I feel very lost!

I want to preface this by saying I am a Christian, but I am not sure where as a Christian I belong. First off, I believe in God, The Trinity, Faith, and believe in a lot of concepts of the Bible. However, I do not believe the Bible is the inherant, falliable word of God. I believe some things in the Bible can actually be wrong. It is laced with conradictions, and upon diving into it deeper, I see it as a guide.

Problem is, I am raised Protestant, and always taught that Bible is the only truth and authority, and that it is scripture alone that should be guiding us. However, I see that protestant churches put their twist on things and interpret it externally. I don't blame them since the Bible is full of contradictions and I believe this is easy to do!

Also, I have to admit I am not a fan of modern day praise music and modernism entering the church...I think it is wordly. I would like to also mention that in the Baptist church I went to this morning, works were totally discredited, but I believe works is evidence of faith and should not be discounted.

So, I am totally lost...where do I belong?? I am Christian, but I am not sure if I am a true Protesant, or true anything if I question the Bible. I feel lost and scared...any advice???

You sound increasingly like me (although I was raised Catholic) so do not worry you are not alone! Although as a church shopper this is kind of my weak point so sorry! I would recommend the United Church of Christ as they are the first, and really only, major church that comes to mind that fluxes on the infallibility of scripture. Prayers that you find what you are seeking! It happens...I have been seeking for nearly a year and you go through phases of wisdom and then being lost and scared, I can safely say I feel lost...again after thinking I found what I wanted.

God speed to you

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Like the disciples before Pentectost, people can sincerely believe in Jesus, as best they understand Him, but still not have actually received His Spirit for one reason or another.
A Christian is someone who has received the Holy Spirit because “Christ” or “Messiah” means “anointed one” and the anointing is the Holy Spirit (Acts 10v38). Romans 8v9 states:-
“ . . . you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

Jesus said that He, The Spirit would lead you into all truth so, I would begin by making sure you have actually received the Spirit (otherwise knows as "born again" - John 3:3-8, or being baptised in the Spirit - Acts 1:8, 1 Cor. 12:13).Here are the details given in Acts:
The Jews: 2:4, 33, 39
The Samaritans: 8:5-18
The Gentiles: 10:44-48, 19:1-6

You sound like you're just waiting for someone to tell you that you would make a great Catholic, so I'll say it first: "Go Catholic!"

Granted, I'm biased, but it seems like the Catholic Church would be the best fit for you based on the information you've given. Catholics believe that the Bible is the Word of God, but they tend not to toss around words like "inerrant" and "infallible, and they don't believe, for instance, that the earth is only 6000 years old.

Catholics don't believe in Scripture alone, they believe that the Bible must be interpreted within the framework of church teaching over the last 2000 years. This really cuts down on the problem of pastors "putting their twist on things," as you said. You won't find much contemporary praise music in Catholic churches, and Catholics also believe that good works are important because they are the fruit of a living faith.

If you're interested in checking out Catholicism, I recommend attending mass at your local church to see what Catholic-style worship looks like (generally highly liturgical, reverent and prayerful), and looking through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which tells what Catholics believe. You can find it online. There are also a gazillion Catholic forums and apologetics websites: Catholic Answers, Catholic Bridge, etc.

Other viable options for you could include some of the more liberal-leaning mainstream Protestant churches: Episcopal (also highly liturgical), United Church of Christ (less liturgical, most liberal), or UMC Methodist (less liturgical, probably most like what you're used to). These churches do not emphasize scripture alone; they believe that scripture should be read in the context of church tradition, reason, and experience. Worship follows a traditional format and contemporary praise music is rarely used.

I pray that God gives you peace! Questioning or changing your beliefs is not easy, but don't worry, you still sound like a Christian. Keep praying and asking God to lead you in your search.

Blessings!

Jess,

How many times am I going to have to tell you this: UCC!!!!!!

I want to preface this by saying I am a Christian, but I am not sure where as a Christian I belong. First off, I believe in God, The Trinity, Faith, and believe in a lot of concepts of the Bible. However, I do not believe the Bible is the inherant, falliable word of God. I believe some things in the Bible can actually be wrong. It is laced with conradictions, and upon diving into it deeper, I see it as a guide.

Firstly, how many points in the Bible to you believe wrong...gimme some scripture By the way I believe the Bible is the inherant, infallable, Word of God

Problem is, I am raised Protestant, and always taught that Bible is the only truth and authority, and that it is scripture alone that should be guiding us. However, I see that protestant churches put their twist on things and interpret it externally. I don't blame them since the Bible is full of contradictions and I believe this is easy to do!

What contradictions are we speaking of?

Also, I have to admit I am not a fan of modern day praise music and modernism entering the church...I think it is wordly. I would like to also mention that in the Baptist church I went to this morning, works were totally discredited, but I believe works is evidence of faith and should not be discounted.

I would like to also mention that in the Baptist church I went to this morning, works were totally discredited,

That Pastor might want to read through (James 2:18-20)

(CCM) Christian Contemporary Music The PURPOSE of Christian music is to PRAISE the Lord. Not man. Some scripture on worship and music : (1 Chronicles 15.16, 28; 16.5, 6, 42; 25.1, 6) (2 Chronicles 29.25-26) (Psalm 68.25 ) (Psalm 149 )

It is a preference that...small potatoes.... In the ESSENTIALS unity, in the NON essentials Liberty

So, I am totally lost...where do I belong?? I am Christian, but I am not sure if I am a true Protesant, or true anything if I question the Bible. I feel lost and scared...any advice???

How is your prayer life? How much time do you devote to reading your Bible, and Im not talking speed reading, but really digging in deep...if only for a few verses?

I hope I have helped, if I can be of any further help, please ask.

In Christ,
Don

Thanks for all your help...I am still trying to figure it all out through prayers, studying the Bible, and just reading general theology. I am actually leaning Catholic, but scared since I have been a protestant all my life and have been taught wrongly that Catholicism is "icky". Some big hurdles I am jumping in regards to that right now!

Originally Posted by hikingchick77

Thanks for all your help...I am still trying to figure it all out through prayers, studying the Bible, and just reading general theology. I am actually leaning Catholic, but scared since I have been a protestant all my life and have been taught wrongly that Catholicism is "icky". Some big hurdles I am jumping in regards to that right now!

I’m sure you’ll be welcomed & appreciated if you decide to become Catholic. The Catholic community tends to have a lot of activities and things you can get involved with.

I was Protestant all my life too until just last Easter when I was confirmed Catholic, and I can totally relate. New discoveries through prayer and study are both scary and exciting, and being in a different place from family and friends is difficult. The payoff, for me, was learning to know God better and trust him more through the whole experience. There was a reason for the journey after all. And I'm very happy to be Catholic.

Best wishes with your prayer and study!

Thank you so much!

Suprisingly, I just called a local Catholic church, and the deacon invited me to meet with him, and join the RCIA program. He seemed so friendly and helpful, and I was kinda shocked they responded the same day I inquired.

Anyway, it is new discoveries, that is for sure. Being away from families and friends is discouraging, but suprisingly I am getting a lot of support even from the non-Christian family and friends.