At first glance, certain Bible passages look simple and easy to understand. However, as soon as people try to discuss them conflict arises.
Here are 11 Bible concepts that sound simple but are actually provocative.
“Faith without works is dead”
Imagine an apple tree out in a field somewhere. You know that tree produces apples because it’s an apple tree. Producing apples is just part of what an apple tree is.
Some believers think faith is like that tree. Faith is the root system. Good works are the fruit of the tree. Fruit doesn’t make the tree. It only displays that the tree is living.
Some Christians disagree with that interpretation. They would counter that if a tree never produced any fruit, you probably wouldn’t consider it an apple tree. Perhaps something is inhibiting its production.
Likewise, if someone’s faith never produces good works, can we really call it faith?
“God is in every moment”
God is everywhere according to the Bible. But then, another question arises. If God is present everywhere, then how can horrific things still happen all around the world?
Some take issue with this contradiction of sorts. God is everywhere, which means He is present during times of tragedy, crime, and disease.
Others offer this clarification. Just because God allows us to be present doesn’t mean He’s celebrating our wrongdoing. God sustains creation and allows man to have free will, and sometimes people will choose to do awful things.
“Jesus saves only through Himself”
“Jesus saves, and He saves by Himself alone.” Pretty strong words. Bold, even. But, it doesn’t sit well with a lot of people when we apply it to those who’ve never heard His name.
One camp will say that apart from Him men are bound to sin and destined to fail. They’re like a ship sailing toward invisible rocks.
The other brings out how God’s judgment takes into account the knowledge people had, and how He deals with each individual accordingly.
“God hardens some hearts”
This notion scares many people away. We enjoy believing that we have mastery over our emotions. But, the Bible tells us God is sovereign over our lives.
Could God be working in our hearts to shape our thoughts, even if we choose not to comply? That sounds menacing.
It challenges your pride versus His authority, and it makes you uncomfortable just thinking about it.
“The kingdom of God is both here and not yet”
Jesus taught that the kingdom of God was here. But, he also said that it was coming. This causes some tension in interpretation.
Think of it like an acorn. The seed of the forest is there, but you don’t see the mighty oak forest yet. It’s in the process of developing, but the end isn’t here yet.
Some Christians teach that the Kingdom is here now by way of God’s grace and activity in the world.
Others eagerly await the arrival of God’s complete Kingdom. They believe everything will change the day that happens.
“Christians should obey civil authorities”
The Bible clearly tells us to respect the law and those in charge. Some have interpreted this to mean that no matter what the law dictates, we should follow it.
Others do not see it that way. History is littered with examples of unfair laws. When Daniel wouldn’t bow down to the golden statue, he was disobeying an unjust law. For him, he had to obey God before man.
The debate is basically this: Is it a Christian’s duty to obey all laws, or just the ones that don’t contradict their faith?
“God disciplines those He loves”
For some believers, the reason for suffering is straightforward: God uses it to correct those He cares about. Maybe life seasons us. It molds us into who we’re supposed to become. It’s like pruning a bush of roses.
The initial impression is that it’s pretty rough. The harshness is meant to help the rose bush grow better later on.
I find that perspective difficult to accept, too. Sometimes life sucks because life is broken. Not everything you lose or go through will have a lesson behind it. Sometimes there’s no answer we can understand.
Is all suffering meant as a lesson, or is it just the way things are sometimes?
“We will judge angels one day”
Many Christians believe that verse means exactly what it says. God’s people will literally reign with Him one day, even executing judgments over angels.
Some interpret this verse differently. This verse is symbolic, they say. It simply tells us about God’s ultimate victory and our glorious place in His kingdom. We aren’t literally going to judge angels in a court of law.
“God does not tempt anyone to sin”
Christians often reference the scripture that states God does not tempt anyone. When we are tempted, they believe, it starts within us. We are lured by our own desires. The bait of the hook tempts us because we want what it is offering already.
Others struggle with this concept. Since God is omnipresent, nothing escapes His notice. How can temptation occur if it doesn’t go through God somehow? This has been a question since biblical times.
Does temptation originate with man, or is something else secretly at work?
“Christians should speak the truth in love”
As Christians, we are commanded to speak truth in love. While this verse is easy to understand, it can actually be more difficult to practice.
Some Christians believe that truth should always win the day. If something is true, we should just say it. “No cookie dressing,” as some would say.
For some Christians, the emphasis is decidedly on love. Hurtful words can easily crush spirits and cause unnecessary friction. To these people, how you say something is just as important as what you say.
“God saves everyone eventually”
Some Christians are convinced that God will eventually save everybody. After all, there are scriptures that declare His great love and how His mercies never end. For them, the idea of God’s grace ending feels impossible to accept.
However, a great many disagree with this view entirely. They quote scriptures about Jesus’ narrow gate and hard path to eternal life. If there is a narrow gate, that means some will choose not to enter, don’t they?
It is because of this that Christians have pondered this for centuries.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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