All Questions
7
votes
3answers
303 views
From a Fundamentalist standpoint, what does the phrase “Inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of God” mean?
Many denominations teach that the Bible is the "Inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God." Detractors of Christianity, and even other denominations within Christianity disagree with all or some of ...
34
votes
4answers
739 views
Biblical basis for the doctrine of the Trinity
The word/term "trinity" is never used in the Bible. However, most Christians believe that God exists as three persons in one God-head.
This question has two parts:
What is the Biblical basis for ...
35
votes
10answers
2k views
What happens to people who have never heard about Jesus? [closed]
There seems to be general consensus inside Christianity that in order to be saved, you must have faith, and that this faith has to be in Jesus Christ. Here is one verse sometimes cited for the ...
29
votes
12answers
1k views
How to answer “Why do evil and suffering exist?”
I believe that evil exists because God gave us free will. Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Because of this The Fall of man happened and drew us away from God. Suffering exists not only because God can ...
35
votes
9answers
1k views
Who saved people before ~33AD?
The exact date isn't important but at some point about 2000 years ago Christ died on a cross. Since that point Christians everywhere have put their faith in Him. He claimed to be the Way, the Truth ...
19
votes
3answers
758 views
To what extent does the Law of Moses still apply?
Matthew 5:17-18 (KJV)
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot ...
15
votes
3answers
353 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 ...
16
votes
7answers
837 views
Do we have to obey the laws of the bible? If so, what laws?
I've read a ton about obedience in the bible and I realize that we have a responsibility to obey Jesus Christ. As it says in 2 Timothy 2:19 "God's foundation stands firm, sealed with his inscription. ...
21
votes
6answers
551 views
Are Christians bound to the laws of their country?
Clearly not all governments are based on Christian principles. Should Christians be bound to obey the civil of their respective countries (states, cities, whatever) even if they disagree with the ...
31
votes
9answers
2k views
Why does Judaism celebrate Sabbath on Saturday and most Christians celebrate Sabbath on Sunday?
When did most Christians (possibly excluding exceptions such as Seventh Day Adventists) and Jews start celebrating Sabbath on different days of the week and why?
29
votes
11answers
572 views
What is the basis of my fractured understanding of “Sola Scriptura”?
As a Catholic, I'm often baffled by other Christians who base their faith purely off personal interpretation of the Bible as the be-all-end-all proof for everything under the sun (which is what I mean ...
12
votes
3answers
459 views
How do you “Convert” somebody to Christianity?
A highly debated topic I know. There are hundreds of answers for this, but I would personally like to know what the Bible says about this.
If somebody was interested in being saved, what is my ...
32
votes
5answers
565 views
Praying to people outside the Trinity
I understand that the Roman Catholic church direct some prayers to Mary, the mother of Jesus. For me it would be strange to address my prayers to anyone outside the Holy Trinity. Do Catholics pray to ...
40
votes
13answers
4k views
If Adam and Eve were perfect, why did they choose to sin?
Adam and Eve, when they were created in the Garden of Eden, were without sin. Because of that, they were perfect and flawless.
However, with that theology in mind, I'm running up against a wall: ...
34
votes
4answers
3k views
If the Ten Commandments say “thou shalt not kill” how can a Christian fight in a war?
Exodus holds the 10 commandments. Specifically, we see:
Exodus 20:13 (KJV)
Thou shalt not kill.
Since the Ten Commandments say “thou shalt not kill” why do Christians fight in a war?
18
votes
4answers
610 views
What is the purpose of Prayer?
We are having a lovely discussion in chat about the purpose and efficacy of prayer.
I am of the opinion that God has a plan and the future is completely set. However I also believe that you should ...
8
votes
1answer
187 views
What is “Manuscript Evidence” and how is it useful?
In several Apologetics articles (including one answer of mine on a different question), I see the statement that "there is overwhelming manuscript evidence to support the fact that the Bible has been ...
34
votes
6answers
2k views
Will suicide keep me out of Heaven?
First of all, I don't want to set off any red flags here. I am not pursuing a suicidal lifestyle, nor have the desire to end my life. That being said...
Perhaps the greatest thing a person can hope ...
17
votes
3answers
350 views
What are the differences between the different millenialisms?
Revelation 20:1-6 tells of 1000 years in which Christ will reign. I've heard there are different views on this 1000 years, mainly premillenialism, postmillenialism, and amillenialism. What are the ...
13
votes
5answers
264 views
What is the verdict on an unjust judge?
In order to ask this, let me set a stage. This is just a scenario that will be recast in a second.
As Christians we believe that God is good. We trumpet his justice, rightness, holiness, and so on ...
13
votes
10answers
374 views
What is the essence of sin?
There are bound to be lots of questions like "Is X or Y a sin?". However, what is sin at its root and where in the Bible do we get our understanding of it?
22
votes
5answers
953 views
What does the bible say about homosexuality?
I was recently listening to a podcast and the preacher said that he has looked through the entire bible and could not find anywhere where it says that homosexuality was a sin.
Where does the bible ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
What does the Bible say about “bad” words?
I know the Bible says not to let "unwholesome talk" come out of our mouths (Ephesians 4:29), but to my knowledge it doesn't speak specifically about "bad words."
In fact, to my knowledge, the English ...
4
votes
3answers
459 views
Biblical evidence for omnipotence/omniscience
Does GOD tell us in the bible he is almighty/omnipotent/omniscient, or are these attributes (greek?) philosophers and theologians merely ascribed to HIM?
