Are churches able to accept the Bible without accepting the God of the Bible?  (See details)?
438206
I think it is possible. Not that they would not talk about God but in their actions they would deny him - and especially deny Jesus and the plan of Salvation.\n\nThere is an anecdote abou this:\n\nIn front of a church sits a man poorly dressed crying. Jesus approaches him and asks him why is he crying. The man tells him:\n"They won't let me in". Jesus told him: "don't worry son, they won't let me in either."
623457
No, but government & the church are both forms of control by the "leaders".  Remember the church was against the printing press, because the masses could now look and interpret God's word on their own.  The relationship one has with their God is different.  Granted some individual's God is an object & who can defind what that relationship is.  It is hardly 2 way communication.
189943
I don't know of one.\n\nHowever, I do know of churches where gays are welcomed, and some that are often called "Gay Churches."  I've participated in a couple of them.
944841
Honestly, that's a really good question. I hadn't thought of that.  Call a pastor and see what they have to say.
564604
Different protestant churches may have different views on biblical topics from each other and from the Catholic Church. One of the main things about the Catholic Church is that they put their church tradition at a higher place than the Bible. This is a very dangerous thing to do because it allows the church to hold views that even go plainly against the Bible. Example: if you read 1 Tim 4:1-5 you will read in the Bible (even the Catholic Bible) that men who forbid people to marry are following a doctrine of demons. The Catholic church disregards the Bible there and insists on promoting a doctrine that is not from God. The rampant homosexuality in the priesthood is a by-product of following that demonic teaching. Being single is actualy better for those who want to be more devoted to the Lord but that should never be forced on anyone. \n\nAnother area where there is great danger, is where the Catholic church makes a Pope to be in charge of the church. He is actually called the vicar of Christ which means that he is the representative of Christ here on earth. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the head of the church and the believers are His body. A Pope is said to be able to speak "excathedera" (I think I mispelled it) which means that when he speaks on matters of doctrine and faith, he is "infallible" Obviously throughout the Catolic Church's history it has been wrong in many of its actions and beliefs as in the example I already gave. \n\nProtestants may have differing views but rarely are they as serious as undermining the scriptures and worshiping a man as supreme leader of the church.    \n\nYour average catholic does not know much of the Catholic official teachings which include "transubstantiation", progatory, outright idolatry, not beliving that Jesus died once for all sins as evidenced in the sacrifice of the "Mass", not being able to clain assurance of salvation (one of the worst beliefs of all), adding several books to the old testament about 1500 yrs after the fact to try to defend some of their unbiblical beliefs and the sale of indulgences ect.....Today when I meet a catholic who is open to the Bible, I don't try to bring up most of the above. I try to talk about having a personal relation with Christ and knowing that to get to heaven is a choice that depends on one's own decision not belonging to such and such a church.
808295
It's entirely possible. The bible (both OT and NT) borrow liberally from other religions and mythology.
818939
your right it's not in the bible. the catholic church incorporated into their system, because it would be easier for pagan worshippers who sacrificed babies to come into the church.
918941
In Protestant (liberal) theology there are several "middle grounds."  There is the notion that the Bible "contains God's word" and also that is can "become God's words."  These are of course nuanced meanings of how Scripture communicates God's message through a supposedly imperfect text.
884969
There is no such thing as going "by the Bible alone", as though the book itself had some sort of authority.  You either go by the teaching of God's Church, recognizing it as the authority set forth by Christ; or you go by your own personal interpretations of the Bible, in which case you, not the Bible, are the final authority, since you define what the Bible means.
583983
Anyone who refuses to allow themselves to love someone because of their spiritual beliefs has some major issues.  DO you really think God would tell you that a person from a different church didn't deserve to be loved?  I've been on the "dumnped" end of that situation more than once, and I can tell you that it hurts pretty bad.  As long as you're honest with the person you love and respect their right to have their own beliefs, it shouldn't matter what those beliefs are.
976796
I can point you in  direction that Christians will not like at all, my friend. Look at the Creation: it consists of possibly infinite number of parallel universes, each containing billions and billions of galaxies, each one with billions and billions of stars.\n\nThe only way the Bible can possibly be true, is if the God that Christians believe in is limited to the solar system or just this planet. I don't believe that is true at all. You have asked a very sensible question.\n\nIf there is one God (yes, I do believe that) then 'He' is the God of the whole Creation and we are but tiny little specks on the edge of one galaxy. What the Bible says only matters to the people who were alive when they wrote it - and they didn't know anything about astronomy or science as we know it.\n\nThis doesn't mean that the Bible is all rubbish - there is lots of wisdom in there about how to lead a good life and get on with your neighbours and all that. But when it comes to unscientific dogma and tortured theology, it's now time to take it all with a pinch of salt.\n\nThere are Christians who enjoy this kind of question and are not fightened of them. If you are interested, you could try the Quakers, the Bah'ai faith, Unitarians, the Progressive Christianity Network, etc.\n\nDon't be frightened to 'think outside the box' - it's your divine intelligence to ask good questions and seek proper answers.
1121408
A few weeks ago was it more coherent?\n\nI think that this is the only way to accept the Bible:\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_of_disbelief
803337
Probably! To the bible everything is wrong if your not a true believer and follow everyone of there stupid rules!\n\nP.S. don't care if ya'll hate the answer! Because that's what i've learned trying to be friends with christians! See how far it got me?
450392
I don't see why not.  People take the bible too literally.
854848
Most churches (methodist, episcopal, presbyterian), broke away from the catholic church at one time or another over traditions, ceremonies and beliefs that were added to what the Bible taught. Everybody had their on idea of how to do it. The Baptist and Congregational churches separated from them because we accept only the Bible as our guide - traditions are not as important as the Bible.  And we believe that a personal relationship with Jesus is what makes one a Christian - not being a member of a church.
1120853
I am sure most Church goers are going to be surprised. How many times have they rejected one of Gods Chosen. They would not accept Jesus in his day.  and most  so called Churches would not accept him now.
1169710
It doesn't disprove God.\n\nIt disproves the Bible as literal and irrefutable source of faith.\n\nMany Christians cannot deal with that concept--for them the Bible is their only link to God, and anything that counters the Bible is an attack on their faith.