The more I try to understand Christianity the more confused I get

Confusion is the spirit's way of saying do some weeding. There is more to be found hidden behind the weeds man produces to justify self. Look to serving others and man's rules fall away for they serve only self.

SK_Brace said:

I have been trying so desperately to grow my faith and relationship with God and I’m now more confused then ever. To clarify I am not doubting God existence but I’m just doubting my understanding of God. I used to be so sure about what I believed but now when I’m trying to learn more, I’m not anymore. I also don’t understand why Christianity is so confused about so many things and why we have so many denominations. We all read the same bible but somehow come to drastically different conclusions. Why does the bible seem so contradictory sometimes? I used not to think so but it wasn’t until I debated a Jehovah Witness, who used the scriptures to support his statements that Jesus was created and obviously as someone that believes the trinity I don’t believe that but it’s hard to convince someone else when Jesus is so often in the scriptures referred as the only begotten son. Then I use John 1:1 to show him that the Word was God and Jesus is the word. However then he says that he does believe Jesus is a God but not the almighty God. I say that there is only one God and that God is jealous if we worship other gods. However then he shows me a scriptures that say God even calls us gods ( Psalms 82:6 & John 10:34). I didn’t know of this scripture so how can I refute something that is clearly biblical. I understand that some people will say some of these scriptures are not literal and are figuratively but how can you distinguish what is literal and what is figuratively. It’s things like these that confused my faith the most. I will blame in on my lack of understanding or wisdom but it’s just so hard to understand sometimes.

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How long you been a Christian? Build a strong foundation first. Study basic doctrines and be discipled. Then you can venture comfortably into talking with anyone. (The JW use their own version of the Bible.)

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. [1Co 3:10 NIV]

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. [2Pe 1:5-7 NIV]

timothyu said:

Genesis 3:22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: ... will that verse be given another meaning to avoid the gods thing?

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The verse explains itself. "Behold the man has become and one of us [only to the extent] to know good from evil."
Because God said there was no god before Him, there is no God beside Him and there will be no God after Him.
I have been a Christian since LBJ and preaching since Ford. I have taught through the Bible more than once I doubt there is a verse I have not read. Oh and I first went to Sunday School when FDR was president.
Summary:I am God, and there is none else. (Deu 4:35) Thus saith the LORD יהוה, Before me there was no God, formed, neither shall there be [no God formed]] after me. (Isa 43:10) I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. (Isa 44:6) Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any (Isa 44:8.)

SK_Brace said:

But how, because I have asked and tried to find him truly. I’m actually kind of desperate right now. The bible is ofcourse one way to know him and prayer however I don’t know what else to do. I honestly don’t believe I have the Holy Spirit because otherwise I wouldn’t be in confusion.

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Pray a lot, ask the Holy spirit to fill you, keep praying and seeking, if you don't know if your church is the correct just don't do anything for now, we need Gods guidance in this world, we need to seek him and be closer to him, 'you will seek and you will find me (God) because you will seek me with all your heart'
so again, pray a lot, invoking the name of God/Jesus also helps, read the bible if you want or remember passages that can help you.

The worst that your situation is the more you need to pray and cry out to God.
He listens to his childs and sooner or later he is going to respond with something, he is alive and he is everywhere after all.

Der Alte said:

The verse explains itself. "Behold the man has become and one of us [only to the extent] to know good from evil."

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Agree and man used it to make gods of themselves over others, including over God Himself as we see today in man's world.

I think part of your problem is the way many Christians present the Bible. They see it as if it was one writer, always saying exactly the same thing. Because in fact each writer had his own vision, nobody can agree on what that one thing is.

I am *not* saying that the writers all contradict each other. I’m saying, however, that they have the own way of presenting things.

For John, Jesus is where God meets us. If you look at the structure of John, you find that Jesus is the new Temple, the new Sabbath, etc. Even John 1 can be viewed that way. The Logos was how God speaks to his people.

Mark emphasizes Jesus’ actions. Jesus acts for God: heals, forgives sin, raises the dead.

For Paul, Jesus’ cross is what matters. We participate in Christ’ death and resurrection, and become new people.

