Why are many Christians so self-assured?

Question

This is something very irritating I've noticed. Whenever I talk to a Christian about religion, often times I get into polite debates about doctrine and faith that can quickly turn ugly. I ask them questions like "Do you think that Jesus and Buddha both received enlightenment and are held in equal stature in the eyes of God?", and they immediately laugh, snort, or get angry. The really annoying thing about many Christians, and of people of other faiths, is the way many swallow the beliefs and dogma that their Church or parents tell them to, or claim that all the answers lie in the Bible, which was written by men (perhaps with God's help).

Now, I'm not trying to bash Christianity or call them all ignorant. Heck, I'm a Christian myself. I know that not all Christians are like this, and I know that organizations like the Catholic Church have done a lot of good (as well as bad) over the centuries. I've met a good amount of tolerant and open-minded Christians over the years. But I think that this applies to a rather small minority.

I often get answers to my questions like "Because Jesus Our Lord said so," or "It is written in the Holy Book; therefore, it is true." I ask them something like "Have you ever really sat down to think about why you believe in this set of beliefs, and not just what your parents taught you to believe? Like, really sat down and thought for a couple of hours, or talked to your Priest?" I usually get another nonsensical answer, and then they smile sadly and shake their head at me, as if I'm some lost, lonely soul who knows nothing about the truth, which they claim to know.  

I personally think Jesus would be disappointed and sad to see the way Christianity developed after his death. What do you think?

David Pratt · Accepted Answer

King James Version Bible

2 Peter Chapter 1

2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

John Chapter 5

44. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that [cometh] from God only?

Isaiah Chapter 40

21. Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?

22. [It is] he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof [are] as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

Isaiah Chapter 48

13. Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: [when] I call unto them, they stand up together.

Amos Chapter 5

8. [Seek him] that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD [is] his name:

Job Chapter 9

9. Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.

Psalms Chapter 78

32. For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.

Isaiah Chapter 46

9. Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I AM] GOD, AND [THERE IS] NONE LIKE ME,

James Chapter 1

8. A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways.

Habakkuk Chapter 2

18. What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?

19. Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it [is] laid over with gold and silver, and [there is] no breath at all in the midst of it.

Luke Chapter 16

13. No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Exodus Chapter 20

3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Colossians Chapter 3

17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Malachi Chapter 2

2. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart.

Exodus Chapter 34

14. For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name [is] Jealous, [is] a jealous God:

Isaiah Chapter 45

5. I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

6. That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that [there is] none beside me. I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else.

Isaiah Chapter 43

10. Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

11. I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] no saviour.

12. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when [there was] no strange [god] among you: therefore ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I [am] God.

Revelation Chapter 1

8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Ecclesiastes Chapter 12

13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.

Matthew Chapter 22

37. Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38. This is the first and great commandment.

[Read the entire book of Jeremiah: God Explains how He views all the world religions we have today.]

Daver · Answer

<> As believers in Jesus as Lord and Savior, they are self-assured of their Salvation. <> Well yeah. Some are perhaps a little "too self-assured" - to the point being arrogant about it. Absolutely, it's irritating. < quickly turn ugly.>> Well yeah. You know the saying about wanting a conversation to stay civil, NEVER discuss politics or religion. < or get angry.>> Of course they get angry. Jesus is Divine, and you're elevating a mere human, Buddha, to the status of a god. < with God's help).>> Well yeah! The home is where Faith Formation takes place. Any good parent is going to impart what's best in them to their children. That includes, first and foremost, their Faith. And, really, what's the point in being part of ANY religion, if one doesn't believe the Dogma?!?!?! The Bible was penned by people UNDER THE DIVINE GUIDANCE of the HOLY SPIRIT. < rather small minority.>> NEVER pass judgement by the group. Generalizations are ALWAYS wrong. When it comes to people, you have to take them one at a time. Only God can do that, which is one of many reasons why only God can judge one's righteousness. < you to believe?>> It's because they freely choose to believe. All Christian parents do it teach their children the beliefs and practices of the Christian Faith. It's up to the child to decide whether or not he/she actually believes. You're making the mistake of equating knowledge with belief. Just because one has been educated in the Faith doesn't guarantee they will still believe as adults. Those that retain their Faith do so from personal choice. <> A couple of hours? Are you kidding me? Christians spend their ENTIRE LIVES meditating/contemplating their Faith.. < claim to know.>> If you do not believe, then you ARE lost! That doesn't mean you won't eventually find your way. < do you think?>> Like I said before, don't judge by the group. Such judgments are always wrong. Leave those to God.

