texts: Should Christians come out strongly against groups that do evil in Christ's name?

texts:
I finally found a safe way to ask this question.  There is a Christian army called the Lords Army, that is doing evil in Africa, after twisting Christian teachings, yet this group is supported by some Americans, such as  Rush Limbaugh, and for those that want to read the transcript.

So, when a group is demonstrating very anti-Christian teachings while purporting to be Christian, I realize we can pray for them.  These people are evil, so how strongly should Christians not only try to stop these people, but then are we beholden to go into these regions to serve the people and try to show Christ's teachings, such as when he washed the feet of his apostles?

Other examples of people doing evil in Jesus' name would be subjective, but this group I hope is not.


texts: Is a Roman Catholic allowed by Church law to receive sacraments from other Churches in full communion with Rome?

texts:
In a simple example, a Roman Catholic gets an invitation from a Maronite Catholic to attend Mass in the latter's rite. Can a Catholic participate in the Mass to the point of receiving Communion from the Maronite priest?

With regards to once-in-a-lifetime sacraments such as Baptism, Confirmation, and Matrimony, can a Roman Catholic receive such sacraments from other churches, provided that such church is in full communion with Rome? (Maronites, Chaldeans)


texts:
The early church agree that the Son is begotten by the Father.

  "To beget is to produce an offspring of same nature."

The Father has no beginning that is why the Son has no beginning (like begets like).

Pre-Nicene Church Father Tertullian explains the begetting this way:

  God made [the pre-existent] Logos [a] second [person] to himself by agitating it within
  him.

St. Athanasius explains the begetting in this way:

  The Son is not "from nothing" but "from the Father".

How is the Son begotten?


texts: Does Judah's betrayal to Jesus have something to do with Judah's betrayal to Jehovah in OT (Jeremiah 2:23?)

texts:
Judah got sold for 30 silver coins and betrayed Jesus

Judah (tribe) betrayed LORD by worshipping that false god Baal and other worthless idols

Do these both incidents have something in common?


texts: Why are the Vatican archives kept secret?

texts: Other than a few documents, most of the Vatican archives are kept secret from the public. What is the official explanation for this? As an outside observer, it seems like the secrecy might be to hide evidence for mistakes committed within the church, but I imagine the church would explain it differently.


texts: What is the Evangelical view on tithing?

texts:
Do Evangelical (by which I mean, taking the Bible as the ultimate earthly source of authority) Christians believe giving 10% of your income is a law for Christians?

Note: this question is related to Was tithing 10% required or encouraged by the early church? After asking that question, a moderator said it was too broad and made it specifically about the early church (which I agreed with). This question is intended to be a more specific version of what I really want to ask. See that question for more details.


texts: What is the basis for saying that the Catholic Church is the largest charitable organization in the world?

texts:
I would prefer actual numbers comparing it to other organizations.

In addition, bonus points if you can demonstrate that the catholic church effectively does the most good or essentially highly efficient with how they spend their money.  It is quite irrelevant if someone receives lots of donations but does not spend the money well.  None of the links in the following question seemed to work or seemed highly speculative to me (the economist answer).

This question is related.  This is is a source I found online; I'm not sure what to think of it though.


texts:
Possible Duplicate:
  What are the requirements for a Protestant joining the Catholic church?

So, a Protestant decides he wants to become a Catholic. What does she need to do?


texts: In what sense was Mary born without original sin in Roman Catholic dogma?

texts:
Is the following quotation an accurate explanation of Roman Catholic dogma regarding Mary?

  The reason that Mary is “full of grace,” the Church has said, is because of Ephesians 1:3-6 (Redemptoris Mater, no. 7-11). Here is how John Henry Newman puts it:

    "Does not the objector consider that Eve was created, or born, without original sin? Why does not this shock him? Would he have been inclined to worship Eve in that first estate of hers? Why, then, Mary?

    "Does he [the objector] not believe that St. John Baptist had the grace of God—i.e., was regenerated, even before his birth? What do we believe of Mary, but that grace was given her at a still earlier period? All we say is, that grace was given her from the first moment of her existence.

    “We do not say that she did not owe her salvation to the death of her son.”"

(Source: Catholic Integral Complementarity, by Aimee Byrd)


texts:
I found about Judensau sculpture when I want to know deeper about Martin Luther. Below is a little bit information about Judensau I read from Wikipedia:

  A Judensau (German for "Jews' sow" is a folk art image
  of Jews in obscene contact with a large sow (female pig), which in
  Judaism is an unclean animal, that appeared during the 13th century in
  Germany and some other European countries

  The earliest appearance seems to be on the underside of a wooden
  choir-stall seat in Cologne Cathedral, dating to about 1210

  The arrangement of Jews surrounding, suckling, and having intercourse
  with the animal (sometimes regarded as the devil), is a mockery of
  Judaism and example of antisemitic propaganda.

I ask the question because I fail to guess which one is more probable between

Christians who are not in the government
Christians who are in the government
The Pope

Why does it seem that Martin Luther did not oppose Judensau? Who started the Judensau?


texts: What is the current Catholic church's view on Haitian Vodou?

texts:
Haitian Vodou is the syncretic result of African spiritual systems and Catholicism, basically merging as a result of the transatlantic slave trade and travel to the new world.  Many Haitians who practice Vodou consider themselves Christian.

What does the Catholic church currently think of it?


texts:
I'm a non-native English speaker living in Europe myself, so I honestly couldn't read the KJV as my primary Bible and all I know about its popularity in the USA is hearsay. I'd like to know more about the different levels of KJV advocacy.

I've heard that some Christians consider the KJV the only correct English translation of the Bible. From what I read on Wikipedia about "King James only movement", I gather there are varying degrees of this. However, the article doesn't tell me very much. I'd like to know:

What different KJV-advocating views are there?
What are they based on?
How common are they?

I personally hold the KJV in high esteem because of its beautiful, poetic language, but it's still in a foreign language to me. I also occasionally read ESV, NASB, NIV and NLTse; I mostly check them when I want to check the translation of a specific passage and versions in my own language disagree.

I don't mean to insult anyone, so please edit if some of the terms that I use are inappropriate.


texts: If baptism cleanses original sin then why do the children of baptised parents still need to be baptised?

texts:
Why do the children of the parents who were baptized need to be baptized? The parent's original sin was removed by their baptism so they shouldn't be passing it down anymore. Or how does it work? Is it the corrupted human nature that is inherited or is it something else?

What is the Roman Catholic teaching on this?


texts: Is there any institution that has translated or is translating the Bible to Indian languages from Textus Receptus?

texts: I know there is one Hindi translation by William Carey but that is such an old translation that the Hindi used in that is no longer spoken in India.


texts: Is God's glory presented as something that increases over time?

texts:
John 13:31-32 reads as follows:

  31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.

A question arose while studying this: While God's glory is presented as infinite and/or complete in Scripture, does it also increase? While it would surely be a mistake to conclude that something is lacking in His glory, events such as these make me wonder whether it's like a bag that is always full but always expands as more is put into it.

Can anybody offer any Scriptural clarification regarding whether God's glory is static, or grows with time?


texts: Did Abraham, David and Solomon think having many wives was sin?

texts: Did Abraham, David and Solomon think having many wives and concubines was sin?


texts:
What does it mean when a person says "I have to go on a mission trip for a week", and the mission trip destination is in the United States of America, the person's home country?

I have the impression that a mission trip can actually be a missionary activity. Yet, I also have the impression that a mission trip is just a fun excursion or camping trip.


texts: Why is archangel Michael portrayed with a sword in art?

texts: There is no mention of Michael wielding a sword in the bible, so I wonder if there are references in other texts?


texts: What is the basis for saying that the Antichrist, man of lawlessness, and the beast of Revelation 13 are all the same?

texts:
It is generally assumed that the Antichrist, the man of lawlessness, and the beast in Revelation 13 all refer to the same end-time enemy of God.

What is the basis for this assumption?


texts:
For example in ps.80:8-16 there is vine which is easy use analyze that it is metaphorically about Israel.
But it still doesn't say in this passage that what vine is like, but it has to be analyzed from the context.
But then I have heard that all prophecies in the bible unless otherwise stated are to be interpreted literally like the rebirth of nation of Israel in Isaiah.66:8? And I have heard that unless it is seen evidently from the passage that interpretation is to be taken metaphorically, one should interpret passage literally. Is this correct strategy for interpretation of a passage of the bible? So when to use literal and when allegorical/metaphorical interpretation method?
Can you give some example passage that is not so easy to decide whether to interpret the passage literally or metaphorically?


texts: Five related questions regarding the relics which consecrate Roman Catholic altars?

texts:
The altars in Roman Catholic churches must be consecrated with a saint's relic (preferably a martyred saint).  These "relics" are body parts, usually a small bone fragment but sometimes what is referred to as a "major" relic is incorporated within or under the altar.  A major relic could be an arm, a leg, or perhaps even an entire body.  I have five questions pertaining to this method of consecration:

Are altars with major relics more consecrated than others?  If not, why use a whole leg?
Does the relic play a role in transubstantiation?
Is there a stockpile or inventory of body parts kept somewhere awaiting the consecration of new altars?
In the event that a Roman Catholic church closes, is the relic recovered?  Is it "retired" or returned to "inventory"?
Is there a searchable database listing which relics are associated with each Church? Can we know how large a piece of saint is used or merely the saint's name?


texts:
John 19:30  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

When Jesus said it is finished did he mean that the atonement for sin had ended? if so what about His ministry as a High Priest what happens to it?


texts: Greek orthodox prophecy of the messiah in Meteora

texts:
I have attached an image.

