texts: Resources to learn about Bible canonization

texts:
I am interested in researching the history behind the Bible's canonization. I am particularly interested in writings of early historians, or books that compile facts from these historians in an unbiased manner. Secular works would be great if they exist. I am trying to avoid books about the authority/infallibility/etc of the Bible. Where should I start?

Edit:

New Testament canon is my focus, though I'm interested in Old Testament as well.

Edit 2:

Secular works are great, but that's not to say I'm uninterested in the nonsecular.


texts: How do Bible scholars reconcile the differences between Greek and Aramaic in John 21:15-17?

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John 21:15-17 recounts a powerful conversation between Jesus and Peter, where Jesus asks Peter, three times, if he loves Him. Greek has several words for "love". In Greek, the dialogue goes like this:

Do you love (ἀγαπάω/agape) me?

You know that I love (φιλέω/phileo) you.

Do you love (agape) me?

You know that I love (phileo) you.

Do you love (phileo) me?

You know all things. You know that I love (phileo) you.

Jesus uses the word for God's love the first two times, and Peter responds with brotherly love all three. When Jesus uses "phileo" the third time, Peter seems to break down. It is indeed a very powerful interaction (as discussed elsewhere) ... but it only works in Greek. Aramaic is thought to be the common language between Jesus and His disciples, but Aramaic doesn't have a way to distinguish between these different types of love like Greek does.

How do Bible scholars reconcile the fact that Aramaic does not have the diversity of vocabulary necessary to convey the distinction that is made in the Greek?


texts: Why didn't the Jews understand "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani"?

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And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, "This Man is calling for Elijah!" (Matthew 27:46-47, NKJV)

According to a number of sites, including Wikipedia, the saying "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani" (or in Mark's version "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani") was originally Aramaic:

אלהי אלהי למא שבקתני.
Courtesy of Wikipedia

However, according to some other sites it is Hebrew.
Regardless of which is right, I don't think it can be denied that the Jews mistook what he said. I used to take this to mean that he was speaking in a language they did not understand. However, as far as I know and have learned from our good friend Google, Jews at that time spoke both Hebrew and Aramaic (plus some Greek, and perhaps Latin).
How, then, did the Jews mistake his meaning?


texts: If a long-married priest is divorced on grounds of adultery, and in fact had been having affairs throughout the marriage, can he still be allowed to minister as a priest?


texts: What writings are held as "biblical canon" by Swedenborgians?

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Reading an article on Emanuel Swedenborg, I came across the following fact:

  It should be noted, however, that Corinthians is not included in the list of books that, according to Swedenborg, constitute the divinely inspired Biblical canon. (Source: Heaven and Hell (Swedenborg), on Wikipedia)

What list of books did, according to Swedenborg, constitute divinely inspired biblical canon?


texts: Why did Jesus submit to the authority of God while Jesus was a man?

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The Bible tells us that Jesus emptied himself and set aside his heavenly glory and submitted himself to the will of his Father (God).
In order to do the will of his Father (God) who sent him, and to obey Him, Jesus was in a lower position to that of God the Father.
What are the theological implications of this change in position, and was it permanent?
I am looking for a biblical explanation from a Reformed Protestant position.


texts: How does the Catholic church distinguish between the human soul and spirit?

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I see questions about the creation of the human soul, and the soul's "infusion" into the body. But the Bible considers a human being to "have" three parts or concepts: spirit, soul, and body. How does the Catholic church regard the relationship between these three concepts?

In the bible we read that God breathed "the breath of life" into Adam, and he "became" a living soul. Elsewhere we read that at death a human's spirit "returns to God, who gave it", and Paul says that the human spirit is "dead" until regeneration takes place.

A good answer will reference official Catholic teaching on the meaning of the bible passages and the nature of (tri-partite?) humans as spirit, body, and soul. If there is no official position on some point, the view of church teachers is requested.

Bible Passages from WEB (World English Bible) -- emphasis and [] mine

  (Gen 2:7 [WEB])
  Yahweh God formed man from the dust of the ground [body], and breathed into his nostrils the breath [spirit?] of life; and man became a living soul.

  (Eccl 12:7 [WEB])
  and the dust [body] returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

  (Rom 8:10 [WEB])
  If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness. [spirit was dead, but now lives?]


texts: What problems, if any, do Christadelphians have with the Apostles' Creed?

texts:
As a follow-up to previous questions, I'd like to know: Do Christadelphians disagree with or "reinterpret" any phrases in the Apostles' Creed?

Here's the context: I'm listening to an audio series in which the Apostles' Creed is used as the framework for "Christian theology," implying that those who believe the Apostles' Creed are orthodox.  But in this series, non-trinitarians are not considered orthodox.

This makes me wonder – how do certain non-trinitarian groups understand the Apostles' Creed?  Do they accept it as written, or simply reject it?  Or perhaps they accept it, but interpret particular phrases in ways that trinitarians don't?

Here, I'm most interested in how early Christadelphian leaders, like John Thomas and Robert Roberts, viewed the creed.  If they did not address the Apostles' Creed in their writings, I'd be interested in the analysis of more recent Christadelphian theologians (in overview style, if there is disagreement).

Related: Same question for Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Oneness Pentecostals, and Swedenborgians.


texts:
It has proved difficult to find an answer to this question

A quick concordance search of "horn" and you will find many different uses for the word. My center-column notes say "strength." But why? What is the Hebrew sense of this word?

Psalm 92:10 might give a clue:

  But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be
  anointed with fresh oil.

Horns are strong, they are used for annointing, for calls to battle. I seem to be answering my own question, however, there seems to be a development of the horn in the Bible, especially in the beasts in Daniel 7 & 8.

The phrase "the son of my right hand" has several understandings, but they are more obvious since handedness is universal. I know what horn means, what does horn really mean?


texts: How do priests choose who is going to be the main celebrant at Mass?

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When there's lots of priests in a parish or visiting priests, how do priests decide which one is going to be the main celebrant and which one is going to concelebrate (or just appear before Communion)?

I was thinking about this answer where it was asserted that it was not priests, but elders who presided over early Masses.  That if there were multiple presbyters present, they'd have to chose one to be the president, and maybe the modern practice of concelebrating has some ancient roots


texts: Where does the Bible support the idea of church budgets, for those traditions that think it does?

texts: Most churches work under a budget system, and have meetings every year to discuss this. What are their Biblical justifications for doing so?


texts:
In the book of Ephesians we see:

  far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
  Eph 1:21

  His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
  Eph 3:10

  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
  Eph 6:12

Now in Revelation we read:

  Who will not fear you, Lord,
      and bring glory to your name?
  For you alone are holy.
  All nations will come
      and worship before you,
  for your righteous acts have been revealed.
  Rev 15:4

My question is: Are the powers and authorities in Ephesians brought under Christ's rule - the same as every nation bowing in Revelation?


texts: Understanding Jesus counter argument against the Pharisees (Luke 11:19 )

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I don't understand the following counter argument by Jesus.

  And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out?
  Luke 11:19

One viewpoint is that the Pharisees' students (which I believe is what Jesus meant when he said sons) did try to cast out demons, but that would mean that I would be assuming that the Pharisees' student did actually cast out demons during that time.

1) Would the aforementioned argument be valid?

2) Are there any other ways of understanding Luke 11:19?  If yes, could someone please explain them?


texts: How would it be Just to have Jesus blaspheme against his own Law?

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For those who believe that Jesus was being put to death by crucifixion because he had committed blashphemy by claiming to be of divine nature, how does that hold at a theological level?

If Jesus is divine (God), then he is also the God of Moses and as a result the one who legislated the Law of blasphemy.

How would it be even theologically possible or Just to knowingly send someone to a people (the Jews) who had been taught very clearly that there is only One God and that there is no likeness to him, to then have Jesus being a man claiming to be God?  (And then to be crucified which again was a proof to them that he was not a Prophet and was cursed).

So to summarize, how is this theologically plausible or Just:

God (who Christians say is Jesus) sends a Law to Moses saying there is only 1 God and to not make any likeness to him
God then sends Jesus teaching the opposite to the core belief system
Jesus (who is God) dies for your sins (Jews don't believe God can die)

Note:

Please don't get confused when you read the word 'JUST' and then start explaining on how we can't live up to the commandments and thus Jesus died for our sins.  I'm referring to the fact that God sent Moses with a Law, the Law says there is One, Unique God and even went to to say there is none like him, don't make images, He is not a Man.
Then to have Jesus come and commit blasphemy before them.  How is this Just?  Is this not confusion and trickery?

I think most people miss this point because they don't put themselves in the shoes of the followers of Moses and his Law.


texts: How does OEC explain the existence of pre-fall death?

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To make things clear for everyone, OEC=old earth creationist (i.e. God used evolution to make his creation over billions of years). Most people arguing against OEC pose the seemingly irrefutable claim:

Life couldn't have evolved because this implies the death and suffering of millions of organisms, and death and suffering were introduced into this world at the same time that sin was introduced, and sin was introduced only when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden apple.

I am not an OEC myself, but I have tried to think of a possible answer to this without success. My best shot was that Adam, Eve, and the tree of knowledge were fictional too, but I believe God makes it clear that sin entered the world at a specific time. So What is the typical OEC answer to this claim? Thanks.


texts: What is the process within the Catholic Church to get a clarification on Church teaching?

texts:
From this Meta discussion, the post presented the case that on C.SE, one may find irreconcilable answers to the question What is the Catholic Church's position on the scientific theory of evolution?

