Church history is the chronicle of Christianity and the church including notable historical figures, and the rise and fall of various traditions.
9
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1answer
173 views
Where was Jesus' tomb?
We can be pretty sure it isn't in Japan. The two most referenced sites are:
The Aedicule of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and
The Garden Tomb.
However, both stake their claims by virtue of ...
7
votes
2answers
193 views
Where do Catholics believe the historical narrative of the Bible begins?
I heard on the Relevant Radio recently that the Genesis account of the deluge is prehistorical. Meaning, it wasn't really recorded in histories the way other more specific accounts of historical ...
5
votes
1answer
225 views
Why and when did allegorical interpretations of Scripture lose their appeal?
Gregory of Nyssa's book The Life of Moses is, if nothing else, a very interesting read. He goes through Moses' account in Exodus and ascribes spiritual meanings to every little detail, although it is ...
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 ...
6
votes
1answer
613 views
What does TS Eliot mean by “old dispensation” in The Journey of the Magi?
In T. S. Eliot's poem The Journey of the Magi he's offering a imaginative view into the interior experience of one of the wise men from the East who came to Jesus's birthplace.
The last few lines of ...
6
votes
1answer
210 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
133 views
What did Brigham Young teach regarding Blood Atonement, and is that doctrine still held today in the LDS/Mormon Church?
Brigham Young taught the doctrine of Blood Atonement that indicated the blood of Christ was insufficient to provide forgiveness for some sins. What are the specifics regarding the doctrine of Blood ...
9
votes
1answer
154 views
How long has the church been observing Lent?
At what point in church history did the Lenten season become a significant part of the church year?
Obviously Easter came first, but I don't see the biblical basis for 40 days of preparation for ...
10
votes
4answers
503 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 ...
12
votes
4answers
213 views
What evidence do we have today about Christian groups not represented at the first four ecumenical councils?
Were there any Christian groups that existed during the time of the first four ecumenical councils and that were not represented at them either because they chose not to attend or they were not ...
4
votes
1answer
191 views
Why did John Wycliffe oppose papal authority in the 14th century?
He's been called the "Eosphoros of the Reformation", but how did he come to realise that it was the Bible which spoke against papal authority above government authority?
7
votes
2answers
206 views
What was it like in the Temple at the time of Jesus?
In the New Testament, there are many stories of Jesus and the apostles spending time in the Temple teaching and preaching. The apostles also do this after the resurrection.
What was the structure of ...
10
votes
2answers
210 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 ...
10
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2answers
187 views
3
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1answer
65 views
Which languages did Huldrych Zwingli know? [closed]
Which languages did Huldrych Zwingli know?
As far as I know, he knew Latin and, of course, he knew his own mother tongue (which was German or Romanch?), but did he know some other languages? I am ...
3
votes
1answer
289 views
Did Martin Luther know Hebrew or Greek?
I know that Martin Luther knew Latin and German, but did he know other languages? For example, did he know Greek or Hebrew (I mean those Greek and Hebrew that the Bible is written in)?
2
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2answers
141 views
Sources on Historical Reliability of the New Testament
Unlike many of the other great religions of the world - Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, even Judaism to some extent - Christianity is founded not on a philosophy or a metaphysical idea, but on an ...
-4
votes
1answer
195 views
Take away the gospels, and how do we know that Jesus did what he was recorded to have done in terms of miracles?
My understanding is that the gospels were written several hundred years A.D. Given the way people pass around information even within one lifetime, and the apparent ability to record information ...
11
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3answers
213 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?
18
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3answers
244 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 ...
4
votes
3answers
246 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 ...
19
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2answers
320 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?
11
votes
1answer
145 views
How does the doctrine of the URC differ from its predecessors?
The United Reformed Church is a denomination in Britain that was formed out of a merger of the Congregationalist and Presbyterian denominations in 1972. What doctrinal compromises had to be made for ...
8
votes
1answer
175 views
What has the LDS Church (Mormons) historically taught about the Curse of Cain and dark skin?
