texts: What is the history of the doctrine of inerrancy?

texts:
Is there any reason, biblical or otherwise, not to believe that the doctrine of inerrancy is relatively new (past two hundred years).  I found the following statement on Wikipedia.

  "It has in fact been noted that only in the last two centuries can we
  legitimately speak of a formal doctrine of inerrancy."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_inerrancy#History

Am I understanding correctly that the idea of infallibility has been the prevalent doctrine for most of Christian history?  I'm narrowing the scope to Christianity, as it's my understanding that Jewish tradition does not hold the idea of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) being inerrant.

Personal Anecdote: I grew up attending church in the 60's and 70's; the idea of inerrancy wasn't considered in the churches I attended.  It seems that the "Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy" has really changed the Christian view during the past 35 years.

This question is focused on the history of the doctrine of inerrancy, not the doctrine itself.


texts: Is the ASV Bible public domain in the UK?

texts:
The ASV Bible is viewed to be a Public Domain work in America (as is the KJV), but is the ASV also considered a public domain bible in England?

I ask this question because the internet indicates that there were certain licensing provisions made with the Crown in the original production of ASV. So would I or anyone have any problems or issues with UK copyright or Crown issues in the UK by repeatedly quoting the ASV? Oxford and Cambridge apparently don't allow the KJV to be quoted for commercial usage, and other types of usage has limitations. Is that true for the ASV bible also?


texts: According to Catholicism, does an individual bishop have the safeguard of Infallibility or Indefectibility?

texts: Is an individual bishop in communion with the Church and Supreme Pontiff prevented from teaching/approving heresy via formal acts under the doctrines of Infallibility or Indefectibility?


texts: How could Jesus be descended from the royal line of David if he was born of the Virgin Birth?

texts:
The first chapter of  Matthew traces Jesus' lineage through his father Joseph back to King David through something like 18 generations. But as we know, Jesus was born through the agency of the Holy Spirit meaning that Joseph did not impregnate his mother, the Virgin Mary.

How would Jesus have a bloodline back to King David?  Was Mary a cousin (of some degree) to Joseph with similar bloodlines?  If not, what doctrine would cause Jesus to be considered descended from King David?  Or put another way, are there any sources that describe what bloodline Jesus actually had through Mary?


texts: Is it known whether  Adam and Eve had the ability to experience physical pain before the fall?

texts:
Did Adam and Eve have the ability to experience physical pain before the fall? It seems that there is no indication in Genesis of physical pain in the Garden of Eden.

Is this issue mentioned anywhere else in the Scriptures?
Do any Christian traditions use other known pieces to derive some belief about what pain must have been like before the fall? If so how to they arrive at these interpretations and what doctrine do they build on these understandings?


texts: What is Typology in the context of Christianity, and how does it help understand doctrinal matters?

texts:
What is Typology in the context of Christianity, and how does it help understand, or enhance our understanding of doctrinal matters?

Also, is this something that the Church has always believed historically, or is it something that was introduced at a later time?

Note: I know this is several sub-questions, but I believe that all sub-questions would be needed for a complete answer anyway.  I'm looking for an introduction to the subject for anyone unfamiliar with the term and concept.


texts: What are the Catholic Church's instruction on kneeling down in prayer in churches?

texts: In Catholic churches where pews are in place, one rarely notices the faithful kneeling down in prayer except perhaps during the Prayer of Consecration .  In fact, in earlier times,  the faithful would kneel down on entering the church and during a number of prayers of the  liturgy. Of late, there seems to have come up some schools of thought advocating against kneeling in prayer. My question therefore is : what are the Catholic Church's instructions on kneeling down at the church, by the faithful during the liturgy and otherwise.


texts: Why do Jehovah's Witnesses travel in pairs?

texts: Why do Jehovah's Witnesses travel in pairs instead of a group and go proselytizing door-to-door? What is the typical arrangement (friend and friend, sister and sister, brother and brother, husband and wife, etc.)? Are these people paid by the Watchtower to minister?


texts: Where did the mockery of Jesus take place?

texts: Before he was crucified, Jesus was mocked by the soldiers and by members of the Sanhedrin.   Where did this mockery take place?


texts: Do we have or know of additional writings from the four Gospel Evangelists?

texts:
The New Testament of the Christian Bible is commenced with four Gospels: Matthew's, Mark's, Luke's, and John's. Early church tradition has taught us that Matthew and John's Gospels were written by two of the twelve apostles bearing the name of their writings- Matthew "the tax collector"(Matt. 9:9), and John "one of the sons of Zebedee" or "the one whom Jesus loved" (Mark. 3:17).

The authors of the Gospels of Mark and Luke do not claim to be apostles, but were indispensable with the veracity they brought towards recording the life and Christ and his followers. Early church tradition holds the author of The Gospel of Mark to be John Mark, a fellow missionary with Paul and Barnabas(Acts 12:12,25) and the one who essentially wrote Peter's account of the life of Jesus and his followers, and the Gospel of Luke to be written by Luke "the physician" (Col. 4:14) and follower of Paul.

Do we have any other writings from these men or writings purported to be from these men outside of the New Testament? (Acts, Revelation, 1,2,3 John etc., do not count as they are included in the NT)

The writings provided do not need to be an exhaustive list


texts: How can we understand the SDA interpretation of Daniel 9:26?

texts:
According to the SDA interpretation of Daniel 9 the seventy weeks terminate in AD34.

Daniel 9:26 New King James Version (NKJV)

  26
  “And after the sixty-two weeks
  Messiah shall [a]be cut off, but not for Himself;
  And the people of the prince who is to come
  Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
  The end of it shall be with a flood,
  And till the end of the war desolations are determined.

Im interested especially in the destruction of the city and the sanctuary which according to them(SDA) fell during this period.

Does the destruction of the city and sanctuary take place during this period in time.

How can we understend this interpretation?


texts: What is considered chaste behaviour from a Catholic perspective?

texts:
The Catholic church teaches that sexual love between a man and a woman is to be reserved to within marriage.

My question is in the opinion of the Catholic church what is defined as pre-marital1 sexual activity and what is considered chaste behaviour? It seems from the little information I have found on it that intention, action and result are all to be considered. However, what is considered unchaste, for instance would any activity that can lead to orgasm be considered unchaste? Would tender kissing to show affection be unchaste? Would the same action be unchaste if it were for sheer enjoyment?

Or perhaps is there some other definition or key idea that I am missing?

1. i.e. For the unmarried


texts: If one abandons his faith in Catholicism and becomes an Atheist, could he still go to heaven?

texts:
If one has been raised a Catholic for all their life, and have just never found meaning in it, and then plans on becoming an Atheist  after a difficult conversation with their parents.
I would like to know, if God was real, could they still go to heaven, even though they have left their faith and turned away from Christianity?


texts: Why did heaven need to be purified by Christ's blood?

texts:
Hebrews 9:23, speaking of Moses purifying the earthly tabernacle and Jesus the heavenly home with blood, says,

  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens
  should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with
  better sacrifices than these.

I thought the blood cleansed of sin. If so, then why was it applied to heavenly things? Or was the blood applied for a different reason to these two places?


texts:
I'm not asking about what is the dragon, it's the devil okay, but my question is why is it called "dragon", why dragons exists in the Bible, when they are nothing more than mythical creatures.

Actually dragons are perhaps the only creatures which appeared in all civilizations thousands of years ago, so I wanted to ask why are there dragons all over the place if it's mythical, usually civilizations have their own monsters except dragons.

But why the Bible holds on to such a mythical creature? Saint Michael fighting the dragon. And latter the story Saint George and so on, like why they called it "dragon" and not "locki"? Does the bible claim that dragons are real, regardless of their meaning in the text?

I thought that someone had written Saint Michael story after exploring the Chinese society and knowing what dragons are, but it's written in the Bible too.

Other religions have events existing in neighboring religions as a part of their holy text, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, but I don't think the Bible has done that.

In any case, dragons weren't widespread in the Middle East, their inclusion won't serve a purpose like Babylon, the Middle Eastern people have different myths, so how did a mythical creature jump from China to the Bible and why is it described in such details, as if someone is portraying a real animal?

If we're assuming that the dragon came from Greek mythology, they didn't have many dragons, and none fire breathing dragons I know of. Fire breathing dragons appeared in east Asia and Norse mythology as far as I know and didn't influence the Middle East.

Some people are saying dragons are dinosaurs? Dinosaurs weren't discovered until 1800s. Okay the Bible have prophecies and can make predictions but I don't think the people that lived 2000 years ago would be able to grasp what dinosaurs are, I don't know, something is missing.


texts: As Christians are we called to convert people who have no Faith in anything or Faith in different religion. Baptist/Methodist

texts:
As Christians, both individually and collectively as the church, we are called to make and grow followers of Christ but when Jesus says this is he telling us to mainly target Non-religious people or people of other (non-Christian) religions. The focus is not whether we such make disciples, but whether we should focus more on the non-religious or on people of other faiths or if they should be treated the same.

I want the answer strictly from Baptist or Methodist denomination.


texts: Who was the first person ordered executed by a Roman Catholic pope?

texts: I was wondering who and when was the first person executed on orders of a pope or if there is no name information, when was the first such execution.


texts: The name and origin of the doctrine of justification by restructuring the narrative

texts:
See the example of the candlesticks from Les Mis.

See also Gen 20:60

  ...you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.

Can someone tell me the name and origin of this theological concept?

