Ask Me Help Desk - Is one denomination more "Christian" than another?

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The Bible (not the Word) has existed for millennia and has been mistranslated, misinterpreted, and misunderstood all that time. Why are there so many Christian denominations? Why are there so many Bible versions? Why are there so many variations in Christian beliefs?

A Question has presented itself- yes - no?

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humans who have, for millennia, mistranslated, misinterpreted, and misunderstood the Bible, thereby opening the door to myriads of denominations, Bible versions, and variations in beliefs (thus, the plethora of denominations).

"Humans have for millennia, mistranslated, misinterpreted, and misunderstood the Bible."- "thus being the reason, for this- "thus, the plethora of denominations"? thereby, providing the Proof, that the Bible has been Corrupted"???

waltero, please ask your questions simply and as a 1, 2, 3 list.

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Originally Posted by wondergirl

waltero, please ask your questions simply and as a 1, 2, 3 list.

lolol.

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waltero, please ask your questions simply and as a 1, 2, 3 list.

OK:
1)-Is one denomination more "Christian" than another?
2)-The Bible (not the Word) has existed for millennia and has been mistranslated, misinterpreted, and misunderstood all that time. Why are there so many Christian denominations? Why are there so many Bible versions? Why are there so many variations in Christian beliefs?
3)-Am I [we] wrong and making a big kerfuffle over nothing?
-Will this work-?

Why are there so many Christian denominations? Why are there so many Bible versions? Why are there so many variations in Christian beliefs?

I'd like to find the answer? I think I found it, but if you already know the answer then I will buzz off.

1) Is one denomination more "Christian" than another?

Until the Protestant Reformation, the Christian Church was largely composed of only two groups or "denominations": the Roman Catholic Church in the west and the Greek Orthodox Church in the east.

With the Reformation, however, as neglected Bible truths began to be restored and emphasized, different denominations arose holding different doctrinal positions on a number of issues. Sometimes these differences were rather minor; in other cases, they were quite significant.

Other Christian denominations grew up around a gifted spiritual leader, such as Martin Luther (Lutherans), John Calvin (Calvinists), John Wesley (Methodists), or in more modern times Joseph Smith (Mormonism) and Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Science).

https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questio...-denominations

Is one better or more Christian than another?

According to the New Testament, there were divisions in the church as soon as the church came into existence after Pentecost. Paul addresses divisions in 1 Corinthians 1: 12-13. Since the division in Christianity existed at the beginning, I believe no one denomination can lay claim to being the one true way of Christianity.

C.S. Lewis puts it best in Mere Christianity: Christianity is like a hall with several doors leading to rooms. The doors represent different Christian denominations or churches. Growing in your faith comes from the benefits of being in one of the rooms. Lewis recommends going into a room versus staying in the hall, he does not recommend one room over another.

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I believe no one denomination can lay claim to being the one true way of Christianity.

Do they lay claim to that (being "the one true way")?

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Faith means believing God’s Word.

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No, it doesn't. Try again.

What is it I'm missing?

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Originally Posted by waltero

Do they lay claim to that (being "the one true way")?

Many of them do, yes. Those denominations believe they have it all figured out.

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What is it I'm missing?

Yes, faith is belief in God's Word...but is there only one way to understand it and believe?

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but is there only one way to understand it and believe?

I know of only one; the Holy Bible.

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Originally Posted by waltero

I know of only one; the Holy Bible.

I asked, is there only one WAY [the Lutheran way, the Mormon way, the Catholic way, etc.] to understand it...?

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I asked, is there only one WAY [the Lutheran way, the Mormon way, the Catholic way, etc.] to understand it...?

We may modify our language, but we cannot change our hearts.
The alienation that exists is addressed by the reconciliation that is provided in the work of Jesus

Ultimately, if the Bible is to be brought home to us, it must come, as it were, through the lips of Jesus himself—that by the Holy Spirit, it is not enough simply to hear the voice of a mere man, but in it, through it, and beyond it, we actually hear Christ. So, we have this wonderful record of what God has done, beginning this work of transformation, putting us in a right relationship with himself and in a unique relationship with one another.

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Originally Posted by waltero

Ultimately, if the Bible is to be brought home to us, it must come, as it were, through the lips of Jesus himself—that by the Holy Spirit, it is not enough simply to hear the voice of a mere man, but in it, through it, and beyond it, we actually hear Christ.

