Christians, why do we argue about such stupid things?

Question

I'm being serious here. Since I've been in this section, I've seen Christians arguing about which Bible version is the purest and the "best." Does it really matter? Can God not reach a person no matter WHICH version they're reading, even if it's The Message?
And arguing about which denomination is "right." What's up with THAT? Don't we all belong to one church? Does it really matter whether we're Baptist, Lutheran, Catholic, or WHATEVER? I don't recall Jesus saying that one has to be Methodist to get to the Father.
And THEN there's the whole "if a person doesn't believe in the literal creation account, they're not a Christian." Give me a BREAK!
So seriously, why do we argue about semantics?
And it's not just HERE either. It's everywhere. WHY?

Um, I'm creeping up very quickly on being 30. How is that "young"?

So many wonderful answers, all across the board (yes, that means from the atheists too!). I have NO idea how I'm going to choose a best answer, lol.
Thanks to everyone who gave me new perspectives. I'm still learning how to live as a Christian, so it's nice to have people who have been doing it longer!

Answer 1

Unfortunately, some people are only happy when they put others down to make themselves feel superior or start arguments. I really don't think Jesus would look kindly on such behavior.

Answer 2

Since eternal punishment, and eternal salvation are so important, and also so final, Christians feel it is important to make sure that they are on the right path. That's why we Christians discuss, argue, and often disagree.

I am a Confessional Lutheran. We can be very steadfast, and as argumentative as any one. We do however teach and believe that there are two Churches; The visible Church, and the invisible Church.

The visible Church consists of everything that we see, all the buildings, denominations, religious services and congregations (people). This Church is made up of both believers and unbelievers. The visible Church is sometimes called the Church Militant. (kind of fits)

The invisible Church consists of ALL and ONLY believers from all denominations, both living and dead, and will be added to by the baptized and converted. The invisible Church is sometimes called the Church Triumphant. (the battle is over, no more arguing, fighting or wory)

The mainline Churches all confess this doctrine in the Three Ecumenical Creeds as "The Holy Catholic (Christian, universal) Church. and the Communion of the Saints".

Again, remember, if it wasn't so important to us, we wouldn't need to discuss, debate, argue, and even sometimes admonish each other!

May the Peace, Love, and Grace of God be with you.

Mark

Answer 3

You'll be very lucky if this question is not deleted. We argue because we disagree with you. That should be easy for someone who does not believe she is stupid. No, we do not "secretly believe that perhaps He may exist." That's wishful thinking on your part. The term phobia means fear, but it also implies dislike. Even if you're not afraid of gays (and I'll take your word for it that you're not), there is still your claim that the Bible says gayness is against Christianity. Many gays would disagree that the Bible is that easily interpreted. In fact, the entire membership of the Metropolitan Life Church would probably disagree. The problem seems to be that you assume your ideas of God and of Christianity are the only valid ones. Such is not the case. I'm an atheist myself, but it's not hard to see that there are many, many different flavors of Christianity, not to say plenty of other theists. If you are seriously asking questions, and not just using the form of a question to state your opinions, a few of the links below may help.

Answer 4

Yes it matters. if you are using a badly translated Bible you aren't going to get Word of God as it was given. Do you seriously want to use a bad translation? How does reading the Bible teach you more about Christ is its inaccurate?

The fact that God could reach a person regardless, even without a Bible, doesnt change the fact that having a correct Bible is definitely more helpful than having an inaccurate one.

No we don't all belong to the same Church. If we did there would be no baptists or lutherans or catholics. There would only be Saints. You can't possible claim that different denominations teaching contrary doctrine are all correct.

And no Christ never said one has to be methodist to get to the Father, He said you had to follow Him. and you cant follow Him unless you know the truth about His message. And contrary to what you are trying to assert not all denominations teach the truth points of his message. If they did then God is a liar teaching us all contrary messages. God is not the author of confusion. He teaches plainly for all to learn.

These aren't semantics. These are key points of truth. Its only the truth that sets you free. The question is how do you know where to find the truth? The Lord provides the answer: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given unto you.

Don't get caught into the trap that everything is the same and you don't have to put in any effort to find the truth. its a lie. But if you exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and seek Him through prayer the Spirit will lead you to his Church and Kingdom.

Answer 5

I am not a christian. I am a kwistenbiebelist (sorry membership is not open anymore). I am very glad this question comes up here. It would save everybody lots of time if all christians would meet somewhere and discuss their differences. May I suggest a few points on the agenda?

Version of the BIble.
Sunday or Saturday.
Holy Virgin.
Gays.
The Pope.
Exorcism.
War in Iraq justified or not.

I will come as a kwistenbiebelist-observer.

Sure hope we can work on more serious things after the meeting.

Hope the weather will be fine at this gathering!

