes more complex (as in, did sin spread slowly throughout the world? How did sin result in human bodily imperfection? How fast did sinned-ridden, damaged genes spread?).

Thanks for the question!

Answer 3

I do believe a lot of people follow their own special "home made" as you say, version of Christianity.

It's called Cafeteria Christianity. You pick what you like and avoid what you don't.

The bible is not either one or the other. It is not either totally made up or 100% fact.

Much of the bible is prayer and prose. This is neither fact nor fable. This is something else.

In the Catholic Church we are taught that bible stories may be fact and may be allegory. Were Adam and Eve the ONLY people God created? The bible does not say this, yet so many people who claim "sola scriptura" insist this is the case. If it's not stated in the bible how can this be true?

The bible does not say homosexuals will burn in hell. So how can this be true? Homosexuality is not even in the "top 10" Adultery is. I think our recent fixation with homosexuality is just the average Christian's way of dodging their own sin. Adultery. The bible tells us if a married person even looks at another in lust they have commited adultery.

Let's think about that in terms of how men feel watching Victoria's Secret adds.

Things that make you go Hmmmm...

The bible also does not say incest is ok. Nor does it say women are inferior to men. Sadly, Protestants are missing some of the best stuff about women because Martin Luther pulled it from his hand crafted version of the bible then later the Puritans pulled it from the English Standard Bible and relabled it King James Version.

Luther even wanted to pull the Book of Esther. What ever for?

In the Book of Judges one of the judges is Deborah. If God felt women were inferior, why would he put one in charge of his people?

If you've never done so, read the Book of Wisdom. Then ring the Song of Songs.

There no longer is a "the" bible. There are hundreds upon thousands of different versions. Some fairly literal translations. Some highly "interpreted" which is the bible translator telling us what scripture means.

Interpretations are often wrong. For instance, when Coca Cola went to Japan and their "Coke adds life" slogan on billboards aroudn Hong Kong - they scandalized people. What their interpretation actually said was "Coke brings your ancestors back from the dead."

So if the bible is 100% accurate, which version is? One of the hundreds of thousands of Catholic bibles? with 73 books? Or one of the hundreds of thousands of Protestant bibles with 66 books?

Edit: I just want to comment on the statement above that the Gospels contradict one another. They do not. They are just different points of view. Interview any police officer. He will tell you if 10 people witness the same crime you will have 10 different stories.

Answer 4

Good point. Jesus said, "if you love me, you will obey me", meaning those who say they are Christians and don't believe the Bible is His Word - have no foundation in Him. Check Matthew 7:21-23. That's why the Liberal Christian doesn't exist. It's just a person who likes the "love" part of Jesus' message but rejects the rest. The Bible, for true believers, is 100 percent accurate. All homosexuals will burn in hell, along with all murderers, rapists, thieves, liars, and blasphemers - who do not trust in God for His mercy. We may not think "lying" is a big deal, but in the Bible it's just as bad as homosexuality. Incest was permissible in the earliest days because of the lack of people, but in the laws of the OT God forbids it. And as for women being inferior, they are not "inferior", they simply have a different role than men and are meant to submit to them(their husbands and fathers).

Answer 5

"If the Bible is 100% accurate, all homosexuals will burn in hell, women are inferior to men, incest is okay, etc. "

"all homosexuals will burn in hell," - homosexuality in the Bible is seen as a practice that is immoral. It says that God can deliver you out of it, and forgive it just like anything else. He doesn't just say "stop being homosexual!" then watch and see if you do it. He personally works with you and grows you!

"women are inferior to men," - this is not in the Bible. In fact, quite the opposite.

"incest is okay,"- this is not in the Bible either. in fact, incest is expressly forbidden. In the ancient world, cousins were not considered "close" relatives.

Answer 6

The Bible is 100% true, however YOU are in error on at least a couple points. The Bible does NOT teach that women are not inferior to men - they have different roles, but they are equal before God. Incest is NOT OK (what have you been reading) - it is condemned in the book of Leviticus.

Answer 7

I believe ALL the Bible is true. Some of the stories are parale's that Jesus told to help us grasp a better meaning. Noah's are, i believe, was real. As for the homosexuals,ect. if they don't repent and turn away from evil and toward's God they will burn in hell.

Answer 8

It is a shame everything is so black and white for you. Is there not some middle ground where those stories could be stories of an ancient people with truth you may not understand and that the story of Jesus could be the most important story ever told meant to save you. If you do not agree or do not understand that is fine, but it sounds like your in-laws are doing their best in accepting you as you are, maybe you should do the same for them.

Answer 9

The is the potential problem with the human person deciding for themselves what is good and what is evil, what is true and what is false. Humanity has a source for the authentic and authoritative teaching of the truth given by Christ Himself to His earthly Kingdom. The Holy Apostolic Catholic Church

Now watch and see how much this answer gets persecuted the same way Christ Did. This would be an excellent sign That it is from Him

Answer 10

Yes - to your original question. Now, if I had to pick a side - and I will - I choose the truth. Not "faith". The truth. Or at least, the best available evidence. Knowledge is good.