When Adam and Eve were told "do not eat the fruit or you will die" they had no frame of reference for death. They didn't know what death was as they had never experienced it and had not yet eaten from the tree of knowledge.  It's like telling a child who has never been burnt and doesn't know what burnt is "don't touch this or you will get burnt." For all the child knows "burnt" might be another word for chocolate! This undermines the basic principle of Gods love and mercy and sets the concept of an all loving/merciful God off to a very shaky start. Why would God, who loves us infinitely, threaten us with a punishment that we had no frame of reference for?

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I have asked several Christians how we know The Bible is a reliable source and they said "because God wouldn't let anything go in it that wasn't his word. Doesn't this contradict the whole free will deal? The Bible was written by humans hearing the word of God, but they are not reliable interpreters for the very reason that they have free will. As Salman Rushdie points out in The Satanic Verses, a man could easily mistake a word here or there, or worse, could deliberately change it to test God. So, how can we trust The Bible and believe in free will?
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In our brief chat the other day I was asking about the situation of someone having several husbands/wives ( one after the other) on earth, so what would their relationship be in heaven and would they know who is who etc? Also, would we know who we used to be on earth? Plus would we know of the sin we had? Also would you be able to go space travelling to explore his wonderful universe and not just living in the new Jerusalem, other wise it is such a waste if you don't have the benefit of viewing it?

On the subject of heaven, is there sadness in heaven? Because I would be gutted if I found out some friends and family weren't in heaven. So maybe the question should be would we recognise people in heaven? Answer...

God is a loving God, but why do things like illness and murder and stuff like that happen to innocent people, especially children?Answer...

Hi, all, I thought I'd post an interesting email exchange from another site - one in which Jews and Christians interact. The Jews, as is their normal practice, don't write out the word "God" in full, out of respect. The Christians have no such qualms, so they have to get along together. However, here comes a protest from someone new: Here is a point that everyone should know. The word "God" is not the name of our LORD. Those who spell the word "God" as "G-d" have no idea what they are doing. They should not be allowed to cross the street without their mother. Some people commented on the rudeness of this, but I wanted to reply on the linguistic point he was making: Does it matter how we name God? I've posted this, and further exchanges below.Answer...

When Jesus was on earth He walked around as a man filled with the Holy Spirit BUT did He have a head start in that He was born without sin (whereas we were born in sin)?

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If God had decided to send Jesus to Earth now instead of 2000 years ago, would it make any difference to people’s salvation if Jesus was hung, killed on an electric chair or killed by an injection?
Did Jesus have to die on the cross?
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I was thinking: for the Jewish people the current year is 5768. I know that nobody, not even Jesus knows the exact time of His return; however, could it may be possible that on the year 6000 of the Jewish calendar Jesus will come back to earth?Answer...

When we come back with Jesus to rule, will there still be marriage?
So will I come back with my husband and any of our future kiddies? Also at the end of the 1000 yrs will there still be children being born or is there no more new life, just what is already here? Answer...

I presume that we would get our resurrection bodies at the point of rapture, so what happens when we come back to the earth with Jesus to rule for a thousand years? Do we have these new bodies in this fallen world and what would our purpose be?

Would we still benefit from what is in heaven during that time (eat all you wanted, never get ill etc...) and I presume that one thing we would do is try and bring more people to know Jesus, and when they accepted, would they then get their new bodies?

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If for example Phil's best guess is fairly accurate and that the Rapture happens in 5 years time, does that mean that the whole world would have heard the gospel as this is one of the things that need to happen before Christ returns or could that be fulfilled after the Rapture in the last 3 1/2 years before he returns to rule for a thousand years?
You have probably preached on this before but I don't remember your answer.
see Time of Rapture
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Phil why would God put fossils in the Earth?Answer...

Did God make the earth just appear or did he make it from a process like the "big bang" or "black hole" just to keep the evolutionists guessing and does evolution play some part in the way the earth is (except us Humans) or was everything we have now, instantly created on the earth?
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Why did God create the Solar System when we only need or can live on one planet? We can't even see all the planets. Part of me thinks that it is so that we could create sci-fi films to watch. It is the same with the galaxies, they look great but you need to invest in thousands of pounds just to see most of them. Also, does the world end? Is there a wall at the end of the solar system or just blackness? Sorry if this goes on and there are too many small questions in a big question. I would be interested to know that when he put the stars in the sky, did he like them so much he couldn't stop himself?!?

