The Bible is a canonical set of books representing holy Scripture believed to be the inspired Word of God.
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Does the Bible support the concept of male spiritual headship?
What I mean by this is a little beyond "Wives submit to your husbands." In Joshua 7:22-25 Joshua stones and burns the entire family of Achen, including his children, after he sins by keeping back ...
4
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3answers
1k views
What does Satan look like?
Many people have seen the Classical depiction of Satan in paintings and statues, but what does scripture say about what Satan looks like?
4
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2answers
121 views
Vacillating passion for Christ
Throughout a person's life they might experience some incredible highs in their relationship with Christ. They might receive answers to prayers and/or a bounty of unexpected blessings. A person might ...
2
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1answer
126 views
Open my eyes so I may see
2 Kings 6:15-17 (KJV)
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, ...
6
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1answer
647 views
Abraham's Bosom after Jesus
Abraham's Bosom as I understand was the Saint's portion (Paradise) of Hades while on the other side of a great chasm (gulf) was a portion of Hades described as torment. Does this place known as ...
4
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2answers
126 views
How to contemplate without the urge to have to comprehend
What makes people feel they have to figure it all out? How can someone strengthen their spirituality through contemplation while avoiding a desire to try to understand everything?
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2answers
467 views
What is the Christian perspective on deceptive brain messages?
What is the Christian perspective on deceptive brain messages?
Modern science now shows us proof that we can rewire our brains, so that it works in more beneficial ways. The concepts in a new book by ...
7
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3answers
183 views
Does Christianity give a reason for life experiences, such as in Hinduism?
In Hinduism, there is a concept of past life karma.
Meaning if someone is born into an unfortunate situation (in a slum, for example) it is because they are paying for sin from a past life.
Does ...
4
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3answers
195 views
Why in the Book of Exodus did God let the people travel for exactly 40 years?
What is the symbolic idea behind this number?
Also, what might be His intention behind the travel?
3
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4answers
440 views
How are Christians expected to live up to the standards of following Christ?
Just re-read the New Testament and this question has been at the front of my mind. These are just a few of similar quotes that are in question:
Matthew 16:24: "Then Jesus said to his disciples: If ...
2
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4answers
225 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 ...
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1answer
117 views
Are High School Pride Pep Rallies anti-Christian? [closed]
In America, High Schools have pep rallies for sport events usually labeld "X's Pride Pep Rally!"(X = the High School name)
During the ceremony the sports players are built up by the other students in ...
11
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3answers
232 views
Are there “rational” criteria for which books appear in the Bible?
When I looked into "canon criticism" or "canonology" a while back, I came across numerous (alleged) criteria for whether a book is/was included in canon, such as "Old Testament books had to be written ...
4
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4answers
263 views
How should a Christian feel inside? [closed]
What does the Bible say about how a Christian should feel inside?
Should it be:
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be ...
5
votes
5answers
978 views
How should a Christian put a decision in God's hands if there is no logical answer?
Lets say a Christian is in a position where he must make a hard decision (assume it has to either be a yes or no by a deadline) and each one has it's negatives (more negatives than positives) how ...
16
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2answers
361 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 ...
5
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2answers
1k views
What is giving up free will and giving it to Jesus mean?
Is there a majority opinion as to what giving up free will and giving it to Jesus means? What does this action look like? Are there any real life examples?
2
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1answer
223 views
Is Galatians 6:8-9 teaching works salvation?
My understanding of the relationship between works and salvation is that works are the inevitable fruit of salvation by grace (1 John 3:6, Matthew 7:16-18). And my understanding of perseverance is ...
3
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3answers
1k views
What does the Bible say about giving your life away for Jesus?
On a Christian radio station I constantly hear the phrase "to give your life away for Jesus" but they never say what that means.
I am very confused about this concept. Any clarification is helpful, ...
8
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6answers
478 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
161 views
What is agreed upon in all Christain denominations? [closed]
What are all the beliefs, doctrine, rules, etc. that are NOT in dispute by all the different Christian flavors and denominations? Is there anything considered consistent among all denominations?
...
8
votes
4answers
347 views
What is saving faith?
A common soteriological view among Evangelical Christians (such as myself) is that we are saved by grace, through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, this belief is usually accompanied by a ...
3
votes
2answers
184 views
What is the biblical basis against Sola Fide (salvation by faith alone, apart from works)
One of the key points of the Reformation was the doctrine of Sola Fide, that salvation is by faith alone, apart from works. This was a contrast from the doctrine of the Catholic church.
What, then, ...
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3answers
3k views
How does the Bible describe the gender roles?
Although the question could go all over the place I am looking to know how evangelicals define the role of a man and of a woman from the Bible.
What are the verses they use? Is there a short ...
5
votes
1answer
79 views
How does this fit in with “we are incapable of following the law”?
While reading through the Torah, the following verses caught my eye.
Deuteronomy 30:11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too
difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in ...
2
votes
1answer
130 views
Does believing in Christ activate God's word or just make us think and act different?
I am confused about what it really means to activate God's power in my life, which I heard my pastor say.
“But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord,
and with justice ...
12
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9answers
6k views
What does the Bible say about life before conception?
