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1500 questions
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What happens to those saved during the millennial reign that die? (Premillennialist perspective)
From what I understand of premillenial eschatology, during the millennial reign, people who survived the tribulation will have their longevity returned like before the flood, but they will still die. What happens to those that die, but are saved?…
Ullallulloo
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Do any denominations have official doctrine regarding humans on other planets?
The recent discovery of an Earth-like planet caused me to wonder: do any Christian denominations have official doctrine regarding humans on other planets? If so, what is the doctrine?
Related: Does the Bible make any allusions to life on other…
user23
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Why did the Western and Eastern churches react to their respective states so differently?
In Church History in Plain Language, Bruce Shelley points out a key distinction between Western and Eastern Christianity: how each has related to the State through history.
Ambrose had hit upon the weapon—the threat of excommunication—which the…
Nathaniel is protesting
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What is the Biblical basis for the "penal" in penal substitutionary atonement?
I have been looking at different models of the atonement and am currently looking at penal substitutionary atonement. While I can see the substitution, I'm struggling somewhat with the idea of Jesus taking the penalty for our sin.
So, what is the…
Michael Vincent
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How do the Catholic and Orthodox views of original sin differ?
While reading about original sin, I often read that the Catholic and Orthodox churches disagree on the doctrine of original sin. But as far as I can tell, they both reject the idea that mankind inherited sin from Adam and believe that mankind only…
user23
12
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2 answers
What arguments are given that Ephesians was not written by Paul?
According to the opening paragraph of the article for the Book of Ephesians on Wikipedia, it is not universally held that Ephesians was written by Paul. A source on that site says,
Hoehner surveys 279 commentators from 1519 to 2001, finding 54%…
Andrew
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How do Catholics in Japan celebrate the Feast of the Discovery of the Hidden Christians?
Most people know that March 17 is the Feast of St Patrick. But in Japan, the faithful celebrate the Feast of the Discovery of the Hidden Christians or Kakure Krishistans.
In 1614, all Catholic missionaries were expelled from Japanese soil. Fr. B.…
Ken Graham
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What is the significance of the three different gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh) given to Jesus by the Magi after his birth?
In Matthew 2:11, we read that the Magi or wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Were these common gifts to be given at that time or did each of them hold significant meaning, perhaps unknown to the wise men themselves but part of…
Narnian
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How does King James-only-ism apply to other languages?
How does King-James-only-ism apply to other languages?
As far as I know, the King-James is an English specific bible, and the King-James-Only standard is an English specific subject, which if I am not mistaken might even make a claim of divine…
user9485
12
votes
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How does the doctrine of the URC differ from its predecessors?
The United Reformed Church is a denomination in Britain that was formed out of a merger of the Congregationalist and Presbyterian denominations in 1972. What doctrinal compromises had to be made for the merger to succeed? In other words, what…
Waggers
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Tridentine Latin Mass in Hebrew?
In 1957, Pope Pius XII gave permission to St. James Vicariate for Hebrew Speaking Catholics in Israel to celebrate the traditional Tridentine Latin Mass of Pope Pius V in some part in Hebrew.
In Catholicism, the Hebrew and Aramaic languages have…
Ken Graham
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12
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2 answers
What is the theological background to the belief that taxation is theft?
Within American evangelicalism a debate has recently been reignited on economic policy, and I've been astonished at the number of people saying that some or all taxation should be considered to be theft.
This recent debate got started with a blog…
curiousdannii
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Was Augustine opposed to the death penalty?
In Henry Chadwick's translation of the Confessions, I find him making a surprising claim:
Like most of the Church Fathers, Augustine was against capital punishment. (page 21)
The context is Augustine's critique of the orator who uses his skill of…
Nathaniel is protesting
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Why are the Vatican archives kept secret?
Other than a few documents, most of the Vatican archives are kept secret from the public. What is the official explanation for this? As an outside observer, it seems like the secrecy might be to hide evidence for mistakes committed within the…
Richard Thomas
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What is the significance of position of fingers in Jesus' hand as shown in his images?
In most of the visual images of Jesus – both in picture and sculpture forms – fingers of His right hand, raised in blessing, follow a particular arrangement. Is there any significance to that arrangement? Have different Churches including the…
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan
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