Why Are We Divided and Can We Fix It (With the Holy Ghost)?

Archivist

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Response to Post #95: Q: " How do we avoid division when some set these out as absolutes? ".

A: It is impossible. True believers are guided by God the Holy Spirit into the truth and discern such false doctrines.

John 8:32
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (from error!)

John 14:17
that is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
And I presume that the doctrines you follow are those of true believers, whereas those with which you disagree are false doctrines.
 
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daleksteve

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1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree
and that there be no divisions among you,
but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Jude 1:19
These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.

Its actually conservative christians who cause division who use the bible as an excuse to oppress women and miniorities, hate the poor, opposed to equality and social justice. People so far removed from the Jesus of the bible that they claim to love.
 
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daleksteve

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With Christianity there are so many different denominations (church systems) because all do not agree on "words" and what those words really mean and how they are applied to us (mankind). But that's a good thing, because it keeps all looking, discussing, searching Gods word, searching for knowledge, understanding of our creator and ourselves.


.

Spot on there.

We also have two thousand years more knowledge than the bible writers did which means we can prove or disprove various parts of the bible.

For example the earth is not six thousand years old, i can use science and physics to prove this. Does this mean the bible is wrong?

No, it just means that how Genesis is interpretated maybe wrong.
 
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Kajiki

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They not absolutes though and the reason why having various denominations is such a good thing.

A lot of churches have some silly doctrines and rules just so they can control people.

Any doctrine that discriminates is man made and not of god.
I notice that you too are or at least were a member of the Salvation Army. I am currently a soldier in it. Our doctrines don't discriminate but our articles of war are pretty controlling. What are your thoughts on that?
 
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daleksteve

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I notice that you too are or at least were a member of the Salvation Army. I am currently a soldier in it. Our doctrines don't discriminate but our articles of war are pretty controlling. What are your thoughts on that?

They can be controlling , but not to the extent of some churches. I had a few issues with my corps when i was about to get married cause i moved in with my girlfriend/fiancee into our new home two weeks before the wedding. We however slept in seperate rooms until we were married.
 
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eleos1954

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Spot on there.

We also have two thousand years more knowledge than the bible writers did which means we can prove or disprove various parts of the bible.

For example the earth is not six thousand years old, i can use science and physics to prove this. Does this mean the bible is wrong?

No, it just means that how Genesis is interpretated maybe wrong.

God's word is never wrong. But our understanding a lot of times is wrong. Is everything we want to know in the Bible? No ..... What is in there is what God wants us to know. I trust God in everything not man. Science, physics? Maybe true, maybe not .... Does it matter if we know for sure or not know for sure how old the earth is? Does that or would that change how we live our lives? Seems everyone is trying to prove out God as a liar. Time would be better spent to learn what He wants us to know. Some things to ponder.

God Bless
 
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Archivist

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Pretty much a case with a lot of Christianity these days.
So all who are not following your interpretation of scripture are following false doctrines? Really?
 
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Archivist

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That's not was implied. If such doctrine can be disproved though by science such as a 6,000 year old earth, then yes those doctrines are false
If you read my earlier posts you know that I haven’t mentioned a 6000 year old earth. I’m talking about claims that baptism must be by immersion, that infants cannot be baptized, that Christians cannot consume alcohol, that women cannot be ordained.
 
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daleksteve

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If you read my earlier posts you know that I haven’t mentioned a 6000 year old earth. I’m talking about claims that baptism must be by immersion, that infants cannot be baptized, that Christians cannot consume alcohol, that women cannot be ordained.

All those claims are biblical nonsense and can be disproved by any intelligent understanding of scripture.

For example, Jesus drank wine, so did his followers, he even turned water into wine, so therefore not drinking alcohol is nonsense. The Salvation Army prohibts the drinking of alcohol but that has nothing to do with scripture or doctrine.

Women cannot preach, just sexist nonsense. I don't believe for one moment that the perfect creator of the universe advocates male supremecy or discrimination in his word, those are human traits.
 
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Archivist

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All those claims are biblical nonsense and can be disproved by any intelligent understanding of scripture.

For example, Jesus drank wine, so did his followers, he even turned water into wine, so therefore not drinking alcohol is nonsense. The Salvation Army prohibts the drinking of alcohol but that has nothing to do with scripture or doctrine.

Women cannot preach, just sexist nonsense. I don't believe for one moment that the perfect creator of the universe advocates male supremecy or discrimination in his word, those are human traits.
Agreed—that is the point I am trying to make.
 
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eleos1954

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So all who are not following your interpretation of scripture are following false doctrines? Really?

Interpretation? Hmmmmmm, the Bible interprets itself. What I am saying is that there is enough biblical evidence that more supports certain things. Evidence in the Bible.

Far be it for me .... or anyone to claim they are the authority on God's word. God is the authority on His word. We all just try to understand it and we discuss it.

The Bible does strongly warn about false teachings, so they exist. So the true answers are in there, in the Bible. A lot to it. ALOT.