Specifically, what is the name and origin of the idea that God justifies a sinful act by restructuring the narrative surrounding it?


texts: Any mentions of Environmental protection in Bible?

texts: Is there any practical references about environmental protection as well as protection of earth? Whether Jesus mentioned about any of these topics somewhere?


texts: How do Calvinists argue that limited atonement is just and merciful?

texts: Why is it just or merciful that God predetermines who is to be saved and who is to be damned, before they are even born? Does that not mean a murderer may be saved and a charity worker damned?


texts: When did the practice of Confession in the Catholic Church begin?

texts: Confession, specifically the practice of confessing one's sins to a priest, is a quite common practice in the Catholic Church.  When and how did this sacrament first originate and become codified as standard Catholic practice?


texts: If the Geneva Bible was the Bible of the English reformation, then why did the KJV become so widely used?

texts: If the Geneva Bible was the bible of the reformation, Why is the KJV used more widely than the Geneva Bible? And (if applicable) what would be the main differences between the two bibles (in terms of biblical content rather than the preferences of a presiding king)?


texts: From a Calvinist perspective, does Limited Atonement make the Gospel offer empty?

texts:
It seems to me that the limited atonement of Calvinism makes the Gospel offer seem empty. Let's say that I hear someone saying that he is in need of $100 and I tell him "I have $100, I can give it to you if you want", and he replies "That's ok, one of my friends already told me that he'd help me out", and when he leaves the room I tell the other guys that were present there "I told him I'd give him the money, but I don't actually have $100" ... what would you think of my character? Would that show that I'm a man of integrity? Not at all. That's how I think God would be if the limited atonement point of Calvinism is true.

The Gospel is offered to everyone, right? God commands all people from everywhere to repent and believe the Gospel, correct (Mark 1:15, Acts 17:30)? Why would God extend His gift of salvation to everyone who believes (John 3:16) if that offer is empty for some? How do Calvinists explain this?


texts: How do Protestants interpret "baptized for the dead" in 1 Corinthians 15:29?

texts:
1 Corinthians 15:29 (KJV)
  Else what shall they do which are baptized
  for the dead, if the dead rise not at all?  Why are they then baptized
  for the dead?

I know that the LDS Church interprets that verse literally. How do other Protestant traditions interpret this passage? What specific doctrines are derived from or reference this verse?


texts: What are the biblical reasons for why a Christian should not participate in an election process

texts:
I know a not-insignificant number of Christians who believe it is not their duty (nor even their place) to vote in elections. Most of the ones I know don't have reasons for it other than cited "personal conviction".

What biblical reasons could be given as to why Christians should not participate in the governmental process from a general citizenry duty/right/freedom perspective?

related, but not a duplicates of: Does “no part of this world” mean no involvement in politics? &, Politics and Religion


texts: Does an evangelical understanding of the 'laws of nature' make God seem more distant or close?

texts:
The term 'law of nature' such as gravity, condensation, etc. is rarely if ever described in relation to God in modern schools and Universities. Yet I am wondering what the biblical view of the Laws of nature are?

Specifically I am wondering if the Bible presents God as an absentee creator who wound up the 'clock of the universe' and stood back while it 'ticked' according to its designed laws, or is God portrayed as being more intimately involved in moving and being present in each 'tick'?

Please provide an evangelical supported answer with a referenced quote.


texts:
did they need to relay on others ?

I hope you can base your answer on the OT


texts:
Are blue rosary beads based on blue ribband (tzitzit) from Numbers 15?
Numbers 15:38-39 (KJV):

"38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:
39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them"


texts: Is there any mention of actually what animals were in Eden? Is any mentioned beside the serpent? Is there any  mention of what animals were eaten, if any?


texts: Who are David and Sibyls in the first stanza of Dies Iræ?

texts:
The first stanza of the medieval Latin hymn Dies Iræ is as follows:

Dies iræ, dies illa
Solvet sæclum in favilla,
Teste David cum Sibylla.

While the beginning is clearly taken from the prophet Zephaniah:

Dies iræ dies illa, dies tribulationis et angustiæ, dies calamitatis et miseriæ, dies tenebrarum et caliginis, dies nebulæ et turbinis (Zef 1:15)

I am wondering to whom the names the last line refer and what specific testimonies are ment.
For David the Old Testament king of Israel comes to mind – but is there any specific testimony concerned with the day of wrath?
For Sibylla, I do not even find her name in the bible. Wikipedia refers to some ancient greek oracles; but why should they be named in a christian hymn.
Is there a definitive interpretation? Who are these two and can their specific testimonies identified?


texts: Are there souls in hell who contributed to other soul's salvation?

texts:
This question is from a Catholic perspective. Is there any writings or some teaching whether a person who highly contribute to someone else's salvation could in fact end up in hell if abandon faith at the end of life or stay in sin?
For example: If a person in early life lives faithfully, offers many indulgences for souls in purgatory to the point of getting them out of there or are a cause of many conversions. But at the end of life end up in mortal sin and end up unrepented or don't really think repentance is necessary for whatever reason. What comes to my mind are priests, religious who left their vocation and ended up married, especially if they even ended up marrying a divorced person and living in adultery or illicit marriage and so on. They might feel sorry but stuck in their situation believing this was God's will...but objectively living in sin...


texts: Are the books known as the "Book of the Covenant" and the "Book of the Law" the same book or two separate books?

texts:
Exodus 24:7 (verse-A)

  Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.”

That event is before God give the stone-tablets to Moses. (I think it's the early years of the Exodus ??) and before 40 days Moses in Mt. Sinai.

Deuteronomy 29:21 (verse-B)

  And the LORD will single him out from all the tribes of Israel for calamity, in accordance with all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law.

That event is after 40 years of the exodus.

It seems to me that the Book of the Covenant (BoC) is different than the Book of the Law (BoL), because in the verse-A leads me to think that BoC already done/finish/complete that time when Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

On the other hand, BoL is still being written - it's the book where Moses is writing verse-B. So then there are two books, the BoC and the BoL.

But since I'm not sure of my own conclusion, that's why I ask here. Thank you.


texts:
How does the Catholic church prioritize different sources of information in coming to doctrinal/theological conclusions, and how do they justify that?

If you use the Wesleyan Quadrilateral as a framework for considering different sources of information in coming to conclusions, how does the Catholic church use and prioritize each source (reason, experience, scripture, tradition)?

What is their justification for the way they use and prioritize sources?


texts: I heard that some things (like getting an abortion or attacking the pope) have the penalty of latae sententiae excommunication. What is that?


texts: How do Catholics make sure that the supposed saint they are asking intercession of is truly saved?

texts:
The doctrine of the intercession of saints states that deceased saints can be asked (via prayer) to intercede for the living. This assumes that there is:

A living Christian.
A deceased saint.
A one-way communication from the living Christian to the deceased saint. (*)
A two-way communication between the deceased saint and God.

(*) I say one-way and not two-way in point 3 because the deceased saint does not communicate back to the living Christian (or at least the doctrine doesn't state that possibility as far as I'm aware).
My question is regarding how Catholics make sure that points 2 and 3 are really taking place. I imagine that not everyone that one decides to pray to is necessarily a deceased saint. This is easy to see with an extreme example. Let's say someone decides to pray to Adolf Hitler. Most would agree that Hitler is very likely not saved. So praying to him would be a wasted prayer, because Hitler, though he meets the condition of being deceased, doesn't meet the condition of being a saint. So that's an easy one to tell, but what about other, more ambiguous cases? What if my uncle Bob, who passed away last year, was a believer, was very virtuous but also had his fair share of defects? How  can I tell if he was saved or lost at the moment of death? And what about deceased virtuous pagans who, though they were not strictly Christian, still had a chance to be saved and, therefore, to intercede for the living?
In other words, I would like to know if Catholics have a standard protocol in place to determine which deceased persons are trustable candidates to ask intercession of, to avoid false positive situations in which they accidently pray to someone who was not truly a deceased saint. Similarly, are there any negative consequences that might occur if someone accidently asks intercession of a deceased non-saint (e.g. someone prays to a deceased relative who is actually in Hell/not saved)? Is it possible that a demon could take advantage of the situation and answer the prayer instead, pretending to be the deceased non-saint?


texts: According to the Bible, does sin give Satan 'Legal Access' to your life in any sense?

texts:
I was talking to a Christian friend recently, and she brought up this teaching that when you sin you give the devil 'legal access' (her words) to your life. The conversation was in the context of a Lutheran pastor with cancer we both knew, who refused to believe that his cancer was in any way a spiritual attack, as he was a child of God and 'defended from the darts of the enemy.'

