The body of beliefs or teachings on a given topic, established or supported by a given group of people
5
votes
4answers
476 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
3answers
70 views
What makes a Council's conclusions authoritative?
I was just reflecting on an answer to a question I recently asked, and began to wonder... How do we know the conclusions of a given Council were true? Are all findings by Christian Councils ...
4
votes
2answers
161 views
What is the Biblical argument against Limited Atonement?
The "L" in the "tulip* acronym for reformed theology stands for limited atonement, which is defined as follows:
Sometimes called 'particular redemption,' the view that Jesus' death
secured ...
1
vote
7answers
296 views
Religious justification for creating a large angry scene with the ostensible purpose of making people not gay
Yesterday, as I imagine happens at many places, a person came to my university, and for 6 hours or so, talked about "thousands of ex-homosexuals experiencing the love of Jesus Christ" and about how ...
7
votes
4answers
123 views
What is “heresy”?
I have seen the word "heresy" used on this site a lot recently (and have used it myself a couple of times in jest) but I was wondering if someone could explain the meaning of this term as it is used ...
6
votes
1answer
58 views
What is a “Pentecostal Catholic”?
One of my new neighbors is a "Pentecostal Catholic" from India. I have heard of this denomination before, during an Evangelical Missiological Society conference, but didn't have a reason to ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
173 views
Is the biblical idea of being “born again” compatible with eastern religious ideas of reincarnation?
Just a simple question: is the biblical idea of being born again compatible with eastern religious ideas of reincarnation?
4
votes
3answers
251 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, ...
5
votes
2answers
219 views
What do Christians mean by “Jesus took our illnesses upon himself on the cross” and why?
Having a bit of holiday over Christmas and New Year I'm going over some notes I've made of topics I want to look at.
One such question regards the use of terminology such as "Jesus took our illnesses ...
19
votes
7answers
278 views
Who was Melchizedek
Melchizedek ("King of Justice" in Hebrew) is mentioned in Genesis 14 as receiving the dime from Abraham, and breaking bread with him:
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: ...
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 ...
10
votes
1answer
194 views
Which doctrines are based solely on the apocrypha?
What Roman Catholic doctrines are based only in the 7 books canonized by the Roman church, but not accepted by Protestants. (e.g., Tobit, Judith, Maccabees, the additions to Daniel and Esther, etc...)
...
9
votes
1answer
170 views
Origin of “The Marks of the True Church”
In Reformed Theology, "the marks of a true church" are often delineated, to the effect of:
Church discipline
Teaching/preaching
Administration of the sacraments
(These are the marks often denoted ...
-1
votes
1answer
240 views
What is the correlation between cosmic energy and Christianity? [closed]
At Church (Calvary Chapel) I don't remember exactly what the pastor was talking about but he mentioned the phrase "cosmic energy" when relating to what it is to be in Christ.
I was surprised just by ...
4
votes
4answers
264 views
What do Protestants say was the source for the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary?
Not counting Martin Luther, who appears to have believed in the doctrine of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary, what do other Protestants think is the source and reason for Catholic adherence to the ...
5
votes
3answers
378 views
Are birthday celebrations ungodly?
Friday the 20th was my birthday and as usual, I'll just have a quiet time thanking God for my life. I don't fellowship with JWs anymore but my conscience will not allow me as to why at all I should ...
7
votes
3answers
178 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 ...
-1
votes
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 ...
10
votes
2answers
346 views
Are there any Christian groups that follow Matthew 23:9?
I was reading in Matthew and saw a fascinating command, directly from Jesus:
Matthew 23:9 (NWT)
Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One.
Are ...
4
votes
4answers
255 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
106 views
What was the debate at the Reformation concerning “non extra carnem” vs. “extra calvinisticum”?
In the debate concerning the "hypostatic union" and the "kenosis" the Lutheran church stood opposed to the majority position. I can not seem to find a good resource to explain the distinctives of the ...
5
votes
5answers
910 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
178 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, ...
10
votes
4answers
561 views
What is the biblical basis for salvation by faith alone (sola fide)?
One of the key issues in the Reformation was the doctrine of Sola Fide, that is, that salvation is by faith alone, apart from works.
What, then, is the biblical basis for this belief?
3
votes
4answers
129 views
Does following Christian spiritual law extremely, cause one to sin more?
Let me start with this:
Galatians 5:19-21 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature,
the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful
pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, ...
6
votes
2answers
237 views
What roles do faith and works play in the LDS/Mormon understanding of salvation?
A primary point in the Reformation was the issue of sola fide--the position that salvation is by faith alone, apart from works. This was to distinguish the position that works were necessary for ...