Too many people don’t listen to these distinctive voices, but use the NT as a kind of mine for proof texts for proving what their theology says about Jesus. The problem is that when you treat them as all alike, and use them to prove theology that they had never heard of, you miss the way they’re trying to present Jesus.

Note that I’m not denying that the creeds are useful. I think historical theology is useful, particularly in pointing out pitfalls (such as the idea that Christ is "a god"). But we need to let each of the Biblical authors speak with their own voice. We’re never going to fully understand God. Having different perspectives is a good thing.

Sometimes they don’t even agree. We know from Paul’s letters that he didn’t agree with James. In fact, James’ letter has really useful things to say. But there were things on which they disagreed. Trying to come up with a single understanding of faith and works in that situation requires some creativity, and we shouldn’t be surprised that Christians disagree.

One of Paul’s most controversial positions was that a it’s OK to eat meat sacrificed to idols. The authors of the Revelation condemns this view. (Rev 2:14). They both had good reason, given the situation in which they wrote. But too many interpreters try to convince you that either Paul or John didn’t say what the evidently did say.

When I read the Bible, I start out by asking what we know about the author and their situation. What questions were they trying to answer? Often we want them to answer a question that we have, and they don't. E.g. none of the NT authors actually tells us whether the baptize infants. They have lots of useful things to say about baptism, but don't ever get around to that specific question. But people desperately want a Biblical answer to the question, and they try to force texts to answer it even though they weren't intended to. A lot of disagreements come from situations like that.

SK_Brace said:

I have been trying so desperately to grow my faith and relationship with God and I’m now more confused then ever. To clarify I am not doubting God existence but I’m just doubting my understanding of God. I used to be so sure about what I believed but now when I’m trying to learn more, I’m not anymore. I also don’t understand why Christianity is so confused about so many things and why we have so many denominations. We all read the same bible but somehow come to drastically different conclusions. Why does the bible seem so contradictory sometimes? I used not to think so but it wasn’t until I debated a Jehovah Witness, who used the scriptures to support his statements that Jesus was created and obviously as someone that believes the trinity I don’t believe that but it’s hard to convince someone else when Jesus is so often in the scriptures referred as the only begotten son. Then I use John 1:1 to show him that the Word was God and Jesus is the word. However then he says that he does believe Jesus is a God but not the almighty God. I say that there is only one God and that God is jealous if we worship other gods. However then he shows me a scriptures that say God even calls us gods ( Psalms 82:6 & John 10:34). I didn’t know of this scripture so how can I refute something that is clearly biblical. I understand that some people will say some of these scriptures are not literal and are figuratively but how can you distinguish what is literal and what is figuratively. It’s things like these that confused my faith the most. I will blame in on my lack of understanding or wisdom but it’s just so hard to understand sometimes.

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Well, you can tell about JW whether JW has heard this:
For to us a child is born, to us a SON is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, MIGHTY GOD, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6

Jesus is the Son who is called Mighty God or Almighty God.

SK_Brace said:

I have been trying so desperately to grow my faith and relationship with God and I’m now more confused then ever. To clarify I am not doubting God existence but I’m just doubting my understanding of God. I used to be so sure about what I believed but now when I’m trying to learn more, I’m not anymore. I also don’t understand why Christianity is so confused about so many things and why we have so many denominations. We all read the same bible but somehow come to drastically different conclusions. Why does the bible seem so contradictory sometimes? I used not to think so but it wasn’t until I debated a Jehovah Witness, who used the scriptures to support his statements that Jesus was created and obviously as someone that believes the trinity I don’t believe that but it’s hard to convince someone else when Jesus is so often in the scriptures referred as the only begotten son. Then I use John 1:1 to show him that the Word was God and Jesus is the word. However then he says that he does believe Jesus is a God but not the almighty God. I say that there is only one God and that God is jealous if we worship other gods. However then he shows me a scriptures that say God even calls us gods ( Psalms 82:6 & John 10:34). I didn’t know of this scripture so how can I refute something that is clearly biblical. I understand that some people will say some of these scriptures are not literal and are figuratively but how can you distinguish what is literal and what is figuratively. It’s things like these that confused my faith the most. I will blame in on my lack of understanding or wisdom but it’s just so hard to understand sometimes.

