How many people honestly acknowledge the confusion that exists within Christianity? The very question often rests on the assumption that long-established denominations are genuinely authentic. Yet if that were true, we would not see such widespread disunity. Each group tends to pursue its own interests. Even if the leaders of these organizations were to gather for a symposium in search of common ground, the effort would likely prove futile.
The reason these leaders feel no urgency to address the obvious disunity is their lack of authenticity—and authenticity carries responsibility. Who among them is truly qualified to lead such a discussion? These groups operate independently, answering to their own agendas rather than to Christ’s teachings.
Within their ranks, there are sincere Christians who long to see order established, but they often find themselves hindered by entrenched leadership structures. Those who courageously attempt to confront these issues risk being labelled insubordinate, and as a result, they may be sidelined, censured, or disfellowshipped for supposedly causing disunity.
The problem appears insurmountable because it is usually approached from an academic or institutional perspective rather than traced to its true source. Each denomination attempts to address the issue according to its own leadership structures, but that very approach renders any proposed solution illegitimate.
The only viable way forward lies in persistently asking what Jesus, as the author of Christianity, said about leadership. Without honestly facing that question, those who genuinely desire to foster unity among Christians will never succeed. The Judeo-Christian Bible remains authoritative in the Christian world, validated by the words of Jesus Himself:
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24 NIV).
This passage suggests that a genuinely converted Christian no longer needs to rely exclusively on the Bible or engage in extensive theological study, being sustained by the Comforter Jesus promised (John 14:15-21). Nevertheless, Bible study remains essential for those who are seeking truth before conversion and baptism. For that reason, accurate information must be accessible to individuals committed to understanding God’s word. Christianity has been entrusted to humanity, not placed solely in the hands of Jesus to administer without human agency.
Communication can be compared to the transmission of electricity from one terminal to another: if there is a fault in the medium, the power cannot reach its intended destination. Written communication is often more effective than visual or audio transmission because it minimizes the likelihood of alteration and allows a person to refer back to the original message.
Miscommunication breeds confusion in human relationships. Arbitrators in marital disputes would likely agree that over eighty percent of conflicts stem from miscommunication. Misunderstandings can arise from the very beginning, creating problems through assumptions and misinterpretations. Language encompasses more than words; it also includes the context in which communication occurs.
Understanding the customs and traditions surrounding biblical communication is therefore crucial. For example, some statements made by the apostle Paul were specifically relevant to his immediate audience and may not apply directly to the customs of other groups.
While biblical messages have endured through the ages, their relevance must always be evaluated in the light of Christ’s words. One of the greatest challenges facing Christians today is the issue of translation. Much of the confusion surrounding the Judeo-Christian Bible arises from the process of translating Greek and Hebrew into other languages. Effective translation should incorporate mechanisms that minimize error.
For instance, translating texts from Greek or Hebrew into English could follow a systematic process: first, produce an English text directly from the Greek or Hebrew manuscripts. Then, engage a separate, independent translation expert to render that English text back into the original Greek or Hebrew. Finally, compare the resulting version with the original manuscripts. The goal is to determine whether the English translation aligns accurately with the original.
If the back-translated version matches the source without alteration, that English translation would be considered authentic. The same rigorous process should apply to translations into any other language, as this appears to be the only reliable way to verify the authenticity of different biblical versions. Without such care, the multiplication of translations can become a primary source of confusion within Christianity.
Notably, translation scholars do not necessarily need to have a Christian background. I would personally recommend that purely Greek scholars, who also possess knowledge of Aramaic (the language spoken during Jesus’ time), undertake this task. The problem with some Christian scholars is their tendency to view translations through the lens of their own doctrinal beliefs.
Given that Christianity is already divided, it is essential to recognize potential lapses in communication throughout the translation process. The first step should be to set aside Christian viewpoints until the translation exercise is complete. Christianity encompasses various denominational authorities—Catholics, Seventh-day Adventists, Calvinists, Lutherans, Baptists, and others.
