Why are there so many different Christian interpretations?

The folks as GotQuestions.org answer that question here


Exerpt:

In a perfect world, every believer would dutifully study the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15) in prayerful dependence upon the Holy Spirit’s illumination. Alas, this is not a perfect world. Not everyone who possesses the Holy Spirit actually listens to the Holy Spirit. There are Christians who grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30). Ask any educator: even the best classroom teacher has his share of wayward students who seem to resist learning, no matter what the teacher does. So, one reason that different people have different interpretations of the Bible is simply that some do not listen to the Teacher.

Luke 2:1-14 (KJV)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

IFI and the New York Times

By Mark Earley

Excerpt:

On its front page last Sunday, the Times ran the following headline above the fold: “Religion for a Captive Audience, Paid for by Taxes.” The headline alone tells you the kind of picture the Times intended to—and, in fact, did—paint: inmates coerced into participating in a government-funded religious program.

But what did the Times not tell us in that article? First, the Times failed to mention that prisoners who participate in the program do so voluntarily. Every potential participant is told about the religious aspects of the program. Participants may leave it at any time without penalty. And they do not need to accept or profess Christianity to graduate. That’s why every prisoner who testified at trial said that he was not coerced into enrolling in the program.

Entire Article

Apparently people aren't offended by ‘Merry Christmas’

Full Article

Exerpt:

According to a poll by Zogby International, 95 percent of Americans said they were not offended by a "Merry Christmas" greeting in stores.

With each consumer ready to spend nearly $800 this Christmas season, retailers are trying to welcome lines of customers in with the proper holiday greeting.

After curtailing the Christmas greeting last year, Wal-Mart has resurrected its Christmas pitch, giving employees the OK to say "Merry Christmas" to shoppers this holiday season.

"Last year's decision by many retailers – including retail giant Wal-Mart – to curtail the use of 'Merry Christmas' for fear of offending those who don't celebrate the holiday caused a backlash from conservative Christian groups as well as consumers," Zogby said in a statement, according to Reuters.

In fact, the new poll indicated that 32 percent of respondents said they took offense at "Happy Holidays."

A prayer request

My wife and I are trying to find our place in ministry. My request is that God show us where our fit in ministry is to be and that we follow His will when the path is shown. Also I request that we remember that whatever we do should be for His glory alone. Always we need to remember that He must become greater and we must become less.

Have a blessed week everyone. : )

Why did God send Jesus when He did?

That is the question of the week at GotQuestions.org.

I have wondered about this before. It didn't make sense to me that God wouldn't just send the Savior right away. God's ways don't always make sense to us right away though. As it shows in the article, "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law," (Galatians 4:4). That pretty much sums it up but we need to go further to explain what that whole "fullness of time" thing is all about. The above article explains this in greater detail. We always need to remember that God isn't random. He has a plan and that plan (and its timing) is perfect.


Excerpt from the article:

The timing of Christ’s incarnation was such that the people of that time were prepared for His coming, and the people of every century since then have more than sufficient evidence that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah through His fulfillment of the Scriptures that pictured and prophesied His coming in detail.

Greg Stier on Michael Richards...

and a few words on racism.