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1500 questions
49
votes
7 answers
How is the Christian Jesus different from the Muslim Jesus?
Obviously they refer to the same human being, however what are some beliefs that Christians hold about Jesus that Muslims do not share. I ask this question in sort of an apologetic spirit so that I can explain it to others.
demongolem
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49
votes
5 answers
The Tyranny of the Weaker Brother
The Bible has a couple of sections talking about responsibility to the "weaker brother", primarily 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14. Both ask someone stronger in their faith, who is not disturbed by something like eating food sacrificed to idols, to…
mxyzplk
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48
votes
8 answers
Is "Mormon" a disrespectful term?
When I was in Utah, I found myself consciously avoiding the term "Mormon," in favor of "LDS." While I understand the term "LDS" means "Latter Day Saint," what I don't know is either the provance or connotation of the term 'Mormon.'
So, first off,…
Affable Geek
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48
votes
13 answers
What is the basis of my fractured understanding of "Sola Scriptura"?
As a Catholic, I'm often baffled by other Christians who base their faith purely off personal interpretation of the Bible as the be-all-end-all proof for everything under the sun (which is what I mean by Sola Scriptura).
I understand the need to…
Peter Turner
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48
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6 answers
Why are Matthew, Mark, and Luke called the synoptic gospels?
The first three gospels are sometimes known as the "synoptic" gospels. What does this term mean, and how does it differentiate them from the gospel of John?
Bruce Alderman
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47
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6 answers
When did the prohibition of marriage for priests in the Catholic church originate?
The Bible mentions that one of the miracles Jesus performed was the healing of Peter's mother-in-law. This makes it quite clear that Peter himself was married, and Peter is the considered the first Pope by Roman Catholics. I've also heard that…
Narnian
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46
votes
12 answers
What is an overview of the main interpretations of "day" in Genesis 1?
In the Creation account in Genesis 1 (and 2), God's work of Creation is famously split into 7 "days". For example, the first "day" occurs in verse 5:
Genesis 1:5 (NLT)
God called the light "day" and the darkness "night."
And evening passed and…
El'endia Starman
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46
votes
8 answers
Biblical basis for baptism as a prerequisite for salvation
Some people believe that if you have not been baptized, you cannot be saved.
Others (including myself) believe that it is merely the outward declaration of what has already happened in the heart.
Given that Jesus baptized no one, and that one of the…
warren
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45
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5 answers
How were the books of the New Testament chosen?
I'm interested in finding out:
what the process of choosing the books of the New Testament was,
when did it occur,
who did the choosing, and
what are the supporting evidences
Derek Downey
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45
votes
12 answers
How can the Son not know what the Father knows?
Matthew 24:36 (NLT)
Mark 13:32 (NLT)
36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.”
Now hold on a minute here... in according to the doctrine…
El'endia Starman
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45
votes
10 answers
How long was Jesus in the tomb?
Christians commonly celebrate Good Friday as the day that Jesus was crucified, and Easter Sunday as the day that Jesus rose from the tomb. Most relevant verses in scripture say that Jesus would be in the tomb for three days. (See Matthew 26:61; Mark…
Joel
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44
votes
5 answers
If the Ten Commandments say “thou shalt not kill” how can a Christian fight in a war?
Exodus holds the 10 commandments. Specifically, we see:
Exodus 20:13 (KJV)
Thou shalt not kill.
Since the Ten Commandments say “thou shalt not kill” why do many Christians fight in a war?
Note this question is not aimed at pacifist…
compman
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43
votes
13 answers
What is unique about Christianity?
Inspired by this question: How do Christians explain commonalities between their religion, other major faiths and obscure isolated tribal belief systems?
What is fundamentally unique about Christianity? Obviously there are different stories, texts,…
Flimzy
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43
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19 answers
Does God have a sense of humor? Does he laugh?
I've always heard "God must have a sense of humor because he created X". Usually X is "the platypus" or "me".
Also, it should be evident that Jesus, being human, had a sense of humor. It's part of the human experience.
But, is there anywhere in…
Richard
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41
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11 answers
What do Christians mean by a "personal relationship" with Jesus?
When Christians talk about having a "personal relationship with Jesus," what does this mean?
Jon Schneider
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