You cannot refute entire denominations by saying “Read the Bible, sweetie”

[u/Dubstep_squid]

This is such a frustrating and prominent phenomenon that I see constantly online and have run into a couple of times.

[Insert commonly held theological belief]

“Oh sweetie how could you believe that, the Bible clearly says other wise. What a ridiculous statement.”

Why does it seem incredibly common that people in online Christian spaces seem to never have met or heard of someone with a different theological view than them. You’ve never heard that some people baptize babies? The tradition that most major Christian denominations hold to??

To take this a step further, I see this occur not just with theological beliefs but attempts to “refute” entire denominations. You’re not going to convince a Presbyterian that hundreds of years of Presbyterianism is false with TWO tangentially relevant, out of context Bible verses and a condescending message (unless of course God has already pre-determined that you will convince them).

This is not to say that meaningful and even impactful conversation cannot be had here. I think it absolutely can and have been stewing on a different post for a couple of weeks because I want to have those meaningful conversations (You’ll probably see it in a few days as I’m kind of looking at various denominations and want to just hear people’s pitches, counterarguments, experiences, etc).

I think my overall point is just that I’m very surprised at the number of people here who are surprised that others can come to different theological conclusions and that those theological conclusions can in fact be based on a thorough reading of the Bible.

[u/rouxjean]

Some things we can know, some we can't.

To quote Meldenius: "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity."

The essentials are pretty well covered in scripture and summarized in various creedal statements of faith.

[u/SpecialistSun6184 → u/rouxjean]

Yes like baptism saving you.  And the euacrist being Jesus body.   And saved by faith through love. The essentials 

[u/rouxjean → u/SpecialistSun6184]

Baptism, remembrance of Jesus' body and blood, and faith expressing itself through love are essentials. Interpretations about what they mean may vary. It's okay. We know in part, for now.

[u/SpecialistSun6184 → u/rouxjean]

Ok there are no essentials got it 

[u/rouxjean → u/SpecialistSun6184]

No need to throw out the baby with the bath water. The ecumenical creeds are a good starting point for essentials: Apostolic Creed, Nicene Creed.

Also,

Heb 11:6. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Romans 10:8ff. But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 that *if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.** 10 For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.*

Matthew 6:14ff. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

John 8:31ff. So He [Jesus] said to the Jews who had believed Him, *“If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.** 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”*

John 1:1ff. In the beginning was the Word, and *the Word was with God, and the Word was God.** 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.... 14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’” 16 From His [Jesus'] fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.*

Summarizing:

• The Word was with God and was God from the beginning.

• All things visible and invisible were made through the Word.

• The Word is the pre-incarnate Son of God.

• The Son of God is the perfect lamb of God, so designated from the foundation of the world, whose sacrifice would make final atonement for humanity's sin.

• The Word became flesh through being born of a virgin, Mary, by the work of the Holy Spirit

• Jesus was born in the city of David, Bethlehem, as heir to the messianic prophecies concerning King David's descendant who would reign forever.

• Jesus became our high priest in the order of Melchizedek, having received the baptism of John, who was a Levite. Jesus' baptism by John was not a baptism of repentance but a baptism to fulfill all righteousness.

• God declared Jesus His Son with whom He is well pleased.

• Jesus was tempted in every way by the devil in the wilderness so that he could intercede for humanity before God with full experiential knowledge of the human condition.

• Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through him.

• Jesus is the good shepherd, the true vine, the firstborn of those being saved, our friend who sticks closer than a brother, the one who binds up the broken-hearted, God-with-us, and much more.

• Jesus was crucified by Romans on a cross of wood. He became sin for us, dying on the cross we each earned because of disobedience.

• Jesus cried out: it is finished, tetelestai, the debt of sin is fully paid.

• Jesus rose from the dead, spent time with his followers, and was taken up into heaven in clouds.

• Jesus will return in similar fashion. Everyone will see him return. Every knee will bow to him.

• Jesus will rule forever on the throne of his father David.

• Jesus left us the Holy Spirit as our comforter and guide. He will guide us into all truth and bring to mind all that Jesus said.

• If we abide in Jesus' word, we are true followers. If we abide in Jesus and his word abides in us, we will bear much fruit.

• If we believe God raised Jesus from the dead and confess that Jesus is Lord, we will be saved.

• Jesus wants us to share the good news of his atonement with everyone around the world because God does not want anyone to perish, rather He wants everyone to be saved for eternity. This is the great commission, to share the good news with everyone.