Questions tagged [spirituality]
Relationship between an individual Christian and God, and different ways to perceive or live this relationship.
70
questions
1
vote
3
answers
156
views
Are Christians consciously aware of the first time they received the Holy Spirit?
I don't know if there are statistics on this, or if the answer depends on the denomination, but are Christians usually consciously aware of the first time they received the Holy Spirit? Is the ...
3
votes
1
answer
127
views
What are Christian explanations for the similarities between ecstatic spiritual experiences of Christians and those of other religions?
My question is motivated a recent realization of a concrete example.
In Tibetan Buddhism there is a spiritual practice known as Tummo. According to Wikipedia:
Tummo is also a tantric practice for ...
2
votes
1
answer
115
views
What is an overview of beliefs about how the Holy Spirit guides Christians?
How are Christians led by the Holy Spirit?
How does the Holy Spirit communicate God's will to Christians?
What mechanisms does the Holy Spirit employ to this end?
Since these are probably ...
5
votes
2
answers
82
views
What exactly does "Spirit-Filled" mean?
I recently saw this being used on a church website, where they describe themselves as "a regional, Spirit-filled, Word-based church led by Pastors Keith and Margie Nix."
Now, I understand &...
1
vote
0
answers
34
views
What are the sanctification and spirituality distinctives of a C&MA church?
I'm evaluating the theology of a Christian and Missionary Alliance church which is affiliated with The Alliance of Canada which in turn is affiliated with the worldwide Alliance World Fellowship (...
0
votes
2
answers
251
views
How do Latter-day Saints rebut GM Skeptic's objection against the epistemic value of personal spiritual experiences?
Who is GM Skeptic
Genetically Modified Skeptic is the name of a very popular YouTube Channel (487K subscribers as of March 2022) and also the alias of his owner, Drew McCoy, an American atheist ...
1
vote
6
answers
311
views
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, ...
3
votes
2
answers
147
views
Are there theological explanations for why God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble?
1 Peter 5:5-7 (ESV):
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the ...
-3
votes
2
answers
159
views
How do Cessationists view "being led by the Holy Spirit"?
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. [Romans 8:14 KJV]
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh ...
2
votes
2
answers
173
views
How do Protestants explain the benefits of Marian devotion and praying the Rosary experienced by Catholics?
It's common sense knowledge that millions of Catholics pray the Rosary and make devotion to Mary an integral part of their everyday spirituality. See for example this answer to the question According ...
0
votes
1
answer
70
views
Are there published testimonies from Jehovah's Witnesses about their experiences with the presence of the Holy Spirit?
Have any Jehovah's Witnesses experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit, possibly in a dramatic, life-changing way, and published a testimony in which they recount their experiences?
Similar ...
1
vote
0
answers
85
views
Are there published testimonies from Unitarians about their experiences with the presence of the Holy Spirit?
Have any Unitarians experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit, possibly in a dramatic, life-changing way, and published a testimony in which they recount their experiences?
Note: this question has ...
2
votes
3
answers
379
views
How does the power of the Holy Spirit manifest in Christians, as opposed to non-Christians who don't have access to this power?
To the best of my knowledge and understanding, access to the power of the Holy Spirit is an essential and distinctive attribute and privilege of Christians. People from other religions, as well as ...
1
vote
1
answer
101
views
According to Jehovah's Witnesses, are there Spirit-filled Christians in non-JW denominations?
Can Spirit-filled Christians be found in non-JW denominations, according to Jehovah's Witnesses?
Related:
According to Unitarians, are there Spirit-filled Christians in non-Unitarian denominations?
...
0
votes
0
answers
36
views
According to Biblical Unitarians, are there Spirit-filled Christians in other denominations?
Not much to add to the title. Can Spirit-filled Christians be found in other denominations, according to Biblical Unitarians?
Related:
According to Trinitarians, can non-Trinitarians experience ...
-2
votes
3
answers
209
views
Do single male Christians tend to struggle more to see themselves as (part of) "the Bride of Christ"? [closed]
Psychologically speaking, is the concept of being (part of) "the Bride of Christ" harder to grasp and to feel identified with for single male Christians? My common sense makes me think so, ...
