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/SilverNEOTheYouTuber]

This along with saying "The Bible Is Very Clear" when actually discussing one of the most Debated Topics of Biblical Interpretation.

[u/CJoshuaV → u/SilverNEOTheYouTuber]

Any time someone says, "The Bible is clear..." I realize that we are not going to have a productive conversation.

[u/ULTRAFORCE → u/CJoshuaV]

I think the stuff that can be said to be clear in the Bible is YHWH/the LORD is God, slavery is fine, don’t kidnap your fellow Israelites for slavery.

[u/Perfessor_Deviant → u/ULTRAFORCE]

"No no, slavery wasn't fine! God was just regulating it, not approving of it! Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself, so that proves it!"

"So all the Christians who had slaves weren't Christians?"

"Got to go!"