All Questions
15
votes
2answers
250 views
When did Arabic enter into usage as a liturgical language among Orthodox Christians?
Today, many Orthodox churches in the Middle East use Arabic as the language of the Divine Liturgy, often mingled with Greek. When did this practice begin?
I assume that at the time of the Muslim ...
15
votes
5answers
436 views
Under what conditions can a “good” or “charitable” act actually be sin?
In spite of a prevalent cultural attitude towards sin that excuses misbehavior if a person had "good intentions", most Christian traditions do not seem to include the persons feelings in the matter ...
15
votes
3answers
662 views
Why are there so many different denominations in Christianity?
Christianity seems to have many Denominations within it - Roman Catholic, Protestant, Presbyterian, Mormons, Baptists, Methodists to name a few. This is (as far as I know) a lot more than in other ...
15
votes
5answers
223 views
What is Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and how does it differ from water baptism? Do all Christians experience Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
EDIT
A few references to Baptisim of the Holy Spirit, or ...
15
votes
1answer
121 views
Is the Pope allowed to publish books after resignation?
I've heard that after popes die (at least after Bl. John Paul II died) all their unpublished works and letters are burnt and I heard on the radio this morning that Pope Benedict XVI is pretty much ...
15
votes
1answer
253 views
What is the basis for clerical celibacy?
In the Catholic Church, priests are required to stay celibate. (As far as I know, protestant priests that convert to Catholicism are allowed an exception -- they can become Catholic priests even if ...
15
votes
1answer
200 views
In Theistic Evolution, when did the alleged evolutionary animal/ape/man become accountable for his sins?
One answer to this previous question asks,
One of the problems I have with theistic evolution is: when did this alleged evolutinary animal/ape/man become accountable for his sins? [sic]
It would ...
15
votes
1answer
544 views
The voice of God vs the voice of Satan
I listen to heavy music and I have had people tell me on numerous occasions the vocals sound like the voice of Satan, even when the band is clearly Christian (see For Today if you are curious). Movies ...
15
votes
1answer
550 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 ...
14
votes
7answers
2k views
Are there any examples of sarcasm in the bible?
The closest in tone to sarcasm, though somewhat different, that I am aware of is John 1:45-46
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the ...
14
votes
5answers
504 views
Is it possible to be a Christian by birth?
My parents are both Christians. When we were kids they always took us to church. Does that make me a Christian?
14
votes
11answers
991 views
Is it hypocritical to be a Christian and also be against welfare?
Recently someone informed me that it was hypocritical to call myself Christian, and to be against many progressive/liberal policies (the specific argument was about US-run welfare)
So my question: is ...
14
votes
10answers
850 views
How should we dress when attending church worship/activities/services?
As a geek, I can't even start to understand why do we have to dress "formally" when attending church.
What are some verses from the Bible which instructs us on our attire when attending church ...
14
votes
6answers
501 views
In what order should the books of the (Protestant) Bible be read? [closed]
The Bible is probably one of the most historically significant books for the Western civilization, so it should be a worthwhile read for many a literature geek.
In which order should it be read, ...
14
votes
5answers
773 views
What is the Biblical evidence against the perpetual virginity of Mary?
I understand that the Roman Catholic Church teaches that Mary is the eternal virgin in that she never had sexual relations with Joseph (or any other man)--either before or after the miraculous ...
14
votes
4answers
632 views
How far is too far when it comes to drinking alcohol?
Why does the Bible praise the effects of alcohol? How are we supposed to know when those effects have gone too far? I am mostly confused about this verse:
Give strong drink unto him that is ready ...
14
votes
4answers
1k views
Are silent prayers heard?
Growing up in the church, silent prayers are pretty much part of how I pray. However, challenging assumptions, I'm curious to know how biblical this is.
Every prayer I read about in the Bible is ...
14
votes
3answers
1k views
Crucifixion — torture stake or cross?
The Jehovah's Witnesses state that Jesus was not nailed on a cross, but on a torture stake. The New World Translation of the Bible is phrased accordingly. For example:
Matthew 10:38 (NWT)
And ...
14
votes
3answers
294 views
Where does the Bible stand on vegetarianism?
The subject of vegetarianism (or dietary recommendations in general) appears to me to be a bit ambivalent in the Bible.
For example, Genesis 1:29 , Romans 14:21 and Isaiah 65:21-25 appear to endorse ...
14
votes
8answers
311 views
The Grace Gambit
You might be familiar with Pascal's Wager, also known as Pascal's Gambit. It states that one is best off believing in Christianity, because, if it is true, you'll be saved and go to heaven, and if it ...
14
votes
7answers
1k views
What does Matthew 5:27-30 (“Cast off your eye/hand/etc”) mean?
For reference, here's the text of Matthew 5:27-30:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already ...
14
votes
8answers
810 views
Why has God never spoken to me?
I was born and raised in the Catholic religion. In the beginning I was, as far as I can judge, a good Christian.
But I never felt any connection to God while praying. It was like talking to myself. ...
14
votes
6answers
974 views
Did God create darkness?
Without Light, there is darkness. Darkness is not made, it is just there. However, before the creation there was nothing. Does that mean that darkness was also not there?
Let us look at Genesis 1:5:
...
14
votes
2answers
396 views
Does the pope get paid for being the pope?
I just started wondering after seeing the white smoke, did the cardinal just receive a raise when he became the pope? What's his salary if he is paid.