I'm curious about any scriptural teaching on whether your sin opens up some sort of 'legal right' for satan to work in your life. Personally I'm quite uncomfortable with this idea for a number of reasons (for one, it doesn't seem to sit well with the story of Job), but I'd be interested if anyone can provide any scriputural justification/refutation.


texts: What was the origin of repeated confession of fault during the Act of Contrition?

texts: What was context and time of origin of the repeated chant of ".. through my fault, through my fault,through my most grievous fault" in the Act of Contrition said during the Holy Mass of Catholic Church (Latin rite) ?


texts: Giving to the church or giving to the poor?

texts: Which does God prefer most, giving to the church or giving to the poor?


texts: Eating sour grapes and transmitting sin over generations

texts:
Prophesying the restoration of Israel, Jeremiah makes the following statement:

  In those days they shall no longer say: ‘The fathers have eaten sour
  grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ (Jer 31:29 - also see Ezek 18:2)

which is explained in the next verse:

  But everyone shall die for his own iniquity. Each man who eats sour
  grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge. (Jer 31:30)

However, in the next chapter the following statement is made:

  You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of
  fathers to their children after them... (Jer 32:18)

This reminds of a statement made in the Ten Commandments:

  I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for
  the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who
  hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love
  me and keep my commandments. (Ex 20:5,6)

In one sense therefore every person will die for his/her own sin, yet there is a possibility of carrying sin/guilt over to the next generation. Is Israel (and/or God's children) exempt from transmitting the guilt, or how should we solve this seeming paradox?


texts: What was the Original Purpose of Fasting from "Wine" and "Olive Oil" in the Orthodox Tradition?

texts:
The Orthodox are required to fast from "wine" and "olive oil" most Wednesdays and Fridays, for Lent, the Dormition of the Theotokos, the Nativity, and other fasts.
Nearly all Orthodox define "wine" as any alcoholic beverage. There are probably not any whom define "wine" as only wine and continue to drink beer and spirits on a fast day.
A majority of Orthodox define "olive oil" as simply olive oil; in other words, canola oil, vegetable oil, and any other vegan oil that is not olive oil is permitted for the majority of Orthodox members. There are some (a small minority) whom abstain from all the oils, and even some whom eat everything "dry" (xerophagia), such as pasta without tomato sauce.
As a matter of consistency, it would appear to me that if one were to define olive oil as only olive oil, then one would also define wine as only wine. It is true that the taste of olive oil is relatively superior to canola oil; however, it is hard to imagine that if canola oil existed in the first century that the Church would have permitted it.
Here are my questions:
What was the original purpose of the inclusion of wine in the items of fasting? I have read that people didn't drink water much back then, because it was very contaminated, instead opting for low-alcoholic beer or wine because it was much less contaminated. This could potentially lead one to the conclusion that "wine" was included as to encourage fasting from water, rather than intoxicating substances. Or, that piece of history could be a red herring, and the fast from "wine" simply does mean a fast from intoxicating substances. For example, in Canons 51 and 53 of the Apostolic Canons, wine is juxtaposed with marital relations, which the Orthodox also abstain from on fast days, implying that the fast from wine is a fast from the pleasurable effects of intoxicating substances; however, exercising, smoking, reading, laughing, and all other pleasurable activities except sex and food are permitted on fast days.
(As an aside, how did Christians consume water during fast days if it was only available to them in low-alcoholic beer/wine?)
What was the original purpose of the inclusion of olive oil in the items of fasting? I have read that in the first century olive oil was the only oil available, and the people tended to use it on all foods to substantially improve taste, and even used it on the skin, which was thought to make one look better. If this was the case than it is difficult for me to understand why canola oil is permitted in the majority of the Church. Perhaps there is some other component to olive oil that I am missing, or perhaps my assumption that canola oil is tolerated in the majority of the Church is incorrect?


texts: What did the Early Church Fathers think about pets (animals) going to Heaven upon death?

texts: Many people believe that a pet goes to Heaven upon its death. I was curious, what did the Early Church Fathers (e.g., Augustine, John of Damascus, Tertullian, etc.) say about this?


texts: Do heterodox have a guardian angel as well? (Eastern Orthodox perspective)

texts:
According to the Eastern Orthodox Church, do non-Eastern Orthodox have guardian angels as well? By guardian angel, I mean a righteous spirit assigned to a person by God in order to guide and protect them throughout their life for the purpose of their sanctification. I know that all Orthodox have them, and I believe they are assigned at Baptism, so it would make sense that non-Orthodox would not have one but I am unable to find a clear answer.

Bonus points if you can answer regarding confessions that are not in communion with the Eastern Orthodox but whose Baptism is recognized as valid by them, e.g. Roman Catholics, some Presbyterians, etc.


texts: Were the "prophecies" in Montanism related to the pagan oracles?

texts:
I was reading Wikipedia's article on Montanism and saw this passage:

  The Montanist prophets did not speak as messengers of God but were described as possessed by God while being unable to resist.

This (and other text in the article) seems to reverberate of the oracles given at Delphi and at other pagan sites that were occurring during the same time frame.

Was Montanistic prophecy a reflection of this culture of oracles or was it something born out of its own right?


texts: Scripture explanation: spiritual person can evaluate everything

texts:
I'm reading 1 Corinthians and there are certain verses that just don't seem to make any sense to me.

  1 Cor 2 15 The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, yet he
  himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. 16 For who has known the
  Lord’s mind, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

  — Holman Christian Standard Bible

What does Paul mean spiritual person can evaluate everything?
If this is talking about ability of believers to understand Godly matters then how does the statement, who has known the Lord's mind fit here?


texts: Where does the Catholic tradition that Mary did not have pain giving birth to Jesus come from?

texts:
Where does the Catholic tradition that Mary's birth of Jesus was painless come from?

My wife just got home from a non-denominational study about Mary and she said she thought everybody knew this, but apparently no one knew about it - especially the Protestants!

In any event, what I'm looking for is the origin of the quote that Jesus' birth was "like light passing through glass" and whether that quote is wholly indicative of a painless birth or if it could have been painless in another way?

I understand that it's a little t tradition in the Church, not a dogma or anything.  But it's definitely a strong tradition; although it's one that could use a little preaching on from what I can tell.


texts: Can families do their own communion service with the sacrament being valid as a means of grace?

texts:
In Protestant denominations where the practice of the Lord's Supper / Holy Communion is considered a means of grace (instead of 100% remembrance / memorial), can a head of family celebrate the Lord's Supper with his family at home, following as closely as possible how it is celebrated at church by the pastor?  More importantly, is it a valid sacrament that becomes the same means of grace as when it's performed by the church pastor?
I am asking specifically for Protestant denominations that

do not have special rules to restrict performing the Lord's Supper / Holy Communion to certain roles (like an ordained priest), which opens the possibility for a head of family to perform the service at home
take the view of the Lord's Supper / Communion as a means of grace rather than 100% memorial only

Theologically I cannot find any issues, since:

Unlike in Catholicism and possibly in Anglicanism, there is no special ordination required for performing the rite so that the bread and wine becomes the means of grace
There is the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers

I'm asking this in the context of Covid-19 gathering restrictions.  But even when Covid-19 pandemic is over, if families are really serious in obtaining grace through the Lord's Supper, can they supplement the Lord's Supper service at their churches (usually monthly) by doing it weekly at home as well?  According to wikipedia:

Presbyterian and Reformed Churches have been considering whether to restore more frequent communion, including weekly communion in more churches, considering that infrequent communion was derived from a memorialist view of the Lord's Supper, rather than Calvin's view of the sacrament as a means of grace.

A related point to consider (not part of this question): in the early church period before there were special church buildings and when a congregation was possibly no larger than an extended household, who officiated over the Lord's Supper?  Was an ordained pastor necessary to perform it?
The answer should name the denomination(s) which see the Lord's Supper as conferring grace to the partakers (instead of a memorial / remembrance) and then state one of these possibilities:

They explicitly disallow home-based communion service.  If they disallow,  what's the theological reason, since Protestants in general subscribes to the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers.  Also, the motivation is not to be schismatic since the confession of faith is preserved and the home-based communion service partakers are still full members of the church.
They allow home-based communion service with some prescriptions on how to conduct it.  If they allow, whether the home-based service is as valid as a sacrament that becomes the means of grace when it's performed by the church pastor at church.
They are silent on this


texts: Did John Wesley use to pray in Latin due to the bad relationship with his wife?

texts:
In his book, The Attributes of God, A. W. Tozer mentions that John Wesley had a bad relation with his wife and because of this failed marriage, it is said that he (sometimes) used to pray in Latin so that his wife won't understand what he was praying about.
The version of the book I have has no bibliography, so I am looking for the primary source of these affirmations.

Some men have wives that are wildcats—difficult to get along with—and they think they are tempted above all others. John Wesley was married to a wildcat, and she didn’t even have her claws trimmed. But God got John Wesley through all right.
He used to kneel down and pray in Latin so his wife wouldn’t be able to know what he was saying. And while he prayed, she threw old shoes at his head! Not a very nice family affair, but that’s the way they got on.
The time came when Wesley said good-bye to his wife and went off preaching, even though she didn’t want him to. And they never did get together much after that, though he saw to it that she was taken care of.
She stayed home and grumbled as he went out everywhere preaching the gospel and transforming England. Then one day he was riding along on his horse, meditating or praying, looking up in the sky. Someone rode up alongside him and said, “Mr. Wesley, your wife is dead.” And he looked down and said, “Oh, she died, did she?” And he went back to looking up. Wesley got along all right, in spite of the wife he had.
https://www.worldevangelismcenter.org/john-wesleys-wife/
and http://www.worldevangelism.net/john-wesleys-wife/

What is the source of the idea that John Wesley used to pray in Latin so that his spouse won't understand?


texts: What is the Authoritative Catholic explanation of why the Magi get a pass, yet Catholics are to reject astrology?

texts:
What is the authoritative Catholic explanation of why the Magi get a pass, yet Catholics are required to reject astrology?

Catechism of the Catholic Church | Divination and magic, 2116 has:

  All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future [Cf. Deut 18:10; Jer 29:8]. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

The Magi utilizing their Magian astrology, were led Christ.

It appears that the stars have a knowledge, a science.

What made the Magian astrology acceptable, and would that type of Astrology be permissible to Catholics?

Please see this answer also: What types of signs are given by the “lights in the expanse of the heavens”?


texts: Was Jesus finite or infinite? (human or God?)

texts:
I've always heard it said that Jesus was "completely human" and "completely God".