The question is what is the process within the Catholic Church which will enable a person to get a clarification on Church teaching?


texts: What is the Order of Special Full-Time Servants?

texts: The Order of Special Full-Time Servants appears to be a religious order of Jehovah's Witnesses. What is a religious order in the context of Witness theology? Is it theologically  meaningful at all? To what purpose do people join this order? When do they leave? (Do they leave?) How does the whole thing work?


texts: God said in the Bible: ”I am who am!” What does that expression mean?

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”I am who am!”

What does this expression mean?

God expressed Himself like so in the Bible. But what I want to know is what does it mean? What is its intrinsic meaning?


texts: What exempts a Catholic from going to Mass on Sunday at church?

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My grandparents are devout Catholics in the Midwest. They are fairly involved in their local church, however if they are away they will go to any close church. This much is fine, and I admire them for their faith and dedication.

As they were born and raised in small Midwest towns during the 1940s, I believe that their dedication to this has to do with their interpretation of "remember the sabbath day" to mean that they need a church and priest.

Where I have concerns is that, last Sunday, the roads were icy enough that they were having trouble safely driving and walking. This is boosted by both of them reaching critical memory issues, and my grandmother not eating enough and relying on a walker. As such, I am concerned for their safety, and want to give them an alternative if the roads are too dangerous for them.

Since they are devout, I am looking for something in Catholic doctrine that defines whether or not a priest or physical church is necessary for worship. A preferred or additional verse would include some prioritization of your own health.

EDIT:
Thank you for the answers! I didn't realize that Mass was a compulsory idea since I come from a Protestant background. I'll see if my grandparent's friends aren't willing to pick them up. God Bless!


texts: What compelled John Wesley to take up the cause of Abolitionism?

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In 1778, John Wesley published his Thoughts upon Slavery, where he wrote:

The variety of ways that slavery appears make it almost impossible to convey a just notion of it ... First in what manner are they procured? Part of them by fraud ... But far more have been procured by force. The Christians landing upon their coasts, seized as many of them as they could find - men, women and children - and transported them to America ... It was some time before the Europeans found a more compendious way of procuring them: by prevailing upon them to make war in each other and sell their prisoners. Till then they seldom had any wars, all was peace and quiet. But the white man taught them drunkeness and avarice and hired them to sell one another. Nay, by this means even their kings are induced to sell their subjects ... As for the punishments that are inflicted upon them, say Sir Hans Sloan, some are gelded, others have half a foot chopped off ... others cut off an ear, and constrain them to broil and eat them ...
How can Britons can so readily admit a change in their disposition and sentiments as to practise in America what they abhorred and detested in Britain can be accounted for no other principle than of being the natural effect of slave-keeping which as the celebrated Montesquieu observes 'insensibly accustoms those who are in the practise of it, to want all moral virtues, to become haughty, hasty, hard-hearted, passionate, voluptuous and cruel.'

More, forty years earlier when he had been in the United States with his brother on missionary work in 1737-38 he recorded in his journal the barbaric treatment that:

daily practise upon their fellow creatures [inclufing whipping, driving nails through their ears and drawing teeth] ... even giving a white child a slave of his own to tyrannise ... [describing them] as shocking instances of diabolical cruelty

Given the interest that Britain had in maintaining the slave trade it's not suprising to discover that whenever Wesley preached against the slavery trade he put his life at considerable risk. For example, when he preached in Bristol, one of the foremost slave-trading ports in Britain, a disturbance broke out.
Q. Given this, what compelled Wesley to take on slavery and become one of the early adopters of abolition?
Moreover, given the shocking scenes of 'diabolical cruelty' he saw in the then slave owning United States why did it take so long to take up the cause?
Finally, how significant was his preaching in the context of the abolitionist movement - my own understanding - from being told this at school - was that Wilberforce was the main force behind it


texts: From Catholic perspective, what is the meaning of the tearing of the veil at the death of Christ?

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Matthew 27:51,

  And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split (NAB)

Mark 15:38,

  The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom  (NAB)

What do the Catholics teach about the significance of the veil which was before the Holy of Holies in the temple being torn from top to bottom?


texts: Why are Christian books not Public Domain?

texts:
In Matthew 10:8, disciples were told to even freely heal people, since it was freely given.

Paul, in order to not be a burden to others, made tents to support himself.

Given this, why are most Christian books written today copyrighted, rather than in the public domain? [Yes, I know that some are freely available online; but most are not.]

One might ask: how would having such works in the public domain be useful to Christianity? For one, it would be useful to build a gigantic index, sorted by topic, where for each topic, one could look up all the well known Christian authors and read segments of their books related to the topic.

Back to the original question: why are most Christian books not public domain?


texts: What is the Bible basis for the idea of a temporary holding place?

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A friend once told me about the idea that there are two temporary "holding places", so to speak. If a person died and would go to Heaven, but that time had not yet come, they would go to a temporary paradisaical place and similarly for Hell (not the Catholic Purgatory). Some support is given in Luke 23:

Luke 23:40-43 (NLT)
'40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”'

Where did Jesus (and the criminal) go for the three days that He was dead?
There is also the fact that "Hades" refers to a different place than "Hell".
So what other Biblical evidence is there for a temporary holding place?


texts:
On Monday, October 27, 2014, addressing the Pontifical Academy of Sciences , Pope Francis is reported to have said, 'the Big Bang, which nowadays is posited as the origin of the world, does not contradict the divine act of creating, but rather requires it. The evolution of nature does not contrast with the notion of creation, as evolution presupposes the creation of beings that evolve.'

  “When we read in Genesis the account of Creation, we risk imagining
  God as a magician, with a wand able to make everything. But it is not
  so,” the Bishop of Rome affirmed.

  “He created beings and allowed them to develop according to the
  internal laws that he gave to each one, so that they were able to
  develop and to arrive and their fullness of being. He gave autonomy to
  the beings of the universe at the same time at which he assured them
  of his continuous presence, giving being to every reality. And so
  creation continued for centuries and centuries, millennia and
  millennia, until it became which we know today, precisely because God
  is not a demiurge or a magician, but the creator who gives being to
  all things.”

  Pope Francis said that “the beginning of the world is not the work of
  chaos that owes its origin to another, but derives directly from a
  Supreme Principle who creates out of love.”

  “The Big Bang, which nowadays is posited as the origin of the world,
  does not contradict the divine act of creating, but rather requires
  it. The evolution of nature does not contrast with the notion of
  creation, as evolution presupposes the creation of beings that
  evolve.” - Source: Francis inaugurates bust of Benedict, emphasizes
  unity of faith, science | CNA.

Are the theories of Evolution and the Big Bang now binding to Catholics and to be held as true?

The answer will include a history of papal and Church pronouncements on these theories. Please note the acceptable answer is not the one that tries to explain what the Pope meant. An acceptable answer would be the one that presents the answer as how one understands what the Pope said in light of the Church's teaching.

cf. Video | Reuters.

cf. Address of his Holiness Pope Francis on the Occasion of the Inauguration of the bust in honour of Pope Benedict XVI | Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences | Casina of Pius IV | Monday, 27 October 2014.


texts: According to Catholicism, would it be allowed for Jews to stone a woman caught in adultery after the scenario in John 8?

texts:
In the Gospel according to John, we can read about the encounter of Jesus with women caught in adultery. Jesus saved the women from being put to death by stoning. Let us suppose that a similar situation happened again the next day, with the difference being that Jesus did not come to rescue.
Would it be moral to stone the women?
Why?


texts: What are the important gifts and graces given to Mary to become Mother of the Church?

texts:
Catholic Church Tradition already embraced the view of Mary's role as Mother of the Church.

It says Saint Augustine and Pope Saint Leo the Great both reflected on the Virgin Mary’s importance in the mystery of Christ.

“In fact the former [St. Augustine] says that Mary is the mother of the members of Christ, because with charity she cooperated in the rebirth of the faithful into the Church, while the latter [St. Leo the Great] says that the birth of the Head is also the birth of the body, thus indicating that Mary is at once Mother of Christ, the Son of God, and mother of the members of his Mystical Body, which is the Church.”

Scripture, the decree says, depicts Mary at the foot of the Cross (cf. Jn 19:25). There she became the Mother of the Church when she “accepted her Son’s testament of love and welcomed all people in the person of the beloved disciple as sons and daughters to be reborn unto life eternal.”
In 1964, the decree says, Pope Paul VI “declared the Blessed Virgin Mary as ‘Mother of the Church, that is to say of all Christian people, the faithful as well as the pastors, who call her the most loving Mother’ and established that ‘the Mother of God should be further honoured and invoked by the entire Christian people by this tenderest of titles’”.

In CCC490, Mary's role as Mother of the Saviour required God to endowed Her with important gifts and special graces.

490 To become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role."132 The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as "full of grace".133 In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace.

"The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.135" (135 Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus (1854): DS 2803.)

My question is,in Mary's role as Mother of the Church this would entails a much greater gifts & graces because She will now be a Mother of not only of one child,but a Mother to a billion of believers or the redeemed.In human terms it would be impossible

  "There are an estimated 1.2 billion Roman Catholics in the world, according to Vatican figures. More than 40% of the world's Catholics live in Latin America - but Africa has seen the biggest growth in Catholic congregations in recent years. Mar 14, 2013 - How many Roman Catholics are there in the world?