For the sake of this discussion, these longstanding traditions must be temporarily set aside. The fundamental question that demands an answer is this: which Christian denomination truly deserves authority on matters concerning Christianity? This question cannot simply be ignored, yet traditional Christian institutions may struggle to provide a legitimate answer.
Moreover, creating yet another council of believers, akin to the Nicaean Council, is unnecessary. When dealing with anomalies in English-Greek/Hebrew translations of the Bible, the responsibility lies with translation experts to correct them until a precise version is achieved. The task may seem daunting, but it is crucial for the benefit of future generations. There is no room for mistranslation when truth holds such significance.
At this point in Christian history, it is challenging to identify those who genuinely represent Jesus Christ. An accurate translation of the Bible is essential for individuals to be well-informed before deciding to embrace Christianity. Honesty must be maintained in every matter of Christian commitment; there is no room for assumption when seeking to establish the truth.
Historically, this was also the case during Jesus’ time. Luke and Mark, for example, were not initially part of Jesus’ close circle of disciples. Luke, in particular, appears to have been commissioned by Theophilus, possibly a government official conducting surveillance on Christian activities. Regardless of the circumstances, the notable fact remains that Luke was not one of Jesus’ disciples.
If properly funded and entrusted to nonbelievers, it is entirely possible to produce a credible translation of biblical texts. It would be unwise to allow a subject as important as Christianity to fall into the hands of potential charlatans. The ranks of Christianity include many well-meaning individuals who may themselves be misled. Ultimately, a well-translated biblical document would empower ordinary people to access truthful information.
This highlights the importance of independent theological scholars who operate outside traditional Christian frameworks with the genuine intention of discovering truth. Their role is crucial, especially if they approach their studies without an agenda to convert others. Engaging in a thorough investigation is necessary to seek guidance from the truth itself. The only shortcut to this end is genuine submission to Christ, which requires surrendering everything and relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Total surrender becomes attainable only after one critically addresses apparently misunderstood Scriptures, such as Luke 14:25-33 and Matthew 23:8-12. Many traditional Christians struggle at this stage, particularly when they feel uncomfortable with what Jesus actually taught. Authoritarian structures within Christianity often betray a failure to confront these passages honestly. Consequently, one might unintentionally add to the confusion by forming yet another Christian denomination based on these misunderstandings.
The confusion surrounding Christianity may never be completely resolved, but at least well-meaning individuals would then have a valuable resource for researching its principles. There is no other effective way to address the current disorder. It is possible that once a truthful translation is achieved, fewer people may be drawn to Christianity. However, this does not indicate that Christianity was ever intended to be easily embraced by the general public. If it were, Jesus would not have faced execution. Christianity is far more complex than many people assume, a reality evidenced by numerous scriptural passages.
“When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside, everything is said in parables so that, “they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!” (Mark 4:10-12 NIV).
Many Christian groups cannot accept the idea that Jesus taught in parables to confound His audience. Some have even produced their own translations, convinced that the original Scripture was rendered incorrectly. This reaction has only deepened the confusion within Christianity, making it difficult to defend against critics and providing ammunition to atheists and followers of other religions.
Christianity stands out as the only religion that represents true order, precisely because it is rooted in the teachings of Jesus. Furthermore, it is unique because of Jesus’ documented resurrection story. For this reason, the Christian Bible must not be misleading. As previously noted, however, the driving force behind the translation efforts I am describing deliberately excludes true Christians.
The suggested translations are meant to benefit non-believers who seek understanding before conversion, while the truly converted no longer require scriptural texts for guidance. Much of the confusion surrounding Christianity may also stem from the ministry of Paul, particularly his efforts to reconcile Jewish customs with those of the Gentiles.
