Questions tagged [history]
For questions related to history generally. Use the [church-history] tag for the history of the post-NT church.
487
questions
2
votes
1answer
72 views
Why is the Church of England planning a formal “act of repentance” to apologise to the Jewish community for the expulsion of Jews in 1290?
The 1222 Synod of Oxford approved of two canons aimed against Jews living in England. The Synod was held on the 11th of June, and presided over by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury and ...
0
votes
1answer
218 views
Is Unterbrink's theory that the Judas of Galilee in Acts 5 is Jesus tenable?
I am a Christian and came across a theory by atheist Daniel T Unterbrink where he claims that Judas of Galilee from Acts 5 is actually Jesus insofar that the gospel accounts of Judas of Galilee (not ...
2
votes
4answers
2k views
What is the biblical and historical basis for the belief that the Second Coming of Christ hasn't happened yet (as of 2021)?
Simple question: many Christians believe that the Parousia (aka the Second Coming of Christ) hasn't happened yet (as of 2021). Why? What is the biblical and historical basis? What are the strongest ...
3
votes
1answer
57 views
According to Full Preterists, what historical facts fulfilled the signs and wonders prophesied by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:9?
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (ESV):
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by ...
1
vote
3answers
135 views
Was Pilate mandated to withhold the body of Jesus after the Crucifixion?
We read in Jn 19:38 of the preparation for burial of Jesus after his death on the cross:
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear ...
4
votes
2answers
154 views
Has a healing miracle ever been recorded on camera?
Simple question: has a healing miracle ever been recorded on camera? I'm open to answers from any Christian groups/denominations.
3
votes
1answer
100 views
Have Jehovah's Witnesses ever encountered a demon-possessed person in the mission field or in other contexts?
Many Christians of different denominations have reported encounters with demon-possessed individuals. Catholic exorcists are an obvious example. In the mission field, reports of demonic possessions in ...
0
votes
1answer
65 views
What historical periods do the 390 year and 40 year periods refer to in Ezekiel 4:1-8?
In Ezekiel chapter 4 the prophet was instructed to lie on his left side for 390 days, a day for each year of the sin of Israel, and then to lie on his right side for 40 days for the sin of Judah.
What ...
4
votes
1answer
41 views
Why were the mystical works of Richard of St. Victor called “Benjamin”?
Richard of St. Victor (d. 1173) wrote two treatises in mystical theology, sometimes called Benjamin Minor and Benjamin Major. But where do those titles come from? It seems the first one has something ...
3
votes
2answers
244 views
Did the early Church become full preterist after AD 70?
Full preterists believe that the last trumpet call took place in AD 70. A very elaborate presentation of this view can be found in Gina's answer in one of my previous questions. A quote from the ...
3
votes
1answer
254 views
Is it correct to say Bible has 2 eyewitness accounts (Matthew, Mark and Luke as comprehensive one & John being the other) of Jesus Christ's lifetime?
Since the Synoptic problem indicates that the Synoptic gospels form a comprehensive view that gives a holistic perspective, therefore, bible readers can Not use the argument that the 3 gospels of ...
1
vote
2answers
298 views
What is the historical basis for the claim that there were hundreds of eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus?
I've heard, in several informal situations, claims to the effect that there were hundreds of eyewitness to the resurrection of Jesus. That many saw him and even interacted with him over the span of ...
3
votes
1answer
119 views
According to full preterists, what is the historical basis for viewing the last trumpet call as a historical fact that has already been fulfilled?
Different passages in the Bible shed light on the events that would unfold at the signal of the last trumpet call:
1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (ESV):
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot ...
2
votes
0answers
68 views
Looking for orthodox movies about St. Francis and St. Clare
There are tons of movies about St. Francis and St. Clare, is there a complete list of movies that, I don't know, rank by historicity and orthodoxy? I've seen a few movies about them but can't ...
2
votes
0answers
107 views
Does the concept of Godhead (one God, but multiple persons) predate Christianity? Can we find evidence of this concept in Judaism before 0 A.D.?
Was the concept of Godhead (one God, but multiple persons) known by the Jews prior to the advent of Christianity? Were there Jews that held a Binitarian, Trinitarian or similar "Godhead" ...
1
vote
2answers
95 views
What is an overview of arguments for and against the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus? [closed]
What is an overview of arguments for and against the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus? Was Jesus' resurrection a historical fact? What do scholars and historians have to say about all this? Is ...
1
vote
1answer
67 views
How do Christians who think animals have only existed for <7,000 years on Earth reconcile their views with Pleistocene saber-toothed tigers? [duplicate]
Saber-toothed tiger (smilodon) fossils are regularly dated to the Pleistocene (such as here), which would put them before animals existed according to many Christians (at the earliest, ~12,000 years ...
