Why do we argue over the meaning of scriptures in the Bible among ourselves?

I think it comes down to tact. Some people don’t have good reading comprehension and that’s apparent on a medium where the sole form of communication is reading. There are good ways to tell people this and bad ways.

I think it’s best to just not give unsolicited advice even when it’s constructive and intentions are good. I think the sensibilities of people are very easily offended on this message board. In my culture, people aren’t easily offended. So what I see is there is not an objective right or wrong here.

I appreciate your ambitions. I once longed to be a teacher (of some sort) in a modern-day church, though I do not any longer. The two primary reasons for such is that I'm not interested in the fact that an incredibly high percentage of people do not agree, at all, on the meaning of Scripture. Quite frankly, I wouldn't be able to offer my "sermon" in full concentration as I looked across the "flock" of "my" church, realizing that nearly all don't agree with me. And then there is the senseless fighting and bickering, such as what we see, here.

Second, the more I can to learn about the Bible, the more I recognize that what I believed kept changing. What's the point in being a teacher or preaching if I keep realizing how wrong I have been? Or, it is reasonable to think that "finally I have arrived! I've finally gotten the Bible figured out!" Another example of this is: Nearly 30 years ago I wrote a personal book on how to be happy. Needless to say, I was utterly miserable, wishing that I were not alive for, at that point in my life, about fifteen years of my living. It is a collection of writings at about 260 pages. I'm both glad and thankful that I wrote that material, but I no longer agree with the entire set of contents today. This lends to the idea of the futility of being a teacher. Why be a teacher if one day I will come to realize that the things I wrote were in error? And, how horrific it is to realize that what I once taught people was wrong. Having felt the Raw, Almighty Power of God to the degree that I nearly died, the thought of teaching things that are wrong is enough to cause me to take heed to the teaching that many of us should not be teachers. If we aren't extremely afraid of being wrong in our teachings, then I'm not certain that being a preacher or teacher is a wise thing to do.

Before you continue in your writings, I would focus on getting the Gospel figured out. I would get that concept nailed down before anything else. We don't want to be like the rest of the World. Doesn't it seem reasonable that we would have that particular writing first and foremost? After all, the Gospel is the essence of our Faith. The Gospel is the "Story of God," but is that really the Gospel or is that just another way of merely describing the Gospel? The Gospel is never offered in the form of a mere description, rather, the True Gospel is to be offered by explanation. There is a gulf of a difference between describing the Gospel, and explaining the Gospel.

When a person claims that, "The Gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ!" - That is folly. The "Good News" is not the Gospel, but instead, the "Good News" is a mere title to a chapter of a potential of a book. The contents of the chapter are an explanation of the description; the title of the chapter. No one can knock on a door and say, "The Good News of Jesus Christ" and save a soul through that message. There must be an explanation, the same explanation that Phillip gave to the Eunuch; the same explanation that Paul and his companions gave to the Jailer and his family. But what is the entire package? What did they actually teach? Or, was Phillip only in the carriage for a mere ten seconds . . . or, did he enter the chariot because the explanation took a while to diseminate?

Check this out and be amazed: Once I became honest with myself and proclaimed that I really didn't know what the Gospel was (beyond the standard quips that I was blurting out for several decades), I wanted to understand why. I also realized that because of the Internet, I could write to virtually every pastor in America, if not the English-speaking world, and ask every church to explain the Gospel to me. In my introduction, I stated that I wasn't requiring that they spend the time to type it out, but if they would like, they could simply send a copy of a pre-written sermon that outlined the Gospel, or send a pre-written, personal explanation of the Gospel that they had previously written. The results? Not one had a sermon or a pre-written explanation of the Gospel that they were able o send to me. To make sure, I asked them point-blank if they had either a sermon or pre-written paper that they could send to me . . . not one of them did. Holy Cow! It's no wonder that "we" don't understand the Gospel, for were not being taught.

In these communications, not one of them mentioned Abraham and why he is our Father of Faith. Not one of them mentioned the Spiritual Circumcision of Jesus. Spiritual Circumcision was instituted in the life of Abraham . . . how can this be ignored? I would not suggest that the Gospel [is] Spiritual Circumcision, for this would be another chapter title, but instead, I would say that the Gospel [revolves] around Spiritual Circumcision. Any True form of the Gospel must include the teaching of the Circumcision of Christ and what it means. Any True and whole Gospel must include the explanation of the Purpose of Christ, the Work of Christ, and the Effect of Christ. Again, those three points are mere chapter titles, but it is the explanation of them wherein we will come to understand the Gospel.

And so, as it became most evident, no one is knocking on my door to explain the Gospel because we do not understand it. We THINK we do, but in our foggy minds, we must conclude that we really do not. There is a reason for why I can walk into virtually any church and I will [not] hear people talking about the core and center of our Faith . . . the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead, I will hear people lighting and talking about worldly things. Anyone who has the Gospel Truly embedded within their hearts cannot contain themselves; nothing is more important. Yet, we do not hear this Love of the Gospel when we enter into churches. The last church I attended happened to be "Baptist." The pastor, for the seven months that I attended, didn't even reference the Holy Name of Jesus from the pulpit a single time. We did learn, however, about gun safety, his favorite burger joint, and how to make papyrus paper multiple times.