This week I traveled to Meteora, Greece to visit the Great Monastery. I found a text there quoting famous Greek persons from ancient times (b.c.) writing about a messiah with christian attributes.

I searched for sources for these quotes but could not find any. Are these quotes real? Are there sources? If these are real, why did the Greek New testament never quote them?


texts: How do liberal Protestants reconcile support for transgenderism with scripture?

texts:
The Bible does not strike me as welcoming to transgenderism:

  The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God. -- Deuteronomy 22:5

And it is not hard to find knowledgeable Christian leaders (of various denominations) denouncing transgenderism via a web search.  Incompatibility between transgenderism and Christianity seems like the norm.  AthanasiusOfAlex, 2015, writes "transgenderism is deeply problematic" explaining that:

God created man and women (Genesis 1:27), and that
"[a person's] body is just as much a part of his being as his soul".

However, Wikipedia explains that (liberal) Protestantism accepts transgender people:

  Within mainline, or more specifically liberal, Protestantism, several denominations or regional bodies within denominations have grown increasingly accepting and supportive of transgender members and rights.

This leads me to my question:

Question: How does liberal Protestantism reconcile supporting transgenderism with what the Bible teaches?

I'm not well-informed about Christian denominations, so I don't know precisely which Protestant subset has a "transgenderism is okay" stance. I'm interested in how they come to the conclusion that "transgenderism is okay" while others do not.


texts: Is there a recognised soteriology that combines selective election for some and general election for everyone else?

texts:
Are there any Christian groups or denominations that hold a belief in selective election to salvation, in that some individuals are specifically and irresistibly called (Noah, Moses, 12 desciples, Paul etc.) for a particular purpose, but that most people are generally called "resistibly" and can accept or reject the gospel of their own free will? Essentially, free will exists allowing people to resist God's grace if they choose, except a certain few which God does not give a choice.

As this came up in conversation, I believe the other party was trying to reconcile differences between Calvinist and Arminian doctrines on salvation. I'm trying to determine if there are any relatively mainstream Christian groups or denominations that hold this sort of belief.


texts: The difference between how the Holy Spirit and Son "proceed" from the Father

texts:
The Nicene Creed states that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father:

and [we believe] in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and life-giver, who proceeds from the Father.
καὶ εἰς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον, τὸ Κύριον καὶ Ζωοποιόν, τὸ ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς ἐκπορευόμενον,

The word ἐκπορευόμενον is a participle derived from the Greek verb ἐκπορεύομαι. I'm assuming that the authors of the Nicene Creed derived that statement of faith from John 15:26 which states,

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (KJV)
ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ ὁ παράκλητος ὃν ἐγὼ πέμψω ὑμῖν παρὰ τοῦ πατρός τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας ὃ παρὰ τοῦ πατρὸς ἐκπορεύεται ἐκεῖνος μαρτυρήσει περὶ ἐμοῦ

The point is that the Holy Spirit is said to "proceed" from the Father.
Now, concerning the Son, in John 8:42, it is written,

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. (KJV)
εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰ ὁ θεὸς πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἦν ἠγαπᾶτε ἂν ἐμέ ἐγὼ γὰρ ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐξῆλθον καὶ ἥκω οὐδὲ γὰρ ἀπ᾽ ἐμαυτοῦ ἐλήλυθα ἀλλ᾽ ἐκεῖνός με ἀπέστειλεν

There, the author uses a conjugation of the Greek verb ἐξέρχομαι.

What is the difference between the manner in which the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the manner in which the Son proceeds from the Father, between ἐκπορεύομαι and ἐξέρχομαι, respectively?

Why is it commonly confessed (e.g., in the Nicene Creed) that the Holy Spirit, but not the Son, "proceeds" from the Father?

(There's also at least one verse, totally unrelated context, mind you, that features both verbs: Matt. 15:18.)


texts: Did a Seventh Day Adventist start the Jehovah Witness organization?

texts: I have a couple of friends who are JWs, and I mentioned to them about one of the founders having come from a Seventh Day Adventist background, and they acted like they never heard that before. I'm confused.


texts:
Who was Jesus from thirteen (13) to twenty-nine (29) ?

And how did this effect his growth into the man he became?

Any citations of the bible is welcome; but citations are not only restricted to the bible.


texts: What should I tell my children about Santa?

texts: Is it wrong to lie to my children about the existence of Santa? When they get older how do I explain to them that I was lying? How can I expect them not to lie when I confess to them that I had been lying about Santa's existence?


texts: Why was John the Baptist not excited at seeing Jesus at Jordan?

texts:
At  Luke 1: 41  we see:

"When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb..."

We also see at John 1: 29:

"The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"

One sees here that the excitement that John the Baptist had  as a yet-to-be- born baby in anticipating the arrival of the Saviour, is rather missing as he sees  Jesus coming towards him to get baptized. One interpretation could be that John had already been aquainted with Jesus as his cousin and it was not the first time that he was meeting Jesus in person . I wish to know how the Catholic Church interprets the apparent lack of excitement and joy in John the Baptist while greeting Jesus at Jordan.


texts: Do any Christian scholars contrast Islamic eschatology with Christian eschatology?

texts: Are there any Christian scholars (and their works) that comment on Islamic eschatology, and/or contrast it with Christian eschatology? As an example of a Muslim scholar coming at this question from the opposite side, Imran Hosein wrote "Jerusalem In the Qu'ran", which looks at both Christian and Muslim eschatology from a Muslim perspective.


texts:
I have a lecturer who wanted me to attend a seminar. However, the seminar is on Sunday.

I don't study on Sundays so I declined this offer. My lecturer is, however, a Jew and he understands the Sabbath as well as the Lord's Day. He says that Jews have been considering this problem for many years and that study is not considered work.

I understand there is a difference between the Sabbath and the Lord's Day. What is the difference, what constitutes as work, and what should/shouldn't I do on Sunday?


texts:
This is not going to be a question about the Bible or God but I believe that is related with the Christianity. I believe in God, I came to my Savior several years ago but recently a friend sent me a website (Spanish language) where the author presented some evidence about how "Sargon I" and Moses have a similar history (see the section around image #15).

I know we have to defend our faith, so how can I refute that argument about Sargon and Moses?


texts: How many resurrections (raptures) will there be?

texts:
Revelations 20:4-6 NIV
  4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

It sounds like this is referring to the rapture.  However, it sounds like there will be more than one of these resurrections.

How many will there be?


texts:
In Paul's epistle to Titus in the third Chapter verses 4 through 7, He is relaying to Titus the change the grace of God makes through Salvation. In verse 5 he states that "he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"
Titus 3:4 through 7

4  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

To what is Paul referring when he says the renewing of the Holy Ghost?


texts: Why does God promise something that satisfies our greed for longevity?

texts:
New to Christianity.SE and Christianity in general, but I've had this question for some time.

The intrinsic greed of humans is to live forever—so why does God promise us eternal life after death as a reward for our faith?

  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

  -John 3:16

Wouldn't consolidating our greed cement our nature as sinful people? Shouldn't God be trying to steer us away from desiring such things instead of using them as motivation to believe in Him?

I imagine it's a misinterpretation on my part, but I was wondering if anyone could clear this up for me :)


texts: How do those who reject the divinity of Jesus understand Hebrews 1:6 (“Let all God’s angels worship him.”)?

texts:
My understanding is that God is a jealous God and does not tolerate that anyone else be worshiped (Exodus 20:4-5; Luke 4:8). Yet, Hebrews 1:6 (NIV) says:

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

Why does God command all his angels to worship his Son? What is it about his Son that makes him worthy of worship by all God's angels without provoking God to jealousy? What does this tell us about his Son's nature?
How do those who reject the divinity of Jesus answer these questions?


texts: Do Old Testament individual, family and social laws and guidance apply to Christians or did Jesus come to discard OT laws and guidance?

texts:
If OT laws are to be ignored by Christians, does God/Jesus provide substitute laws in the New Testament texts? I.e., if God thought it important to provide laws (in addition to requiring certain beliefs) to guide people prior to the New Testament, why has He not deemed it important to either re-affirm these same laws in the New Testament, or provide substitute laws?

Most Christians believe (I think) that accepting Christ in their lives provides innate guidance on how to lead their lives virtuously, and this impacts the creating of virtuous family and social life.  The implicit problem is that individual understanding of what is 'virtuous' may vary significantly as it applies to organizing and governing society.  I am trying to understand why God/Jesus Christ would replace detailed written guidance with something open to individual understanding and interpretation.


texts: I've noticed that most Kingdom Halls--the meeting place for Jehovah's Witnesses--have no windows in the building.  What is the reason for this?  Is there a Biblical basis for it or does it come from a specific church teaching?  If so, I would be interested in a citation of the official church position on this.


texts: Given that original Greek had no verses should Acts 13:21-23 be retranslated?

texts:
Given that original Greek had no verses should Acts 13:21-23 be more aptly translated to read:

  21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son
  of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin. 22 For forty years, (and when
  He had removed him), He raised up for them David as king. 23 To whom
  also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse,
  a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ From this man’s
  seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—
  Jesus— …


texts: Modern musical instruments in Catholic church service

texts:
These days we can see many churches using latest musical instruments to worship God in the church, example - Assembly of God.

