If your views conflict with the teachings of the church, how can you still pract

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   cmccarty6687posted 11 years ago

   If your views conflict with the teachings of the church, how can you still practice Christianity?
   
   If your views conflict with the teachings of the Bible or church, how can you balance those things to practice Christianity or any other religion you choose?

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   lesliebyarsposted 11 years ago

   It's very hard to say the least. Follow the Ten Commandments.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      no that is wrong, follow Jesus and His 2 commands

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   Mekenzieposted 11 years ago

   Christianity is based on the Bible. So if you do not believe the Bible to be God's inspired word, then you do not believe in Christianity.  Make sense? 

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      cmccarty6687posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I am not saying the Bible is not God's inspired word  but what if your personal views on social issues like marriage don't coincide with church teachings

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      Mekenzieposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      you agree- Bible is inspired by God -100% truth.  It is His love letter to His children. So if social issues conflict with what God says. I believe God. Believers must weigh whats taught in Church to God's word.  If it's not teaching truth - leave.

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      cmccarty6687posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your input on the topic

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      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If your views are directed by love -- you are annointed.

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      Judah's Daughterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      cmccarty6687, you said your views don't align with the Bible, right?  There are groups out there that don't teach in accordance with the Bible either.  Surely, they are much easier to find than churches who do honor the Bible.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      right mac  and the church teachings if different from the bible are invalid to the true Christian

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   Ericdierkerposted 11 years ago

   It is possible for someone to have a one on one personal relationship with Christ even though they do not know scripture or religious doctrine. Especially new comers can be totally ignorant and yet on fire with the spirit.
   
   It is like loving America the Beautiful, but disliking the president. No church owns the absolute interpretation of the Bible.
   
   Church doctrine can only effect how we act but not how we feel. The gay rights issues are a classic example. The church may call it a sin, you are not gay, but you do not think it a sin per se. So the doctrine does not reflect your views but it has no effect on you.
   
   However if you are Catholic or Mormon for instance, you believe the Church is of and from God. Then the doctrine is sacrosanct and a dispute with it would suggest you be disbarred from that body.
   The problem with the latter interpretation is that it conflicts with most of Christs' teaching as shown through his dialogues with Pharisees. But it is consistent, somewhat, with Cephus/Peter being the Rock. But I believe most people think the Church is for God and not from God to us.
   
   For most I think that you must use your heart. If one interpretation feels unloving and therefor, not Christ like, better to avoid it. But you still must love those who espouse it.
   
   My wife does not agree with much of our congregational "attitudes". So she practices acceptance and love and all is good.

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      cmccarty6687posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your well spoken response

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      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is going in a non-Christian direction. Those who express division and abandonment are no Christian Soldiers. One in purpose with our Lord Christ cannot abandon a congregation due to issues.
      Christ did not let Paul or Peter abandon whoever receiv

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   Efficient Adminposted 11 years ago

   In my humble opinion many churches make up their own rules.  You have to compare their man-made rules with what the Scripture teaches.  If your views don't match what the Scripture teaches, all I know to say is you must pray about it, for more understanding and wisdom.  I would be more concerned with pleasing God than pleasing the humans.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      correct  a church that professes to be Christian has no authority other than what scripture says.

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   glynch1posted 11 years ago

   Many "churches" are far off-base because they have rejected what the Scriptures say, and substitute man's teachings (traditions, feelings) in their place. So, if your views conflict with the teachings of these types of "churches," you may be all right. However, if your views conflict with what the Bible clearly says, then you need to change your mind. You cannot "practice true Christianity" if you reject the Scriptures. Since the Bible is divine revelation, it is authoritative and the Christian's absolute rule of faith and practice. A true believer may not "cherrypick" what he (or she) wants to follow and then carelessly discard the rest because he (or she) does not like it.

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   daskittlez69posted 11 years ago

   The church has nothing to do with Christianity.  No religious organization or clergy person can send a person to hell or save him from it.  Christianity is about living a good life and accepting Jesus Christ into your heart.  A church is a meeting place for like minded individuals to come together and share their faith.

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      Rod Marsdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      What you have come up with is the original idea of Church. As you say a meeting place for like minded individuals to share their faith. Everything else came later.

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   Rod Marsdenposted 11 years ago

   There are gospels that didn't make it into the bible including the gospel of Mary. As for the church, you would have to ask nowadays which church? If you are looking at the west then you are looking at the split between Catholic and Protestant. Within both the Catholic and Protestant orders there are even more splits.
   
