All Questions
3
votes
0answers
26 views
Multiple wives and concubines | male and female “original” intent
Matthew 19:1-6 New International Version (NIV)
1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and
went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large
...
3
votes
1answer
26 views
What was the Birthright?
What, specifically, did Esau lose when he lost the birthright, and what did Jacob gain? What did the birthright represent, and why was it so highly prized by Jacob?
3
votes
1answer
34 views
What is the Calvinist perspective on regeneration?
When do Calvinists consider an elect person to be regenerate?
If it is at birth, then is it odd that someone who is "regenerate" is living in sin, up until the point of faith in Christ?
And if it is ...
2
votes
1answer
33 views
Why did Jesus leave?
With ascension day coming up so quickly, I have a question:
Why did Jesus leave? I've read some ideas but few have any actual Biblical backing. Could anyone point me in the direction of this?
Cheers ...
7
votes
2answers
45 views
What is the biblical basis for lifetime eldership?
Some churches who appoint elders do so for a term (3 years is typical from what I have seen). Other churches ordain elders for life. Is there a Biblical basis for ordaining elders for life?
This is a ...
6
votes
4answers
112 views
What is stopping Christians from having just one doctrine/interpretation?
As far as I know, there is only one God, one Jesus, and one Holy Spirit, and they are ONE. But, what we have here is dozens of different doctrines (I'm not sure if "doctrine" is the right word for ...
-9
votes
2answers
69 views
Would it be possible to be overlooked on Judgement Day? [closed]
My understanding of the Last Judgment Day is that on that day all souls will "stand before the God" and will be judged by him. I imagine this will be a lot of people, perhaps many of them introverts, ...
-3
votes
2answers
154 views
Is this song blasphemous or actually pro-Christian? [closed]
I've stumbled upon a song (Banging in the Nails by The Tiger Lillies) with the following lyrics:
I'm crucifying Jesus, banging in the nails
And I am so happy, because old Jesus failed.
Now ...
5
votes
2answers
62 views
What is the purpose of godparents?
I was looking through Catholic baptismal records, while doing genealogy, when I realized that I didn't know what the purpose of godparents is. What is their purpose? Why are they recorded? Are the ...
4
votes
1answer
40 views
Which nuns get new names?
I know that some Catholic nuns chose new names, like Mother Teresa (previously Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu), and others didn't, like Sister Helen Prejean.
What determines whether a woman changes her name ...
2
votes
0answers
32 views
What did Calvin think about Knox's “Monstrous Regiment”?
Scottish Protestant reformer John Knox (1514-1572) is the author of the work of vile misogyny, The first blast of the trumpet against the monstruous regiment of women (1558). In the book, Knox rails ...
0
votes
2answers
96 views
At what point did Paul become a child of God, born of God?
At what point did Paul become a child of God, born of God? John said that God gave the authority to be the children of God born of God to those who received Christ (John 1:12,13; 1st John 3:1).
At ...
0
votes
2answers
93 views
Was there enough water in the world to cover the earth?
Some people say that the story of Noah and flood is false, because there simply wasn't enough water in the world to cover the entire earth in a flood. As it is written:
And the waters became ...
12
votes
6answers
247 views
Is it possible for The Bible to contain errors?
For those who profess to follow the word of Christ, everyone agrees that the Bible is the infallible word of God as transcribed by many different men compiled together in one book. But for this ...
3
votes
3answers
124 views
How should a Christian look at the Crusaders?
I studied in Methodist school from kindergarten to high school, but I never heard of Crusaders until I went to college - and people at church don't talk about it either.
As far as I know, Crusaders ...
2
votes
3answers
95 views
Where was Jesus before the events of the New Testament?
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son..
I only thought about this when recently explaining the difference between Old and New Testament to somebody.
Did the Son of God appear in ...
2
votes
1answer
71 views
What did the serpent look like?
The account of creation mentions the serpent being wise among all beasts. After the temptation God curses the serpent.
"And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this,...upon ...