Once I attended a Catholic church. Some sisters were sitting at the front and singing songs from a hymn book. There was no music, no musical instruments. I wonder if this is how they worship always.

Does the Catholic Church allow latest musical instruments(guitars, drum set, piano etc.) to be played while worshiping in the church?


texts: All the references where Jesus is offered worship

texts:
What are all the references to the instances where where Jesus is offered worship in the Bible?

I am raising this question because some of my friends from some specific denomintations believe only Jehavah as the only God. Quoting references where Jesus is being worshipped in the Bible can help me prove that Jesus is God and will help me partially in explaining trinity.


texts: Is Jesus depicted as dead or alive on a crucifix?

texts: According to Catholics, is Jesus depicted as dead or alive on a crucifix?


texts: Why did God kill a man for picking up sticks on the Sabbath?

texts:
Now while the sons of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the Sabbath day. Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation; and they put him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done to him. Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” So all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.  - Numbers 15: 32-36 (NASB)

Why did God order the execution (and a brutal execution, at that) of a person for picking up sticks on the Sabbath?  Surely what this man did was nothing worse than what Jesus' disciples did when they picked heads of grain on the Sabbath:

And it happened that He was passing through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. The Pharisees were saying to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”
...
Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. - Mark 2:23-27

Such a harsh punishment doesn't seem necessary if the Sabbath truly was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
Also, how does this align with the justice of God?  God forbids the punishment of those who beat their slaves:

If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, he survives a day or two, no vengeance shall be taken; for he is his property. - Exodus 21:20-21

... yet He requires those who pick up sticks on a certain day of the week to be executed in the most unimaginably painful and cruel way.  In our 21st century minds, it seems that justice would demand that the punishments for these two crimes be switched.  What was God's reason for having such an inverted justice system?


texts: Does it matter which day I celebrate Sabbath / Lord's day on?

texts:
Inspired by this question: What qualifies as work on Sunday?

I know some churches are very specific that we should commit one weekday to the Lord (Saturday or Sunday). Much like Jews celebrate the Sabbath.

The need to rest one day a week is very real for me. I really find it necessary to take one day off work, studies and all that. I usually do this on Sunday, as it's usually practical. However, if I need to do something on Sunday, I have no problem with instead taking the following Tuesday off, resting, reading and praying. This seems to work well for me.

I've never found a reason to specify the weekday I should spend like Lord's day. Are there any?


texts: Was it Adino or his army that killed eight hundred at one time?

texts:
2 Samuel 23:8 KJV
  These be the names of the mighty men whom David had:
  The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the
  same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred,
  whom he slew at one time.

I don't understand about warfare in that epoch, but did Adino alone fight and win eight hundred literally or he commanded an army and did that prowess?


texts: One of the requisite of the Messiah is to be from the line of David (Lk 3:23-38 and Mt 1:1-17) but we know that Joseph wasn't Jesus's biological father. Thoughts on this? Thanks.


texts: Where does the communication between God and Satan take place?

texts: In the book of Job, it is stated many times that Satan questioned (in His presence) the righteousness of God's servant Job and challenged Him to put Job to the test. Does this imply that Satan can withstand in the presence of God and can freely talk to Him at any time?


texts: What Biblical justifications are used for having separate denominations?

texts:
From my reading of the Bible, I have come to understand that unity among Christians is a good thing.

1 Corinthians 1:10-13

  Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Psalm 133:1

  Behold, how good and how pleasant it is  For brothers to dwell together in unity!

These, and other passages of scripture, seem to emphasize the importance of Christian unity and love while de-emphasizing the importance of distinctions.  In light of these passages, how do Christians justify separating themselves into so many different denominations?  Are there any Biblical justifications given for why having such division is preferred over unity?


texts: Historical evidence other than Bible about Jesus

texts:
As the title sugests, besides the Bible, what sources are there about the existance of Jessus Christ.
I can imagine if someone did many miracles and would have thousands of people following him on different ocassions(like the preach on the mountain) or enter Jerusalem being cheered by the people in the city wouldn't go unnoticed.

So what historical records do we have about Jesus and/or his miracles?


texts: Is modern Evangelical Protestant soteriology consistent with the early Christian idea of "theosis"?

texts:
Early Christians used the term theosis, which puts forth a "exaltation", "divinization" deification concept which the Eastern orthodox church still holds today.

  [T]he Word of God became man, that thou mayest learn from man how man may become God.

  For if one knows himself, he will know God; and knowing God, he will be made like God

  [H]is is beauty, the true beauty, for it is God; and that man becomes God, since God so wills. Heraclitus, then, rightly said, “Men are gods, and gods are men.” For the Word Himself is the manifest mystery: God in man, and man God.
  — Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215)

A lot of Christians see salvation as entrance into the kingdom in a general sense instead of as a process of becoming more and more god-like through eternity. My impression is that the church in the west doesn't even think in terms of the ideal theosis any more.

Is the doctrine of theosis actually contrary to Evangelical Protestants today? Is it actually a different soteriology or has the emphasis just shifted for other reasons


texts: Can different levels of the Church hierarchy provide different types of blessings?

texts:
According to this question, In Catholicism, what does it mean for a priest to bless an object or person?, there is a "special apostolic blessing" that the Pope can provide. Blessings can also be provided by the priest.

Is there a hierarchy of blessings?

What is the difference, if any, between the blessings?


texts: Why are LDS covenants and ordinances 'too sacred' to be discussed outside of the temples?

texts:
Why are the covenants and ordinances of the LDS church 'too sacred' to be discussed in detail outside of the temples? I'm not aware of other Christian groups with such a secretive perspective on their beliefs and practices.

  You can talk about what the interior of the temple looks like, and you can freely share the feelings you have in the temple. However, temple covenants and ordinances, including the words used, are too sacred to be discussed in detail outside the temple. By avoiding discussion of these sacred things outside the temple, we protect them from mocking, ridicule, or disrespect. Do not be casual when talking about your experiences in the temple. (lds.org)


texts: What is the difference between Docetism and Manichaenism concerning the Incarnation?

texts:
I was doing a chapter in the 7th grade Faith and Life Religious Ed books with my students and there was a part about "errors concerning the Incarnation".  It covered Arianism and Docetism and the part about Docetism, which I'd never heard about before, sounded a lot like what I knew about Manichaenism.  I told the kids, since we're from St. Augustine's Parish, that St. Augustine believed all that stuff before his conversion.  But I'm not sure if that was right.

Concerning who Jesus was, it seems that both heresies taught the same thing.  That He was only God and not really a man. And both are reduced to the same fundamental body=bad soul=good problem.  So, what is the difference between the two?  Are Docetists always Christian and the followers of Mani pantheists?


texts:
A Catholic friend of mine told me of a story from the Fathers of the Desert.

The story goes that one of the followers of the desert monasticism would sneak off at night seeking sin; but he would confess his sin to God each night on his return; because of this the brethren could not "see" his sin.  But one night whilst this chappy went on his "rounds" and upon returning he was tempted of the Devil that his sins could not be forgiven this time, and he believed it; because of this the brethren immediately could "see" the student's sin.

My question is as follows: Does anyone know of this account and where I might find a full account of this story in a book or some online resource?


texts: Was Paul advocating killing a man because of sexual immorality?

texts:
1 Corinthians 5:5 (NIV)

  5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

Here we have Paul referring to a man that was sleeping with 'his father's wife'. It seems from the way the phrase reads that Paul would see this man's flesh destroyed, if not directly by the members of the Corinthian church then indirectly, through the agency of Satan.

What is the meaning of the phrase 'destruction of the flesh'? If Paul is advocating killing him then what are the ramifications?


texts:
The practice of a saying a "Hail Mary" is often referred to in colloquial speech, sometimes as a way to caricaturize Catholics. References to the practice instantly conjure up images of Catholicism, priests, and confessionals.

However, beyond these references with my Protestant background I don't actually know much about the practice. I don't even have the vocabulary to properly ask this question. What should a non-Catholic like myself understand about the practice? Where did it originate and what is the purpose? Do other traditions employ such a ritual? Is it fair to call them a ritual?

Edit: If it's simply a prayer, what is the purpose of repeating it more than once? At least the pop-culture references often involve saying "so-many" Hail Mary's in the sense of more being somehow better.


texts:
How did the phrase "getting to know Jesus" come to be ubiquitous among Evangelicals (i.e. Campus Crusade for Christ)? To them, what is it really supposed to mean? Does it refer to the act of converting to Christianity, or does it refer to the act of living a Christian lifestyle? Can a person "know Jesus" but still not commit to Jesus's teachings?

Apparently, Catholics mean something completely different. In context, my best guess is that it means a theologically correct understanding of christology by means of understanding the role of Mary as co-Redemptrix of mankind. Hmmm... it seems to be used differently from the Evangelicals. The Evangelical meaning seems to be linked toward evanglism toward non-believers, while the Catholic meaning seems to be linked toward orthodoxy.


texts:
I have understood that Satan and other devils are all male entities.