   Today the Catholic church is in trouble. Too many priests have done the wrong thing in Australia, Ireland and the USA, By wrong thing I mean criminal behavior when it comes to young children. Should Catholic priests remain celibate? Probably not if so many can't handle that kind of life.
   
   There was a time when the Bible could only be presented in Latin. In England even with the Protestant movement, Henry the VIII was against the bible being in a common language and those who put out a common languaghe bible were made into outlaws. It wasn't until King James took the English as well as Scottish throne that there was an official bible in English - The King James bible. Hence there was a time when officially only those who could read Latin were allowed  into the mysteries of Christianity and coul;d make up their own minds as to the meaning of various passages.
   
   The latest version of the King James bible, however, over-simplifies text and thus original meaning is either damaged or lost. If the words in the bible can thus be changed then how can the bible remain holy? This sort of thing makes me an Agnostic.

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   Timloveposted 11 years ago

   Christianity is not the church,  it is a Love for God, a knowledge of God and what His son did on the cross for you and me. The word christian actually means to be like Christ, Christ was the exspress image of God.
   
   Alot of churches would have you beleive to be a christian you have to be a regular church attender,because if you are not part of a church body you would not have a covering and you would be vulnerable to the devil and his crowd that is not scriptural. You are vulnerable when you don't have a relationship with God no matter if you attend church or not. Though I am not against being a part of a church body.

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      glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Believers who do not sit under the teaching of the Word and "fellowship" with others of like faith are vulnerable to Satan and the world. The book of Hebrews commands us "not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together." Do not disobey this word.

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      celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      2 or more meeting in His name is church.   Sitting and being taught in todays churches is not church.  see iCor 14-23 on for meeting agenda.
      All are able to participate  and several should no 1 man in control of all. church is PEOPLE

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      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Celefoe --- sounds like you are saying 3 is good but more is bad. One time is cool but organizing and sharing abundance is bad.  Sounds like you are scarred.

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    Angela Blairposted 11 years ago

    It's my understanding that the word "church," in the biblical sense, is a group of people who believe in God and his son, Jesus Christ and that Christ died for our sins. As Christians we are charged biblically with emotionally supporting and uplifting one another in faith and love of God. That being the case, as a Christian, I'm charged with living the best I can useing the 10 Commandments as my guide and helping my fellow Christians to the best of my knowledge to remain steadfast in their faith. I long ago quit being a "joiner" of churches as I didn't find the foregoing biblical instructions happening very much within that framework.. I personally follow the biblical instructions the very best I can -- often failing as do we all -- but as to the "teachings of the church" (which could be any one member's opinion of the group considered a "church" by the foregoing definition) and my practice of Christianity -- there's no correlation between the two for me at all.

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    MarleneBposted 11 years ago

    The church and religion don't always line up with the bible. A person would have to decide whether they are aligning themself with the church, with the religion, or with the bible, because there are times when none of those are in strict agreement with each other. Personally, I align myself with the bible and if the church or religion veers from what I believe, then I can't follow them.
    
    A lot of people have their own interpretation, so at the end of the day it comes down to what I believe and whether or not I am going to hold myself accountable for my beliefs. Sometimes, because of the transcriptions handed down through the ages, from one language to another, the translation becomes muddled and so even the bible (for me) becomes vague in some areas. When in doubt, I do ask the question, "What would Jesus do?" Understanding who Jesus is and modeling myself as closely to Jesus as is humanly possible, the answer comes easy. Love and forgive. If a church or religion does not practice that, then I cannot follow them.

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       glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I believe the translations we have are sufficiently clear, but some are more faithful than others. If you believe translations are "muddled," and the Bible is "vague," then how can you ask, "what would Jesus do?" How do you know what Jesus said?

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    starsofeightposted 11 years ago

    Christianity, or being Christ-like, entails being like Christ. As you may recall, Christ was often at odds with the church of his day. Yet, he conducted himself by a set standard, and taught that standard wherever it would be received.
    
    Christianity is a way of living that includes certain practices of socialization, and while the Christian lives a set of rules that govern how he or she interacts with others, dependency upon those interactions is not the spirit of Christ-likeness.

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       glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       There was no "church" in Christ's day; the nation of Israel existed, but not the Church. Jesus said, "I will build My church . . . " Israel is not the church, and the Church is not spiritual Israel.