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Welcome! I am sorry you are confused. "God is not the author of confusion". This is also in scripture. Therefore, receive His Holy Spirit so that your path to understanding Him is clear. This is the only way.
Be blessed.

SK_Brace said:

I have been trying so desperately to grow my faith and relationship with God and I’m now more confused then ever. To clarify I am not doubting God existence but I’m just doubting my understanding of God. I used to be so sure about what I believed but now when I’m trying to learn more, I’m not anymore. I also don’t understand why Christianity is so confused about so many things and why we have so many denominations. We all read the same bible but somehow come to drastically different conclusions. Why does the bible seem so contradictory sometimes? I used not to think so but it wasn’t until I debated a Jehovah Witness, who used the scriptures to support his statements that Jesus was created and obviously as someone that believes the trinity I don’t believe that but it’s hard to convince someone else when Jesus is so often in the scriptures referred as the only begotten son. Then I use John 1:1 to show him that the Word was God and Jesus is the word. However then he says that he does believe Jesus is a God but not the almighty God. I say that there is only one God and that God is jealous if we worship other gods. However then he shows me a scriptures that say God even calls us gods ( Psalms 82:6 & John 10:34). I didn’t know of this scripture so how can I refute something that is clearly biblical. I understand that some people will say some of these scriptures are not literal and are figuratively but how can you distinguish what is literal and what is figuratively. It’s things like these that confused my faith the most. I will blame in on my lack of understanding or wisdom but it’s just so hard to understand sometimes.

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It is a really big topic, and hard to explain in a few minutes. I have two articles that may help. One has a few basic errors that the JW's teach Answers to Some things Jehovas Witnesses Believe and the other document explains in detail one of the ways to prove the trinity, or divinity of Jesus. The Seven Spirits of God used to explain the Trinity

SK_Brace said:

I have been trying so desperately to grow my faith and relationship with God and I’m now more confused then ever. To clarify I am not doubting God existence but I’m just doubting my understanding of God. I used to be so sure about what I believed but now when I’m trying to learn more, I’m not anymore. I also don’t understand why Christianity is so confused about so many things and why we have so many denominations. We all read the same bible but somehow come to drastically different conclusions. Why does the bible seem so contradictory sometimes? I used not to think so but it wasn’t until I debated a Jehovah Witness, who used the scriptures to support his statements that Jesus was created and obviously as someone that believes the trinity I don’t believe that but it’s hard to convince someone else when Jesus is so often in the scriptures referred as the only begotten son. Then I use John 1:1 to show him that the Word was God and Jesus is the word. However then he says that he does believe Jesus is a God but not the almighty God. I say that there is only one God and that God is jealous if we worship other gods. However then he shows me a scriptures that say God even calls us gods ( Psalms 82:6 & John 10:34). I didn’t know of this scripture so how can I refute something that is clearly biblical. I understand that some people will say some of these scriptures are not literal and are figuratively but how can you distinguish what is literal and what is figuratively. It’s things like these that confused my faith the most. I will blame in on my lack of understanding or wisdom but it’s just so hard to understand sometimes.

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I would suggest that you stop trying to understand Christianity and learn who Jesus Christ is and who you are through faith in Him (assuming you are a born again Christian). Here are some tools to help, including one about your struggle with the "God even calls us gods" dilemma. Grace and Peace

What is the Gospel?
Living God Ministries - The Gospel

Your identity in Christ
Living God Ministries - Your Identity in Christ

You are gods?
Living God Ministries - You are gods?

SK_Brace said:

The bible is ofcourse one way to know him and prayer however I don’t know what else to do. I honestly don’t believe I have the Holy Spirit because otherwise I wouldn’t be in confusion.

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If you've exhausted all your ability to solve the problem, it's time to place it in God's hands.


I had some major doctrinal questions when I was first saved, and they were driving me to distraction. The conflicting voices of man, no matter how learned they were, only made things worse. Finally I placed the issues on the altar. In faith I said, God, I've tried the best I can, but I only get into more confusion and lack of peace. I'm going to give this to You, and trust that at the right time You will show me what I need to know. Meanwhile I'm going to serve You to the best of my knowledge and ability.

