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What does Jesus mean by saying, "Why do you call me good?"

Luke 18:19 (NKJV) So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. My question is: is this contradictory? What does Jesus mean by this statement?
r3s3arch3r777's user avatar
24 votes
3 answers
2k views

What does the Bible say about tithing? [closed]

Do we have to tithe? Why does God need us to tithe? What are the results of NOT tithing?
capitalaudience.com's user avatar
24 votes
5 answers
22k views

What were the Nephilim, and what role did they play in the Bible beyond just being mentioned?

Did the Nephilim that are mentioned in Genesis 6:4 do anything beyond just existing?
user4527's user avatar
  • 271
24 votes
4 answers
14k views

Why do Catholic churches have a red lamp burning inside?

Is there any significance to the red lamp that is lit inside Catholic churches? I ask because I recently saw a green lamp lit at the entrance to a Church of Scotland village church and wondered if ...
Lesley's user avatar
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24 votes
7 answers
114k views

Why did Jesus tell His disciples to buy a sword?

At the Last Supper, Luke records this dialogue: He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: ‘And ...
Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE's user avatar
24 votes
11 answers
18k views

What is the Biblical Basis for a Good person going to hell simply for not believing?

The scenario is as follows: Believer, average life, many mistakes/sins. Asks forgiveness and tries everyday to be better. Goes to heaven. Non-believer, better life than the believer, fewer mistakes ...
Fofole's user avatar
  • 1,094
24 votes
4 answers
3k views

Was the Nicene Creed accepted under duress?

In the book Are you Really that Stupid? Observations of a Skeptical Believer, author Joshua Christian makes the claim that the Nicene Creed was accepted under less than ideal (from a theological ...
Flimzy's user avatar
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24 votes
4 answers
3k views

Is there evidence that Isaiah 53 was viewed as a Messianic prophecy within Judaism, or is it an exclusively Christian interpretation?

The modern Jewish interpretation of the so-called suffering servant song of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is that it is a prophecy referring to the nation of Israel, not the Messiah. As such, it is sometimes ...
ThaddeusB's user avatar
  • 7,773
24 votes
1 answer
2k views

Has a pope ever been corrected publicly by a non-cleric in the presence of cardinals because of the unclear wording of a papal document?

At the moment there is a lot of talk about four cardinals who have submitted a dubia to Pope Francis regarding the interpretation of Amoris Laetitia. In one article it stated that: "any 'fraternal ...
Ken Graham's user avatar
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24 votes
3 answers
6k views

What are the differences between the different millenialisms?

Revelation 20:1-6 tells of 1000 years in which Christ will reign. I've heard there are different views on this 1000 years, mainly premillenialism, postmillenialism, and amillenialism. What are the ...
a_hardin's user avatar
  • 9,173
24 votes
3 answers
1k views

What are the main tenets and/or beliefs of the 'Emergent' Church?

'Emergent' is a word I see gets thrown around a lot. Is there any definition to what is and what isn't emergent? Is it a catch-all for certain points of view? Are there people out there that ...
aceinthehole's user avatar
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24 votes
3 answers
14k views

Why did G.K. Chesterton convert to Catholicism?

G.K. Chesterton is one of my favorite authors. On a lot of subjects, his way of looking at things really astonishes me. He can still show things in a fresh perspective, though his books are about a ...
StackExchange saddens dancek's user avatar
24 votes
2 answers
152k views

When did "tithing" come to mean "giving 10% of your gross income to the Church"?

I know the word "tithe" has "tenth" built into it, and so some Christians assume that every usage of the word "tithe" in Scripture is referring to "giving 10% of your gross income to the church." But ...
Jas 3.1's user avatar
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24 votes
6 answers
7k views

What is the biblical basis for the Immaculate Conception?

According to Catholic Doctrine, the Immaculate Conception refers to the teaching that Mary's own conception (not that of Jesus) was without the stain of original sin. What is the biblical basis for ...
Narnian's user avatar
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24 votes
5 answers
36k views

What is the difference between Reformed and Presbyterian

I feel like this is a dumb question, but maybe, just maybe, I'm not the only one confused by this. Maybe if I'm willing to stick my neck out and look stupid, the answer will be here for those poor ...
Steven Doggart's user avatar
24 votes
3 answers
6k views

According to the Catholic Church, are Jews saved without faith in Jesus?

According to recent news stories, the Vatican has issued a report saying that Jews can be saved without faith in Jesus (see for example here). This sounds very strange, so my questions are: Does ...
John Doe's user avatar
  • 257
24 votes
1 answer
9k views

Why doesn't the Catholic Bible include all books from Septuagint?

