All Questions
4
votes
2answers
274 views
Why Are Jehovah's Witnesses Holding a Memorial Service for Jesus on Tuesday, March 26th?
I was approached by two Jehovah's Witnesses who invited me to a memorial service for Jesus to be held on Tuesday, March 26th. The flier they gave me said that this is the anniversary of Jesus' death. ...
10
votes
1answer
106 views
What Are the Twelve Tribes of Israel?
The Bible frequently refers to the twelve tribes of Israel. Which tribes constitute this list? Jacob had twelve sons, but Joseph's two sons each got a land inheritance and Levi got none. So does the ...
3
votes
1answer
81 views
What is the basis for the LDS (Mormon) teaching regarding Atonement in Gethsemane rather than at Calvary?
I recently read the the LDS Church teaches that it was in Gethsemane while Jesus was praying where the atonement occurred rather than on the Cross of Calvary.
What is the biblical basis for this ...
2
votes
1answer
55 views
According to Catholicism and/ or Protestantism, how many times was Jesus of Nazareth, whether pre-incarnate or incarnate, “begotten”?
How many times does the Bible state that Jesus of Nazareth, whether pre-incarnate or incarnate, was "begotten"?
2
votes
1answer
131 views
Why did Jesus write on the ground in John 8:6-11? [duplicate]
John 8 describes a woman caught in adultery and brought before Jesus by the scribes and the Pharisees. In those passages, Jesus writes on the ground twice:
4 They said to him, “Teacher, this woman ...
2
votes
2answers
126 views
Is Jesus truly God? [duplicate]
I was looking for an answer that I could link someone to, but it looks like this question has not been asked yet. I am looking for an answer that is as direct and conclusive as possible.
Does or does ...
0
votes
2answers
53 views
What do the verses in Luke 5:20-25 teach us?
They have always puzzled me and I fail to understand what is what.
Luke 5:20-23
When Jesus saw their faith he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Then the experts in the law and the ...
2
votes
2answers
207 views
Did Jesus know how to read and write?
Is there any biblical evidence that suggests Jesus read or wrote anything, and was he literate?
4
votes
3answers
93 views
Was Jesus God's only Son? [duplicate]
In some places, the Bible uses wording like "children of God" or "sons of God". One example of this use is Genesis 6:2, and another is Galatians 3:26:
26 For through faith you are all children of ...
1
vote
2answers
80 views
How was Jesus conceived?
The Bible describes some people as being created or formed, in Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:7,22:
1:27 God created mankind in his image;
in the image of God he created them;
male and female* he ...
7
votes
1answer
104 views
How do the vestments of the pontiff emeritus compare to those of a bishop emeritus?
As widely reported, Pope Benedict XVI will wear "a simple white cassock without the mozzetta" during his retirement, and will no longer use the rest of the traditional pontifical regalia, such as the ...
3
votes
4answers
74 views
What is the Immaculate Conception?
Catholics believe in the Immaculate Conception. What is that?
Is this the same as the virginal conception of Jesus?
1
vote
3answers
88 views
What was the charge levied on Jesus in the courts?
I read that Jesus was charged with the allegation that he claimed to be the "King of Jews" . What are the evidences of this charge and other charges, if any, on Jesus?
I am only interested in the ...
1
vote
1answer
46 views
LDS belief about salvation in other worlds
From this answer to another question, the below was stated.
Mormons might believe that God had other children on other worlds, but I leave that to the Mormons to exactly clarify that doctrine. In ...
3
votes
1answer
68 views
What is the LDS (Mormon) view of the necessity of Jesus death and resurrection?
I heard recently in a sermon that the LDS church views Jesus' death and resurrection as almost a "blemish" on Christianity - that it was an unfortunate event, and not at all the way God planned for ...
-3
votes
2answers
101 views
Did God have sex with Mary? Was Jesus the only Son of God or did he have more children? [closed]
Did God come to earth and lay with or in other words have sex with Mary? Or was Jesus an Immaculate Conception?
I've been told from one church that God place Jesus in Mary, that Jesus is fully God ...
