Why did God make it so confusing to find the right church?

[dhiannian]

Why is God so confusing? How can there be so many differant branches of christianity? Are they all right? Are they the same?
Why does the bible talk about just a remnant remaining, from Noah, till the end?
Why would we need so many differant translations? And so many differant names for these christians?
Please suprise me,

Thank you!

 

[Nikoel]

I've found that the only way to find which path is for you is to pray. It's confusing with so many versions of this and that and so many different faiths, but research the different denominations, visit a lot of churches. When you've found the fit, you'll know it!

 

[Kasey]

You have to study the Bible to find the way. For instance, do you know that the Law and the Prophets was originally written in Hebrew and that the New Testament was originally written in Greek? Secondly, did you know that there are numerous study aids and lexicons to help you look up words in the English version of the Bible to see what the Hebrew and Greek state?

For example, in the New Testament, you read the word "church". The Greek word for "church" is ecclesia and it means a comunity, a gathering of people. According to this one word, from the Greek, you find that a "church" is not a church building or religious organization, but a gathering of people, wherever those people might be.

Here are some books that you should pick up; A Strong's Exhaustive COncordance of the Bible, Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon of the Old Testament, Thayer's Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, Vine's Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, Strong's Expanded Dictionary of Bible Words. You can find thse books at any store with a good section on religion. Anyone can buy them.

Go out and buy these books, then go back home and study - thats the only way your going to find out the truth

 

[coyoteBR]

Why is God so confusing? How can there be so many differant branches of christianity? Are they all right? Are they the same?
Why does the bible talk about just a remnant remaining, from Noah, till the end?
Why would we need so many differant translations? And so many differant names for these christians?
Please suprise me,

Thank you!

No, dhiannian, God Does not confusing. On the Contrary, He is Generous. So Generous He Knows their children are all different in this world. we have different backgrounds, different views, ways of thinking. So, For His Law to reach everybody, He Allows all those denominations, churches, views. So you choose the one that speaks louder to your heart and reason.
All those churches and religions out there are another sign of God's Love for us. So, like it was said, pray, study, know differences, think about, pray again.
And go follow Christ with all your will the way God Prepared for you.

 

[Blackmarch]

Why is God so confusing? How can there be so many differant branches of christianity? Are they all right? Are they the same?
Why does the bible talk about just a remnant remaining, from Noah, till the end?
Why would we need so many differant translations? And so many differant names for these christians?
Please suprise me,

Thank you!

God would be less confusing if the Adversary din't try his hardest to mess us all up..
Why are there so many different branches?
Main reason, would be with the first statement, second, everyone thinks they are right, so they make their own thing.
Are they all right? No
Are they all the same? No
Why all the different translations? None of them are perfect, nor what they are translated from are absolutely perfect.
Why so manu names? Because People prefer to be recognised seperately or all the others would rather keep them seperate than be identified with one group or another.

 

[PandaBear]

I think that, because God is Mysterious, there are many ways to understand God. Therefore, many paths have developed. I cannot know the will of God, but I can observe that this has happened, so either God has forged this diversity of paths, or God has allowed it.

Ultimately, as I have often faced the same questions as Dhiannian has mentioned, I have not found a definitive answer for myself, and it seems like everything's a matter of personal faith. I think prayer is probably the answer. I also like the idea of going to many different churches for the right fit. I don't know what the lithmus test would be! I only know, for me, I have found much connection and comfort in the Orthodox church. I'm not fully Orthodox yet; that's to come.

PB

 

[seebs]

What's confusing about it? Look for a building where the people are dressed about the way you are, and the grounds are kept about the way you keep your own house, and make sure they don't have any people you don't like, and you're set; you can spend an entire lifetime in serene comfort, looking down on whoever the people in the building dislike.

Tragically, some denominations do not provide well for this experience, but I'm assured that they are small and unimportant groups, with very little money.

 

[new_world_savage]

you can spend an entire lifetime in serene comfort, looking down on whoever the people in the building dislike.

I think seebs hits the nail on the head. I attended the Jehovah's Witness meetings for 10 years, and all they were concerned about was preserving their particular view of the Bible, and keeping members at heel by flooding them with all manner of sophistry and dismissal of anything outside of their clearly defined boundaries. I have even been called an idiot by one of the church elders for making a suggestion regarding the alternatives to one of their many doctrines. Result = me angry at God/world/people/life.

I have since left and am currently attending the Baptist church in my neighbourhood. This church definitely has no pretenses about being perfect or knowing everything, but I've met some really cool people, as well as a couple of outright jerks. The benefit I've derived is in learning that my spiritual journey is a personal one, not one dictated by some authoritarian church body, or even set of doctrines. I now willingly pray and read my Bible every day.

