Tagged Questions
1
vote
1answer
116 views
How do mainstream Christians handle the Epistle of St. Barnabas' prophecy that Jesus will return in the next 50 years?
In the Epistle of Barnabas, it says
Barnabas 15:3 Of the Sabbath He speaketh in the beginning of the
creation; And God made the works of His hands in six days, and He
ended on the seventh day, ...
9
votes
2answers
339 views
What is meant by “Get behind me Satan”?
Considering
Matthew 16:23:
Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
Why did Jesus ...
1
vote
1answer
67 views
When was “time” created in Genesis?
When was "time" created in Genesis? Was it on "day three", when day and night were created?
2
votes
1answer
460 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
4answers
511 views
What does it mean to interpret the Bible literally?
Here are some common definitions from a dictionary for ‘literal’:
Being in accordance with, conforming to, or upholding the exact or primary meaning of a word or words.
Word for word; verbatim: a ...
16
votes
2answers
321 views
Is Knuth's 3:16 project unique?
Famous computer scientist Donald Knuth is also the author of 3:16 Bible Texts Illuminated (A-R Editions, 1990). This is a tour of the Bible using the methodology of "stratified random sampling", where ...
3
votes
4answers
930 views
What does the Bible say about giving your life away for Jesus?
On a Christian radio station I constantly hear the phrase "to give your life away for Jesus" but they never say what that means.
I am very confused about this concept. Any clarification is helpful, ...
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
156 views
What is agreed upon in all Christain denominations? [closed]
What are all the beliefs, doctrine, rules, etc. that are NOT in dispute by all the different Christian flavors and denominations? Is there anything considered consistent among all denominations?
...
7
votes
5answers
1k views
What does it mean “my God my God why have you forsaken me”?
What is the correlation between these two scripture?
Why Jesus felt forsaken if he knew what was going on?
Why was it mentioned in Old Testament as well as New Testament(in two places)?
Psalm ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
What does it mean “born of water” in John 3:5?
John 3:5 (NKJV)
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of
water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Does "born of water" means baptism i.e., ...
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?
1
vote
2answers
185 views
In the parable of the sower, what exegetical reasons are there to interpret the third type of soil to be genuine Christians?
In the parable of the sower, four types of soil are mentioned. It seems to be pretty commonly accepted that the first two types of soils represent unbelievers or "make believers". The fourth type of ...
6
votes
2answers
126 views
Was it Adino or his army that killed eight hundred at one time?
2 Samuel 23:8 KJV
These be the names of the mighty men whom David had:
The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the
same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear ...
5
votes
2answers
319 views
What did Jesus mean when He said we must “eat His flesh and drink His blood”?
In John 6, Jesus states that unless we eat His flesh and drink His blood, we have no life in us.
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of
the Son of Man and drink ...
10
votes
4answers
902 views
Why does Jesus speak of himself in the third person?
There are a number of places where Jesus refers to himself in the third person. The most common is when he uses the title 'Son of Man' (by my count, there are some 78 times Jesus uses that title in ...
3
votes
1answer
472 views
Why do women have inferior rights in the Bible? [closed]
The Bible has many parts (in both the Old and New Testaments) that shows the inferior status of women.
Does this come from status in ancient times or does it have another basis?
Why do woman today ...
7
votes
2answers
294 views
The effect of poison on Christians
Can someone explain me these passages about the effect of poison?
Who is immune to poison?
Why do they have this trait?
Why isn't anyone today immune to poison?
Mark 16:17-18
17And these ...
10
votes
3answers
522 views
What is the interpretation of the bow in the cloud after the Flood?
After the Flood abates, God reassures Noah that it was a one time event:
Genesis 9:13 (ESV)
I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
The ...
8
votes
2answers
770 views
Is Levi from Luke 5:27 and Mark 2:14 referring to the apostle Matthew
Both Luke 5:27 and Mark 2:14 mention a tax collector named Levi:
27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name
of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to ...
14
votes
2answers
179 views
By what mechanism could the Bible be inerrant?
For those who believe in the inerrancy of the Bible (or those who understand the positions of those who do), how can the Bible have this status given all the opportunities for any message delivered by ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
What is so special about sitting at God's “right hand”?
This concept seems to show up in a few places:
Psalms 110:1 (NIV)
The LORD says to my lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”
...
10
votes
2answers
203 views
Where is the dead body in Luke 17?
Jesus talks about the coming of the Kingdom of God in Luke 17:20-37. This passage raises four related questions for me:
Is this talking about the Rapture?
Where is "a dead body", that Jesus mentions ...
8
votes
2answers
72 views
Determining literary types in the Bible
Much of the Bible is historical narrative. Other parts, such as many of Psalms, are poems - rife with figurative phrases (often surrounding a specific event or need or desire). Other parts are ...
