How a practice or belief may be derived from Scripture alone.
34
votes
4answers
741 views
Biblical basis for the doctrine of the Trinity
The word/term "trinity" is never used in the Bible. However, most Christians believe that God exists as three persons in one God-head.
This question has two parts:
What is the Biblical basis for ...
16
votes
7answers
842 views
Do we have to obey the laws of the bible? If so, what laws?
I've read a ton about obedience in the bible and I realize that we have a responsibility to obey Jesus Christ. As it says in 2 Timothy 2:19 "God's foundation stands firm, sealed with his inscription. ...
13
votes
10answers
375 views
What is the essence of sin?
There are bound to be lots of questions like "Is X or Y a sin?". However, what is sin at its root and where in the Bible do we get our understanding of it?
4
votes
3answers
462 views
Biblical evidence for omnipotence/omniscience
Does GOD tell us in the bible he is almighty/omnipotent/omniscient, or are these attributes (greek?) philosophers and theologians merely ascribed to HIM?
24
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the biblical justification for permitting female pastors?
It seems that that 1Timothy 2:12-14 (NASB) says that women shouldn't be pastors. But there are many denominations that allow this.
1 Timothy 2:12-14 (NASB)
12 But I do not allow a woman to ...
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 ...
21
votes
4answers
323 views
What is the Biblical basis for Total Depravity?
Calvin, among his other points starts with the point that we are totally depraved and sinful from birth. What is the Biblical basis for this point?
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 ...
12
votes
6answers
3k views
Does the Bible condemn white lies?
Orthodox views on it state that any sort of lie is a sin by itself. More liberal Christians will say that it doesn't really mean that much provided it doesn't hurt anybody. But more importantly than ...
10
votes
2answers
348 views
What is the basis for Cessationism?
Cessationism is the belief held by some protestants that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as prophecy, do not occur in present day. The general thinking is that these gifts "ceased" at ...
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.
...
12
votes
5answers
236 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, ...
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 ...
15
votes
1answer
254 views
What is the basis for clerical celibacy?
In the Catholic Church, priests are required to stay celibate. (As far as I know, protestant priests that convert to Catholicism are allowed an exception -- they can become Catholic priests even if ...
14
votes
4answers
715 views
Does the Bible make any allusions to life on other planets?
What, if anything, does the Bible say either supporting the theory of life on other planets, or suggesting that there is none?
11
votes
2answers
290 views
Is there Biblical basis for unitarianism?
I ask this mostly in reaction to this question: Biblical basis for the doctrine of the Trinity
From what I've seen, the majority of Christians believe in Trinitarianism, but some believe in ...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
Are we born sinners? [closed]
We can be quite certain that God didn't originally create us as sinners. Rather Adam and Eve chose sin in the Fall.
The doctrine of original sin is widely held in Christian churches, but those ...
5
votes
3answers
130 views
Is God omniscient? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Biblical evidence for omnipotence/omniscience
I've always thought of God as all-knowing (omniscient).
However, when formulating another question, I realized that my ...
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 ...
13
votes
2answers
240 views
What is the Biblical basis for Unconditional Election?
Calvin, among his other points includes the point that we are Unconditionally Elected and chosen by God alone and nothing we can do can help or hurt this fact. What is the Biblical basis for this?
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?
3
votes
1answer
112 views
What is the biblical support for the moral-civil-ceremonial distinction of Old Testament laws?
I just asked this question looking for where this view point came from and when it was made popular.
Ceremonial Law: This type of law relates to Israel's worship. (Lev 1:1-13) The laws pointed ...
0
votes
1answer
120 views
Is Catholicism heretical due to perceived idolatry? [closed]
The King James Bible says,
Exodus 20:3-6 KJV
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of
any thing that is in heaven ...
11
votes
4answers
588 views
How do we get morals?
The Bible often makes references to the law being written on our hearts, for example:
The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom,
And his tongue talks of justice. The law of his God is ...
12
votes
3answers
208 views
Is “Love God and do whatever you please” scriptural?
St Augustine is famous for this quote, the full quote being:
"Love God and do whatever you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved."
I've ...
10
votes
4answers
1k views
Biblical basis for the separation of church and state
I know there are a lot of non-biblical arguments for the separation of church and state. Some Christians also support it on biblical grounds, but I've never looked into the matter myself. Which ...
12
votes
4answers
4k views
Does God test us?
I was working on a different question and I found that I couldn't actually find anywhere that shows that God actually tests us.
Psalms 26:2 (NIV)
Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and ...
11
votes
5answers
864 views
Can a Christian have clinical depression?
God can grant an amazing peace of mind to a person. Many Christians have been totally calm and prayed for their persecutors while being tortured and killed -- like Stephen, the first martyr.
But do ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
12
votes
3answers
500 views
What is the Bible and Christian view on Astrology?
Being on this site has given me an opportunity to reflect and investigate more my beliefs and gain a greater understanding of the beliefs of other Christians. I was raised being taught that astrology ...
11
votes
1answer
213 views
What is the Biblical basis for Irresistible Grace?
Calvin, among his other points, includes the point that when we are saved, we are irresistibly drawn to God and that there is nothing we can do to prevent this or cause this. What is the Biblical ...
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
1answer
192 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
288 views
Counterarguments to “KJV-only”?
Some people believe the King James Version of the Bible is the only version English-speakers should be using, as it is the only inspired translation. (This is referred to as "KJV-onlyism.")
...
4
votes
2answers
346 views
Does God care about who we were?
I got the following line from the movie Cowboys vs Alien.
God doesn't care who you were. He only cares who you are.
Taking it with a pinch of salt, I'd like to ask the community if this ...
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 ...
10
votes
1answer
198 views
What is the biblical basis for the priesthood of all believers?
What is the biblical basis for the priesthood of all believers?
10
votes
1answer
162 views
Christian response(s) to disaster survival, or Christian self-defense
Every year, "end times" and apocalyptic films, books, and articles are produced in both the wider popular culture, and in religious contexts. In almost every post-disaster scenario as typically ...
8
votes
2answers
516 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 ...
7
votes
3answers
591 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
3answers
159 views
Who is “Lucifer” in Isaiah 14?
In almost every case I've heard Isaiah 14:12-15 quoted or preached about, I'm told that these are the words of Satan in his rebellion against God.
Isaiah 14:12-15 (KJV):
12How art thou fallen ...
5
votes
2answers
189 views
What is the basis for Theonomy?
From Wikipedia,
Theonomy, from theos (god) and nomos (law), is the state of being
governed by God or in accord with divine law.
It's also essentially the view that all types of government ...
5
votes
3answers
285 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 ...
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 ...
18
votes
13answers
2k views
What is a Christian's justification for a legal prohibition of homosexual marriage?
Today President Obama came out as the first U.S. president to support gay marriage. In his address, he even quoted scripture to support his change of view.
Love him or hate him, it seems clear that ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
129 views
What is the origin of the Doctrine of Trinity?
My understanding is that "Trinity" is not is not used in the Christian Bible to define the three hypostases: God, Christ, and Holy Spirit. What then is the historical origin of the Doctrine of the ...
4
votes
5answers
151 views
What is the biblical argument against the claim that Jesus is just “a god”, but not “God Almighty”?
As I understand it, Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus is a god, but not God Almighty. However, this goes against the teaching of the majority of Christian denominations and certainly evangelical ...
