There exists a wide range of beliefs about the scriptures, many versions of God’s doctrines in Christendom, each toting their own ideas of what the Bible says, such that many contradict each other with no real “one mind” existing among them. I have always wondered what promotes such differences and determination that this or that belief is accepted as true without any confirmation that a chosen belief coincides with God’s doctrines and principles? I am sure there are many factors that cause this, but some of these factors seem to be universal, meaning they exist across the board despite being more circumstantial and personal.
One day, I realized what one of these “universal factors” were. People in general will tend to place their personally designed belief before any true understanding. In other words, the belief comes before a correct understanding of the word of God, so when they are asked what the scriptures mean, they relate their personally designed belief instead of a true understanding of what the scriptures say.
For example, a person seeks a loving relationship and will come to seek that in religion, rejecting anything to do with “wrath of God” because to them, it is not loving. They enter into Bible courses, churches and personal study where the “wrath of God” is excluded, focusing on the the loving parts of the scriptures. When they study any unloving part, such as the wicked will be burned to a stubble, their personal beliefs kick in to say “No this is not a loving God, for all shall be saved” Simply to them it is taking a positive stand, but lo and behold, we have a different doctrine about the Bible, even to the point of creating a ministry around it. Curious isn’t it?