Question: Are there female devils cited in scriptures?


texts: How best for a Christian to explore the ethics of a Covid-19 vaccine that might use farmed cell-lines from aborted foetuses?

texts:
I looked through the CMF website at their Briefing paper When demand outstrips supply: A Christian view of the ethics of healthcare resource allocation during the COVID-19 pandemic:

“The British Medical Association (BMA) has recently produced guidance
around the ethical issues presented by the COVID-19pandemic.8 NICE has
also produced a rapid guideline for adult critical care during the
pandemic, which includes guidance for decision-making around
escalation. 9 In addition, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has
issued guidance, in conjunction with other stakeholders such as the
General Medical Council, the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, the
Intensive Care Society, royal colleges and faculties.10 As Christian
doctors, we must consider how we can respond to the ethical challenges
posed. Here we will attempt to consider some of the issues involved,
and how to think about them biblically, using Beauchamp and Childress’
widely recognised four pillars of medical ethics11 as a framework.”

However, it must be too soon for a briefing paper on whether any of the current seven Covid-19 vaccinations produced have utilised cell-lines from aborted foetuses. The matter of demand for vaccines was not included.  Then I looked at a tagged blog, posted 20 November 2020, which sounded promising, COVID-19 vaccines: the wider ethical questions for Christians. Alas, no mention was made of the ethical issue I wish to explore.
Some success came via a contact working professionally in the realms of Christian ethics. He sent a pdf of an article written by a colleague of his in a Catholic journal, Anscombe Bioethics Centre – Friends’ Newsletter, Summer 2020, Issue 47. (His link to the pdf will not open when I copy it.)
Dr Helen Watt, Senior Research Fellow of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, wrote the article, pp 9-12.

“… Vaccines are normally, though not always,4 produced in living
cells. While they can be generated (as with some COVID-19 vaccines in
the making) in cells derived from ethically uncontentious sources such
as insects,5 tobacco plants,6 and hamster ovaries,7 they can also be
produced in cell-lines made from tissue derived from an aborted unborn
child. One such cell-line used in COVID-19 vaccine research (including
a project of the University of Oxford8 ) is the HEK 293 cell-line
modified from tissue taken from the kidney of an unborn child aborted
probably in 1972, while another is the PER C6 cell-line from the
retinal tissue of an 18-week baby aborted in 1985.”

I wish to know both ethical considerations involved and how to identify which Covid-19 vaccinations might have such ethically questionable ‘ingredients’. I will not go to popular media outlets for this as a huge amount of disinformation is being bandied around. This question is addressed to Christians who have ethical compunctions against any use of aborted foetuses, which transcends denomination. I note this  related question indicates deep concern but I seek to know how to find out if that's being used with some vaccines.
Edit:  this question become more important since the Church has now made a statement regarding the newest vaccine from Johnson and Johnson.  See this


texts: Did Melchizedek worship the same God as Abram?

texts:
In Genesis 14:18, there is a man, Melchizedek, who was a priest of the Most High God:

  Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (Now he was the priest of the Most High God.) (NET)

A few verses later, in Genesis 14:22:

  But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, "I raise my hand to the LORD, the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth, ... (NET)

So did Melchizedek worship the same God as Abram?


texts:
The Old Testament checks in at about 580,000 - 590,000 words (depending on the translation), and the New Testament has about 180,000.  That means the 66 distinct books combined have a total of about 770,000 words.

For purposes of comparison, the Lord of Rings Trilogy (just 3 books!) is 525,000, Atlas Shrugged (1 book!) is 645,000, and L. Ron Hubbard's Mission Earth is over 1.2 million words.

The book of 2 John has only 245 words, and the book of 3 John has 219 words - again for comparison, Dr. Suess' Cat In The Hat 1629 words. Indeed, 12 of the 66 books are all shorter than that!

The longest book in the Bible - the Book of Psalms, has about 42,000 words, which is not too much more than 1/2 of the first Harry Potter book (80,000).

According to Write Mindset.com, 60,000 is about the minimum for a novel, and no book in the Bible comes close. Indeed, only two of the Gospels exceed the normal maximum length of a short story by being just over 20,000.

With all of these comparisons, the point is pretty simple - the Bible is short.  The question is, Why?

Source: http://www.biblebelievers.com/believers-org/kjv-stats.html


texts: What is the current Reformed and Protestant view of the 'image of the beast' (Revelation 13: 14 &15)?

texts:
The traditional view of previous centuries after the Reformation focused on the religious authority of the time and its political affiliations (corresponding to the first, sea, beast and the second, earth, beast) and thus the concept of the image was based, largely, on the apprehensions of the Reformers as to what was apparent at their place in history, understandably.
In our own times, after fundamental changes in world powers, in the way the world views religion, and in the way, now, in which global companies dominate communications (and thus, arguably, are influencing political decisions) influence political relationships and influence the populace and its ideology.
Has there been - within Reformed, Protestant, Trinitarianism - a revised, or one might say an up-dated, understanding of the image which the second beast presents to the world, in order to cause humanity to worship the first beast (and, thereby, to unwittingly worship the Entity behind the whole arrangement)?

And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.  [Revelation 13: 14,15]

I am asking about the image of the beast, not the beast itself.


texts: What is appropriate age group for an altar call?

texts:
I was in an evangelical setting with some young kids and one of the helpers/ leaders basically did a sort of altar call with the kids. It actually surprised the other helpers/ leaders.

What is the appropriate age for such an event / rite?  If that is too much of a Truth question, then what specific advice or training has been given on the age appropriateness of "altar calls" among denominations or groups that practice them?


texts:
There is a hindu contemplative tradition called self-inquiry, where a seeker of God asks "who am I?" to expose the person as unreal (a collection of self-image, body, identification, etc.) The experience of witnessing the person exposes the true witness as beyond the person, beyond quality, and as absolute knowing itself. God alone is, and the person is but an imaginary extension.

I'm looking for Christian traditions that follow a similar path toward an experiential discovery of God. I found that the term is Hesychasm (going into one's "self"), but it looks like outside of Eastern Orthodox it's a dead tradition.

The closest work I've found to this understanding is the Cloud of Unknowing  The Philokalia has also been recommended (written by the "watchful" saints).

I've also been looking at the Franciscans ("What we are looking for is what is looking" St Francis) and the Trappist Centering Prayer. Also someone pointed me to this scripture: "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:14): Moses asks what he is to say to the Israelites when they ask what god has sent him to them, and Yahweh replies, "I am who I am," adding, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I am has sent me to you.'"


texts: How was the gift of the word of knowledge defined by the pioneers of the pentecostal healing revival

texts:
I will ask a series of questions concerning individual spiritual gifts (pneumatika/charismata), or manifestations of the Spirit in 1 Cor 12.

This second one is also about the gift of the word (logos) of knowledge (gnosis) (1 Cor 12:8), and it is closely related to the first one.

How did the pioneers of the healing revival (Branham/Coe/Roberts/etc) speak about this specific gift, e.g in the Magazine The Voice of Healing or in their sermons or testimonies?


texts: Why do Saints Perform Less Miracles Over Time?

texts:
Anything is welcome,
but I would prefer something in accordance with Catholic theology.

I think I already know the answer but perhaps I am wrong, and I'm sure many Christians are wondering.
I've been noticing that saints do miracles especially when canonization is on stand-by but then afterwards they tone it down.
I'm guessing it has something to do with the importance of canonization but also their merits as saints.


texts: Where can I find Calvin's commentary on the Hebrew Bible in the original Latin? I am looking to find his comments on Genesis 12.


texts:
What does being Born Again mean per Catholic teaching?

  Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 NKJV)


texts: Do Calvinists believe that God is the author of evil?

texts:
"Arminius taught that Calvinist predestination and unconditional election made God the author of evil." -Wikipedia

I have heard Calvinism presented in a similar way, where God has designed everything - including evil - just the way it is, all for the maximization of His own glory.

My question is: Do Calvinists actually believe that God is the author of evil? Or is this a misunderstanding / strawman / caricature of Calvinism?  (If it is, please elaborate.)

Please restrict the answers to the standard view of strict / classical / 5-Point Calvinists.


texts: Why is the Ichthys symbol almost always facing left?

texts:
This question is very straight forward: is there any reason for the Ichthys symbol to be almost always facing left? A simple google search will show this pattern.

Is there any theology or even symbolism for that?


texts: Is it true that John Paul II restored the practice of selling indulgences in 2000?

texts:
Is it true that John Paul II  restored the practice of selling indulgences in the Roman Catholic Church in 2000?

EDIT:

two sources: here and here


texts: What are some comprehensive, reliable resources to learn about the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church?

texts:
Dear community members,

I am eager to learn more about the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church as well as about the Oriental Orthodox Communion in general. Please provide resources for someone with no prior knowledge of Christianity.

Thank you very much for your help!


texts: What is the Calvinist Perspective on the Tribulation

texts:
What view of the tribulation do Calvinists generally tend to take?

I am aware of the eschatology espoused in the Westminister Confession , but I don't see anything related to the tribulation there.