How could he be both human (finite by very nature) and God (infinite by very nature)?


texts:
Revelation 20 (NIRV)

  4 I saw thrones. Those who had been given authority to judge were
  sitting on them. I also saw the souls of those whose heads had been
  cut off because they had given witness for Jesus and because of God’s
  word. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue. They had not
  received his mark on their foreheads or hands. They came to life and
  ruled with Christ for 1,000 years.
  5 This is the first resurrection. The rest of the dead did not come to
  life until the 1,000 years were ended. 6 Blessed and holy are those who take part in the first resurrection.
  The second death has no power over them. They will be priests of God
  and of Christ. They will rule with him for 1,000 years.

  14 Then Death and Hell were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of
  fire is the second death.
  15 Anyone whose name was not written in the Book of Life was thrown
  into the lake of fire.

  John 5:28-29 (NIRV)

  “Do not be amazed at this. A time is coming when all who are in the
  grave will hear his voice. They will all come out of their graves.
  Those who have done good will rise and live again. Those who have done
  evil will rise and be found guilty.

  Daniel 12:2 (NIV)

  Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to
  everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

It is clear enough from the above verses that we will all be resurrected one day. Those who believe in Jesus will be resurrected first, which is called the first resurrection and after 1000 years, the rest will be resurrected again, which obviously is the second resurrection. Hence,

First Resurrection =  Resurrection of the just
Second Resurrection = Resurrection of the damned(1000 years after the First Resurrection)

Again, here we see a "Second Death", which is the Lake of Fire. Those who believe in Jesus will have their names written in the Book of Life and will take part in the First Resurrection and they will not face the Second Death. The unbelievers will be be thrown into the Lake of Fire, which is the Second Death.

If there is a "Second Death", it implies that there is also the "First Death". However, I can't find any information about the First Death in the Bible. Here are some possibilities that I suggests,

Physical death, returning to dust.
Original sin.
Living in sin
Separation from God

What is the First Death?


texts: Jesus called God his own Father, and this is supposed to mean that Jesus is equal with God. Why?

texts:
John 5:18 reads as follows:

  This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

My question has do with the logic inherent in this verse.  I don't understand why calling God your Father makes you equal with God.  (Please understand that I'm not questioning Jesus' equality with God the Father.  I'm merely confused about the logic in this verse as the reason for said equality.)  Humanly speaking, I do not see a father and his son as equals.


texts: In which Christian denomination(s), do people plan their weddings around the bride's menstrual periods?

texts:
I am a Russian Orthodox Christian, and I know other Russian Orthodox Christians who consider a woman's menses to be impure. As a woman, this monthly bleeding is not saying that I am evil or bad during that time. I am simply not pure. Here is a good explanation of this.

However, I know we Orthodox Christians plan our weddings around the bride's menstruation cycle, because she should be completely pure at that time.

Do other Christian denominations do this too?


texts: According to Catholic teaching, was Joseph and Mary's marriage a true marriage?

texts:
Well, I've read in several articles, and if not mistaken also in canon law, for a marriage to be valid, there has to be consummation (intercourse). However, since, if I'm not mistaken, by Catholic teaching (Virgin) Mary and St. Joseph never had intercourse, then the question of the validity of their marriage poses itself.

Was it valid?


texts: Does the Popes Prophecy of St. Malachy indicate that the end times are imminent?

texts:
I am a young Christian and at times I fall into traps that I read one thing that isn't written in the Bible then I believe it.

I read the Prophecy of St. Malachy and now I am convincing myself that its 100% real and that after the next pope that is the end.  I understand that Jesus said that 'No one will know the time or the season' but I still wonder.

Should I understand this prophecy this way? Does the Bible contradict my understanding of it?


texts: Why do OEC discount the literal interpretation of the book of Genesis?

texts:
This is to rephrase the question Are scientific findings a test to Christians' Faith?

It seems to me that, without any outside interference, the Bible itself gives no suggestion that the Book of Genesis should be taken any other way than how it's written. There are many places in the Bible that quote the book of Genesis literally (Exodus 16:16, Exodus 20:11, Exodus 31:17, Leviticus 23:3, Deuteronomy 5:13, Luke 13:14, etc). Conversely, there is no Scripture that "gives us the meaning", or interprets the book of Genesis in any other way, except literally.

So why is it that Old Earth Creationists (OEC) do not believe in the literal interpretation of Genesis?

Answers regarding scientific "evidence" are not the kind of answers that I'm looking for. I'm looking for the approach to the Bible that yields an Old Earth interpretation...


texts: Are there current denominations that have doctrines stating that The Lord will return at a particular date?

texts: With a couple extreme examples highlighted by the media in recent years, I'm curious if there are doctrinal statements that have been made citing that Christ will return on a particular date?


texts: In Christianity is food recommended to be consumed using left hand?

texts:
While reading "Robertsoner Ruby", one of the Bengali detective stories from the Feluda Series, I found out that the investigator there finds out a character to be a Christian (which the character himself never disclosed till that point) when he observes that the character is consuming food using his left hand on three separate occasions. Now, this observation turns out to be correct too and eventually it also proves decisive in solving the case.
But I was surprised the way the detective has concluded and hence this question here.

Is it really true that in Christianity food is recommended to be consumed using the left hand?

Please cite some verses from scriptures in support of your answers, either to prove or disprove the claim.


texts: What should one do who was baptised twice in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches?

texts: I just found out my parents baptized me twice as a baby in two Christian Churches: Catholic and Orthodox. I am concerned, is it bad to be baptized twice? What can I do to sort this out?


texts: Where in the Bible does it say that sacrifice can only be done on the temple?

texts:
This is probably more relevant for Judaism than Christianity. However, I am checking both.

Hezekiah instituted a religious reform that prohibit sacrifice on high places.

The justification is a letter in Leviticus saying that God will ordain the place where He will be worshiped.

The Samaritan think it's Mount Gerissim.

The Jews think it's Jerusalem.

Where in the Leviticus does it say where?


texts: What is the biblical basis for the imputation of Christ's righteousness to believers?

texts:
In Christendom as a whole, and within evangelicalism and Reformed theology more specifically, one of the controversial aspects of the doctrine of justification is the imputation of the righteousness of Christ.  In simple terms, this refers to God counting his children righteous on the basis of Jesus's righteous life on earth, not only on the basis of his death and resurrection.

Some simply reject the entire idea of God imputing anything to anyone, whether sin or righteousness.  Others accept imputation of our sin to Jesus in his death, but reject the imputation of the righteousness of Jesus to us.  Included in this group are some that are often considered "evangelical," such as N. T. Wright, Robert Gundry, and Norman Shepherd. John Frame writes that "Shepherd regards the imputation of Christ's active obedience as an addition to Scripture," but I imagine proponents see the matter differently.

What is the biblical basis for the doctrine of the imputation of the righteousness of Christ being a basis of a Christian's justification?

Note that I do not wish to focus on whether the "active" obedience of Christ can be properly distinguished from his "passive" obedience. Instead my focus is on the imputation of Christ's righteousness, which, when a distinction is made, is normally associated with his "active" obedience.


texts: Why isn't there a Joseph Smith Translation of Luke 23:43?

texts:
According to the book True to the Faith, Luke 23:43 in the KJV of the Bible (and presumably many other translations of the Bible) was mistranslated.

  There has been much said by modern divines about the words of Jesus (when on the cross) to the thief, saying, ‘This day shalt thou be with me in paradise.’ King James’ translators make it out to say paradise. But what is paradise? It is a modern word: it does not answer at all to the original word that Jesus made use of. Find the original of the word paradise. You may as easily find a needle in a haymow. Here is a chance for battle, ye learned men. There is nothing in the original word in Greek from which this was taken that signifies paradise; but it was—This day thou shalt be with me in the world of spirits: then I will teach you all about it and answer your inquiries. And Peter says he went and preached to the world of spirits (spirits in prison, I Peter, 3rd chap., 19th verse), so that they who would receive it could have it answered by proxy by those who live on the earth. (source)

Yet, there is no Joseph Smith Translation of Luke 23:43. Do we know why this is (i.e., if he knew that it was mistranslated, why didn't he at least note this in his translation of the Bible into English)?


texts: Why did Paul VI strip József Mindszenty of his archbishopric?

texts:
József Mindszenty was appointed Primate of Hungary and Archbishop of Esztergom in 1945.  There existed a mutual animosity between him and the Hungarian government, which culminated in his imprisonment for treason, and later his confinement for many years at the American embassy as a political asylee.  Pope Paul VI eventually secured a deal that permitted him to leave the embassy in exchange for exile from Hungary.

In 1973, While Mindszenty was in exile, Paul VI supposedly pressured him to voluntarily resign the primacy and archbishopric.  When that did not work, he unilaterally stripped Mindszenty of his titles.  However, he refused to appoint a successor to the vacant offices.  This raises the following questions:

Why did Paul VI want Mindszenty to give up his offices?  Was this simply a matter of him being unable to effectively discharge his duties while in exile?  If so, what was the point of leaving the offices vacant?  If it was rather a purely political move aimed at placating the Hungarian authorities, why did the latter not include this condition in the original deal?  Did the Church ever publish an official reason for relieving Mendszenty of his titles?

(I wasn't sure whether it was more appropriate to ask this question here or on the History Stack Exchange, but as our own tour solicits questions about "the history of denominations (such as Roman Catholic…)" I thought I'd try here first.)


texts: The Virgin Mary, "the perfect non-divine human being"

texts:
In a response in another thread, one individual mentioned that the virgin Mary was “the perfect non-divine human being.”

Is this an accepted Catholic belief?