14
votes
6answers
1k views
Can we pray from any position?
I enjoy praying lying in bed just before I sleep ... until I fall asleep. In church I usually pray with my hands simply by my side or even with my hands in my pockets. I just let them stay wherever ...
14
votes
7answers
978 views
Why did Jesus question God on the cross?
Jesus was sent to earth to die for our sins. He knew it when the time came but from this verse:
"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli,
Eli, lama sabachthani? that ...
14
votes
5answers
749 views
Praying for someone's salvation. Is there a point?
According to I Timothy 2:4 (NIV), God "...wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth".
But since we have free will, God cannot make us choose to accept the salvation that is ...
14
votes
3answers
1k views
When does the Pope speak ex cathedra?
The Catholic Church considers the Pope infallible, but only in limited circumstances. The Pope is a human being like the rest of us, and capable of sinning. However, when the Pope speaks ex cathedra, ...
14
votes
4answers
1k views
Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?
“And on the morrow, when they had come out of Bethany, he [Jesus]
hungered. And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if
perhaps he might find anything thereon: and when he came to ...
14
votes
3answers
451 views
What is the connection between Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Lent, etc?
Coming from a Protestant tradition, I grew up hearing about Lent but never having any practice associated with it. In the years since, I've gathered that there's some sort of connection between ...
14
votes
5answers
681 views
What do you tithe from? Why tithe income?
According to Scripture, we should pay tithe from increase from our land and cattle. I don't find anything about tithing monetary income, so why do you pay from income or salary?
Also, if the income ...
14
votes
3answers
537 views
Why is it a sin to eat an apple?
Eating a fruit* is not even a real wicked deed like killing somebody or something. Why did this whole sin thing get started with something so innocuous that by today's standard it wouldn't even be ...
14
votes
6answers
793 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 ...
14
votes
7answers
2k views
Why isn't God mentioned in Esther?
As you may know, God is never mentioned in the book of Esther, either by name (Yahweh), title (Adonai), or being (El). Neither is prayer.
Why not? I realize this is rather open ended, so I'll try to ...
14
votes
3answers
814 views
Why do Protestants allow contraception?
The Catholic Church is strongly against contraception. Most Protestants nowadays accept it; I gather it was less common in the past. Of course it's possible that Protestants have just given in to ...
14
votes
3answers
477 views
How could a loving, just, merciful God have created such an unfair test for humans?
According to the Bible, God is loving:
1 John 4 (NIV)
8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4 (NIV)
16 And so we know and rely on the love God ...
14
votes
1answer
330 views
Why did Paul say “I am pure from the blood of all men”?
In Acts 20 Paul is saying his farewell to the elders of Ephesus. He is bringing to their memory the manner, in which he had spent all that time with them - in humility (Acts 20:19).
Then he says: "
...
14
votes
2answers
249 views
Is it possible to know God from nature?
Is it possible for someone to learn about God without learning about him from the Bible or another believer, such as from nature?
14
votes
4answers
571 views
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - who is understood as the fourth person in the fire?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who is understood as the fourth person in the fire?
In the third chapter of book of Daniel after King Nebicanesor throws Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the ...
14
votes
6answers
421 views
Where was Jesus during the period from His death to resurruction? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Did Jesus spend time in Hell between the crucifixion and resurrection?
Jesus died and was raised from death on the third day.
Where did Jesus go during the period from ...
14
votes
2answers
892 views
Where do the names of books of Bible come from?
Where does the name of each book come from?
(I am not a Christian and this should be treated like a novice question.)
14
votes
1answer
157 views
Why do we use the order “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”?
The three persons of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united in an undivided Trinity, in which all are equal in stature, according to orthodox trinitarian Christianity. Given that our language is ...
14
votes
4answers
479 views
Is it possible for a human to stop sinning? (Is X a sinner?) [closed]
It's a familiar tale.
The Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery. They asked if she should be stoned. Jesus (after a bit) said "Let him that is without sin among you first cast the ...
14
votes
2answers
161 views
Can Elders of a church be young?
I am referring to 'Elders' in the sense of 1 Timothy 5:17 (NIV) :
17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and ...
14
votes
6answers
664 views
If the Bible has been changed over the years, can we still trust it?
I read that there are passages that exist today that are not in some of the oldest scrolls. Since these passages were added along the way—maybe to help explain something—can we trust that ...
14
votes
2answers
600 views
Why do Kingdom Halls have no windows?
I've noticed that most Kingdom Halls--the meeting place for Jehovah's Witnesses--have no windows in the building. What is the reason for this? Is there a Biblical basis for it or does it come from a ...
14
votes
2answers
214 views
What doctrine does Family Radio have of the End of the World? [closed]
I originally asked this question on October 21, 2011. I had received a link to an article on the eBibleFellowship page explaining how we'd been living the Day of Judgment since May 21, and today (ie. ...
14
votes
3answers
1k views
What does it mean that Satan is “god of this world”?
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul refers to Satan as "god of this world". What does it mean that Satan is god of this world?
2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the ...
14
votes
2answers
2k views
Who were Jannes and Jambres?
2 Timothy 3v8
"Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected."
Who ...
14
votes
4answers
267 views
Living the Golden Rule in an individualistic society
This question poses a conflict between two philosophies, but is not meant to necessarily compare their strengths. Only if Love of Neighbor is indeed the antithesis of the libertarian philosophy.
...