That brought me peace. It then took about 9 months, but I got my answer. And it was delivered to my spirit, so now man's arguments are of no importance to me. That's the way God works. If you trust in Him, He has a reward for you, and you can avoid all the dissonant chatter and chaos that plagues the world and even much of the Body.

SK_Brace said:

I have been trying so desperately to grow my faith and relationship with God and I’m now more confused then ever. To clarify I am not doubting God existence but I’m just doubting my understanding of God. I used to be so sure about what I believed but now when I’m trying to learn more, I’m not anymore. I also don’t understand why Christianity is so confused about so many things and why we have so many denominations. We all read the same bible but somehow come to drastically different conclusions. Why does the bible seem so contradictory sometimes? I used not to think so but it wasn’t until I debated a Jehovah Witness, who used the scriptures to support his statements that Jesus was created and obviously as someone that believes the trinity I don’t believe that but it’s hard to convince someone else when Jesus is so often in the scriptures referred as the only begotten son. Then I use John 1:1 to show him that the Word was God and Jesus is the word. However then he says that he does believe Jesus is a God but not the almighty God. I say that there is only one God and that God is jealous if we worship other gods. However then he shows me a scriptures that say God even calls us gods ( Psalms 82:6 & John 10:34). I didn’t know of this scripture so how can I refute something that is clearly biblical. I understand that some people will say some of these scriptures are not literal and are figuratively but how can you distinguish what is literal and what is figuratively. It’s things like these that confused my faith the most. I will blame in on my lack of understanding or wisdom but it’s just so hard to understand sometimes.

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You might try studying topically for a while .... here is a free resource where you can do this easily. Not all verses returned will necessarily apply ... but .... it searches both the new and old testament giving a broader overview about a particular phrase or topic.

At the top left you can change the topic.

Always look for the literal first (ie does it make literal sense*) ... and also make sure you always read a least a few verses before and after .... usually the context is given therein .... actually reading the entire chapter is best.

What Does the Bible Say About Faith?

here is another free good source with lots of helpful "tools"

www.biblehub.com

symbolic/figuratively/metaphorically when things don't make literal sense .... example

Regarding the verses you mentioned ... first notice when Jesus uses the word god/gods ... is not capitalized .... so perhaps consider the following ...

Go back up a verse to John 10:33. (to see the context)

Jesus here is debating with some religious leaders about His own deity. They’re angry with Christ because He says to them, "I am the Son of God." He had also said that He was one with God, making Himself equal to God. They respond angrily in verse 33, saying, "For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man makest thyself God."

Then Jesus answers in John 10:34: "Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?" Jesus is probably referring to a quote from Psalm 82:6. Here the Lord is talking through King David to the judges of Israel, saying, "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High."

You'll notice that in John 10:34 and in Psalm 82:6, the word "gods" begins with a lowercase "g." The writers of these books were not saying that men are divine. Though we were made in His image, we certainly do not possess the attributes of God. God is omnipotent (all powerful), He’s omnipresent (everywhere), and He’s omniscient (knows all things). Humans are neither omniscient, omnipresent, or omnipotent — they aren’t anything like the one true God. In addition, God is self-existent and eternal, whereas man is not.

When the Lord says, "You are gods," it means that God made man (Adam) in His own image. In the same way that God rules the universe, providing, leading, and governing, God originally made man to be the ruler of this planet — having all the things of this world, like the fish and cattle, under his care and dominion. Man was made to lead this world, and God placed him here, in His own image, in the same way that the Father creates life. Indeed, man and woman were given the ability to procreate in their own image. Out of an act of love, they can produce another human being in their likeness.

Moreover, the Psalm that Jesus seems to be referring to is about judges who have the power to rule over other men in a way that God judges all humanity. In these ways, and perhaps others, man is described as a lessor "god" of this world.

We certainly aren't divine and will never ascend to godlike status.

