Use this tag for questions about the history of Christianity and the church.
12
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4answers
1k views
What is the origin of the Good Friday tradition?
As suggested by this question and this answer, it seems possible that Jesus actually died on a Wednesday, not on a Friday.
In light of these competing theories, what is the origin of the Good Friday ...
1
vote
1answer
120 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
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 ...
7
votes
1answer
308 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 ...
5
votes
4answers
178 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
3answers
117 views
Was Peter part of a militant sect?
John 18:10 (NLT)
10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave.
The pastor at a church I used to go to once said1 that Peter was ...
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 ...
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:
...
11
votes
3answers
895 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 ...
10
votes
2answers
196 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 ...
13
votes
2answers
1k views
What effect did the Reformation have inside the Catholic Church?
I confess my knowledge of church history branches at about the Reformation. I know a quite a bit about Catholicism today, and I have an idea of what it was before the Reformation. These are not at all ...
8
votes
1answer
271 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 ...
6
votes
4answers
240 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
3answers
171 views
How did the monastic tradition evolve?
In the 4th Century there was a strong monastic tradition, which usually involved living in solitude or small groups in the wilderness. By the 12th Century the monastic life was being lived in large ...
11
votes
4answers
686 views
When was Job alive?
The first chapter of Job describes a man who was favored by God (Job).
1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. ...
13
votes
2answers
5k views
What is the origin of praying hands folded?
I was taught in Sunday school to pray hands folded. On the other hand, there's no biblical mention of the practice (as far as I know). It actually doesn't seem to matter which position we pray in.
...
6
votes
2answers
585 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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
928 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 ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
177 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 ...
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 ...
11
votes
1answer
1k views
Where did Goliath come from?
The popular story of David and Goliath describes Goliath as very tall ("six cubits and a span"--apparently roughly 9 feet 9 inches, or 297cm). Most children are just told he was a "giant" in Sunday ...
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 ...
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?
4
votes
3answers
841 views
What is the relation between the First Baptist Church and the Baptist Church?
In my neighboorhood ther has been a Baptist Church for a while. I´m moderately aware of the history of Baptist Church in general.
Very recently a temple of The First Baptist Church has been built. ...
2
votes
1answer
234 views
What happened to the apostle John after the Biblical account of his life ends?
There is a legend that says that John traveled to Ephesus where he took care of Virgin Mary and that he lived there until the end of his life.
Is this legend true? Are there any historical accounts ...
3
votes
1answer
307 views
Did the apostle James the Greater travel to Spain and was he martyred in Jerusalem?
There are some legends that say that the apostle James the Greater (brother of John) traveled to the actual territory of Spain where he spread the Word. Also there are some accounts that place his ...
11
votes
1answer
218 views
Was the apostle Peter martyred in Rome?
There are some legends that say that Peter traveled to Rome where he was martyred.
Is this legend true? Are there any historical accounts that support the legend? Are there any other theories about ...
15
votes
1answer
551 views
How did the cross come to be a symbol for Christianity?
I understand WHY the cross became a symbol for Christianity, but HOW did it become a symbol? How did it start and how did it evolve into the symbol (or symbols since there are many variants) we all ...
11
votes
2answers
3k views
How long did it take to form the Bible?
How long did it take to collect all of the writings that eventually formed the first version of the Bible? In other words, starting with when the first writing was created (i'll say when it was ...
3
votes
0answers
339 views
What happened to the main disciples after Pentecost? [closed]
We know that Jesus commanded his disciples to go to make disciples of all nations and to spread the word to the entire world (Matthew 28:19), but we know little of what happened to the twelve ...
7
votes
3answers
235 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. ...
10
votes
2answers
362 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
109 views
What is the meaning of the question Luther's companions shouted on his deathbed?
In Martin Luther's Biography, In his final hour, Justus Jonas and Michael Coelius who were his companions shouted loudly and asked this question:
"Reverend father, are you ready to die trusting ...
5
votes
2answers
116 views
John Wesley's influence by ancient fathers
I have been told that John Wesley read the pre-Schism fathers a lot, and was influenced by them.
Is this so, and if so, to what extent and how was his doctrine influenced by them?
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 ...
12
votes
1answer
313 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, ...
10
votes
4answers
631 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 ...
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 ...
9
votes
3answers
554 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, ...
11
votes
2answers
229 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
342 views
When and why did the devil, or Satan, really emerge as a force in Christian belief?
From what I understand, the devil is not a character who appears obviously in any part of the Bible.
If this is true, when was it that Satan/the devil began to terrify people who called themselves ...
12
votes
1answer
312 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) ...
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 ...
25
votes
4answers
498 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
