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1500 questions
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How common were blasphemy accusations and trials among the Jews during the time of Jesus?
I am curious if any critical scholarly work has attempted to study the frequency with which blasphemy accusations occurred within the Jewish community at the time of Jesus, and if possible, how many of those trials led to executions as Jesus' did?
Logan Baxter
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Seeking a graphic or flowchart of the history of the formation of Christian denominations
I'm hoping someone can refer me to a graphic, flowchart or even a list of when various Christian denominations formed. For example, a biggie is the Lutheran church breaking off from the Catholic church. Or the Anglican church splitting off from the…
user34498
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Non-Christian/secular translation of the Bible?
Is there a rigorous translation of the Bible, sponsored or produced by secular organization? Not that this translation would be necessarily more impartial, but it would be nice to have this version to read in parallel with other versions. There are…
Kyle
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Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - who is understood as the fourth person in the fire?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who is understood as the fourth person in the fire?
In the third chapter of book of Daniel after King Nebicanesor throws Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the furnace he sees four people in the furnace instead of…
aceinthehole
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What effect did the 1897 decree regarding the Johannine Comma have on Catholic scholarship?
The Comma Johanneum, found in some versions of 1 John 5:7–8, such as the KJV, is a disputed text that has been used since at least the Middle Ages to defend trinitarian doctrine. Scholars now widely consider it to be a later addition to the text,…
Nathaniel is protesting
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When is the first time in church history we find a prayer ending with "in Jesus' name, amen"?
It is commonplace in Christianity today to close prayers "in Jesus' name, amen". I don't see any prayer in the apostolic writings prayed in this way. When does this first emerge in history?
user30170
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What has the LDS Church (Mormons) historically taught about the Curse of Cain and dark skin?
I have heard that people with black skin had been denied certain things in the Mormon Church until the past 30 years or so and that this has something to do with the Curse of Cain. What has been the historical teaching of the LDS Church regarding…
Narnian
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Did Tertullian forbid Christians from being school teachers?
While reading Bruce Shelley's Church History in Plain Language, I came across the following quote, in the context of how early Christians separated themselves from the world around them for fear of idolatry:
Tertullian even forbade a Christian to…
Nathaniel is protesting
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How have Protestants explained how Jesus could be born of mankind and be sinless?
Very simple question really. If the sin of Adam is passed down through the generations, so that all of us are born with a sin nature, how can it be that Jesus was born of Mary (a human being), yet sinless?
I'm from a Protestant (specifically…
Jeff B
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What are the biblical arguments against the papacy and papal succession?
The Catholic Church teaches that Peter was the first pope and that papal succession continued down through history to the present day. However, neither the Orthodox nor the Protestant churches recognize this.
So, what are the biblical arguments…
Narnian
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Who never died in the Bible?
I know Jesus is risen and that whole story, but when I was much younger I remember hearing about some people who never actually died in the Bible. Who are these people and how did they leave this world?
Michael R. Bailey
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Why do some Christians object to images of Jesus?
Within some branches of Protestantism, many Christians believe that "images of Jesus" are sinful, and that Christians should not attempt to produce them. Some go so far as to say that they should be avoided in thought as well:
The sins forbidden…
Nathaniel is protesting
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When was the OT canon as used by Protestants finalized?
At what date (and/or event) was the Old Testament canon currently recognized by most Protestants finalized? What is the earliest occurrence we have of it being referenced in it's current form and who (or what event) announced it as finalized?
Caleb
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Why did Clement and Eusebius believe that Paul was married?
In an answer to a related question (What is the evidence that suggests that the Apostle Paul was married?), I encountered the following quote from Eusebius:
Clement, indeed, whose words we have just quoted, after the above-mentioned facts gives a…
Nathaniel is protesting
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17
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What is Wesley's concept of Entire Sanctification?
John Wesley believed and taught the doctrine of Entire Sanctification, the idea that it is possible for a believer to achieve perfection in this life, based on Bible verses like:
Those who have been born of God do not sin, because God's seed abides…
Bruce Alderman
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