How a practice or belief may be derived from Scripture alone.
10
votes
1answer
144 views
What is the Biblical basis for Limited Atonement
Calvin, among his other points, includes the point that Atonement is Limited; ie that Christ's death was sufficient for all but only effective for the elect.
What is the Biblical basis of this ...
10
votes
1answer
84 views
Why do there appear to be two very different variations of “tongues” in the New Testament?
The first variety seemed to be without need for interpretation because all those who heard it heard their own language being spoken.
Acts 2:8 (NKJV):
And how is it that we hear, each in our own ...
9
votes
5answers
3k 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 ordinance after salvation, i.e. believers ...
9
votes
1answer
177 views
What is the Catholic stance on Embryo Screening?
Embryo Screening is the process of fertilizing multiple eggs, checking their DNA makeup, and then screening out the eggs that do not meet the requirements. These requirements can be anything from ...
9
votes
5answers
891 views
What is the Biblical basis for “righteous anger”?
What would be defined as "righteous anger"?
Ephesians 4:26 (ESV) says:
26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
So, is all anger justifiable if you don't sin? Or are ...
9
votes
1answer
186 views
What are halos?
Art (particularly Christian art, it seems) is filled with halos. There's halos on Jesus at the Last Supper; Jesus, Moses, and Elijah at the transfiguration; on angels; the virgin Mary; etc.
What ...
9
votes
1answer
84 views
What is Common Grace?
The term "Common Grace" is often thrown around in reformed circles. What is this concept? What is the scriptural basis for the belief?
9
votes
1answer
147 views
What is the basis for the doctrine of Biblical inerrancy?
Referencing one or more passage of scripture, and any seconday external sources, what is the supportable, Biblical basis for the doctrine of the innerrancy of the Bible?
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 ...
8
votes
4answers
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., ...
8
votes
4answers
3k views
In which country is the Garden of Eden located?
Genesis 2:15(NIV)
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it
and take care of it.
I'm curious to know, now, in which which country is the Garden of Eden located? ...
8
votes
2answers
909 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
333 views
Can I be homosexual and still be a Christian?
I am struggling with certain personal aspects of my life, and almost every Christian I ask about this issue seems to be against it. I know there are some few Christian people that are in favour of ...
8
votes
3answers
123 views
Are there any Biblical prophecies that were understood before they were fulfilled?
In a recent discussion on this site, someone told me that the nature of Biblical Prophecy is such that it cannot be understood prior to its fulfillment; that this is essentially the point of a ...
8
votes
3answers
182 views
Holiness of Mary and Joseph
Often in stain glass and other art, both Mary and Joseph are seen to have the 'halo' around them that also surround those of saints.
I was once told (by I think my religion teacher) that for Jesus, ...
8
votes
2answers
514 views
What is the Catholic stance against In Vitro Fertilization?
I was researching a different question and saw that some people find that In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is something that should be avoided on the basis of religious grounds.
Does anyone know what ...
8
votes
3answers
105 views
Is there a biblical basis or precedent for restricting women from serving in war?
In the United States, the Secretary of Defense just lifted the ban on women in combat. Many Christians seem to oppose this idea and believe that women should not be put in combat.
Is there a ...
8
votes
2answers
571 views
Defending your honor against a superior who accuses you falsely
Does the Bible say that an individual has an obligation to defend themselves in court (or in the court of public opinion) against an individual who you believe has some authority over you (like a wife ...
8
votes
3answers
154 views
What is the biblical basis for considering gender to be not merely physical/biological?
From the perspective of the tripartite nature of man--that men and women have a body, a soul, and a spirit--is there a biblical basis for the position that gender is not merely present in the body or ...
8
votes
1answer
216 views
Reason for the choice of new 12th Apostle?
In Acts 1:20 to 23, the Apostles are choosing the 12th Apostle who will replace Judas.
20 Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, ...
8
votes
3answers
152 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
99 views
Does the Bible stipulate priorities among personal allegiances?
I think it would be fairly well agreed among this audience that one's allegiance to God comes before all others. Aside from that, does the Bible have anything to say about "all others"?
Where, in ...
8
votes
1answer
116 views
Did Christians stop the practice of Berith (Brith, Bris?) immediately?
Did Christians stop the practice of Berith (Brith, Bris?) immediately and based on which scripture?
8
votes
5answers
918 views
What happens to marriage on the New Earth
I think I can safely say that humans were designed not to operate as a single solitary person but as part of a unit of two -- both as referenced by Gen 3:16-17 (see mentions of husband and wife in ...
8
votes
1answer
215 views
Does Ezekiel 28 speak of Satan (as “king of Tyre”)?
Ezekiel 28 speaks of the king of Tyre. I've heard it both taught and refuted that this refers to Satan. I also just recently saw an answer making this assumption.
Does the passage refer to Satan?
