Comparing Biblical and Denominational Christianity - Research Paper Example

Comparing Biblical and Denominational Christianity In examining the differences between what is termed Biblical Christianity in comparison to denominational Christianity can be best understood through the focus that is taken for guidance. In Biblical Christianity, the Bible is the primary resource for guidance, all questions answered through Biblical reference. In denominational Christianity, the Bible is a primary resource, but the belief systems that have been developed to frame the cohesion of the group have been formed through additional writings and interpretations that inform the group on how to believe and worship. Both types of belief systems ascribe to the basic Christian tenets, but the way in which they develop traditions and interconnections to each other through frameworks of belief, are constructed upon differing forms of guidance. In understanding the differences between Biblical Christianity and denominational Christianity, systems of belief must be examined and interpreted through meanings and from where those meanings are developed. Interpretation is the foundation of how the Bible is received, however. The Bible was written in languages with meanings that have changed, and has been translated into the common modern tongue of every written language. Therefore, the translation is used to determined interpretation. As an example, the shortened comment “spare the rod, spoil the child” is often used as biblical wisdom, but this phrase is a shortened version of several in the Bible. One of the verses that this phrase comes from the section that states “he who spares the rod, hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him (New International Version Bible: Proverbs 13:24). The word for ‘rod’ is ‘shebet’, which is a reference to the Hebrew for shepherd’s staff. The staff was not used to beat the sheep, but to guide them and to fend off predators when the sheep were vulnerable (Nicholson and Parker 217). Thus, the translation has been interpreted for its more violent spin, showing that to believe in Biblical wisdom n order to guide life requires a sense of interpretation. Biblical Christianity is defined by a belief within the group that the Bible is not subject to modern interpretation and must be taken literally. The problem with the concept of Biblical Christianity is that it still depends on the interpretations of someone within the group in order to create beliefs and meaning. The belief in the superiority that is assigned by claiming to only use the Bible as a resource for worship is the first belief that connects the members of the groups. All aspects of life are informed through the wisdom that is provided in the Bible, with agreements on interpretation being taken as absolutes. Some interpretations of Biblical Christianity are based upon the idea that the beliefs are developed through believing what the Bible says and not making adjustments for the state of modern life. The concept of heresy is determined through assessing beliefs that are outside of the bible wisdoms, that are “held in opposition to the commonly received doctrine and tending to promote division or dissention” (Ridenour 15). Therefore, whatever falls outside of what is believed by those who adhere to Biblical wisdom is considered heresy. Therefore, in believing that the form of Christianity that is being practiced is Biblical is to believe that all of the interpretations made by the group adhere to strict and literal references to the Bible. Another example can be found in Timothy I. The statement that “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modes apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety: not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;” has been used to control the dress of women in some Christian groups (King James Version, I Timothy 2:9). In literal form, this suggests that wearing such items is an affront to God. However, once again, when put into context, Bristow reveals that it is not plaiting hair or wearing gold, but plaiting hair with gold that was an issue. To braid gold into the hair was a cultural symbol of prostitution (89). The use of Biblical Christianity often is plucked through in order to form belief systems that choose some sections of the Bible that are useful, and others that are not. A denomination will select modern interpretations of the verses in order to help the Bible relate to modern living. As in the example of I Timothy 2:9, most denominations do not consider women who wear braids to be going against God’s law. Some Biblical Christian groups do see those items as an affront and will forbid even a small gold wedding band to be worn. An example of the denominational approach can be seen through the Catholic denomination that used to require a veil to be worn by women in the church, according to scripture. However, as modern dress has changed, the veil turned into a small hat, which has not been eliminated completely since it is not the fashion to wear a hat. On the other hand, Apostolic women wear a representation of a hat, often referred to as the ‘doily’, which is a small piece of lace pinned to the head, which neither covers the hair nor represents anything that comes close to hiding the hair (English127). Ironically, the Apostolic beliefs do not allow women to wear gold, but they quite frequently braid their hair. One of the reasons for this difference in how a braid can be considered is in the interpretation of the fashion for its meaning. The braid on a woman during the time that the letter was written signified a woman who was a prostitute, thus when the women of the church began to represent themselves through broader interpretations as they were free from the old covenant, some took to the fashion of braiding their hair to break the tradition and meaning of plaited hair. The difficulty of determining the difference between Biblical and denominational Christianity is found in trying to define the difference in how the Bible is interpreted and those interpretations enhancing the experience of worship, or a claim that the Bible is literally read, thus creating the illusion of a lack of interpretation. The truth is that the Bible is interpreted by groups who believe in those interpretations that best serve their needs and define their type of worship. In comparing the concepts between Biblical and denominational Christianity, it is clear that one group simply chooses to believe that the Bible is not up for interpretation, but that the way that modern society sees the way in which the translation