Christian Denomination Selector

[sanantone]

I'm not looking for a church that conforms to my beliefs; I'm looking for a church that follows the Bible. There are obviously a lot of groups that have different interpretations of the Bible, so I'm looking for the group that interprets the Bible the I way I interpret it. I think there are denominations that read too much into what's in the Bible or what someone did that was uninspired and come up with man-made doctrines.

[IrishJohn]

I'm not looking for a church that conforms to my beliefs; I'm looking for a church that follows the Bible. There are obviously a lot of groups that have different interpretations of the Bible, so I'm looking for the group that interprets the Bible the I way I interpret it. I think there are denominations that read too much into what's in the Bible or what someone did that was uninspired and come up with man-made doctrines.

Um...you realize then that in essence you ARE looking for a church that follows your beliefs? Interpretation is key to any belief set with a written text as it's basis in some fashion or another.

[sanantone]

Um...you realize then that in essence you ARE looking for a church that follows your beliefs? Interpretation is key to any belief set with a written text as it's basis in some fashion or another.

No, the keyword is conform. I'm looking for a denomination that conforms to the Bible and doesn't make up a bunch of doctrines that can change at any time. My beliefs are conformed to the Bible, not the other way around.

[topdog98]

I'm not looking for a church that conforms to my beliefs; I'm looking for a church that follows the Bible.

Amen.

(My post must contain at least 10 characters, so here they are.)

[IrishJohn]

No, the keyword is conform. I'm looking for a denomination that conforms to the Bible and doesn't make up a bunch of doctrines that can change at any time. My beliefs are conformed to the Bible, not the other way around.

It may seem like semantics, but this still revolves around interpretation. The Bible is a text with word choices and meaning we can understand only to a point because we are not from the cultures that produced it nor do those cultures even really exist anymore. Every time you read something from it, ever time you find important meaning in one part over another, every time you find "clear" support for doctrinal belief, every time you see a passage as not being applicable to us today (say the rules on mixed fiber clothing for example), etc. you are engaging in interpretation. You are obviously not alone in this as ALL of us who read the Bible do the exact same thing. Hence why there are so many denominations, even the so-called nondenominational groups. Baptismal regeneration may not seem like it's supported by the Bible to some while it most definitely is to others and each side will have passages in support of their position. The list goes on and on. Even the very content of the Bible, i.e. canon, is a product of interpretation and of course tradition. It's also something that Christians largely agree on but not completely. So for me to say that you are looking for a church that conforms to the Bible is just another way of saying that want to find one that fits with what you already believe and how you personally interpret it. Not saying your wrong nor alone in this, I just like to be open about this.

[sanantone]

I see what you're saying, but there are some denominations that are clear about accepting the rule changes of their leaders. These rules can be called nothing other than man-made.

[pinkrose]

You are so right

[IrishJohn]

I see what you're saying, but there are some denominations that are clear about accepting the rule changes of their leaders. These rules can be called nothing other than man-made.

I would agree with this in principle, but even here the issue of interpretation comes into play. Most rules changes like this that I've seen ("conservative" or "liberal") are justified by doing exactly what Christians in general already do and have always done: emphasizing one part of the Bible over another and/or applying a new interpretation to a particular passage. A study of Christian history, particularly as related to doctrinal belief and biblical interpretation, shows this quite nicely.

[instant000]

My opinion is that denominations are not a good thing.

Ask yourself: Are political parties a good thing?

[defscarlett]

I wouldn't focus too much on denomination's belief system, but on the right religious facility for you. In my experience every person even in the same denomination and church had a different interpretation of many different parts of the bible.

It's interesting I got a 100% match to Unity Church and I identify as Buddhist lmao.