That set of books representing the canon of Scripture, believed to be the inspired Word of God
16
votes
2answers
323 views
Is Knuth's 3:16 project unique?
Famous computer scientist Donald Knuth is also the author of 3:16 Bible Texts Illuminated (A-R Editions, 1990). This is a tour of the Bible using the methodology of "stratified random sampling", where ...
16
votes
4answers
4k views
Do we actually know that Jesus was a carpenter?
I was about to say this in another discussion somewhere else, and wondered: do we know that? As in "it's mentioned or at least hinted at in $book $chapter:$verse"?
Or is it just a very likely ...
14
votes
2answers
179 views
By what mechanism could the Bible be inerrant?
For those who believe in the inerrancy of the Bible (or those who understand the positions of those who do), how can the Bible have this status given all the opportunities for any message delivered by ...
8
votes
6answers
458 views
Is it wrong that Jesus is usually portrayed as European looking?
Is it wrong that Jesus is usually portrayed as European looking, having certain facial and bodily features (muscular)?
Would most people follow Him if he did not look white or was heavy set?
It ...
7
votes
2answers
907 views
Why do biblical names vary in different languages?
In my regional language (Tamil) biblical names vary from the actual names. I'm sure this is not only in my regional language only but also in other languages too. For instance Jesus' name is Yesu and ...
6
votes
4answers
228 views
Must a Christian accept the Bible to be infallible and/or inerrant? [closed]
Related question: What is the difference between "infallible" and "inerrant"?
I have heard lists of requirements to be considered Christian; among those, I find these the most ...
5
votes
3answers
114 views
Was there a reason Jesus came at the time he did?
Concerning what the Bible says and what might be said in commentary from prominent church leaders is there a particular reason Jesus came 2000 years ago and not some other time. One would think ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the meaning of “anything” in Matthew 18:19-20?
In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus says:
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come ...
3
votes
2answers
297 views
What are the Spiritual Gifts?
People often talk about spiritual gifts, like tongues and prophecy. What spiritual gifts are mentioned in the Bible? Please provide references.
15
votes
5answers
550 views
Why is God asking questions or appearing uncertain in the Bible if He's omniscient?
Is God omniscient? lists all the passages were it is written that God is omniscient.
Reading other passages, I found a few things that seemingly contradict this:
In Genesis 3:8-13 God asks Adam and ...
15
votes
7answers
558 views
What is the significance of the number 666?
People always make jokes about the number 666, or how it's evil, etc. What is the basis of this, and is it really something that Christians should be concerned with?
13
votes
2answers
231 views
Can we trust the Septuagint?
I've previously used the Apostolic Bible for digging deeper into the meanings of passages. However, I've found that some passages in the Old Testament make no sense compared to the modern ...
10
votes
7answers
602 views
How does 1 John 2:19 fit with the teaching that Christians can lose their salvation
A common belief (not my own, but fairly common) is that believers may lose or abandon their salvation. A number of Bible verses seem to contradict this teaching, but in particular, 1 John 2:19 stands ...
8
votes
3answers
318 views
Do Fetuses have souls? Is the aquisition of a soul instantenous or continuous?
Christian fundamentalists argue against abortion on the grounds that fetuses have souls. The argument starts with two premises: that people have souls while animals do not, and that the right to life ...
7
votes
3answers
594 views
What is the difference between “infallible” and “inerrant”?
As with many others I know, I believe in both the infallibility and inerrancy of the Bible.
What is the difference between these two important terms?
If something has no errors (inerrant), then must ...
6
votes
2answers
114 views
What was Jesus' view on the authority of Scripture?
What was Jesus' own personal view on the nature of the Scripture as far as the divine authority of the OT? Can his view on this issue be determined through his own use of it?
6
votes
6answers
1k views
How does the Bible explain the existence of fossils that are millions of years old? [closed]
People have been finding fossils for many years. Millions of fossils fill museums and storage vaults around the world, and we've yet to find a single one of a human. This suggests that the animals and ...
5
votes
1answer
889 views
In what order were the books in the New Testament written?
I'm just curious as to the actual timeline and known dates of the New Testament books. I know the version fo the Bible I read had the letters from Paul ordered by their size, and not when they were ...
5
votes
1answer
644 views
How many 'Books' never made it to the Bible (Old and New Testament)?
Alternatively:
How many books were included in early Bible compilations and then later removed?
A book in the bible, to my understanding, is one of the many named divisions in the Old and New ...
5
votes
2answers
151 views
Was the first gospel written in Hebrew?
I found this website that basically says that some if not all of the gospel could have been written in Hebrew.
Is this theory supported today and by whom? Scholars and school of though would be ...
5
votes
3answers
286 views
What are the Biblical arguments against modalism?
Modalism, or Sabellianism, is the belief that the three persons of the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) are simply three "roles" or "modes" of the same person.
This view ...
4
votes
5answers
607 views
Christian view of why there are so many similarities between Quran and Bible?
Quran has a huge number of stories that originally came in Bible. To Muslims, this is almost a miracle that God revealed the same stories to prophet without the prophet knowing about it because he was ...
4
votes
1answer
132 views
What are common criticisms against using the KJV?
I know that many people and churches prefer using translations other than the KJV. Why? What are the common criticisms against it?
2
votes
3answers
57 views
In what way does the author of Hebrews argue that every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution?
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard,
lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels
proved to be reliable, and every transgression or ...
2
votes
4answers
217 views
Christian Position on the meaning of Faith
We are told, 'The just (upright) shall live by faith.' So I have a question for the Christians here. How do you understand faith? This does not have to be strictly biblical (since the scripture does ...
