Christians, what do you think the most dangerous stumbling block for nonbelievers would be?

Question

I have noticed that many misinterpret scripture under the belief that they have full understanding. When these instances have happened, I think many Christians miss a prime opportunity to explain and instead gloat or judge. I think this is the second stumbling block I have noticed. Are there more that you can think of and do you agree with my observations?

I am not trying to offend nonbelievers in any way, I admit I was looking for answers from a specific group for this question. In explanation, I have read many interpretations and usages of Scripture that were clearly out of context or incorrect. My beliefs regarding the interpretation of Scripture is that the Holy Spirit is required for accurate understanding and thus only those who are saved could expect to be in a state of understanding. This is another reason for my exemption of nonbelievers regarding this particular question.

This is in reference to those who see arrogance in my beliefs about the interpretation of the Scriptures. My belief is that God must be a part of the interpretation, He must be present in spirit, the Holy Spirit, in order to correctly understand His message. I do not presume to say that there could not be someone who could understand, but I do believe that all correct understanding; believer and nonbeliever comes from God. I understand nonbelievers will not agree but that was not the point of my question. One of the reasons I asked is because I have seen incorrect interpretations, possibly deliberate. It seems to me the result of this could be what we call a stumbling block, something that prevents someone from finding their way along the path. I do not question anyone's abilities or intelligence, sometimes I question their motives however. I do not claim to have all of the answers, my opinion of what others interpret for themselves is: It is between God and themselves.

Answer 1

I don't think most atheists want to know the true meaning of the scripture they have a problem with. They would seek tout the arguments, original translations, and answers. They really just want an excuse not to believe. Of course, we should be loving and try, but I don't think that will get to them.
I think the biggest stumbling block for them, and for us, is pride. And closed-mindedness.
There is one vice of which no man in the world is free, which every one in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else...The vice I am talking of is Pride...It was through pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind...nearly all the evils in the world which people put down to greed or selfishness are really far more the result of pride...as long as you are proud you can never know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you. That raises a terrible question. How is it that people who are quite obviously eaten up with pride can say they believe in God and appear to themselves very religious? I am afraid it means they are worshiping an imaginary God. They theoretically admit themselves to be nothing in the presence of this phantom God, but are really all the time imagining how he approves of them and thinks them far better than ordinary people...Pride is a spiritual cancer. It eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense...Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is a nobody. Probably all you will think of him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who tool a real interest in what YOU said to HIM...He will not be thinking about humility, he will not be thinking about himself at all. If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step...to realise that one is proud...If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed."

I find that most atheists are quick to dismiss the beliefs of millions without much research, smugly proclaiming themselves better than those who believe in the unseen.

Answer 2

God repeatedly spoke through prophets in the Old Testement about how He just could not tolerate self righteousness. It made Jesus sick too.

Violating the fruits of the spirit and being arrogant, boastful, self serving, holier than thou, greedy, stingy, or even to fall into common sins - these all are stumbling blocks to new Christians.

They feel either less "worthy" or that there is no difference between Christians and them.

What we should be is people who exhibit the fruits of the Holy Spirit:

Galatians 5:22-23 "But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these."

1st Corinthians 13:4-8a Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. Love is eternal.

Peace.

Answer 3

The tendeny to be a Legalist. The late Jerry Falwell did this a lot. He drove a barrier between those that are Gay and Lesbian and the word of God. Instead of preaching the Gospel, Reverend Falwell chose to preach morals. If God is the judge, and I do think that he is, then we are all immoral, depraved trespassers.

I do not mean to pick on him, but he is in the News lately, and was terrible at representing God's word. I hope that God forgives me as well for anything that I have done that misrepresented the word of God, especially the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have no animosity against Falwell, I just noticed that he made people angry when there should have been love and acceptance.

Answer 4

So what you are saying is that because we the "non believers" have not bought into this Christianity . We are unable to understand and interpret the scriptures in the way you would prefer or in simpler terms ... we cannot read and think for ourselves? I'm just asking.

Answer 5

actuality. not understanding and not getting to grasp the certainty is the biggest stumbling block. It destroys guy's basically declare to being extra suitable than each and every of the animals in the international, it our psychological applications that make us extra suitable. whilst we deny those applications we are no extra beneficial than animals following the %.. the only salvation we've is understanding, that comes from getting to grasp the certainty of all issues or a minimum of as much as we are in a position to. To believe in what you're informed is degrading and immoral and defies mankind's precise of superiority over the animal species.

Answer 6

I would say the biggest stumbling block is probably the behavior of Christians as a group. We're an awfully self-righteous bunch, taken as a whole.

Answer 7

I do agree with you. I used to believe I had the inside track on what God thinks.
This may sound silly but I believe that God sees people as a patchwork or a tapestry. He has very specific roles for each of us but they aren't necessarily what He is choosing for us all.We aren't all blue thread. Some of us are red. I think we all need to realize that His plan may entail work we don't understand.

Answer 8

The most dangerous stumbling block for nonbelievers is using critical judgment.
A little bit of that just completely undoes the whole Daddy In The Sky Is Watching You Pee trip.

Answer 9

You are absolutely right....but it's very difficult to explain when they consistently knock us down. I am not not here to gloat or judge. I love them..I love everyone. Jesus loves them!
Their eyes,ears and hearts are closed. THAT IS THEIR BIGGEST STUMBLING BLOCK! They cannot or will not look beyond "scientific theory". They cannot comprehend something they have not experienced...for them seeing is believing...they need proof. Unfortunately, they have not experienced what we have...perhaps one day they will be blessed and open their eyes and hearts...then they can say...ahhhhh...now I understand. The more we try to explain the more defensive, bitter and angry they become. We can only keep trying and continue to pray for them.

Answer 10

So, you have noticed that many misinterpret scripture under the belief that they have full understanding.

Sorry, but I have to ask.

What is it that gives you the leading authority to determind what is a misinterpretation, and what isn't?