If I was only friends with people who believe everything I believe, I would have maybe 2 friends on this earth.

I don't say that to point out that my beliefs are incredibly strange or obtuse, but rather, there are very few people who completely believe the same things. I can tell you two leading theologians of my movement who disagree about a very well-known passage of Scripture. Both theologians are well-respected. Both have written commentaries and have taught in our Bible colleges.

"Are you saying the Bible can mean one thing for one person and another thing for someone else?"

No.

If I were to write you a letter, you would assume that when I talked about my wife Lynsey, I would actually be referring to the actual Lynsey unless I gave you reason to think I was using her name as a metaphor or something. Why should we assume the Bible, which is really just one big letter, can be interpreted several ways when the authors do not call for such?

So I don't believe the Bible can be interpreted different ways.

"But since people believe different things about the Bible, does that mean somebody is wrong in what they believe the Bible teaches?"

Well, yes.

If people believe two different things about an objective truth, then someone is wrong.

You and I can argue about who is right and who is wrong all day. But the main point is, one of us is wrong.

Even if I think you are off your rocker, I can still learn something from your perspective. If you bring something to light I've never thought of before, maybe my view can change to be more in accordance with Scripture. Or if you say something that is just totally heretical, it will still help me to word a defense to that--which strengthens my knowledge of the correct view.

Because of this, I think it's very important to engage with other Christians who don't believe the same thing I believe. It stretches me and challenges me.

All that to say, I'm going to the Catalyst Conference next weekend in Atlanta. It's 12,000 young, innovative leaders who are all passionate about serving God and leading others to do so as well. And if I were to guess, I'd probably disagree with most of the people there about something.

And I really like that.