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There are definitely essential principles of Christian doctrine to which all Christians can, and absolutely should agree. Anyone who has read the Bible in its entirety knows there's an underlying theme on which the entire word of God is based. Whether in the Old Testament or the New, this theme is evident: we are to fear God, keep His commandments, and to love others as ourselves.

I get a little upset when people argue about the interpretations and meanings of words, which are irrelevant to the message, and they do this constantly. This is the very thing that causes divisions, and it's the primary cause of the many different denominations we now have in existence. Sometimes, I can hardly blame non-Christians for not believing because its so obvious believers themselves can't seem to agree on much of anything. This is probably the main cause of so many people rejecting God and the church. We're supposed to be a light to these people. Some light.

I truly don't understand what the point is of haggling over irrelevant things, like whether or not Eve was more to blame than Adam, or if the piece of fruit she ate and gave him was an apple, an orange, or a plum. God told Adam and Eve not to eat from a certain tree or there would be consequences. They disobeyed Him and were banished from the Garden. I'm fairly certain the lesson to be learned here is we need to obey God or there will be consequences, not what kind of fruit it was or who was more to blame. Yet people will argue about this incessantly.

I believe all this arguing and haggling over the meanings of words and such is an attempt to gain deeper knowledge and understanding. People must think by tearing apart every word and trying to find its hidden meaning, it will give them deeper insight into the mysteries of the Bible. This is pride at its worst because all it does is stir up division:

"He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings," (1 Timothy 6: 4)

I don't think there's a verse or chapter in the Bible that there are not 100 different interpretations for and everyone believes theirs' is right. It's not possible for there to be that many interpretations of God's word; there's only one and that's His. The fact that "man" has come up with so many different ones is definitely a sign of people leaning to their own understanding. If they were listening to God and allowing Him to give them understanding instead of relying on their own, they would all be in agreement.

People put unnecessary burdens upon themselves. If they would just read the Bible simply and hear God's words, they'd find that all He wants is for them to love Him with all their hearts and obey His commandments. If they do that, all the rest will come into place. Sadly, this is the one thing that all Christians do agree on, but they make it void by haggling over all the rest.

"Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12: 13)

Learn more about this author, Zina Leone.
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