The body of beliefs or teachings on a given topic, established or supported by a given group of people
42
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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?
...
29
votes
8answers
893 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 ...
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 ...
23
votes
4answers
634 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 ...
20
votes
4answers
203 views
Hand Picked Bible Applications
I understand that my question pokes at a sensitive area, but being a nonreligious person in a largely Christian region, I find it extremely dissatisfying to leave such a core aspect of my neighbor's ...
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: ...
18
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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 ...
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 ...
14
votes
1answer
336 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.
...
13
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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 ...
13
votes
5answers
197 views
How old is the idea of premillenial rapture?
Wikipedia claims that the doctrine of rapture was first formed in the 17th century:
The concept of the Rapture, in connection with premillennialism, was expressed by the 17th-century American ...
13
votes
2answers
1k views
When did “tithing” come to mean “giving 10% of your gross income to the Church”?
I know the word "tithe" has "tenth" built into it, and so some Christians assume that every usage of the word "tithe" in Scripture is referring to "giving 10% of your gross income to the church." But ...
12
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9answers
5k views
What does the Bible say about life before conception?
I recently spoke with a friend of mine and he was wondering if we are alive before conception. We know that there is life after death according to the Bible, but what does the Bible say about "life" ...
12
votes
4answers
455 views
Since God provided for the forgiveness of sins in the Old Testament, why do we need Jesus?
I thought of this when I was researching this question.
Leviticus 4 goes into great detail about the sacrifice that must be made in order for a sin to be forgiven. However, we see here that God ...
11
votes
3answers
177 views
When did Mary and Joseph learn that they were never supposed to have marital relations, according to Roman Catholic doctrine?
Roman Catholic doctrine teaches that Mary remained a virgin her entire life, even after marrying Joseph. It would seem that Joseph and Mary, at their betrothal, had likely expected to have, and ...
11
votes
2answers
352 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 ...
11
votes
1answer
211 views
Are there any Protestant beliefs which have their roots in Mormon doctrines?
Protestants often associate Mormonism with outlandish1 doctrines like innumerable Gods, people living on the sun, or special underwear that you can't take off2. But I am curious what lies at the ...
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?
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 ...
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 ...
10
votes
2answers
242 views
Do Priests, Cardinals, and Popes have a confessional to which they themselves can/should/must go?
The confessional is a standard practice of the Roman Catholic Church where church members may (or must) go to confess their sins to a priest. As I understand it, the priest then decides whether or ...
10
votes
7answers
597 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
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...)
...
10
votes
2answers
113 views
What test is used to determine communicability of an attribute of God
I understand that some attributes of God are said to be communicable, meaning that they can, in some measure, be attributes of men as well. For example, God's holiness is said to be communicable ...
10
votes
1answer
222 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?
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
3answers
119 views
Did Mary know she was sinless, according to Roman Catholic teaching?
The Roman Catholic Church teaches the Immaculate Conception that asserts Mary was conceived without sin and remained sinless for her entire life.
Assuming this to be true, did Mary know that she ...
9
votes
4answers
327 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 ...
9
votes
1answer
168 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 ...
9
votes
6answers
275 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 ...
9
votes
3answers
239 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 ...
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
453 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
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 ...
8
votes
2answers
510 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
2answers
125 views
Do any denominations have official doctrine regarding humans on other planets?
The recent discovery of an Earth-like planet caused me to wonder, do any Christian denominations have official doctrine regarding humans on other planets? If so, what is the doctrine?
Related: Does ...
8
votes
3answers
152 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
3answers
227 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
678 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
102 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 ...
8
votes
3answers
870 views
In which other churches do Roman Catholics recognise apostolic succession?
The Roman Catholic Church derives much of its claim to legitimacy from the teaching of "apostolic succession". Other churches also believe that their priests derive their authority in an unbroken ...
8
votes
1answer
84 views
What is the basis of the argument that asserts that Open Theism is heretical?
John Piper has said that open theism (i.e. the notion that God himself changes over time and can choose to be ignorant of His own future if He so chooses) "is an attack, however unwittingly, on the ...
8
votes
2answers
158 views
How do “Sola Fide” adherents reconcile with the three aspects of faith?
Historical Protestantism (particularly in the Lutheran and Reformed traditions) have since the Magisterial Reformation held to two doctrines relating what is required of an individual for salvation.
...
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 ...
7
votes
3answers
155 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?
7
votes
4answers
303 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
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 ...
7
votes
2answers
276 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 ...
7
votes
2answers
271 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 ...
