Questions tagged [doubt]
dealing with unbelief or objections based in reason to Christian doctrines or practice
48
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How can non-believers, who cannot perceive nor understand the things of the Spirit, overcome their spiritual blindness?
Suppose a non-believer is open to the possibility that God and the things of the Spirit might exist, but acknowledges that for them subjectively God appears to be hidden and thus feels unable to ...
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Have a doubt about God in general?
God is the cause of all things, and the creator of all things. God is eternal, never ending and timeless, with no beginning or end. Him and all of his attributes are eternal and never ending. This ...
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Coincidence ... or not ... or both ... perhaps neither? Indian Skepticism & Doubting Thomas [closed]
Doubting Thomas (Apostle, Patron Saint of India) was the naysayer who just wouldn't believe in the miracle that defines Christianity (the resurrection). There are paintings that depict the Apostle ...
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4
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372
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What is an overview of Christian epistemological views on scientific skepticism and the epistemic value of eyewitness testimony?
Most atheists & agnostics are known for practicing scientific skepticism. They reject any miracle/supernatural claims unless solid scientific evidence is provided. A consequence of this ...
user50422
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3
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From a Christian perspective, what are "nonresistant nonbelievers" most likely doing wrong that prevents them from finding and believing in God?
From Nonresistant Nonbelief, by J. L. Schellenberg:
One might fail to believe in God even while God is open to a belief-entailing personal relationship if one prevents oneself from believing in God ...
user50422
2
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2
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169
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How do Latter-day Saints reconcile Moroni 10:3-7 with John 20:24-29 and Mark 16:14?
In John 20:24-29 and Mark 16:14, Jesus seems to rebuke unbelief and the request for direct evidence when indirect testimonial evidence has already been provided:
14 Afterward he appeared to the ...
user50422
1
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1
answer
178
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How do continuationists respond to Justin Peters' challenge to modern charismatic prophets?
Who is Justin Peters
From https://justinpeters.org/:
Justin Peters Ministries is a worldwide expository preaching and teaching ministry. We focus on teaching the sufficiency of God's word and ...
user50422
0
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2
answers
308
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Are there any Christians who are scientists and believe in modern miracles?
Are there any well-known Christian scientists who believe that miracles still happen today?
Of course a Christian scientist, by definition, must believe in at least one miracle -- the resurrection of ...
user50422
1
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1
answer
203
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How do Cessationists react to a world-view-challenging testimony from a fellow Christian?
Note: this question is scoped to Cessationists (see Cessationism vs. Continuationism - Wikipedia).
Suppose that a fellow Christian tells a Cessationist that God spoke to them, or that they were ...
user50422
1
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1
answer
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How do believers in present-day miraculous healings respond to skeptics requesting thorough scientific medical documentation accessible worldwide?
In my previous question Do any Christian groups pray for the sick to get healed of medically incurable diseases?, a user posted this answer. And in response, about some claimed healings, a skeptical ...
user50422
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Do any Christian groups or denominations teach reliable methods for scientifically minded individuals to seek and find God?
My question is inspired by an insightful chat discussion on this answer to the question How do Christians rebut Matt Dillahunty's objection that the resurrection of Jesus is untestable, ...
user50422
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How do Christians rebut Matt Dillahunty's objection that the resurrection of Jesus is untestable, unfalsifiable and thus unreasonable to believe?
On April 8, 2021, during a debate between Matt Dillahunty and Catholic Apologist Trent Horn titled Is belief in the Resurrection reasonable? Trent Horn Vs Matt Dillahunty Debate, hosted by Pints With ...
user50422
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4
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For Christians who are skeptical of the writings of the Apostolic & Ante-Nicene Fathers, what is their epistemological basis for trusting a canon?
The process of formation of the Biblical canon(s) demonstrably required lots and lots of human intervention, judgement and discernment by the Early Church over the course of several centuries. ...
user50422
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2
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What are scholarly books for and against the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus?
