All Questions
16,719
questions
1
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3
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83
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In Matthew 16:24 Jesus tells His disciples to pick up their crosses and follow Him. How would they have understood what He was saying?
In Matt 16:24 Jesus tells His disciples to pick up their crosses and follow Him. How would the apostles have understood what He was saying? He spoke these words before He was crucified, so the mention ...
4
votes
2
answers
352
views
Do Mormons allow contraception, what forms do they allow, and what are their arguments for it?
Questions specifically on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) faith on contraception:
Does LDS church allow contraception?
What forms do they allow?
What are their arguments for ...
3
votes
4
answers
81
views
How many great splits have there been in Christendom?
The split between Rome and the East is called "the Great Schism". But the church also split at Chalcedon when the Emperor Marcian demanded a quick decision, leading to the two branches "...
2
votes
0
answers
140
views
Are Christians theologically committed to believing that all evil and suffering in the world is non-gratuitous or necessary?
Arguments from evil, such as the logical problem of evil or the evidential problem of evil, aim to demonstrate that certain forms of suffering in the world are either unnecessary or gratuitous. ...
1
vote
1
answer
80
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Was the "Gospel of Hebrews" ever considered to be inspired?
The "Gospel of the Hebrews" has several quotations from early church fathers. Did they ever believe it to be Inspired and equal to the traditional four gospels? Or did they view it as ...
4
votes
2
answers
108
views
Can the Catholic Church err on particular grounds for an annulment in a marriage? [duplicate]
In session 24 of the Council of Trent, Canon IV, the Church teaches that "If any one saith, that the Church could not establish impediments dissolving marriage; or that she has erred in ...
4
votes
10
answers
3k
views
What are rebuttals to the argument that Christians only worship God to give their lives meaning?
Many people argue that we only created God and religion to give our lives meaning, and that is why we worship God and other gods. However, we have to take into consideration that humans tend to ...
7
votes
2
answers
284
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Which Christian Churches or Denominations subscribe to sacerdotalism as essential?
Based in part on answers to this question, this definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
: religious belief emphasizing the powers of priests as essential mediators between God and humankind
...
-5
votes
1
answer
53
views
Was Jesus a married man?
I was very confused about this so many times. According to Leonardo da Vinci's painting some said that Jesus was a married man. Does the Catholic Church hide any truth?
4
votes
5
answers
3k
views
What are Christian responses to William Rowe's formulation of the Evidential Problem of Evil?
Previously, I inquired on What are Christian responses to the Logical Problem of Evil?. Now, I would like to shift the focus to Christian responses to the Evidential Problem of Evil. For an in-depth ...
0
votes
0
answers
47
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In Christian mystical traditions, is it common to pray for the manifestation of God's power and glory?
There are a few examples of this kind of yearning in the Old Testament:
Exodus 33:17-18 KJV
17 And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace ...
4
votes
4
answers
219
views
Are there any denominations that consider it sinful to own guns for any reason, regardless of laws?
Are there any Christian denominations that consider it sinful for believers to own weapons for any reason, even if the weapon is legal to own?
2
votes
1
answer
100
views
Do Jehovah's Witnesses allow contraception, what forms do they allow, and what are their arguments for it?
Questions specifically on the Jehovah's Witnesses faith on contraception:
Do Jehovah's Witnesses allow contraception?
What forms do they allow?
What are their arguments for allowing (or not allowing) ...
10
votes
8
answers
4k
views
What are Christian responses to the Logical Problem of Evil?
The following is a more succinct presentation of the Logical Problem of Evil based on the original presentation found in the introduction of the article Logical Problem of Evil | Internet Encyclopedia ...
2
votes
2
answers
291
views
How different is the Orthodox Church and the Assyrian Church of the East?
It is clear that the Orthodox Church and the Assyrian Church of the East are much closer both theologically and geographically than the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East. But how ...
2
votes
7
answers
216
views
Are there any texts from the Bible that summarize the Gospel?
Trying to come up with a list of essentials to center a gospel message on. I've seen the "Roman road of salvation" used before, but I am wondering if there are any specific summaries in the ...
0
votes
1
answer
52
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Reference request: Trying to locate the reference of a quote by Pope Athanasius of Alexandria about the Trinity
I read this quote for Saint Athanasius of Alexandria in an Arabic book, but I am trying to locate the source (reference) of that quote (in which work for Athanasius), or something of the similar ...