If it is, what need was there for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? Jesus was born without the stain of Original Sin. According to Catholic belief, the Immaculate Conception also preserved Mary from the stain of Original Sin. Jesus was absolutely sinless. According to Catholic belief, Mary never sinned either (isn’t this what “perfect” implies?).

Why, then, didn’t Mary qualify to be our savior instead of Jesus? What need was there for God the Father to send His Son Jesus Christ when He could have asked Mary to offer herself for the sins of the world, since Mary was “the perfect non-divine human being”?


texts: When was the Bible formally declared to be inerrant and/or infallible?

texts:
Fundamentally*, an inerrant Bible is one without errors and an infallible Bible is one that cannot have errors, as David Stratton pointed out in his answer. As for the Roman Catholic Church, all of its doctrines are infallible, so presumably, they believe the Bible is infallible as well.

My question is: when and why was inerrancy/infallibility formally declared? I'm looking for any combination of these four sources:

an Old Testament text declares itself or another OT text to be inerrant/infallible,
a New Testament text declares itself or another NT text to be inerrant/infallible,
one or more early church authors declare some OT/NT text to be inerrant/infallible, or
the closed canon (with or without the Deuterocanon) is declared inerrant/infallible by the Church, before or after the Great Schism.

I'm most interested in writings from the early church fathers, and 2 Timothy 3:16 is allowed in the answer only if the link between "God-breathed" and "infallible"/"inerrant" is shown in a clear and direct way. Also, declarations of inerrancy/infallibility should apply to the whole text, not just God's directly-spoken words.

*Stealthy or lame, take your pick.


texts: Are Catholics prohibited from getting their body tattooed?

texts: I once heard a preacher stating that there are instructions in the Old Testament which prohibit the faithful from getting their body tattooed. I wish to know whether there are any teachings from the side of Catholic Church explicitly warning  its members against tattooes .


texts: What denominations obligate daily Bible reading and prayer?

texts: It is my understanding that the default position within mainstream Christianity is that prayer and reading the Bible are key to promoting spiritual well-being and growth and that as such they are extremely important for growing in faith and maintaining it. However, I was wondering if any denominations obligate (by which I mean set as the rule for life in a similar fashion to prayer in mainstream Islam) daily prayer and Bible reading? Conversely are there any actively discourage daily prayer and/or daily Bible reading?


texts: Why our life on Earth defines our future life in eternity?

texts:
Why our limited knowledge of God or of our sins defines our future life in eternity. Isn't it little bit unfair?
I understand if the angels falls into hell after they make a decision not to serve God. They have full knowledge so they know what they are doing.

But us, people we don't even know what is love so why this life should decide if we choose God in the next life?

I saw some NDE videos and people mostly claimed that they had the same way of thinking as on Earth when they were judged and they recognized their sinfulness. And with this way of thinking rejected or accepted God. Isn't this little unfair that our eternity will be decided by our limited way of thinking here on Earth?
Thanks


texts: What's the tradition behind hand holding during the Our Father at Mass?

texts:
In traveling around my diocese I've noticed that there are some parishes that are hand-holders and some parishes that are non-hand-holders and some people in the non-hand-holder parishes who persist in hand holding and some people in the hand holder parishes who abstain from hand holding.

Also, there are some parishes where it is common to raise up your hands together for the doxology of the prayer. And some parishes where even unheld hands are held up like the priest does.

I know that pure imitation of the priest isn't good (his hands are blessed, mine aren't), but what I don't know is if spontaneous hand holding by the congregation is totally licit and where the tradition came from.

My mom told me it was, "something Protestants did in the 60's that Catholic's picked up on" is that all it is?  Was there ever a Bishop who told his diocese to hold hands or not to hold hands?


texts: What spirit(s) is referred to in 1 John 4?

texts:
1 John 4:1-6 (NIV):

  Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to
  see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone
  out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God:
  Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh
  is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not
  from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard
  is coming and even now is already in the world.

  4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the
  one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They
  are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the
  world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever
  knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen
  to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit
  of falsehood.

What spirit is being referred to here? Is this the collective spirit of the world vs. the spirit of God? Is this a reference to demons vs. angelic messengers of truth? Or is this the spirit of man vs. true prophets?

Which scriptures can be compared in the proper context to show the accurate meaning of this passage?


texts: Why do the Jews in the OT in Joshua, Kings, Chronicles always list their war spoils after each battle?

texts: I have my doubts of the motivations, as we only ever hear of how great it was to fight enemy X and take their women, sheep and gold. Is this a fair statement? Why don't the Hebrews ever attack neighbours just for being evil, but always remember to take some bounty?


texts:
How did Matthew know that Hosea 11:1 was about Jesus?

  “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. (NIV)

Even looking at the context of the verse, I see no clues that this means anything more than the simple fact that God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, freeing them from slavery.

When Hosea 11:1 was written, did people already realize that it was about the messiah, or was Matthew the first person to note it and revealed it for the first time in Matthew 2:13-15?

If it's the latter, how did he discover it? Is it really a prophecy if it's only revealed after it's fulfilled?

If it's the former, how did people know they were messianic prophecies?


texts: Why was Jesus baptised by John the Baptist?

texts:
We know the story:

  13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
  15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. (Matthew 3:13-15)

Why was it necessary to be Baptized by John in order to fulfill all righteousness?


texts:
I know there are many denominations in the Christian circle. I was wondering if there is a consensus on what the Bible is about? Or in other words is there a consensus in Christianity today on what is the main theme of the Bible.

Luther said of the Bible:

  None of its parts are obscure... The scriptures is the book the more clear in all the world
  The Bondage of Will by Martin Luther


texts: Are there any Christian denominations that don't believe Jesus is the only way to salvation?

texts:
While answering another question, I made a statement that I thought was universal in Christianity:

  Jesus is the only route to heaven; without him, you go to hell.

Are there Christian denominations that disagree with this statement?  If so, which ones and why do they disagree with this statement?


texts: to the literalist (YEC), question about the name "LORD"

texts:
In Genesis 2 and 3, the story-teller (the author) use "LORD" (Yahweh) several times.

To me, the situation by the time the author wrote/tell the story read in Genesis 2 - at least some people live at that time already know/understand that "LORD" name (Yahweh).

  Genesis 4:1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became
  pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the help of the LORD
  I have brought forth a man."

Assuming I'm a literalist, the verse above leads to a conclusion that by the time Eve gave birth to Cain, Eve already knows the name of her God, which is (Yahweh). The sentence Eve said at the time she gave birth to Cain heard like this : "With the help of Yahweh I have brought forth a man."

  Genesis 4:26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that
  time people began to call on the name of the LORD.

My question are :
What does the bold sentence mean in Gen 4:26 ?
(the question appear because it based on the assumption that Eve knows the name when she gave birth to Cain and she didn't keep the name to herself for at least 150 years which is the age of Set when he has his Son, Enosh).

  Exodus 3:13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and
  say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they
  ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"

Why did Moses think that the people of Israel at that time did not know the name of their father's God?


texts: What is the Biblical argument that homosexual attraction is sinful by itself?

texts:
When talking about homosexuality discussions often seem to get a little fuzzy because the word "homosexuality" can take on a lot of different meanings. Here are a few:

The attraction
Acting on the attraction (including non-physical actions, such as lust)
A lifestyle

As far as I know, it is a widespread belief in Western Christianity that (2) and (3) are classified as a type of sexual immorality, and are therefore sinful. However, I have occasionally encountered Christians from a more fundamentalist background who not only consider (2) and (3) to be sinful, but also say that (1) is sinful.

For those who consider (1) to be sinful, what is the Biblical basis for thinking so? And does this mean that vows of celibacy are seen as more of a band-aid fix than a complete solution (because they would only prevent (2) and (3), not (1))?


texts: How to make driving out demons reasonable for non-christians?

texts:
Recently I invited some colleague students over to an evening called Questions to Christians at my student association. Two of them came (both almost) completely unfamiliar with Christianity/faith/God etc.) and we discussed several topics and read the story about the Good Samaritan. I gave both of them a copy of the New Testament and one said we would read the story of the Good Samaritan with our project group. Today one of them was browsing the bible and read some pages. He found the following sentence in Luke 11:14:

  Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. [NIV]

He also found some other parts but this one made him laugh really hard. To quote: "Are you serious, you really believe this ****?" After this question I took the bible and imagined how it would be as non-Christian, unaware of a God/Devil/sin and could only come to the same reaction. Now I'm wondering, how can you explain such a text to a non-christian? In this case, how can you make driving out demons reasonable (acceptable) for non-Christians?

Note: This question may seem close to a pastoral advice question, however I'd say this question fits into this description in the FAQ: understanding the Bible from the perspective of a specific viewpoint.


texts: What is the substance/nature of God based on Trinitarians?

texts:
Trinitarians believe that there is one substance of God subsisting in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

My question is what is this substance/nature of God based on Trinitarians?

The question asked seeks for both Biblical reference and Patristic reference.


texts:
In John 18, when Jesus is in the Garden on Gethsemane, Judas approaches with a mob of Pharisees and soldiers, coming to arrest Him.

4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
7 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”

But suddenly, Simon Peter pulls out his sword and slices off a servant's ear.

