Results 241 - 260 of 465
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Parable Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
241 | Was David up? | 2 Sam 11:2 | Parable | 84530 | ||
I don't believe scripture supports imparting this motive to Bathsheba. Clearly, she was bathing after David's normal bedtime. Also, to see Bathsheba, David needed to be on the roof of his house. Then David sent for her, and she responded to his summons. Then David slept with her. This story is all about David and his choices. The scriptures hold David accountable for his actions, not that he was the victim of a setup. "2One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" 4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her." |
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242 | Does God ever change his mind? | 2 Kin 20:6 | Parable | 84515 | ||
I have trouble accepting your interpretation that scripture contradicts itself. I think rather that it is hard for us to understand God's nature in simple terms. As a result, in some places scripture imparts one description that is revealed in one circumstance and in other places scripture imparts another description that is revealed in other circumstances. This does not necessarily imply God changes, but rather what He reveals about Himself is taylored to meet our needs and his nature embodies more than we can understand in one way at one time. | ||||||
243 | By the bible, is nuclear winter possible | Gen 8:22 | Parable | 84454 | ||
I value your insights and look to you as an example for how to deal with many topics on this forum. We may disagree from time to time, but I always respect how you justify your positions. Regarding dusty tomes, let us not put our treasure where moth and rust destroy, but in heaven... Parable |
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244 | By the bible, is nuclear winter possible | Gen 8:22 | Parable | 84444 | ||
I agree and will also recommend a site for those interested in a scientists perspective... www.reasons.org Peace, Parable |
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245 | By the bible, is nuclear winter possible | Gen 8:22 | Parable | 84433 | ||
1. I'll try to respond the original question of this thread, i.e. about the possibility of nuclear winter or global warming, in light of Gen 8:22. Neither of these manmade catastrophes would cause the natural cycles to stop, but they would be greatly altered, so much so that we would be most uncomfortable if not dead. This scripture does not preclude this alteration, so I submit that scripture does not say nuclear winter or global warming will not be permitted to occur, if that is what we bring upon ourselves. 2. You asked "why should anyone accept the "modern scientific understanding of the physical universe" as being the absolute truth,when it is an incontrovertible historical fact that "scientific understanding" has changed and often reversed itself since the idea of "scientific understanding" came into being? I never said that that science is absolute truth and do not endorse the idea that it is. However, Romans 1:20 speaks to our being able to see God's fingerprint on His creation, and the most rigorous way we look at creation is through the scientific method. Clearly, the scientific method is constrained in ways beyond the scope of this forum to discuss. That does not imply it is necessarily incorrect, rather only that it may be incorrect because it is not complete nor the only way to examine the world. I note that James enourages us to "test everything, keep what is good". Science tests everything. Please note, I do not deny the truths expressed by art, music, history or literature and in a similar manner, do not deny the truths of science. I merely accept them for what they are and don't stake my life on them. I stake my life on God. 3. You asked, "Who is the judge of whether science is "done properly?" Science done properly is science done in the open, subject to refinement and revision by public discourse and agreement based on evidence, reason and yes, faith, i.e. faith in the method. There is no science fact or theory that is not subject to rejection in light of new evidence. 4. You asked "How does evolution "reveal God's creation" and since when has this theory been elevated to the status of one of "the truths that science reveals"? Evolution attempts to explain such things as adaptation, diversity, growth and interdependence, in other words, characteristics of life, which is what God is all about. You asked "How can the theory of evolution be reconciled with the Genesis account of creation?" I fail to see why this understanding contradicts Genesis because science can only study the fallen world and Genesis describes events that happened before the Fall, in a time/place we cannot penetrate in any way whatsoever. The gates to the garden are guarded from entry, even by our attempts to extrapolate scientific theories past them. The nature of paradise is completely distinct from the nature of the fallen world. Evolution applies to the fallen world only. Regarding the status of evolution, one need look no further than the fact that it has enabled man to manipulate the machinery of life in unprecedented ways, in much the same way nuclear physics allows us to manipulate energy. Both views have predictive utility as well as provide ways to destroy ourselves. If that's not a good standard for validity, then nothing is, at least in demonstrable practice. 6. You said "The truth is that attempts to promote science by discrediting the Bible will continue to turn people away from God." I agree completely. 7. Regarding your comments about the role of Christ, I agree. Parable |
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246 | By the bible, is nuclear winter possible | Gen 8:22 | Parable | 84424 | ||
