34
votes
Accepted
What are scholarly objections to the divine inspiration of the Book of Mormon?
The arguments against the authenticity and veracity of the Book of Mormon are multiple. To name a few:
Convenient absence of the original 'golden plates' According to Joseph Smith the golden plates ...
- 31.5k
34
votes
Accepted
How do Christians rebut Matt Dillahunty's objection that the resurrection of Jesus is untestable, unfalsifiable and thus unreasonable to believe?
Dillahunty's argument is self-refuting.
He commits the error inherent to all forms of verificationism. A simple, jargon-free description of verificationist principles would be: "you shouldn't ...
- 11.2k
17
votes
What are scholarly objections to the divine inspiration of the Book of Mormon?
Reformed Egyptian and archeology
Only a select few ever claimed to have seen the golden plates Smith said contained the records of the Book of Mormon. The plates were said to have been written in ...
- 1,394
10
votes
What are scholarly objections to the divine inspiration of the Book of Mormon?
Why should we believe Mormonism's one and only source? The content of the Bible enjoys the benefit of what historians call "multiple independent attestation." that is, the events, people and ...
- 4,693
7
votes
How do Christians rebut Matt Dillahunty's objection that the resurrection of Jesus is untestable, unfalsifiable and thus unreasonable to believe?
I'd suppose that the same arguments regarding existence might be made about Confucious, Plato, Melchizedek, Nero, and other historical figures. But what are counter arguments?
You might look for ...
- 13k
7
votes
How do Christians rebut Matt Dillahunty's objection that the resurrection of Jesus is untestable, unfalsifiable and thus unreasonable to believe?
Apart from the point about the argument being self-refuting from another answer, this argument proves too much. By the author's logic, the claim that George Washington used to be President of the ...
6
votes
Do any Christian groups or denominations teach reliable methods for scientifically minded individuals to seek and find God?
The "proof" of God's existence is that anything exists at all. I understand that there are many refutations of the ontological argument and that this will not satisfy the purely scientific ...
- 14.6k
5
votes
Accepted
Is there a name for a category of Christians who lack a doctrinal position in the debate about God's nature?
Christians have been around for 2000 years. We would think surely there is already a label out there that answers your question?
Short answer: Deist is the closest, with Thomas Jefferson as a famous ...
- 22.1k
5
votes
Accepted
What are the most common reasons that cause Christians to deconvert to atheism/agnosticism?
What's wrong?
What are the most common reasons that cause Christians to lose their faith and turn to atheism, agnosticism or skepticism?
Well... it's hard to arrive at a factual answer. The only ...
- 6,668
5
votes
How do Christians rebut Matt Dillahunty's objection that the resurrection of Jesus is untestable, unfalsifiable and thus unreasonable to believe?
Centuries ago people argued about whether the parallel line postulate (parallel lines never meet) could be proved using the other axioms of geometry. It was finally proven that you cannot. If you ...
- 11.4k
5
votes
Accepted
What is an overview of Christian epistemological views on scientific skepticism and the epistemic value of eyewitness testimony?
I'll offer a perspective that is compatible with many Christian denominations, though I would not claim it is representative of what all Christians believe.
Respect for skepticism
I have some ...
- 11.2k
4
votes
What are the most challenging objections to the divine inspiration of the Bible?
"What are the most challenging objections . . . ? "
After over half a century of reading and studying and meditating on the holy scriptures (Genesis to Revelation, 66 books, TR/KJV/YLT/EGNT)...
- 23.6k
4
votes
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?
Insufficient Authority
This answer sheds light on the question: https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/5558/in-the-time-of-jesus-were-the-jewish-authorities-allowed-to-execute
The Jews were ...
- 11.4k
4
votes
How can we be sure our specific Christian confession is true, when every other Christian group claims that it's not?
Very simply put, your assumption here is wrong:
... founded by Jesus Christ, and outside of which there is no salvation.
Similarly numerous Protestant groups claim that if you don't adhere to
...
- 59
4
votes
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?
Short answer for your updated question from the Inclusivism view
What's the inclusivism view? From the book mentioned below:
The wideness of God's love and mercy toward sinners is utterly amazing—...