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

The Question
It seems a bit impulsive of Peter to cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Is this the case?
If so, why would/did Peter react so violently when he was seemingly unprovoked? Could it be, instead, that the Bible, or rather the translation thereof, simply doesn't record what was exchanged verbally between the two parties?
Why didn't any of the other disciples react in this way?
Are there any other passages of scripture that explain this behavior?


texts: According to amillennial Christians, has Christ fulfilled the fall festivals?

texts:
We all agree that Christ has fulfilled the Jewish spring festivals. (Passover, Unleavened bread, First fruits, and Pentecost) However differences of opinion arise when it comes to the fall/autumn festivals of Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Tabernacles.
Some say the fall festivals prefigure the resurrection at the last trump and are yet to be fulfilled.  Others, in particular those of Preterist persuasion, say they were fulfilled in AD 70.
My question asks, according to amillennial Christians did Christ fulfil the Jewish fall festivals, how were they fulfilled, and if they haven’t yet, when?


texts: Who is the son in the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:14)?

texts:
2 Samuel 7:11-16 (ESV)
  11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'"

It doesn't seem that it can be just Solomon since Solomon's kingdom didn't last forever. It also doesn't seem like it can be a reference to the Messiah/Jesus because this bit doesn't fit with what I know of the Christians believe that Jesus, being God, could not do wrong:

  2 Samuel 7:14 (ESV)
  14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,

So who is being referred to in this passage?  I'm interested in an overview of what is commonly believed.  Quotes and references from any respected commentators are welcome.


texts: What is the earliest non-Judeo-Christian reference to Jesus?

texts:
I am looking for the earliest references to Jesus that are not Biblical. I am looking to identify historical documents unrelated to the Christian church (at the time of the writing).  On the Jewish site, I asked What are the earliest reference to Jesus (Yeishu hanotzri) in Jewish texts/records? but there does not seem to be any early records of him in official Jewish texts.

The question and answers at External reference of Jesus's resurrection? suggest the earliest references are around 111 AD, but the question is specific to one event, not the first reference(s).


texts: I have seen many of Catholics have their baptismal name same as that of their grandparents. Why they do so? Is it given in bible?


texts: Did the Apostles “worship Jesus” in Luke 24:52?

texts:
What is the correct reading of Luke 24:52 - did they worship Jesus?  Latin Vulgate does not mention this and RSV puts this in footnotes.

Luke 24:50-53 (NIV)

  50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up
  his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left
  them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and
  returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually
  at the temple, praising God.

Latin Vulgate Luke 24: 50-53

  51 And it came to pass, whilst he blessed them, he departed from them,
  and was carried up to heaven. 52 And they adoring went back into
  Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they were always in the temple,
  prais-ing and blessing God. Amen.

  Rsv – Luke 24:52 And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

footnote: ‘worshiped him’


texts: Has the Catholic Church ever excommunicated someone based on their ideology?

texts: I know the Catholic Church excommunicates Catholics who join Freemasonic lodges, as well as Catholics who the Church judges to be willful heretics. But has the Church ever excommunicated a Catholic purely for being a member of a Communist or National Socialist party? The Church has never excommunicated Adolf Hitler, and some other Catholics who belong to Marxists groups, so I'm curious.


texts: Did Justin Martyr have a personal interaction with Jesus Christ?

texts:
Justin narrates the manner of his conversion to Trypho the Jew. In Chapter III of his Dialogue with Trypho, he writes,

  "And while I was thus disposed, when I wished at one period to be filled with great quietness, and to shun the path of men, I used to go into a certain field not far from the sea. And when I was near that spot one day, which having reached I purposed to be by myself, a certain old man, by no means contemptible in appearance, exhibiting meek and venerable manners, followed me at a little distance. And when I turned round to him, having halted, I fixed my eyes rather keenly on him.

  "And he said, 'Do you know me?'

  I replied in the negative.

  "'Why, then,' said he to me, 'do you so look at me?

  "'I am astonished,' I said, 'because you have chanced to be in my company in the same place; for I had not expected to see any man here.'

  "And he says to me, 'I am concerned about some of my household. These are gone away from me; and therefore have I come to make personal search for them, if, perhaps, they shall make their appearance somewhere. But why are you here?' said he to me.

Who was this man that Justin met? Something tells me he's trying to tell us that he met Jesus Christ, but maybe not. Is there any evidence that it was Jesus Christ, whether elsewhere from Justin, or from other patristic writings?


texts: Which scriptures tells us that Jesus laughed or was happy?

texts: I know that Jesus wept. Where can I find in the bible that Jesus expressed joy, laughter or happiness?


texts: Does the RCC permit Catholic laity to answer exegetical questions (i.e., interpret scripture) on a forum or website?

texts:
For example, suppose a forum member asked, "What is the meaning of the phrase 'this mystery...which is Christ in you, the hope of glory' in Col. 1:27? (You can replace this with any scripture, the point being that the forum member is asking for the interpretation of scripture, or a phrase therein.)

Is a Catholic layperson (laity) permitted to answer such a question, and therefore interpret scripture? If so, what guidelines must he/she follow when interpreting scripture (i.e., answering a question asking for the interpretation of a scripture, or a phrase therein)?

Primary reason for the question: I get the impression that the interpretation of scripture is reserved for the magisterium. If so, wouldn't that also prohibit or restrict the laity from interpreting scripture on blogs, forums, and websites?


texts: What kind of worship does God look for, for Salvation?

texts:
Through Gods word the bible, we are given commandments of what we shouldn't do and what we need to do in order to attain salvation.

That last part is really what I'm focusing on. What does the New Testament tell us about what we need to do to be in accordance with God?

How much of the Old Testament still applies?

Sources from anywhere are acceptable, however I am primarily looking for sources from the scriptures. Please include scriptures that come to mind to support your ideas!

For instance I am looking for something along these lines:

Jesus said we need to be doing X or displaying X qualities. Here is the scripture where he said that (Insert scripture here).

I searched for similar questions and didn't find any that articulated what I'm looking for. If this question has been asked, I apologize and will delete this question.


texts: Are there any mandatory prayers in Christianity?

texts: Does Bible impose any type of mandatory prayer that you have to offer at particular time or particular day? If so, what are some important prayers? Is a prayer at Church more worthy than a prayer at home?


texts: What is the Catholic Church's historical position on capital punishment: how did we get here?

texts:
It's big news in the internet today. Pope Francis declares death penalty unacceptable in all cases. The Pope made specific changes to the catechism reflecting this. From the New York Times:

Francis said executions are unacceptable in all cases because they are “an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,” the Vatican announced on Thursday.
The church also says it will work “with determination” for the abolition of capital punishment worldwide.

If you're not terribly familiar with the church's position on capital punishment this may seem to be out of left field, especially if you are an American protestant, where the death penalty is probably most common in all the Western world.  What might help in understanding this current declaration is how the church got here. Clearly, many years ago, the church was in favor of the death penalty, presiding over many executions. But today we have the Vatican announcing that their goal is to abolish the death penalty worldwide. It seems to be a total reversal.
What are the historical changes and landmark decisions that took the church from that position to where she is now?


texts:
1 Maccabees 16:23-24

  The rest of John's acts, the battles he fought and the exploits he
  performed, the city walls he built, and all his other achievements,
  from the day he succeeded his father as high priest, are recorded in
  the annals of his pontificate.

Have these annals ever found?


texts: Saviour of all people, ESPECIALLY of those who believe

texts:
1 Timothy 4:10 reads:

  That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. [NIV]

Is there any historical use of this text by known early adherents to Universalism?

(See also this parallel question about the origins of this verse.)


texts:
In The Godfather, can anyone that is more familiar with the Catholic faith, tell me if Michael would be considered absolved of his sins considering that he agrees to "renounce satan and all of his works"? Having done this after all of the hits of the crime bosses are carried out?

The Baptism Murders


texts: Is there any theological reason that Eastern Orthodox clergy tend to maintain long beards?

texts: I have minimal familiarity with the Eastern Orthodox tradition, but I can typically guess by seeing a photo that a person is an Eastern Orthodox clergyman.


texts: Is it possible for a married Catholic to be invincibly ignorant that adultery is gravely wrong? I am interested in an answer from the Catholic viewpoint.


texts: What's the difference between resurrection and revival?

texts: Okay, now this question about resurrections in the Bible has me wondering what the difference between resurrection and revival is. If resurrection "returns them to their proper embodied state, in which they will remain forever after", then how are the raising of Lazarus, the son of the Shunammite woman, the daughter of Jairus, and others, resurrections? Did these people become immortal (i.e. living forever, never dying) before Jesus did?


texts:
How are American non-denominational campus outreach lay ministries conducted? I think the purpose is either to serve the greater community's needs as a form of community service or to convert people to Christianity or to serve the greater community's needs as a form of community service, which can attract people into Christianity (aka convert to Christianity).

What I wish to know is whether or not it is more community service or more proselytism/Christian education. What roles do clergy and laity play in this sort of ministry?  How can a non-denominational lay ministry cater to Catholic students who may believe in the importance of the clergy in educating the populace about Christian history, doctrine, and practice, or are these ministries interested in proselytizing Catholics and Orthodox Christians to Evangelical Protestantism?


texts: Were all of Jesus' healings performed on the Sabbath?

texts:
I was just reading in John 5:1-17 about Jesus healing the man at the pool in Jerusalem, and noticed that this happened on the Sabbath. That reminded me of Him healing the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath. So now I am wondering: were all of Jesus' healings performed on the Sabbath?

If the answer is no, please provide proof. I am especially interested in evidence from Scripture that marks a healing miracle as being performed by Jesus on a day other than the Sabbath.