In order to have a well-rounded understanding of the arguments for and against a historical resurrection of Jesus, what would be a comprehensive list of must-read scholarly books defending its ...
user50422
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2
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If Joseph Smith "inaccurately" translated Egyptian hieroglyphs in his Book of Abraham, does this cast doubt on his translation, the Book of Mormon?
In 1842, Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) acquired writings in Egyptian hieroglyphics.These writings were genuine hieroglyphs and were the bases for ...
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What are the most common reasons that cause Christians to deconvert to atheism/agnosticism?
What are the most common reasons that cause Christians to lose their faith and turn to atheism, agnosticism or skepticism?
Are these reasons only effective against young Christians? What about pastors,...
user50422
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Do any Christian groups or denominations not see having a definite doctrinal position on God's nature as essential for salvation?
Every time I revisit questions about God's nature on Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange I can't help but come out with more doubts than convictions. For example, take a look at the following ...
user50422
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According to Catholics & Protestants, do good people from other religions go to heaven as well? If they do, what's the point in being a Christian?
(I'm going to assume that you're a protestant and don't believe in Purgatory. If you aren't one, please change mentions of heaven in this following para to purgatory)
Jack is a good human being. He is ...
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How do Christians who subscribe to the "religion vs. relationship" dichotomy make sure that their own relationship with God is genuine?
Many Christians emphasize the importance of having an actual relationship with God/Jesus as opposed to merely being religious. The previously asked question What is the origin of the "religion vs....
user50422
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2
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Is there a name for a category of Christians who lack a doctrinal position in the debate about God's nature?
If a Christian considers that the burden of proof has not been adequately met by any known theological doctrines about God's nature, including mainstream ones such as Trinitarianism, Binitarianism, ...
user50422
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1
answer
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How do continuationists explain the absence of video recordings of undeniable miracles?
A common objection to the belief in the continuation of miracles is the absence of undeniable evidence, such as video recordings, going viral in social media, which is kind of strange given the almost ...
user50422
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What are the most challenging objections to the divine inspiration of the Bible?
What are the most challenging objections to the divine inspiration of the Bible? Are there particularly compelling arguments that skeptics of the divine inspiration of Scripture commonly bring up to ...
user50422
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What are scholarly objections to the divine inspiration of the Book of Mormon? [closed]
What are scholarly objections to the divine inspiration of the Book of Mormon? Answers backed up with sources will be appreciated.
Note: this question is asked in good faith, with the intention of ...
user50422
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answers
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Best practices for finding lay academic reading communities in your local church?
A n00b here with my first question. I've long struggled to find lay reading communities within the local church who are interested in reading books that are more academic in nature or journal articles....
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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 ...
user50422
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10
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How did the early Christians and Apostles Get into the temple? Shouldn't they have been stoned by the Jews for preaching Jesus as God?
How did the early Christians and Apostles get into the temple? Shouldn't they have been stoned by the Jews for preaching Jesus as God? Acts 2:46-47 reads:
"Every day they continued to meet ...
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Are the gospels enough to convince one of the divinity of Christ? [closed]
This is a follow-up to my previous question.
Thomas had received the message from his fellow disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead. Being the skeptic that he is, he then rejected their ...
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Why would Zachariah doubt Angel Gabriel?
My point is:
Were they used to seeing false angels such that he'd doubt one even in the place of the incense?
As a priest, he'd probably know a lot of Jewish history and the numerous appearances ...
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How can we be sure our specific Christian confession is true, when every other Christian group claims that it's not? [closed]
I'm a recent convert to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, but I've started to doubt the faith recently, and I’m really desperate for help. The doubt I have is really one I've had since the beginning of ...
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In what work does Thomas Merton discuss atheists or people who do not accept faith?
I vaguely recall (from some lecture or reading) that supposedly somewhere in Merton's writings he comments on people who struggle with accepting faith.
