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What is the significance of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden?
If Adam and Eve were created perfect and without death (immortal), then what is the significance and purpose of the Tree of Life in the middle of the Garden of Eden?
user32
16
votes
4 answers
Is God's name Yahweh or Jehovah?
God's name is written as the Tetragrammaton יהוה (YHWH) in the Old Testament. The name is not vocalized in the manuscripts and it's considered ineffable, forbidden to say aloud, by Jews. For that reason, the original pronunciation hasn't been…
StackExchange saddens dancek
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Does Catholic doctrine teach that atheists go to heaven, too?
The following is taken from the following article: Pope Says Atheists Are A-OK By God.
Referencing a passage from the Gospel of Mark in his homily, the Pope
recounted the story of a priest who told an inquiring Catholic that
Jesus redeemed…
David Stratton
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Why did God make garments of skin for Adam and Eve when they had already made clothing for themselves?
Immediately after Adam and Eve sinned, we are told that they made clothing for themselves.
Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. Genesis 3:7…
Narnian
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What is the basis for the claim that the entire New Testament can be reconstructed apart from original and copied manuscripts?
Bit of a mouthy title, but I remember reading a few years ago that the entire New Testament (perhaps with the exception of very few verses) and most of the Old Testament could be reconstructed from the writings of the early church fathers just…
El'endia Starman
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How should Selah be read?
Many of the Psalms feature the word "selah" which as I understand is a musical or liturgical term. When the Psalms are read aloud, how should selah be uttered? I've heard it both said aloud, or left as a pause for empahsis.
C. Ross
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Who was Thomas's twin?
The sainted apostle "Doubting" Thomas is called Didymus, the Twin. Indeed, Thomas also means Twin.
Thomas, called Didymus / Θωμᾶς ὁ λεγόμενος Δίδυμος (John 11:16; 20:24; 21:2)
There is no clear indication in the Bible of who his twin might have…
James T
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Are there any secular historical references to the natural phenomena that occurred at the crucifixion and resurrection?
The Scriptures record that there was three hours of darkness during the crucifixion of Jesus. This is a pretty significant meteorological event. Furthermore, the morning of Jesus' resurrection, the Scriptures indicate that there was an earthquake.…
Narnian
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What Popes have resigned in the past?
Pope Benedict XVI recently announced his resignation. What other Popes have abdicated in the past? The media keep pointing to Gregory XII, but it is my understanding that he was deposed by the Council of Constance (involuntarily).
Dan
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Is the Pope allowed to publish books after resignation?
I've heard that after popes die (at least after Bl. John Paul II died) all their unpublished works and letters are burnt and I heard on the radio this morning that Pope Benedict XVI is pretty much going in to hiding, not just as a former head of…
Peter Turner
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Did God kill the first borns in Exodus, according to Jehovah's Witnesses?
Two Jehovah's Witnesses were here yesterday, and we talked for a while about religion. We mentioned briefly God's killing of all the first born in Egypt in Exodus 12:29, whereupon one of the Witnesses said that it wasn't God who killed them. Not…
Quispiam
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What is the biblical basis or precedent for restricting women from serving in war?
In the United States, the Secretary of Defense just lifted the ban on women in combat. Many Christians seem to oppose this idea and believe that women should not be put in combat.
What is the biblical basis or precedent for this position?
Narnian
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Hebrew OT translation to Greek NT
Hebrews 10:5 (ESV) states
Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body have you prepared for me;
This is an apparent reference to Psalm 40:6:
In sacrifice and…
Ray
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Why do churches have steeples?
What purpose do steeples serve? Are they put high up on church buildings as some sort of marketing tool so it can be seen from far away or is there some other reason(s)?
Christopher Chipps
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Is it true that Martin Luther was calling for killing Hebrew people?
Is it true that Martin Luther was calling in his books for killing Hebrew people and that the Lutherans of the USA in 1983 officially recanted this part of Luther's writings?
brilliant
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