I have heard that people with black skin had been denied certain things in the Mormon Church until the past 30 years or so and that this has something to do with the Curse of Cain. What has been the ...
11
votes
2answers
233 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
1k 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 ...
9
votes
1answer
139 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 ...
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2answers
1k views
Did Abraham, David and Solomon think having many wives was sin?
Did Abraham, David and Solomon think having many wives and concubines was sin?
10
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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
599 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?
5
votes
1answer
92 views
Did Jesus consider OT events to be literal history?
Did Jesus consider the historic references in the OT to be literal in the sense that people and events where historical as recorded or did he view them as symbolic/figurative or did he pick and ...
8
votes
3answers
152 views
Writing / recording capabilities around Jesus's time
I'm wondering if there is any historical information or references that describe the ability to write and record information around the time of Jesus and his disciples. I.e. to what extent were they ...
10
votes
4answers
663 views
Why did Luther curse those who oppose indulgences?
In the 95 Theses, Luther makes a stand against corruption in the Catholic church of that day. This resulted in events leading to the separation between the Catholic and Protestant churches.
It seems ...
12
votes
3answers
295 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. ...
6
votes
4answers
237 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 ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
When was Abraham alive?
It is generally accepted that Abraham lived 175 years. However, the dates when he lived are rather fuzzy and hotly debated.
When was he alive and what reasons would you give for your conclusion?
...
6
votes
1answer
54 views
Were the “prophecies” in Montanism related to the paganistic oracles?
I was reading about Montanism and saw this passage (from Wikipedia):
The Montanist prophets did not speak as messengers of God but were described as possessed by God while being unable to resist.
...
25
votes
4answers
516 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
1
vote
1answer
122 views
Which prophecies have definitely been fulfilled? [closed]
The Bible (particularly the Old Testament) makes many predictions about the future, often regarding nations or peoples quite distant from those making the prophecy.
If we ignore any arguments about ...
10
votes
1answer
210 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 ...
5
votes
4answers
179 views
How literally is Romans 10:14 supposed to be taken?
I recently learned that St. Augustine held an extremely literal view of a particular verse in Romans...
Romans 10:14 (NLT)
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they ...
7
votes
1answer
324 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 ...
6
votes
4answers
249 views
Has God created anything since he rested on the 7th day?
Genesis 2 indicates that on the 7th day after creation God rested.
Genesis 2:1-3 NIV
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast
array.
2 By the seventh day God ...
10
votes
2answers
397 views
What is a Nazirite?
In Judges 13 verse 7, There is an interesting passage.
7 But he said to me, 'You will become pregnant and will have a son. Don't drink wine or beer or eat anything that is unclean, because the boy ...
10
votes
2answers
199 views
What were the beliefs, teachings, and practices of the church regarding slavery in the New World?
When the New World was discovered, slavery was virtually unknown in Europe. Soon after the discovery of the New World, European powers began to make slaves there, and to transport slaves from Africa ...
9
votes
3answers
326 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:
...
11
votes
3answers
944 views
Has Christianity ever come down in opposition of arranged marriages?
Many cultures in many ages have practiced arranged marriages. I understand that in Jewish culture --at about the time of Christ-- arranged marriages were considered a normal way of life. Obviously if ...
9
votes
1answer
274 views
Did the Church Fathers advocate celibacy?
What were the Church Fathers' views on celibacy? Did they see celibacy as a higher or more spiritual calling than marriage? Did they see marriage as incompatible with a spiritual life? Was there ...
4
votes
1answer
181 views
How do we know the events described in the bible are true? [closed]
Many Christians will quote passages from the bible as proof or evidence when needed. However, given that it is a story written, translated, interpreted, re-written, re-translated and re-interpreted by ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views
Why was Thomas More canonized?
Thomas More has been canonized in 1935 by the Catholic Church. During his chancellorship between 1525 - 1529 in the campaign against the reformation people were killed and tortured in his name, for ...