Regarding the right fit of church - everyone comes to accept different aspects of God at different times in their lives, and no-one understands everything about him, so it's the seeking attitute which I believe is important. You should read your Bible for you, not for your church's sake, and you should have a personal relationship with your God before you get concerned about whether or not you're walking the right walk. He will tell you, your church will not.

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

Why is God so confusing? How can there be so many differant branches of christianity? Are they all right? Are they the same?
Why does the bible talk about just a remnant remaining, from Noah, till the end?
Why would we need so many differant translations? And so many differant names for these christians?
Please suprise me,

Thank you!

The Bible says that God is not the author of confusion. Splits in the Body of Christ, ie the Church, are prohibited in the Bible. All they do is create confusion, as you yourself are experiencing.

Jesus built one Church with authority and promised it would never fall, and it hasn't.

 

[artybloke]

Why is God so confusing?

Because God is bigger than, more mysterious than, stranger than and more challenging than anything else you're likely to comprehend. He's so big big you can't get over him, so small you can't get under him, so wide you can't get round him....

 

[dkara]

Why is God so confusing? How can there be so many differant branches of christianity? Are they all right? Are they the same?
Why does the bible talk about just a remnant remaining, from Noah, till the end?
Why would we need so many differant translations? And so many differant names for these christians?
Please suprise me,

Thank you!

God doesn't make it confusing--we the people do.

Maybe God can be found in all churches. Maybe that's our quest. Maybe our task is not to divide, but to unite. Maybe love really IS the biggest commandment--and if we do that--all else falls in place. Maybe all the names for Christians are just nicknames---all meaning that they love The Christ who always pointed not to himself, but to his fatherGod--so all Chritain nicknames love the Creator!

Maybe, just maybe--the Creator is all around us and it's up to us to see her.

 

[Blessed2003]

What's confusing about it? Look for a building where the people are dressed about the way you are, and the grounds are kept about the way you keep your own house, and make sure they don't have any people you don't like, and you're set; you can spend an entire lifetime in serene comfort, looking down on whoever the people in the building dislike.

Tragically, some denominations do not provide well for this experience, but I'm assured that they are small and unimportant groups, with very little money.

Greetings All! I understand your dilema (OP) I too have felt the same way.

When your hunger drives you into the Wilderness seeking nourishment and Relief from the constant opression of searching for the Truth then you only need to Gather enough Manna for the Day and don't eat so much that you vomit! We will meet you there!

*The Shepherd is searching for All of His Sheep, Not One will be lost of all that the Father has given Him!*

I Love you All,
Blessed!

 

[- DRA -]

Why is God so confusing? How can there be so many differant branches of christianity? Are they all right? Are they the same?
Why does the bible talk about just a remnant remaining, from Noah, till the end?
Why would we need so many differant translations? And so many differant names for these christians?
Please suprise me,

Thank you!

Years ago, I struggled with many of the same questions that you are asking.

Consider: Jesus promised to build His church (Matt. 16:18). He built it and adds the saved to it (Acts 2:47). He purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28). Note the unity that should exist among God's people (Eph. 4:3-6).

Consider: Is the church made up of churches or of individual Christians (see 1 Cor. 12:27 and John 15:1-8)?

To make a long story short, God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). The confusion is caused by someone other than God (2 Cor. 2:11) -- someone who tells us that one church is as good as another, it doesn't matter what name you are called (see Acts 11:26 and 1 Pet. 4:16), and everyone is entitled to their own faith.

The remnant? Carefully consider Rom. 11:5. The O.T. is the background for this concept. The Israelites fell to captivity. Only a remnant returned to the promised land. That same principle applies under the gospel of Christ.

If we accept what 2 Pet. 1:3 says, then we look to the Bible for the answers to our questions -- not what the religious world tells us.

 

[RedTulipMom]

If we're honest i think every one of us have had our doubts and confusion along the way. Keep seeking after God and his righteousness! Keep praying that he will guide you into the truth...he will. It may take some time..you might fall a few times...you may have a few veers off the path..but you'll find his truth.
karen

 

[McCravey]

Why is God so confusing? How can there be so many differant branches of christianity? Are they all right? Are they the same?
Why does the bible talk about just a remnant remaining, from Noah, till the end?
Why would we need so many differant translations? And so many differant names for these christians?
Please suprise me,

Thank you!

"Try not to think of it in terms of Right and Wrong" ..... Morpheous.