If Mary was Chosen again, too further Her Role as Mother of the Church meaning a Mother to billions of Catholic not withstanding the teaching the Mary is the Mother of all the Redeemed (including other faith").
What kind of gifts & graces from Catholic Teaching and biblical perspective Mary must possessed in order to perform the magnitude of the holy office?

I am looking for what kind of gifts & graces Mary must possessed in order to  be the Mother of the Church that would attend to the care of each member towards their salvation?

Catholicism and Church Father teaching will be helpful to appreciate the biblical soundness and realities of this important teaching to give light on the Divine Power of Mary bestowed on Her by the Most High.


texts: What was the Angelic Psalter that Our Lady told St. Dominic to preach?

texts:
In St. Louis de Montfort's The Secret of the Rosary he quotes the Blessed Virgin Mary talking to St. Dominic:

  "I want you to know that, in this kind of warfare, the battering ram has always been the Angelic Psalter which is the foundation stone of the New Testament. Therefore if you want to reach these hardened souls and win them over to God, preach my Psalter."

At a recent FNE Timberwolf meeting my brother leader, Mang says that the Angelic Psalter is the Rosary prayed 150 times and the other leader Ricki Ticki says "Oh I thought that was the Psalms themselves".  The boys were a bit confused, but we muddled through without intense theological debate.

Now, (not to get all technical and worried about consistencies like I would over Star Wars) if she said that the battering ram has always been the Angelic Psalter, and the Angelic Psalter is the Rosary, then wouldn't the Rosary have had to have pre-existed St. Dominic.  But, if it is actually the book of Psalms that Our Lady was talking about, where did tell St. Dominic explicitly to pray the Rosary?


texts: What is the significance of shouting "Hosanna" by the people of Jerusalem?

texts:
The word Hosanna has many meanings: "help", "save, I pray", "Save, now!" or Praising etc.

If the people shouted "Hosanna" in order to praise Jesus merely as a great Prophet, it would be easier to shout "Crucify him!" later when they were disappointed by his acts.

If the intention of the people of Jerusalem was to say "Save us from the hands of Rome", it means they accepted Jesus as the Messiah after seeing all the miracles he performed. But in less than a week they became impatient and shouted "Crucify him!", thereby rushing to a conclusion that Jesus was actually not the Messiah.

What was the intention of the people of Jerusalem when they shouted Hosanna?


texts: What happened to the tribe of Dan in Revelation?

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Compare the twelve tribes of Israel, according to Genesis 35:23-26 (left column) and Revelation 7:5-8 (right):

Asher : Asher
Benjamin : Benjamin
Dan : Gad
Gad : Issachar
Issachar : Joseph
Joseph : Judah
Judah : Levi
Levi : Manasseh
Naphtali : Naphtali
Reuben : Reuben
Simeon : Simeon
Zebulun : Zebulun

(Sorted into alphabetical order.)

Why is Dan replaced by Manasseh?

Background info: I know that Manasseh and Ephraim were Joseph's sons. I also know that the tribe of Joseph was split into two half-tribes: Manasseh and Ephraim.

Note on answer: I know the topic of Revelation can easily turn speculative but if at all possible I'm looking for a fact based answer (e.g. the tribe of Dan no longer exists and Manasseh is now twice as big).


texts: How should the Mass be explained to a first time visitor?

texts:
I know a Japanese person who is interested in the Catholic faith who plans to attend Mass despite not knowing anything about it. I think this person would greatly benefit from a summary explaining what it is and why it is done before attending. What should be said?

Please keep in mind that, generally speaking, the Japanese know nothing about Christianity.


texts:
How is a 30 days novena to St. Joseph different from a consecration to St. Joseph?
Do they have different purposes?


texts: When was the tripartite (body, soul, and spirit) view of man officially rejected by a church council?

texts:
The trichotomy of man (or his trichotomous or tripartite nature) is the belief that man was created with three "parts" – body, soul, and spirit.  This is a popular viewpoint among many Christians, but the official position of Catholicism (Catechism §365), not to mention the majority view of many Protestant traditions, is that man consists of only body and soul.

It turns out that there was some disagreement on this point in the early church.  Apollinaris of Laodicea came up with a tripartite scheme in his attempts to explain the incarnation of Jesus, and he was defeated at the First Council of Constantinople (381).  However, according to J. Oliver Buswell's Systematic Theology (3.2.5.H.2), his trichotomism was not specifically rejected – just his view of Christ's nature more generally.

Thus, I wonder – when did the church specifically reject the trichotomy of man?  By "church" I'm referring to the orthodox (small O) church prior to the East-West schism, the Western church prior to the Reformation, and, if necessary, Roman Catholicism after that.  Note too that this means I'm looking for official church councils, not the writings of respected fathers and doctors.


texts:
1 Timothy 2:4 NIV

  'God our Savior [sic] who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth'.

Anticipating his suffering and death, Jesus proclaims,

John 12:31-32 NIV

  Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted upg from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

Do the above verses tell us that, after Jesus saved man, eternal damnation no longer exist?


texts: Is the Pope limited in his authority over the Order of Malta?

texts:
Is the Pope limited in his authority over the Catholic Order of Malta? How is the jurisdiction affected with the pope over the (Catholic) Sovereign Military Order of Malta since it is able to procure their own passports just like the Holy See is able to do so.

  Raymond de Souza: The Order of Malta is a sovereign entity, like any State, and the Holy Father has no authority to intervene in its internal administrative affairs, just as he may not intervene in the administration matters of Norway, India or the United States.

Is there anything in Canon Law that permits the pope to intervene in the affairs of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta?


texts: Why aren't some words like "Maranatha" or "Talitha Cumi" translated in English Bibles?

texts:
Why aren't certain words like Maranatha, Talitha Cumi, Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani, etc., not translated in the Bible? Rather, the words are directly written and then their meaning or interpretation?

As the whole Bible is translated from some other languages, why leave certain words alone untranslated?


texts: I have heard a story about Mary being the "Ever Virgin" and it started out with her parents presenting her at the temple as a virgin and she stayed a virgin for the rest of her life, even after giving birth to Christ. My question is did the Herodian Temple have virgins similar to temple dedicated to some of the Greek gods and goddesses?


texts: Meaning of the expression "I cling to cross of Christ"

texts:
What is meaning of the expression «I cling to cross of Christ»? (1) In the context of this expression, what does the act of clinging mean? Was it an expression or something similar used by early Christians?

Notes

For example, a fragment of the hymn Rock of Ages says:

  Simply to Thy cross I cling;


texts:
In Matthew 16:28

  28 Amen I say to you, there are some of them that stand here, that shall not taste death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Was Our Lord Jesus speaking literally or figuratively?


texts: How do (non-Catholic) proponents of an intermediate state interpret 2 Corinthians 5:4-9?

texts:
(2 Corinthians 5:4-9 KJV) For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

This passage has been used in support by proponents of teachings regarding the end of life in which the soul of the deceased immediately departs the body and enters into Heaven or Hell.
Besides the Catholic teaching of purgatory, how do Christians who hold to an intermediate state interpret this this passage?


texts: How do you know if you are under a trial or if you are just suffering?

texts:
Hypothetically, if you are going through a painful situation:

Is it because God is trying to grow you/redirect you?
Or is it a result of sinful actions?


texts: What is the Protestant interpretation of Philippians 3:12?

texts:
Protestantism generally teaches that salvation is by faith alone, through grace.

Paul seem to make a case for this in Philippians 3:9:

  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith (ESV)

but later on verse 12, he says:

  Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.

Does that not seem to indicate that we cannot be sure of our salvation, and that works are also implied?


texts: What is the Biblical support for praying for the dead?

texts:
In the question Absolution for a daughter an answer was posted that started by saying:

  The Rites of the Church do include prayers for the dead. It's not
  possible actually to absolve sins after death, but the dead are
  effectively helped by the prayers of the living.

  (emphasis added)

There is Biblical support that supports the idea of death sleep:

The dead do not know anything:

  For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And
  they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.

  Ecclesiastes 9:5

The dead cannot do anything:

  Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there
  is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you
  are going.

  Ecclesiastes 9:10

The dead cannot praise God, or hope in His faithfulness:

  For the dead cannot praise you; they cannot raise their voices in
  praise. Those who go down to the grave can no longer hope in your
  faithfulness.

  Isaiah 38:18

There is no mention of God by the dead:

  For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol who will give You
  thanks?

  Psalms 6:5

Jesus mentions that Lazarus, who was at the time dead, was simply sleeping:

  11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend
  Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

  12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 13
  However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was
  speaking about taking rest in sleep.

  14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad
  for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe.
  Nevertheless let us go to him.”

  John 11:11-15

Paul says that those who sleep, or died in Christ, simply wait for His return and their resurrection.

  13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those
  who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14
  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will
  bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.[b]

  15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are
  alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede
  those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven
  with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of
  God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive
  and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet
  the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18
  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

In light of these texts, and many others not shown, what is the Biblical support which Catholics might adduce for praying for the dead or that our prayers help them in any way? And if so, does it contradict the texts presented? How would a Catholic convince a sola scriptura Protestant?


texts: According to Reformed Theology, what is the doctrinal basis for belief in New Testament tithing?

texts:
Most Reformed churches refer to "tithes and offerings" as an understanding of the giving structure in church. Reformed Theology as a theological framework is careful about ensuring there is a biblical foundation for worship (regulative principle) and has a strong emphasis on the biblical covenants and their historical administrations. Therefore, I assume there is a basis for the belief that tithing is an enduring New Testament establishment for the church.