3
votes
1answer
55 views
Does New Testament accounting language have any Old Testament backing?
Throughout the New Testament, the language of money is used to discuss sin and the gospel: words like debt, forgiveness, redeem, and impute.
For example, Colossians 2 explains forgiveness of ...
2
votes
1answer
30 views
What is the Biblical view of “the spiritual gift of leadership”?
Romans 12 is said to describe "spiritual gifts". (See this post, for instance.) Such gifts are often regarded as being granted supernaturally to specific Christians, who are then specially able to ...
3
votes
2answers
101 views
Rejection of the Catholic implementation of confession
Audience: I am specifically hoping to hear from Protestant or Orthodox Christians (but would also invite answers from Catholics) who value the spiritual discipline of confession.
The Question: As I ...
5
votes
2answers
43 views
Self-Examination in Reformed Practical Theology
I have the sense that the doctrine of self-examination figures large in the writings of the Puritans (and perhaps other old-school Reformed theologians); however, I do not know nearly as much about it ...
3
votes
1answer
117 views
What's so great about the Canticle of the Sun?
A few years ago, I tried to explain to the 7th-8th graders in my catechism class how awesome St. Francis was. I told 'em about him giving up all his stuff and rebuilding the Church etc... but, for ...
-1
votes
4answers
155 views
Is there a biblical basis for hating people?
In discussions about hatred, I found a statement - WARNING potential NSFW painting at this link that piqued my interest.
If I remember my Bible correctly (and I do) the only people Jesus ever
...
1
vote
0answers
29 views
Daniel 8:15-27 :“… Kingdom of greece …” [migrated]
i was reading Daniel 8:15-27, where it says:
".... the ram you saw that had two horns represents the kingdoms of Media and Persia. The goat represents the kingdom of Greece ,and the prominent horn ...
4
votes
3answers
140 views
Can a non-Christian sell his soul?
This Freakonomics podcast had an interesting discussion about a guy who challenged an atheist to sell his soul. The guy who bought claimed to be a Christian. The trope, of course, goes back a long way ...
13
votes
10answers
667 views
What is a Christian's justification for a legal prohibition of homosexual marriage?
Today President Obama came out as the first U.S. president to support gay marriage. In his address, he even quoted scripture to support his change of view.
Love him or hate him, it seems clear that ...
1
vote
2answers
67 views
A paradox that arises from Christian duty as “ambassador”
Consider the question "Is the Sabbath made for man or man for the Sabbath?" A rhetorical question, because Jesus said that it was the Sabbath that was made for man. But this is not a question directly ...
-3
votes
0answers
53 views
7
votes
1answer
120 views
Who was first, men or angels?
I know of the angel guarding over the entrance gate of the Eden preventing man from entering. Also, the devil, an angel, deceives the woman. It seems to me angels preceded man but I'm not so sure.
...
0
votes
0answers
70 views
Is it possible for a truly saved Christian to lose his/her salvation? [closed]
I've heard many differing opinions on this subject, so I decided to ask here: Is it possible for a truly saved Christian to lose his/her salvation? I want to emphasize the importance of truly saved. I ...
2
votes
7answers
186 views
Are there any conditions which make oneself completely unredeemable in the eyes of God?
I am curious if there are any actions or conditions which "seal your fate" so to speak, such that should you do them—no matter how much you repent or accept Jesus or pray—that you are doomed forever ...
5
votes
2answers
64 views
What is the Biblical basis for 'term eldership'?
Some churches who appoint elders do so for a term (3 years is typical from what I have seen). Other churches ordain elders for life. Is there a Biblical basis for ordaining elders for a term?
0
votes
0answers
38 views
According to LDS theology, did God create the world ex nihilo? [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
According to the Mormon doctrines, who created the universe?
I was listening to a story on NPR about Mormon business ethics, when the claim was made that according to ...
0
votes
1answer
71 views
What would Job have thought about Buddhism?
I have to admit I feel a bit of hesitation in asking this question, but perhaps something positive can come out of putting it here, so here goes:
Question (General): What would Job have thought of ...
