Doctrine is the body of beliefs or teachings on a specific topic as held by a specific tradition.
3
votes
2answers
178 views
From a Fundamentalist viewpoint, what does it mean to “take the Bible literally”?
In my previous answer on this question, while discussing Biblical Inerrancy, I stated:
The doctrine of inerrancy does not imply hyper-literalism. As noted
above, in the second possible mechanism ...
28
votes
9answers
1k views
Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God?
I'm not really sure where to go with this question, since it is a question regarding Christianity. Also, I'm seeking a Christian perspective on this rather than a Muslim one. So, I thought that this ...
14
votes
1answer
342 views
What is the Mormon doctrine regarding becoming a god?
Per the doctrine of the Latter Day Saints, it seems that God was once a man.
Following this out just one step further leads me to the idea that it may be possible for other men to be come a god.
...
42
votes
4answers
1k views
What is the biblical basis for the claim that abortion is immoral?
The Catholic church, as well as many other Christians, believes that abortion is inherently immoral, based on the belief that life begins at conception.
What is the biblical basis for this position?
...
8
votes
3answers
177 views
What is the doctrine of the Trinity?
What is the doctrine of the Trinity as defined by Christianity?
Obviously there are three entities involved: God the Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, but is there more to the definition?
10
votes
4answers
583 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?
13
votes
3answers
2k views
Are inter-faith marriages prohibited by the Bible?
Setting aside marriages of couples from two different Christian faiths, does the Bible address whether a Christian may marry a non-Christian?
I believe that the Old Testament prohibits Jews from ...
29
votes
8answers
940 views
What is unique about Christianity?
Inspired by this question: How do Christians explain to commonalities between their religion, other major faiths and obscure isolated tribal belief systems?
What is fundamentally unique about ...
12
votes
1answer
239 views
What do Catholics mean when they talk about the Real Presence in the Eucharist?
The Catholic Church is one of several denominations that teach the Real Presence, but they don't all have the same understanding of this doctrine. What is the Catholic understanding?
11
votes
2answers
380 views
Do the dietary prohibitions in Acts 15:20 apply to Christians today?
An answer to this question references Acts 15:20, which says --
(19) Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, (20) but should write to them to ...
10
votes
2answers
360 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 ...
8
votes
6answers
478 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 ...
9
votes
3answers
241 views
How does LDS doctrine reconcile monotheism with men becoming gods?
A follow-up to this question, if the LDS church teaches that men can become gods, how does it reconcile this with the concept that there is only one God?
Isaiah 45:5:
I am the LORD, and there is ...
4
votes
4answers
271 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 ...
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 ...
8
votes
3answers
233 views
What is the Calvinist perspective on regeneration?
When do Calvinists consider an elect person to be regenerate?
If it is at birth, then is it odd that someone who is "regenerate" is living in sin, up until the point of faith in Christ?
And if it is ...
10
votes
7answers
637 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
4answers
255 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
540 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
4answers
131 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
2answers
708 views
What doctrines teach that people are inherently good or bad?
Are we "basically sinful" or "basically good" (Are we born fundamentally sinful, or are we born holy but then 'fall' to temptation?).
What I really want are the names of the doctrines associated with ...
5
votes
2answers
44 views
What is the difference between being filled by the Holy Spirit and being indwelt by the Holy Spirit?
The book of Acts talks about people "being filled" with the Holy Spirit at various times. There is also the concept of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. From the perspective that asserts these are, ...
29
votes
8answers
1k views
Why do Jews not accept Jesus as the Messiah?
This is something that's always bothered me. However, it's something that has deep historical roots (all the way back to Jesus himself).
I've always been told that Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies ...
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 ...
19
votes
7answers
282 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: ...
11
votes
6answers
344 views
How can Heaven exist if we know that people in Hell will suffer?
Suppose for the following scenario that both the Christian Heaven and Hell exist.
My mother is a good Christian and loves me dearly.
I am an atheist, and will therefore go to hell upon death. [If ...
8
votes
3answers
163 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
134 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
163 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
174 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 ...
9
votes
4answers
412 views
“God desires all men to be saved” from a Calvinist perspective?
If I understand correctly, Calvinists believe that God selects certain people for salvation based solely on His will... that is, the selection has nothing to do with the people themselves.
My ...
8
votes
2answers
131 views
When did Peter become the first Pope, according to Roman Catholic doctrine?
Roman Catholic doctrine teaches that the apostle Peter was the first Pope. Exactly when did this occur?
I can imagine a few different options
When Jesus addressed Peter in Matthew:
I also ...
7
votes
1answer
127 views
From where do Jehovah's Witnesses derive the doctrine that Jesus was and now is Michael the Archangel?
According to some Watchtower literature, it is taught that Michael the Archangel is Jesus and that Jesus, after He ascended into heaven, resumed the name of Michael.
"It proves Michael the ...
7
votes
4answers
309 views
How do we make sure that we are on the rightful religion/path? [closed]
I borrowed (with permission) a question from Ahmed Han
Which is:
People of every religion claim that they are the ones in the right
path. Even the people of sects in these religions think that ...
7
votes
2answers
304 views
What do Lutherans mean when they talk about the Real Presence in the Eucharist?
The Lutheran Church is one of several denominations that teach the Real Presence, but they don't all understand it the same way. The Lutheran understanding differs significantly from the Orthodox and ...
6
votes
2answers
442 views
What is meant by “God is Omnipotent”?
I'm questioning my own understanding of the term "Omnipotence" in response so a comment on one of my answers.
In the comment, the poster included a definition of Omnipotence taken from the Wikipeda ...
3
votes
3answers
118 views
What is the biblical basis for considering gender to be purely physical/biological?
In my other question, I asked what the biblical basis was for considering gender to not be merely physical, but also present in a person's soul and/or spirit. However, there are some who believe that ...
3
votes
3answers
127 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
89 views
Which Roman Catholic doctrines are infallible?
I know that the Pope can speak infallibly (ex cathedra), and that this has officially been done once, as well as three times before Papal infallibility was formally declared. I would assume that any ...
2
votes
1answer
260 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 ...
15
votes
8answers
262 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 ...
9
votes
1answer
184 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
1answer
148 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?
7
votes
2answers
158 views
Why do Catholics believe that it is a priest's blessing that transforms the elements into the body and blood of Christ?
I understand that Catholicism teaches the doctrine of transubstantiation, that is, that the bread and wine of the Eucharist are transformed into the literal body and blood of Christ. This apparently ...
7
votes
1answer
105 views
In what manner does the LDS believe we may become like God? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the Mormon doctrine regarding becoming a god?
Lorenzo Snow, a prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stated:
As man is, God once was; as ...
6
votes
2answers
126 views
Why is Infant Baptism considered to be invalid by so many Protestant denominations?
Catholics and several Protestant denominations (and maybe even Orthodox churches) practice Infant Baptism, while many other Protestant denominations do not.
This question addressed the argument for ...
6
votes
1answer
52 views
What different acts do Catholic priests require of people who go to confession?
I understand that when people go to confessional in the Catholic Church, the priest will often prescribe certain things for them to do for penance in order for their sins to be forgiven.
I have heard ...
6
votes
2answers
238 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
332 views
Arguments for prosperity gospel
Prosperity gospel, as I understand it, is the teaching that God wants to bless us with wealth and health. I can't really see this in the Bible. For example, Paul writes in 2 Cor 12:7-10 (ESV):
7 ...
5
votes
3answers
387 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 ...