Many of Paul’s converts seem to have placed more faith in Paul than in Jesus. This raises serious doubts about whether most of Paul’s followers were genuinely converted—a possibility Paul himself hinted at (1 Corinthians 3:1-9). Christians should not assume a critical role except when comparing the apostles’ teachings with the words of Jesus. The apostles were instructed to preach the gospel based on what Jesus taught, the bulk of which is documented in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
These four books form the foundation of Jesus’ teachings. Without Jesus, there would be no Christianity. While there are instances where the apostles contradicted or did not fully apply Jesus’ teachings, we should avoid condemning them outright. Nevertheless, as Christians, we must evaluate their teachings against the words of Jesus.
The Book of Acts presents a troubling example. In Acts 4:32-37, we read of sacrificial giving among new believers who sold their properties and embraced communal living, sharing the proceeds equitably. Yet in Acts 5:1-11, we encounter the disturbing incident of Ananias and Sapphira. This couple got caught up in the excitement of giving they had observed in others, but their deceit regarding the principle of giving led to their sudden death, striking fear among the believers. The text does not clarify whether they had children, but the event is deeply alarming.
Does this suggest that the apostles introduced a dangerous religion? Should Christianity be regarded as a risk for ordinary people? I believe the answer might well be yes. One suspects that after this occurrence, many converts turned away from the faith. Like any powerful belief system, Christianity must be approached with the utmost care. Jesus instructed His disciples to teach only what He commanded (Mark 16:15-18). He expected them to remain faithful to His framework and to avoid teaching anything outside it.
One of Jesus’ key teaching blocks is found in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. At the conclusion of that sermon, He made a significant remark:
“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matthew 7:24-27 NIV).
Those messages were directed at His disciples, yet they also embrace future believers. We must regard ourselves as more privileged than the early disciples because we can consult recorded scriptural references. Without that written record, we would not know the actual words of Jesus. While the disciples were mandated to preach the gospel according to Jesus’ teachings, careful listeners should always verify the authenticity of what is taught.
For instance, the early converts could not easily check the principle of giving against Jesus’ own teaching. If Ananias and Sapphira had examined whether everything the apostles taught aligned with Jesus’ words, they might have avoided disaster. The sermon in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7 includes clear principles about giving that the disciples should have recognized and passed on. Most of those converts were likely also unaware of the necessity to count the cost, as Jesus urged (Luke 14:28).
Consider the instruction in Matthew 6:1-4: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (NIV).
Peter did not condemn the couple for their inappropriate giving; he simply relayed information received directly from God through the Spirit. A careful analysis suggests that Peter ought to have accepted responsibility for what happened to that couple. Jesus had commanded the disciples to teach others what He had taught them. However, God may have allowed this incident to occur for the benefit of future believers, since the gospel books were not yet available. The account serves as a warning to all those engaged in Christianity to do so with caution.
Had the apostles taught the converts what Jesus commanded in Matthew 6:1-4, those givers would have remained anonymous, and people like Ananias and his wife would have been spared. Their sudden death raises an urgent question: how many believers over the centuries have repeatedly violated this Scripture? What happens to them if they are not judged in the same immediate way as Ananias and Sapphira? Does God’s Spirit truly dwell among all those who call themselves “Christians”?
Jesus said, “And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31-32 NIV).
The Pharisees, who assumed themselves religious during Jesus’ time, did not commit blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which is the very reason Jesus taught in parables (Mark 4:10-14). The aspect of counting the cost means that once truly converted, one should no longer be attracted to the things of this world, such as seeking human approval.
Effective communication demands clarity and precision to foster genuine understanding. It is therefore essential to revisit biblical translations and ensure that nothing is left to chance. Much of what passes under a deserving label is fictitious. True Christians are those in whom the Holy Spirit dwells (Romans 8:9), for whom the words of Jesus are crucial in avoiding condemnation, much like the fate that befell Ananias and Sapphira. In light of all this, how many true Christians do we truly have in the world?
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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