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1500 questions
14
votes
3 answers
On what basis do some denominations prohibit Christians from drinking alcohol?
From my understanding the bible is quite clear that Christians should not get drunk. However some denominations seem to go a step further and say that Christians shouldn't drink at all. From what I can work out the Old Testament Law doesn't prohibit…
Greg
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Is the nation of Israel itself a type of Christ and, if so, how?
There is a branch of theological study devoted to archetypes, or types of Christ. Some of these are explicitly defined in the New Testament, as when Jesus speaks of the manna from heaven and calls Himself the Bread of Life and the Bread the came…
Narnian
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14
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2 answers
Do Priests, Cardinals, and Popes have a confessional to which they themselves can/should/must go?
The confessional is a standard practice of the Roman Catholic Church where church members may (or must) go to confess their sins to a priest. As I understand it, the priest then decides whether or not the person's sins will be forgiven and, if so,…
Narnian
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14
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8 answers
In evangelicalism, how are Christians free from sin?
The gist of Romans 6 is that as Christians, we are dead to sin, and thus free from it. We are no longer slaves to sin, but are slaves to God and righteousness.
Romans 6:16–18 (ESV)
16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as…
user971
14
votes
4 answers
Isn't reincarnation affirmed by the Bible?
Malachi 4:5:
I will send you the prophet Elijah. He will come before the day of the Lord arrives. It will be a great and terrifying day
Jesus says in Matthew 11:14
"and if you are willing to believe their message, John is Elijah, whose coming…
Martin
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14
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In what different ways is the word "cult" used as a label inside Christianity?
The word "cult" gets bandied about quite a bit, but is there an official definition or some kind of formula which can be used to consistently identify whether a group is a cult or not? Baring an absolute standard, what are the various usages and who…
Caleb
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14
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9 answers
What about the story of the "Rich Man and Lazarus" indicates whether it is a parable or not?
To extend this previous question, what about the text of the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man indicates whether it should be considered a parable or an "actual" account?
warren
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14
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What does "gates of hell" mean in Matthew 16:18?
Matthew 16:18 (KJV):
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
I take it "gates of hell" is a metaphor (there are no literal gates to Hell, are…
Flimzy
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14
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4 answers
Is 1 Corinthians 7:26–40 not the 'Word of God'?
Paul makes it clear that the following section is not a command from God but his own opinion:
Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. (1 Corinthians 7:25,…
byronyasgur
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How should a Christian evaluate whether a particular action a sin or not?
Since they are directly addressed in the Ten Commandments, most people agree that committing adultery or murder is sin; yet this world is a complicated place full of things that are not so clearly addressed. Some traditions believe using electricity…
Caleb
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What would happen to somebody voting in opposition to a proposition at LDS General Conference?
I'm watching the semi-annual LDS General Conference. One segment just went by that was some general business of voting to retain people in various roles or assign new ones. Several thousand people are present and voting.
The camera work going into…
Caleb
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What is the significance of Jesus' baptism for a theology of baptism?
It seems that any robust theology of Christian baptism must incorporate and draw from the fact that Jesus himself was baptized, but I rarely hear it mentioned in discussions about baptism. What place does it have in a theology of baptism?
gmoothart
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Was anyone making a theological point by changing the ending of Jesus Christ Superstar?
So, I'll admit, I love Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar. I've seen it many times, and I've often tried to compare the 1973 and 1999 versions. Grant you, the acting is a heck of a lot less corny in the later version, but I'm struck by…
Affable Geek
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How do the proponents of the idea that salvation once received cannot be lost explain Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:26-29?
How do the proponents of the idea that salvation once received cannot be lost explain the following verses:
Hebrews 6:4-6:
For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have
tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers…
brilliant
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13
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Why are we not seeing miracles in our lives?
I am wondering why we as Christians are not seeing those great miracles of old and as promised in Mark 11 vs 17 & 18.
Or is it we are failing short or miracles were for a specific period?
Paddington
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