Ideally, this would be a representative theologian (a reformer, puritan, modern reformed theologian, etc.) explaining the basis for believing that the Bible teaches the tithe as an enduring function of the church that extends beyond the Mosaic administration.

I am specifically talking about tithing 10% of the household income as a commandment of God, not the general principle of generous giving which is immediately obvious in the New Testament.


texts: What was the socioeconomic makeup of early Christian Gnostic sects?

texts:
There is ample evidence that early Christianity  was socioeconomically very inclusive, being made up of the poor, the wealthy, men, women, the educated, uneducated, etc.

For example, Pliny the Younger writes regarding the arrest of Christians:

  ...for a great many individuals of every age and class, both men and
  women, are being brought to trial, and this is likely to continue. It
  is not only the towns, but villages and rural districts too which are
  infected through contact with this wretched cult.

Also, some data regarding ethnicity and class can be inferred from the names in the NT.

Is there any information in the writings of the Church Fathers, secular historians, the NT[1] itself, or elsewhere, that can help us understand the socioeconomic makeup of early Gnostic Christian sects?[2]

Was their membership also very inclusive, or more limited to certain areas, such as cities rather than rural areas, or primarily made up of a certain class, gender, educational background, etc?

[1] I am aware that most NT scholars believe full-blown Christian Gnosticism occurred only after the first century.

[2] Of course, this might vary from sect to sect, however I'm intentionally leaving this question broad because I wouldn't know which sect to ask about if I had to limit the question, and I don't want to post a separate question asking about each Gnostic heresy.


texts: Is 1 Corinthians 15:28 disregarded by trinitarians?

texts:
International Standard Version:

But when everything has been put under him, then the Son himself will also become subject to the one who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

The New Living Translation:

Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.

Jesus is made subject to God, under God's authority so he cannot be equal to God.
Please note this verse refers to a resurrected Christ.
I would like to know if the verse is disregarded by trinitarians or how they reconcile it with their beliefs.


texts: Does the Bible talk about denominations?

texts:
Is there any talk of differing religious denominations (of Christianity) in the Bible?

Specific references to passages would be quite useful.


texts: According to Catholic exorcists, does the Devil hate Catholic Church prayers said in Latin?

texts:
According to Catholic exorcists, does the Devil really hate Catholic Church prayers said in Latin?

I just attended a talk by the exorcist for diocese of San Jose, Fr Gary Thomas. He is the subject of a book and a film called The Rite, starring Anthony Hopkins. (The talk was organized by a group called Catholics at Work.)
First, he was a great speaker. He described how almost by accident, and after 20 years as a parish priest, he found himself sent to Rome to learn how to perform the Rite of Exorcism. He was very clear in saying that, in his opinion, the recent rise in interest in New Age paganism has opened the door to adherence to the occult for greater numbers of people than before, which in turn opens the way to diabolical possession. He has always been inundated with requests, even before the publicity.
The fact that he described these things pretty much in the same straightforward, matter-of-fact way that one might describe what goes on in a marriage or baptism in a parish RCIA class only served to reinforce the truth of it all for me. And I would say that if anything is to increase your faith, it is listening to accounts of how the Church overcomes the effects of possession by the devil and demons, and the suffering of those poor people who are affected by them.
I wanted to pass on one little comment that he made almost in passing. I do not know where he stands liturgically in regard to the Mass - there was nothing in what he said that led me to believe that he celebrates the Latin Mass, for example. However, he did explain that the Rite of Exorcism is only said in Latin. One reason is practical - there is no approved translation in English as yet. He gave another reason why he was so strongly in favor of the use of Latin in the Rite of Exorcism: “The Devil hates Latin, it is the universal language of the Church.” I asked him about this afterwards, and he repeated it, saying that his personal experiences as an exorcist who has performed many, many exorcisms have convinced him of this. He told me he had heard from exorcists who did exorcisms in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese (the only approved vernaculars for this Rite) that Latin was the most effective language. - Does the Devil hate Catholic Church prayers said Latin?

What I'm looking for?
Is there any biblical references to support this or have any traditions put a truth in these assertions... perhaps there are some personal encounters or testimonies that may support this and acknowledge the validity of this assertions.


texts: Was there a special Sabbath in addition to Passover when Jesus was crucified?

texts:
My question is based on John 19:31 which says that on the day Jesus died it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath.  Was this special Sabbath (on which no work could be done) the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread?

If so then Nisan 14 would have been Preparation Day for the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Jesus’ body would have had to be laid in the tomb before sundown on that day – but that would not have been the weekly Sabbath that commenced at sundown on Friday.  It would have been the special Sabbath for the start of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Here is what I found, but I can’t source the information or get verification for the claims:

  “Some years before the birth of Jesus the Passover celebration had been changed and in the Lord’s time called for a brief ritual meal of lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs to begin the 14th Nisan followed by a great and leisurely festival meal on the 15th, when the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins. This tradition is still followed today.  The 14th became known as Preparation Day (Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54, John 19:31), because on it they made ready for the great feast day beginning at sundown, after which no work was permitted. Matthew identifies the day after the Crucifixion as the day after Preparation Day (27:62) so all four Gospels agree. Jesus died on Preparation day, the 14th of their month Nisan, which is Passover. He ate the ritual meal with His disciples in the Upper Room, and then was arrested, tried, convicted, and put to death; all on Passover.”

Was the special Sabbath mentioned in John 19:31 and Matthew 27:62 the start of the Feast of Unleavened Bread?  And is there any evidence to support that view?


texts: I've always believed (like Christians around me) that Christ's Bride is the church. However, I recently met two guys that claimed that the Bride is actually the new Jerusalem that comes down from Heaven in Revelation (3:12, 21:2, 21:10). What is the Biblical support for these two viewpoints?


texts: Can a disfellowed JW marry after being reinstated?

texts: I was disfellowed in 2010, because of having a girlfriend outside the congregation. In 2011 we had a marriage at home affairs and in 2012 I was happily reinstated with my wife. I was jobless then and she wasn't yet baptized. In 2013 she was baptized and this year we'd love to have a wedding ceremony and a special talk at the JW assembly hall. Is this allowed or not?


texts:
Question: Are there any spiritual benefits in writing a diary? There have been many saints who have wrote a diary. Is it somehow beneficial? Why? Did any saint recommend it?

I am asking the question from the Catholic viewpoint.


texts: How have Churches interpreted handing people over to Satan?

texts:
In Paul's letter to Timothy, Paul mentions that Alexander and Hymenaeus were handed over to Satan to 'be taught not to blaspheme'. What is an overview on how churches have interpreted handing people over to Satan?
1 Timothy 1:18-20:

  18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.


texts: How has the LDS Word of Wisdom changed since its introduction?

texts:
In the LDS faith, they follow a law of health called the Word of Wisdom that teaches them to abstain from things like alcohol and tobacco and it encourages them to eat foods like grains, fruits, and vegetables.

How has the Word of Wisdom changed since its introduction compared to what it is today?


texts: Do Christian denominations vary in interpreting whether an act is sinful or not?

texts:
I've noticed in some answers and comments the sentiment that whether an act is sinful or not is always cut-and-dried.

Does this mean that in all the ways the various denominations of Christianity differ that their interpretation of sins is not among them?

Or what would some examples be where something is not a sin in one branch of Christianity but is a sin in another?


texts: What is the biblical basis for believing in the Book of Mormon?

texts: I know that Mormons say the Bible and the Book of Mormon don't contradict. I don't know about that, but I would like to know whether there actually is a verse in the Bible that could support the belief in an exterior source such as the Book of Mormon, so highly regarded -by Mormons- as another revelation from God.


texts: Do people who adhere to the Immaculate Conception of Mary believe that Mary and Jesus were both conceived in the same fashion?

texts:
My Christian training emphasized the uniqueness of the Christ as the only human ever directly created since Adam,thus the only one ever born of woman that could offer a propitiatory sacrifice that would exactly cover the fall of Adam.

Catholics and some Protestants regard Mary as having had a similar special conception that left her perfect to be the mother of God.

My question is if Jesus had to have a perfect mother to be perfect, would not Mary also have had to have a perfect mother to be born perfect?

And her mother  the same and her mothers mother the same and her mothers mothers mother the same etc....

Would it not make much more sense to conclude that just once in all history the Creator of Adam created another perfect human by miraculously adding the necessary spark that initiated  the process known as fetal development from the ovum of Mary?


texts: Why didn't God send Jesus during Noah's time instead of The Flood?

texts:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
  whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
  life. - John 3:16

John 3:16 tells us that God loved us, so He sent Jesus to save us.

So why didn't He do this during Noah's time?


texts:
What traditions espouse infant baptism and why?

In those traditions, why do parents often baptize their children at very young age, and why is this better than giving their children the opportunity to choose for themselves?


texts: What happened to "the last seminary" website

texts: It used to be in the web "my last seminary" / "summer seminary site" with a lot of links for topics on philosophical and theological issues. Does somebody know to where it migrated or mirrors?


texts: Could there have been a different translation for Matthew 14:28? (Catholic perspective)

texts:
At Matthew 14:25-28 we read:

  And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea.   But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.