The reason that I ask for a "Calvinist perpective of Tribulation" is that I believe in pre-destination / TULIP.

I do not know if this belief supports / contradicts certain views of the tribulation, and would like to better understand this subject.

So, what is the Calvinist perpective on the tribulation?


texts: Where is the martyrology in my breviary?

texts:
I'm trying to learn to use a physical breviary. So far it's been pretty smooth sailing, but today (Sunday Nov 12) has been a disaster. I try to compare what I'm praying from the breviary with what it tells me to pray on the Laudate app on my phone, just to confirm that I'm navigating the book correctly. Today to my horror all the psalms were completely different and many of the other prayers too. Apparently it's the Feast Day of St. Martin and this is reason enough to interrupt the weekly cycle of psalms.

Furthermore, while I was going through the pages I came to a direction which reads as follows:

  Next, in choir, the Martyrology is read; and it is appropriate to do this outside of choir also.

I am completely clueless as to where I am supposed to find this martyrology in my breviary. The Laudate app provides it in full, but I would like to know where to find it in my physical book.

I'm praying the traditional divine office (pre-Vatican 2 reforms) and the breviary I'm using is the one published by Baronius press. Would anyone happen to have any pointers as to which page I'm supposed to be looking at to find this elusive martyrology?

The contents page of the breviary looks roughly like this:

Ordinary - Constant part
Ordinary - Variable part
Psalter
Common of Saints
Office of the dead
The gradual psalms
The seven penitential psalms
Litany of the saints

Proper of the season
Homilies and collects for sundays
Proper of the saints


texts: Why must we obey the ten commandments if Jesus died for our sins?

texts: I was told that you must please God if you want to have paradise after life, therefore you should follow the Ten Commandments, but then what does that mean about Jesus? I realized he died for our sins but I thought you had to follow the Ten Commandments? I'm really confused so if someone could please help me thanks.


texts: Will (or "do") people in heaven get to interact with Jesus, independent of massive crowds?

texts:
When one considers the example Jesus set during his time on earth, and compares it with how individuals often treat each other, the sharp contrast between "how the world works" and "how things should be" becomes visible -- and, at times, rather tiresome.

While we don't know how many people will get to heaven, it seems that it will certainly be "a lot" -- far more than could reasonably expect to have extensive conversations with Christ on a regular basis, for example. And I imagine that the Son of God probably will be (or "is") quite busy with very important matters.

So, will (or "do") individuals, or groups of, say, ten or a dozen people in heaven have an opportunity to interact with Jesus, independent of massive crowds? Is there some equivalent of going fishing with Christ? Or will he be like a celebrity who, under normal circumstances, often finds it necessary to maintain a certain distance, because of the crowds? Will there be something like "town hall meetings," where he stops by different parts of heaven every so often and talks with the local residents? Will those who lived more righteous lives and so "stored up more treasure in heaven" have preferential access to God's time? Or is there some other alternative?

Edit:
Clarification: This question assumes: 1) Christ, in heaven, will / does exist in a resurrected body; 2) Many people will vie for his time, resulting in frequent crowding.

If the assumptions are wrong, what makes them so?
If the assumptions are correct, would Christ somehow still be able to regularly interact with his followers, independent of the crowds?

/Edit

I hope that some responses will include citations of historic authors, exegesis supported by substantial commentators.


texts: Do Presbyterian Protestants have a 'day of rest' or a 'day of religious works'?

texts:
My own experience, growing up in Presbyterian Protestantism (four generations of Church of Scotland ministers) gave me the distinct impression that many influential people in that section of Christendom were treating 'Sunday' or 'the sabbath' as an opportunity to load heavy burdens on the congregation.

I remember exhortations along the lines of 'you must think spiritual thoughts all day on a Sunday' and 'you must not let your mind wander'.

Does Presbyterian Protestantism really believe that the sabbath is to be 'rest'? Or do they believe it is one day out of seven in which maximum religious exertion should occur?

  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Hebrews 4:10.


texts: Pre-flood Rock Monsters? Modern Noah Mythology?

texts:
How did the "Noah" movie decide to include rock monsters depicted as fallen angels? (helping him, nonetheless!)

This is one of many, many biblical deviations the movie makes, but I'm curious what traditional sources are bastardizing the story so badly? Or is it just the creativity of modern man gone unrestrained?


texts: How do non-trinitarians respond to the argument that God is love necessitates the eternity of the Son?

texts:
A common argument for the Trinity (or at least the eternity of The Son) is that God is love, and thus there must have been an object that could be loved by him throughout all eternity. The Trinity's idea of fellowship within unity seems an attempt to deal with this issue.

If Jesus the Son of God had a beginning, then it follows that before the existence of the Son, God being solitary, would have no object towards which to express his love. Without having anything to love, it seems God could not rightly be called “love” or possess love from all eternity.

How do non-trinitarian Christian's respond to such an argument?

Perhaps they would argue that whether the Father loves himself, or the Father loves the Son, God is still loving himself since both the Father and the Son are God, but I am interested in seeing what others say.


texts: Was the Athanasian Creed ever translated into Koine Greek? If so, where can I find the text?

texts:
I am aware that it was most likely originally composed in Latin (this is why it is highly unlikely that St. Athanasius himself wrote it) but has anyone ever tried translating it into Koine Greek?

If so, where would I be able to find the text?


texts: In the parable of the sower, what exegetical reasons are there to interpret the third type of soil to be genuine Christians?

texts:
In the parable of the sower, four types of soil are mentioned.  It seems to be pretty commonly accepted that the first two types of soils represent unbelievers or "make believers".  The fourth type of soil is held to be true believers that are living fruitful lives.

The debate appears to come in when considering what the third type of soil is--the seed that fell among the thorns.  What exegetical reasons are there to accept that this type of soil does refer to genuine believers who are living apart from the abiding life to which we are called rather than a third type of unbeliever?

  Mark 4: 1-8 ESV

  1 Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.

  2 And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:

  3 "Listen! A sower went out to sow.

  4 And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.

  5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil.

  6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. **

  7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain**.

  8 And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."


texts: Were there any Roman Catholic Church martyrs in the 10–15th centuries?

texts: Do we know of any martyrs from among the Roman Catholic Church that lived during the five centuries before Martin Luther (i.e., 10–15th centuries)? I am especially interested in those who have been well-spoken of by Martin Luther.


texts: When was the number of the beast, 666, first identified as referring to Emperor Nero?

texts: The belief that the number of the beast in Revelation, 666, refers to Nero is a common theory now. When was this identification first suggested?


texts: Do Orthodox believe the eternal fire is related to the uncreated light?

texts:
I have been reading Welcome to the Orthodox Church by Frederica Mathewes-Green. She points out that, at the time of the writing of Scripture, artificial lighting hadn't been invented and therefore any conception of light that the church had was inevitably related to fire (eg the sun and actual fires) so describing God as light was a great way to describe something wonderful to some and terrible to others.

She also mentions (unless I'm mistaken) that Orthodox believe all beings will return to God's presence sometime in the future but that, like fire, it will be a warmth and a joy to those who respect it properly but painful and unbearable to those who don't.

Do Orthodox believe the eternal fire is the same as the uncreated light? Is there even any association?


texts: Relationships between God the Father, Mary and the two natures of Jesus Christ

texts:
Would it be okay to say this:

  Jesus Christ is both God and Man, which means that He possesses both
  divine and human nature. Divine nature in Him is from God the Father
  and the human nature in Him is from the virgin Mary.

or what I said just now - I am mostly concerned about the very last sentence - would be a heresy according to the teaching in the main-stream Christianity?

If the last sentence in the quote is a heresy, please, specify, which branch of Christianity considers that as heresy.


texts: Why does Calvinism need the doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints if it believes in Unconditional Election?

texts:
As I understand it, Unconditional Election means that God has already chosen who will be saved.

  Unconditional election is God's choice to save people regardless of their sin or any condition.

Why then is it necessary for the doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints to reiterate that salvation cannot be lost? Isn't that already part of Unconditional Election? It seems to be repetitive.


texts: LDS Church view of Hebrews 6:13 and Isaiah 43:10

texts:
This question is about this article at the LDS Church website titled "Is President Lorenzo Snow’s oft-repeated statement—“As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be”—accepted as official doctrine by the Church?" and the scriptures in Hebrews 6:13 and Isaiah 43:10.
I am interested in how their belief of God's past and our future affect how they view Hebrews 6:13 and Isaiah 43:10.
Hebrews 6:13 says that

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no
greater, he sware by himself,

Isaiah 43:10 says that

Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have
chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he:
before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

Above scriptures seem to describe God as being literally the only one in his position, with no one above him (Hebrews 6:13) nor becoming like him either before or after (Isaiah 43:10).
The article referenced in the beginning of this question discusses the doctrine expressed in the article title. It says that

Therefore, the Church teaches many principles which are accepted as
doctrines but which the First Presidency has seen no need to declare
in an official pronouncement. This particular doctrine has been taught
not only by Lorenzo Snow, fifth President of the Church, but also by
others of the Brethren before and since that time.
...
President Snow’s son LeRoi later told that the Prophet Joseph Smith
confirmed the validity of the revelation Elder Snow had received:
“Soon after his return from England, in January, 1843, Lorenzo Snow
related to the Prophet Joseph Smith his experience in Elder Sherwood’s
home. This was in a confidential interview in Nauvoo. The Prophet’s
reply was: ‘Brother Snow, that is a true gospel doctrine, and it is a
revelation from God to you.’” (LeRoi C. Snow, Improvement Era, June
1919, p. 656.)
...
The Prophet Joseph Smith himself publicly taught the doctrine the
following year, 1844, during a funeral sermon of Elder King Follett:
“God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits
enthroned in yonder heavens!
...
Numerous sources could be cited, but one should suffice to show that
this doctrine is accepted and taught by the Brethren.
...
“This is a doctrine which delighted President Snow, as it does all of
us. Early in his ministry he received by direct, personal revelation
the knowledge that (in the Prophet Joseph Smith’s language), ‘God
himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits
enthroned in yonder heavens,’ and that men ‘have got to learn how to
be Gods … the same as all Gods have done before.’

