Questions tagged [christian-living]
The practice of day-to-day living in a Christian manner.
205
questions
2
votes
0answers
60 views
What is an overview of how contemporary Christians discern they are being supernaturally led/called by God to follow a very specific course of action?
By 'very specific course of action' I mean some specific assignment that cannot be inferred from just reading the Bible. For example, in the case of missionaries, the question about when and where to ...
1
vote
2answers
160 views
How do Christians discern if they are being called by God to ministry, and what ministry specifically?
The concepts of "being called by God" and "ministry" are biblical. We can find them in passages such as:
Ephesians 4:1-14 (ESV):
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to ...
3
votes
2answers
184 views
Do any Christian groups/denominations encourage their members to seek personal revelations from the Holy Spirit to accurately interpret Scripture?
The notion of relying on God's guidance to walk the right path has ample support in Scripture. Jesus was in intimate connection with the Father and relied on His direct guidance at all times to carry ...
9
votes
3answers
380 views
How do proponents of Sola Scriptura choose the “correct” interpretation of a key Bible verse?
As a Protestant who really tries to abide by the sola scriptura principle to subject my understanding of God, His works, and His relation to us under the accepted Protestant canon, I am bewildered on ...
4
votes
5answers
149 views
How do Christians apply the Parable of the Ten Virgins to their lives?
Matthew 25:1-12 (ESV):
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the ...
5
votes
1answer
112 views
What is an overview of how Christians interpret 2 Timothy 1:6-7 and apply it to their own lives?
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV):
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and ...
1
vote
4answers
936 views
The Christian Duck Test? [closed]
If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.
There is arguably little difference between the lifestyle of the Stoic and the lifestyle of the ...
3
votes
1answer
146 views
How do Christians discern whether they are on the narrow path that leads to life or the broad path that leads to destruction?
Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV):
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is ...
1
vote
2answers
61 views
What are the meaning of and the biblical basis for the practice of pleading the blood of Jesus in prayer?
I've heard people say this phrase in prayer many times. A simple Google search for the exact phrase "plead the blood of Jesus" confirms that this is the case, returning about 280,000 hits (...
2
votes
1answer
82 views
Are there any denominations that teach their members how to hear God's voice better, as exemplified by the Apostles in Scripture?
From time to time I have come across people who claim to have heard the voice of God speak to them in various circumstances. To someone who has never experienced this firsthand, this may sound a bit ...
7
votes
4answers
175 views
How do Christians who adhere to the maxim “in essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; and in all things charity” determine what is essential?
The phrase has been worded in different but equivalent ways. For example, the Wikipedia article titled In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas says:
In necessariis unitas, in ...
2
votes
1answer
105 views
How do Trinitarians deal with imbalances in their relationship with each Person of the Trinity?
This is a practical question. According to Trinitarianism, three distinct Persons form the Godhead: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In principle, they are all just one God, but in practice ...
3
votes
0answers
96 views
+100
What are illustrative examples of how the Sabbath can be broken according to Sabbatarian Christians?
I've always heard examples of how the Sabbath is not broken, for instance, doing good to others, healing people, etc. However, I noticed that I've never heard examples of the opposite (how the Sabbath ...
3
votes
2answers
158 views
Why is “Fearing the Lord” equated to loving Him?
This question is probably more directed an Old Testament pattern of a description of our attitude towards the Lord. I equate "fear" more closely with "hate". For example today ...
3
votes
1answer
79 views
How do Jehovah's Witnesses pay obeisance to Jesus in their daily lives?
I would like to know how Jehovah's Witnesses pay obeisance to Jesus Christ in their daily lives. Do they use expressions such as “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor ...
4
votes
1answer
167 views
What is the difference between obeisance and worship? [closed]
After reading the answers to this question, I realized that many do not necessarily see it as idolatry if someone prostrates before someone else (e.g. Jesus), as long as it is done to pay obeisance ...
3
votes
2answers
233 views
Is there scriptural basis for spiritual 'growth'?
In my denomination from time to time I hear about spiritual 'growth'.
I get quite confused about it. It seems to me that Jesus taught to love people, give what we have to the poor, pray for people, ...
