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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | Hank | 148757 | ||
Ed, just a short note on your question, and in it I don't presume to have a definitive answer, nor do I know anyone who does, sufficient to justify denominationalism. As divisive and oftentimes ugly as denominationalism can be, it is self-defeating to issue a call for unity at the expense of forfeiting or compromising clear and core Gospel truths. Still and all it appears that believers are much too prone to quibble and separate themselves from one another over what really amounts to issues that should be passed over as being non-essential or even trivial. We see ideas and theological dogmas argued and fussed over on this Forum that really are of minor consequence in the larger scheme of things. It is quite possible that God's canopy is larger than ours and thus is able to cover the minor differences that exist among us, and does so long as we get the fundamental and essential tenets of the faith right. Yet one appropriately may ask, "But how can we agree on what is fundamental and essential?" I'll step aside gracefully, Ed, and generously allow you come on stage and answer that! :-) --Hank | ||||||
2 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | kalos | 148806 | ||
If two churches disagree doctrinally... ...it is fine that they remain separate. [Hank: I agree with your thoughts regarding denominations. I think you will find the following to be of interest. --John] 'Question: "Why are there so many Christian denominations?" 'Answer: There are so many denominations for several reasons. '(1) Each denomination has a slightly different doctrine or emphasis from the others. '(2) As people started churches, they simply gave them different names. '(3) Denominations are good in that if you attended a Baptist church in one town, and then moved to another town, you could attend a similar Baptist church in the new town. 'The Lutheran denomination was named after Martin Luther. The Methodists got their name because their founder, John Wesley, was famous for coming up with “methods” for spiritual growth. Presbyterians are named for their view on church leadership - the Greek word for elder is "presbyteros." Baptists got their name because they have always emphasized the importance of baptism. 'We, as believers, must believe the same on the essentials of the faith, but beyond that there is great latitude in how a Christian should worship, serve, and live his life. This latitude is what causes so many different flavors of Christianity. Diversity is a good thing, but disunity is not. If two churches disagree doctrinally, it is fine that they remain separate. This separation, though, does not lift the responsibility Christians have to love one another (1John 4:11-12) – and ultimately be united as one in Christ (John 17:21-22).' ____________________ www.gotquestions.org/denominations.html |
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3 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | kalos | 148954 | ||
Some Things are True by Gregory Koukl 'Let me give you a picture of my world, by and large, at least as it touches this particular issue. My world is a world in which thinking matters, in which there is such a thing as truth, in which truth can be known and in which we use thinking to assess ideas to determine whether they are true or not. There's really not much room in my thinking system for comments like, Well, that's just your interpretation, or just your opinion, when the emphasis is on "just." Of course it's my interpretation. Of course it's my opinion, but it's not just those things in that I'm not simply sharing my point of view, I'm sharing my reasons why I have a point of view. 'Now it could be that my opinion or my interpretation is mistaken, but the only way for me to find out whether it's mistaken or not is to get at the reasons I draw the conclusions which form either my opinion or my interpretation. I don't believe that all opinions are equal. I don't believe that all interpretations are equal . . .' ____________________ (Some Things are True by Gregory Koukl) To read more go to: (http://www.str.org/free/commentaries/philosophy/stat.htm) |
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4 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | EdB | 148961 | ||
Kalos I don't think the question is on the validity of ones opinion, but rather did God intend scripture to be interpreted by each man based on reasons man judges to be appropriate to form that interpretation? Assuming righteousness intent on everyone’s part did God intend man to do what seemed right in man’s eyes? A second question that I’m asking is, Or did God set things into certain men’s heart so that they could convey both scripture and intent? Then could it be that by us rejecting any council aside from scripture lose the benefit of knowing the actual intent? Once again opening the door for man to run in all directions but never attaining the truth God desire man to possess. Interesting questions I think. Many seem to focus on 2 Peter 2:20 and say this may be a problem. EdB |
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5 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | Hank | 148969 | ||
Ed, I fear that perhaps in this discussion I'm becoming a big wheel -- one of the blessed wheels in the secular beatitude, "Blessed are they who go around in circles, for they shall become wheels." :-) The command of 2 Timothy 2:15 seems clear enough: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." That's what the New King James Version says. I also like the way the English Standard Version renders this verse: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." ..... As I've noted before, the believer can, and ought to, pray for divine guidance every time he approaches Scripture. And he can, and ought to, avail himself of the wisdom and counsel of godly scholars, both contemporary and in ages past, and not suppose that on him alone does the Holy Spirit grant the spiritual gifts of wisdom and insight into the Holy Scriptures, but that He also has bestowed them on other men of God who in turn have generously shared theirs with him. The principles of interpretation, far from being arbitrary, have been tried and tested for centuries and found to be extremely helpful and sound, if not infallible, tools to aid in a fuller understanding of Scripture. What else can one do but this? And does the Lord expect of us absolute perfection and inerrancy? Only He meets that standard. Man is limited in what he can do, just as Little Bo Beep's sheep. Referring to the sheep, the rhyme says, "Leave them alone and they'll come home, wagging their tails behind them." Pray tell, what else could they wag, and where else could they wag their tails except behind them? I suppose they COULD come home in reverse, but I should think that most unlikely! --Hank | ||||||
6 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | EdB | 148975 | ||
Hank Then as I said to Lionheart we all agree denominations has no place. By dividing ourselves shows we are not using correct exegesis and by living with it shows our apathy to live in possible error. Or is that too harsh an assestment for the situation? EdB |
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