Here are some instances where Jesus healed on the Sabbath: Matt. 12:9-14 // Mark 3:1-6 // Luke 6:6-11; Luke 13:10-17, 14:1-6; John 5:1-18, 9:1-34


texts: Are there Christian groups that speak in tongues but as a policy require translation of the God-given language?

texts:
If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?—1st Corinthians 14:23 (ESV)

There are passages in Scripture that caution those who speak in tongues to refrain if there is no one to translate. In my very limited exposure to the practice, I don't believe I've observed such a discipline. Are there specific cases of congregations / denominations with such rules?


texts: Because Paul (Saul) was part of the Sanhedrin was he required to be married?

texts: Because Paul (Saul) was a member of the sanhedrin was he required to be married?


texts:
As is well-known, Judaism rejects all statues based on the Torah. The Presbyterian Church and Protestants reject making statutes but Roman Catholics made many statues of Jesus, Mary, Peter, and Paul. Catholics go as far as to pray to Mary and the saints.
Isn’t this a violation of the Decalogue: “Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness”?

This question is different from others as it assumes the Decalogue hasn't been lifted as others presuppose.


texts: Did the early church condemn the teaching that God the Father is a person with a body living in space somewhere?

texts: I have spent my life under the impression that the belief that God the Father is a humanoid being possessing a body and living somewhere in the universe in a manner similar to ourselves is a named heresy condemned by the early church. Is that true? If so, what is the name of the heresy? I have met several Protestants recently who believe this but my googling hasn't yielded anything.


texts: Does 1 Corinthians 8:6 prove Unitarianism?

texts:
yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all  , things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 1 Corinthians 8:6 ESV

To me it looks like Paul is saying that the one being of God is shared only by the Father.

The fact that Jesus is called the one Lord can be hard to reconcile with the rest of the Scripture if Unitarianism is true. Let's propose that only Jesus is the lord of the Christians (and not God The Father) how can we as Trinitarians reconcile the fact that "there is one God, the Father" with the doctrine of the trinity (One BEING of God shared by Three distinct PERSONS) Is the term God used here for a being or a person?

I don't see how we can argue that the one Lord here is meant to be understood as "one YHWH" (See the idea that Paul expanded Deutronomy 6:4 in 1 Corinthians 8:6) because it is clear that Paul is drawing a line between the the lords/gods from 1 Corinthians 8:5 and we can't say that 1 Corinthians 8:5 should be understood as "many YHWH's and many gods".

Does the context and origianl language allow for the translation "one God the Father...and one Lord Jesus Christ? (Without the commas)

I looked to many commentaries and no one gave me a satisfying answer, please help!

P.S. I believe the doctrine of the Trinity


texts: About the intercessions of Saints to God, on one's behalf?

texts:
From a Catholic standpoint, and AFAIU, one prays to saints to intercede for one, on one´s behalf, to God. That being said, if you ask for help or a miracle to a saint through a prayer, and if you at some point get it, then the help/miracle was done by God but because of the saint´s intercession.
Now, I've read about a miracle by Saint Charbel. In summary, a woman named Nohad El Shami was diagnosed with hemiplegia and the doctors said that there was no cure, and that a surgery might help. Their sons asked  help from St. Charbel, got consecrated oil and soil from St. Charbel´s tomb for his mother, and at some point  St. Charbel  healed her from hemiplegia, with the help of Saint Maroun. Then St. Charbel said the following to Nohad through a dream:

"I did the surgery to let people see and return to their faith. I ask you to visit my hermitage in Annaya on the 22nd of every month and attend Mass regularly for the rest of your life."

Does this means that God gifted him to perform miracles or to give help? Or did God "sent" him somehow to do the miracle, in this case the surgery? What happened here?
I apologize in advance if I'm saying something wrong, I don't much about religion.
Could someone clarify this please, from a Catholic point of view, please?


texts: What is considered Gnosticism (within the context of Christianity)?

texts: My background is not religion, it's closer to philosophy, so I lack necessary context. Gnosticism translates to 'knowledge', so what is it a Gnostic 'knows'? What is an example of Gnosticism or Gnostic arguments?


texts:
What is the difference between "Catechism" and "Canon Law" in Catholicism?

I have the Catholic Catechism (CCC).  Yet I also see the Canon law code quoted from...what's the difference?  are they two separate books?


texts: What is the purpose if the feast of visitation and on what day of the year is it celebrated?

texts: Recently read a little mention of feasts the Catholic Church commemorate regarding events in Mary's life. Does the feast of visitation refer to the conception of Jesus?


texts: How does the “eight day" appearance of Jesus to Doubting Thomas in John 20:26 relate to Parsha Shemini (Eighth Day) "appearance" Leviticus 9:1 & 10:2?

texts:
I have been following Jewish and Christian lectionaries for some years and have often noticed interesting relationships.  Became aware of Aileen Gulding's work on this idea: The Fourth Gospel and Jewish worship: a study of the relation of St. John's Gospel to the ancient Jewish lectionary system.

Does "eighth day" references in Leviticus 9:1 and John 20:26 have connection.  Both readings involve "appearances" of God.

I am asking to consider connection between Parsha Shemini read 4/18/20 & Sunday's Gospel. https://www.chabad.org/parshah/default_cdo/aid/15576/jewish/Shemini.htm https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20.19-31&version=RSV "9 On the eighth day Moses called Aaron" &  "26 Eight days later," respectively.  Other connections?  Doubt of Thomas?  "Guilt" of Nadav & Abihu? Thomas looks forward to Pentecost "Fire".77777 Weeks after Bush.  "22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.John 20.22"  Nadav & Abihu look back to "Fire" at the Bush--77 Weeks earlier.  Counting Omer? "Bush Fire Ex 3.2 fire came forth Lv 10.2 . tongues as of fire Acts 2.2,"   http://biblechronologybooks.com/

Was Shemini Parsha read in synagogue the Sabbath Day before Jesus appearance on "eighth day" to Thomas?

"...Jews in Israel and Reform Jews celebrate Passover for seven days and thus read the next parashah  2018, Shemini) on the Sabbath one week after the first day of Passover, ...."

Shemini (parsha)

"...and she shows that many of the discourses
recorded in his gospel actually match the reading for the Sabbath in the Jewish lectionary system.
This is not as strange as it seems, for Jesus (the word made flesh) often used the occasion of the
Sabbath to demonstrate miracles or for exposition, it would be natural for him to base that on
the current reading...." https://www.biblaridion.info/Digressions/rev_feasts.pdf


texts: What is the difference between Systematics and Dogmatics?

texts:
In what ways does systematic theology differ from dogmatic theology? From my understanding they seem to be almost identical in that they're dependent upon the particular denominations, traditions, confessions on which they lean.

Can they be distinguished? Or is Systematics just Dogmatics in modern dress? For some reason when I hear "dogmatics" I think of its modern use as borderline pejorative, as in "you shouldn't be so dogmatic."


texts: Was the Obadiah in 1 Kings 18 the same Obadiah who wrote the Book of Obadiah?

texts: Pretty straightforward question - In 1 Kings 18, Elijah speaks with a servant of the Lord named Obadiah.  Is that the same guy wrote the book of the same name?


texts:
Does there exist within the Catholic Church a church, cathedral or even an altar dedicated to the Holy Spirit?
With the recent events occurring in Turkey about Hagia Sophia I was wondering if there is such a thing as a church, cathedral or even an side altar within a church dedicated to the third person of the Holy Trinity known as the Holy Spirit or the Holy Paraclete.

In the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, the feminine personification of divine wisdom as Holy Wisdom (Ἁγία Σοφία Hagía Sophía) can refer either to Jesus Christ the Word of God (as in the dedication of the church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople) or to the Holy Spirit. - Sophia
Hagia Sophia (Latin: Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia, 'Holy Wisdom'), officially the Great Holy Mosque of Ayasofya (Turkish: Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii Şerifi) and formerly the Church of Hagia Sophia, is a Late Antique place of worship in Istanbul. Built in 537 as the patriarchal cathedral of the imperial capital of Constantinople, it remained the largest church of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, except from 1204 to 1261 when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral. In 1453, it was converted into an Ottoman mosque upon the fall of the city. In 1935 it became a secular museum, and in 2020 will re-open as a mosque. Completed during the reign of the eastern Roman emperor Justinian I, it was then the world's largest interior space and among the first to employ a fully pendentive dome. It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is said to have "changed the history of architecture". - Hagia Sophia

If there are any churches, cathedrals or altars dedicated to the Holy Spirit are extremely rare, if they exist at all.


texts: Do conservative Presbyterians accept 4-point Calvinists?

texts: I realize that many conservative Presbyterian churches (PCA, OPC, etc.) have fairly basic standards for membership, not requiring much more than baptism and a basic affirmation of faith, although stricter doctrinal requirements are placed on people who become office-holders. What I'm wondering is, how involved would someone who is an Amyraldian 4-point Calvinist be allowed to be? (Or someone who denies double predestinarianism, for that matter.) Could someone who holds those beliefs comfortably attend a conservative Presbyterian church if they hold other Presbyterian beliefs (infant baptism, spiritual presence view of Communion, etc.), or would they be better off in a different denomination?


texts:
Most priests wear a stole, a vestment that appears to be similiar to a long scarf, although it is flat and worn against the chest, rather than 'round the neck.

Reading through the wikipedia article, the suggestion is that the stole is derived from Roman aristocracy - but of that is true, it completely conflicts with the notion that priests wear robes with rope belts because they were the clothing of the poor.

So, the question is, where did the stole come from? What is the theological statement that is implied by this vestment?


texts: What is the Biblical basis against being able to predict the date of the end of the world?

texts:
Recently, there have been a few people (e.g. Harold Camping) who have predicted the end of the world.  Historically, the Jehovah's Witnesses (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) have also predicted the end of the world several times.