Does it matter if it is true or false if God burns people for Eternity? What is the intention of God in His word to us? Relationship with Him, to know Him, His love and His ways now and eventually to be with Him eternally in Heaven with. God is love.

Freewill - can't have love without it.

On the logical side - not biblical - believe God will torture people for eternity? Even the most despicable,vile persons one can think of? What kind of God is that? Is that love?
Does the burn in hell forever interpetation draw people to God?

Many things to ponder and question. Many things to learn. People believe what people believe. We discuss these things, we agree and disagree. Are we not to have conversation about these things at all?

So .... as far as Interpretation - Agree to disagree with the interpretation of burning in hell for eternity. I do, Yes.

Others that do believe the interpretation of burning in hell for eternity. Agree to disagree otherwise.

People who do not believe in God at all? I agree to disagree and vice-versa.

Biblically speaking ..... many many many teachings to agree to disagree on.

Interpretation - maybe not a good word to use. Agree to Disagree, or does that mean interpretation? What would be a better word?

Very profound isn't it?

In the meantime, I'll will agree to disagree on biblical teachings and so will others and this will continue on and on until God completes His plan in it's entirety.

What's at stake? Eternal life with a perfect God in a perfect world .... or not.

Guess we will all find out when it's all over. :o)

God Bless




 
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Monksailor

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That was probably me. "Christian" is frequently used as a point of division by certain vocal American Protestantisms - they say, publicly, on the radio and on TV, that we are not Christians. I know, of course, that other major Protestant denominations do not say anything like that. When the ones who do make a point of it - and you will see it all over this board - I could stand there and state the obvious: We are Christians too. But sometimes I prefer to reverse the field, and say "If THAT (exclusionary, aggressive, mean-spirited theology being propounded) is what it is to be 'Christian' then thank God I'm a Catholic, not a Christian."
This is not really me stating the belief that Catholics are not Christians - we are the Mark 1, Mod 0 original form of Christian - it is to say that the "Christian" theology being propounded is so immoral and offensive that, if THAT'S what that word means, you're welcome to it, and thank goodness we're nothing like you! (Not YOU, obviously, but "you".)

When Catholics and Protestants try to have a conversation on this board and elsewhere, it's usually not a very enjoyable experience for the Catholics, which is why you don't see very many of us here.
I see you enjoy being quite pompous and judgemental.

In college I had a Western Civilization professor whose expertise was the history of the Catholic Church: the result of his dissertation. He knew and talked about the Catholic Church and popes like they were his uncles and grandfathers. The terrible things his research and investigations revealed.... I think he was an agnostic or atheist and his wife was a devout Catholic. But that aside, today's news sheds enough light on the subject. And one is NOT just a Catholic. There are also several clearly separate denominations in the Catholic Church, also.

How's that saying go? "Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones?"
 
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Ignatius the Kiwi

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Back to our topic of discussion:

According to the word "church" biblically it is the "church" that Jesus built on Himself, His teachings. His "church" it is the people that follow His teachings. Those people are found in many denominations (organized church systems) and also not in organized church systems, people who do not attend "organized church" yet study His Word.

With Christianity there are so many different denominations (church systems) because all do not agree on "words" and what those words really mean and how they are applied to us (mankind). But that's a good thing, because it keeps all looking, discussing, searching Gods word, searching for knowledge, understanding of our creator and ourselves.

Amen.

To be in the Church is to follow the teaching of Christ but it is also to be in the body of Christ. If you are excluding from the definition of Church any connection to communion, you are in effect making Christianity akin to a personal philosophy one either accepts or rejects on the basis of personal experience/deduction alone.

You have dismissed the idea of an organised Church, yet that is precisely what we see in the New Testament. There are different orders of authority in which each has their own responsibility. The Apostles created the office of deacon for the very purpose of them serving food to the poor while the Apostles themselves prayed and organised the Church as a whole. Saint Paul collected from the Church of Corinth for the sake of the Church at Jerusalem which implies a communion going beyond merely a local expression, something universal, something catholic.

The Apostles not only did not simply spread a teaching, they even instituted among themselves rules for how the Churches should receive gentiles into it, which all naturally should follow at the council of Jerusalem. This represents a clear level of organisation and delineation of authority. Not everything in the Church which Jesus established is determined by the individual. So his Church extends beyond those who merely come to believe in the words of the bible, but is the living and breathing communion of saints who have been here since the beginning. The Apostles didn't go around handing out bibles, they went and established Church communities first and foremost faithful to the deposit of faith.
 
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Vicomte13

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I see you enjoy being quite pompous and judgemental.

In college I had a Western Civilization professor whose expertise was the history of the Catholic Church: the result of his dissertation. He knew and talked about the Catholic Church and popes like they were his uncles and grandfathers. The terrible things his research and investigations revealed.... I think he was an agnostic or atheist and his wife was a devout Catholic. But that aside, today's news sheds enough light on the subject. And one is NOT just a Catholic. There are also several clearly separate denominations in the Catholic Church, also.

How's that saying go? "Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones?"

You're Exhibit A of why Catholics don't hang around here.
There is a popular denomination on display here a lot: Jerks for Jesus.
 
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