4
votes
1answer
60 views
Is any reason given for God choosing Abraham?
Is there any reason given in the bible or in Jewish teachings as to why God chose Abram to be the father of Israel?
For example, Noah seems to be chosen by God because he is Righteous.
"Noah was ...
4
votes
1answer
54 views
What is the LDS definition of “Divinity”
Prompted by this comment.
In answering a question on the divinity of Christ, I used the understanding (definition) of the term that is commonly understood in mainline protestant terms. From ...
5
votes
3answers
342 views
Was Islam originally considered to be a Christian sect? [closed]
There is some speculation that Islam was originally considered to be a sect of Christianity by those who claimed to be Christians, rather than a separate religion (e.g., Hinduism, Jainism). Do any ...
4
votes
1answer
92 views
What was the Biblical basis for testing the truthfulness of every statement made by 'real' Prophets or Apostles?
I have encountered a famous individual who claimed to be a prophet and warned ‘critics’ who tested the validity of his healings and words as ‘endangering themselves’ as they were thereby ‘resisting ...
-2
votes
1answer
85 views
Should Christians in the United States let their faith influence their political decisions given that they live in a republican society? [closed]
According to scripture or church history, should Christians in the United States let their faith influence their political decisions given that they live in a republican society?
If so, what do you ...
2
votes
2answers
55 views
Efforts and motivation on sanctification [closed]
Does sanctification require effort on part of the believer, God, or both combined? If on part of the believer, then who provides motivation for sanctification, God or self?
5
votes
1answer
94 views
Why did Pope Clement V leave Rome and relocate to Avignon, France?
What were some reasons why Pope Clement V left Rome and relocated to Avignon, France?
5
votes
1answer
77 views
What is the Holy See and when is it appropriate to use this term?
Is the Pope, himself, ever referred to as the Holy See or is it simply the place where he lives?
Wikipedia says, "Often incorrectly referred to as 'the Vatican', the Holy See is not the same entity ...
2
votes
3answers
120 views
Which biblical verse was used against Galileo
Which biblical verse was used against Galileo by the Church to punish him for his blasphemy. and which biblical doctrine was erroneously interpreted by Galileo for such a punitive action by the ...
-2
votes
3answers
203 views
Idolatry in churches allowed? [closed]
It is very frequent to see idols of Jesus or any biblical entities in a Church , So is such idolatry allowed by the bible,considering the following verses?
"You must not make for yourself an ...
-1
votes
2answers
196 views
Which are some of the Non Trinitarian sects in Christianity [closed]
I read about a very famous Scientist Newton, who had did not believe in the theory of trinity and i came across a banner in my country which called people to some "Unitarianism church"
Hence out of ...
4
votes
1answer
54 views
What is the Biblical basis that individual gifts can be revoked by God?
Some in the modern healing movements claim 'continued authority' for themselves and their ministry based upon the belief that God 'never' recalls a gift he has given to a person (such as wisdom, ...
4
votes
1answer
54 views
In Genesis 18, does Jesus meet with Abraham?
In Genesis 18, the Lord is mentioned several times. Along with 2 angels, he meets with Abraham. Is the Bible speaking of Jesus?
4
votes
2answers
55 views
Is apostleship continuing on into the current age?
I was watching a video on youtube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLh8xnf_Qx0 That I didn't have an answer for. He gives the argument that Matthias became the 12th apostle by the casting of Lots. And ...
2
votes
1answer
66 views
Is every sinful behavior a sin?
In particular, is it sin when someone:
does something sinful, but he is not aware of the sinfulness
does something sinful, someone told him it is sinful, but he still doesn't feel it as sin
does ...
3
votes
1answer
46 views
What specific scholarship is there behind the New World Translation?
The New World Translation of the Bible was produced by the Jehovah's Witnesses. I'm wondering what specific scholarship is behind the translation.
Who were the translators? What Greek Manuscripts ...
4
votes
1answer
54 views
Are the words that Jesus spoke the Logos?
Is there anything amiss with the following argument?
