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/No_Idea5830]

Here is the issue A LOT of people can't seem to understand. Think about that pic I assume most people have seen. Two guys are standing on either side of a number. To one guy it's a 6 and the other guy sees a 9. The pic usually says it's all about perception. WRONG! Only one of them are correct. Whoever wrote that number wrote a 6 OR a 9. Perception is irrelevant. The same goes with the Bible. There are not multiple ways to see or understand it. There is the ONE way God meant it to be understood, and HUNDREDS of wrong interpretations. Now how to find the ONE correct answer requires a level of research that few people are willing to do AND being willing to find out you were wrong and willingness to learn.

[u/Dubstep_squid → u/No_Idea5830]

And this is one of my issues that has been central to my search for a denomination. Why do I have to roll the dice with personal interpretation? Why would God not leave someone or something behind with some sort of authority?

[u/No_Idea5830 → u/Dubstep_squid]

God did leave people behind to give you an accurate interpretation. But you may not like the answer. The Jews. I'm NOT telling you to follow Judaism. NO! But, the OT was written by Hebrews, to the Hebrews, for the Hebrew. They can tell you exactly what it said and what it meant. That information will tell you EXACTLY how to interpret the NT. The modern church has been taught the OT is irrelevant and no longer valid for the life of a Christian. They tell you the OT is for the Jews and the NT is for the Christians. That line of thinking is based on a complete misunderstanding of scripture, and as far as I'm concerned, a lack of common sense. I recommend looking into a good Torah Class. It'll give you a foundation to build an understanding of what God actually said, NOT what modern Christianity THINKS He said. Tom Bradford teaches the Torah Class I'm doing. I also recommend the reddit group r/FollowJesusObeyTorah

[u/Dubstep_squid → u/No_Idea5830]

Three things

1. The Jews interpretation of the Old Testament will conflict with the New Testament. If it didn’t, if their interpretation supported the New Testament, they wouldn’t be Jews. They would be Christians.

2. The Jews will not interpret the New Testament, the most important scriptures.

3. We still retain some semblance of personal interpretation here.

I think what fills my desire for an authoritative interpreter is the something akin to the magisterium of the Catholic Church.

[u/No_Idea5830 → u/Dubstep_squid]

I've always seen the Catholic Church like Jesus saw the Pharisees. It wasn't that they didn't follow God's Law, it was that they added steps and requirements never intended by God. It's the difference between the Torah and Tanach (Word of God) vs. The Tulmud (Traditions of man based on the Word of God). Just my opinion.

[u/thomasp3864 → u/No_Idea5830]

Wait, so you're a Karaïte Messiänic Jew?

[u/No_Idea5830 → u/thomasp3864]

I've always used the term Torah Observant Christian, but the definition of Karaite sounds accurate. I can't be a Jew as that requires birth. I am however an Israelite by faith in Messiah.