? · Answer

You're a Christian, yet you ask questions of other Christians the answer to which are clearly spelled out in the Word?  I don't get that. And if you're struggling with whether the Bible is really the Word of God, that is an entirely different matter. 

Hopefully, we are not self-assured as Christians, but Christ-assured. I have no doubt He is the single pathway to God, that when you even compare Him to another deity, you're denying Jesus' own words when He said, "...no one comes to the Father but through Me." 

Jesus said when He left this earth, He would send us another helper (the Holy Spirit) who would lead us into all truth. When you read the Word, ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you and you may just discover what I've come to learn: 'The truth is in Jesus". 

God bless you as you read and learn.

? · Answer

You do not have got to be in a frat or sorority to behave this manner. I could say that it's the Christian upbringing. I grew up in a devout household and went to a Lutheran college for 8yrs. Several of my co-staff have commented that I "have an historic soul", or cary myself larger than others my age.

Anonymous · Answer

We all have to choose to either believe Jesus or not believe Him.  Do you think that you can believe the other things Jesus said, but then disregard the part that is not easy?  

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Diana · Answer

I find that people who are guilty of something -- in this instance, of ignorance -- act that way (laugh, snort, get angry) no matter what the topic is.  Nobody likes to admit that they might not know something or let down their armor, or be challenged...

I know what you mean -- it's been 2000 years and most people still seem not to get or accept or live by what Jesus was saying --, but churches do a lot of good to help people.  Interacting with 'church people' can be 'hell on earth', but at the end of the day, they are helping the poor, hungry etc.  People recovering from addictions find solace in christianity as well.  We have to forgive people for their idiosyncracies, idolatry, ignorance, and even hypocrisy, as long as they're trying.

:0)

jesusfreakstreet · Answer

Well first of all, questions like that always sound like a veiled accusation.  I am Christian and not "self" assured.  In fact i was lost, except that Jesus Christ redeemed me, which i place my Trust in Him, and my assurance comes from Christ, not myself.

As for people shaking their heads, that's the person of the world, who does this.  Not the person of faith.  In fact there's a quote from the Bible (Pslam 109) which says that my mockers and accusers shake their heads at me.  The People of the world shake their heads as if they have some knowledge the rest don't, but aren't gonna share it.  It is another of those veiled accusations (like that question).

The answer is to pray for them, and forgive.

Love your neighbor as yourself.  
God bless you.

~Soulful~™ · Answer

Acts 4:12 " Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."  The Bible in reference to Jesus.

Outside of this magnificent universe we live in I am assured that Jesus, the Son of God is THE only true God, based...on my own experience with Him. God reveals Himself on a personal level, to those that know Him, and that is what separates true believers with people who don't have a true relationship with God.

The Bible says "ALL scripture is God breathed " (or inspired) regardless of who penned it, no "perhaps" involved.

We're not supposed to be "luke warm"... the bible says be either HOT or COLD. If you're bending to appease other false doctrines or beliefs, you quickly fall into the luke warm category. "Having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof" - Bible

Nowadays so many folks that call themselves believers, or Christians are catering to a society that is on a mission to get rid of God, and cater to people who cannot accept the things of God. Our rights as Christians are rapidly being taken away, and priority given to a secular godless climate, acting in the "spirit of the anti christ."

Based on your post, you're SEPARATING yourself from other believers, and it sounds as though you are not grounded in your faith.

Jesus would be unhappy for sure! Not because of people who retain a firm stand, and fight for what is scriptural but for people losing faith in Him and his word, and catering to the God of this world, and leading others astray. Acting as stumbling blocks.

Blessings as you search for Truth.

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Why are many Christians so self-assured?

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