First, I'd like to remind everyone not to underestimate our capacity to destroy ourselves and our home. Indeed, we are doing so as we speak. Over population, global pollution, epidemic disease, social injustice, nuclear proliferation, mass extinction and ecological collapse are ever-expanding realities. Second, I respond to the comment "...Darwinism is being rejected by true scientists in increasing numbers as they examine this theory anew and find it seriously flawed." If it is seriously flawed, there would be many articles about these flaws in referreed scientific journals, not just on the internet,which is completely unregulated by peer review, and many "true" scientists would be proposing viable alternatives in the hope they would gain a place in the history of science. To date, none of this is happening. Furthermore, assuming for the moment we can know who the "true" scientists are, the statement about them rejecting evolution is absolutely incorrect. Rather, evolutionary models are being demonstrated in ever more powerful ways. Evolution ranks with quantum mechanics, relativity and atomic theory as foundational to the modern scientific understanding of the physical universe. "True" Christians need not fear the truths that science reveals, for science, when done properly, can only reveal God's creation. Attempts to promote biblical truth by discrediting science will continue to turn people away from God. Fortunately, not everyone believes science and faith are mutually exclusive, including the bible itself. See Romans 1:20. Parable |
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247 | Does God ever change his mind? | 2 Kin 20:6 | Parable | 84410 | ||
Wow. This thread witnesses to the importance of the forum guidelines. Clearly, any question about biblical truth is meaningless if one holds that the bible is not true. It never ceases to amaze me how we can become blind to God's truth by clinging to our own understandings. | ||||||
248 | Does God ever change his mind? | 2 Kin 20:6 | Parable | 84287 | ||
Does God ever change his mind? | ||||||
249 | Believing in the Bible and E.T.'s | Eph 2:2 | Parable | 83015 | ||
Regarding human cloning, if it has not already been done, it will be soon. I believe that the race to clone a human is motivated by three factors; the irresistable pull to accomplish what has not been possible, the resulting fame to those who succeed, and the technological advances that are being be spawned in the meantime and thereafter. You can think of the race to clone a human as similar to the space race of the 60's, which spawned all kinds of "space-age" technology. Of course, the first really good stuff went into top secret weaponry, but eventually the advancements filtered down to consumers. Biotech will be like that, but with far greater impact and at a greatly accelerated pace. There are too many possible consequences to ponder, so again I'll stick with what I think are the two most series issues for believers. 1. It is not clear that a clone is legally a person. That is, a copy of something is not the original. Offspring are not exact copies. Offspring are conceived by the union of two haploid sex cells. But, since a clone is a copy and is not conceived in exactly the same way as the original, it is different from the original from the start, so some may argue that a clone is property. The issue will be if those differences make any difference to being human. Our understanding of personhood will be challenged, perhaps in much the same way it is challenged in the case of abortion. That is, does our definition of being human depend on source of genetic material, manner of conception, course of development, being born, etc. or is it just that the genetic complement falls within the human genome, as recently completed? There are profound legal consequences for how we define a human. If a clone is not a person, then it may be legal to breed them for spare parts for the originals who may need them as they decay. If a clone is a person, can a clone sue the original for knowingly imparting to them some inhereted disease? Is is OK to abort a clone? The list goes on. 2. Medical/biological research is increasingly using evolutionary techniques to explore the ways genetic variations/mutations can be exploited to our advantage. If clones are property, is it OK to use them as bio-factories for drug manufacture or as test organisms for new drugs or gene therapies? Is it OK to genetically modify them so they are just smart enough to do what we tell them, but not smart enough to object to being our servants? Because mankind is fallen, the potential for wickedness is increased because this technology is so powerful. However, in the hands of Godly people, this technology holds great promise as a way to ease suffering and make the world a better place. In any case, Christians need to understand that the foundation of this technology is evolutionary biology. Evolution is well established, so if we don't come to terms with this, we will not be equipped to influence how this technology is used. I submit it is possible to believe in Jesus and accept that evolution is a valid model for the development of life in the fallen world. Parable |
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250 | Believing in the Bible and E.T.'s | Eph 2:2 | Parable | 82874 | ||
Let's start with the discovery of extra-terrestrial life, which I consider to be far less likely than human cloning, which if it has not already been done, soon will be. Such a discovery would shake the foundations of our society. I could speculate about a lot of things that might happen, but the questions that interests me most are: The discovery of any ET lifeforms at all leads to the possibility that there are ET "people". Are the ET people made in His image? If ET people live on other planets, how has God revealed himself to them? Did they sin and fall from grace? Has/is/will Christ appear to them? If so, how did/is/will the gospel unfold for them? What does this mean for how we understand our identity in Christ? Parable |
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251 | Believing in the Bible and E.T.'s | Eph 2:2 | Parable | 82572 | ||
When aliens arrive, we will no doubt try to clone one, then they will eat us :) Seriously, I will consider your excellent questions and reply at a later time. I believe you have opened a big can of nightcrawlers... |
