Why does the bible divide?

[Flames]

Why does the bible divide christians instead of unite them?

 

[HypnoToad]

The problem is with people, not with the Bible.

 

[Iosias]

The problem is with people, not with the Bible.

 

[Carey]

Why does the bible divide christians instead of unite them?

Is it the bible that divides or mans ego and his own interpretation or misinterpretation of the bible??

 

[Flames]

Does a tree make a sound if it falls in the woods and nobody hears it?

So with the bible. Does it make a sound if nobody reads it and speaks it?

Why is it that when man does, they disagree so vehemently?

 

[GodsChild07]

Why does the bible divide christians instead of unite them?

Because much of it is taken literally when it was meant to be metaphorical. There are two basic things that God wants from us that haven't changed since the days of Adam. 1. Trust God 2. Love each other. While searching for more, the church has neglected No. 2 and made all kinds of trivial issues major conflicts.

 

[Flames]

You think we will get to heaven one day and God will be like, boy you guys were all wrong on "insert doctrine here"

 

[R3quiem]

People interpret the Bible according to their own will. That is, if they want something, they can "interpret" the meaning of the verses to support what they want. Since the Bible has some ambiguity, some parts of the Bible are able to be "shaped" to what the reader wants.

To some extent, this is to be expected because we all want things. But, when it is brough too far, falicious religions and cults spring up.

 

[Bubba1301]

Quite possible that God will say that... but <humorously sarcastic voice> I'm afraid you are totally wrong! Dude, get with the program and stop being so divisive ... I mean geeze, we're all united what about you and those like you? <end sarcastic voice>

Seriously.... I think GodsChold hit it on the nose... we have neglected loving our neighbor as ourself and focused on getting more head smart regarding God. In the pursuit of becoming more "enlightened" regarding God we have lost that childlike awe, wonder, love and adoration of God. Every so often I try to make sure that I get away from becoming so head smart and legalistic and return to that childlike wonder that God encourages us to have.

 

[ProdicalChristian]

We have to remember that its not the scriptures that are corrupted. Its a man's heart that is corrupted. Even forgiven sinners' hearts.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

People interpret the Bible according to their own will. That is, if they want something, they can "interpret" the meaning of the verses to support what they want. Since the Bible has some ambiguity, some parts of the Bible are able to be "shaped" to what the reader wants.

To some extent, this is to be expected because we all want things. But, when it is brough too far, falicious religions and cults spring up.

Like Talmudic Judaism and Islam?
I predict a Mosque in every city of the U.S. and Muslim worship centers outnumbering Christian worship houses within 10 years. Get ready to exercise your backs and knees to bow to Allah 5 times a day.

http://www.christianforums.com/t5615012-jesus-christ-was-he-sent-for-all-mankind.html

Shariah Islamic Law - The Sharia

sharia law is for all mankind. It is codified in the holy Quran and authentic sayings and teachings of the final messenger and prophet Mohammed pbuh.
Shariah law covers everything in one’s daily life from eating and sleeping to politics and government.

 

[E.C.]

The problem is with people, not with the Bible.

So true.

 

[GoodNewsJim]

Yah. The Bible rocks. Some people say it's open to interpretation, but they haven't read and studied it enough if they say something like that.

 

[E.C.]

On another note, in the early Church, there was no Bible, thus it was not the uniting factor. Contrary to seemingly popular opinion, what was the uniting factor was the Eucharist.

That is why there is "closed Communion".

 

[PastorMikeJ]

it isn't the bible it is the people..again eyes are off of Jesus and on man...sighhh

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

On another note, in the early Church, there was no Bible, thus it was not the uniting factor. Contrary to seemingly popular opinion, what was the uniting factor was the Eucharist.

That is why there is "closed Communion".

Are you saying the Apostles and followers celebrated with an elaboate mass with incense, priestly robes, altars etc? Can you show me Scripture for that? Thanks.

Acts 27:35 And, having said these things, and taken a loaf, he gave thanks unto God before all, and, breaking it, began to eat.

 

[Trento]

Why does the bible divide christians instead of unite them?

The Bible doesn’t contradict itself, so quoting verses will not contradict the Bible. But what does contradict the Bible is individual interpretation of the verses, or the manner in which ones use one set of verses to prove his view, but forget a whole other set of verses which disprove their point.

2 Peter 1:20, 2:1: First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation....But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies...”
Conclusion: “Private interpretation” leads to “false teachers who being destructive heresies.”
Peter 3:16-17: “There are some things in them [the Scripture] hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, beware lest you be carried away with the error of lawless men and lose your own stability.”

And that is what we have now, chaos, because so many people think they have an infallible interpretation of what the Bible says.

 

[SeraphimSarov]

Are you saying the Apostles and followers celebrated with an elaboate mass with incense, priestly robes, altars etc? Can you show me Scripture for that? Thanks.

Wow, because that's exactly what he said!

Acts 27:35 And, having said these things, and taken a loaf, he gave thanks unto God before all, and, breaking it, began to eat.

That, however, is exactly what he was talking about.

 

[ProdicalChristian]

On another note, in the early Church, there was no Bible, thus it was not the uniting factor. Contrary to seemingly popular opinion, what was the uniting factor was the Eucharist.

That is why there is "closed Communion".

It is true that there was a time that when there was not a bible available for the "common believers". That early Christians were relying on the the Church and her leaders. Today, there are leaders and followers who are depending on the Church rather than the Holy Spirit who provided the Bible for us. It is very important to know that God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and Bible are the two most important aspects of my life. Before Holy Scriptures came along, traditions were relied on. Now that God have provided the Holy Scriptures that have been AGREED by the "CHURCH". Therefore, traditions stays with the denomination of the "CHURCH" while the Holy Scripture in the FINAL authority. Christians are divided on doctrine issues (teaching issues). This have been going on since the New Testament days (Read First Corinthians 9:11-17).

Closed Communion is often decided by denominational leaders to weed out which Christians are truly their according to their own teachings. Not whether or not they are Christians as accepting Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

That's fine. Which is why there are divisions.

 

[ProdicalChristian]

The Bible doesn’t contradict itself, so quoting verses will not contradict the Bible. But what does contradict the Bible is individual interpretation of the verses, or the manner in which ones use one set of verses to prove his view, but forget a whole other set of verses which disprove their point.

2 Peter 1:20, 2:1: First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation....But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies...”
Conclusion: “Private interpretation” leads to “false teachers who being destructive heresies.”
Peter 3:16-17: “There are some things in them [the Scripture] hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, beware lest you be carried away with the error of lawless men and lose your own stability.”

And that is what we have now, chaos, because so many people think they have an infallible interpretation of what the Bible says.

In other words, we all are corrupted which is why we have the Holy Spirit. Studying the scriptures requires the Holy Spirit which is inward, not outward. The Holy Spirit is within us believers, Christ dwells in our hearts, and "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) is the burning core of the Christian faith.