This is more theological than just straight reading the Bible, and for the most part we all did interpret it the same way, until we had a disagreement on the nature of Christ which led to the Eastern Orthodox leaving the Church, from there the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic had another disagreement (one I don't know to well) which was also theological in nature and they seperated from each other, from there you have the Roman Catholic and what was to be the Protestant churches and from the Protestant they have divisions among themselves.
The thing is, this isn't my take on it, this is from the Apostles and the Church Father's, defenders of the faith. My faith comes from St. Mark the Evangelist who established our Church in Egypt, he is the one who taught us and he is the one who showed us the Gospel.
Well, even if it's not your take, it's clearly not the take of the person you're discussing it with, so the advice should probably still apply. If you think the Apostle Defenders guys' take is right, you might want to preface your argument with "In my church/religion, we see it like this..."
Source: I'm a former Mormon missionary who spent 100 hours hours/week for 2 straight years talking to people about Joseph Smith's "take" on things. I promise, presenting your ideas or those of others as such, and not indisputable fact, goes a very long way. People will listen if they don't feel attacked.
Weird, you'd think by now everyone would interpret the Bible the exact same way ;)
This is more theological than just straight reading the Bible, and for the most part we all did interpret it the same way, until we had a disagreement on the nature of Christ which led to the Eastern Orthodox leaving the Church, from there the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic had another disagreement (one I don't know to well) which was also theological in nature and they seperated from each other, from there you have the Roman Catholic and what was to be the Protestant churches and from the Protestant they have divisions among themselves.
Knowing this, you might want to avoid absolute statements when discussing your particular take on scripture or theology with other Christians.
"No! This theology is wrong!" probably isn't the right way to kick off those discussions if you're actually looking to make some headway with people.
I'm sure you know this and just forgot. I do so all the time :)
The thing is, this isn't my take on it, this is from the Apostles and the Church Father's, defenders of the faith. My faith comes from St. Mark the Evangelist who established our Church in Egypt, he is the one who taught us and he is the one who showed us the Gospel.
Well, even if it's not your take, it's clearly not the take of the person you're discussing it with, so the advice should probably still apply. If you think the Apostle Defenders guys' take is right, you might want to preface your argument with "In my church/religion, we see it like this..."
Source: I'm a former Mormon missionary who spent 100 hours hours/week for 2 straight years talking to people about Joseph Smith's "take" on things. I promise, presenting your ideas or those of others as such, and not indisputable fact, goes a very long way. People will listen if they don't feel attacked.