6
votes
3answers
254 views
What is the significance of “Zealot” in Acts 1:13?
When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and ...
15
votes
3answers
244 views
How can the Son not know what the Father knows?
Matthew 24:36 (NLT)
Mark 13:32 (NLT)
36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father ...
14
votes
4answers
470 views
Is it possible for a human to stop sinning? (Is X a sinner?) [closed]
It's a familiar tale.
The Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery. They asked if she should be stoned. Jesus (after a bit) said "Let him that is without sin among you first cast the ...
9
votes
2answers
269 views
Will curses have any impact or effect on Christians?
Christians believe that Jesus saved us by His blood. Since God is the only true God and through Jesus we have victory over Satan, it is claimed that we do not have to fear on curses.
But I hear many ...
5
votes
4answers
757 views
What does 'first estate' mean in Jude 1:6 (KJV)?
Jude 1:6 (emphasis mine):
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
...
18
votes
9answers
2k views
What is “The Parable of the Shrewd Manager” about?
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (full text below) is perhaps one of the hardest parables to interpret. At first glance it seems to be about rewarding dishonesty!
What lesson is Jesus teaching His ...
1
vote
1answer
407 views
Is Leviticus 14 describing a cure for leprosy?
It seems like a "cure" for leprosy that involves taking two birds, killing one and dipping the other in the blood of the first, then sprinkling the blood in a particular fashion, multiple times.
...
7
votes
5answers
639 views
How would a Christian explain the “contradiction” of homosexuality?
In the bible it is said many times that homosexuality is a sin, however love is the most imortant thing, and compassion is important as well; love your neighbour as yourself.
How would a Christian ...
26
votes
5answers
2k views
Who were the “giants” mentioned in the Bible?
I've come across several verses in the Bible that speak of "giants". For example:
Gen 6:4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the ...
13
votes
1answer
104 views
Does the Bible itself give us clues about which parts to interpret literally and which figuratively?
I know that the question may seem a little bit self-referential but I ask it anyway:
There is often great controversy among Christians what parts of the Bible are to be interpreted literally and what ...
11
votes
4answers
137 views
Does the Bible give any reason as to why its content is sometimes difficult to interpret?
As evidenced by this site, and the divisions between various Christian denominations, there seems to be a lot of different ways some passages in the bible can be interpreted.
One example is ...
12
votes
8answers
6k views
What is the significance of Jesus seeing Nathanael under the fig tree?
In John 1:46-50, Nathanael is introduced to Jesus for the first time.
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son ...
12
votes
2answers
255 views
What does it mean to comment on scripture with scripture?
What does it mean to "comment on a verse with a verse" or "only scripture can explain scripture"? I see these kinds of comments popping up in comment threads that discuss the meaning of a verse.
What ...
24
votes
7answers
2k views
Why did Jesus protest before performing his first miracle?
In John 2:1-12 we read of Christ's first miracle, turning water into wine. Before he performs his miracle, though, he says to his mother:
“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour ...
11
votes
1answer
258 views
Are these Bible verses referencing UFOs?
Ezekiel 1:16:
This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.
Exodus 13:22:
...
16
votes
4answers
330 views
Was the flood of Noah global or local?
Genesis 7 and 8 describes the flood of Noah, and says in part:
The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. They rose greatly on the earth, ...
25
votes
9answers
1k views
What is the specific meaning of “day” in Genesis 1?
In the Creation account in Genesis 1 (and 2), God's work of Creation is famously split into 7 "days". For example, the first "day" occurs in verse 5:
Genesis 1:5 (NLT)
God called the light "day" ...
10
votes
1answer
1k views
What is the biblical meaning of “sanctification”
I understand that sanctification is used as a post-reformational theological term to refer to the ongoing process of Christian growth.
But, biblically speaking, is this always what is meant? I know ...
17
votes
5answers
2k views
What is the meaning of “Let the dead bury their dead”
In Mathew 8:21-23 says "And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
And when he ...
17
votes
2answers
782 views
Interpretation of the scripture “One Lord, one faith, one baptism?”
Ephesians 4:5 states there is "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." Some Christians interpret this to mean that a single denomination (with its beliefs, doctrines, and practices) constitutes the "one ...
9
votes
4answers
691 views
What is the message of Matthew 9:5?
Matthew 9:1-8 (NIV)
1 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, ...
14
votes
3answers
294 views
Where does the Bible stand on vegetarianism?
The subject of vegetarianism (or dietary recommendations in general) appears to me to be a bit ambivalent in the Bible.
For example, Genesis 1:29 , Romans 14:21 and Isaiah 65:21-25 appear to endorse ...
41
votes
10answers
2k views
Does wine really mean wine in the Bible?
In discussions I have had in the past over the acceptability of a Christian drinking alcohol I have heard that some 'dry' believers say that the wine in the Bible is not wine as we know it commonly ...