15
votes
8answers
258 views
If we're not instructed to do something, can we?
My question is spawned from the Church of Christ doctrine. I go to a Church of Christ university and our chapel is fully a Capella. However I've been raised baptist and music was always a part of ...
10
votes
7answers
598 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
126 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
680 views
What specific foods and drinks are forbidden by the LDS (Mormon) Church?
I understand that members of the LDS (Mormon) Church are prohibited from drinking coffee and perhaps some other drinks and possibly food, much like the Jewish people in the Old Testament were ...
-1
votes
2answers
187 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 ...
-5
votes
3answers
212 views
Are Christians socialists because they are commanded to share their wealth?
Someone told me that wealthy Mormons are supposed to give their money to poor ones. Is that true? What is the biblical basis for this?
Do they really do that? Is it mandated by certain denominations ...
5
votes
2answers
129 views
How are devout Christians viewed by other believers, when they are not delivered from “evil”?
If a devout Christian is not "delivered" in this life, how are they viewed by other Christians?
For example, a black Christian pastor in segregated America, who truly loves the Lord, is killed by ...
5
votes
3answers
87 views
Changes in Rome since Trent versus the Evangelicals
I am aware that there have been two wide spread movements to bring the Evangelical and Roman Catholic Churches closer together (ECT and ECT2). My question is this: What has changed in Roman Catholic ...
4
votes
1answer
143 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
250 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
130 views
What did Brigham Young teach regarding Blood Atonement, and is that doctrine still held today in the LDS/Mormon Church?
Brigham Young taught the doctrine of Blood Atonement that indicated the blood of Christ was insufficient to provide forgiveness for some sins. What are the specifics regarding the doctrine of Blood ...
5
votes
2answers
199 views
What was Brigham Young's teaching regarding Adam being God?
I understand that Brigham Young, the second Prophet of the LDS Church, taught what is known as the Adam-God doctrine for much of his tenure as Prophet of the Church.
What are the specifics with ...
-7
votes
2answers
137 views
What is the position of the church regarding the “Lunar Effect” theory? [closed]
Use of lunar calendar to foresee future events is a part of astrology, and astrology is a sin against Will of God.
There is research branch of biology called "selenobiology" which investigates ...
2
votes
2answers
255 views
What does the LDS (Mormon) church teach about who Jesus is and where He came from?
From the answer to another question, someone suggested that the LDS (Mormon) church teaches that Jesus is distinct from God--that though He is a part of the Godhead, the Godhead is not a Trinity ...
8
votes
2answers
372 views
According to the LDS Church (Mormons), what role do secret handshakes and passwords play into a person's entrance into heaven?
I have heard or read that in the Mormon Temple Ceremony, each person learns certain secret handshakes and passwords that are necessary for them to enter into heaven. I've also heard that a woman has ...
7
votes
2answers
277 views
What is the basis for the Catholic teaching that artificial birth control is immoral/sinful?
I understand that the original commandment to be fruitful and multiply involves reproduction. However, planning to wait a little bit here and there seems reasonable enough.
So, what is the reasoning ...
0
votes
4answers
162 views
Does the diversity in doctrines among Christian traditions indicate that there are multiple “truths”? [closed]
I am not familiar with the different Christian doctrines but as I've slowly come to understand it, it seems that answers differ depending on doctrine. Does this mean there are no definitive answers to ...
5
votes
1answer
136 views
In LDS (Mormon) theology, what is the Aaronic Priesthood and to whom is it conferred?
I understand that the LDS church institutes that Aaronic Priesthood. In the Old Testament, this was specifically reserved to the tribe of Levi and the family of Aaron.
and you shall gird Aaron ...
5
votes
2answers
198 views
What is the biblical basis for the doctrine against euthanasia?
It seems like the majority of Christian denominations oppose euthanasia, although I can't imagine it's universal.
What is the biblical basis against the euthanasia of the terminally ill and those who ...
10
votes
4answers
240 views
What is the doctrinal or Scriptural basis for a central Church authority
As explained in a previous question, one Baptist Distinctive is the rejection of a central Church authority (whether an individual or a governing body). Instead, we hold fast to the autonomy of the ...
5
votes
2answers
154 views
Does 2 Timothy 1:9 prove the Doctrine of Election?
2 Timothy 1:9 states:
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according
to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was
given us in Christ Jesus before ...
3
votes
1answer
76 views
What is the biblical basis for the position that Embryonic Stem Cell Research is immoral/sinful?
Many churches teach the embryonic stem cell Research is strictly wrong, while adult stem cell research is alright. What is the biblical basis for this teaching and why are the two distinguished?