And all of those denominations would say and do that. Then, if I'm unchurched, which one should I join?

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And all of those denominations would say and do that. Then, if I'm unchurched, which one should I join?

Would it matter? Pick up a Bible is probably going to be the best choice.
Unchurched would want to join a church, why?

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Originally Posted by waltero

Would it matter?

That's an excellent question! Now let's invite other members into this discussion.

Is Methodism much different from Mormonism or Catholicism? If so, do their differences really matter as to salvation?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

That's an excellent question! Now let's invite other members into this discussion.

Is Methodism much different ftom Mormonism or Catholicism? If so, do their differences really matter as to salvation?

Thank you for the invitation.

I think that differences in Christian denominations do not matter as to salvation.

I also think differences in religion (Jew, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, etc.) and/or absence of religion (atheism, agnosticism) also do not matter as to salvation.

What I think matters as to salvation is living your life according to the lights you have been given. Christ and other spiritual masters have given the way to such a life.

I believe this because insisting that God prefers one denomination or religion or lifestyle over another would mean that God has created the overwhelming majority of humanity to not be worthy of salvation.

The question of evil is not so simple. The best answer I have is that those individuals who are truly evil and promote their evil are subject to death as a finality. But it's possible they too can experience salvation.

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living your life

living your life- is this your source or means of being saved?
Being transformed in and of yourself?

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lights you have been given

We have nothing. We've been given nothing. It is by God's grace (something he offers)...for everyone who will receive His gift of salvation

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Originally Posted by Athos

Thank you for the invitation.

I think that differences in Christian denominations do not matter as to salvation.

I also think differences in religion (Jew, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, etc.) and/or absence of religion (atheism, agnosticism) also do not matter as to salvation.

What I think matters as to salvation is living your life according to the lights you have been given. Christ and other spiritual masters have given the way to such a life.

I believe this because insisting that God prefers one denomination or religion or lifestyle over another would mean that God has created the overwhelming majority of humanity to not be worthy of salvation.

The question of evil is not so simple. The best answer I have is that those individuals who are truly evil and promote their evil are subject to death as a finality. But it's possible they too can experience salvation.

Athos you make that sound so simple and easy without all the human complications, proclamations, and solicitations! What do threats and lectures have to do with spirituality anyway? Isn't salvation a unique thing to the believer or does it have to be dictated by some dufus.

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Originally Posted by talaniman

Athos you make that sound so simple and easy without all the human complications, proclamations, and solicitations!

Certainly life is difficult. I never said or implied otherwise.

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What do threats and lectures have to do with spirituality anyway?

What are you referring to? Surely nothing in my post.

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Isn't salvation a unique thing to the believer or does it have to be dictated by some dufus.

Huh? I couldn't have been any clearer - salvation depends on how a life is lived. Asking if it "has to be dictated by some dufus" is nowhere near what I wrote.

You are inserting much into my post that simply isn't there. Why?

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Originally Posted by waltero

living your life- is this your source or means of being saved?
Being transformed in and of yourself?

Why do you mangle my words? Are you trying to create animosity?

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We have nothing. We've been given nothing. It is by God's grace (something he offers)...for everyone who will receive His gift of salvation

You have been given much. It's right there in your own sentence. Your insistence on not understanding simple things is growing old.

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Originally Posted by Athos

Certainly life is difficult. I never said or implied otherwise.

What are you referring to? Surely nothing in my post.

Huh? I couldn't have been any clearer - salvation depends on how a life is lived. Asking if it "has to be dictated by some dufus" is nowhere near what I wrote.

You are inserting much into my post that simply isn't there. Why?

Not my intent to insert anything to what you posted, but just agreeing and obviously I resent others defining MY salvation or anyone else's . Not you, but the dufus who trolls this forum. So no need to get your back up, I just found your logical posting rather easy to agree with.

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Originally Posted by talaniman

Not my intent to insert anything to what you posted, but just agreeing and obviously I resent others defining MY salvation or anyone else's . Not you, but the dufus who trolls this forum. So no need to get your back up, I just found your logical posting rather easy to agree with.

Lol - I didn't have my back up - I was genuinely interested in what you posted being such a voice for reason on these pages.

Tks for explaining.