Across 2000 years, dozens of languages and a cultural chasm unfathomable by "every farmhand and milkmaid"?........right. The reality of the situation does not match your rhetoric.
If they are so clearly understood why are there so many, many interpretations of those clearly understood letters? Why is it that the disagreements over their meanings have resulted in the murder of tens of millions of alleged "Christians" by other Christians. Why are there an ever increasing number of denominations who disagree over issues of interpretation doctrine and dogma?
The rejection of a teaching authority has only resulted in a Balkanization of Christianity that worsens every day. Hell, even so-called educated and tolerant modern American Christians who frequent these forums almost come to blows over the actual meanings of these "clearly understandable" letters.
Well these are easily answered questions...Don't you have any difficult ones???
English has become the most common language of the world...The only English bible that can be traced back to the time of the Apostles in the area where Jesus taught and folks were first called Christians is the King James Bible...It has been the standard for 400 years...
ALL other English speaking bibles since the KJV come from Africa...The Catholic line...Over 200 of 'em...Each one claiming to be more accurate that the last...Each one trying to improve on the KJV to no avail...And you can bet they are not done yet...
Why is it that the disagreements over their meanings have resulted in the murder of tens of millions of alleged "Christians" by other Christians.
It's never been over what the scriptures mean...It has always been over the refusal of Christians to bow down to your religion and your pope...
Why are there an ever increasing number of denominations who disagree over issues of interpretation doctrine and dogma?
There really isn't...But there are groups Just like you adding words to scripture to make it mean something it doesn't say...Lot of people don't like what the scriptures say so they add to it or take away from it...Rarely however a doctrinal issue...
The rejection of a teaching authority has only resulted in a Balkanization of Christianity that worsens every day.
The teaching authority is the Holy Spirit...As we know, you guys rejected THAT teaching authority and follow your own man made authority...
even so-called educated and tolerant modern American Christians who frequent these forums almost come to blows over the actual meanings of these "clearly understandable" letters.
Has very little to do with what the scriptures say...It has to do with the false notion that your man made tradition ranks right up with and beyond the inspired, written word of Almighty God...