what is superior to you , the word of the bible or the teachings of the church, bcz i personally see a lot of difference between the two? what is ur opinion. and pls be respectful and give logical answer
2007-11-19 05:20:03 · 29 answers · asked by nocturnal_monk 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God's Word.
If a church’s doctrine does not align with God’s Word, it’s false doctrine.
2007-11-19 05:24:35 · answer #1 · answered by David G 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
See, the trouble with your question is that there shouldn't be a need to choose between God's Word and God's Church. What you ought to do is to find a church that (a) has Biblically-established authority to make doctrinal decisions and (b) whose teachings are not in conflict with Sacred Scripture.
What a lot of people conveniently forget is that Jesus Christ did not establish the Bible during his earthly ministry. *Nowhere* in the Bible does it say what belongs in the Bible. *Nowhere* in the Bible did Christ sit down with His Apostles and say "Here are the writings from which you are to teach, including these that haven't been written yet." Instead, He established a Church and gave Peter and the Apostles the authority to build that Church based on His teachings. That same Church has been around and has been faithful to those teachings for nearly 2000 years. We have also been faithful to the Sacred Traditions taught to us by the Apostles (see 2 Thess 2:15).
In fact, the Bible *is* a sacred tradition, or a "teaching" of the Church. It wasn't until ~400 A.D. that there even was a formalized Bible. Before that time, the Hebrew scriptures were used (Old Testament) along with written and oral communications of the Apostles and their successors. If there were ever to be conflict, I'd stick with the Bible for sure. However, I have yet to find a conflict.
2007-11-19 18:14:03 · answer #2 · answered by nardhelain 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are some things that I believe are open to more than one interpretation. If things are minor, as in relating to style of worship, or other customs and traditions NOT directly relating to salvation, then perhaps God left it open on purpose because of our different personalities, cultures, preferences, etc.
BUT, if when reading the Bible you come across some critical inconsistencies between what the Bible says and what your church teaches, and you can't square those through further study and prayer, there's probably something wrong with your church. You should question your minister (pastor, priest, whatever you call your spiritual leader), in order to get clarification. It's possible you misunderstood what the church's doctrine is on this issue, or that they can point you to additional Scripture that straightens out the discrepancy. But if you aren't satisfied with the answer, the Bible is the authority. Now it comes back to which Bible? Jehovah's Witnesses have their own translation, Mormon's added a whole other Testament, and Catholics have books the rest of Christendom doesn't have. My church accepts KJV as the official dispensation of the Gospel message to the English-speaking world, so unless you read Hebrew or Greek and want to go back to the original text, I would recommend going with this version as the authoritative text.
You will get a wide variety of answers on here, with no way to tell who is spiritually mature, misguided, or even a Christian at all. The only way to really know the truth is to pray, study, and have it revealed to you personally through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is something that only Christians can experience; in order to have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to help you interpret and understand Scripture, you must have repented of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. That is the first and most important step in being a Christian; when you have taken that step your desire to follow Jesus in spiritual growth will lead you into truth.
2007-11-19 13:31:12 · answer #3 · answered by arklatexrat 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The church interprets and explains the bible. The church is where to go to learn what is contained in the bible and how to practice what the bible states. People need help reading the bible by themselves. The bible can be very challenging and confusing at times. Find a church you like and use the church to understand the bible. When you feel you have learned enough you will either accept or reject the church, the church being nothing more than a congregation of believers.
2007-11-19 13:30:56 · answer #4 · answered by Jeffrey M 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The reason you ask the question is because you think you do not need anyone to help you understand the bible!
What you call 'teachings' of the Catholic Church is nothing more than our UNDERSTANDING of everything, handed down from the apostles, including the bible! You sound as if the Church's teachings come from somewhere else.
What is your church's stand on abortion? 'Abortion' is not in the bible, ( neither is the word 'trinity', nor 'purgatory'), but we UNDERSTAND abortion to be murder, we understand the trinity to be clear from reading BOTH the old and new testaments; same with purgatory.
I suggest YOU read the bible carefully.
2007-11-19 18:59:34 · answer #5 · answered by pbb1001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Church teaches by looking not only at Sacred Scripture, but into History and by reading what the earliest Christians have written, what those who've sat on the Chair of Peter have spoken consistently with Scripture and Tradition, and what they've solemnly defined. To believe that the Bible is our only source of Christian Truth is unbiblical and illogical.
2007-11-20 01:42:34 · answer #6 · answered by Isabella 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Though shalt not add or take away from the Word of God.
If you go to a church that teaches contrary to the Word of God, I suggest you do two things.
First, confront the elders and preacher of the church and discuss to them what you feel is taught by the church that is contrary to the Word of God. I suggest though before you do this you find a brother in the Lord who is steadfast in the faith and agrees completely with you. For the Holy Spirit of God is like a river of truth and all those who have that spirit are of that truth.
What happens is if one thing is being taught that is contrary, could cause other things that this scripture pertains to to be wrong as well, even more so.
A little leaven leaveneth the entire lump.
Second, if you are led of the spirit to leave if the situation is unresolved, you should go.
One thing I want to mention though is that in all things be led of the spirit and the love of Jesus always as you attempt this endeavor.
If you like, you can write me and tell me what you feel they teach that is contrary to the Word of God. If you are led of the Holy Spirit to do so.
2007-11-19 13:33:14 · answer #7 · answered by heiscomingintheclouds 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Bible. The teachings of the church SHOULD be based on biblical principles. If they aren't, then something is wrong. Of course one's interpretation will always affect how the Bible is read, but it remains true that Christians should treat the Bible as the authority, believing that it is God's written Word.
2007-11-19 13:29:21 · answer #8 · answered by Sweetfeet 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Word of the Bible. Teachings of a church are just added beliefs of man.
2007-11-19 13:28:03 · answer #9 · answered by Angie 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Bible
2007-11-19 13:23:09 · answer #10 · answered by gwhiz1052 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
the word is superior. Churches are led by pastors who can have their own interpretation of the bible. Look at David Koresh and any other false prophets. They interpret the word as they see fit. they don't wait or ask god to help them find the meaning, they make it up as they wish. That's where things in Christianity are starting to get messed up. People are putting their own spins on it instead of asking the big man upstairs what it really means.
2007-11-19 13:38:49 · answer #11 · answered by makelly1979 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