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How could a loving, just, merciful God have created such an unfair test for humans?

According to the Bible, God is loving: 1 John 4 (NIV) 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4 (NIV) 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in…
Jez
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What does CS Lewis mean by True Myth?

I've heard the phrase and even used it before, in potentially dangerous and unintelligent ways. But what did CS Lewis mean when he came to the realization that Christianity was not just Myth, but True Myth. And furthermore, was he talking about the…
Peter Turner
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Why is the word "Ark" used for Noah's boat and the Ark of the Covenant?

What exactly is the meaning of an "ark" that applies to a boat and that thing that melts off the Nazi's faces in the first Indiana Jones movie?
Affable Geek
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What is the Biblical basis for withholding communion from believers who are unbaptized?

My home church has a policy of asking non-believers not to participate in communion, but never asks if a believer has yet been baptized. I have visited or attended several other churches where communion is withheld from anyone who has not been…
Flimzy
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Historical figures mentioned in the Bible that sceptics doubted existed but were later confirmed by archaeology

In the past I've read about skeptics thinking that certain figures that the Bible lists as having historically existed didn't actually exist, but then later archaeology confirmed that they did. Does anyone know some good examples of these?
theop12
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What is the Catholic teaching on the use of animals?

During a conversation on crocodile farming for production of meat and leather in the Third World, the person I was talking to found that it was cruelty against animals and that humans, in the 21st century, must rethink the animal condition. Does…
Tiany Slowriver
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How prominent was "prosperity theology" in the early church?

Prosperity theology, or the "health and wealth gospel," is a recent movement that teaches that God promises material blessings, in this life, to those who have faith in him and who do his will. Wikipedia traces its origin to the 19th century, but…
Nathaniel is protesting
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What is the biblical basis for the prohibition of instruments in worship?

I understand that some Protestant churches prohibit the use of musical instruments in their worship services. What is the specific biblical basis for this practice, or, if there is no specific biblical basis, what is the principle behind this…
Narnian
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Do not Judge others, or do we Judge others?

I hear so much about "Do not judge others, lest you be judged." I know that there's more scripture out there that gives us a better insight into our responsibilities. Can you please answer this question. Are we allowed to judge others? Are we called…
capitalaudience.com
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What's so bad about monoergism and monothelitism?

Two early heresies that intrigue me a bit are monoergism and monothelitism. Both basically suggest that while Jesus was both human and divine, he only had one "energy" or one "will." Both were eventually called heresy by the church, but why? Does…
Affable Geek
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3 answers

Which Christian denominations believe Jesus is buried in Japan?

The town of Shingo in Japan claims to be the burial site of Jesus of Nazareth: someone took his place on the cross, and he made his way to Japan, where he died. (Wikipedia.) Do, or did, any denominations of Christianity believe this, and which?
msh210
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Where did Baptists get their name and what do they believe?

Where and when did the Baptists get their name and what do they believe that sets them apart from the rest of Protestant denominations? I realize there are different divisions among Baptists as well, so let's keep this limited to the issues that…
Caleb
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Have any major Christian intellectuals responded to Stephen Hawking's "The Grand Design"?

Stephen Hawking, in The Grand Design, argues that God did not create the universe. One review of the book states its aim as "to banish a divine creator from physics". The essence of the argument is: Because there is a law such as gravity, the…
19
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Are Catholics allowed to read the NIV translation?

I know this is kind of an odd question. However, there is a question that has popped into my mind while considering these quality standards that we've been starting to implement. My thoughts are that the Catholic Bible includes books that are not…
Richard
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How do Protestants interpret "baptized for the dead" in 1 Corinthians 15:29?

1 Corinthians 15:29 (KJV) Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? I know that the LDS Church interprets that verse literally. How do other Protestant…
Click Ok
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