That set of books representing the canon of Scripture, believed to be the inspired Word of God
8
votes
3answers
215 views
Why has God created us?
Why has God created us? The Almighty Lord does not need anyone; he does not need the angels, the heaven, or the earth. Are there any written words in the Bible that tell the reason?
8
votes
2answers
785 views
Is Levi from Luke 5:27 and Mark 2:14 referring to the apostle Matthew
Both Luke 5:27 and Mark 2:14 mention a tax collector named Levi:
27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name
of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to ...
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
4answers
343 views
What evidence is there to support the position that the Bible is truly the Word of God to mankind?
Christianity generally accepts the Bible to be the Word of God, and the Bible itself makes this claim (i.e. 2 Peter 1:16-21).
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to
...
8
votes
3answers
111 views
Are the gospel authors who we believe them to be?
What I'm wondering is whether the actual authors of the book of John, Luke, Matthew, and Mark are who we believe them to be. I go to a Catholic high school, and in our version of the Bible it says, in ...
8
votes
4answers
323 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 ...
8
votes
1answer
99 views
What's the biggest time gap between two chronologically consecutive books of the Bible?
What's the biggest time gap between two chronologically consecutive books of the Bible?
Honestly I don't even know the correct chronological sequence of all the books of the Bible, but I am quite ...
8
votes
2answers
72 views
Determining literary types in the Bible
Much of the Bible is historical narrative. Other parts, such as many of Psalms, are poems - rife with figurative phrases (often surrounding a specific event or need or desire). Other parts are ...
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 ...
7
votes
7answers
391 views
Is there a way to prove the God of the Bible?
I understand that there is an element call faith to believe a system of belief. But my question is, are there valid arguments to prove God to someone who does not believe? Or at least to present God ...
7
votes
5answers
647 views
How would a Christian explain the “contradiction” of homosexuality?
In the bible it is said many times that homosexuality is a sin, however love is the most imortant thing, and compassion is important as well; love your neighbour as yourself.
How would a Christian ...
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 ...
7
votes
5answers
1k views
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 ...
7
votes
3answers
391 views
Is there any biblical justification for referring to God as Mother?
On one occasion, I heard someone prayer, "To God, our Father and Mother." In The Shack, the Trinity is represented as three persons, where God the Father is a woman.
Is there any biblical ...
7
votes
3answers
209 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 ...
7
votes
4answers
288 views
Is illness sometimes a result of a sin?
There are children born ill, blind or have heart or mental issues etc.
But can an illness be a result of a sin:
If a child is born ill, is it possible because of the parents' sins ?
If someone ...
7
votes
2answers
83 views
Why is literary style not inspired?
During Religious Ed. last night the review book had a question that we didn't see explained in the text (using Faith and Life Series for 7th Grade).
It asked, "what part of scripture was not ...
7
votes
3answers
179 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 ...
7
votes
2answers
296 views
The effect of poison on Christians
Can someone explain me these passages about the effect of poison?
Who is immune to poison?
Why do they have this trait?
Why isn't anyone today immune to poison?
Mark 16:17-18
17And these ...
7
votes
3answers
645 views
What is the biblical basis for the prohibition of instruments in worship?
I understand that some Protestant churches prohibit the use of musical instruments in their worship services. What is the specific biblical basis for this practice, or, if there is no specific ...
7
votes
2answers
72 views
Ruth, Solomon, Boaz
Was Ruth's husband, Boaz named after the column by the temple of Solomon or vice versa? Or was this a quiescence? Was this a common name for boys?
Ruth 2:1 ESV
Now Naomi had a relative of her ...
7
votes
2answers
213 views
Why are the books of the Protestant Bible in the order that they are in?
I am curious why the books of the Protestant Bible are in the order that they are in?
Someone told me they thought the books were in some sort of chronological order - is that true? (I know the ...
7
votes
3answers
109 views
Are chapter and verse divisions international?
If someone quotes e.g. Leviticus 6:7, will this be the correct position no matter the language or translation?
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 ...
7
votes
3answers
592 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
627 views
Where does the Bible say to read itself?
It seems rather basic, but I'm having trouble finding verses that say to read God's Word often. It seems like something that Paul said quite a few times, and it's obviously a good thing, but I can't ...
7
votes
5answers
217 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 ...
7
votes
2answers
140 views
If you are forgiven through the Grace of God, why do you need an Indulgence?