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" ...
24
votes
7answers
2k views
Did Jesus spend time in Hell between the crucifixion and resurrection?
The Apostles Creed makes reference to Jesus descending into Hell. I have heard it claimed that His time spent in Hell was part of His redemptive work--in other words, that was necessary for Him to ...
17
votes
5answers
775 views
Does Jesus ever claim to be God, or the son of God?
While I understand there are many potential passages in the Bible of Jesus claiming to be a messiah (which I understand to mean "anointed"), a king, or one through whom it is necessary to know God, ...
18
votes
5answers
556 views
Are there unforgivable sins?
Jesus came and died for our sins so that we may be forgiven and have salvation.
But Matthew 12:32 (NIV) says there is at least one thing to prevent being forgiven.
32 Anyone who speaks a word ...
13
votes
3answers
207 views
How should a christian evaluate whether a particular action a sin or not?
Since they are directly addressed in the ten commandments, most people agree that committing adultery or murder is sin; yet this world is a complicated place full of things that are not so clearly ...
14
votes
6answers
797 views
Can a Christian walk away from his or her salvation?
There is a plethora of verses that say that people can not cause a saved Christian to lose his salvation, such as
John 10:29 (NLT)
29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is ...
12
votes
3answers
791 views
Were the Jews expecting the Messiah to suffer at all?
When Jesus spoke about his future suffering it did not seem to register properly.
For example:
(Matthew 16:22)
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall ...
9
votes
1answer
123 views
What is old earth creationism?
What is old earth creationism? What support does it have from the Bible? What mainstream denominations or groups, if any, support it?
6
votes
2answers
294 views
What are the biblical arguments that the Bible canon is closed?
Some religions claim to have a newer revelation of God; the Book of Mormon and the Qur'an are presented to be the latest revelation of God.
The Old Testament closes with a climax of expectation of ...
19
votes
4answers
519 views
Does God need our praise and glory?
From what I've heard, God wants us to glorify him and give him praise, and he enjoys when we do this. Does God need us to do this for some reason?
3
votes
2answers
171 views
From a Fundamentalist viewpoint, what does it mean to “take the Bible literally”?
In my previous answer on this question, while discussing Biblical Inerrancy, I stated:
The doctrine of inerrancy does not imply hyper-literalism. As noted
above, in the second possible mechanism ...
28
votes
8answers
864 views
How is Christ's death so significant?
(the question title isn't quite right; I welcome any better phrasing - it is not intended to sound inflammatory)
This is a genuine question, that regularly occurred to me during my youth, and was ...
17
votes
3answers
440 views
How do we know Jesus is God incarnate?
In John 17:3 it says that Jesus called the Father the "only true God" and called himself sent by the Father.
Also, in Matthew 4:10, Jesus himself says to:
‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve ...
24
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the biblical justification for permitting female pastors?
It seems that that 1Timothy 2:12-14 (NASB) says that women shouldn't be pastors. But there are many denominations that allow this.
1 Timothy 2:12-14 (NASB)
12 But I do not allow a woman to ...
12
votes
12answers
2k views
Should biblical laws apply to non-Christians?
Obviously a lot of Christians want to have biblically based laws in the society, in effect requiring everybody to follow biblical morals. But the opposite is also a popular view among Christians: as ...
14
votes
1answer
336 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.
...
11
votes
4answers
234 views
74
votes
21answers
4k views
Can I believe in evolution and still be a Christian?
It would seem that the first part of the book of Genesis contradicts what science teaches about the origin of life on earth. If I am to reconcile evolution and Genesis, it seems that I have a number ...
27
votes
14answers
2k views
Atheism is the default position. Isn't the burden of proof on the Christian to assert that God exists?
The title is a bit tongue in cheek, but according to Christianity, is it necessarily right to have to make arguments starting from atheism? It seems obvious to me that God exists. However, in both ...
36
votes
4answers
2k views
Why do some Christians believe it is moral to be a homosexual?
(Note: I know this may start a firestorm, so I will be careful here.)
I believe that the Bible states that homosexuality is immoral.
I also believe that it does NOT condemn them to hell (a sin is ...
30
votes
9answers
4k views
Is masturbation a sin?
There's definitely two sides to this coin, some people say that masturbation is not a sin that leads to death, others say that it's a sin because Jesus commands us to deny the desires of our flesh.
...
29
votes
7answers
719 views
Why are there so many translations of the Bible?
It seems confusing to have so many translations of the Bible. Why isn't there just a single (English) one? Or maybe a single "modern" one (given that KJV is hard to understand these days).
25
votes
11answers
1k views
Does believing in Jesus Christ save me, or do I have to do something more? [closed]
James 2:17 says that faith is not enough. Does that apply to salvation? Is belief (or faith) in Jesus Christ enough to be saved, or is one expected to act on that faith? If works are required for ...
23
votes
4answers
636 views
Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God?
I'm not really sure where to go with this question, since it is a question regarding Christianity. Also, I'm seeking a Christian perspective on this rather than a Muslim one. So, I thought that this ...
23
votes
10answers
2k views
Can an atheist go to heaven?
The question of who goes to heaven and who to hell seems to result in very different answers depending on which tradition the Christian answering belongs to. Some traditions, especially evangelical ...
17
votes
3answers
224 views
When are souls “received”?
(I'd prefer a Biblically-based answer, but if an early-church author or someone like C.S. Lewis needs to be referenced, that's fine.)
Few Christians will dispute that we humans have souls, but the ...