2
votes
2
answers
132
views
Differences in Missionaries Between Denominations
I've searched through most other missionary threads and have not found a decent answer to this. I am familiar with LDS/Jehovah's Witness' definitions of missionaries, usually as proselytizing ...
0
votes
0
answers
20
views
Romans 10:19 and Psalm 19:4: “voice” or “line”?
Many references indicate that Paul is quoting Psalm 19:4 when he writes in Romans 10:18 “Their voice … “ (Strong’s 5353). However, the Hebrew noun in Psalm 19:4 (Strong’s 6957) seems to always be ...
2
votes
1
answer
156
views
Which Christian denominations do not prioritize seeking a tangible experience of God's presence?
To provide context, some time ago I posed the following question: Which denominations consider it commendable to pursue a profound mystical union with God?. Answers suggested that denominations ...
8
votes
2
answers
169
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Are there Christian denominations that expect Jesus to respect denominationalism in the final judgement?
Of course many (if not most) denominations believe that what they teach and believe as doctrine critical to salvation is, in fact, critical to salvation. Most denominations also teach and believe ...
0
votes
2
answers
199
views
Is Methodism excluded from from the category of Protestantism?
In an attempt to define Protestantism one answer suggested the following criteria:
an acceptance of the old ecumenical creeds
a focus on the Bible
a rejection of salvation by works
a rejection of the ...
2
votes
2
answers
152
views
Is a Catholic who belongs to a political party that supports sins in its party platform excommunicated?
Is a Catholic who belongs to a political party that supports sins in its party platform excommunicated?
Before Vatican II, a Catholic belonging to the Communist Party (or any other association ...
-4
votes
1
answer
48
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Nausea or vomiting
Is nausea or vomiting ever mentioned anywhere in the bible? Please provided references. I am unsure how I can make the question clearer. I don't think it is in there.
0
votes
2
answers
63
views
What are the essentials of the Faith? [closed]
Please list the essential points of the Gospel. Please use Bible quotations to back up your answers.
A short list I've been pondering:
God's Character and Nature
Our brokenness from the Fall
Christ ...
1
vote
3
answers
111
views
What is the biblical basis for encouraging non-Christians to pray for God to "reveal Himself"?
In diverse contexts, I've encountered encouragements aimed at seekers, skeptics, non-believers, and non-Christians in general, urging them to pray to God, beseeching Him to "reveal Himself" ...
0
votes
0
answers
29
views
What is the siglum for the Arabic Diatessaron?
I have browsed the Internet quite a bit but could not find the scribal abbreviation for the Diatessaron (maybe an established siglum for it does not exist).
3
votes
2
answers
109
views
When did Jesus first introduce himself as Son of God?
We read in Mtt 16:13-16:
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah;...
5
votes
4
answers
710
views
Why were the Jews mad at Jesus for calling God His Father if the Old Testament portrayed God as Israel's Father?
John 5:18 NASB95
For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal ...
1
vote
1
answer
59
views
Why the infrequent use of epithets in the Old Testament?
In the book, "The Art of Biblical Narrative", which I gather is a fairly common and well-regarded book, Robert Alter makes an interesting observation that we rarely see epithets used in the ...
0
votes
2
answers
531
views
What was Charles Spurgeon view on The Lord's Supper?
I was just reading a sermon by Charles Spurgeon and wondered what his view on the Lord's Supper was.
0
votes
2
answers
204
views
Which Christian denominations believe that God can be credited for the spiritual transformation and sanctification of a Muslim?
I would like to delve into the Christian perspective on whether God can be credited for the healing process of an individual who, initially not a Muslim, converts to Islam and undergoes genuine ...
1
vote
1
answer
298
views
Which Events are Covered in All Four Gospel Accounts?
I have in mind to make two unified Gospel accounts as a project to help me focus on the essential aspects of the Life, Ministry,and Atonement of Jesus Christ. For the first, I want to draw from ...
0
votes
2
answers
123
views
What are David's "unicorns" that he mentions in the Psalms?
In the Psalms David mentions "unicorns". What exactly was unicorns to David's mind?
6
votes
2
answers
348
views
Did Jesus die only for the Church in the Governmental theory of atonement?
I was just reading the Wikipedia article about it and one of its characteristics is:
Unlimited scope of the substitution: According to governmental theory, Christ's death applies not to individuals ...
