Use this tag for questions about the history of Christianity and the church.
12
votes
1answer
311 views
What is the origin of the moral-civil-ceremonial distinction of the Old Testament law?
This distinction is often called tripartite division of the law.
I ran across this series of blog posts:
http://maelandcindy.blogspot.com/2008/06/is-mosaic-law-tripartite.html
...
33
votes
7answers
3k views
The Bible seems to allow polygamy. Why doesn't the church?
In Exodus 21:10 and Deuteronomy 21:15-16 (among many other passages), it talks about polygamy as if it were acceptable.
Indeed, there are several holy men (Abraham and Solomon come to mind offhand) ...
17
votes
2answers
406 views
Why are there different divisions of the Ten Commandments?
The Ten Commandments is often shown as a nice list with ten short statements, whereas in the Bible it exists as a long block of text in Exodus 20:2–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21. For reference:
Exodus ...
8
votes
1answer
138 views
When did Christmas (the birth of Christ) first begin as a Christian celebration?
I remember hearing something about a true Saint Nicholas who maybe helped poor children or something, but to be honest, I really don't know much about when Christmas began to be celebrated by ...
7
votes
2answers
212 views
Why are the books of the Protestant Bible in the order that they are in?
I am curious why the books of the Protestant Bible are in the order that they are in?
Someone told me they thought the books were in some sort of chronological order - is that true? (I know the ...
25
votes
4answers
495 views
How were the books of the New Testament chosen?
I'm interested in finding out what the process of choosing the books of the New Testament was, when and who did the choosing
11
votes
4answers
211 views
On which date was Christ born?
Most Christians celebrate the birth of Christ (Christmas) on December 25. But was this really the day of Christ's birth? What was the actual date of Christ's birth?
10
votes
4answers
249 views
What official statements represent Christianity's position on the Gospel of Barnabas?
The Gospel of Barnabas is a text that has turned up in the form of 16th century manuscripts in Italian and Spanish. The text claims to be the witness of Jesus' disciple Barnabas, however its content ...
9
votes
3answers
317 views
Exorcisms: effective remedy or historical curiosity?
Are exorcisms considered, in the various Christian Professions, an effective remedy for possession?
I thought they were just a curiosity from the past, but here's what I found on Wikipedia:
...
3
votes
3answers
231 views
Are there any tenets of Gnosticism that are still present in the church today?
Towards the end of the New Testament writing, the heresy of gnosticism was one of the chief "false teachings" against which Paul and the other writers were contesting. Could someone present some of ...
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 ...
18
votes
2answers
287 views
What extrabiblical sources support the existence of Jesus in history?
What sources outside of the Bible give supporting evidence to the existence of Jesus and any of the events in His life?
8
votes
4answers
352 views
Was tithing 10% required or encouraged by the early church?
I cannot find in the New Testament an obligation on Christians to tithe 10% of their income. Instead I read that it is up the individual to decide:
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV1984)
Each man should ...
18
votes
3answers
241 views
In which year was Christ born?
This question is a spin-off from On which date was Christ born?
There are differing views on the birth year of Christ, which also affect the dating of the resurrection (as we know Jesus's age on ...
12
votes
1answer
311 views
Does Joseph Smith fail the test of a prophet? [closed]
The test of a prophet.
Deuteronomy 18 NKJV
21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the
LORD has not spoken?’— 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the
LORD, ...
11
votes
4answers
183 views
At what point did Judaism and Christianity diverge?
At what point did Judaism and Christianity diverge? Christianity and Judaism share the Old Testament (The Hebrew Bible), so it should be safe to assume they are the same people at least during the Old ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
Who was Pharaoh when Moses lived in Egypt?
Do we have a good idea as to which Pharaoh(s) were around during the time of Moses' life? What internal and external evidence exists to back-up those claims? Do any Christian traditions attach any ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
How did the Crusades impact modern Christianity?