26
votes
5answers
2k views
Who were the “giants” mentioned in the Bible?
I've come across several verses in the Bible that speak of "giants". For example:
Gen 6:4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the ...
24
votes
7answers
3k views
Why did Jesus protest before performing his first miracle?
In John 2:1-12 we read of Christ's first miracle, turning water into wine. Before he performs his miracle, though, he says to his mother:
“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour ...
18
votes
7answers
2k views
What are the practical applications of “two will become one flesh”?
Mark 10:8 (NIV)
and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
What does this mean for a marriage? What are the practical applications of this? Obviously, this is ...
15
votes
5answers
3k views
Why did Jesus refer to Gentiles as dogs?
The passage below raises two questions in my mind but I suspect they both have the same answer. My questions are:
Why did Jesus at first refuse to speak to the Canaanite woman? We know He had no ...
10
votes
4answers
515 views
What does it mean to interpret the Bible literally?
Here are some common definitions from a dictionary for ‘literal’:
Being in accordance with, conforming to, or upholding the exact or primary meaning of a word or words.
Word for word; verbatim: a ...
10
votes
1answer
120 views
Who is Immanuel?
In Isaiah 7:13-17
13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will ...
9
votes
2answers
177 views
Is 1 Corinthians 7:26-40 not the 'Word of God'?
Paul makes clear in 1 Corinthians 7:25 that the following section is not a word from God but his (Paul's) opinion:
Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my ...
12
votes
8answers
6k views
What is the significance of Jesus seeing Nathanael under the fig tree?
In John 1:46-50, Nathanael is introduced to Jesus for the first time.
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son ...
12
votes
4answers
141 views
Profanity in entertainment?
Many comedians nowadays rely on the use of profanity to enhance their comedy. This is also present in movies and television (although limited).
I know the bible says not to let "unwholesome talk" ...
10
votes
2answers
204 views
What is the Biblical and historical basis for Christian pacifism?
My understanding is that early Christians were generally pacifists. Today (at least in the U.S.) Christian pacifists are a bit hard to come by. Many quote Romans 13:1-3 to support Christian ...
7
votes
3answers
157 views
How should we judge the trustworthiness of a given Bible translation?
Given that both the humans who actually penned the Bible and the later humans who translated it all had free will, the issue of Biblical inerrancy is a tricky one.
See also: By what mechanism could ...
5
votes
1answer
105 views
Is there a difference between Scripture and inspired writings?
Take these two questions and their answers for consideration to this question:
What does "scripture" mean in NT writing?
What does it mean that all scripture is God-Breathed?
I am having ...
4
votes
2answers
620 views
Is Abraham in heaven?
If Jesus brought everlasting life and Abraham was before Jesus and in fact, before Judaism. Therefore, would we expect to see Abraham in heaven? What passages in the bible direct us to an answer?
2
votes
3answers
74 views
Is Mary or other saints in heaven?
The Assumption of Mary states that after she died on Earth she went to Heaven.
Is there any Biblical support whether she, or any other man after Jesus' revival went to heaven?
15
votes
3answers
246 views
How can the Son not know what the Father knows?
Matthew 24:36 (NLT)
Mark 13:32 (NLT)
36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father ...
15
votes
5answers
289 views
What is the Biblical support for Purgatory?
Exactly as the title asks; where do Catholics get their Scriptural support for the idea of Purgatory? To be more specific, how I think of Purgatory (which may be incorrect) is that it's a temporary ...
15
votes
4answers
2k views
What does the Bible say about Science?
It's a debate that atheists seem to thrive on. Fact vs. Faith.
Personally, I believe in a co-existence of the two, but I'm interested in what the Bible has to say about us learning about our ...
13
votes
1answer
188 views
On what do Catholics base their doctrine of the eternal virginity of Mary?
I understand that the Catholic Church teaches that Mary is the eternal virgin in that she neither had sexual relations with Joseph (or any other man) either before or after the miraculous conception ...
11
votes
1answer
309 views
Is there a hierarchy in the Trinity?
It seems that there is some form of hierarchy within the Trinity.
For example, these passages seem to indicate that the Holy Spirit is subservient to the Father and Jesus:
John 14:26 (NIV)
...
10
votes
4answers
915 views
Why does Jesus speak of himself in the third person?
There are a number of places where Jesus refers to himself in the third person. The most common is when he uses the title 'Son of Man' (by my count, there are some 78 times Jesus uses that title in ...
9
votes
1answer
811 views
What does the Bible say about the appearance of angels?
In Christian art, angels are often depicted as winged human-like creatures. However, I'm curious if there is any justification for this in the Bible? I've sometimes heard that there isn't, so that's ...
9
votes
4answers
325 views
Biblical arguments for Universal salvation
Universal salvation, or universal reconciliation is the belief that God will eventually reconcile Himself with every immortal soul. That is, everyone will be saved. This doctrine has a long history. ...
8
votes
1answer
140 views
Are there any references to “four canonical Gospels” prior to 100 AD?
According to the "Institut für neutestamentliche Textforschung" eleven manuscripts of NT are from within the second century alone, which include: P52 (100-150), P90, 104 (2nd century), P66 (c. AD ...
8
votes
1answer
75 views
What is the most basic Biblical understanding of the nature of the firmament?
Going back to original Hebrew texts where possible, what is the most basic understanding of the firmament (the substance/realm/space that God supposedly stuck between heaven from earth)? I've read a ...
6
votes
3answers
257 views
What is the significance of “Zealot” in Acts 1:13?
When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and ...