1
vote
5
answers
278
views
According to Trinitarians, can non-Trinitarians experience regeneration, sanctification and a Spirit-led life despite not believing in the Trinity?
Question
According to Trinitarians, can a Christian who lacks a belief in the Trinity still live the Christian life to its full potential? In other words, can non-Trinitarians experience spiritual ...
1
vote
1
answer
102
views
According to Pentecostals and Charismatics, what are concrete practical ways by which Christians can be filled (and stay filled) with the Holy Spirit?
The concept of "being filled" with the Holy Spirit is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament, and according to the book of Acts it appears to have been a crucial aspect of the early ...
1
vote
3
answers
154
views
According to Catholicism, what are concrete and practical ways by which Christians can be filled (and stay filled) with the Holy Spirit?
The concept of "being filled" with the Holy Spirit is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament, and according to the book of Acts it appears to have been a crucial aspect of the early ...
0
votes
1
answer
81
views
According to non-Pentecostal Protestants, what are concrete practical ways by which Christians can be filled (and stay filled) with the Holy Spirit?
The concept of "being filled" with the Holy Spirit is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament, and according to the book of Acts it appears to have been a crucial aspect of the early ...
0
votes
0
answers
44
views
How do Pentecostal/Charismatic Christians "seek" and "find" God?
Many Christians encourage people to "seek" God. Similarly, many Christians claim that God can be "found". I'm also well aware of the existence of many passages in the Bible that ...
1
vote
1
answer
30
views
According to Catholicism, how should Christians "seek" and "find" God?
Many Christians encourage people to "seek" God. Similarly, many Christians claim that God can be "found". I'm also well aware of the existence of many passages in the Bible that ...
1
vote
2
answers
134
views
According to Protestantism, how should Christians "seek" and "find" God?
Many Christians encourage people to "seek" God. Similarly, many Christians claim that God can be "found". I'm also well aware of the existence of many passages in the Bible that ...
1
vote
2
answers
129
views
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....
0
votes
1
answer
105
views
Which Christian groups or denominations believe in modern-day Theophanies?
Which denominations believe in modern-day Theophanies, i.e., that God still manifests/reveals Himself to individuals in extraordinary, supernatural ways today?
For the sake of having a common ...
1
vote
4
answers
164
views
How do Christians who emphasize the "religion vs. relationship" dichotomy respond to claims of "relationship with God" in other religions?
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....
2
votes
2
answers
193
views
According to Trinitarians, can the personhood of the Holy Spirit be confirmed through personal experience?
First of all, I'm well aware of the existence of scriptural arguments both for (link) and against (link, link) the personhood of the Holy Spirit. Whether one finds the arguments either for or against ...
0
votes
0
answers
29
views
What is an overview of measures commonly adopted by Christians to overcome "spiritual lukewarmness"?
Revelation 3:15-16 (ESV):
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out ...
-1
votes
1
answer
115
views
Does it matter whether a hallucinogen blurs delusion and reality? [closed]
Datura is a plant whose seeds have been used in religious rituals since prehistory. Ingesting Datura seeds will induce a hallucinogenic experience characterized by "anticholinergic delirium",...
12
votes
8
answers
5k
views
How do Christians discern genuine spiritual experiences from hallucinations?
When believers appeal to their private spiritual experiences to argue for their faith, skeptics typically respond by dismissing their stories entirely, conjecturing that these are more likely cases of ...
1
vote
1
answer
257
views
How do Christians approach the evangelization of individuals who have had profound spiritual experiences in other religions?
Spiritual experiences can play a very important role in shaping an individual's worldview and religious convictions. Just a single profound mystical experience can dramatically change a person's ...
3
votes
2
answers
253
views
What is an overview of how contemporary Christians discern that God is giving them instructions 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 ...
0
votes
1
answer
71
views
How often do Christian missionaries follow the example of Acts 16:6-10 in order to make decisions as to which country/place they are to go to preach?
Acts 16:6-10 (NIV):
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they ...
1
vote
2
answers
83
views
What are some exercises, according to Catholicism, to keep a mindfulness on Christ?
