'Bible believing' church communities and their differences

Contra Mundum · #1 Jun 16, '12, 6:08 am

I am not too familiar with the so-called 'Bible-believing' communities and what they actually believe, except that they rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance in interpreting the Bible. I understand that is it quite common that these groups contradict one another about what they think the Bible says. I was wondering if you could tell me which are the points of confusion and contradiction that are often found among them.

I have a non-denominational Christian friend and I would like her to explain to me why her version of Christianity is more correct than of those other non-denominational Bible believing versions who make the same claim. I'd like to know what to expect.

Thank you!

JustaServant · #2 Jun 16, '12, 6:15 am

I've always found the term 'Bible believing' church curious. As it infers other churches are not 'Bible believing'. If those "other churches" are not 'Bible believing', what are they saying (those "other" churches) believe in? Get them to answer that question.

johnnyjones · #3 Jun 16, '12, 6:28 am

What you inquire about is simply Protestantism and all the denominations that flow from it.
When you try to interpret scripture from so many angles different beliefs emerge. The words "bible believing" are really just "reinforcement" words. Its a way of saying, I accept no other authority but scripture. Of course scripture is a big part of our catholic lives but God has given us other ways of knowing him in the church. Always remember there was no bible for many years after the death of Jesus and traditions though word of mouth (endorsed in scripture) became as relevant to the church as the written word.

mikelionheart · #4 Jun 16, '12, 6:39 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contra Mundum

I am not too familiar with the so-called 'Bible-believing' communities and what they actually believe, except that they rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance in interpreting the Bible. I understand that is it quite common that these groups contradict one another about what they think the Bible says. I was wondering if you could tell me which are the points of confusion and contradiction that are often found among them.

I have a non-denominational Christian friend and I would like her to explain to me why her version of Christianity is more correct than of those other non-denominational Bible believing versions who make the same claim. I'd like to know what to expect.

Thank you!

Catholics should always speak with utmost confidence when dealing with these so-called 'Bible Christians'.

I always state plainly and forcefully to them that the only Bible Christians are Catholics and the only Biblical Christianity is Catholicism.

Porknpie · #5 Jun 16, '12, 6:45 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contra Mundum

I am not too familiar with the so-called 'Bible-believing' communities and what they actually believe, except that they rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance in interpreting the Bible. I understand that is it quite common that these groups contradict one another about what they think the Bible says. I was wondering if you could tell me which are the points of confusion and contradiction that are often found among them.

I have a non-denominational Christian friend and I would like her to explain to me why her version of Christianity is more correct than of those other non-denominational Bible believing versions who make the same claim. I'd like to know what to expect.

Thank you!

Unfortunately, this is a fruit of sola scriptura. Tens of thousands of churches believing different things and no authority to unite them in one belief. In this case, the devil literally is in the details. I'd simply start by asking what her church believes and why and where did they come to believe it? Ask also about contraception, abortion and what is their belief on the church Christ set up on earth. Lots of questions...those a just a few.

loozcannon · #6 Jun 16, '12, 7:32 am

For many protestants, Catholicism as they understand it is "tradition." So to distinguish themselves from that, some "nondenominational" churches will say they are a "bible based" church. Essentially, as others have said here, it is a form of sola scriptura.

Just try and focus on the commonalities. Both Catholicism and your friend can agree on our beliefs about Jesus.

If you guys are conversing about your faith, do so with love.

God bless.

CopticChristian · #7 Jun 16, '12, 7:40 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contra Mundum

I am not too familiar with the so-called 'Bible-believing' communities and what they actually believe, except that they rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance in interpreting the Bible. I understand that is it quite common that these groups contradict one another about what they think the Bible says. I was wondering if you could tell me which are the points of confusion and contradiction that are often found among them.

I have a non-denominational Christian friend and I would like her to explain to me why her version of Christianity is more correct than of those other non-denominational Bible believing versions who make the same claim. I'd like to know what to expect.

Thank you!

Contra,

You may expect that as I have experienced most non-denominational Christians do not know the following:

They have Protestant beliefs and do not know that.

They do not know where the Bible came from.

They declare Catholics are not Christian.

Your approach to this may not yield what you expect and I would approach it from a different angle.

loozcannon · #8 Jun 16, '12, 7:44 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by CopticChristian

They declare Catholics are not Christian.
.

My sister asked me that very thing when she found out I was "converting."

CopticChristian · #9 Jun 16, '12, 7:44 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by loozcannon

For many protestants, Catholicism as they understand it is "tradition." So to distinguish themselves from that, some "nondenominational" churches will say they are a "bible based" church. Essentially, as others have said here, it is a form of sola scriptura.

Just try and focus on the commonalities. Both Catholicism and your friend can agree on our beliefs about Jesus.

If you guys are conversing about your faith, do so with love.

God bless.

Looz,

Jesus founded a Church as it says in Matthew. Paul through revelation says that the Body of Christ is the Church,the Church is the Bride of Christ, the mystery hidden for all ages, through which the manifold wisdom of God is known, through which the manifold wisdom of God is known, the pillar and foundation of truth..do we hold this belief in common?

Usige · #10 Jun 16, '12, 7:51 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contra Mundum

I am not too familiar with the so-called 'Bible-believing' communities and what they actually believe, except that they rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance in interpreting the Bible. I understand that is it quite common that these groups contradict one another about what they think the Bible says. I was wondering if you could tell me which are the points of confusion and contradiction that are often found among them.