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    kellyteamposted 11 years ago

    Hi cmccarty6687. To me if your view are in conflict with the teachings of the church you may need to find a new church. It really would depend on whether or not the differences are essential doctrine. It is possible to disagree on non-essential issues and still be in fellowship with the church. For example on the issue of the rapture, if you are pre-trib and the pastor is teaching post-trib no big deal. An essential issue is Jesus is the son of God, He died for our sins, was buried and rose on the 3rd day and now sits on the right Hand of God soon to return. If the church has a different view than that run to the nearest exit. The Bible is the ultimate authority.

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       glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       One can still befriend a brother Christian who holds a different view of eschatology, but I would have difficulty belonging to a church that teaches it. The issue you mention is not "non-essential," because it is connected to a hermeneutical system.

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    TerryK81posted 11 years ago

    The answer to this question is very easy, it's complicated because it involves the ENTIRE CHANGING of our nature- And this can only be done by ministry of the Holy Spirit.

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    the girlsposted 11 years ago

    I will stand back. Struggling between my personal views and the religion of my choice is a bit odd. Anyways, I have to choose one over the other in the end.

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       Michael-Milecposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Choose the way  back to God, accept the living word , Him - John 1: 12.13. As a child of God you'll be lead by the Holy Spirit, live the life of righteousnes, have life eternal secured, and who cares for religiosity, Our Heavenly Father doesn't !

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    Judah's Daughterposted 11 years ago

    It depends on what the teachings of this 'Christian' church are?  Are they teaching what the Holy Bible says?  Are they a gathering of Bible-believing followers of Jesus Christ?  That's what 'Christian' means - to follow Christ and His Word. 
    
    You mentioned you have differing views on social issues such as marriage.  If you support gay marriage, for instance, the Holy Bible does not support your view, unless you choose the latest Queen James Version; then, it does (or is silent on the issue).  I mean, lots of groups have written their own bibles. 
    
    If you want to be a Christian and yet believe and practice things that don't align with what the Holy Bible says, then why use the title 'Christian'?  There's other religions out there you can be a part of.  Lots of people call themselves 'Christians' and don't follow the Holy Bible, which is revered by Christians to be the Word of God: the Torah, the Prophets, the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Apostles.
    
    The Church is not a building, but is within the believer.  Wherever two or three are gathered together in the name of Christ, He is in their midst (Mat 18:20).  Likewise, various religious groups meet together and are of like belief and spirit, whatever that may be.

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       glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Much of what you have said makes good sense; however, the Church is not within the believer. Christ indwells the Church corporately and individual believers through the Holy Spirit, but the Church (the Body of Christ) does not reside within believers

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       Michael-Milecposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       The Anointed-Christ is the head of the OUTCALLED ( church) is HIS BODY;the Head is Holy-so is the body,- a glorious without spot or wrinkle(Eph.5:23.27). The Engl.transl.names "church" everything historically known , man made pleasing traditions .

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       celafoeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       glynch  it is clear you have dunk the kool aid.   this post above is scriptural  your comment is not

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    SwordofManticorEposted 11 years ago

    Maybe it's the other way around. The churches view may not add up to what the message in scripture is trying to tell us. All Christians have a hidden sense of knowing when someone is teaching nonsense, and some willingly leave the church because of it. I did.

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       glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Yes. This "hidden sense" is the Holy Spirit residing within believers. One should leave a church if its teachers disseminate lies, but one should try to find a church that teaches the truth, not give up on it. You are commanded to assemble with other

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       SwordofManticorEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I will never go to a church that does not teach common sense.

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       glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Is "hidden sense" the same thing as "common sense" in your mind? In my understanding, "common sense" or wisdom is one of the qualities  the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of believers.

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    Michael-Milecposted 11 years ago

    Easy. Since my discovery that God isn't  practicing any type of Christianity, I submitted to the Holy Spirit lead : " God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. " John 4:24 
    As the children of theMost High God [ John 1:12.13.] we live His standard of righteousness " the man who is right with God through faith will live," Rom .1:17
    Everyone of us is accountable to God and not to " churches ."

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       glynch1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       What do you mean by "God isn't practicing any type of Christianity?"
       I also wonder where you find in Scripture that Christians are not accountable to one another in a local body of Christ.

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       daskittlez69posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       The first Christian Church was founded in 33AD in Jerusalem immediately following the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. The church was founded on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem.  The Bible reports that the First Temple was built in 957 BC

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       Michael-Milecposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       The Anointed One has showed,taught,and commanded to His followers, believing ones to continue the same manifestation of the kingdom of God after the Holy Spirit comes (John 14:12;Acts 1:8.) the children of God vs."Christians" two different groups...

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