relating to the theological definition of anthropology - that set of doctrines which attempt to understand how God created the spirit, soul, and mind of a human being, and to ascertain that for which he destined and how he is subject to the natural laws
23
votes
7answers
564 views
Can man judge whether God is fair?
Over and over I hear people pronouncing in one way or another that God is "not fair"*. Sometimes this is stated directly, other times indirectly as in "that doesn't seem fair, therefore God must not ...
22
votes
5answers
2k views
Does God create some people Heterosexual and others Homosexual?
It is quite common for people who identify themselves as homosexual to say that God created them this way. Some way even go so far as to say it was a misfortune that they were born into:
...
14
votes
1answer
342 views
What is the Mormon doctrine regarding becoming a god?
Per the doctrine of the Latter Day Saints, it seems that God was once a man.
Following this out just one step further leads me to the idea that it may be possible for other men to be come a god.
...
12
votes
2answers
86 views
Is it given by God in human nature to be a creator too?
We humans have a significant ability to create using our fantasy. Was this ability given to us by God, a Creator as He created man in His image, according to His likeness, or was this ability ...
11
votes
5answers
904 views
Can a Christian have clinical depression?
God can grant an amazing peace of mind to a person. Many Christians have been totally calm and prayed for their persecutors while being tortured and killed -- like Stephen, the first martyr.
But do ...
10
votes
1answer
605 views
Trichotomous vs Dichotomous views of Man
There are generally two* views of Man
the Dichotomous (Soul & Body)
the Trichotomous (Soul, Spirit, & Body)
Notably, A W Pink ascribes to the Trichotomous view (or Tripartite).
Also ...
9
votes
2answers
171 views
When did we begin to exist?
When did we begin to exist? I suppose there are really only two options:
We were created before we were born (our spirits existed in some state similar to our state after death, without a body)
Our ...
8
votes
3answers
766 views
Is man born in God's image, or was that just Adam?
I have noticed many Christians say 'we were born in God’s image', but the scripture seems to imply that men are 'born in the image of their Father, the Devil?'
For example:
This is how we know ...
8
votes
3answers
163 views
What is the biblical basis for considering gender to be not merely physical/biological?
From the perspective of the tripartite nature of man--that men and women have a body, a soul, and a spirit--is there a biblical basis for the position that gender is not merely present in the body or ...
8
votes
2answers
291 views
What is the difference between mind and soul (if any)
For reference, this question asks whether there is a difference between the soul and spirit.
Assuming that your spirit is the heavenly nature of man, is the soul the same thing as mind, as in ...
8
votes
4answers
298 views
Do people have the ability to truly love God, without God guiding them into loving him?
From this answer:
Secondly, men do not hate God because of the world he created, they hate God because he is good and they are not. However consciously or unconsciously, they hate him because he ...
8
votes
1answer
262 views
A.W. Pink and the Tripartite Theory of Man
Related
I have asked a similar question on Philosophy.SE.
Background
Reading Arthur W. Pink's pamphlet Regeneration: Or, the New Birth recently, I was surprised to find that he had a tripartite ...
7
votes
3answers
386 views
How is original sin transmitted?
Assuming the doctrine of original sin is true, how exactly is original sin passed down to the rest of mankind? Was the nature of man changed? If so, what exempted Christ from sin but allowed him to ...
7
votes
3answers
186 views
Where does God draw the line when it comes to Sin?
So I've read 1 John alot and I understand that I cannot continue to sin if I want to be a child of God's.
1 John 1:6 (NIV)
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the
...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the difference between man's soul and spirit?
It is easy to recognize the body as the physical matter that makes up a person. The body is clearly distinct from the soul and spirit in several ways:
The body is visible to others. (When I see ...
7
votes
1answer
105 views
In what manner does the LDS believe we may become like God? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the Mormon doctrine regarding becoming a god?
Lorenzo Snow, a prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stated:
As man is, God once was; as ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the difference between holiness and righteousness?
Both holiness and righteousness are used to describe God. Additionally, we as Christians are called to be holy and righteous as well. These are two distinct words, so they must have distinct ...
6
votes
3answers
502 views
Can a non-Christian sell his soul?
This Freakonomics podcast had an interesting discussion about a guy who challenged an atheist to sell his soul. The guy who bought claimed to be a Christian. The trope, of course, goes back a long way ...
6
votes
2answers
369 views
Are Christians “friends of God”?
I've heard Christians say that an appropriate title for a Christian is, "friend of God." I've also heard preachers (eg Beth Moore) say that this is inappropriate: only certain people (Abraham and the ...
6
votes
2answers
157 views
What does the LDS Church teach about the pre-existence of each person prior to conception?
I have read somewhere that the LDS teaches that each person existed prior to physical conception. What are the specifics of this teaching?
5
votes
1answer
401 views
How are angels and humans different?
It might sound like a stupid question at first, because obviously humans and angels are quite different in many ways... but bear with me a moment.
In one of the answers to my question What does ...
5
votes
1answer
127 views
What are the differences between the spirit of God and spirit of Man?
First, I thought that the spirit Christians get from God is the same as the spirit of God. Recently, I heard a sermon that asserted they are different, but gave no more details. Which verses describe ...
4
votes
3answers
88 views
Biblical support of a Quadrichotomous view of Man
There are two common views of the Nature of Man - the Dichotomous, and the Trichotomous.
However, a Quadrichotomous view can also be drawn from Jesus' answer to the challenge of what is the greatest ...
4
votes
2answers
126 views
How to contemplate without the urge to have to comprehend
What makes people feel they have to figure it all out? How can someone strengthen their spirituality through contemplation while avoiding a desire to try to understand everything?
3
votes
3answers
118 views
What is the biblical basis for considering gender to be purely physical/biological?
In my other question, I asked what the biblical basis was for considering gender to not be merely physical, but also present in a person's soul and/or spirit. However, there are some who believe that ...
3
votes
3answers
152 views
What did Peter, James and John see on the Mount of Transfiguration?
During a Bible discussion for seekers last week, one of them asked a question that led me to ponder this questions.
As I understand it, the body of Moses (not Elijah since he never died) should still ...
0
votes
3answers
141 views
Without God is there only evil?
The Bible says in a few places that God does only good things and is full of only goodness: James 1:13 - 1 John 1:5 - 1 Corinthians 14:33. I think we can Biblically support very well that God is not ...
-5
votes
2answers
182 views
Who is responsible for my life? [closed]
(i) If I am in pain, who is liable for that? Me or God?
(ii) If I eventually manage to relieve my pain and achieve some prosperity in life, who is credited for that? Me or God?
(iii) If I am liable ...