I have a non-denominational Christian friend and I would like her to explain to me why her version of Christianity is more correct than of those other non-denominational Bible believing versions who make the same claim. I'd like to know what to expect.

Thank you!

I was just talking with a couple Protestant friends about this. One was from a mainline church (Calvinist tradition) and another goes to a "bible chapel" church.

The one that goes to a "bible chapel" said that the Holy Spirit indwells in her heart and guides her to accurate understanding of the bible. She believes that the Holy Spirit will not let her interpret the bible wrong. The Calvinist was willing to admit that they could interpret the bible incorrectly, but mainly because of his own biases.

So here are two examples of places where contradictions showed up between them. The Calvinist believed that a physical baptism was required to go to heaven; the lady from the bible chapel said it didn't matter; only belief that Christ died for our sins was required. My Calvinist friend basically believed that people are predestined for heaven or hell; while my other friend said that we are guaranteed salvation purely through accepting Christ as our savior. Both were sure of their position based on their interpretation of the bible (n the case of the Calvinist it was also study of other writers). I asked how they dealt with the fact that the there are different translations of the bible that imply different things and their only conclusion was that their bibles were inerrant and other translations must be incorrect.

This is the danger of Sola Scritura, everything is up for debate, You pick and chose the bible translation that meets your beliefs. When I asked my friend that went to the bible chapel how Christian could disagree, her only possible explanation was that they had not truly accepted Jesus and therefore the Holy Spirit was not keeping them from misinterpreting the bible.

One side note, I asked them both what happens when their pastor starts preaching about something the don't believe. The Calvinist said the council of elders could fire them or they would just go to another church that is more faithful to that church's teachings. The bible chapel friend said they could fire them or if there was just a small group of them they would start a "home church" and share teaching duties among themselves.

The one thing they both seemed to agree on was that Catholics a) don't read the bible (why would we since we can't understand/interpret it on our own), b) do what the pope tells them, without thought or question, and c) are being lead astray with "all those silly rules."

benjohnson · #11 Jun 16, '12, 7:57 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contra Mundum

ominational Christian friend and I would like her to explain to me why her version of Christianity is more correct than of those other non-denominational Bible believing versions who make the same claim. I'd like to know what to expect.
Thank you!

It depends, but I would think that if you challenge your friend so directly like that then you're probably going to have a diminishment of your friendship, and less Christian good-will.

If there's anything some of our more distant Protestant friends need help in is a correct interpretation of the Bible - so given that you may think that your friend is in error, I would say that it may be better to draw your friend closer to you, than to start a confrontation that goes nowhere.

Would your friend be curious about Mass? Take them.

If that's too much... then Adoration? Take them.

If that's too much... then study the bible with them? Be with them.

Pushing your friend to denounce others is not prudent, will only lead to less unity in my opinion. I would hope that it would be better to draw each other closer to Christ.

CopticChristian · #12 Jun 16, '12, 7:59 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by loozcannon

My sister asked me that very thing when she found out I was "converting."

Looz,

What are you converting to or from? I don't understand what it is your sister asked?

Contra Mundum · #13 Jun 16, '12, 8:28 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjohnson

Pushing your friend to denounce others is not prudent, will only lead to less unity in my opinion. I would hope that it would be better to draw each other closer to Christ.

I'm not out to get her. I just want to have a few questions ready next time she starts throwing nonsense at me. Maybe my questions will make her think. Maybe not. Maybe not yet. I know her 'church' was started by some random guy who was enlightened by the Hily Spirit and a small group of people was meeting for prayer in his home. This is the level we are talking about here. I think they are now aligning themselves with the Evangelicals, but I'm not 100% sure. I will ask her next time for clarification.

submariner2 · #14 Jun 16, '12, 8:38 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contra Mundum

I'm not out to get her. I just want to have a few questions ready next time she starts throwing nonsense at me. Maybe my questions will make her think. Maybe not. Maybe not yet. I know her 'church' was started by some random guy who was enlightened by the Hily Spirit and a small group of people was meeting for prayer in his home. This is the level we are talking about here. I think they are now aligning themselves with the Evangelicals, but I'm not 100% sure. I will ask her next time for clarification.

Contra,

Dont forget that St Paul began his ministry in the same manner. No one appointed him. (Gal 1.1) S not being part of a known denomination does not necessarily disqualify her pastor.

Best way to encourage others to investigate your own church is simply to invite them to come. I say "Come and see."

Rob

Contra Mundum · #15 Jun 16, '12, 8:38 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Usige

The one that goes to a "bible chapel" said that the Holy Spirit indwells in her heart and guides her to accurate understanding of the bible. She believes that the Holy Spirit will not let her interpret the bible wrong. The Calvinist was willing to admit that they could interpret the bible incorrectly, but mainly because of his own biases.

So here are two examples of places where contradictions showed up between them. (...)

When I asked my friend that went to the bible chapel how Christian could disagree, her only possible explanation was that they had not truly accepted Jesus and therefore the Holy Spirit was not keeping them from misinterpreting the bible.

OK, this is what I'm talking about. Very different beliefs, both based on taking the Bible at face value. Thank you for the examples, this is what I need.

So basically, the 'bible chapel' friend explains differences through the lack of faith of others. My guess is that if they sin that means the person never really accepted Jesus into their heart, right?

It all sounds awfully naive and I genuinely can't understand how anyone can buy into that. My friend is a fallen away Catholic btw. She converted in high school but never learned her faith, so left a few years later when something more convenient came along. I don't doubt her faith and love for God at all, but I'm so sad that she has gone so far into error.