3
votes
1answer
41 views
What is the biblical basis for elder disqualification?
The Bible speaks to the qualifications of overseers and deacons, and also mentions that they are to be held to a higher standard than the rest of the congregation.
What Biblical basis exists, then, ...
5
votes
2answers
141 views
Which Bible verses support adult-only baptism?
I am a Reformed Presbyterian and it seems that for most people I run into, baptism for 'adults' after confession of faith only is the default position. I always find myself fighting an uphill battle ...
4
votes
5answers
126 views
Is it valid to use grape juice at Communion?
Given that wine was used by Christ at the last supper. It is valid to use grape juice in the remembrance of the Lord's Table?
7
votes
5answers
139 views
What Bible verses support infant baptism?
I've studied the Bible and am a fundamental independent bible believing Baptist who believes what the scripture says about Baptism is clear.
It is an ordnance after salvation, i.e. believers ...
6
votes
7answers
178 views
Why does the Messiah have to be God?
It seems to be incredibly important to numerous "brands" of Christianity that Jesus be God. So much so, that traditions that reject the deity of Christ are often dismissed as heretical by orthodox ...
4
votes
2answers
86 views
Can Angels die?
In Daniel, there is an angel who has to fight for nearly three weeks in order to deliver his message, and isn't able to overcome until Michael intervenes. If there was a battle this hard, it makes me ...
5
votes
1answer
72 views
When did the Oriental Orthodox Churches start being called 'Orthodox'?
The Eastern Orthodox (Greek, Russian and so on) are distinct from the Oriental Orthodox (Syriac, Armenian, Coptic and so on).
Do we know when the term "Oriental Orthodox" started being used for these ...
-2
votes
2answers
101 views
Who is responsible for my life?
(i) If I am in pain, who is liable for that? Me or God?
(ii) If I eventually manage to relieve my pain and achieve some prosperity in life, who is credited for that? Me or God?
(iii) If I am liable ...
4
votes
4answers
126 views
Who was the 12th Apostle - Matthais or Paul?
First off, a distinction between disciple and apostle - a disciple is a student, and the 12 disciples were Jesus' students. An Apostle is one who was "sent out." Eleven of Jesus' disciples were sent ...
5
votes
2answers
136 views
Should a Bible believing Christian be pleased at the death of Osama bin Laden?
I'm looking for a Biblical response to this question. And it's not specific to bin Laden but I'm just using him as an example.
I know Jesus said love your enemies. And Paul even showed how this can ...
3
votes
4answers
108 views
Is Matthew 28 saying something about Baptism?
On our sister site I asked a question about what the correct grammatical interpretation of Matthew 28:19 is with relation to baptism.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing ...
0
votes
3answers
97 views
Who will judge the 12th tribe of Israel?
I was reading the Last Supper passage in Luke the other day and came across this verse:
Luke 22:30 (KJV)
30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the ...
3
votes
1answer
58 views
Did Pope Benedict XVI grant permission for hetrosexual couples to use artifical birth control methods?
In a book of interviews by Peter Seewald "Light of the World" the Pope is quoted as saying something to the effect that homosexual prostitutes would be better off if they used condoms than if they ...
8
votes
2answers
93 views
Did Paul preach Jesus's message?
In the four Gospels, Jesus seems to talk a lot about the Law, about how to behave, about "the Kingdom" and how to restore social order. It doesn't seem like he talks about what Paul talks about: ...
3
votes
2answers
69 views
Do they use icons in the Roman Catholic Church?
Do they use icons in the Roman Catholic Church like they do in the East Orthodox Church? In my limited experience, I've only seen statues in the Roman Catholic Church, but not icons. I don't just mean ...
1
vote
2answers
51 views
What is the Biblical basis and support for and against the view of predestination?
Simple and easy. I am looking for Biblical support (not opinion) for and against the view of predestination. Predestination is the view that all events are willed by God. I'm looking for both sides of ...