I recently spoke with a friend of mine and he was wondering if we are alive before conception. We know that there is life after death according to the Bible, but what does the Bible say about "life" ...
4
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1answer
156 views
Will we experience heaven (or hell) with our consciousness?
In Christianity, is heaven something we will comprehend with the consciousness we have now? Will we be the same consciousness, brain and memories of this world, or is it just the energy of our soul ...
13
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7answers
9k views
Does the act of sex constitute marriage in God's eyes?
I came across this verse today (bold added):
1 Corinthians 6:15-17 (NASB)
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them ...
2
votes
1answer
160 views
Where can I find Patristic Commentary on the Golden Calf incident?
Is there any extant pre-Schism (i.e. Before 1054 AD, when the Eastern and Western chueches anathematized each other) commentary on the golden calf incident of Exodus 32:1--6, and if so, where?
9
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1answer
405 views
What does CS Lewis mean by True Myth?
I've heard the phrase and even used it before, in potentially dangerous and unintelligent ways. But what did CS Lewis mean when he came to the realization that Christianity was not just Myth, but ...
4
votes
3answers
143 views
What differences will being a Christian make in this life?
What are the differences being a Christian will make in this life (on earth not entrance into heaven or hell)?
Or is it just a group identity of a hopeful passage into Heaven upon the next life and ...
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2answers
196 views
How is it that sinful people who do not believe, still get the blessings of the Lord?
Why do great things happen to unbelievers and even bad people?
In Church there is talk about blessings of the Lord for those who love Him, etc.
But what about those that are blessed that don't love ...
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vote
4answers
346 views
Why doesn't the Bible tell us that Jesus was a virgin?
Christian religions constantly remind us that Mary was "forever virgin".
So why doesn't the Bible tell us that Jesus was also a virgin?
16
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12answers
3k views
Are Paul's letters to be taken as God's word?
Sometimes, as I read the bible or listen to a speaker in church, I can't help but feel that while Paul's letters are full of well-grounded Christian wisdom and advice, they can also contain what seems ...
9
votes
3answers
674 views
Are there any atheists in the Bible?
Do any people in the Bible self identify as atheists?
Or are they all theists, differing in which god they follow?
Apparently at least some atheists existed, since David had heard of them:
The ...
3
votes
5answers
363 views
Does the Bible advocate ethical egoism?
Ethical egoism is the normative ethical position that moral agents ought to do what is in their own self-interest.
According to ethical egoism, I should only do what benefits me. That doesn't ...
4
votes
2answers
94 views
Does Christianity say that the events that happen to us are from God?
Does Christianity say that the events that happen to us are from God?
Is it all free will, or free will and God steps in to veto if he wants, or everything from God.
I ask because at the Church I go ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Where did Jesus go after he arose from the grave?
In spirit of Easter coming up: Where did Jesus go after he arose from the grave?
He was spotted walking, then.....?
If he went to Heaven after rising, how long did he stay on earth and why not stay ...
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5answers
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What does it mean “my God my God why have you forsaken me”?
What is the correlation between these two scripture?
Why Jesus felt forsaken if he knew what was going on?
Why was it mentioned in Old Testament as well as New Testament(in two places)?
Psalm ...
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vote
3answers
181 views
Why haven't we revised the Bible in centuries? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What are the biblical arguments that the Bible canon is closed?
Preface: This question is not directed at a specific denomination.
Why haven't we revised the Bible in ...
8
votes
5answers
2k views
What does it mean “born of water” in John 3:5?
John 3:5 (NKJV)
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of
water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Does "born of water" means baptism i.e., ...
12
votes
5answers
238 views
How was documented dialog observed?
For example in Jonah 4:9 we find dialog between God and Jonah.
But God said to Jonah, Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?
I do, he said. I am angry enough to die. But the LORD said, ...
2
votes
1answer
260 views
How can we apply relying on Jesus in situations where it appears we have to rely on ourselves?
I ask the question for a real reason. I would like to make more money to support my family and live in better conditions. I feel I have to rely on myself to go back to school, work hard and then get a ...
7
votes
2answers
193 views
Where do Catholics believe the historical narrative of the Bible begins?
I heard on the Relevant Radio recently that the Genesis account of the deluge is prehistorical. Meaning, it wasn't really recorded in histories the way other more specific accounts of historical ...
3
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3answers
254 views
How literally do you take and universally apply what Jesus said? [closed]
It seems like people take some Biblical passages word for word and live it, others not so much. I do not see many people giving their life away for Jesus or i.e. - Jesus said if you want to be perfect ...
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2answers
155 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 ...
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1answer
315 views
Did Adam and Eve understand death? What did death mean to them?
This answer says that the serpent convinced Eve to eat the apple to avoid death by saying "surely not die".
Since they are described as the first people that existed, what could death mean to them?
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4answers
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What does Jesus say about your spirit going to heaven?
I had an interesting question presented to me by a rector of a church. He asked me to find anywhere in the bible where Jesus spoke of your spirit going to heaven and then research those specific ...
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1answer
106 views
How much of Genesis 2 *actually* occurred? [closed]
Building on this question...
How much of Genesis 2 actually occurred?
And how do historians/biblical scholars know that it occurred?