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252 | the meaning of life | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 82520 | ||
This is for those who would like to read in one sitting a good overview of what the Bible says about the meaning of life. The following 40 statements based on scripture are from "The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I Here For?" by Rick Warren. If you want verse references, they're in the book. -------------- It's not about me. I am not an accident. Living on purpose is the path to peace. There is more to life than just here and now. Life is a test and a trust. This world is not my home. It's all for Him. I was planned for God's pleasure. God smiles when I trust Him. The heart of worship is surrender. God wants to be my best friend. I'm as close to God as I choose to be. God wants all of me. God is real, no matter how I feel. I was formed for God's family. Life is all about love. I am called to belong, not just believe. I need others in my life. Community requires committment. Relationships are always worth restoring. It is my responsibility to protect the unity of the church. I was created to become like Christ. It is never too late to start growing. The truth transforms me. There is a purpose behind every problem. Every temptation is an opportunity to do good. There is always a way out. There are no shortcuts to maturity. Service is not optional. I was shaped for serving God. Nobody else can be me. God deserves my best. I serve God by serving others. To be a servant, I must think like a servant. God works best when I admit my weakness. I was made for a mission. God wants to say something to the world through me. The Great Commission is my commission. Blessed are the balanced. Living with purpose is the only way to really live. -------------- |
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253 | Believing in the Bible and E.T.'s | Eph 2:2 | Parable | 82517 | ||
Agreed, but who said anything about scientists? :) | ||||||
254 | Todays fashions | Eph 2:2 | Parable | 82319 | ||
1. discontent, from comparisons with others. 2. selfishness, from having too much. 3. arrogance, from having power over others. |
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255 | Believing in the Bible and E.T.'s | Eph 2:2 | Parable | 82317 | ||
I submit that the Bible does not address the possibility of extra-terrestrial life, at least in the normal biological sense. Therefore, there is no reason to support nor deny it on the basis of scripture. Perhaps the more important issue is how you respond to that possibility. If true, then I suggest it provides another witness to God's creativity. If not, then our collective existence is that much more meaningful as a unique expression of His love, just as our individuality reflects His love for diversity. With respect to the modern "folklore" surrounding UFO's and aliens, I believe we must not be seduced by these distractions. James instructs us to "test everything" and "hold onto the good". If you find any "good" evidence for aliens, let me know. Parable. |
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256 | Are injury lawsuits okay with God? | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 81604 | ||
I concur that you should seek counseling elsewhere, perhaps from your pastor and an attorney. Given that, your situation is worthy of comment here in that how we apply biblical principles to our lives is an important part of understanding God's Word. Here's my view: Those who failed to obey the law are accountable for their actions. If you do nothing, they will still be accountable to God. Yet, you have suffered as a result of wrongful acts and are entitled to just compensation. The bible prescribes such terms in several places as a means to preserve social justice. God has ordained the authorities so they may adjudicate situations like yours. You are called to act according to love for God and others, as the Spirit leads you. It may be that the loving thing to do is hold someone accountable. On the other hand, mercy is always an option, but there is always a cost. Only you can decide if the cost is something God wants you to bear for those who hurt you. I believe you are free to pursue legal action, but I also believe that you are not required to do so. |
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257 | Mary | Luke 1:28 | Parable | 81433 | ||
It is tragically ironic that one so blessed should inspire so much controversy within the Body of Christ. Parable |
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258 | What does scripture say about Quakerism? | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 80344 | ||
Thank you, Emmaus. I am especially interested in any scriptures that support or counter Quaker views on issues such as: The "Inner Light", especially in relation to the authority of Scripture. This seems to be a defining feature of Quakerism. Predestination. Quakerism rejects this in favor of the idea that salvation is available to all. Silence. Only in silence can the voice of God within be heard. Conscience and action. Only by doing the truth can it be fully understood. Parable |
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259 | Is Quakerism valid? | Not Specified | Parable | 80274 | ||
Some scholars hold that Quakerism is a third form of Christianity, distinct from catholicism and protestantism. Yet, Quakers have also been persecuted as heretics. Is Quakerism a legitimate form of Christianity? Please support thine answer with scripture. |
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260 | Is Quakerism valid? | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 80286 | ||
Some scholars hold that Quakerism is a third form of Christianity, distinct from catholicism and protestantism. Yet, Quakers have also been persecuted as heretics. Is Quakerism a legitimate form of Christianity? Please support thine answer with scripture. |
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