10
votes
3answers
3k views
How do Protestants answer the Catholic accusation of historicity?
The Roman Catholic Church has a claim of apostolic succession, from St. Peter transited by the laying on of hands.
Most Protestants reject this understanding of apostolic succession, and instead teach ...
14
votes
3answers
3k views
How do Christians who reject pre-fall death reconcile their views with the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event (66 million years ago)?
Many Christians believe that creation was cursed because of Adam & Eve's fall into sin, and that death entered creation because of the fall but not before. In other words, the idea of pre-fall ...
6
votes
3answers
610 views
Are there or have there been Christian healing ministries that have documented healing cases with supporting medical records?
Christian healing ministries abound. A quick search on any search engine can lead to lots of ministries that claim to be able to heal the sick, as well as testimonials of people who claim to have ...
3
votes
0answers
150 views
How do Catholics traditionally understand the divine omnipotence?
You have Saint Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century saying that God cannot do what is intrinsically impossible, but I would like to know what Catholics believed about the divine omnipotence before ...
3
votes
2answers
311 views
Has a notable militant non-Christian ever converted to Christianity due to a “Road to Damascus” experience?
I would like to know if there are published testimonies of notable militant non-Christians -- which could be a militant atheist or any non-Christian person who has actively waged war against the ...
4
votes
1answer
138 views
How do Full Preterists interpret 2 Peter 3:9-13?
As I understand, Full Preterism holds that all end time prophesies were fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem. 2 Peter chapter 3 appears to provide an end time prophesy wherein the heavens, down ...
1
vote
1answer
121 views
Who were the recepients of Christian monumental sculptures in the early middle ages (10th and 11th century)?
I am in the process of writing a paper about the bronze column commissioned by Bernwardus Hildesheimiensis, the bishop founder of Benedictine Monastery of St. Michael in Hildesheim, completed ...
2
votes
3answers
117 views
What is the oldest historical evidence of the Sabbath commandment?
What does history say about the practice of keeping the Sabbath holy? What is the oldest historical evidence of this commandment? Can we find evidence of Sabbath keeping prior to the Israelites and/or ...
4
votes
1answer
150 views
The Middle Ages as a Model for the Orderly Society?
I'm interested in finding books and studies (both for and against) the idea that Medieval European society had a kind of order that's desirable. Foundationally, there's a clear religious order--...
-3
votes
2answers
54 views
Sin as a goal of man [closed]
God created Man.
Only difference between human and animal is possibiity of sin.
Hence God create man for only this purpose, commit sin. And from sin we glorify God.
Are there exists in the past/...
4
votes
1answer
147 views
How does a Catholic theocracy differ from other Christian theocracies?
I'm taking a Catholic Church history class and the instructor said that life under a Catholic theocracy, like the Papal States, was different than life under a Protestant theocracy, but because most ...
1
vote
1answer
85 views
Are there any documented cases of paranormal activity preceding or during an exorcism?
Movies such as The Exorcist have popularized the notion of paranormal phenomena surrounding an episode of demonic possession. And after reading of someone's personal experiences with Catholic ...
7
votes
2answers
303 views
Are there any documented cases of “Acts 2:1-13 type” tongue speaking (i.e. understood by a foreigner) in recent history (19th century on)?
I'm aware of the existence of many Pentecostal and Charistmatic groups that believe in the gift of tongues and claim to be able to exercise it. In fact, one can very easily find lots of videos of ...
5
votes
1answer
140 views
Was charging interest on loans ever forbidden to laymen in the Eastern Orthodox Church? If so, when was this promulgated and when was it revoked?
According to Wikipedia, the First Council of Nicaea (325AD) forbade clergy, but not laymen, from charging interest on loans.
Wikipedia also states that "later ecumenical councils applied this ...
2
votes
1answer
54 views
Which monk states that the Old Testament is about the Father and the New Testament about the Holy Ghost
Somebody mentioned to me in a conversation that there was a monk in the 13th century who held the belief that the OT is about the Father and the NT is about the Holy Ghost. The death and resurrection ...
0
votes
1answer
137 views
How did Christian Death Metal arise?
I happened to learn that Christian black/death metal bands, along with their niche community were a thing, and was curious when this started and what lead to such a movement, especially since the ...
0
votes
1answer
60 views
Introduction to Catholicism, Protestantism, Presbyterianism, Anglican and Eastern Christian for kids
I'm quite ignorant on such different Christianity religions, on their history, main differences, and relations etc, so quite handicapped in introducing such to my 7 years old boy.
