Why do Christians using the same sources of guidance often reach radically different conclusions on moral issues?

Answer 1

A:

It is the nature of religion to interpret scriptures and other sources according to one's personal expectations or preferences - not only on moral issues but even in the theological meanings of those sources. This is especially possible in Christianity, as The Bible has so many books, written over a period of nearly a thousand years by different authors living in different circumstances and with different perspectives.

A clear example of the possibilities for reaching different conclusions on what is necessary for salvation is in the epistles of Paul and James. Paul tells his audience that salvation is by faith alone, not by works. This can be qualified by pointing out that in his genuine epistles (Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philemon, Galatians, Philippiansand1 Thessalonians), Paul intended 'works' to refer to the Jewish dietary laws, circumcision and so on, but Ephesians(written in Paul's name) uses the same word to mean good deeds, as do the other pseudo-Pauline epistles. The Epistle of James stridently asserts that salvation requires faith and works, and many scholars believe it was written as a response to the pseudo-Pauline epistles.

Many Protestants conclude that salvation requires faith and not works, but unwittingly follow the meaning for 'works' found in the pseudo-Pauline epistles. Catholics and others follow the rule in the Epistle of James, which says that faith without works is dead.