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1500 questions
23
votes
13 answers
Believing that Christianity is "probably" true vs. being fully convinced that Christianity is definitely true?
Most apologetic arguments for theism/Christianity are probabilistic (i.e. they are abductive in nature, rely on premises that are not necessarily true, etc.), meaning that a rational person who is exposed to these arguments would at best be able to…
user50422
23
votes
7 answers
Did early church fathers understand the doctrine of trinity?
Many historians and religious scholars ... attest to the influence of
Greek or Platonic philosophy in the development and acceptance of the
Trinity doctrine in the fourth century. ... the famous Greek
philosopher Plato ... believed in a…
Monika Michael
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How do Catholics support transubstantiation?
As I understand it, the doctrine of transubstantiation maintains that bread and wine literally* become the body and blood of Christ... yet it is impossible to detect this. That is, they do not materially change, so we don't and can't notice, nor can…
El'endia Starman
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Do Evangelicals see Catholics as pagans?
This question is based on my personal experience. Some time ago I had a discussion with a friend of mine who's an evangelical pastor.
In a very subtle way, he was asserting that I actually believe in a false God, and that the only way to the truth…
Daniele B
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23
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What are the primary differences and implications of a propitiatory view of the atonement versus an expiatory view?
Western theology tends to view atonement as propitiation, while Eastern tends to view it as expiation. What are the primary differences and implications of each perspective? Are they antithetical or complementary paradigms? This is related to this…
Dan
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23
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4 answers
What is the Biblical basis for Limited Atonement?
Calvin, among his other points, includes the point that Atonement is Limited; i.e., that Christ's death was sufficient for all but only effective for the elect.
What is the Biblical basis for this doctrine?
wax eagle
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23
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7 answers
What are the Biblical and theological problems with theistic evolution?
Theistic evolution holds that God used evolution to create mankind. It seems to follow then that this view must also hold the creation account in Genesis to be unhistorical. So, Adam and Eve may have been people, but were perhaps the first humans…
Narnian
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23
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3 answers
What is the Biblical basis for Unconditional Election?
Calvin, among his other points includes the point that we are Unconditionally Elected and chosen by God alone and nothing we can do can help or hurt this fact. What is the Biblical basis for this?
wax eagle
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23
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How does Matthew 25:31-46 ("The Sheep and the Goats") reconcile with salvation by faith?
In Matthew 25:31-46 (a passage subtitled "The Sheep and the Goats" in the NIV), Jesus seems to be drawing a direct relationship between good works and salvation.
Matthew 25:31-46 NIV:
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels…
Jon Schneider
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According to those holding that Jesus was literally born of a virgin, why did Paul not mention it?
Matthew and Luke each open with an account of Jesus' miraculous virginal conception and birth. The virgin birth is widely seen as an essential belief in Christianity, being found for example in the Apostles' Creed.
Numerous passages in Paul's…
Mr. Bultitude
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23
votes
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Why the difference in depiction of the cross between Catholics and Protestants?
As I understand it, Roman Catholic crosses have Jesus hanging on them, but Protestant crosses do not. I understood that Protestant crosses do not because they want to focus on the Resurrection, not the death of Jesus.
Is that correct? Why the…
Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE
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23
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7 answers
At what point is a new soul created according to the Catholic Church?
It seems clear that the Catholic Church rejected Origen's claim that souls were created and existed before conception and birth.
Does the Church pinpoint fertilization of the egg as the moment a soul is created? Is it upon implantation, or once the…
Kris
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3 answers
How much variation is in the Hebrew language of the Old Testament?
Is there a difference in the Hebrew between the earliest Old Testament books and the relatively newer books? In other words: are there linguistic differences (syntax, grammar, word usage) in older books like Job, when compared with more recent books…
Caleb
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Was tithing 10% required or encouraged by the early church?
I cannot find in the New Testament an obligation on Christians to tithe 10% of their income. Instead I read that it is up the individual to decide:
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV1984)
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not…
Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE
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23
votes
2 answers
What were Martin Luther's main disagreements with the Catholic Church?
What were Martin Luther's main disagreements with the Catholic Church? Were these beliefs of Luther's and his disagreements with the Catholic Church the origin of the Lutheran Church?
compman
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