christians: how often do you challenge traditional theology?

Question

i'm not talking about losing faith. i'm asking you how often you challenge centuries-old doctrine. i'm starting to see some things in accepted theology that seem like they contradict what the bible actually teaches, and i'm just wondering how many other christians are the same way. again, i'm not talking about losing faith. i'm merely asking how many of us are following what 2 timothy 2:15 says. have a good day, everybody. i'm off to church, and i'll check this when i get back.

i'm not talking about what the bible says either. i'm asking how often you question traditional interpretation of the bible.

Answer 1

I check myself regularly to ensure my beliefs conform with the Bible. Just because someone tells me something, that doesn't make it true. Especially in this Laodicean age, with all of the false prophets and false teachers who want to mislead us.

Case in point: most Christians believe in the concept of "original sin." I concluded loooong ago that it's unscriptural. After doing an embarrassingly small amount of detective work, I was able to read the writings of the first Christian author who proposed this absurd idea. I've since abandoned the notion that we are all born sinners.

I also don't believe anyone -- except Satan, the AC and the False Prophet -- literally burns in Hell forever. I think unbelievers receive punishment with eternal consequences, not eternal punishment.

Answer 2

The fact is my feelings are that most traditional theologies are pretty sound but you dont list any so I could not give you my opinion. I think regardless we should follow 2 Timothy 2:15 so we do know what is what the word says but when you get down to it it falls into interpretation with alot of things.

Answer 3

I do believe in God and I believe in much of the Bible but I always keep in mind that the Bible has been translated and re-written by men not once but many times. From the First Council of Nicaea to the King James version, the Bible has been modified and adapted many times by many people not all of whom were prophets or saints. It doesn't mean that there is no truth in it but it does mean that the truth cannot be assumed. That goes twice over for interpretations. Unless you read in ancient dead languages there can be no doubt that the bible you read is an interpretation. That is a matter of definition.

Answer 4

No, "centuries old doctrine" is the wisest theology that is out there in the gospels.

When I read the gospels, I can see very clear that the people who wrote the gospels understood very well the meaning of images, and the power of God. They are very wise and powerful people to me in my eyes when it comes to spiritual power.

Even the apocrypha are texts that I greatly appreciate because it is like behind the scenes of the authors that were put in the Holy Bible. I am sure the people who wrote the gospels that were put in the Holy Bible were people who understood the writers, and texts of the apocrypha themselves. It is just a whole different level of power between the two.

It is just a matter of putting pieces of a puzzle together.

Answer 5

I challenge the interpretation of the scripture, not the scripture itself. I know there are alot of things the church is doing that scripture never even mentions, such as alter calls,the sinners prayer, pre-tribulation rapture,doing one little prayer then christ comes in your heart(doesnt work like that) and the list goes on. It seems their adding their own words to bible. and their not supposed to do that and galatians backs me up on this."Let noone add or take away". So I have no choice but to challenge them when they do this. thats why you "study to show yourself approved" so your not decieved by these false interpretations.

Answer 6

I never challenge scripture, but, I often challenge the interpretation of scripture by people.

The example I get the most hate mail about from Christians (about 1/100th of the hate mail I get from atheists, which is interesting) is:

Exodus 21:22
If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.

Now obviously God differentiates abortion from murder and has a kind of "open" range of punishment in mind for abortion even though abortion is still, just as obviously, a sin to be avoided as if your soul depends on it.

A lot of Christians add the next passage:

23And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life...

Even though scripture plainly states IF any "mischief" follows the abortion then the mischief should be punished as is appropriate a lot of Christians insist that the "mischief" or "harm" is the baby dying from the abortion so the punishment is the same as the punishment for murder.

I disagree. If God had meant for that to happen God could have just said:

"If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her he shall be surely put to death."

So I never challenge scripture. I will always challenge any interpretation of scripture that is obviously being twisted.

God tells us abortion is wrong. Why "inflate" the sin? Sin is sin.

Answer 7

I don't have to challenge any theory anyone has, it is their theory not my, Now concerning 2nd Tim. I study my life every day to make sure I am in line with God's word & the Apostles teachings, & for the last 37 yrs as a Christian I have been right on line, Theory of people does not change God's word.

Answer 8

All the time. Check out my questions and answers (at least when I'm not being a dork.)

Study the verses that people use to support the trinity without trying to find a trinity. That's a good one to try.

Answer 9

No. True theology is with the spark of life of THE HOLY SPIRIT or else theology is merely a theory of belief.

Answer 10

I constantly challenge certain interpretations in traditional Christian theology, particularly the ones used to justify homophobia. Since Christ tells us that one of His most important commandments is to treat others as we want to be treated, we can preume that homophobia (which results in harm against gay people) is in direct conflict with this imperative commandment. Christ did not tell us that fulfilling this commandment fulfills the law--but then wink and whisper to us that we can just go ahead and ignore it in the case of others who are gay.