SK_Brace said:

I have been trying so desperately to grow my faith and relationship with God and I’m now more confused then ever. To clarify I am not doubting God existence but I’m just doubting my understanding of God. I used to be so sure about what I believed but now when I’m trying to learn more, I’m not anymore. I also don’t understand why Christianity is so confused about so many things and why we have so many denominations. We all read the same bible but somehow come to drastically different conclusions. Why does the bible seem so contradictory sometimes? I used not to think so but it wasn’t until I debated a Jehovah Witness, who used the scriptures to support his statements that Jesus was created and obviously as someone that believes the trinity I don’t believe that but it’s hard to convince someone else when Jesus is so often in the scriptures referred as the only begotten son. Then I use John 1:1 to show him that the Word was God and Jesus is the word. However then he says that he does believe Jesus is a God but not the almighty God. I say that there is only one God and that God is jealous if we worship other gods. However then he shows me a scriptures that say God even calls us gods ( Psalms 82:6 & John 10:34). I didn’t know of this scripture so how can I refute something that is clearly biblical. I understand that some people will say some of these scriptures are not literal and are figuratively but how can you distinguish what is literal and what is figuratively. It’s things like these that confused my faith the most. I will blame in on my lack of understanding or wisdom but it’s just so hard to understand sometimes.

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I went through this dilemma not long after I was saved. My circumstances meant that I did not have a lot of help from other people. I read a lot of books on fundamentals and I studied God's word a lot. I was single and cooped up on a warship so I had a lot of spare time.

I also met Christians when we visited foreign ports. God is amazing. I knew no one in Japan. On of the crew was given a tract by a member of a Japanese Baptist church. He was not interested but he knew I was a Christian. I'd not spoken to him previously. So I got to meet an American missionary working in Nagasaki. If you mean business with God, He will move heaven and earth to bring you to the place called "the knowledge of the truth". I'm there. I surely do not know all the truth - only God knows that! But I know what I know and no one can take it from me.

Let your frustration work for you. Ask God to reveal the truth to you. I'll give you a clue. It will always, in some way, point you to Jesus and what He has won for you. I was reading the Bible in a restaurant. Someone came up to me and asked me how I knew it was true. I had no answer. I just knew. We know spiritual things intuitively, not intellectually. I bought a book about the Bible and studied as to why we can be sure it the Word of God. I've never used that knowledge but it was helpful to me personally.

There are answers. For example, we are called "gods" because we are made in God's image. One day we will surely be like Jesus (1 John 3:2). I still remember the first time I read that and the joy that filled my heart. There will be no history of sin or failure for those who are born again. All that is not of Christ will be washed away by His precious blood. Psalm 8 describes how God sees His people. We are often so sin conscious that we do not see how precious we are to our heavenly dad. God is not mad at us. He crowns us with glory. (also Romans 8:30)

Satan wants to drag the human race down to his level. God wants to raise us up to His. Come to the throne of grace in humility, but also with confidence. You died and your life is hidden in Christ with God. God will open up the treasures of heaven if you will seek Him. It's not automatic. It takes time. It will be greatly rewarded.

most " religious types " think believing is accepting (to varying degrees per person ) that God is or Jesus is etc !! eg I accept that there is a president in the USA ! dose that automatically make me an American citizen !! of course not so why use the same logic with eternal !!!! life .

many so called Christians and churches (people not a building) is because they are confused ! they do NOT confess ( say the same as) Jesus Christ but worship there own Jesus or God ,THEIR WAY not his and as Paul said ;

6 ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

many are well meaning ,but in Gods eyes Blasphemous ! and so make up there own approaches to God and make excuses why NOT do what HE/GOD says..eg;

Ac 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent,(baby's cant !!!) and be baptized (Greek submerge, dip immerse etc symbol of burial ) every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Born Again... when a baby is born it cries out , so it is when you get born of the Spirit.(speak in the language GOD gives you..pure undefiled.. called tongues) the 1st identifier of receiving.

Joh 4:24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth

(natural mind seems contradictory..Spirit taught .. spot on !)

1Co 14:14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Ye are Gods because God has now made you his temple..and what Jesus did you have access to and can learn to use these new tools as you see fit.

many claim to believe .. and as Jesus warned his disciples :


17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

this is how you KNOW they are what they say. The religious types said hallelujah and praise God etc, they knew scripture back to front and tried using it against (anti) Jesus just like the adversary when Jesus return from the early fast/desert, just like today.

1Jo 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

there are many NICE people who dont want to know about God ; so its not about trying to be a nice person (though it is prefered) .. its about obtaining HIS\GODS spirit !

Ro 8:9 But ye 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.