Ephesians 2:8,9 (NIV)
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
And from ...
7
votes
2answers
88 views
What does it mean to be perfect?
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 NKJV)
So, God expects us to be perfect. What is meant by "perfect"? How can any human be without error, ...
7
votes
7answers
623 views
What are the biblical arguments against the papacy and papal succession?
The Catholic Church teaches that Peter was the first pope and that papal succession continued down through history to the present day. However, neither the Orthodox nor the Protestant churches ...
7
votes
2answers
189 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 ...
6
votes
8answers
206 views
Are the Bible and God the same… thing/being?
Or why do people here always ask "What does the Bible say?"... why not ask the proper "What does God say?".
6
votes
5answers
264 views
Isn't reincarnation affirmed by the Bible?
Malachi 4:5:
I will send you the prophet Elijah. He will come before the day of the Lord arrives. It will be a great and terrifying day
Jesus says in Matthew 11:14
"and if you are willing ...
6
votes
4answers
317 views
Why did Mary ask Jesus to make wine at the Wedding at Cana
The Wedding at Cana is the only instance AFAIK where Mary asks Jesus to perform a miracle.
Is there any indication or insight as to why she did so ? Was the family very close to her/them ?
Or was ...
6
votes
3answers
272 views
Why is Song of Solomon in bible?
Can someone explains what the song is all about. I read it and I found that the characters are not husband wife. I want to understand the context in which the poem is written and a jist of the same.
6
votes
4answers
236 views
Why didn't God omit non-essential information from the Bible?
In the Bible you'll find passages like -
Exodus 37 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits
long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.[a] 2 He
overlaid it ...
6
votes
4answers
360 views
What is the significance of the Bible to Christianity?
What exactly is the significance of the Bible to Christianity?
Is Christianity defined by the Bible?
If so, is belief in the Bible the most important (or foundational) belief in Christianity? Is ...
6
votes
4answers
430 views
New Testament inconsistency - opening of Jesus' tomb
As it was mentioned in this topic, reading the New Testament side by side, one can pick up apparent inconsistencies in the Gospels by various Disciples. As it was suggested that they should be ...
6
votes
3answers
223 views
What happens to people outside Earth on the second coming?
When Jesus returns, or the rapture,etc, and we having the events surrounding it, the bible says the whole earth will see it, day or night. Does the bible mention what happens to humans not on Earth, ...
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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
601 views
Is there biblical evidence of “cavemen”?
Do old earth Christians believe that there were cavemen in early times? This is not to say people who lived in caves but more as what is pictured in early evolution.
I hope I'm wording this correctly ...
6
votes
2answers
173 views
What is the biblical basis against baptismal regeneration?
Several different denominations teach that water baptism is a prerequisite for (or is essential for) salvation. What is the biblical basis against this teaching?
6
votes
1answer
143 views
What is the Biblical basis against being able to predict the date of the end of the world?
Recently, there have been a few people who have predicted the end of the world. Historically, the Jehovah's Witnesses (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) have also predicted the end of the world ...
6
votes
2answers
295 views
What are the biblical arguments that the Bible canon is closed?
Some religions claim to have a newer revelation of God; the Book of Mormon and the Qur'an are presented to be the latest revelation of God.
The Old Testament closes with a climax of expectation of ...
6
votes
2answers
188 views
What is the biblical justification for allowing only male pastors? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the biblical justification for permitting female pastors?
What is the biblical justification for allowing only male pastors?
How do churches excluding women ...
6
votes
2answers
77 views
Is there a projection of when Bible translation into all the languages of the world will be complete?
The Bible has been translated into more languages than any other book by far. Wycliffe Bible Translators and others continue to do this in more and more languages. This is seen by many to be part of ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Difference between Gospel and Bible
The title almost says it all:
What's the difference between the Gospel and The Bible? did one contain another of what?
What does each one include?
Where did every one come from (or who authored ...
6
votes
1answer
186 views
The Truth about Rapture
I don't like questioning anyone's faith but one of my friends is a mainstream Christian (Uniting Church) and she believes very firmly in the phenomenon of "rapture".
As I understand it, rapture is ...
6
votes
3answers
5k views
What is the meaning of Psalm 137:9
Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
Whenever I debate someone about Bible literal-ism they usually mention Psalm 137:9 KJV. Based on the Protestant ...
