Why do people take the word of their pastor over the word of God?
403602
Because many people do not exert the effort to read the Bible.  The Bible, by the way, does not even support having a clergy class (which would include "pastors") in the first place.\n\nThe early Christian congregations described in the New Testament did not have such a class.  Instead, the responsibilities were shared by all members, who were guided by the older men.\n\nThere were "overseers", but this term seems to apply only loosely within the congregation.  They seem to be mainly responsible for coordinating activty between congregations and purging the congregations of those who would corrupt it with false beliefs.\n\nThe Bible tells us the the road to salvation is small and cramped and few will find it.  Don't look to an organiztion of tens of millions to know such a road.
770960
I'm not certain but perhaps it's because Pentocostals are so overly charismatic that they have taken the whole spiritual gifts thing and have taken it way out of context. (i.e. snakes, tongues, etc.) They have twisted and distorted the Word of God to fit their own needs and purposes and have caused great confusion within the Body of Christ.
380235
First, because it is socially acceptable, second we as a nation have become susceptible to the influences of a fallen world, and desensitized ourselves.  Third, because so many people are walking around without the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide them in all things.  It is a sin to speak that way, and to use God's name for anything other than praise and prayer, or proper conversation.  Using it in vain is sin.  It was something I barely noticed before I was born again, now it actually hurts my spirit to hear someone swearing, cursing using God's name.
718449
I agree. Pastors don't do that in our church, though.  It's about the message; not how a pastor looks or sounds.  Too many make sounds to get the congregation going, but the message gets lost.  Back in the day, James Brown had a jam called, "Talkin' loud...but/and sayin' nothin'"; people would say, "He really preached today!" When they're asked about the actual sermon, the answer is "I don't know, but he really preached today!" "We had church!"\nPeople do things b/c others do them; did them.  They've been informally...maybe even formally taught to do this.  It is annoying...so is saying the Holy Spirit moves through you through the music...and when the music immediately stops...so do you.   Hmmmmmmmmm!  I wonder...\nThere's a difference between singing and screaming.\nI guess these days, I'll b accused of judging. I came from an era of questioning and discerning.  Oh,well, focus on God and His message.
50597
I'm Christian but I do not believe the Bible to be the ONLY word of God.  I agree 100% with your assessment of the Bible.  Christians will never come to a complete understanding of the truth if they do not open their eyes/minds to the possibilities that other writings could be inspired by our Heavenly Father.\n\nThis is the importance of communication with God through prayer.  I once asked a fanatic Evangelical "Is the Bible God?" and he quoted the scripture John 1:1 "IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." He then said "clearly God is the Bible and the Bible is God."  It became clear to me at that point that many Christians had a real problem with the Bible.\n\nThis is also why there are thousands of Evangelical Churches.  Ever since the break away from the Catholic Church by Martin Luther, Protestants have had a fiasco of Biblical interpretations and hence Churches.  This break away was important for freeing up human thinking, but it has gotten out of control.\n\nSince so many Christians don't allow the option of anything else being true, their faith becomes circular, beginning and ending with the Bible. And they loose focus of God, and Jesus Christ.\n\nBelieve it or not it happens and I've seen it first hand.
1075317
You may have noticed that when people 'quote' the scriptures, they tend to take them out of context. The preachers are there to help 'teach' the things of God more accurately. However, personal study is important.\n People will always quote the bible because they want to be right. Unfortunately many miss the mark of proper scriptural handling.
944086
the reasone their is one denomination or another is because most people leave whatever church and start another with a more emphasis on whatever issue they had before.  The message is the same or should be.  God has those that belong to him and he will not lose no one!  Which means they will find their true path in christ.
491293
Yep - me too. The difference between the preacher at your local church and these guys is money and power. As Dante said, power corrupts & absolute power corrupts absolutely. So unfortunately, if a preacher has good intentions when he starts it is almost guaranteed that he will become corrupted by the money, power & fame of televangelism (with one exception - Billy Graham). But I don't worry too much about the people you named - people will believe what they want to believe. It's frustrating at times, but Jesus is the message. And the people who seek Him will find Him. That's why God uses the local church to save the lost & minister to the community. May God bless you & your friends.
688439
I understand what you mean- most people choose to believe only what agrees with them. If something written says what they are doing is wrong they then decide that specific passage is not correct. They want to be seen as perfect so they pick and choose what they want to benefit them. I believe the Bible in its entirety- If you do that then you can't go wrong!
72121
People do not use God's Word to back up their points because it would be impossible. Too often their human thoughts are diametrically opposed to God's thoughts.\n\n(2 Timothy 4:3,4) For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths.
1018432
Because people are ignorant of the whole Bible and just listen to what their preacher tells them.
123755
I totally agree with what "The Thinker"says. Some religions try to change what God said will never change.\nHis word is forever. What He said in the Old or New Testament stays forever. He never contradicts Himself. \nPeople and religions change the word of God because they do not want to give up their worldly lives. They want the easy way.
494518
All Christians interpret the Bible differently because it is so convoluted and contradictory.  They pick and choose which verses suit their own personal interests regardless of what anyone else thinks.  If the same one God was speaking the same words to everyone, then they should all have the same answer.  Clearly that isn't happening!  People are just using the bible as a weapon for their own gain.
707804
It's actually the preachers who choose to distort the message that take away the responsibility.\nThese are the real hate-mongers of the world
288584
I DONT BELIEVE YOU PEOPLE. He leaves one y off of one word and we got the spelling police everywhere.  You never say anything hardly about questions that are barely readable but you notice a y out..  I think the question bothers you.\n\nIts a great question,  people who think they are better because they beleive in God probalby piss him off a whole lot.  I dont think thats what he finds the most comforting about Christianity especially.  thanks for the question!
322995
I have ran into some of these KJ only folks before. They are arrogant in their belief that they are superior to others who do not believe as they do. The Bible says knowledge puffs up but love edifies. They believe that all English versions are corrupt except for the KJ version. First of any English version is not technically as accurate as the original Bible languages, Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Secondly, they fail to realize the even the KJ has been thur several updates itself- just open a KJ up and look at the copyright page that will state various years of editions copyrighted. If some one is going to be so hard-lined that they will not tolerate others who have different view then themselves-best to save your breath and time and let god deal with them.
575655
the same spirit is seen here when people try to blame everything on GOD...Instead of recognizing HIM as the ONE who knows what is best for us and accepting HIS will in life, these people think in their own little small window of perception that they know best for their lives...if I can only see two feet to either side of my face, only several hundered feet to the front of me, and not behind me at all without turning my head, why would I EVER think that I could see what was best for me more so than GOD does?\n\nThe creation makes a BIG mistake in believing itself to be greater than the CREATOR.