Most Popular
1500 questions
17
votes
1 answer
What writings are held as "biblical canon" by Swedenborgians?
Reading an article on Emanuel Swedenborg, I came across the following fact:
It should be noted, however, that Corinthians is not included in the list of books that, according to Swedenborg, constitute the divinely inspired Biblical canon. (Source:…
Andrew
- 8,131
- 2
- 37
- 86
17
votes
3 answers
Who first distinguished between the inerrancy of the Bible and the inerrancy of the original autographs?
It's common these days among those who believe in the inerrancy* of the Bible to limit the statement to the original manuscripts. For example, the Chicago Statement reads:
We affirm that inspiration, strictly speaking, applies only to the…
Nathaniel is protesting
- 42,361
- 11
- 129
- 311
17
votes
4 answers
Among modern critics who believe in the attributed authorship of the Gospels, what are their arguments?
According to the many online lectures by biblical scholars, not to mention entries in Wikipedia and other online sites, whether the experts are on either the liberal side or the conservative side of the table, they all state the four Gospels were…
cool breeze
- 701
- 6
- 9
17
votes
4 answers
How do Jehovah's Witnesses explain Thomas's exclamation, "My Lord and my God"?
In John 20, Jesus is resurrected and is showing Thomas the wounds in his hands, to prove that he is risen. In John 20:28–29, we see Thomas's response:
28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because…
Nathaniel is protesting
- 42,361
- 11
- 129
- 311
17
votes
3 answers
Why don't Protestants engage in monasticism?
One distinction between the vast majority of Protestant denominations and those of the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox Church is the lack of monasteries and a monastic class. What is an overview of why Protestant denominations generally don't…
Andrew
- 8,131
- 2
- 37
- 86
17
votes
1 answer
Did anyone understand the Holy Spirit to be a person prior to the Council of Constantinople in AD 381?
Do we know of any case of the concept of the Holy Spirit being a person existing among Christians before the Constantinople council of 381 A.D.?
The reason I am asking this question is because one Muslim believer that I just had a conversation with…
brilliant
- 9,903
- 13
- 61
- 127
17
votes
2 answers
How do Jehovah's Witnesses respond to the charge that they are false prophets (because their end-of-the-world predictions didn't come true)?
Jehovah's Witnesses seem to identify themselves as prophets:
(Watchtower, Apr. 1, 1972, p. 197).
"So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers
and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in…
user9485
17
votes
4 answers
What was the specific trap being set for Jesus by the Pharisees in John 8?
In the story of the woman caught in adultery, John indicates that the question of the Pharisees was a "trap".
2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people
gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The…
Narnian
- 63,790
- 69
- 243
- 482
17
votes
5 answers
How are the Calvinist, Arminian and Lutheran conceptions of Total Depravity different?
I'm quite sure I understand the concept of Total Depravity, but I'm not sure it's viewed exactly the same in different doctrinal frameworks that support it. I've spent a lot of time among Lutherans, and while I'm sure they support Total Depravity,…
StackExchange saddens dancek
- 16,847
- 18
- 85
- 159
17
votes
2 answers
What is the significance of taking hold of the horns of the altar?
I was wondering why did Joab take hold of the horns of the altar in 1 Kings 2:28? Or rather, what is the significance of him doing that? What is he trying to do?
1 Kings 2:28-29 (NIV)
28 When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah…
Pacerier
- 1,746
- 8
- 21
- 38
17
votes
2 answers
What's the Mormon view of Freemasonry?
I've got the idea from somewhere that Mormons aren't allowed to be freemasons. Is this true? If so, what is the reasoning?
I think I've heard allegations of similarity between Freemasonry and some Mormon temple activities (neither familiar to me).…
StackExchange saddens dancek
- 16,847
- 18
- 85
- 159
17
votes
2 answers
Do Calvinists believe they know whether they are saved?
My question is pretty straightforward: Do Calvinists believe they know whether they are saved?
This might seem like a strange question at first glance, so let me explain why I'm asking. From what I understand, Calvinism teaches that the "elect" will…
Jas 3.1
- 13,065
- 12
- 57
- 106
17
votes
3 answers
Why do Pentecostals believe in a closed canon?
Pentecostals believe the gift of prophecy continues to the present day. From what I understand, most Christians believe the gift of prophecy is what enabled the writers of Scripture to write "inspired" works. So why do Pentecostals believe in a…
Mr. Bultitude
- 15,268
- 7
- 81
- 129
17
votes
3 answers
What is the justification for relying on faith healing over conventional medicine?
Every so often, I read about Christian parents choosing faith healing over conventional medicine for their sick children, in some cases with lethal results. This usually results in the parents being convicted of either severe neglect or…
hammar
- 1,384
- 3
- 13
- 34
17
votes
8 answers
Is the Qur'an compatible with Christianity?
In comment discussion of another question, these mentions about the Qur'an were made:
The Qur'an teaches that Christ is a Prophet in Islam. In that sense I wouldn't say it's "Anti-Christian" or even heretical.
I merely made this distinction because…
StackExchange saddens dancek
- 16,847
- 18
- 85
- 159