The article concludes with

It is clear that the teaching of President Lorenzo Snow is both
acceptable and accepted doctrine in the Church today.

In the light of this belief that God is an exalted human, how does the LDS Church interpret Hebrews 6:13 and Isaiah 43:10?


texts: What is the support or arguments to indicate the age of the Virgin Mary?

texts:
On many occasions I have seen that the Virgin Mary is described as a 13 or 15 year old girl when she had Jesus Christ.
The main argument I have heard is based on the fact that in the culture of Israel girls were married as soon as they were 13 or 14 years old. I feel that with this argument are confusing the Hebrew culture of biblical times with the customs of India, China and Africa. In the whole Bible we do not find that such a custom existed in Israel, on the contrary, we see episodes in which one realizes that the marriageable women were 20 years or more.
In fact, if a man was not considered an adult until 20, a woman would not be considered an adult before that age either. In the Old Testament we see that men who had already reached the age of 20 were called to contribute to the offering (Ex 30:14; 38:26), to go to war (Nm 1:3, 20) or responsible and fit for punishment for their sins (Nm 32:11)
So what argument, apart from the one indicated (If I am wrong in this argument, you could also indicate why), is applied to designate the age of the Virgin Mary as an adolescent?


texts: What Are Biblical Arguments for Egalitarianism?

texts:
I have been raised within the RPCNA and as such have had a very complementarian view of scripture. I do try to have an open mind in regards to scripture and it's interpretation, however, and as such I am open to hearing different points of view. Something I have never heard is a solid biblical argument for Egalitarianism.
Keeping in mind that all of scripture is inspired by a God outside of time and all words in scripture hold an equal weight (even today in our current culture), what is the biblical argument for being egalitarian?
EDIT
I am legitimately open to hearing from anyone with any interpretation of scripture. Ideally we could find common ground on Scripture's overall interpretation, but even if that's not the case, I would love to hear any and all arguments for Egalitarianism.


texts: Who are the 144,000 according to the Roman Catholic Church?

texts: After reading this question I thought about it and am now asking this question: Who are the 144,000 (Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1-5) according to the Roman Catholic Church?


texts: Is it contrary to any Christian belief or doctrine to believe that Jesus deceives us in order to protect our souls?

texts:
Jesus ultimately cares about the judgement of our eternal soul.

Is it contrary to any Christian belief or doctrine to believe in a Holy deception;  that the reason He made His return unknown and mysterious is to keep us in line or away from sin?

If we are anxiously awaiting that he can return any moment, we are more likely to stick to His way and in result, preserve our soul?  I am not saying He is lying, but loves us so much that He will give us any impression possible to keep us away from the Devil or Hell.

Does this go against any other Christian belief or doctrine?

EDIT

Notice how Biblical passages can look like lies but are not. Please read this very good Christian writers article: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/october/26.56.html

  "He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal
  plague. … For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go.
  They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your
  foot on a stone." [All Scripture citations from the New Living
  Translation.]

  At first blush it sounds really good, but that day I had to say what I
  really thought. Through tears I told the group, "I don't get how this
  is true. He did not rescue us from a fatal plague. He did not keep us
  from striking our feet on a stone but, in fact, allowed much worse
  than that."


texts: According to Catholics, when is Luke 22:8?

texts:
Luke 22

  (7)Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb
  had to be sacrificed.  (8)Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go
  and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."

From the info of verse 7, so when Jesus say "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover" I guess it happen in the time where the Jewish people either are preparing a lamb to be sacrificed (sacrificed in the same day) or even maybe some of the Jews are already sacrificing the lamb when Jesus say that.

Assuming my guessing is correct, the question is :
What date that event happen ?
13 Nissan ? 14 Nissan ? or 15 Nissan ?

The Reformed opinion is sought here

The Lutheran opinion is sought here.


texts: In Calvinism, why does free will to accept salvation seem to take away from God's glory?

texts:
Background: We are unable to accept Christ without His work in us. God gives every man, life, faith, breath, and everything else needed to come to Him.

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; - Ephesians 2:1
"That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: - Ephesians 2:12

Question: In Calvinism, it seems the belief that being able to accept or reject Jesus (for example, as could be argued from Matthew 13) takes away from God's glory because it becomes dependent on "us" - and makes salvation a works issue.
What scriptures lead to this viewpoint?
I am wondering if this is simply a false dilemma fallacy. Because I fail to see how it has to be either 1) forced on us, or else 2) we are "helping" God save us.


texts: Are there aspects of the Imitation of Christ that are biased towards a Devotio Moderna perspective? What are some of them?

texts: I read that someone ascribes the Imitation of Christ to the Devotio Moderna movement. I'm quite incognizant about that, though. I fail to grasp what the Devotio Moderna entailed. So I would like to get what are some particular aspects of the Imitation of Christ that could be in accord with the Devotio Moderna (if there are any).


texts:
Why do some traditions recite the Lord's Prayer word for word?

I know a lot of Christians that do this, but I am having trouble understanding why. Is the Lord's prayer recited by anyone anywhere else in the Bible other than when Jesus first says it to the disciples?


texts: Have there been such an attempt made to make the comprehensive list of all New Testament scrolls ever found?

texts: Have there been any attempts made to make a comprehensive list of all scrolls or pieces of scrolls of the New Testament (in original languages) that have ever been discovered by archeologists?


texts:
The bible many times specifically tell us to stone people...

Yet, I have yet to meet someone that defends that practice.

I've heard many times that this is because the OT is not valid anymore because Jesus have fulfilled it, the problem with that argument, is that then you can argue that several OT-only sins are not sin anymore.

I saw many atheists winning arguments calling us hypocrites for not following several parts of Leviticus (that for example says male homosexuals should get stone), and when I ask about it, people tell me that those are not valid anymore because of the new covenant, but for example bestiality (sex with animals) are only forbidden there... Thus if it is not valid, we cannot say to anyone that having sex with animals is a sin.

EDIT: Question not duplicate, because I am asking specifically about stoning, not the whole law in 'general', also the answer for that question is unclear on this case anyway, they decide what they must keep, but don't decide what punishments they must keep, for example "adultery" has stoning as punishment, the answer of the other question says that laws on sexual issues are kept, thus stoning would still be valid.


texts: How is the feet-washing ritual observed during Lent? How many denominations actually do this, besides the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England? What is significance of maintaining this tradition to the modern era, and can anyone get its feet washed or wash the feet of others?


texts: What were the main doctrinal disagreements between Luther and Calvin? Can anybody give an overview, please?


texts: In John 19:23,  it is said that Jesus clothes were not ripped because they were seamless and woven in one piece from top to bottom. Does that mean Jesus used to wear premium clothes? Since the soldiers refuse to rip up such a nice cloth I assume it is somehow valuable or special. Can someone please elaborate on the topic?


texts: If Hell does not exist would God have sent Jesus to die?

texts:
There have been several comments on this site which tend to deny the existence of Hell.

But Jesus tells me that the lake of fire is the place of Eternal punishment that God created for Satan and the rebellious Angels, and that the unsaved will also be cast into it.

Matthew 25:41  KJV

  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Revelation 20:12 through 15

  12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

  13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

  14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

  15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

And Jesus himself spoke of Hell 15 times in the Gospels and one time in the Revelation.

But by far there is one question that haunts me the most, and that is that if there was not the most horrendous of all punishments awaiting the unsaved, why would God send Jesus to be tortured and die on the Cross?

You say it is because of his great love for us, but that doesn't pass the smell test; in that if he loves us that much why would he love his own son less.

To take him from Heaven and make him go through what he went through on Earth has to be a lot worse than us just dieing.

Even beyond that unless he was saving mankind from a fate worse than his torture and death on the cross, why would Jesus voluntarily go through it?


texts: Does Christianity as described in the Bible support dualism of the mind and body?

texts:
Certain passages in the Bible seem to support Dualism, while others seem to support Materialism.

Definitions of Dualism and Materialism: I do not know where I pasted this from, but as curiousdanni says it is word for word the same as Wikipedia, which I do not use since it is open to editing by anyone.

  Dualism is the concept that our mind is more than just our brain. This concept
      entails that our mind has a non-material, spiritual dimension that includes
      consciousness and possibly an eternal attribute.