Jesus is the Word of God (Jesus is the Logos)
Jesus spoke words
Jesus is God
The words that Jesus spoke are the words of God
The words of Jesus ...
0
votes
0answers
127 views
Word of Faith perspective of Jesus as the Logos [closed]
i just want to know if any word of faith people agree with me and if so how common is it. i am open to correction from another word of faith person.
please only respond if you have experience with ...
2
votes
4answers
191 views
God | The Shepherd That “Breaks Legs”?
The title of this question has an element of humor but is very real.
On my way home, I was listening to a pastor's sermon on KWAVE.
This pastor stated that God is like a Shepherd and that we are His ...
3
votes
3answers
173 views
Why did Jesus not write any scripture himself? [closed]
Did Jesus write any of His own scripture or contribute to the Bible directly?
If not, I do not understand why Jesus would not think to do that?
Is there a reason stated anywhere and what is the ...
-1
votes
1answer
81 views
Visualization - what Bible says about it? [closed]
I heard from one pastor about so called "seed-law" which relies on Gallatians 6,7 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows". Base on this "law" we seed words we are ...
3
votes
1answer
56 views
What are the soteriological implications of Arianism?
A friend recently made the following statement regarding the heresy of Arianism:
The conflict was about the nature of Christ before the Creation of the Universe. It was a ...
10
votes
2answers
67 views
Is there any record of a visual method of prayer in the Bible?
Some context: I am deaf, though I can hear because of cochlear implants. As I have been able to hear since I was about 6.5 years old, I have an internal voice like pretty much every single ...
2
votes
1answer
26 views
What is the yoke?
In Mt11,29-30 Jesus said "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light".
What is the ...
2
votes
3answers
70 views
Which Person(s) of the Trinity were in Jesus?
The doctrine of the Trinity teaches that God is one, and God is three (Father, Son, Holy Spirit.) From what I understand the Eternal Son came in human flesh, and we know that resultant man as Jesus of ...
5
votes
3answers
89 views
What is “the spirit of this world.” referred to by John-Paul II
The Wikipedia article on the "Prayer to Saint Michael" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_to_Saint_Michael) says that Pope John-Paul II referred to "the spirit of this world" when recommending the ...
1
vote
2answers
59 views
Why were the people of Exodus so stubborn?
It appears that the people of Israel during the time of Exodus were so stubborn. They rebelled many times, grumbled against Moses and God over and over again. In spite of seeing all the miracles that ...
-6
votes
2answers
51 views
How do Christians reconcile with Exodus 20:5 [closed]
Do Christians believe the description of God in Exodus 20:5
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your
God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the
...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Do the major Churches have an official explanation for the Problem of evil [duplicate]
The argument that God is either not able to prevent evil (and so not omnipotent) or not willing to prevent evil (and so not benevolent) seems airtight, and I have never heard it comprehensively ...
5
votes
2answers
80 views
Do we have to tithe our time as well?
Some preachers teach that Tithing does not only mean material things, but it also means giving 10% of your time as well. Some even say 10% of your everything, like your thoughts, your desires, your ...
-1
votes
2answers
152 views
How may we reconcile the Blessed Virgin Mary's maturity with her age?
The Catholic Encyclopedia says:
[Based on] the age at which Hebrew maidens became marriageable, it is possible that Mary gave birth to her Son when she was about thirteen or fourteen years of age. ...
1
vote
0answers
23 views
How old was Mary when she gave birth to Jesus? [duplicate]
Of course we may not know her real age when she gave birth, but what would be a good estimation?
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia:
"A year after his wife's death, as the priests announced ...
3
votes
2answers
79 views
What is the biblical basis to either consider tattoos acceptable or not?
I do not remember exactly where but I think the OT says somewhere that doing things like tattoos to your body is not good and, to God, is morally objectionable. Is this true? I do know that some ...
-1
votes
3answers
109 views
Do Christians believe in Ethical Relativism, in other words, that good and bad are determined by culture, society, tradtions, etc? [closed]
This is a follow up from my previous question: Why do religious people find it hard to accept that you don't need religion to have a good moral code?
My point is that it is very possible to come ...
