How a practice or belief may be derived from Scripture alone.
4
votes
1answer
118 views
How does Reformed theology interpret 1 Corinthians 9:27
This questions is aimed at those Christians who frequently refer to living people as "saved" or "unsaved", and especially to those who believe that someone saved can't become "unsaved" later.
At least ...
2
votes
1answer
474 views
What does the Bible say in regards to technological development? [closed]
With regards to technological advances, the study of technology and continuing to make medical and convenience advancements that prolong life, and the "playing god" complex.
What does the Bible have ...
10
votes
3answers
307 views
What is the Biblical or traditional precedent or command regarding praying before meals?
A very common Christian practice is to "say grace" or to "give thanks" before each meal. What is the Biblical precedent or command for this? In other words, why do we give thanks then and not before ...
1
vote
1answer
55 views
What relationship, if any, does the Feeding of the Multitudes in Mark have to this passage in Goethe's Faust?
I'm reading Goethe's Faust and I came upon this passage, spoken by Mephistopheles:
For Devils and for spectres this is law: Where they have entered in,
there also they withdraw. The first is ...
1
vote
2answers
544 views
What place does Lilith have in Christianity?
There was a show on the History channel stating that some scholars believe Adam and Eve were alive with a third human, Lilith. Lilith disobeyed Adam and Eve, so God sent her to live on earth as a ...
2
votes
2answers
208 views
Where does Jesus stand on war and peace? [closed]
I see this quote
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on Earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a ...
14
votes
3answers
1k views
Why was taking census a bad thing?
In Chronicles, David took a census on the people of Israel. However, God became angry at this, and he proceeded to destory about 70,000 people in result.
1 Chronicles 21:1-16: 1Satan rose up ...
12
votes
4answers
245 views
How could Jesus get followers so easily?
Reading how Jesus called his disciples, I am always perplexed at how they just leave everything and start following him. An example passage:
Matthew 4:18-22 (ESV)
18 While walking by the ...
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
185 views
Is 1 Thessalonians 4:17 the only verse that supports the rapture?
Are there any verses in the Bible besides 1 Thessalonians 4:17 that support the doctrine of the rapture?
4
votes
2answers
81 views
What is the basis for ascribing any fiscal policy to Jesus?
In the United States, specifically on the Right, many Republican / Tea-Party, Evangelical Christians have very little problem in ascribing a moral motive for a tight fiscal policy which restricts ...
14
votes
5answers
779 views
What is the Biblical evidence against the perpetual virginity of Mary?
I understand that the Roman Catholic Church teaches that Mary is the eternal virgin in that she never had sexual relations with Joseph (or any other man)--either before or after the miraculous ...
3
votes
4answers
398 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 ...
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 ...
10
votes
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 ...
6
votes
4answers
396 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 ...
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
90 views
Identifying the Three and the One in Scripture in light of the Trinity
I am very interested in learning more about the Trinity. I love God, and really want to understand Them better.
..I mean Him. This came to my mind earlier, and I laughed, but then caught myself, ...
22
votes
7answers
5k views
According to the Bible, do animals have souls?
Randy Alcorn claims in his book Heaven (page 374) that animals have souls, though not necessarily like humans. Is there any Biblical support for this?
6
votes
2answers
589 views
Are the twelve spiritual disciplines biblically sound?
I was reading about Renovaré and came across the "twelve spiritual disciplines": meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, and ...
-1
votes
1answer
33 views
Where can one find out details about the Hebrew New Testament? (Peshitta) [closed]
Somewhat odd question:
I am looking for information on the New Testament
Hebrew sites also will be
like
הברית החדשה
2
votes
2answers
450 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
338 views
Biblical Support for a Paul Washer Quote
Paul Washer often uses the following quote
The last thing the accursed person will hear when they take their first step into hell, is all of creation standing to its feet and applauding God ...
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 ...
10
votes
3answers
868 views
What scripture is James 4:5 referring to?
James 4:5 (ESV)
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?
I don't know of an Old Testament passage ...
8
votes
2answers
912 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 ...