I'm looking for a passage where he is ...
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Regarding doubt, how do we apply Romans 14 in difficult situations? [closed]
Rom 14:23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. (NKJV)
The normal interpretation of this text is that if you’re ...
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1
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Was there an official Church of England response to the 2002 survey of clergy beliefs?
A 2002 survey of nearly 2000 Church of England clergy uncovered some worrying statistics:
a third doubted or disbelieved in the physical resurrection
only half were convinced of the truth of the ...
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Is a Roman Catholic obligated to believe in the Trinity?
There are many people who are technicially born into Christian homes, yet they don't fully agree with the doctrine of Trinity etc.
According to the creed of Roman Catholic Christianity, if someone is ...
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Are there any Biblical passages that say that devil is able to make you doubt your faith?
Is the devil able to and make you doubt your faith?
Are there specific Biblical passages relating to this topic?
Sometimes I find myself doubting my faith when reading certain passages of the ...
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what differentiates virtuous faith from the faith of extremists
We all know the biblical passages praising faith, and we have also seen many cases where faith was abused by conmen (or went wrong on its own). What differentiates Christian faith (which seems to ...
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Do any major Christian traditions have documented ways of dealing with religious doubt?
Many religions claim to be the only true religion, including most branches of Christianity. Among the major Christian traditions, are there any documented statements of faith that include the ...
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Would the bible draw parallels between the spies returning from Canaan and modern biblical criticism?
When the spies returned from Canaan, to verify the kind of land God was going to gives them, all but two said, among other problems, that there was 'big strong men' there. Therefore, if they tried to ...
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Should we put God to test?
No –
Luke 4:12 ... Do not put the Lord your God to the test.
Yes –
Judges 6:39 “Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time
make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with ...
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Are there any studies on why some doubters quit faith and others double-down on it? [closed]
Every person comes to moments when they question what they believe. For me, I was born into a fundamentalist Christian home, came to doubt that worldview, and after lots of soul searching and ...
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Does yearning to know more about God for a stronger relationship leave us hanging in confusion?
Many times we try to ask questions not to challenge the Christian faith but rather to know more and perhaps draw closer to God.
How can one get the confidence in trying to explain to and convert a ...
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How does this fit in with "we are incapable of following the law"?
While reading through the Torah, the following verses caught my eye.
Deuteronomy 30:11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too
difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in ...
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8
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791
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Is Christianity with reason wrong? [closed]
Is it wrong to try to reach God with reason instead of faith?
I really believe that logical reasoning is the way to get closer to God but since I was a kid my parents and relatives keep telling me ...
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Why was Zachariah punished while Mary was not? [closed]
The gospel of Luke states that when the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharia and told him that his wife Elizabeth would conceive John the Baptist, Zacheria doubts the prophecy and so is temporarily ...
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What's the difference between judging God and questioning God? [closed]
In my answer to Can man judge whether God is fair?, I gave an example of the prophet Habakkuk questioning God in a judgmental way. God dealt with Habakkuk patiently, answering his questions.
On the ...
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Can man judge whether God is fair? [closed]
Over and over I hear people pronouncing in one way or another that God is "not fair"*. Sometimes this is stated directly, other times indirectly as in "that doesn't seem fair, therefore God must not ...
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Is Belief in the Historical Accuracy of Gospels a prerequisite to Christianity? [closed]
Is it a requirement of the faith that all adherents must believe in the literal flow of events as conveyed by the Bible surrounding the life of Jesus Christ? Is it possible for someone to accept his ...
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What is the biblical basis for it being acceptable to bring doubts to God?
What is the biblical basis for the idea that it's okay to bring any doubts to God in prayer?
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Can seeking arguments against Christianity strengthen Christianity? [closed]
Some take the position that some knowledge is the work of Satan. Some take the position that critical analysis can strengthen good ideas and weaken bad ones. Should Christians seek out information ...
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