I like to believe that the saying  of Peter, "if it is you," is a weak translation of the original text. Only after getting the confirmation that he was looking at Jesus, and not a ghost, does Peter place his request. So there is no point in his using the 'if' word.

I wish to know if there are other forms in which the original text could have been translated into, say, "now that it is you." What do the Catholic interpretations say on such a perspective?


texts:
How should Christians act toward non-Christians?

One example I have found is 2 Corinthians 6:14 [KJV].

  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
  fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion
  hath light with darkness?

I believe this is saying not to marry non-Christians.

Are there any other instructions on how to behave towards non-Christians in the Bible?


texts: Should Catholics silently hum the Tetragrammaton when they're supposed to sing it?'

texts:
I was telling the kids in my Catechism class yesterday that we don't pronounce God's name anymore in hymns during Mass.  They were a tad taken aback, especially since apparently they're supposed to sing some song at their school containing the Holy Name.

Anyway, how scrupulous does one need to be about this? I can't imagine that the only place you may not utter God's name with the vowels is the very space where he is worshiped most abundantly.

So, should they sing along, or just hum to themselves?  I'd really appreciate a good sound Catholic answer to this as it is ostensibly binding on us for the rest of our lives!


texts: Scriptural Basis for different kinds of marriage

texts:
Consider two types of marriages: a marriage ceremony in a church with a certified priest/pastor (but without any government recognition) and a courthouse marriage.

What scriptures would imply that one or the other is preferable, assuming for some reason you couldn't do both?

(The other question only asks about a religious ceremony, not a courthouse marriage)


texts: Are these Messages between Pontius Pilate and Herod real?

texts:
Are the messages between Pontius Pilate and Herod real or are there no real epistles found between Herod and Pilate?

The source, here is the exact part that I am talking about:

  From Pilate to Herod, the head of the quarter, Peace: I know and
  confirm, that on the day Jesus converted to me, I flattered myself and
  confirmed by washing my hands that I was innocent From the blood of
  those who rose from the grave after three days, You have been pleased,
  because you wanted me to share with you in the crucifixion, But I knew
  of the executioners and the soldiers who guarded his grave He rose
  from death and I was sure what I was told: He physically appeared in
  Galilee, in the same form, In the same voice, in the same teachings,
  and with the same disciples, Nothing has changed in anything, just
  preaching his resurrection And with an eternal kingdom, and behold,
  heaven and earth are joy; And Procla, my wife, believes in the visions
  that have appeared to her When Li sent the man, she said that I should
  not That Jesus delivered to the people of Israel, because of their
  evil intentions When I heard my wife Brockla, that Jesus had risen and
  appeared in Galilee, I went with Longinus, the Roman commander and
  twelve soldiers, The same who guarded the tomb, and we went to welcome
  Christ, As if we would see a great view, and we saw him with his
  disciples As they stood and marveled, staring at him, He looked at
  them and said to them, What is this? Do you believe in me? Brockla, as
  you know it has been said in the covenant that The Lord gave him to
  the Fathers, that every dead person would live by my death, Which you
  have seen and you see that I am alive, I have crucified him and I have
  suffered many things, So I was lying in the grave but now, Hear me and
  believe in my Father, the God who is in Because I have broken the
  ropes of death and broken the gates of hell, My coming will be in the
  future When Brockla and my wife and the Romans heard these things,
  They came and told me they were pakin, because they were inventing
  When the evils they did against him and me while I was On the sofa of
  my bed, I was mourning, I wore a mourning gown, I took fifty Romanian
  women with my wife and went to Galilee, While I was going on the road
  I saw these things: That Herod did me these things, that he pointed
  out, And hindered me to rest my hands against him, and to judge who is
  trying everyone, And to praise the righteous, Lord of righteousness,
  and when we approached him, Lord Herod, Heard a great voice from the
  sky, scary thunder, The earth trembled and a sweet smell rose from it,
  I never heard of it before, nor did it ever happen In the temple of
  Jerusalem, while I was standing in the road, The Lord saw me as he
  stood and spoke with his disciples But I prayed in my heart, because I
  knew that you gave him to me, He was the Lord of creation and Creator
  of all, When we saw him, we all fell on our faces In front of his feet
  and I said loudly, I have sinned, my God, That I have sat down and
  condemned you, O one who avenge all the truth, and have mercy on me O
  God of Israel! My wife said with great sadness, O God of heaven and
  earth, O God of Israel, Do not reward me according to the work of
  Pontius Pilate, Nor according to the will of the children of Israel,
  nor according to the thought of the sons of the priests, But remember
  my husband in your glory! And the Lord drew near, and brought me down
  My wife and the Romans looked at him and saw him stirring his cross He
  said, "What all righteous fathers wished to receive, And did not see
  him, in your days, the Lord of Days, the Son of Man, The Son of the
  Most High, who forever, rose from death And glorified in the highest
  of all his creation, and of all What I have established for ever and
  ever


texts: Were there any saints who criticized the church?

texts:
Pope Francis has said that those who constantly criticize the Catholic
  church are “friends of the devil”.

My question is: were there any saints in history who repeatedly criticized the church or the church leaders?

I know there was St. Catherine who was urging popes move to Rome

  spent twenty years trying to convince popes to move back to the
  Eternal City

But I wouldn't consider this as a criticism, it's more of a strategical guidance. I'm more interested in public moral criticism.

Note: I mean the saints who were already living their life of sainthood. After their conversion and through their mystical life were instructed or led by the Holy Spirit to criticize certain immorality of the Church's leaders.


texts: What is the Biblical basis for believing God is the same throughout the Old and New Testament?

texts:
My first ever question here is:
What is the Biblical basis for believing that God is the same throughout the Old and New Testaments, especially when one might struggle to reconcile the apparent contradiction between God being love and God being a jealous God simultaneously?
Scriptural support for my question:

God is love. (1 John 4:16)
Love is not jealous or boastful. (1 Corinthians 13:4, RSV)

Then the Old Testament verses in apparent contrast to the two above from the New Testament:

For I the Lord your God am a jealous God. (Exodus 20:5)
For the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. (Exodus 34:14)


texts: What is the Biblical basis for continuationism?

texts:
Continuationism is the idea that extraordinary gifts of the Spirit (prophecy, tongues, healing) continue in the present day. This is contrasted with cessationism, which says that such gifts have ceased (at the closing of the canon, or the death of the last apostle, etc.). The charismatic movement is continuationist in its theology. What Bible verses and Biblical arguments support the doctrine of continuationism?

This question is the polar opposite of this one:
What is the basis for Cessationism?


texts: According to reformed theology, are _all_ wealthy Christians required to give their wealth to the poor?

texts:
In Mark 10:17-31, we see Jesus talk to the rich young ruler, and tell him to sell his possessions and give it to the poor.

According to reformed theologians, is this required of all wealthy followers of Christ, or was this merely a test designed for this particular rich young ruler, to show that in his heart, he loved his wealth more than he loved God?

For those arguing the case of "no, wealthy Christinas are not required to give all their wealth to the poor" please explain how to handle verses like Mark 10:31, and 1 John 3:17.

For those arguing the case of "yes, wealthy Christians are required to give all their wealth to the poor", please explain how to handle the wealth of Job / Abraham, as well as why Zacchaeus, upon giving half his wealth to the poor and repaying 4 fold (did this bankrupt him?) earned the praise of Christ.


texts: Which prophecies are fulfilled outside of Scripture?

texts:
In thinking over the "fulfillment" of certain prophecies in AD 70, it struck me that this is really the only prophecy (other than the Second Coming) that isn't fulfilled in Scripture.

Even the general prophecies about gospel proclamation and evil abounding are partially fulfilled in Acts, as we see things spinning into motion.

So, other than the AD 70 prophecy (assuming you believe that's the fulfillment, which I'm beginning to doubt) and the Second Coming, are there any prophecies in the Old Testament (or the New?) that (regardless of their fulfillment status) are not fulfilled in Scripture?

To clarify, I'm not looking for extra-biblical support for prophecies; rather, I'm looking for prophecies which are only fulfilled outside Scripture and whose fulfillment is never mentioned in the Bible.


texts: Are there explicit statements in the New Testament about the purpose of life?

texts: Is the purpose of life directly and explicitly addressed in the New Testament? Most of the citations I found are implicit at best.


texts: Which are the sins that will not be forgiven in the age to come?

texts:
At Matthew 12:32 we hear some tough talk from Jesus:

  Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

I wish to know whether there are other sins which fall in the category of those which   will not be forgiven in the age to come , say, desecration of the Holy Euchariat , or say,  murder of an ordained priest .  What do the Catholic Church teach about the sins which may not be forgiven in the age to come.


texts: How is praying understood within the "Death of God" theology?

texts:
Theologians like Hamilton and Altizer  defend a "secular Theology" that tries to banish the Deus ex machina of traditional Theism. So far so good, but how does one pray before God etsi Deus non daretur,  (to use Bonhoeffer's expression)?

How does one interpret things like, for instance, the Ignatian "consolation" felt sometimes in prayer without appealing to any "religious" agency?