  Materialism holds that everything in our universe is made from physical materials
      including the human mind or brain and that spiritual attributes do not exist in the
      universe. This concept holds that our mind and brain are one and the same.

Examples in Scripture:

For Dualism:

John 9:39  KJV

  And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not
  might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

Matthew 13:13  KJV

  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing
  they hear not, neither do they understand.

Matthew 13:14  KJV

  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall
  hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

Matthew 13:15  KJV

  For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

As I read these Scriptures Jesus is using parables to awaken the Spiritual consciousness of those he is addressing.

And in the following Scriptures he is telling his disciples that they have all of the material evidence they need, Since everyone knows how the human body processes food, and since he took a small amount and fed a multitude. Thus he was proving his deity with all of the material evidence necessary and there was no need for Spiritual understanding.

Matthew 15:17  KJV

  Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

Matthew 16:9  KJV

  Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

In John  9:39 and Matthew chapter 13 it appears to me that Jesus is hinting that there is a Spiritual component to Understanding Heavenly things, yet in Chapters 15 and 16 of Matthew it appears that he is saying that they should know from just what they have seen.

Is it possible that materialism is for Earthly knowledge, and Dualism is necessary for Heavenly knowledge?


texts: Interfaith marriage in Christianity with Bible reference

texts: I am a Muslim...and I need to learn about interfaith marriage in Christianity with Bible references.


texts: What is the biblical basis for women, particularly mothers, working outside of the home?

texts:
I'm wondering about the sinfulness of women, particularly mothers, working outside the home.  Perhaps 1 Timothy 5:8 could be understood to mean that only the husband is to provide for the family:

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:8 NIV

What is the biblical basis for a woman, particularly a mother, working outside the home?


texts: Is there a translation of the Bible into Hebrew that is based on the LXX+NT?

texts: What I mean by my question is this: Has the Septuagint and the Greek New Testament both been translated into Hebrew and put together in one volume?


texts:
Matthew 4:1
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."

I am wondering if God wanted Jesus to be tempted by Satan as a means of showing Satan and the demons, and also all the angels in Heaven, that Jesus was truly devoted to God and would always remain loyal to Him despite whatever temptations that Satan would throw at Jesus.

Did God want Satan to tempt Jesus as a means of showing the spiritual realm that Jesus's love for and loyalty to God was undeniable?


texts: According to Reformed Theology, why do unbelievers deserve punishment?

texts:
I read this quote from John Calvin on some website:

  "...we allow that man has choice and that it is self-determined, so that if he does anything evil, it should be imputed to him and to his own voluntary choosing. We do away with coercion and force, because this contradicts the nature of the will and cannot coexist with it. We deny that choice is free, because through man's innate wickedness it is of necessity driven to what is evil and cannot seek anything but evil. And from this it is possible to deduce what a great difference there is between necessity and coercion. For we do not say that man is dragged unwillingly into sinning, but that because his will is corrupt he is held captive under the yoke of sin and therefore of necessity will in an evil way. For where there is bondage, there is necessity. But it makes a great difference whether the bondage is voluntary or coerced. We locate the necessity to sin precisely in corruption of the will, from which follows that it is self-determined. John Calvin from Bondage and Liberation of the Will, pg. 69-70

I believe in determinism, and I have no problem with the idea that humans need to be chastised for bad behavior. For example, a child steals a candy bar. The mother catches the child, makes them return the candy and apologize, and then issues whatever corrective chastisement to cause the child to think twice next time they want to steal.

I also have no problem with the fact that God appointed for this to happen, so that the child's will was not free. The child stealing and then getting chastised is a good lesson to both the child and others about the consequences of sin, and this lesson will cause them to behave appropriately (as well as continue the chain of determinism towards God's ultimate goal). Had the child never stolen, then the chastisement would have never occurred, and nobody would have learned any prudence.

What I don't understand is why the child deserves to be punished, namely in an eternal hell with flesh burning (or whatever other ideas are associated with this place.)

According to Reformed Theology, why do humans deserve to be punished forever in hell for their predetermined actions?


texts: Which Reformation theologians used the analogy of water and ink for sin?

texts:
On page 98 of Miroslav Volf's Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving, he says:

  But even if all of us are sinners from head to toe, none of us is a
  sinner through and through, with nothing good remaining in us. As
  sinners, we are still God's good creatures. To illustrate the
  relationship between being a good creature and being a sinner,
  Reformation theologians used the analogy of water and ink. Water is
  the good creation, ink is sin, and the sinner is a glass of water with
  a few drops of ink. All the water in the glass is tainted, but it's
  still mostly water, not ink. Analogously, all our good deeds are
  marred by sin, but they are still mostly good deeds, not crimes
  masquerading as merits. Now apply this to gifts. We give gifts. None
  of them are pure. Yet with all their impurities, many of them are
  still genuine gifts, not just hidden ways of loving ourselves.

There is no footnote. Who is Volf most likely referring to? What is the original context(s)?


texts: The lake of fire and the New Jerusalem as two different perspectives of God

texts: Has there been such a doctrine in Christianity that would put forth the idea that the sphere of eternal torments prepared for those who have rejected God, the sphere that is depicted as the lake of fire in Revelation, is nothing else, but God Himself, or rather the perspective of God by those who have rejected Him (and, consequently, the sphere of eternal blessings prepared for those who have received God, the sphere that is depicted as the New Jerusalem in Revelation, is nothing else, but God Himself, or rather the perspective of God by those who have received Him)? If yes, please, give me the name of that theologian and possibly the title of his work, in which he presents this doctrine.


texts:
This is from a Facebook fan page titled "Jesus Christ":

  We all struggle with sin, and at times it's so bad that we think" God has to hate me,I will never get into heaven, I am so awful!" Well Thats the devil talking to you and the truth is we have NO control at all over the lusts of the flesh. We have to have faith and trust in God, that He is going to get us through it by walking in the spirit! You know you can't say NO to what you feel inside or want to do, no matter how hard you try. I know I cant! So tell God you are sorry and ask God to take it for you and trust in Him! If we try and do it on our own like in Deuteronomy it will take us so much longer to accomplish what God wants because we didn't trust in Him. If we truly give it up, it's at that point God takes it and it's easy!He knows it's not easy but He tells us we just have to be willing to give it to Him and He will do the rest.And if it comes back up for you again give it right back to God!And just keep doing it and after a while you will be amazed what Happends!Don't be affraid! Walk in the spirit! We walk by faith not by sight!God can handle anything! Jennifer GSM

The emphasis is mine and is the inspiration for this question. When I read this, I kept thinking that that was so wrong. I myself can control and suppress certain fleshy desires and without any perceptible help from God...and so can others, including non-Christians. I could be wrong though. Hence, I'm wondering: is this view Biblical?


texts:
If we receive infinite grace through bread and wine as the Catholic theology say, why does a person still sin against God?

Because during transubstantiation doesn't infinite grace bestowed on each bread and wine?


texts: What is the biblical basis for venial and mortal sins?

texts:
My understanding of Catholicism is that they believe there are venial sins (kinda bad) and then there are mortal sins (really bad!), and that mortal sins are worse (or something). What is Catholicism's biblical basis for this?

Both Wikipedia articles for each sin strike me as circular in their reasoning and overly vague, and neither cite much biblical basis for this Catholic belief. A good answer will show me what areas of scripture Catholicism uses to support (or lack support for) their following beliefs about venial and mortal sins:

That there exist such things as "serious or non-serious" matters.
That the knowledge/deliberateness of one's sin impacts its effect on the relationship between the sinner and God.
That committing mortal sins harm one's relationship with God more than venial sins.

*I had trouble wording this question well so suggestions are appreciated.


texts: How long was it before Adam and Eve sinned?

texts:
Do we have any idea how long Adam and Eve were together sinless in the Garden of Eden before they sinned?

They were created on the sixth day. They sinned before they had children.

Any other clues as to how long they were sinless together?


texts: Why would orthodox Christians consider Christian Science unorthodox if it essentially a mix of Augustine and healing?

texts:
Why is Christian Science considered unorthodox?

How is Mary Baker Eddy's neo-platonism different from Augustine's,
Aquinas', Calvin's, Jonathan Edwards', et. al.?
How is her understanding of the Incarnation different from
Scheiermacher's, Tillich's, Marcus Borg, et al?
How is her view of the sacraments different from the Quakers?

From what I can see, Mrs. Eddy puts together perfectly orthodox views on evil as privation, matter as shadows, and Jesus as Wayshower--just like Meister Eckhardt--and then applies these doctrines to Christian healing.

If evil is a privation of good and has no real existence, isn't the best way to approach healing to see disease as a privation and not real?

Maybe Jesus healed by removing the shadows which distort our vision of our true nature as God's children. If God is Spirit, and we are in His Image and Likeness, then doesn't it follow that we are spirit, and not matter? I'm not sure why Christian Science is a heretical cult since it is rooted in many purely orthodox strands of Christianity, albeit put together in an original, insightful way.