The Catholic Bible (as opposed to the Protestant Bible) includes the so-called deuterocanonical books. It's commonly simply stated that the books in Septuagint are included in the Catholic canon. ...
StackExchange saddens dancek's user avatar
24 votes
7 answers
1k views

What is the physical evidence for a global flood?

Young Earth Creationists believe in a young earth, followed by a literal global flood based on the belief that Scripture is written as history. Often, in comments, discussion forums, and discussions ...
Kramii's user avatar
  • 2,152
24 votes
5 answers
23k views

How did the cross come to be a symbol for Christianity?

I understand WHY the cross became a symbol for Christianity, but HOW did it become a symbol? How did it start and how did it evolve into the symbol (or symbols since there are many variants) we all ...
DForck42's user avatar
  • 1,395
24 votes
2 answers
2k views

Who is a Christian according to the Russian Orthodox Church

I was told by my Russian Orthodox friends on several occasions that according to their beliefs only members of the Orthodox Church are Christians. (For example, they pointed out that my statement that ...
Andrew's user avatar
  • 241
24 votes
5 answers
5k views

How do theistic evolutionists view the Fall of Man?

I haven't really decided what to think about the creation of the world. I'm very familiar with the concept of evolution, scientifically, and if I didn't believe in God I'd certainly believe in ...
StackExchange saddens dancek's user avatar
24 votes
2 answers
126k views

What is the story behind a monk’s tonsure?

As the title asks: What is the significance of this particular haircut (the tonsure), why is it associated with monks and what is the history behind it?
David Stratton's user avatar
24 votes
2 answers
3k views

What distinctive kinds of Bible translations are there?

Obviously there is a lot decisions and elbow-grease that go into producing any Bible translation. I hear a lot of different terms used to describe the different methodologies that guide those ...
Caleb's user avatar
  • 37.3k
24 votes
2 answers
7k views

From where does the doctrine that there is no time in heaven originate?

I'm quite familiar with the fact that God himself is outside of time, this is very easy to show through scripture. However it seems to be an increasingly popular conception that there is no time in ...
2tim424's user avatar
  • 3,468
23 votes
5 answers
7k views

According to those holding that Jesus was literally born of a virgin, why did Paul not mention it?

Matthew and Luke each open with an account of Jesus' miraculous virginal conception and birth. The virgin birth is widely seen as an essential belief in Christianity, being found for example in the ...
Mr. Bultitude's user avatar
23 votes
5 answers
6k views

Did Paul write the Epistle to the Hebrews?

The authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews is an open question. The common scholarly opinion is that the author certainly wasn't Paul. Most modern Bible translations make no mention of the author, ...
StackExchange saddens dancek's user avatar
23 votes
7 answers
247k views

What are the main differences between 7th Day Adventists and Catholic/Protestant churches?

What are the main differences between 7th Day Adventists and Catholic/Protestant churches?
Jomet's user avatar
  • 1,275
23 votes
7 answers
1k views

Who was Melchizedek? [closed]

Melchizedek ("King of Justice" in Hebrew) is mentioned in Genesis 14 as receiving the dime from Abraham, and breaking bread with him: 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: ...
raphink's user avatar
  • 1,733
23 votes
12 answers
8k views

Where can I find out more about other people rising from the dead, when Jesus died on the Cross?

51 When Jesus died, the curtain in the Temple was torn into two pieces. The tear started at the top and tore all the way to the bottom. Also, the earth shook and rocks were broken. 52 The graves ...
Greg McNulty's user avatar
  • 4,034
23 votes
7 answers
23k views

Are Orthodox Christians all the same faith?

I've noticed some churches in my area that are titled things like: "Greek" Orthodox "Russian" Orthodox "Serbian" Orthodox "Antiochian" Orthodox etc... Are these all the same type of Christian Church?
leeand00's user avatar
  • 1,209
23 votes
7 answers
3k views

What are the Biblical and theological problems with theistic evolution?

Theistic evolution holds that God used evolution to create mankind. It seems to follow then that this view must also hold the creation account in Genesis to be unhistorical. So, Adam and Eve may ...
Narnian's user avatar
  • 63.8k
23 votes
5 answers
80k views

Why did Jesus refer to Gentiles as dogs?

The passage below raises two questions in my mind but I suspect they both have the same answer. My questions are: Why did Jesus at first refuse to speak to the Canaanite woman? We know He had no ...
Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE's user avatar
23 votes
2 answers
1k views

Does the Bible give any rules for music? [closed]

Does the Bible provide any rules or even any indication about what kind or style of music is appropriate, both for worship and in general?
C. Ross's user avatar
  • 2,190
23 votes
4 answers
3k views

How would Reformed Christians deal with homosexual marriage of individuals prior to their conversion to Christianity?