More specifically: is it possible to elabore a spiritual theology without appealing to religious categories or traditional Theism?


texts: When did the term "evangelical" first start being used?

texts:
The term "evangelical" is used to describe a particular set of Christian beliefs, and is generally considered orthogonal to denominations - you could get, for example, evangelical Anglicans and non-evangelical Anglicans.  I've also heard the term used (or at least implied) of Christians from past centuries who ascribe to those same beliefs. For example, I'm not sure if the likes of Spurgeon or Wesley would have called themselves "Evangelical", but they are often spoken of in those terms.

When did the particular set of beliefs currently referred to as "evangelicalism" gain that name, and what was the historic context that required the distinction?


texts: In Genesis 18, does Jesus meet with Abraham?

texts: In Genesis 18, the Lord is mentioned several times. Along with 2 angels, he meets with Abraham. Is the Bible speaking of Jesus?


texts: Why aren't the Biblical Apocrypha included in the protestant Bible?

texts:
Biblical Apocrypha are portions of Bible that are printed in some editions of Bible between Old and New Testament, sometimes called inter-testament. When Martin Luther was translating Latin bible into German language, he left the translation to other people, and labeled it as "Apocrypha: These Books Are Not Held Equal to the Scriptures, but Are Useful and Good to Read".

My Question is, why are they not included in the modern protestant Bible?


texts: Why is Satan called the prince of the power of the air?

texts:
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Ephesians 2:1-3)

My understanding is that the apostle Paul is referring to Satan by "prince of the power of the air". Why would he be called that?


texts: Justification of perpetual virginity of Mother Mary

texts:
How do Catholics justify St. Joseph not being able to consummate his marriage with his wife?

It would seem as though the doctrine of Mary's perpetual virginity is at odds with Catholic teaching about the purpose of marriage and holding the Holy Family up as the model for spouses would produce very few children, yet Catholics often produce very many children.

So why was St. Joseph's marriage destined to be devoid of marital intimacy?


texts: Why did God not want man to have the knowledge of good and evil?

texts:
When God created man, he created him with the fore knowledge that man would eat from the forbidden tree, and even with the knowledge that  man would bring sin into the World; God created the tree in the midst of the garden. God also created the tree of life in the garden, and told man that of every tree of the garden he could freely eat except that when he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that he would surely die.
All scriptures are quoted from the King James translation:
Genesis 2:16 and 17

And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

I have often wondered why; if God has the knowledge of good and Evil, why having that knowledge is so abhorrent that it is a death sentence to man.
God knew that man would choose to disobey him and eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and he also knew that man would do so before eating from the tree of life.

Gen 3:22  And Jehovah God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever -
Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the flame of a sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.


texts: Are there any examples of sarcasm in the bible?

texts:
The closest in tone to sarcasm, though somewhat different, that I am aware of is John 1:45-46

  Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote -- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

  And Nathaniel said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

But that is not really sarcasm. Are there any examples?


texts: Did John Calvin discourage harmonies in congregational singing?

texts:
In many traditional Reformed churches, the songs found in hymnbooks and psalters (collections of Psalms set to music) are written with four parts: a melody/soprano line on the top, and alto, tenor, and bass harmony lines below.  For example:

I was thus surprised to learn, while listening to a lecture by Kevin Twit, that John Calvin opposed the use of harmony in congregational singing:

  Calvin, for instance, did not think it appropriate to sing the Genevan psalms with harmony, because that was a violation of the unity of the body.
  ["Does Musical Style Matter?" MTW Global Missions Conference 2013]

In which of his writings did Calvin express this preference?  Was "the unity of the body" the only basis for it?


texts: Where is the reference to John's student writing that John wrote his gospel because the synoptic gospels needed more detail?

texts: Two early church fathers (Ignatius and Polycarp) were students of John the apostle.  Someone wrote that one of them wrote that John was unhappy with missing details of the previous gospels, motivating him to write his gospel.  I've been trying to find this reference in their writings.


texts: How much time did medieval Christians devote to prayer?

texts:
I was critiqued on this answer concerning it taking less time out of the day for someone to be a Muslim than a Christian, and that may be untrue for a majority of Christians today.

But how much time did an Christians between the 600's and the 1200's spend in prayer each day?  Were there novenas, rosaries, the divine office, the angelus, chaplets etc... back then and if so how did they come to be fairly ubiquitous?

How would anyone even begin to research what kinds of devotions one's own ancestors may have practiced?


texts: What does "the saints are not keepers of the law, but legislators" mean?

texts:
In a recent encyclical marking the 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan,  the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, wrote:

  The Wisdom of God, the Lady Theotokos our Pammakaristos and Conciliation, St. Demetrios Kanavis, St. George the Trophy-bearer of the Phanar, and all the saints of our Church are not keepers of the law but legislators according to St. Symeon the New Theologian. The institution of the Church is charismatic, and the charismata of the saints function as institutional signposts for the faithful of the Church.

The Greek text seems to be basically word-for-word the same, except that "charismatic" is emphasised:

  Ἡ τοῦ Θεοῦ Σοφία, ἡ Κυρία Θεοτόκος ἡ Παμμακάριστος καί ἡ Παραμυθία, ὁ Ἅγιος Δημήτριος ὁ Κανάβης, ὁ Ἅγιος Γεώργιος ὁ Τροπαιοφόρος τοῦ Διπλοφαναρίου, οἱ Ἅγιοι συνολικῶς τῆς Ἐκκλησίας ἡμῶν δέν εἶναι φύλακες τοῦ νόμου, ἀλλά νομοθέται, κατά τό Ἅγιον Συμεών τόν Νέον Θεολόγον. Ὁ Θεσμός τῆς Ἐκκλησίας εἶναι  χ α ρ ι σ μ α τ ι κ ό ς καί τά χαρίσματα τῶν Ἁγίων λειτουργοῦν ὡς θεσμοί καθοδηγητικοί διά τό ἐκκλησιαστικόν πλήρωμα.

What does he mean by the statement that the saints are "not keepers of the law, but legislators", with reference to the Orthodox perspective on the nature of the Church? What significance is there to the particular saints (plus Wisdom) listed? What teaching of St Symeon is being referenced?


texts: According to the Book of Mormon, D&C, Pearl of great price and/or prophets, what prohibits lust?

texts: What does the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, or prophets say about the prohibition of lust as a sin?


texts: If flesh & blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God how did the Lord Jesus show His "hands and feet" after the resurrection?

texts:
As blood and flesh can't inherit the Kingdom of God, how could the Lord Jesus be resurrected with same blood and flesh? I mean He showed his hands and feet to the disciples in Luke 24:39. Or is that meaning He was in flesh and blood only 40 days earthly living after his resurrection?

Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” (Luke 24:39, NIV)
I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (1 Corinthians 15:50, NIV)

What is the meaning of "the perishable inherit the imperishable"? Or will we be resurrected with the same body and flesh?


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

texts:
Luke 18:19 (NKJV)
  So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.

My question is: is this contradictory? What does Jesus mean by this statement?


texts: What is the biblical and traditional support for the Catholic Marian devotion?

texts:
In this answer it was stated that the Bible does support Marian devotion, which the Catholics practice.

In Luke, Mary says "all generations will call me blessed." I can see how this lends credence to Marian devotion, however, I think it is taking more than is given when you start saying things like "She is the Mediatrix of All Graces! She is the Cause of our Joy! She is the Singular Vessel of Devotion!"

So is there more to the Marian devotion as given by the Bible? For such devotion that the Catholics give her I would think there should be. Of course, since I am asking Catholics, I would permit using the other Catholic books, if there is something to be found in them.

Perhaps this should be another question, but if answers to the first are not enough in content I would permit how early Church fathers spoke of Mary as support for the Marian devotion. I would like to see if they said anything similar "cause of our Joy" or mediatrix of all graces." I would prefer writings from as early as possible. I would say later than AD 500 is too late.


texts: Is there an explanation for pre-humans from a biblical point of view?

texts:
Does the bible/ Christians / the church (any church) say anything about pre-humans, not just neanderthals, but all the other kinds of pre-humans?

Points to consider.

I read in a National Geographic magazine that Neanderthals actually buried their dead ceremoniously, possibly hinting that they had a religion/after-life belief.
These other people existed, there have been bones found that prove that, so any answers saying that they didn't exist are not valid.
These pre-humans were people. They had cultures (however primitive) and possibly,
very likely, language.

My question is this- Is there anything at all that tries to explain these "other" people in biblical terms?

I am very interested in finding an answer to this question. If there are any problems with it please let me know.


texts: Are there examples of royal Orthodox saints (not martyrs) who have executed people?

texts:
Are there any examples of saints (not martyrs) recognized by the Orthodox church that have executed or overseen the execution of people?

I am explicitly ruling out martyrdom because I am interested in cases where the church views these men to have attained theosis but have still seen it to be just and appropriate to render the death penalty.

This question was inspired with a discussion amongst Orthodox friends on whether the death penalty is considered permissible in the Orthodox tradition.


texts:
Specifically with respect to the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646)...

Chapter 3, paragraph 3 and 4, where it states:

  III. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and
      angels are predestinated unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to
      everlasting death.

  IV. These angels and men, thus predestinated, and foreordained, are
      particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and
      definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.

