All Questions
-5
votes
1answer
61 views
Condemnation of early Christians [edited] [closed]
As a broad question that is general to Christianity (please state the scope of your answer if it is denomination specific): If Christians know and believe that Christianity is correct, right, and ...
1
vote
2answers
51 views
Why does God ask Abraham to walk blameless?
This question is an offshoot from this question and it’s comments. The question is:
Why does God remains silent for 13 long years after Hagar gives birth to Ishmael and then suddenly commands ...
5
votes
1answer
71 views
Why does the Litany of Saint Joseph call him “terror of demons”?
A litany for Joseph, the husband of Mary, was approved by Pope St Pius X in 1909 (*). Most of the invocations are straightforward to understand, referring to his life (eg. "husband of the Mother of ...
2
votes
3answers
102 views
Could there be any possible action proving Yahweh to be cruel? [closed]
Recently, one of my christian friends died of cancer. My Christian friends told me that Yahweh is very merciful. But if he got well, Yahweh would be merciful, too.
So, HYPOTHETICALLY (see the note): ...
0
votes
2answers
90 views
What verses from the Bible claim that Jesus has justified and redeemed man by his sacrifice on a cross?
What verses from the Bible claim that Jesus has justified and redeemed man by his sacrifice on a cross?
-4
votes
1answer
73 views
Which denomination recognizes that parts of the Bible have been modified in the past by political rulers? [closed]
There is significant evidence and documentaries on how the Bible has been augmented and parts removed by political leaders of the past in attempt to control people, under the protection that it is ...
6
votes
1answer
55 views
Where does the idea of a water canopy come from in the Bible, and is there scientific evidence to support it?
Some Creationists have asserted that in pre-flood world that there may have been some sort of water vapor canopy that perhaps doubled the air pressure and caused things to be much healthier than they ...
4
votes
1answer
104 views
Rephrase: Does the Bible claim itself to be inerrant? [duplicate]
Before I go on, I do realize that biblical claims for the inerrancy of the Bible is in fact self-satisfying and therefore questionable (at least in a court room), but bear with me.
The old testament ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Is the “belly of a whore” phrase from the Bible?
Several times, I have heard a phrase along the lines of "It is better to plant thy seed in the belly of a whore than to be cast upon the ground."
Is there a biblical reference for this phrase? I ...
7
votes
1answer
73 views
What is the role of the British monarch?
What role does the British monarch play as leader of the Church of England? Furthermore, how has this role changed over time?
18
votes
4answers
611 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 ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
What is the purpose of prayer if God already knows what we need? [duplicate]
In the Bible, it talks a lot about God's work of Providence; everything that happens to everyone has been preordained. Since this is so, why do Christians pray for things such as safety, financial ...
11
votes
4answers
566 views
Who is the prophet Moses mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:15?
Who is the prophet Moses mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:15 ?
I was thinking Moses was talking about Jesus, but Jesus is not considered a prophet is he ?
Deuteronomy 18:14-16 (NIV)
14 The ...
28
votes
2answers
1k views
When did the prohibition of marriage for priests in the Catholic church originate?
The Bible mentions that one of the miracles Jesus performed was the healing of Peter's mother-in-law. This makes it quite clear that Peter himself was married, and Peter is the considered the first ...
3
votes
1answer
220 views
What arguments do scholars present for historicity of the fall?
What arguments and writings have been used to defend the Genesis account of the fall as a historical event? Is there evidence apart from the writings in Genesis that man was at one time not fallen?
-4
votes
1answer
60 views
How could I locate a reference, for say, the passage that talks about Spiritual Gifts? [closed]
I'm trying to find a few verses about spiritual gifts. I belie that its in one of Paul's epistles. I believe it says
Some are called to be preachers, some prophets, some counselors...
Can ...
-1
votes
2answers
285 views
Arguments For/Against Spiritual Uses of Cannabis in Christianity?
As I am aware most Christians regard Cannabis's physical and spiritual effects as the same as use of alcohol for intoxication, and that its use is not permitted by their doctrines.
Contrarily, some ...
5
votes
2answers
56 views
Why did Martin Luther change his surname from ‘Luder’ to ‘Luther' very early in his career?