So throught my life my relationship with christ was very "secular", although I believed in the religion only on sundays or on rare ocasions would I remember of christ.
But this has changed, ...
3
votes
2
answers
276
views
Are there any scriptural objections to using Ignatian Spiritual Exercises according to Protestants?
Ignatian Spiritual Exercises has been around for centuries, yet only in the past few decades Evangelicals and Charismatics started to appreciate it:
In a 1990 The Way journal article Why Ignatian ...
3
votes
2
answers
257
views
Are there any Christian groups or denominations that teach how to discern between Godly, demonic and psychological experiences?
According to a Christian worldview, experiences can be either natural or supernatural. And if they are supernatural, they can either come from God or Satan. In other words, only 3 possible options. ...
3
votes
0
answers
130
views
Which Christian groups or denominations believe in modern-day Christophanies?
The Bible records several instances of Christophanies, i.e., occasions where Jesus appeared and/or spoke to his disciples after having ascended to heaven. Probably the most well-known example is Paul'...
1
vote
0
answers
47
views
The Sacrament of the Present Moment? [closed]
What did Jean-Pierre De Caussade mean in "God Living in Souls and Souls Living in God?" This is chapter 2: "How to Arrive at the State of Self-Surrender and How to Act Before Reaching ...
2
votes
2
answers
293
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 ...
2
votes
1
answer
240
views
Difference between spirit and soul and consciousness
From my reading of the Bible, spirit gives Man a consciousness of God and soul gives Man a consciousness of the self and the body gives Man consciousness of the world. Spirit is also the immaterial ...
2
votes
4
answers
896
views
What is meant by "Selling one’s soul to the Devil"?
I've become very interested (by it I mean curious) about "selling one's soul to the Devil" in the past few weeks. You probably have heard the most popular examples of this: Robert Johnson, ...
7
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Do all believers receive the Holy Spirit at conversion but only a few are filled with the Holy Spirit post conversion?
The following passages seem to support that all believers receive the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion:
Ephesians 1:13 (NIV)
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of ...
1
vote
2
answers
241
views
Whether Ignatian spiritual exercises are good for the discernment of vocation according to Thomistic understanding of vocation?
All I know about Ignatian spiritual exercises was orally transmitted to me from priests and others, therefore I may misunderstand Ignatian spiritual exercises and in that case please correct me.
...
0
votes
1
answer
46
views
The Glory Be prayer and consolation - Catholic Spirituality
Is there a Catholic author who discussed how praying the Glory Be prayer can provide consolation? I am looking for a book/article on that topic.
1
vote
1
answer
393
views
Are spiritual pleasures > carnal pleasures, according to Catholicism?
Does Catholicism consider spiritual pleasures greater than carnal/sexual/bodily pleasures?
2
votes
1
answer
174
views
How do spiritual fathers of Catholic Church explain a sudden urge to pray?
I'd like to know how Catholic spiritual masters explain the urge to pray. Is it considered inspired by the Holy Spirit? Should we surrender to that urge?
I was doing some research on that topic, but I ...
3
votes
0
answers
171
views
How is praying understood within the "Death of God" theology?
Theologians like Hamilton and Altizer defend a "secular Theology" that tries to banish the Deus ex machina of traditional Theism. So far so good, but how does one pray before God etsi Deus non ...
2
votes
2
answers
233
views
War between the ‘inner being’ and the ‘fleshly nature’
When people are saved, what is God’s purpose for not sanctifying the ‘flesh’ when the spirit is reborn to prevent the struggle believers have in obeying Him? (Evangelical perspective)
The Apostle ...
5
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Is Meister Eckhart's teaching condemned by the Roman Catholic Church?
Meister Eckhart was a thirteenth-fourteenth century philosopher, theologian, and mystic who lived and worked in the Dominican Order.
In later life, he was accused of heresy and brought up before the ...
3
votes
1
answer
387
views
Is the book "The Supernatural Occurrences of John Wesley" a legitimate collection of Wesley's journal entries?
The Supernatural Occurrences of John Wesley, written by Daniel R. Jennings, claims to be a compilation of John Wesley's supernatural experiences. The book claims to be compiling these stories from ...