Why or how would they justify that by using the scriptures? Having justified that, why are only some people predestined for certain salvation and some others for certain damnation, with presumably the rest being left for fate or whatever choice those people decide to make (A concession for Arminianism)?


texts: Do Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize marriage out of their religion?

texts: I am dating a Jehovah Witness male who is a marvelous man.  He is divorced from his wife after 22 years of sub standard wife treatment.  I am born and raised Christian and we have open dialog over our religious beliefs.  Does the Jehovah Witness religion recognize marriage out of their religion?


texts: Which German Bible translation was Joseph Smith fond of?

texts:
In some of Joseph Smith Jr.'s last speeches, he mentioned a German translation of the Bible which he was fond of. E.g., he says in the King Follet discourse (emphasis added):

  I have an old edition of the New Testament in the Latin, Hebrew, German and Greek languages. I have been reading the German, and find it to be the most [nearly] correct translation, and to correspond nearest to the revelations which God has given to me for the last fourteen years. (History of the Church 6:307)

Later on in this same speech, he says (emphasis added):

  In the German, the text bears me out the same as the revelations which I have given and taught for the last fourteen years on that subject. I have the testimony to put in their teeth. My testimony has been true all the time. You will find it in the declaration of John the Baptist. (Reads from the German.) John says, "I baptize you with water, but when Jesus comes, who has the power (or keys), he shall administer the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost." Where is now all the sectarian world? And if this testimony is true, they are all damned as clearly as anathema can do it. I know the text is true. I call upon all you Germans who know that it is true to say, Aye. (Loud shouts of "Aye.") (History of the Church 3:316)

In another address shortly before he was murdered (dated May 12, 1844), he says:

  The Germans are an exalted people. The old German translators are the most nearly correct -- most honest of any of the translators; and therefore I get testimony to bear me out in the revelations that I have preached for the last fourteen years. The old German, Latin, Greek and Hebrew translations all say it is true: they cannot be impeached, and therefore I am in good company. (History of the Church 6:363)

Which German translation is Joseph referring to? I am not familiar with the different translations of the Bible, having only ever read the King James Version in English. According to Wikipedia, there are several German translations of the Bible. I am interested in this specific version which Joseph owned. Which version is he referring to and where can I get a copy?


texts: Is the choice of a new Pope inspired by the Holy Spirit?

texts:
Are Roman Catholics required to believe that the Cardinals choice of a new Pope is inspired by the Holy Spirit?

If so, how do we explain "bad" popes?


texts: How do Protestants understand major differences in doctrine between denominations?

texts:
As a Catholic I believe that the Catholic Church was established by Jesus and given the authority to teach infallibly on the topics of faith and morals.

My understanding is that many Protestants believe that individual Christians have the grace to interpret the Bible for themselves.

For those who believe this, how do you understand major differences in the beliefs between various Protestant denominations?  If any sincere believer who has "been saved" is able to read and properly interpret the Bible through the work of the Holy Spirit, why so many fundamental differences in belief?

For instance, there seems to be wide disagreement on the necessity of baptism for salvation.  Some believe it to be the method of conferring sanctifying grace on the recipient, some believe it is merely symbolic, etc.


texts: Why did God use humans to write the Bible?

texts:
God is recorded in the Bible as doing many things directly: causing floods, making humans, etc. etc. - but chose to have his word written through people instead of imparting his wisdom directly.

It seems like this opens the door for questioning authenticity, fidelity and so on, but I'm not seeing a benefit to counter that - what's the upside in going about it the way he did?


texts: Can I be homosexual and still be a Christian?

texts: I am struggling with certain personal aspects of my life, and almost every Christian I ask about this issue seems to be against it. I know there are some few Christian people that are in favour of homosexuality, but they appear to be a minority. This is very important for me, because I understand the Bible does say things about this, but no one I asked (neither those for it nor those against it) has given me the biblical basis for their stance. Some people say I shouldn't worry about what the Bible has to say on the matter, but I am concerned about this, not simply going to church and worshipping but also applying principles to my life. I believe this is the way Christianity should be practised.


texts: What are some sources of March, 25th being the date of the creation of the world, or of the creation of Adam and Eve, or of their disobedience?

texts:
As per title, I read -- in a very uninformed way -- of these traditions, among many others, in regards to March, 25th:

  A) it would be the date of the creation of the world

  B) it would be the date of the creation of Adam and Eve

  C) it would be the date of the original sin

"A" seems to me, that it conflates with the other ones. That prompted me to look more carefully into this. That's why I'm asking what did people use to say, possibly when and where, to get a better idea.


texts: Why are slaves and slave women mentioned distinctly in the Old Testament?

texts:
Deuteronomy 5:14 reads:

  But the seventh day is a Sabbath unto Yahweh your God; you shall not do any work, or your son, or your daughter, or your slave, or your slave woman, or your ox, or your donkey, or any of your domestic animals, or your resident alien who is in your towns, so that your slave and your slave woman may rest as you rest.

There are also other references in the OT in which slave(men) and slave women are mentioned separately. Is it that the roles entrusted to them were different ? Is there any historical background mentioned in Catholic Church's teachings which would mandate such distinct mention of slaves and slave women ?


texts: Was Jesus in unity with the Holy Spirit?

texts:
I read this scripture: Matthew 10:5

New International Version

  These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not
  go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.

Later I read in Colossians 3:11

  Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised,
  barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Or in Romans 10:12

  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is
  Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,

What is the explanation that Jesus was preventing his disciples to preach the gospel to gentiles? Does this show that Jesus was not in line with the Holy Spirit who was directing Peter and others to accept them?

Please don't give me just your opinion but back-up with your church teaching. I'm mostly interested in the Catholic teaching but open to the other explanation just to see what others think.


texts: Did adherents of apocatastasis in the early church believe that the devil and his demons would be restored?

texts:
While reading a fascinating answer on universalism and apocatastasis, I found 1 Corinthians 15:28 quoted as evidence for the idea that all people will ultimately be restored/saved:

  When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all. (ESV)

According to the linked answer, Origen believed that "all would eventually be reconciled to God," a sort of Christian universalism.  But I notice that 1 Corinthians 15:28 doesn't say "all people" – it says "all things."  And it would seem that the devil and his demons could be included in this "all things," according to this interpretation of the verse.

So, for now, let me ask: did the prominent advocates of apocatastasis in the early church believe that the devil and his demons would ultimately be restored or reconciled to God?

Since "prominent advocates" may not be sufficiently specific, let's limit ourselves to the views of Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa.  If modern scholars have analyzed their writings in order to answer this question, that analysis, in conjunction with quotes from the writings of these fathers, would be great.


texts: Did Martin Luther take exception to the gospels in any way?

texts:
I was watching a video* that was about the "heresy" of Protestantism. It briefly discussed Martin Luther and his exceptions with certain books. He removed the so called "apocrypha" and also took exception with Esther, James, Hebrews, Jude, and Revelation source.

This video, however, claimed that Martin Luther "had his eyes" on the gospels before his peers told him to stop.

So is there evidence that Martin Luther took exception to any of the gospels, in whole or in part?

* I would rather not link to it because its overall tone was hateful and they do not deserve the views


texts:
For those who beleive in the doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS).  How does one reconcile our need to not only confess our sins, but to ask God for forgiveness for those sins?

  Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us

Some might say that in Mathew 6 the word should be translated as "debts" which are not necessarily "sins." Yet the parallel passage in Luke 11 uses the word "ἁμαρτία" which clearly speaks of sin.

Question:

If we have received forgiveness in full, and it is completed as many would suggest, why would the Lord have us petition (Pray) for our forgiveness when it has already, according to the OSAS doctrine, been freely given and can never be taken away?

This question are for the Faith Practices that adhere to 'assurance of salvation' which includes most but not all the ecclesial bodies that broke and continue to break away from the Catholic Church.


texts: What arguments can be made that 1 Corinthians 15 is not about physical resurrection?

texts:
This is something of a long shot. I had a friend look at 1 Cor. 15 (and other parts of the Bible), and he formed the conclusion that 1 Cor. 15 was about a spiritual and not bodily resurrection—i.e., that Paul felt that the resurrection appearances of Jesus were visions.

Is there an argument that 1 Cor. 15 is not about physical resurrection?

(I don't see it in the passage, but I wanted to open my mind to how other people read it.)


texts: What is the theological basis both body and blood being present in both the eucharist host and the wine? (Catholic perspective)

texts:
What is the theological basis for the conclusion that both species (body and blood) are fully present in both the transubstantiated wine and eucharist host?

This question is asked after learning that according to Catholic doctrine, either the consecrated host or the consecrated wine are by themselves perfectly sufficient for communion to be received.

Please, only answers from a Catholic theological perspective.


texts: Is the marital act of consumating marriage part of Sacred Tradition in the Catholic Church?

texts:
How far back does the idea of consummating a marriage go?

Is it tied to the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony?  Is it like going to confession, but not fully receiving the sacrament of reconciliation because you obstinately refuse to perform your penance?


texts: I know for you may be a dummy question but I've never understood why are we Christians if Jesus, the God's son, was of Jewish descent?


texts: The Protestant perspective concerning the Four Horsemen

texts:
As a continuation of this question:

Few Biblical symbols, allegories, or metaphors have fired the imagination more than the alleged Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse described all too briefly in Revelation 6:1-8.

Does Protestant Christianity have an official interpretation of these verses? And if so, how are the Horsemen interpreted by the Protestant churches?

