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If God controls our decisions, does this mean we don't have free will?

This was originally part of this question However, it's really a separate line of logic (and therefore a different question, imo). If others prefer, I can remerge this into the original. God is omniscient. He truly, literally knows everything. …
Richard
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26
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What does the bible say about interracial marriages?

This has been a popular topic of debate, at least where I live. As Armenians, we like to...discourage marriages with spouses of a different ethnicity or nationality, simply in order to carry the culture and Armenian name for as many generations as…
user92
25
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6 answers

How do proponents of the Fine Tuning argument for God, refute the puddle comparison?

The fine tuning argument essentially states that there is so much about the universe that is "fine tuned" for life - eg things like the gravitational constant would cause the universe to disintegrate if they were off by 1 part in a million million -…
Isaac Middlemiss
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How did Peter recognize Elijah and Moses?

Matthew 17:3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” I…
Monika Michael
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What's is the case for premarital sex being an instance of πορνεία (porneia)?

This question is pretty much a spinoff of What does the Bible say about sex before marriage / premarital sex? because its current answer depends on the assumption that premarital sex is πορνεία (commonly translated "fornication"). Not all agree, so…
StackExchange saddens dancek
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25
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What denominations, besides JWs, hold that the Star of Bethlehem was sent by Satan?

I looked up information about the Star of Bethlehem on Jehovah's Witnesses website and it looks like their point on it was that it was actually created by Satan in an attempt to kill Jesus. Now of course as is known, this star and the story of the…
user35972
25
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5 answers

Do LDS believe other churches to be the church of Satan?

I was once informed by some LDS missionaries that other churches to them are the church of Satan? Is this an LDS doctrine or the view of some members?
user38924
25
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7 answers

Why does Jesus refer to himself as the "Son of Man"?

Why does Jesus refer to himself as the "Son of Man"? This is similar to Why does Jesus speak of himself in the third person?, but I am specifically looking for an explanation of the "Son of Man" references.
Mike Pone
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Did Christ's original twelve apostles have families?

We know that Peter was married because Christ healed his mother-in-law. Do we know if he had children? Do we know whether any of the other apostles were married and if they had children?
user23
25
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6 answers

What explanations have been offered for the "messianic secret" passages?

In a number of places in the Gospel accounts, Jesus performs a miracle and then tells the healed person and others who witnessed it not to spread the word. For example, After healing a leper, And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at…
ThaddeusB
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25
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Why was taking census a bad thing?

In Chronicles, David took a census on the people of Israel. However, God became angry at this, and he proceeded to destroy about 70,000 people in result. 1 Chronicles 21:1-16: 1Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the…
Phonics The Hedgehog
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25
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What does it mean that Satan is "god of this world"?

In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul refers to Satan as "god of this world". What does it mean that Satan is god of this world? 2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing…
a_hardin
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25
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Why were Deuterocanonical books rejected in the Reformation?

The Deuterocanonical books were included in the Septuagint, but not the Hebrew Bible. They are mostly included in the Catholic Old Testament, but not in the Protestant one. I understand the choice was made by Luther, who called the deuterocanonical…
StackExchange saddens dancek
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Should we love Satan since he is our greatest enemy?

Jesus asked us to love our enemy Mat 5:43-44: 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, So, should we love Satan?
Sufendy
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What did Jesus mean by "this generation will certainly not pass away.." in Matthew 24:34?

Matthew 24:34 says "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.". I am a Christian, and it is my duty to seek out truth, not plainly accept what I hear or what other people say it is. So…
muffin
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