So many Christians have so many different ideas and theological positions about God...how can we ever know who is right and who isn't? Which denomination really has the right of it all and which denominations are wrong? What if we pick the wrong one without knowing it?
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How do we know who is right?
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intricatic
...a dinosaur... or something...
That's the thing about progressive understanding. It's like science. You could ask the same thing in terms of evolutionary biology, but you'd be asking an empty question. Biblical study tends to work in reverse - that is, people further back in time were closer than people in our time, and we're closer than people in the future probably will be. However, we still have revival from the Holy Spirit which brings whomever is being influenced by it back to a more significant relation to God. So basically, I think the question is sort of like asking whether Euclidean or non-Euclidean Geometry is better. The answer; whichever one is closer to reality in terms of the projected goal of it's use. In other words, you wouldn't use botanic sciences to explain astrophysics, and the same is true of our understanding of the Bible.
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Celticflower
charity crocheter
Since churches are filled with and led by imperfect humans, no church is 100% right 100% of the time. While it is usually easy to pick out the churches that are glaringly wrong, by comparing their teachings to scripture, it is the minor things that most people get ung up on. The majority of mainline Protestant churches, Catholic churches and Orthodox churches agree on the main points, which is good. The problems arise from differences in the minor traditions of the churches (those that do not directly impact salvation) and some disputes over interpretations of some passages.
If you ask God for guidance when choosing a church, I'm sure He will lead you to the right one for you. It will be the place where you will grow the best spiritually. Since different churches (even within the same denomination) have different styles of delivering the maessage, you will generally find that the right church for you is the one in which you hear and respond to the message the best.
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Hello. I agree, pray for guidance to choose a church..but don't just stop there. Pray that God will lead you to the truth of his word. Don't be content with being told what to believe, search the bible yourself with God's guidance.. he will not forsake you.
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You don't need to know.
God provided you with his Word of Truth and his name is Jesus who lives in believers. He IS the Truth and His sheep hear his voice.
Know Him. Know the Ultimate Truth. He is all you need to know.
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ReformedChapin
Chapin = Guatemalan
I think as long as you are within the boundries of orthodoxy it's good to have all the possible interpretations of scripture.
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The truth is, we don't know. We could die and not wake up at all and just feed the lilacs.
However, using our amazing brains we have the ability to decide what elements of life and theo are most important.
For example: Some believe that when taking communion, we are literally eating Jesus' flesh and blood. Others believe it is symbolic. At one point in history, people from each point of view called each other heretics for believing the other point of view. When looking at is rationally, it is easy to see that the difference of opinion is trivial, but crying heretic is horrible.
Brains...great little inventions
However, using our amazing brains we have the ability to decide what elements of life and theo are most important.
For example: Some believe that when taking communion, we are literally eating Jesus' flesh and blood. Others believe it is symbolic. At one point in history, people from each point of view called each other heretics for believing the other point of view. When looking at is rationally, it is easy to see that the difference of opinion is trivial, but crying heretic is horrible.
Brains...great little inventions
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Fireinfolding
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Time4AChange
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Hey tiredwalker....i disagree with what you're saying
I feel like those who know Christ DO know that we have an eternity with Him....beyond the shadow of a doubt. We have faith in the Word of God, and the Word tells us that we are to be assured of our salvation if we accept Jesus Christ and keep His commandments. We believe God's Word, and we have a personal relationship with Him, so we are assured of our eternity.
To the OP, like other ppl said....you be humble before God, and pray in honesty that He guides your path, and He will lead you to the right church. I can't speak on other denominations, cuz i've been a Pentecostal all my life....but i can honestly say that my Pastors have never preached anything contrary to God's Word. My current Pastor is faithful in following the Word, and preaching it in its entirety. With that being said, don't pay too much attention to denomination (for now), just seek God for yourself, get in His Word and pray...and it'll become easier for you to discern what churches are lining up with His Word, and what churches are not.
Ill keep you in prayer....God bless
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Stinker
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I started out in a very conservative church and studied only the Bible in the way that church understood it. Later I studied Christian debates between men in that church over issues affecting that church. After that, I studied debates between Apologists of 'my' church vs Apologists of other Denominations on Bible subjects pertaining to salvation.
After a number of years studying those, I started my own private study of Bible subjects that so many churches are divided over. Ultimately, each of us must take responsibilty for his/her struggle for Biblical truth. Ancient history will become much more interesting than when we studied it in school because we never figured we would ever have need for it.
Never would I have figured I would be studying ancient Babylon! Never would I have figured I'd be needing to know what some important person 2000 years ago had to say about a Theological subject!
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Okay.
The Koran says that if young men are martyrs for their faith they will go to heaven with a bunch of their own virgins. Many of the young men believe it with enough conviction that they are willing to blow themselves up in public places. That doesn't mean it's true.
I personally believe that Jesus loves me and that I will wake up in heaven, but just because I believe it doesn't mean it's true.
I have found the right church. That doesn't mean I believe everything they teach me. I have a brain and I can question my pastor. If I don't, I could be manipulated (pick a cult, any cult)
They preached your opinion and you agreed. That's good. However, sometimes it is good to hear and consider (not necessarily believe) other people's points of view.
He is fallible though, so don't be a doe eyed believer. You are in charge of yourself. You will be held accountable for yourself. Don't forget that. Wise as a snake as innocent as a dove.
I am doing this.
God gave us all amazing brains to do this. The Bible is not 100% clear on all subjects, therefore, we must use our brains to figure out the God's morals from the text and apply the as best as we can to each situation.
We are social creatures, and we tend to group with people who have similar beliefs, interests, etc. Therefore, most of us will go to a church that lines up with our personal theology. Of course, most of us believe we are right (who would hold beliefs they think are wrong) and will have a the tendency to think that people who believe differently are wrong. That does not make the other person's beliefs wrong in God's eyes, just ours, and who are we to judge. I think that God is a lot more forgiving than most think. Most of us have some of the details wrong, but he won't send us to hell for that.
Thank you. I'll keep you in mine as well. May He bless you richly.
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.......kind of like chicken and mushroom cassaroleand tasty too!
tulc(has a real love of zombies!)
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As long as we are following the teachings of the Bible to the best of our knowledge,we ARE right.If you truly give your life over to Christ,God will lead you in the right path.
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