13
votes
3answers
2k views
What's the significance of hyssop in John 19:29?
There is just one verse in the New Testament that refers to hyssop and is not referring to the Old Testament:
John 19:29 (NLT)
A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in ...
4
votes
6answers
495 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?
5
votes
4answers
485 views
Does every sin affect other people?
Clearly Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden affected everyone. And clearly if you murder someone, or commit adultery, it affects others. But are there sins which do not affect other people?
What I am ...
5
votes
1answer
175 views
What is the scriptural basis for liberation theology?
Gustavo Gutierrez is the theologian most associated with the concept of Liberation Theology, a theology that is highly popular amongst liberals and South Americans. Some of its main points include:
...
26
votes
10answers
621 views
Biblical basis for baptism as a prerequisite for salvation
Some people believe that if you have not been baptized, you cannot be saved.
Others (including myself) believe that it is merely the outward declaration of what has already happened in the heart.
...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
When did Satan get cast out of heaven? Or is that yet to come?
This answer explains that it happened after Jesus ascended, and might even be something that will happen in the "End Times", but this answer says that it happened before Adam and Eve sinned.
What ...
2
votes
3answers
103 views
The Bible and art
I was wondering what instructions, if any, the bible places on the creation of art. I imagine anything that is forbid by the Bible would be disallowed to be put in a piece of art, but I can not seem ...
2
votes
1answer
167 views
When might a Christians consider taking anti-depressants or psychiatric medications? [closed]
There seems to be a variety of views about Christian use of medicine. I am not looking for answers related to the extreme position that God heals everybody if you only have faith. This seems far ...
4
votes
3answers
252 views
How do we identify false teachers?
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, ...
6
votes
3answers
432 views
When were the angels created?
I was preparing a lesson for Sunday school and came across this passage in the teaching material:
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, who ...
2
votes
1answer
56 views
Is it sinful to prophesy using the Bible?
My pastor correlates any event going on in the world as a sign of getting closer to the return of Christ, using all different quotes from the book of Revelation.
I remember Jesus saying something ...
3
votes
3answers
126 views
Do the people God sends to challenge His people (for His Glory) have salvation?
Romans 9:17
17 In the Scriptures God says to Pharaoh: “I made you king so that you
could do this for me. I wanted to show my power through you. I wanted
my name to be announced throughout ...
3
votes
1answer
425 views
What is the Christian perspective on the description of God?
My pastor (Calvary Chapel) referred to God as His father, then once said that God is everywhere and in everything (i.e. - inside each person) and then that God is Love.
So now I am confused as to ...
5
votes
1answer
133 views
Justification of Offertories according to the Regulative Principle of Worship
I was in a church today that considers itself to hold strictly to the regulative principle of worship (that which is not explicitly commanded for public worship in Scripture is implicitly condemned) ...
3
votes
2answers
232 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
4answers
221 views
Why did the Lord create Goliath? [closed]
It seems the biblical perspective is that God creates everything, so why did He create Goliath - and choose not to help him in the battle with David?
What did Goliath do (or not do) that he was not ...
6
votes
2answers
137 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?
5
votes
3answers
464 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 ...
14
votes
5answers
553 views
Should women give sermons?
"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let ...
10
votes
1answer
199 views
What is the biblical basis for the priesthood of all believers?
What is the biblical basis for the priesthood of all believers?
2
votes
5answers
187 views
Biblical support for why something is a sin?
I have heard, seen, and been in religious debates in the past where one of the participants eventually falls back on a line something akin to "it's a sin because the Bible says not to do it" or "it's ...
3
votes
3answers
138 views
There is more to know than that which is written
I have heard it said many times in religious/spiritual and/or typical conversation that "there is more to know than that which is written [in the bible]." Is this comment scripturally inspired? If so ...
1
vote
4answers
236 views
Is the threat of exposing sin a disqualifying event for a pastor?
Given the qualifications for an overseer in 1 Timothy 3:1-2 and Titus 1:7, would a pastor threatening to expose the sins of another pastor's family member unless he choose a course of action be a ...
3
votes
1answer
81 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, ...