8
votes
1answer
253 views
What is the biblical basis for Dispensational Premillennialism?
Related:
What are the differences between the different millenialisms?
What is the biblical basis for Historical Premillennialism?
Dispensational Premillennialism is a view of the ...
8
votes
2answers
88 views
What Biblical basis do “separation traditions” have to support their beliefs?
There are a variety of Christian traditions that involve some level of separation from the world - monasticism, the Mennonites, Amish, Shakers, Quakers, etc.
We are told in the New Testament to be ...
8
votes
1answer
209 views
To what do the seven churches of Revelation refer?
I have heard of the Seven Church Ages interpretation of the seven churches of Revelation, specifically that each church identified there also represents ages of the church since that time. I've also ...
8
votes
1answer
98 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
5answers
289 views
How does the Bible differentiate between sickness and sin?
Jay Adams is probably the most pre-eminent Christian counselor who is still living. His nouthetic style of counseling, as explored in books such as Competent to Counsel, The Christian Counselor's ...
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
2answers
358 views
Is there any Biblical basis for hating homosexuals?
As I was raised: God is all-loving, and He wants us to be all-loving too.
But, as you may know, homosexuals—particularly in America—have been shown hatred, and even violence (1)(2)(3)(4) from some ...
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
230 views
What Biblical support is there for a non-Churched Christianity?
I'm interested in people who say "I'm a Christian, but I don't go to church."
I understand the sentiment - it really fits in well with the "spiritual, but not religious" Zeitgeist, and it seems to ...
7
votes
2answers
441 views
Is there any Biblical basis for baby dedications?
Many churches do not practice infant baptisms, because they believe that in the Bible baptism is taught to be something done after a person chooses to follow Christ.
As an alternative, many of those ...
7
votes
3answers
589 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
2answers
293 views
Why is freemasonry considered by many evangelicals to be incompatible with Christianity?
Many Protestant and Evangelical churches and Christians view freemasonry as incompatible with Christianity and teach that a Christian should not be a member of the group.
What is the basis, biblical ...
7
votes
1answer
620 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
1answer
136 views
What is the basis of the LDS (Mormon) belief that the Apostle John never died?
I was recently informed that the LDS Church teaches that the Apostle John never actually died and is, presumably, still on earth somewhere today.
What is the Biblical and/or other basis for this ...
7
votes
2answers
186 views
Basis for the concept of an “Age of accountability”
Having attended Baptist Churches for years, I've often heard the term "age of accountability" bandied about.
The idea is that if a child dies at a young age - before reaching the "age of ...
7
votes
2answers
107 views
Will all that are lost be saved?
In Luke 15, Jesus gives one parable of a man that lost 1/100 sheep, and rejoiced when that sheep was found. And another parable of a woman who lost 1/10 silver coins, and rejoices much when she finds ...
7
votes
2answers
73 views
What is the Biblical basis the for Immutable Nature of God?
Dei Filius sayeth this:
God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever be in opposition to truth. The appearance of this kind of specious contradiction is chiefly due to the fact that either the ...
7
votes
1answer
191 views
What is the purpose of church discipline?
What is the end goal or purpose of church discipline and how is this defined in Scripture? What is the relation (if any) between church discipline and God's discipline?
Lets keep the implementation ...
7
votes
2answers
82 views
When did Jesus send the Holy Spirit?
I've always assumed that the Holy Spirit did not make his presence known amongst men until Pentecost. Famously, in Acts 2, the Spirit descends upon the first believers, gives them power of speech, ...
7
votes
4answers
199 views
According to the Bible, what kind of debt, if any, is lawful?
The Bible has some strong things to say about debt. In the total witness of the Bible, is all debt considered sinful? Or can we differentiate between types of debt, and say that some are lawful while ...
7
votes
1answer
204 views
What is the biblical basis for Historical Premillennialism?
Related:
What are the differences between the different millenialisms?
What is the biblical basis for Dispensational Premillennialism?
Historical Premillennialism is a view of the ...
7
votes
1answer
367 views
If one divorces is it considered adultery to marry again no matter what the circumstances were for this decision?
Jesus teaching on marriage said:
Matthew 19:9 (NKJV)
9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
Why isn't the virgin birth of Jesus mentioned in all of the gospels?
I recently saw Bill Maher's documentary and he mentions that the virgin birth is only mentioned in two of the gospels. He goes on to bug Christian people several times by asking questions such as "How ...
6
votes
6answers
437 views
In light of Mark 10, how can Christians in good conscience purchase luxury items?
In Mark 10:25, Jesus states...
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:25 NIV)
After hearing his Disciples ...
6
votes
4answers
395 views
Does a Christian have a responsibility to participate in government?
I have heard it said many times that it is the responsibility of Christian to participate in their government, specifically that every Christian has the responsibility to vote. Is there some biblical ...