Why, then, is Christian Science considered unorthodox if it has orthodox views?


texts: As a young Jew what would Jesus have been taught about heaven and hell?

texts: I understand the Jewish concept of heaven and hell is different from what I was taught as a conservative protestant.  I am curious as to the teaching Jesus would have received from rabbis of his time.  I am having a hard time reconciling a loving God with a place of eternal damnation.


texts: What is the biblical basis that we no longer need to confess and repent?

texts:
Joseph Prince (Worldwide speaker and author of Destined to Reign) and Andrew Wommack (Andrew Wommack Ministries and author of many books) teaches this with the Grace (hyperGrace) message, as does my local Pastor. They say we are already forgiven for our past, present, and future sins, and because of that our sins are overlooked. So there's no need to confess our sins, ask forgiveness, and repent.

What is the Biblical basis for this belief?


texts: What is the Biblical basis for believing that God punishes Christians for disobedience?

texts: Suppose that a person is faithful and counted among those in Christ, and the person is disobedient in some manner.  What is the Biblical basis for the idea that God will punish this Christian beyond the immediate natural consequences of their actions?


texts: What is a Christian's justification for a legal prohibition of homosexual marriage?

texts:
Today President Obama came out as the first U.S. president to support gay marriage.  In his address, he even quoted scripture to support his change of view.

Love him or hate him, it seems clear that he has struggled personally over the issue, which leads me to think that Obama probably personally opposes homosexual behavior, but has come to the conclusion that permitting homosexual marriage is the right thing, and even the Christian thing to do.

This question is not about Obama's motives or his personal feelings. I simply bring this up as context, and to help explain the same intellectual struggle I'm dealing with personally.

I suspect many Christians find themselves in a similar situation of opposing homosexual behavior, but feeling caught in the debate over whether their moral/personal objection to homosexuality ought to have the force of law.

So for this question, I am seeking answers from the view point that homosexual behavior is a sin (there are many other questions that deal with this issue already, so please don't debate this issue here).

My question, then, is:

Given that homosexual behavior is considered a sin, what is a Christian's justification for the legal prohibition against homosexual marriage?

I'm hoping for answers that cite Biblical principles, or at minimum theological and doctrinal principles.  I'm not interested in "slippery slope" arguments.

Strictly "social" justifications ("I don't want my kids growing up in that sort of society," "Legal marriage benefits exist because traditional marriage helps society in ways that homosexual marriage does not," etc), may be valid reasons to have such a view, but I don't consider them Christian justification, so I would ask that such answers be omitted here (unless they can some how be tied specifically into Christian doctrine).

I'm also curious what, if anything, makes the homosexual marriage issue distinct among other moral issues that are legal, but not condoned by Christian teaching.  Adultery, sex outside of marriage, pornography, strip clubs, gambling, smoking, etc.  Should a Christian oppose the legality of all of these things as well?


texts: According to the Catholic Church, why should we pray if God has already decided the best future for all of us?

texts:
According to Roman Catholic Church,

  if God knows everything, including the future (which he does, if he's
  omniscient)

  Refer : What is the biblical evidence for God's omnipotence and omniscience?

and

  if God has the power to bring about any state of affairs (which he
  does, if he's omnipotent)

  Refer : What is the biblical evidence for God's omnipotence and omniscience? and Power, Authority and Sovereignty in the Character of God

and

  if he always wants to bring about the best state of affairs (which he
  does, if he's omnibenevolent)

  Refer : Matthew 26:24, is God Omnibenevolent? and
  How can a Wholly Good God Deliberately Create Evil?

then God has already decided what's going to happen in every single case. To everyone. Always.

So why should we pray?


texts: Why have Ministers and Preachers stopped preaching on Hell?

texts:
Back in my early years it seemed that every other Sermon was about staying out of Hell. Now it seems that you never hear any Sermons about how terrible it is there.

As a young child that scared me and began my quest to find Salvation.

At a recent Sermon the minister even said that the result of sin was eternal separation from God. And while I agree that that is a part of the punishment, I do not feel that it is any more horrendous than burning for eternity in the lake of fire and not being able to die.


texts: What country has the largest Catholic population without a cardinal?

texts:
Among all extant countries without a priest currently serving as cardinal, which one has the greatest population of Roman Catholics?

And among all extant countries that have never had a priest appointed cardinal, which one has the greatest population of Roman Catholics?


texts: What is Catholic Church's view on capital punishment?

texts: Human rights activists in many countries where capital punishment is in vogue, have been advocating repeal of the punishment stating inter alia that that only God is empowered to take a human life. I wish to know what the Catholic Church's official views – both for and against – on capital punishment especially in the form of a deterrent against prospective criminals, are.


texts: How do Mormons interpret the warning in Revelation about adding to the book?

texts:
How do Mormons interpret the following passage and justify the addition of the Book of Mormon to the canon of scripture?

  Revelation 22:18-19 (NIV)
   18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this
  scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person
  the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words
  away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person
  any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are
  described in this scroll.

In my experience, this is interpreted as referring to the entire Bible and how we should not add to or remove from it. How is the LDS view on this different?


texts:
"Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me." - Isaiah 43:10 (KJV)

In King Follett Sermon, Joseph Smith teaches that members of the LDS church may too become gods one day:
Eternal Life to Know God and Jesus Christ (King Follett Sermon)

The scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom and all the combined powers of earth and hell together to refute it. Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. And I want you to know that God, in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming His name, is not trifling with you or me.

Moreover; we are aware that the Church of Latter Day Saints believes that the Godhead (Father Son & Holy Ghost) are three separate gods sharing the same will.

Although the members of the Godhead are distinct beings with distinct
roles, they are one in purpose and doctrine. They are perfectly united
in bringing to pass Heavenly Father's divine plan of salvation.
Godhead (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Also; Abraham 4 teaches creation was committed by multiple gods.

And then the Lord said: Let us go down. And they went down at the beginning, and they, that is the Gods, organized and formed the heavens and the earth.

With this in mind; How does the Church of Latter Day Saints interpret Isaiah 43:10? Bonus points if the verse is kept in context.


texts: How can Paul having been alive apart from the Law reconcile with the doctrine of original sin?

texts:
How can Paul's having been alive apart from the Law, reconcile with the doctrine of original sin?

  Romans 7:9 NASB--I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;


texts: Does 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 assume Christian pacifism?

texts:
In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Paul makes a contrast between spiritual warfare and war "according to human standards":

  Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.

In using the phrase "we do not wage war according to human standards", is Paul assuming or expecting Christians will all be pacifists, or is he merely highlighting the contrast between physical and spiritual warfare?


texts: Did God create Adam and Eve with free will and knowledge of right and wrong (good and evil)?

texts: I just want to confirm based on scripture if God made Adam and Eve with both free will and knowledge of good and evil (right and wrong) or if one came after the other when they ate the forbidden fruit?


texts:
In Matthew 10, Jesus is instructing his disciples, whom he is sending out to preach to the children of Israel as follows:

  11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you

What does it mean to "let your peace rest on it", and even more curiously, how would one let his peace return to him?


texts: What is the Biblical basis for Irresistible Grace?

texts: Calvin, among his other points, includes the point that when we are saved, we are irresistibly drawn to God and that there is nothing we can do to prevent this or cause this. What is the Biblical basis for this claim?


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

texts:
According to recent news stories, the Vatican has issued a report saying that Jews can be saved without faith in Jesus (see for example here).

This sounds very strange, so my questions are:

Does this report really say that Jews can be saved without faith in Jesus?
What is meant by "saved" here? I would assume that it means "going to heaven". Is that correct?
If indeed this report says that Jews can go to heaven (be saved) without any faith in Jesus, then how does this fit with what the Catholic church has taught in the past?


texts: Was the Old Prophet (1 Kings 13.18) deceived by an 'angel'?

texts:
Most translations read '(But he was lying to him)'. I always thought the Old Prophet lied to the man of God, but now I'm wondering if the 'angel' lied to the old prophet.

This wondering started when reading Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem chapter 19 Angels pp. 406-407. 1 Kings 13.18 is used as an example of 'false doctrine or guidance being conveyed by angels ... the clear possibility of satanic deception tempting us to disobey ...'

Having investigated, some translations put 'the old prophet lied' which makes it clear (if they are correct??). Any gentle help appreciated.


texts: Have cardinals ever been deprived of revenue or rations for taking too long to elect a pope?

texts:
Yesterday I asked a general question about the pope's ability to revoke decrees of an ecumenical council, in the context of the Second Council of Lyon (1274).  In order to ensure that new popes were elected quickly, that council passed several decrees, as Everett Ferguson explains:

  Among the decrees of the council was the requirement that a pope be elected by the cardinals locked in one room and put on dwindling rations after three days and deprived of their revenues until a decision was reached. (Church History, I, 24.IV.B)

As described in my other question, these decrees were soon suspended and revoked, but according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, at least some of them were reinstated at some point:

  This constitution which inflicted certain material privations on the cardinals if the election was too long delayed, was suspended in 1276 by Adrian V, and a few months later revoked by John XXI, but was re-established later in many of its articles, and is even yet the basis of legislation on the conclaves.

I read the article on conclaves as well, but didn't see anything about dwindling rations or deprivation of revenues when the cardinals take too long to elect a pope.  So that's my question – historically, have deprivation provisions like those of the Second Council of Lyon ever been imposed on cardinals because of delays in electing a pope?


texts: Are some spiritual gifts more important than others?

texts:
1Co 12:28  And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

Although by position apostleship is first, does this mean it is also the most important of the gifts...