Well, you should be confused. If you are trying to understand the bible, by comparing it to church doctrines, of course there are going to be contradictions. Church doctrine does not line up with Christ's doctrine.

Whew, this is a loaded topic.

Michael Heiser has some good information regarding Psalm 82.

he goes in depth regarding the historical relevance of Psalm 82 in his book “The Unseen Realm”.

my local library has a copy - Maybe you ought to check your local library and see if they have any of his books.

SK_Brace said:

I have been trying so desperately to grow my faith and relationship with God and I’m now more confused then ever. To clarify I am not doubting God existence but I’m just doubting my understanding of God. I used to be so sure about what I believed but now when I’m trying to learn more, I’m not anymore. I also don’t understand why Christianity is so confused about so many things and why we have so many denominations. We all read the same bible but somehow come to drastically different conclusions. Why does the bible seem so contradictory sometimes? I used not to think so but it wasn’t until I debated a Jehovah Witness, who used the scriptures to support his statements that Jesus was created and obviously as someone that believes the trinity I don’t believe that but it’s hard to convince someone else when Jesus is so often in the scriptures referred as the only begotten son. Then I use John 1:1 to show him that the Word was God and Jesus is the word. However then he says that he does believe Jesus is a God but not the almighty God. I say that there is only one God and that God is jealous if we worship other gods. However then he shows me a scriptures that say God even calls us gods ( Psalms 82:6 & John 10:34). I didn’t know of this scripture so how can I refute something that is clearly biblical. I understand that some people will say some of these scriptures are not literal and are figuratively but how can you distinguish what is literal and what is figuratively. It’s things like these that confused my faith the most. I will blame in on my lack of understanding or wisdom but it’s just so hard to understand sometimes.

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I totally agree and the more I read the opinions on the forum the more confused I get. No two people seem to agree on one subject and then they argue with each other. Only causing further confusion. I don't believe people who say the word is easy to understand. Even those persons who believe they know it all fight among themselves, fight for their right to be absolutely right. They say go to the authority, well they don't understand the authority so what good does it do the newbies?

SK_Brace said:

But how, because I have asked and tried to find him truly. I’m actually kind of desperate right now. The bible is ofcourse one way to know him and prayer however I don’t know what else to do. I honestly don’t believe I have the Holy Spirit because otherwise I wouldn’t be in confusion.

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"I honestly don’t believe I have the Holy Spirit because otherwise I wouldn’t be in confusion."
Don't believe that. Look how much confusion there is here among those that claim all knowledge of the word and the holy spirit. In my opinion there is no knowledge anywhere short of the word which means your relationship with it and God.
I certainly know where you are coming from and you are in my prayers. Can you find a good bible study? They help me when I can find one.

SK_Brace said:

I have been trying so desperately to grow my faith and relationship with God and I’m now more confused then ever. To clarify I am not doubting God existence but I’m just doubting my understanding of God. I used to be so sure about what I believed but now when I’m trying to learn more, I’m not anymore. I also don’t understand why Christianity is so confused about so many things and why we have so many denominations. We all read the same bible but somehow come to drastically different conclusions. Why does the bible seem so contradictory sometimes? I used not to think so but it wasn’t until I debated a Jehovah Witness, who used the scriptures to support his statements that Jesus was created and obviously as someone that believes the trinity I don’t believe that but it’s hard to convince someone else when Jesus is so often in the scriptures referred as the only begotten son. Then I use John 1:1 to show him that the Word was God and Jesus is the word. However then he says that he does believe Jesus is a God but not the almighty God. I say that there is only one God and that God is jealous if we worship other gods. However then he shows me a scriptures that say God even calls us gods ( Psalms 82:6 & John 10:34). I didn’t know of this scripture so how can I refute something that is clearly biblical. I understand that some people will say some of these scriptures are not literal and are figuratively but how can you distinguish what is literal and what is figuratively. It’s things like these that confused my faith the most. I will blame in on my lack of understanding or wisdom but it’s just so hard to understand sometimes.

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The problem is that Jehovah's Witnesses believe in an additional holy book that is not the Word of God. Only the Bible alone is proven to be truly divine in origin.