I've been pondering this for several weeks and I believe that the reformed church (really, the church in general) is woefully unprepared to answer the following question: How would the church deal ...
wax eagle's user avatar
  • 7,037
23 votes
6 answers
47k views

What scripture is James 4:5 referring to?

James 4:5 (ESV) Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? I don't know of an Old Testament passage ...
StackExchange saddens dancek's user avatar
23 votes
4 answers
40k views

Where do the names of books of Bible come from?

Where does the name of each book come from? (I am not a Christian and this should be treated like a novice question.)
B Faley's user avatar
  • 489
23 votes
7 answers
9k views

Did early church fathers understand the doctrine of trinity?

Many historians and religious scholars ... attest to the influence of Greek or Platonic philosophy in the development and acceptance of the Trinity doctrine in the fourth century. ... the famous ...
Monika Michael's user avatar
23 votes
5 answers
80k views

Why the difference in depiction of the cross between Catholics and Protestants?

As I understand it, Roman Catholic crosses have Jesus hanging on them, but Protestant crosses do not. I understood that Protestant crosses do not because they want to focus on the Resurrection, not ...
Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE's user avatar
23 votes
7 answers
12k views

At what point is a new soul created according to the Catholic Church?

It seems clear that the Catholic Church rejected Origen's claim that souls were created and existed before conception and birth. Does the Church pinpoint fertilization of the egg as the moment a soul ...
Kris's user avatar
  • 7,069
23 votes
4 answers
2k views

Do Evangelicals see Catholics as pagans?

This question is based on my personal experience. Some time ago I had a discussion with a friend of mine who's an evangelical pastor. In a very subtle way, he was asserting that I actually believe ...
Daniele B's user avatar
  • 703
23 votes
5 answers
23k views

Why is "elohim" translated as "God" and not "gods"? [closed]

I was looking at the Holman Christian Standard Bible and I saw that Elohim is plural. Were it to be translated plural it would read something like: "In the beginning, gods created the heavens and ...
Richard's user avatar
  • 24.3k
23 votes
5 answers
12k views

Was tithing 10% required or encouraged by the early church?

I cannot find in the New Testament an obligation on Christians to tithe 10% of their income. Instead I read that it is up the individual to decide: 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV1984) Each man should ...
Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE's user avatar
23 votes
6 answers
11k views

Is Hell eternal, or do some/all escape it? [closed]

In his recent book, Love Wins, author and pastor Rob Bell caused quite a bit of controversy (and anger) by making the argument that Heaven is the state that we are in when we follow God's will and ...
aceinthehole's user avatar
  • 10.7k
23 votes
13 answers
7k views

Believing that Christianity is "probably" true vs. being fully convinced that Christianity is definitely true?

Most apologetic arguments for theism/Christianity are probabilistic (i.e. they are abductive in nature, rely on premises that are not necessarily true, etc.), meaning that a rational person who is ...
user avatar
23 votes
4 answers
42k views

Does the Catholic Church officially recognize Protestants as Christians?

I have always thought that the Pope did not recognize the validity of the faith of those outside of the Catholic church, but in comments from a different post I am surprised to find out I may be ...
Mike's user avatar
  • 31.8k
23 votes
5 answers
13k views

Why is Rome the holy city?

Why did Rome become the seat of the Pope and the central location for the Church? I would think that Jerusalem would be the first choice. There are also a number of other cities that I would ...
user avatar
23 votes
2 answers
8k views

How does the Catholic church explain Matthew 19:9, which seems to allow divorce in case of sexual misconduct?

Matthew 19:9 (NIV) I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery. On a simple examination, it seems to imply that sexual ...
Greg Bala's user avatar
  • 846
23 votes
4 answers
23k views

Biblical basis for the separation of church and state

I know there are a lot of non-biblical arguments for the separation of church and state. Some Christians also support it on biblical grounds, but I've never looked into the matter myself. Which ...
StackExchange saddens dancek's user avatar
23 votes
3 answers
3k views

Do the Catholic Church ex cathedra pronouncements about necessity of Catholicism to be saved still apply?

I think the following was spoken Ex Cathedra: “The most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but ...
Gregory Magarshak's user avatar
23 votes
7 answers
5k views

Does the Bible make any allusions to life on other planets? [closed]

What, if anything, does the Bible say either supporting the theory of life on other planets, or suggesting that there is none?
Flimzy's user avatar
  • 22.2k

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