4
votes
1answer
79 views
In Reformed Theology what mechanisms and practices does God provide a believer to help fight temptation?
In Reformed Theology what mechanisms and practices does God provide a believer to help fight temptation?
Common answers are grace, prayer, Holy Spirit, and possibly others. But how does God make ...
6
votes
3answers
221 views
Are there any denominations that give official advice on how to handle the uncertainty in their doctrines?
It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone the existence of doctrinal discrepancies among different branches of Christianity. Most of the time, these doctrinal differences arise from the differing ways in ...
2
votes
5answers
234 views
What is the difference between “love” and “worship”? Do “love God” and “worship God” mean the same thing?
I've never quite understood the concept of worship and how it differs from the concept of love. Are worship and love the same thing? Or is worship = love + something else? If someone loves God, does ...
8
votes
4answers
3k views
When Christians say “the Lord” in everyday speech, do they mean Jesus or the Father?
It's very common to hear Christians say "Lord" or "the Lord" in different contexts: everyday conversations, prayer, testimonies, sermons, etc. Some example sentences that come to ...
2
votes
1answer
58 views
Does the holiness of a person grow over time?
Does the holiness of a person grow over time?
If not, does the acts of charity/love of a person made in their youth matter if they lose their faith later in life?
The only way to get to heaven is ...
2
votes
0answers
54 views
Who gets treated better in the afterlife? [closed]
What sort of people get treated better in the afterlife ?
And how much do the little things weigh(like praying every evening, or occasionally swearing) in comparison to the bigger ones ?
Even if it ...
1
vote
4answers
223 views
What would a person need to be able to do to be a saint while he was yet alive?
Normally, sainthood isn't formally considered for an individual until 5 years after the death of a person. If one was determined enough, how could they go about achieving becoming saints and perhaps ...
0
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0answers
73 views
What does the Catholic Church teach on claiming as our “right / inheritance” the Abrahamic blessings before we die?
Background
My friend is influenced by what I think is a prosperity-gospel leaning church, although I don't see heretical excesses like "positive confession", "name-it claim-it", ...
1
vote
0answers
334 views
Why are there so many interpretations with the Bible? [closed]
I would like to ask, WHY must there be so many interpretations of scripture? there are so many interpretations of certain verses, denominations and such, and this can be confusing for people (...
3
votes
2answers
102 views
What is the foundational motivation of Lenten practices?
Lent is traditionally described as lasting for 40 days, in commemoration of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, before beginning his ...
2
votes
1answer
252 views
How to appropriately reply to “You're going to hell”? [closed]
According to global Christianity, what is the most Christlike way to respond to someone who randomly walks up to you and says, "You're going to hell"?
0
votes
1answer
58 views
Are there Christian churches that believe in isolated living?
I am interested in knowing if there are Christian churches or groups that believe in living separately or allow it, either in total isolation and independence or partial isolation to avoid contact ...
0
votes
2answers
199 views
Will we be reunited with our family and friends in heaven? [closed]
Yes, I have faith in God and I would really like to go to heaven after I die, not hell, no way! I trust in God and would like to see my family and friends in heaven after they die, only if they make ...
1
vote
2answers
135 views
Are there any spiritual benefits in writing a diary?
Question: Are there any spiritual benefits in writing a diary? There have been many saints who have wrote a diary. Is it somehow beneficial? Why? Did any saint recommend it?
I am asking the ...
3
votes
4answers
801 views
Why is acting not a sin?
If lying is a sin then why is acting not a sin? By 'acting' I mean intentionally deceiving others.
Example: You meet with someone and act happy, but you are mad at them they now are deceived and ...
2
votes
2answers
401 views
easy yoke and heavy cross [closed]
I am having difficulty reconciling a tension that I see in the teachings of Jesus.
In Matthew 11:28--30 Jesus tells us
28 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I ...
5
votes
2answers
521 views
How was the church structured during the time of 300 AD - 500 AD?
I know in 1054 AD, the Catholic & Orthodox churches had split - creating the great schism, but I'm curious to learn about the earlier history of the church.
Are there any historical sources which ...