- 22.1k
4
votes
If Joseph Smith "inaccurately" translated Egyptian hieroglyphs in his Book of Abraham, does this cast doubt on his translation, the Book of Mormon?
Shamelessly copying from this answer:
Modern analysis of fragments of papyri believed to be those which
Smith had in possession shows that they portray a standard Egyptian
burial, as such scholars ...
- 5,533
4
votes
Accepted
How do continuationists respond to Justin Peters' challenge to modern charismatic prophets?
A comparable challenge was issued to Jesus by the scribes & Pharisees:
38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying,
Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39 But he ...
- 11.2k
4
votes
What is an overview of Christian epistemological views on scientific skepticism and the epistemic value of eyewitness testimony?
The traditional Christian worldview is that of holding to an open epistemology. A classical example would be that of C.S. Lewis and what he wrote on the subject of miracles.
C.S. Lewis urges in his ...
- 3,447
4
votes
How can non-believers, who cannot perceive nor understand the things of the Spirit, overcome their spiritual blindness?
The first step in true religion is that required by John the Baptist - he that hath two coats, give to him that hath none and likewise with meat, Luke 3:11.
If one does not love one's neighbour whom ...
- 23.6k
3
votes
Why would Zachariah doubt Angel Gabriel?
Zechariah had a number of precedents which would have been an example to him.
Firstly, Abraham had been visited by three 'men' and the narrative is written in a mysterious way, indicating the nature ...
- 23.6k
3
votes
How can we be sure our specific Christian confession is true, when every other Christian group claims that it's not?
All forms of Christianity have to, at some point, base their beliefs in the Bible. If the Bible isn't true, then why are you bothering with any of its tenets, etc?
And my problem is this: why must I ...
- 1,394
3
votes
Accepted
Was there an official Church of England response to the 2002 survey of clergy beliefs?
The survey in question was commissioned by a group called "Cost of Conscience". This is, or was, a group within the Church of England which was originally opposed to the ordination of women priests, ...
- 7,852
3
votes
How can we be sure our specific Christian confession is true, when every other Christian group claims that it's not?
There is a core set of beliefs that all branches of Christianity hold in common - such as Jesus being both God and man, dying on the cross for us, rising from the dead, and one day returning to end ...
- 49
3
votes
What are scholarly books for and against the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus?
The best scholarly book to consult on whether Jesus was raised from the dead or not, would be one written by eyewitnesses to his resurrection, also explaining from their pens how they refuted the ...
- 26.8k
3
votes
How do Christians rebut Matt Dillahunty's objection that the resurrection of Jesus is untestable, unfalsifiable and thus unreasonable to believe?
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more [John 14:19 KJV]
Deliberately, Jesus of Nazareth, risen from the dead and thus 'declared to be the Son of God' (as preached, first, by Paul the ...
- 23.6k
3
votes
How do Christians rebut Matt Dillahunty's objection that the resurrection of Jesus is untestable, unfalsifiable and thus unreasonable to believe?
You shouldn't listen to an idea that cares more about what's verifiable than about what's real. Science begins with a desire to know what's real. You figure out the rest as you search for and evaluate ...
- 172
3
votes
Are there any Christians who are scientists and believe in modern miracles?
How can a scientist reconcile the belief in modern miracles with the skepticism of the scientific method?
Two independent domains of cause: God and Nature
First, let us clarify some terms. Scientists ...
- 22.1k
3
votes
Accepted
Are there any Christians who are scientists and believe in modern miracles?
Are there any Christians who are scientists who believe in modern miracles?
Yes! One of them currently serves as the President of my church.
--
Examples
Russell M. Nelson - renowned cardio-thoracic ...
- 11.2k
3
votes
Accepted
From a Christian perspective, what are "nonresistant nonbelievers" most likely doing wrong that prevents them from finding and believing in God?
Nonresistance is more useful in a placid lake than in a rushing river.
I'll offer a response in 5 sections:
The Risks of inertia
The Devil really is that nasty
A Latter-day Saint discussion of ...
- 11.2k
3
votes
From a Christian perspective, what are "nonresistant nonbelievers" most likely doing wrong that prevents them from finding and believing in God?
The premise that non-resistant non-belief is a reality for some is, from a biblical standpoint, false. Every single person has enough evidence to render them without excuse as regarding the Godhead ...
- 14.6k
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