Here is what I would recommend that you do: Create an Excel spreadsheet and begin keeping track of every Bible passage that address the question . . . "What is the Gospel of Jesus?" Get yourself a timeline, chronological reading of the entire Bible, and begin with Genesis chapters 1 through 3 as day one. Learn the story of the Bible, for the Gospel is discovered in the "Story of God." Paul talks about the Mysterious Plan in Ephesians chapters 2 and 3. Before each reading, consider his words that pertain to this Mysterious Plan, and consider Colossians 2:9-15 before each reading. As said, after you have consider these three sets of passages, begin your daily reading of the entire Bible in a timeline, chronological order. If you do this, you will hold a primary advantage over nearly all people that you speak with regarding the Holy Word of God.

In your youth, you are wise and I admire you. Do not be like the pastors that I have written to that were unprepared to share the Gospel in a realistic form. We should be prepared to offer the Gospel before we offer anything else. The ability to share the Gospel is of first importance. It must be clear in our minds. Lastly, I would add this: If someone asks me to explain the Gospel (and no one ever does, especially in a church), the first response should be, "How much time do we have?" The reason for this is that we can give it in a matter of minutes, or we could spend an entire year reading of the Gospel in a timeline, chronological order. The Gospel is simple, yet it is complex.

I believe in you.

most of the things we are contentious about are not salvation issues.

Just make that over 50 (and remove the last two zeros). More like over 30. God will not be examining denominations per se. He will be examining individuals regardless of denomination.

All Christian people accept the Bible is true and God's words to the world.

Why do we join in community and not discuss but argue over what the various teachings or supporting passages are actually saying?
Is it up to us to translate God's words to our liking?

And why is it that in most all Christian communities the BDF, Bible Discussion Forum, is the most incendiary , drama filled, anger filled, confrontational, mean, board of any other on any Christian community site?

Tricky little thing is we forget that the Bible is all about Jesus and not about us and our beliefs. If we would take more time to reflect on Him and His character and try to be more like Him we wouldn't have time to argue about the stuff that doesn't matter. Learning to love each other is more of what we all need to do, but few take the time to learn the lessons Jesus was trying to teach us.

We would be better off if we could forget the what we know and start showing each other the who we know....(Jesus)

50? That seems small

People come on here and try to lead other Christians into their obvious error.

It is good to show everyone that error so they don't go down the same path.

If we would take more time to reflect on Him and His character and try to be more like Him we wouldn't have time to argue about the stuff that doesn't matter.

Just make that over 50 (and remove the last two zeros). More like over 30. God will not be examining denominations per se. He will be examining individuals regardless of denomination.

God sees the heart. That's what he will judge I think.

Precious friend, God Changed the heart from wicked to righteous; God Will Judge:

"good works (gold, silver, precious stones), and bad works (wood, hay, stubble)
1 Corinthians 3:8-15.

GRACE And Peace...

All Christian people accept the Bible is true and God's words to the world.

Why do we join in community and not discuss but argue over what the various teachings or supporting passages are actually saying?
Is it up to us to translate God's words to our liking?

And why is it that in most all Christian communities the BDF, Bible Discussion Forum, is the most incendiary , drama filled, anger filled, confrontational, mean, board of any other on any Christian community site?

the bible tells us to be all things to all people.

and to be a light.

If you think you may offend someone by what you say. the best thing to do is to not say it.

Again, If I disagree with you and give my opinion of a passage without fluff. Then I have nothing to worry about. if they are mad or hurt because you have a different opinion. that is on them

Hi wintersrain,

Some really good answers there. I might add is that we are coming to the fullness of the faith. Over the centuries, (as the Apostle Paul warned, (Acts 21: 29 & 30) there has been an eroding of the truth, and then in the Middle ages a restoring of truth. And we are coming to the fullness of truth.

The `whole Counsel` of God that the Apostle Paul taught, (Acts 21: 27) is finally being revealed. All truths are being clarified, as Jesus said, (John 16: 13) by His Holy Spirit. However there is still a battle to stop the Body of Christ from coming to the unity of Faith, (Eph. 4: 13) by the Holy Spirit.

So it is not only people`s wrong motives, but we are in the midst of the final battle of Satan trying to stop believers coming to the full truth, the Whole Counsel of God.

regards, Marilyn.

All Christian people accept the Bible is true and God's words to the world.

Why do we join in community and not discuss but argue over what the various teachings or supporting passages are actually saying?
Is it up to us to translate God's words to our liking?

And why is it that in most all Christian communities the BDF, Bible Discussion Forum, is the most incendiary , drama filled, anger filled, confrontational, mean, board of any other on any Christian community site?

Truth matters.