I was surprised to find out ‘Luther’ is not Martin Luther’s original surname but ‘Luder’ is. The Greek word έλεύθερος that was the origin of his Latin name was Eleutherius. You can see ‘uder’ does not ...
3
votes
2answers
64 views
Why Christian Translator Translate Rhea as Neighbor?
Why do Bible translator translate rhea into neighbor in "Love thy neighbor"?
The Jews told me that rhea really means comrades.
So why is it translated as neighbor?
In Indonesia, it's translated as ...
3
votes
3answers
121 views
What is the argument against the imposition of clerical celibacy as practiced in the Roman Catholic Church?
The Roman Catholic Church requires its priests to practice celibacy. This has not always been the case, though. In fact, it was not instituted until the 11th century.
Protestant churches have no ...
-1
votes
0answers
79 views
Can I bring alcohol inside the church [closed]
I always carry alcohol in a whiskey flask because sometime I need to drink it very badly. Now I am going to start going to church. Can I carry alcohol inside the church? Is it wrong and sinful to do ...
3
votes
1answer
58 views
Does God predetermine all things according to His prescience?
In "An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith" (ἔκδοσις ἀκριβὴς τῆς ὀρθοδόξου πίστεως) John of Damascus wrote,
Χρὴ γινώσκειν, ὡς πάντα μὲν προγινώσκει ὁ θεός, οὐ πάντα δὲ προορίζει· προγινώσκει ...
6
votes
2answers
874 views
When and how did Martin Luther arrive at the justification by faith?
When and how did Martin Luther arrive at the justification by faith teaching? Was it something that he came up with as a result of his stance against the indulgences and later against the Pope, or did ...
15
votes
4answers
425 views
Why do OEC discount the literal interpretation of the book of Genesis?
This is to rephrase the question Are scientific findings a test to Christians' Faith?
It seems to me that, without any outside interference, the Bible itself gives no suggestion that the Book of ...
5
votes
1answer
105 views
Is there a difference between Scripture and inspired writings?
Take these two questions and their answers for consideration to this question:
What does "scripture" mean in NT writing?
What does it mean that all scripture is God-Breathed?
I am having ...
11
votes
4answers
647 views
When people sin against us but don't repent, should we forgive and forget?
Someone sins against us, e.g. says something unkind. They are completely unrepentant. That might be because they don't think it is a sin or they don't care (yes, I'm deliberately mentioning two ...
2
votes
0answers
23 views
How does the loss of Wesleyan perfectionism differ from Catholic distinctions between mortal and venial sins?
Wesleyan perfectionism is often compared to a Calvinist view of sanctification but this question is different. It is designed for someone familiar with Wesleyan theology to provide an explanation that ...
4
votes
1answer
39 views
Does the word 'testament' in the titles OT and NT imply the death of the testator in both covenants?
A will or testament is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his estate and provides for the transfer of his property at death. This property an ...
6
votes
8answers
230 views
Do people go to heaven immediately when they die?
When someone passes away, at their funeral the priest will usually say something that gives the idea that the deceased is in heaven. And a lot of people like to also give the idea that people who die ...
13
votes
1answer
240 views
Why were Deuterocanonical books rejected in the Reformation?
The Deuterocanonical books were included in the Septuagint, but not the Hebrew Bible. They are mostly included in the Catholic Old Testament, but not in the Protestant one.
I understand the choice ...
8
votes
1answer
178 views
What deuterocanonical books are quoted in the New Testament?
When talking with a Catholic friend (I'm a Protestant) about the apocrypha/deuterocanonical books, it occurred to me that a possible argument for their inclusion in the Canon would be their authority, ...
0
votes
0answers
46 views
Has Reformation led directly to bad consequences that can be considered bad both for the world and for Christianity in general? [closed]
Luther said that redemption could be obtained by each man at his prayers in the privacy of his own bedchamber - for "Every man is his own priest". This was the time when technology was on his side- ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
What is the biblical basis for restitution?
What is the New Testament Biblical basis for making restitution? I've read the story of Zacchaeus, and it's not completely set in stone as to what the structure is. The biggest question I have is if ...