Answer 6

I agree, churches need to unite we would be much more effective as a whole, than just a bunch of smaller groups haggling over pointless doctrine (man made rules..not the bibles)...who cares how we dress, or wear our hair, or if we read NIV< KJV< the point of those arguments is silly and they tend to be redundant...it is really about one thing Jesus..and His coming to the world to save us..I am not sure why it happens, we just talked about it at church today...I think that the good thing is we are not perfect, we are just saved and people are people whether or not they are saved and some people just like to argue and have conflict..it is wrong.

Answer 7

1 Corintians is a rebuke (scolding) and it directly warns us NOT to break into sectarian schisms.
I happened anyway and for many silly and not so silly reasons.
Pride and arrogance are the usual reasons.
Is it important to know the difference between the various translations of the Bible?
ABSOLUTELY!
A little twist, addition, or ommission changes a great many things.
The Jehovah's Witnesses changed one comman so as to support their heresy about heaven and who will go there.
The Bible quotes the english translation of Christ's words thusly:
"Verily, verily, I say to you,..." The comma ALWAYS, grammatically, comming after the word 'you'.
The JW's take it that way also, except for when Christ is on the cross, where they move the comman one word farthr down the sentence:
"Verily, verily, I say to you today, you shall be in paradise with me"
The small change of position of that little comma, drastically changes the meaning of the wntire message!
instead of Christ telling him that he would, on that very day, be in heaven with Christ, it meant that Jesus was not only saying that in some, indefinite time in the future the man would be with Christ, but that Christ was also stating to the guy, dying next to him that he was being spoken to at the time he was being spoken to! How stupid is that???
Anyway, we are to come together in the fullness of the faith, like Iron sharpens Iron, to the perfection of the saints!
We are meant to work together, rubbing each other wrong, at times to break off the unsound doctrines that we all have and come together in a more perfect doctrine! Instead, we have gone the opposite way and decided to let our errors grow and harden with those of like mindedness, and arrogantly convince ourselves that our errors make us right and better and in better stead with Christ!

Answer 8

I don't know where you are from, but here in the Southern States of the U.S.A., we call it "Snicking In The Back Door". You see that is what satan does best. If he can keep us arguing and fighting about the little things,we will forget our main purpose, and that is to, Preach and Teach the Gospel of Christ and lead as many as we can to Jesus. While we are arguing satan is setting
and counting the souls that are sliding into hell with him and what we don't realize is that the blood of these souls will be on our hands when we stand before The King.

Answer 9

Good rant Cricket...

What causes fights and quarrells amoung you...

Jesus asks us to be united and some things we just can't be 100% sure, however, if we choose to accept the Bible as the Authority - 2 Tim 3:16... no matter what translation - I personally think it is important to read as many translations as one can get there hands on...

Eph 4:3, and John 17 (Jesus prayer for our unity before he is crucified...)

Answer 10

I have a bible that is a New Living Translation Study Bible and my church friends says that it's corrupted because and this is just one reason why that in Genesis Chapter 22 verse 8 instead of saying:And Abrahan said ,"My son God will provide HIMSELF A LAMB for burnt offering" it says "My son,God will provide FOR HIMSELF THE LAMB for a burnt offering." which has two entirely different meanings.

In the King James version Abraham is referring to Jesus when he says that God is going to provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering and is foretelling that Jesus is God and is going to give himself as the sacrificial lamb.
But in the New Living Translation it describes Abraham as saying that God is going to provide a lamb FOR himself as a burnt offering which is saying that the sacrificial lamb is not God himself but one he is going to provide.

My best friend told me that the Mountain where Abraham almost sacrificed his only son is the exact same location where Jesus was crucified.
He said not only the mountain is the same but the exact spot where Abraham prepared the burnt offering for his son Isaac was where Gods only son sacrificed himself for all of us.
It was no small thing for God to give his only begotten son for us so we may spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

There are other passages in my new bible that the church members say aren't biblically correct and are corrupted but I still read it because the King James Version does not have a study bible yet.

If there is a King James Version study bible I'd really like to know so I can read that instead.

But as for nit picking I really think that isn't necessary but warning each other when something might be wrong with our reading material is a good thing.

I don't care how people worship or what they believe and I don't think anyone should.
Each person is called to God in their own time and in their own way and it isn't for us to judge how or when they do find God.

God bless you Cricket and may peace and Joy be with you always.
I hope your hubby returns home safely to you as soon as possible.

Answer 11

LOL
I think somewhere in scripture it says something about "Endless Genealogy's" which I believe meant splitting hairs and many Christians are Olympian Obsessive hair splitters. They feed on conflict and irrationality hence they have no notion of God. That makes them liars if not to us then to themselves. Is it that abominable religion or are these types of people drawn to it but would be the same way in any other religion? So many questions and so many marvels.


Blessed Be!