2
votes
2
answers
394
views
According to LDS, does Joseph Smith contradict Jesus saying to the thief on the cross you will be with Me this day in Paradise?
The text is from Luke 23:43,
And He/Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be
with Me in Paradise.
The following are the words of Joseph Smith:
There has been much said by ...
2
votes
5
answers
253
views
When is it rationally justified for a Christian to say that an anomalous event that has taken place is a miracle?
I've been engaged in a thought-provoking chat discussion with an atheist on the philosophy site. In our conversation, I've been advocating for the idea that there is evidence supporting the existence ...
0
votes
2
answers
81
views
Catholic Mystics who have Written about Our Lord's Sufferings While He was Imprisoned
In Life of Blessed (Now Saint) Margaret Mary Alacoque, it is found on p. 3:
It is related in the revelations of St Gertrude that she once asked St John the Evangelist why the devotion to the Sacred ...
1
vote
4
answers
155
views
Is there scripture stating we will realize an unmistakable event or experience immediately upon salvation during God's Ephesians 3:2 "age of grace"?
If there are unmistakable events or experiences that prove "true" salvation, how would we then be able to discern a deceptive event or experience that was administered by Satan? Isn't this ...
3
votes
7
answers
209
views
Why is God's Judgment only Heaven or Hell?
I know very little of the Christian Faith or of any other faith for that matter, but this question struck me as relevant maybe not just to Christianity but also to all faiths as a whole.
Penal systems ...
3
votes
3
answers
174
views
Which faith traditions postulate that the moment of conversion is an unmistakable event or experience?
While contemplating answers to several related questions (link 1, link 2, link 3), I've started to have second thoughts on my original impression about the concept of conversion, perhaps wrongly ...
3
votes
1
answer
193
views
According to the Bible, which of Jesus' Apostles were baptised in water?
John the Baptist said to those who came to him to be baptised that he baptised with water for repentance: “But after me comes one who is more powerful than I. . . . He will baptise you with the Holy ...
3
votes
1
answer
77
views
According to Roman Catholicism, how many times is Elijah going to come back?
This question (and its answers) indicate that, according to Roman Catholicism, the two witnesses prophesied to come in Revelation 11:3 will almost certainly be Enoch and Elijah (Elias).
And I will ...
4
votes
3
answers
274
views
What potential factors could explain why a truth-seeking skeptic might fail to undergo a conversion experience? [closed]
I posted a question on Philosophy Stack Exchange titled Is the Skeptic's Prayer a legitimate scientific experiment?. Please review it for contextual information. Numerous responses, predominantly from ...
1
vote
1
answer
90
views
Help me understand Romans 14:23 from the opposing perspective
Help me understand Romans 14:23. As we know as Christians, we tend to disagree on interpretations which leads to sometimes uncertainty.
For example, say there’s something you you’ve always done that ...
0
votes
2
answers
257
views
According to proponents of the Skeptic's Prayer, how much detail and specificity can be added to its conditions and expectations?
The "Skeptic's Prayer" is introduced on page 411 of Handbook of Catholic Apologetics: Reasoned Answers to Questions of Faith, by Peter Kreeft & Fr. Ronald Tacelli.
The Skeptic's Prayer
...
0
votes
1
answer
42
views
What is meant by Intertestamental Literature?
We read in Jude 1:14-15:
Enoch, who lived in the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about these people. He said, “Listen! The Lord is coming with countless thousands of his holy ones to ...
1
vote
2
answers
144
views
How do proponents of the Skeptic's Prayer counter arguments challenging its legitimacy as a scientific test?
I have previously asked two questions about the "Skeptic's Prayer":
Is there scriptural support for the "skeptic's prayer" as a legitimate plea that God might be open to ...
2
votes
1
answer
145
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When did the practice of naked baptism begin and when did it fall out of fashion?
According to St. John Chrysostom in his Baptismal Instruction 11.28:
After stripping you of your robe, the priest leads you down into the flowing waters. But why naked? He reminds you of your former ...
1
vote
1
answer
40
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From a Roman Catholic canon law perspective, is it accurate that certain Old Catholic churches are in "limited intercommunion"?
I have seen several Old Catholic (Union of Scranton) clergy or affiliates claim that their churches (the Polish National Catholic Church and Nordic Catholic Church) enjoy “limited intercommunion” with ...