Why all the different theologies?
The different theologies taught in Christianity are vast and too many to name
I’ve often wondered how we, as Christians, can read the same bible, have the Holy Spirit indwell us, and yet come up with very vast and differing views as to what God is saying. I do not doubt that most of the people are true born again believers in our Risen Lord yet we can read the same bible and believe He is saying something different theologically. Each of us believes we are correct otherwise we would not believe as we do. I know that I have changed my mind over certain issues throughout my 25 year walk with my Lord. I have come to realize that some theology that I originally thought to be correct was incorrect and therefore changed my mind. Yet, there are certain things that true brothers and sisters in the Lord disagree with me, and me with them, yet we are saved.
I think the answer lies with that if we admit we are wrong in some areas of theology, then we will need to take a look at who we have been relying on to teach us. That’s a very difficult thing to do. We all bring to our table our past, some grew up in Christian homes that influenced them, some did not. Some were influenced by certain people, some by certain denominations. All of our ‘baggage” so to speak, influences us not only in our personal lives, but in our walk. Some of us are monergists, some are synergists and maybe some are somewhere in-between. Some are Pentecostals, some are not. Some are reformed, some are Pauline Dispensation, and some fit somewhere in-between. The different theologies taught in Christianity are vast and too many to name. Yet, not all of those theologies are correct, for that would make our God a very confusing God.
One thing that is really important that I have found out is never to assume that we are 100% correct. We have to be willing to accept that we are wrong in certain areas of our beliefs and be willing to change or accept a new teaching. For years, I held to a synergist form of theology. I argued and would not budge. I just did not want to accept monergism. After realizing that I was wrong, I have softened and accept that there will not be a day when I understand the Word of God with 100% accuracy. I am willing to be taught. If the body of Christ can accept that they do not have 100% accurate understanding of God’s word, then more of us would be open to listening to what another has to say as opposed to taking the position that they are wrong and we are right. Each teaching in the Word of God has ONLY ONE meaning but can have different applications.
Despite it all, we all agree on one aspect that is not disputable. One must be born again to see the Kingdom of heaven. The core teachings of Christianity cannot be open to interpretation.
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I will give you a very obvious reasons: Many people are great pretenders, there are many who stood as ministers but did not really get their wisdom from above (I mean the opinionated types), not all prophets are true, not all who professes they are Christians, are really Christians. As a result, teachings varies… at worst, often becomes a chaotic mess.
HaMalakh, in a sense, I see where you’re coming from but I am not sure I would lump everybody in that category. For instance, I have some very strong opinions regarding scripture that I could be deemed as opinionated. Yet, I am saved. But you’re right, not all who profess they are Christian are Christian. I am not sure teachings vary because someone is not a Christian — perhaps what I would believe regarding a certain area would differ than you — yet, both of can be Christians. We are mere mortal, finate and fallible beings and as such, we’re not going to understand His word 100% perfectly.
All the differences started almost 1,000 years ago when the Roman Catholic Church broke away from the one true Church (which later came to be known as the Eastern Orthodox Church). The Roman Catholics started to fall into error and 500 years later Martin Luther accidentally set off the Protestant Reformation. Since that time thousands of different interpretations have abounded.
However the Eastern Orthodox Churches are still around, though largely unknown in the US. The Eastern Orthodox Church has made no substantial change in liturgy or theology for nearly 1,700 years!
I think that when the Protestants schismed, the reason why som any different interpretations came out of it was that they lost their root to the original faith, they lost their connection with the Church that Christ founded and so they had to almost start over again. Without having a connection to the orignial Body of Christ the only thing they had left to rely on was Scripture, and that’s where the idea of Sola Scriptura came from. Then, without a corporate body to ensure that the correct understanding of Scripture was being taught, people started to rely on personal interpretation; if my interpretation didn’t agree with yours, I’d just go start my own church. If my understanding of theology didn’t agree with yours, I’d just start my own denomination. It’s a sad state of affairs
Anyways, I pray that God will bless you!
IC | XC
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NI | KA
You’re right — I don’t think we’ve come out of Roman Catholicism as much as we should have.
Good question. This is something I’ve wondered about too.
I think it comes down to this: we are all different and all see things differently, but as long as we believe in Jesus through faith, and trust God’s word as truth though we are saved….
It makes for interesting thoughts….
I know what you mean but in thinking about it, I think it has more to do with how we filter scripture. God meant one thing (though it may hae different applications) but we mere humans have assigned it a new meaning based on how we filter.
Over-confidence and blind spots.
http://nonaeroterraqueous.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/blind-spots/
This is my most relevant post on the subject.
Hi Tishrei, thanks for responding to me…I am coming from your very headline: Why different Theology? So I responded to it accordingly. But I did not said that the opinionated ones and the existence of these variety of opinions can make one saved or unsaved, nor do I consider the existence of “various” opinions is a bad thing (I just want to clarify that point). I totally agree with you that we are more mortals, finite and fallible beings…add to list… unique as created, from which in itself was the true source of all varieties. I do not know what “category” you are referring to, but your response seems to imply that I said that the existence of the opinionated ones can make one saved or unsaved. I did not said that Tishrei. What I said was they were one of the source of variety. As a missionary for many years, I have observed and discerned that teachings do also vary because of the influence of non-Christians and of Christians who adopt the teachings of non-Christians, so as Christians who believes in people who pretends to be prophets then ends up as cult members. I have been in the midst of huge spiritual messes and I have been a witness of more than enough of these various Theologies. I have seen a Christian preacher who’s trying to tell me that reincarnation (of the hindus) could probably be true and then he ended up in delusion that he is in fact the reincarnation of a certain prophet from the past and then eventually an “Angel” incarnate. In the spiritual field, where I am in, you’ll be amazed by how a single Christian can contaminate the belief system of Christian faith. And you will be in great distress as of how can this single one take another to another variety of Theology and then bleed for those whom he or she shall take to total darkness.