I noticed there's a ...
3
votes
3answers
697 views
What is the historical evidence of gagging, retching, dry heaving and vomiting during exorcisms?
A recurrent pattern I've noticed across multiple live recordings of exorcisms from multiple independent sources is the fact that the individuals being exorcised at some point begin to gag, sometimes ...
asked Nov 25 '20 at 17:10
Spirit Realm Investigator
3,0181 gold badge7 silver badges38 bronze badges
2
votes
1answer
70 views
During Assyria’s conquest of Israel, what side did Judah take?
Relations between Israel and Judah were fluid. They were sometimes allies and sometimes adversaries. During Assyria’s long campaign against Israel culminating in the siege of Samaria and subsequent ...
1
vote
2answers
88 views
How do different denominations defend their interpretations of Daniel 2's prophecy?
The second chapter of the book of Daniel talks about Nebuchadnezzar II's dream of a statue made of several metals and its prophetic significance for the future. I've heard people claim that this is a ...
asked Oct 31 '20 at 17:45
Spirit Realm Investigator
3,0181 gold badge7 silver badges38 bronze badges
2
votes
2answers
256 views
What were the views of the Church Fathers on Jews and Judaism during the Patristic Era?
I am currently learning about the holocaust in History class right now. It was mentioned that during the Middle Ages, some Christians were anti-semitic. I wondered how the Early Church (Pre-Schism) ...
1
vote
2answers
113 views
Ancient imagery beasts used in Christian symbolisms?
Ancient imagery beasts used in Christian symbolisms?
We have all heard of unicorns!
The unicorn is a legendary creature that has been described since antiquity as a beast with a single large, ...
5
votes
5answers
239 views
Will I get answers to all my questions when I die? [closed]
Sorry if this is way too open but I have so many questions about this world, religion, gods and what on earth is going on. I can't imagine anyone really would be able to answer these type of questions ...
8
votes
2answers
161 views
How is the new anti-conversion law going to affect Christians in India?
There is news that Modi government likely to bring bill to prevent religious conversion in next Parliament session
There is currently this plea from persecution relief and a petition to be signed
How ...
1
vote
1answer
381 views
On what basis do Evangelical apologists argue that Muhammad committed sin?
Muhammad claimed to be a Prophet of God, even God's last Prophet. As such his life should have been godly.
There is not much of his life revealed in the Quran. What is spoken of sometimes needs one ...
7
votes
5answers
692 views
Evangelical Christians claim Jerusalem was destroyed in either 587 or 586 BCE. What is the evidence?
Whereas Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 BC, many evangelical Christians who write on such things believe it was destroyed in either 587 or 586 BCE.
Is there any Biblical ...
2
votes
5answers
413 views
Is there extra-biblical evidence for the Exodus?
I've heard from multiple sources that there isn't even the slightest of (extra-biblical) evidence of the Exodus story or even evidence for the presence of Israelites in Egypt.
If this is true, why is ...
3
votes
2answers
93 views
Did Mosaic covenants follow Ancient Near East Suzerain Treaties or was it the other way around?
I often heard theologians said that Mosaic covenant followed the structure of Ancient Near East (ANE) treaties that were there in Moses' time. For example, here is the view of Meredith Kline: Suzerain ...
1
vote
2answers
173 views
What formal methods and criteria could be used to evaluate the message of the bible? [closed]
My agnostic friend has asked for "formal evidence" of the Bible.
How can one scientifically evaluate statements written over 2,000 years ago?
Besides the historical evaluation of events, how to ...
0
votes
1answer
66 views
Were Jesus’ hands tied on the way to Calvary?
Traditions say that Jesus fell three times under the weight of the cross, out of which two instances took place after Simon of Cyrene had been entrusted to help Him carry the cross. One wonders ...
asked Apr 13 '20 at 11:22
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan
7,3713 gold badges21 silver badges47 bronze badges
1
vote
2answers
116 views
The Explosion of Thera 1642–1540 BCE
If we take the eruption of Thera... Which I believe would have had a high impact on all the surrounding countries... Has anyone associated this event, even theoretically, to a Biblical event.
Also ...
4
votes
2answers
354 views
According to Catholicism which parts of the Bible actually happened historically?
One of the things that have tested my faith is the question: Did the bible really happen? Was there really a "garden of Eden"? Was there a universal flood"
And perhaps more importantly, how important ...
1
vote
0answers
52 views
Is there any biblical reference to a third temple being built? [closed]
In referrence to to end times; does the Bible say anywhere that a third temple will be built?