How do the crusades impact modern day Christianity own sense of morality and spirituality? What do these things mean to a person of faith?
The Crusades, from Wikipedia
The Crusades were a series ...
7
votes
3answers
576 views
How was the Old Testament compiled?
While this question is similar to this question, I'm certain the answer will be very different, and far more complex....
How was the Old Testament compiled?
6
votes
4answers
227 views
Must a Christian accept the Bible to be infallible and/or inerrant? [closed]
Related question: What is the difference between "infallible" and "inerrant"?
I have heard lists of requirements to be considered Christian; among those, I find these the most ...
0
votes
0answers
142 views
If Adam was the first man, and Eve the first woman, them where did Cain's wife come from? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicates:
Is incest a sin?
Did Adam and Eve's Progeny Commit Incest?
How did the world get populated according to Bible?
Was Cain's wife made from his ribs too? Or did god make ...
11
votes
2answers
228 views
When was the OT canon as used by Protestants finalized?
At what date (and/or event) was the Old Testament canon currently recognized by most Protestants finalized? What is the earliest occurrence we have of it being referenced in it's current form and who ...
10
votes
4answers
292 views
When did the one-way monologue sermon first become a normal feature of church assemblies?
Of course Jesus preached a lot of monologue sermons, but I have noticed that Jesus did not usually preach sermons like nearly every church does today. He never seems to have, or at least rarely ...
10
votes
3answers
186 views
10
votes
1answer
156 views
What is the basis for the solicitation of prayers from dead saints?
How did the practice of soliciting the prayers of dead saints originate? Is it in the bible? The apocrypha? A papal decree?
On a side note, which groups practice this type of prayer?
I am ...
8
votes
4answers
195 views
Why is the KJV frequently said to be the “true” translation?
This question actually centers on the KJV translation itself. It's not hard to find a church in America (particularly in the south) where they believe that the KJV is the one true translation and that ...
6
votes
6answers
1k views
How does the Bible explain the existence of fossils that are millions of years old? [closed]
People have been finding fossils for many years. Millions of fossils fill museums and storage vaults around the world, and we've yet to find a single one of a human. This suggests that the animals and ...
5
votes
1answer
857 views
In what order were the books in the New Testament written?
I'm just curious as to the actual timeline and known dates of the New Testament books. I know the version fo the Bible I read had the letters from Paul ordered by their size, and not when they were ...
19
votes
5answers
432 views
What is the history of the concept of a “personal relationship with Jesus”?
It is common these days to hear questions like:
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?
Or...
The most important thing is your personal relationship with Jesus.
The Bible never ...
10
votes
2answers
203 views
What is the Biblical and historical basis for Christian pacifism?
My understanding is that early Christians were generally pacifists. Today (at least in the U.S.) Christian pacifists are a bit hard to come by. Many quote Romans 13:1-3 to support Christian ...
8
votes
2answers
149 views
According to reformed theology, why are certain important doctrines not “obvious”? [i.e. why does the Westminister Confession even exist?]
Consider the important doctrines of:
divinity of Christ
doctrine of Trinity
doctrine of predestination
Consider in general, that the Westminister Confession is shorter than most books of the ...
8
votes
1answer
193 views
What are the arguments for the Exodus occuring in 1440BC or 1290BC?
There are two schools of thought on when the Exodus occurred, the "early" date of 1440BC, and the "later" date of 1290BC. How was each date arrived at, and what is the evidence for each?
4
votes
1answer
232 views
From where did the Pearl of Great Price come and how did it become recognized as Scripture in the LDS church?
The LDS church recognizes, among other writing, a book called The Pearl of Great Price. What is the origins of this work and how did it become accepted as Scripture by the LDS church? Also, do any ...
10
votes
1answer
205 views
How do Christians reconcile archeology with the Bible in the account of the Battle of Jericho?
Wikipedia explains three archaeological studies of the Jericho site, and concludes that the city was abandoned at the time the supposed Biblical battle took place.
