Exegesis is the critical interpretation of a Biblical text, to explore its meaning, significance and relevance.
15
votes
3answers
351 views
What is the specific meaning of “die” in Genesis 2?
Genesis 2:16-17 (NIV):
16And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you ...
26
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" ...
3
votes
1answer
421 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 ...
7
votes
2answers
296 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 ...
12
votes
6answers
322 views
What does “in the image of God” mean?
Genesis 1:26:
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild ...
6
votes
3answers
271 views
Is there Biblical support for Hell?
One of the common tenets of Christian Universalism (as well as Annihilationism) is the non-existence of Hell as an eternal punishment for non-Christians, that everyone has been granted salvation ...
15
votes
4answers
425 views
Why do OEC discount the literal interpretation of the book of Genesis?
This is to rephrase the question Are scientific findings a test to Christians' Faith?
It seems to me that, without any outside interference, the Bible itself gives no suggestion that the Book of ...
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 ...
6
votes
5answers
231 views
Does God hate unborn children?
Did God hate unborn Esau?
Romans 9:11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good
or bad ... 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I
hated.”
How does this square ...
18
votes
2answers
257 views
How did Judas die?
Judas Iscariot committed suicide when he realized the evil that he had done.
Matthew 27:3-5 (KJV)
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, ...
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
214 views
What does it mean that all scripture is God-Breathed?
In 2 Tim 3:16, Paul writes
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness (NIV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and ...
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 ...
16
votes
4answers
331 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, ...
11
votes
2answers
208 views
1 John Chapter 1 & 3 - Is there an apparent contradiction?
I have often wondered why the author of 1 John, in the beginning of his letter, seems to claim that even though people have accepted Christ they will continue to sin, but two chapters later he seems ...
16
votes
2answers
322 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 ...
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 ...
13
votes
5answers
570 views
Blood transfusions and Christianity?
Inspired by this question, if we choose to allow a doctor to heal us, how far is too far?
In Lev 17:13-14:
13 “‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among you who hunts any
animal or bird ...
13
votes
3answers
260 views
Does God hate Sinners like he hates Sin?
I've heard it a thousand times, God loves the sinner but hates the sin. Recently I came across a verse in Psalms 5:5
Psalm 5:5 King James Version (KJV) 5The foolish shall not stand in
thy ...
11
votes
4answers
196 views
What guidelines or rules should be used when interpreting the Bible?
It seems that a lot of misunderstanding of the Bible comes from scripture being taken out of context. What are some other rules or guidelines for taking a literal or first interpretation (like 'Jesus ...
8
votes
6answers
454 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
3answers
288 views
How valid is the JEDP theory?
The JEDP theory basically states that the first five books of the bible (the Pentatauch) were not written by a single person, but rather by four different people.
I'm trying to understand if this ...
7
votes
1answer
210 views
What is the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 5:22?
Inspired by an answer to one of my other questions, what is the proper meaning of 1 Thessalonians 5:22?
KJV
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
NIV:
reject every kind of evil.
NKJV
...
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 ...
24
votes
7answers
3k 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 ...
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: ...
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 ...
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 ...
9
votes
3answers
317 views
What is the non-abstract definition of love according to the Bible?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily ...
6
votes
2answers
140 views
How does spiritual maturity affect our hermeneutic (how we interpret the Bible)?
The are various Bible passages that compare learning to the phase of infancy to adulthood. I assume children and adults have a similar hermeneutic, in terms of logic, yet they do not see things the ...
18
votes
5answers
804 views
Why is “elohim” translated as “God” and not “gods”? [closed]
I was looking at the Holman Christian Standard Bible and I saw that Elohim is plural. Were it to be translated plural it would read something like:
"In the beginning, gods created the heavens and ...
17
votes
5answers
3k views
What does it mean that Jesus fulfilled the law but did not abolish it?
We hear that we are no longer under the law. It even says so in Galations:
Galations 3:23-25
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith ...
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 ...
10
votes
4answers
903 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 ...
10
votes
3answers
854 views
What scripture is James 4:5 referring to?
James 4:5 (ESV)
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?
I don't know of an Old Testament passage ...
6
votes
3answers
255 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
89 views
Identifying the Three and the One in Scripture in light of the Trinity
I am very interested in learning more about the Trinity. I love God, and really want to understand Them better.
..I mean Him. This came to my mind earlier, and I laughed, but then caught myself, ...
14
votes
4answers
472 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 ...
14
votes
1answer
329 views
Why did Paul say “I am pure from the blood of all men”?
In Acts 20 Paul is saying his farewell to the elders of Ephesus. He is bringing to their memory the manner, in which he had spent all that time with them - in humility (Acts 20:19).
Then he says: "
...
10
votes
2answers
244 views
How could Jesus be surprised?
Matthew 8:5-10 (NLT)
5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”
7 Jesus ...
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., ...
7
votes
1answer
140 views
Why was the mark of Cain necessary?
In Genesis 4:14-15 (NRSV) it says:
14 I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and anyone who meets me may kill me.’ 15 Then the Lord said to him, ‘Not so! Whoever kills Cain will ...
4
votes
7answers
254 views
Who is Father or God in Christianity
The following are some lines in which Jesus (Peace be upon him) mentions "Father" or "God".
Is Islam we consider "Father" or "God" to be referring to Allah as Jesus (Peace be upon him) is ...
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?
...
3
votes
3answers
171 views
Who are the “little ones” in Luke 17?
From NIV, Luke 17:
Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the ...
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 ...
-3
votes
2answers
224 views
Inconsistency in Biblical interpreatation (Genesis & Judges) [closed]
The Sodom story in Genesis 19 is about the attempted gang-rape of two (apparent) men. This is usually taken as an indictment against homosexuality in general.
A very similar story appears in Judges ...