NOTE: I recognize there are a lot of Protestant churches and this question may be too broad if there are multiple significantly different interpretations.  If this is the case, please help me out by leaving a comment listing the major sects that would cover the majority of interpretation and I'll delete this question and re-ask for each group.  Thanks!


texts:
For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone. NLT

Does this scripture mean that God made everyone disobedient just to have mercy on us?


texts:
"I have heard many pastors on online and in sermons make the statement that the bible is inexhaustible. I am trying to wrap my mind around that. Isn't it a finite book. can't you know what it says completely?

I would love for it to be inexhaustible because I love to learn new things about God and Heaven etc. Maybe people make the claim that it is inexhaustible because it shows us how to have a relationship with God and he is Infinite.

Can you shed any light on this?"

Disclaimer: The above question was asked on my church's website by a seeker.  I have some definite ideas about this, but I would like some input from the community.


texts:
I am interested in learning the history of Christian prayer. There are denominations in which people always stand up, take off their hats if they are men, and become silent, humble and serious as a way of expressing respect to God.

In other denominations, people do not pay much attention to external features of prayer. They don't stand up or hold hands, and they don't even have to assume a proper pose; rather, they can pray simultaneously (not in turns), they can pray out loud, shout, express their joy, anger, contempt, etc. Usually Westerners do not pay attention to posture in prayer.

Does anybody know whether there were times when people / ministers deliberately worked out decent ways and postures for praying? Can we say that movements/groups like Catholics, Mennonites, or Anabaptist's created their own ways of prayer that can still be seen in some denominations?

My question is basically this: Why some Christians stand up and assume certain postures, while others pray however they want? How long has it been so? Is it related to the difference between Eastern and Western mentality? Has humanism affected the christian approach to God in prayer?


texts: Was It Possible or Not To Keep the Law of Moses?

texts:
Doing a study on grace and the fulfilment of the Law at present, and wonder if someone can assist: some texts definitely state that it is not humanly possible to perfectly keep the Law. Thus Paul in Romans 7:14-23, 9:31-32, Peter’s words in Acts 15:10, that the Law was a burden that the Israelites could not bear, etc.

However, other texts seem to indicate that keeping the Law was possible.
For instance, concerning the Law and the choice between obedience and disobedience proffered to the Israelites, Moses says (Deuteronomy 30:11),

  ‘Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or
  beyond your reach.’

In other words, they have no excuse for disobedience.

Also, in Philippians 3:6 Paul, in giving his credentials as an impeccable Pharisee, avers that he was, ‘as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.’
There is also the argument and thrust from Romans 7 to 8 that, as heeding of the Law is not possible, the solution is through the power of the Holy Spirit (thus 8:1-4).

A related query might be, then: did the OT Israelites for over 1,000 years go through the same sense of guilt, frustration, and inability to keep the Law as did Paul (cf. Romans 7), because of absence of the indwelling Spirit?

This would seem unfair, but would be in line with the Romans 7 theology of difficulty in keeping the Law. However, how would this square with Moses’ parting exhortation that the Law was ‘not difficult’ (Deut 30.11)?

A thought: might Paul's (and Peter's) comments perhaps have something to do with an attempt at perfectionism, which is attested in the Talmud among first century rabbis?


texts: What was the difference between the Pharisees and Sadducees?

texts:
Jesus often encountered "Pharisees" and "Sadducees".  For example,

  34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Matthew 22:34-36)

From a Christian perspective, Who were they and how did they differ?


texts: A question about Faith and Law before Sinai

texts:
William Huntington (1745 – 1813) preached in London to many hundreds, sometimes thousands, in the latter part of his life. After his death a number of preachers followed in his footsteps, such as William Gadsby, John Kershaw, William Tiptaft and, notably, J C Philpot. The movement changed its name in order to separate from what was considered erroneous and in order to define what was seen to be true and the names ‘Strict Baptist’ then ‘Gospel Standard Strict Baptist’ were applied.
Huntington, and those who followed, denied that the Christian was under law (whether ‘moral’ or ‘ceremonial’) and he advanced a variety of texts to support this : I am crucified with Christ, Galatians 2:20 ; Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth, Romans 10:4 ; ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ, Romans 7:4.
Aside from these texts (which are not the subject of this question) Huntington also argued with regard to Old Testament believers - who lived before Moses' delivery of the law, and before the enunciating of the ten commandments to Israel at Sinai.
If no law had yet been delivered, he argues, how then did these saints live ? Such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Job, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph ? They are specifically said to be justified and accounted righteous in the sight of God, but how did they live, thereafter, without law to guide them ?
In his book Law and Grace Contrasted Huntington says :

By faith Enoch had this testimony that he pleased God, Hebrews 11:5 ; but without faith it is impossible to please him, Hebrews 11:6. Then faith is a rule that God approves of, and is pleased with. If the ten commandments be the believer’s only rule of a righteous life, what then of Abel who obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts, Hebrews 11:4, an entire dispensation before the commandments were given ?
Noah, who became heir of the righteousness of faith, Hebrews 11:7, was certainly without the legal rule of works, when he prepared an ark and condemned the world, by faith, without a law to guide him.
Abraham, the friend of God and the father of the faithful and heir of the world must also walk uncertainly [if only law could truly guide him (edit)].

I think it is important to notice that Mr Huntington is not arguing about justification by faith (and how it is achieved), he is arguing regarding a sanctified life, thereafter.
This argument, regarding saints who died before the law was laid down, is that which engages me and I would be interested to know what Protestants have made of it.
I am aware that some Protestants have not accepted what Mr Huntington preached and indeed many have called him, inaccurately, an ‘Antinomian’.
But what do they make of this argument regarding Old Testament saints ?


texts:
William Lane Craig has argued that after the end of this world our bodies will literally be resurrected in a physical sense. We will then be united with our physical bodies.

My question then is which physical body will I receive: My 5 year old body, 45 year old body, ...?

Having been raised Catholic, I'd be curious to know how Catholicism interprets this question.

Please provide a passage(s) from the bible to support your explanation.


texts: Are elders needed to have an "ordered" church?

texts:
Are elders needed in a local church in order for it's structure to be "ordered"?

It seems that Paul was implicitly telling Titus that his work in the churches wasn't finished until elders are appointed within each congregation.

  Titus 1:5

  NASB For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you
  NIV The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
  ESV This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

The implications of this are fairly big--saying there are a lot of "unordered" churches around: Elder-less churches, independent bible studies, etc...


texts: What is the difference between a dogma, a doctrine, an infallible statement, an ex cathedra statement, etc.?

texts:
There are a variety of terms used in the Catholic Church to refer to particular statements or beliefs. Here are a number of some such terms:

Dogma
Doctrine
Infallible statement
Infallible papal teaching
Statement made ex cathedra
Definitively proposed doctrine
Authoritative statement

Are any of these the same? Are all infallible statements papal teachings? Are all doctrines dogmas? What exactly are the differences between these?


texts: Calvinist Disagreement with Valentinian Gnosticism on Predestination

texts:
For the record, I do not believe Calvinists are cryto-Valentinians. I do not believe Calvinists are Gnostics, so please understand my question knowing I am not trying to paint anyone in a good or bad light.

What specific beliefs do Calvinists (or proto-Calvinists like Augustinians) specifically take issue with in Valentinian's predestinarian system?

So far, I've only been able to find that the Valentinians believed there were three different classes of men with different natures. I believe Calvinists teach that the saved and the damned have the same human nature, but I'm not sure.


texts: Paintings of the Holy Family with a young St. Joseph?

texts:
Most paintings seem to portray St. Joseph as an old man and his wife St. Mary as much younger. Abp. Fulton Sheen—arguing in "The World's Happiest Marriage" that "Joseph was probably a young man, strong, virile, athletic, handsome, chaste, and disciplined"—gives the example of Guido Reni, who "pictured Joseph as an old man with white hair":

Which paintings portray a young St. Joseph (i.e., one nearer to St. Mary's age)?


texts: How did the church calculate Sunday as the day of the resurrection?

texts: By my reading of the Gospel accounts of Jesus rising from the grave on the third day, and the Crucifixion being on Friday (with Jesus’ body being released Friday evening before sundown to allow compliance with Jewish law about Sabbath burial), and doing the math based on those factors, I keep coming back to Monday as the day of resurrection. If Friday sundown to Saturday sundown is one day, then Saturday to Sunday evening would be the second day, and this leaves Monday as the third day. I’ve never been able to get a real answer to this question and it seems that there are quite a few people on here with extensive Biblical knowledge so I thought I’d see whether anyone can make sense of it.


texts: Are Catholics allowed to leave marriage in order to become a monk or nun?

texts:
In the catholic doctrine, is it allowed to leave a marriage and become a monk or nun? Are there any magisterial documents that treat this topic?

Edit: Are there any options e.g. for a specific application of the Pauline privilege? What about the cases like Nicholas of Flüe?


texts: Why is globalization the mark of the beast?

texts:
Was listening to a sermon on K-WAVE from Calvary Chapel on the radio.

The pastor stated that "globalization" was a mark of the beast and that it signifies Jesus will be returning soon.

What's the biblical definition of globalization and why is it the mark of the beast?


texts:
From my general knowledge, I know that David lived 70 years.  Can be this be demonstrated with the Bible?
In 1 Kings 2:10, 11 we find how long he reigned over Israel:

So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.
And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

So, how long did David live?


texts: What is the Biblical basis for preachers to be paid from members' tithing?