How do Christians reconcile the ...
9
votes
3answers
551 views
Where did Baptists get their name and what do they believe?
Where and when did the Baptists get their name and what do they believe that sets them apart from the rest of Protestant denominations?
I realize there are different divisions among Baptists as well, ...
8
votes
1answer
140 views
Are there any references to “four canonical Gospels” prior to 100 AD?
According to the "Institut für neutestamentliche Textforschung" eleven manuscripts of NT are from within the second century alone, which include: P52 (100-150), P90, 104 (2nd century), P66 (c. AD ...
6
votes
1answer
205 views
What role did the Donation of Constantine have on the development of the doctrine of Papal supremacy?
In the late Middle Ages, two documents arose which, together, are called the The Donation of Constantine. They made a large number of statements which would have had the effect of making the Pope the ...
6
votes
2answers
922 views
Did Paul write other letters that are not in the Bible?
I've heard it said that Paul wrote other letters that didn't make it into the Bible, including at least one more letter to the church at Corinth, and a letter to the church at Laodicea. What is the ...
5
votes
3answers
202 views
What is God's shape or form?
How do we describe God? Does He have a shape or form? Is He human-like, a light, or something else? Does He have a shape? What does Christianity say about it?
4
votes
2answers
482 views
Where did the religious symbol of the 'halo' come from?
I once read somewhere that the 'halo' was inherited by Christianity from ancient worshippers of the Sun. However, although this seems believable I never bothered to verify its historic credibility - ...
3
votes
3answers
203 views
Exclusion of some people from Heaven
Will Jews, Buddhists, and all others who truly believe in God but not that Jesus is God, and who adhered to the Ten Commandments and who have done charitable acts throughout their lives,
be excluded ...
1
vote
3answers
126 views
Resources to learn about Bible canonization
I am interested in researching the history behind the Bible's canonization. I am particularly interested in writings of early historians, or books that compile facts from these historians in an ...
12
votes
1answer
746 views
What is the significance of the inverted pentagram symbols on the LDS Temple in Salt Lake City?
The Temple in Salt Lake has several inverted pentagrams as decorations. (To see a few, just google "lds temple salt lake inverted pentagrams" and click on images. Or click here)
According to ...
12
votes
3answers
289 views
Did Jesus die earlier than expected? [closed]
The Bible seems to indicate that Jesus died before the others that were being crucified.
John 19:31-33 (NIV)
31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. ...
11
votes
3answers
227 views
Are there “rational” criteria for which books appear in the Bible?
When I looked into "canon criticism" or "canonology" a while back, I came across numerous (alleged) criteria for whether a book is/was included in canon, such as "Old Testament books had to be written ...
10
votes
4answers
497 views
Are Dinosaurs mentioned in the Bible?
In response to this question How does the bible explain the existence of fossils that are millions of years old?
I'm curious to know if Dinosaurs are mentioned in the Bible.
I understand that the ...
9
votes
3answers
197 views
Biblical Prophecy and Fulfillment
I often hear the argument that the veracity of Christ's claims in the gospels can be considered reliable based upon two things: miracles and fulfilled prophecy. This pre-supposes the validity of the ...
7
votes
1answer
307 views
When (and why) did the empty cross v.s. crucifix split happen?
Today, we have Catholic and Orthodox churches (and a few others) using the crucifix whereas most Protestant denominations have an empty cross. Did this empty-cross split happen around when Martin ...
7
votes
3answers
234 views
What is the historical reason the King James Version was created?
Many years ago, I heard someone say that the KJV came about because King James I wanted a version of the Bible that supported him getting a divorce. Nowadays, I can't help but wonder how true this is. ...
6
votes
1answer
84 views
Did John Wesley admire and learn from Arminias or did he just have a couple similiar ideas?
I do not know a lot about Wesley, but when I encounter him, I tend to like what he says, even though I am a Calvinist.
On the the other hand when I encounter people arguing for Arminian doctrines in ...