To help build confidence in God's Word, and know that it is true, I created a blogger article that lists tons of evidences that back up the Holy Bible.

Love Branch: Evidences for the Word of God

As for the phrase, “ye are gods”: Well, this is an OT reference that Jesus quoted from and it is not in reference to deity but it is in reference to being kings. Jesus quoted this OT reference so as to protect his mission in going to the cross. If Jesus pushed the issue of His deity or Godhood with them, it may have altered God's plan in Christ dying for mankind's sins.

As for the Trinity:

The Bible teaches that there is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4) (1 Timothy 2:5) (Isaiah 45:5).

Yet, the Bible also teaches that there are distinctions within the Godhead or that there is a plural nature to God.

Here are a couple of quick points:

#1. The word Elohim (אֱלֹהִ֔ים) is both a singular and a plural noun.
#2. God refers to Himself in plural form (Genesis 1:26) (Genesis 3:22) (Genesis 11:7) (Isaiah 6:8).
#3. Plurality of God in New Testament (Matthew 28:19) (2 Corinthians 13:14) (John 14:16-20).
#4. Introductions to both the Son & Holy Spirit (Daniel 7:9,10,13,14) (John 14:16)
#5. Different persons of Godhead appear at one time (Luke 3:21-22)
#6. Distinctions of Wills (Luke 22:42).
#7. Conversations Between the Godhead (Psalm 2:1-12) (Psalm 45:6-7) (Psalm 110:1) (Matthew 11:27) (John 17:24).

The Trinity is told to us in one verse.

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7) (KJB)

Romans 1:20 says,
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"

Meaning, even nature itself declares the Godhead (or the Trinity).

Atoms = Nucleus, Protons, Electrons.
Water Molecules = Hydrogen Atom, Hydrogen Atom, Oxygen Atom.
Man Made in God's Image = Physical Body, Spirit Body, Soul.

Although the word "Trinity" is not found within the Scriptures, the word "Godhead" is used instead (Acts of the Apostles 17:29) (Romans 1:20) (Colossians 2:9).

I hope this helps, and may God bless you.

SK_Brace said:

I have been trying so desperately to grow my faith and relationship with God and I’m now more confused then ever. To clarify I am not doubting God existence but I’m just doubting my understanding of God. I used to be so sure about what I believed but now when I’m trying to learn more, I’m not anymore. I also don’t understand why Christianity is so confused about so many things and why we have so many denominations. We all read the same bible but somehow come to drastically different conclusions. Why does the bible seem so contradictory sometimes? I used not to think so but it wasn’t until I debated a Jehovah Witness, who used the scriptures to support his statements that Jesus was created and obviously as someone that believes the trinity I don’t believe that but it’s hard to convince someone else when Jesus is so often in the scriptures referred as the only begotten son. Then I use John 1:1 to show him that the Word was God and Jesus is the word. However then he says that he does believe Jesus is a God but not the almighty God. I say that there is only one God and that God is jealous if we worship other gods. However then he shows me a scriptures that say God even calls us gods ( Psalms 82:6 & John 10:34). I didn’t know of this scripture so how can I refute something that is clearly biblical. I understand that some people will say some of these scriptures are not literal and are figuratively but how can you distinguish what is literal and what is figuratively. It’s things like these that confused my faith the most. I will blame in on my lack of understanding or wisdom but it’s just so hard to understand sometimes.

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The Christian faith is real. The doctrine of Sola Scriptura, however, has often served to undermine the faith, causing much confusion and division because through it each individual reader now becomes the authoritative interpreter and determiner of Christian truth, with little or no regard for the historical understanding and teachings of the church that received, preserved, and proclaimed the faith since the beginning. That same church, that Jesus established, would go on to assemble the canon of Scripture and hammer out the doctrine of the Trinity at council centuries later, which definitively declared the deity of Jesus Christ in the latter case. Going round and round debating Scripture with others, especially with a couple of JW friends incidentally who often had plausible enough arguments for their positions, finally caused me to see through the fallacy of the doctrine of SS.

Anyway, Christianity has never been about bible study as in, "may-the-best-exegete-win"; most believers down through the centuries have arguably been illiterate and the church received and preached the gospel before a word of the New Testament was written. It's always been about a faith received and handed down first and foremost.