is written is a direct connection to the thoughts of God on how human kind should live. In denying that there is interpretation, the members of these groups allow their superiority to other groups to be a part of their belief system, as they adhere to the ‘true’ word of God. Unfortunately, almost every group that defines itself through Christian beliefs has been founded on selected interpretations and emphases on differing aspects of the literature within the Bible. This is because the original texts are copies of copies that have been passed down through the centuries, as well as the fact that they are in older forms of languages that most people do not speak in modern cultures. Therefore, the meanings of words and the importance of different phrases are not in context with the culture from which they have been written. Therefore, women are subjected to wearing or not wearing different materials in regard to how they worship, and children are subjected to physical punishment as a pathway to God. Without cultural understandings of the meanings of the writings, a group cannot understand how to adhere to the beliefs that are presented within the Bible. Therefore, the pastor, priest, or spiritual writer will work to clarify the meanings within the chapters and verses of the Bible. This happens in all groups, whether they believe themselves to be strictly Biblical or denominational. The denominational group admits to having structures that are developed through interpretation, while the Biblical group often denies this aspect of their worship traditions and beliefs. Literacy has been an important aspect of Christian development since it began. The language of the ministry of Christ represented an important change between the Old Testament system of beliefs and the new system that was presented through his words. It is through words that the mission of Christ has spread from culture to culture and from nation to nation. The Bible came to the world through decisions made about the importance of different letters and works that were provided by those who founded the church and spread the ministry. Language has had a defining position within the spread of the importance of the Christian religion. The Bible is referred to as the ‘Word’ of God, a living entity that gives to its followers a sense of the mind of God. The belief in the Bible sometimes is so strong that it supersedes that of the belief in God, people saying they ‘believe’ in the Bible and also that the Bible is the Word and the Word is God. They have taken the importance of the Bible and elevated it to a position that is the same thing as God. Thus, the idea that they are not interpreting it correctly is so threatening that the idea that their might a difference in their interpretation is considered blasphemy. The fear of blasphemy so strong that it has moved groups to violence, created nations and destroyed them through the power of belief. The written word has been central to the way in which the language of the ministry of Christ has been spread. The Bible is evidence of the importance of letters, histories, and other forms of writing that have been found central to the worship of God. Other writers throughout the centuries, such as Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, and even more recently, Joel Osteen, have all contributed to the study of the Bible and in developing belief systems associated to those writings. Books that provide context for the writings help to clarify the meanings in the Bible. According to Kirsch, “denominational literacy practices partake in the construction of the churches’ complex organizations” (158). The nature of these pieces of literature can provide allowences without “having to resort to presumptions of an all-pervading and homogenous belief system within the particular church…focus on denominational literacy practices thus promises to provide an interesting clue concerning what binds the different congregations of a church located in various parts of the world together” (Kirsch 158). Therefore, it must be understood that while Biblical Christianity claims to define itself through literal interpretations and denominational Christianity proclaims beliefs and interpretations that are adopted to support the members and their beliefs, the concept of interpretation binds both belief systems so that the basic tenets are define by how those associated with each of the groups decides to create meaning through the readings. Biblical Christianity provides for the idea that they are singularly right in their interpretations, thus are literal. Denominations have ways in which to interpret the Bible so that its meanings are relevant to modern life, or they have found ways to interpret the Bible in order to serve the needs of their congregation through traditions and beliefs that are referenced and expanded within the Bible. Both types of worship are defined by interpretation, but where Biblical tends to create the rhetoric of belief that they are following the strict literal interpretation of the Bible, denominations have welcomed the beliefs that have been developed through literacy from other writers who have given context to the meanings that have seemed most relevant to the needs of their people. In finding meaning through interpretations, beliefs have formed to serve the group, the individuals, and the connections that have formed within Christianity. Works Cited Bristow, John T. What Paul Really Said About Women: An Apostle's Liberating Views on Equality in Marriage, Leadership, and Love : with Study Questions. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1991. Print. English, Jeanette M. Infidel Behind the Paradoxical Veil: A Western Woman's Experience in Saudi Arabia. S.l.: Authorhouse, 2011. Print. Kirsch, Thomas G. Spirits and Letters. New York: Berghahn Books, 2011. Print. Nicholson, Barbara, and Lysa A. Parker. Attached at the Heart: Eight Proven Parenting Principles for Raising Connected and Compassionate Children (from Preconception to Five Years). Bloomington, IN: iUniverse Star, 2009. Print. Ridenour, F. So what's the difference?. Ventura, Calif: Regal, 2001. Print Outline Thesis: In understanding the differences between Biblical Christianity and denominational Christianity, systems of belief must be examined and interpreted through meanings and from where those meanings are developed. Introduction Body A. Interpretation B. Biblical Christianity C. Denominational Christianity D. Context E. Comparing Biblical and Denominational Christianity F. Literature and Language G. 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