1
vote
2answers
356 views
Why should Christians strive to live long lives? At what lengths should they go to do so? [closed]
I understand that we are called to spread the gospel, but why should we (or should we at all) cling to physical life with white knuckles? I have known believers to go to extreme lengths to prolong ...
1
vote
1answer
160 views
Why is the ritual of baptism needed?
Why is the ritual of baptism needed (by "ritual of baptism" here I mean the physical act of being immersed in or sprinkled with water)? Why just acts of prayer and oral confession not enough?
I am ...
4
votes
1answer
220 views
The New Perspective on Paul and the Christ Followers Self Understanding
This is mostly a set of questions that are being asked of Protestant Christians, particularly those that hold to the "New Perspective on Paul."
I have really enjoyed the work of modern "New ...
0
votes
1answer
174 views
According to Pentecostalism, what is the impact of the sin nature, hormones, and the Holy Spirit on libido?
What has more of an affect on libido, the flesh/sin nature or hormones and how does that change, after becoming a Christian filled with The Holy Spirit? And does receiving the Holy Spirit as a teen ...
2
votes
1answer
101 views
How does Catholicism deal with the apparent paradox/conflict between “love thy neighbour” and “you will be rewarded”
I am wondering about an apparent conflict between a call for selfless love topped with a promise of a reward for it. Simply speaking, one is called to behave well (love ones neighbour) out of kindness ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Jehovah's Witness view on a potential member marrying a non-Witness
What is the official Jehovah's Witness position regarding a woman who is studying with the Witnesses and who wants to marry a worldly man (a man who is not a Jehovah's Witness)?
We want to get ...
2
votes
1answer
755 views
What's the meaning of this quote by C. S. Lewis, regarding the heart and head?
C. S. Lewis wrote:
The heart never takes the place of the head: but it can, and should, obey it.
According to this, should we follow the heart or head?
-1
votes
1answer
74 views
What is the best response to give when someone asks if you think that your religion is the only true one [closed]
I told someone the other day, much to his surprise that I was a Christian. He asked whether I though my religion was the only true religion to which I replied yes. He seemed somewhat 'offended' by ...
10
votes
7answers
990 views
What is the biblical basis for Christians NOT to quit their jobs, sell all their possessions, and preach the gospel?
While an argument can be made that all Christians should quit their "secular" jobs, sell all their possessions, and preach the gospel fulltime, I am thinking that its basis may not biblical. What then ...
0
votes
2answers
283 views
Can Catholics attend the secular wedding of two people baptized as Catholics?
I was born and raised Catholic, but became Wiccan a few years ago. My fiance is Catholic, but neither of us wants a Catholic wedding. We've decided on a secular ceremony, neither Christian nor pagan....
0
votes
1answer
146 views
I am fasting for 40 days [duplicate]
I am fasting for 40 days I was wondering if I can stop fasting every Sunday and eat normal food my mom said I can but I want to be sure
4
votes
1answer
635 views
According to Reformed Theology, what is the doctrinal basis for belief in New Testament tithing?
Most Reformed churches refer to "tithes and offerings" as an understanding of the giving structure in church. Reformed Theology as a theological framework is careful about ensuring there is a biblical ...
4
votes
2answers
276 views
Does the Catholic Church allow the use of birth control to save the woman's life?
Does the Catholic Church have any process of being allowed to use birth control if it is necessary to preserve the life of the woman? (For example, suppose a woman must take certain medications to ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
Does the Catholic Church have a list of Good Books?
The Church maintained an index of banned books for a long time, until it got to be a "must read for Satanists" list. Has the Church (or affiliated bodies) ever maintained a list of good books.
Here'...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
Would a JW be disfellowshipped if they join a military (and are unrepentant about it)?
On my reading of a Anton Gill's 1989 book "The journey back from hell", he speaks briefly about JWs in the concentration camps. According to Gill, one of the issues the Nazis had with this group was ...
0
votes
3answers
175 views
Is it possible to describe Christian lifestyle? [closed]
I just finished reading the book "Living a Jewish Life," which explains the lifestyle practices that Jewish people generally follow, regardless of their faith or beliefs. It discusses the holidays and ...