-3
votes
0answers
38 views
Concise differences between being an: Atheist; Agnostic; Non-theist and non-theistic christian? [closed]
Can anyone help me understand ... What does it means to be atheist; agnostic; non-theist; non-theistic-christian??? How are they distinctly different from each other?
3
votes
2answers
69 views
Why do we explicitly need to ask for help through prayer? [duplicate]
Since God is omniscient not only does he know all of our hardships but he also knows that we want him to help us through said hardships. Why do we explicitly ask for help through prayer?
4
votes
2answers
100 views
Where did the hierarchical designations of priest, cardinal, bishop, and pope come from in the Catholic church?
Protestantism typically recognizes offices that include pastors, elders, and deacons. Another common belief is the priesthood of all believers, and thus there is no such designation for a particular ...
12
votes
3answers
175 views
Why is Rome the holy city?
Why did Rome become the seat of the Pope and the central location for the Church? I would think that Jerusalem would be the first choice. There are also a number of other cities that I would ...
-3
votes
1answer
50 views
Was Mary a Virgin? [duplicate]
The biblical passages mentioning that mary was a virgin seem to be add after the fact, and possibly based off a mistranslation.
What evidence is there that Mary, the alleged mother of Jesus, was a ...
2
votes
1answer
97 views
What is the biblical basis for requiring that a pastor/preacher/teacher/etc be paid for their ministry?
What is the biblical basis for requiring a minister to be paid for their work?
Put another way, what is the biblical basis for supporting the notion of a solely-vocational pastor?
Note - I am NOT ...
-7
votes
1answer
44 views
Immigration status for Jesus [closed]
My question has two parts...
Are there any Christian countries, who would issue a Visa for Jesus if He were alive today
Are there any non Christian countries, who would issue a Visa for Jesus if He ...
0
votes
0answers
83 views
Psychedelics in the Bible? [closed]
Are there any references in the Bible to people (Christian or Non-Christian) having psychedelic experiences, i.e., affects produced by Ayahuasca / Dimethyltryptamine or even hallucinogenic mushrooms?
9
votes
1answer
97 views
What is the LDS Church's affiliation with the Boy Scouts?
The LDS church sponsors scouting programs for their boys, and I understand that many LDS young men attain the rank of Eagle, the highest rank in Boy Scouts.
Regardless of the possible implications of ...
8
votes
3answers
110 views
Why did the conclave elect Pope Stephen I, when he died prior to taking office?
According to Wikipedia, Pope Stephen I was elected to the papacy in March of 752 A.D., but died a few days later, prior to being installed. As I understand it, Catholic teaching indicates that God's ...
-1
votes
0answers
43 views
Who decides what parts of the bible should we follow? [duplicate]
Regarding the laws in the bible. Which rules are we supposed to follow? Who decides which rules to follow? And if it is written in the doctrines can you please provide the books and verses I can read? ...
-1
votes
0answers
24 views
What does the BIBLE say about uninformed persons [duplicate]
what does the bible say about persons who don't have any prior knowledge of the bible and the story of Jesus, after death. Do we have any bible passages that we can look up? Do these people go to hell ...
-3
votes
1answer
93 views
Why is Atheism such an easy religion to troll? [closed]
I see it happening many times on YouTube and other comment oriented sites.
21
votes
7answers
439 views
Does the Trinity share one mind or are there three separate minds?
Curious what Christian theologians or the Bible may have said about this. It seems like Jesus speaks in terms of his father's will as if it is not quite his own, which suggests separate minded-ness. ...
7
votes
1answer
56 views
What is the basis for the claim that the entire New Testament can be reconstructed apart from original and copied manuscripts?
Bit of a mouthy title, but I remember reading a few years ago that the entire New Testament (perhaps with the exception of very few verses) and most of the Old Testament could be reconstructed from ...
8
votes
2answers
107 views
When did Peter become the first Pope, according to Roman Catholic doctrine?
Roman Catholic doctrine teaches that the apostle Peter was the first Pope. Exactly when did this occur?
I can imagine a few different options
When Jesus addressed Peter in Matthew:
I also ...
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: ...