What is the Biblical basis for the claim that no one can predict the date that the world will end?


texts: How did "credibile est, quia ineptum est" become "credo quia absurdum"?

texts: The quote "Credo quia absurdum" (I believe, because it is absurd) is ascribed to Tertullian. But Tertullian never wrote this: what he wrote (De Carne Christi, V, 4) was "Prorsus credibile est, quia ineptum est" (It is wholly believable, because it is incongruous). These two phrases, though somewhat close in meaning, are completely different in wording. So where did "Credo quia absurdum" really come from? Is it someone's deliberate paraphrase of Tertullian, or a misquotation, and if so whose? Who was the first to use it?


texts: What denominations, besides JWs, hold that the Star of Bethlehem was sent by Satan?

texts:
I looked up information about the Star of Bethlehem on Jehovah's Witnesses website and it looks like their point on it was that it was actually created by Satan in an attempt to kill Jesus.

Now of course as is known, this star and the story of the wise men has been a staple of Christmas celebrations for centuries.

So the question I would like to ask is: are there other Christian denominations that hold that the star was sent by Satan?

Here are the Jehovah's Witnesses arguments on it, from this article:

  First, who were those men? In the original Greek, the Bible calls them
  neither kings nor wise men. They were magi, or astrologers. They were
  evidently practicers of the pagan art of divination based on the
  stars. The Bible record reveals neither the names nor the number of
  those visitors.

  Second, when did those men visit? Not when Jesus was a baby in a
  manger. How do we know that? The Gospel writer Matthew says: “When
  they went into the house they saw the young child with Mary its
  mother.” (Matthew 2:11) Note that Jesus was no longer a newborn baby,
  but a “young child.” Mary and Joseph were no longer spending nights in
  a stable; rather, they were by then living in a house.

  Third, who sent that “star” to lead the astrologers? Religious leaders
  commonly teach that God sent the “star.” Did he really? Remember, the
  “star” did not first lead those astrologers to Bethlehem. Rather, it
  led them to King Herod in Jerusalem. They revealed Jesus’ existence to
  that jealous and powerful murderer and even gave him strong reason for
  hating the child who was to become “king of the Jews.” (Matthew 2:2)
  Craftily, Herod told them to report back to him on the precise
  location of this child, claiming that he wanted to honor it as well.
  The “star” then led the astrologers to Joseph and Mary. So the
  astrologers were on a course that would have doomed the young child
  had God not intervened. Happily, he did intervene. So enraged was
  Herod when the astrologers did not report back to him that he ordered
  all the male children two years of age and younger in and around
  Bethlehem to be killed.—Matthew 2:16.

  Jehovah later referred to Jesus as “my Son, the beloved, whom I have
  approved.” (Matthew 3:17) Consider: Would that loving, righteous
  Father select pagan astrologers—practicers of an occult art forbidden
  in his Law—as his messengers? (Deuteronomy 18:10) Would he use a star
  to lead them to the most dangerous and powerful murderer in the land,
  bearing a message sure to inflame Herod’s jealous hatred? Would God
  then use the same star and astrologers to reveal the spot where his
  helpless son lay?

  To illustrate: A good military commander sends his best soldier on a
  dangerous mission into enemy territory. Would he reveal to the enemy
  where to find that soldier? Of course not! Likewise, Jehovah sent his
  Son to this dangerous world. Would He reveal to wicked King Herod
  where His Son lay as a defenseless child? Never!

  Who, then, sent the “star,” or starlike object? Well, who had the greatest interest in seeing the child Jesus put to death, preventing
  him from growing up and fulfilling his mission on earth? Who seeks to
  mislead people and promotes lies, violence, and slaughter? Jesus
  himself identified the “liar and the father of the lie,” the one who
  “was a manslayer when he began”—Satan the Devil.—John 8:44.
  (emphasis added)


texts: Do Biblical Unitarians consider worshiping Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit as God to be idolatry?

texts:
Many Christians believe that Jesus is God (it's just a matter of realizing how widespread trinitarianism is, for example). However, there are Christians that go one step further and act on this belief, treating Jesus for all practical purposes as God almighty. They pray to Jesus, they talk about Jesus all the time, and they even worship Him as God (for some good illustrative examples, please see this and this).
Likewise, there are Christians who do pretty much the same with the Holy Spirit. A very good example is Benny Hinn's best-selling book Good Morning, Holy Spirit, which has been read and cherished by thousands, if not millions of Christians around the world. In this video clip you can see Benny Hinn leading a whole stadium to worship the Holy Spirit.
Question: According to Biblical Unitarians: Does worshiping either Jesus or the Holy Spirit as God entail committing the sin of idolatry? When Christians worship Jesus or the Holy Spirit as God, are they sinning? If the answer is yes, then what happens to those Christians who have systematically committed this sin throughout their lives and die never repenting? Will they go to Hell as unrepentant idolaters, or does the answer depend on other conditions?

Answering to the comments: why would idolaters go to Hell?
1 Cor 6:9: Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men


texts: How could a just God design vessels whose only purpose is damnation, as predestination seems to teach?

texts:
Romans 9:20–23 (NKJV)
  But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? 22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,

I was introduced to Calvinism not too long ago and the scriptural argument is pretty strong. I really don't know how a God who claims to be just could eternally punish those who were destined, forced, and could only do evil.  There isn't really a point to knowing the difference between good and evil if we have zero power to control ourselves or to seek God.  Are there people trying to be reborn who are just wasting their time because they're not elected?  How can Calvinists have children knowing there's a good chance that some of them might not be elected and are destined to live a useless life of 70-80 years on earth and then burn forever simply because God wanted them to for whatever reason?  This has really brought me to question the Bible as a whole to be honest.


texts:
It is generally accepted that Abraham lived 175 years. However, the dates when he lived are rather fuzzy and hotly debated.

When was he alive and what reasons would you give for your conclusion?

What methods have gone into determining the dates in which Abraham (and perhaps other early biblical figures) lived and died?


texts: Is 1 Thessalonians 4:17 the only verse that supports the rapture?

texts: Are there any verses in the Bible besides 1 Thessalonians 4:17 that support the doctrine of the rapture?


texts:
Tried to understand the doctrine deeply and in a broader way than it is taught in school, or presented in Wikipedia.

And no one can explain it to me in a simple way for my mind to accept it,
How it can be that:

x = G
y = G
z = G
BUT!
x != y != z != x

And even in this site the authors of the site have written without no doubt:

  The most difficult thing about the Trinity Doctrine is that there is no way to adequately explain it. The Trinity is a concept that is impossible for any human being to fully understand, let alone explain

In the end the authors just throw at me their problems:

  This is a difficult concept to grasp. But let's put a God-sized doctrine into perspective -- God is beyond our comprehension.

Logically, something does not work out for me, The Almighty will not allow us to believe that there is a triangle with four sides, or that he will create a square whose diameter is equal to its side. Of course it "is a difficult concept to grasp", because maybe they have disrupted the intent of Christ, who can tell me that Christ accept Tertullian:

  new theological concepts and advanced the development of early Church doctrine.

I'm desperate to understand the truth, and to settle this problem.


texts: According to the Catholic Church, can one be a heretic and still obtain salvation? Are there different kinds of heresy that merit different answers?


texts: Is the Doctrine of Resurrection of the Dead expressed in Pentateuch?

texts:
What passages in the Pentateuch are commonly believed by Christians to teach the resurrection of the dead?

Background for this question:

After the Jewish people returned from Babylon most of them no longer spoke Hebrew and began to speak in Aramaic. Samaritans in Palestine argue that because the Jews lost their ability to speak Hebrew they could no longer correctly interpret the Pentateuch, which at that time was written with new alphabet. During the time of Jesus Christ, the Sadducees argued that the doctrine of resurrection of the dead was foreign to the early Israelites. To answer their allegation, Jesus quoted from Exodus 3:6,

  [F]or the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, "I am (Gk.  ἐγώ εἰμι) the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob"? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. (Matthew 22:31-32)

But in the Samaritan Pentateuch there is no present indicative such as ἐγώ εἰμι,

  I [am] the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. (Exodus 3:6, Samaritan Pentateuch)

Samaritans to this day argue that Rabbinical Judaism inserted new doctrine into Aramaic Targum to develop man made tradition unknown to the early Israelites prior to Babylonian captivity.

  By the labour of thy hands thou shalt eat food, until thou turn again to the dust from which thou wast created: for dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return; for from the dust it is to be that thou art to arise, to render judgment and reckoning for all that thou hast done, in the day of the great judgment. And Adam called the name of his wife Hava, because she is the mother of all the children of men. (Genesis 3:19-20, Palestinian Targum, my emphasis)


texts: Do most Christian scientists have a Literal Creationist viewpoint?

texts: I have been thinking a lot about creation lately, and I am just curious as to whether most scientists believe the literal account or if they believe in some form of theistic evolution.


texts: Can an uncatecized but baptized Catholic receive absolution from a priest?

texts:
I'm a baptized Catholic but I have not been confirmed.
I've gone to mass on and off for a couple of years but I have not compled RCIA or any instruction. I fall under the category of baptized uncatecized.

I went to confession and the priest said that he cannot grant me absolution because I've not done RCIA. I thought that this was odd because baptized persons are allowed to do the sacraments.

I did the confession anyways and at the end he gave me a penance. 5 hail Mary's was all.

Does this mean that the confession did not count? Why give  a penance if it didn't count? I'm really confused. When I do RCIA will I have to basically repeat the confession?