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After a long heated discussion with Steve on many occasions about dinosaurs, I was just wondering what other peoples thoughts on the subject are: Did they exist? If not where do their bones come from? If they did where do they fit in with the Bible and its timeline?Answer...

When watching Men in Black, it shows in theory that a whole solar system/galaxy could be in a tiny object hanging around someone’s neck and therefore our galaxy could be one of many.

So could God be trying out different ways of making companions for him?

Or would he get the same mess of a world time and time again (not his fault but ours)?

Or perhaps after this planet is finished will he start all over again otherwise his creative side would become unused?

The angels he had when he started this planet, were they his loyal followers from a previous planet? Sorry about the many very deep questions, but a creative mind produces them!!!
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Maybe you could shed some light on what you believe about this original sin business. 1. As some people do not believe in it 2. If it did occur then should it not now be dealt with (for the believer obviously to be worked out in the sanctification process) as Jesus died on the cross and defeated sin in the sense of the overarching sin as a whole and our own sin. Answer...

What is your opinion on what happens to people who haven't heard the gospel when they die, do they go to heaven? Do young children/babies who die, that are to young to make a decision on becoming a Christian, go to heaven? Answer...

In our brief chat the other day I was asking about the situation of someone having several husbands/wives ( one after the other) on earth, so what would their relationship be in heaven and would they know who is who etc? Also, would we know who we used to be on earth? Plus would we know of the sin we had? Also would you be able to go space travelling to explore his wonderful universe and not just living in the new Jerusalem, other wise it is such a waste if you don't have the benefit of viewing it?

On the subject of heaven, is there sadness in heaven? Because I would be gutted if I found out some friends and family weren't in heaven. So maybe the question should be would we recognise people in heaven?
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Did Jesus have the Holy Spirit when conceived, like John - did He need the Spirit anyway AND when He was baptised in water and the Holy Spirit came upon Him was that baptism in the Spirit?
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Will we wear clothes in heaven or will it be like Adam and Eve in the garden before they sinned? Answer...

When someone gets to heaven, do they still have a choice to be able to turn away from God as satan did and other fallen angels? And if so, would that mean satan will always have a kingdom of fire and torment but won't have access to heaven for temptation etc... after the world has ended? Answer...

When we go to heaven and have the big feast with Jesus, what sort of things will we have?
Because surely all things that are REALLY nice and tasty are bad for you, so does that mean they won’t be in the feast as we are in heaven so bad things won’t be there? Answer...

Why does the Millennium have to be a 1000 years?
It seems a very long time to have to wait till the new heaven and is at least ten generations of people, surely even a couple of generations would be enough or as we would have heavenly bodies could just speed ahead in time to the end? Would we also judge the people we rule over and send them to Satan’s prison?
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During the 1000 years of Jesus’ rule will the earth be restored to what it should be or would it still have all the problems of this day and age like Global warming, oil shortage, natural disasters etc. as won’t there still be many people who refuse to follow God?
But if it is restored would that mean all the Arctic ice would be reformed and the sea level fall which in turn would give back land that was flooded?
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What leads you to think that there might be a rapture 5 years from now? Answer...

Science says that the universe is forever expanding (great!) and I can understand this. Does the Bible say anywhere something like that?
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Phil, When we get our new bodies, will they be in the same image as our earthly ones but in a perfect state, so some of us with larger than normal waists would be slimmed down and the skinny ones would be fattened up to a healthy size?
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Where do our pets go when they die, do they get into heaven? Do animals have souls?

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You say in some of your teachings about satan seducing away all the angelic musicians that currently all the angels just say "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty" and that there is no worship amongst the Angels, So what has happened to all the people that have already gone to heaven (many of whom were worshippers/musicians) surely there must be massive worship concerts in heaven all the time?
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What is your opinion on what happens to people who haven't heard the gospel when they die, do they go to heaven? and to young children/babies who die that are to young to make a decision on becoming a christian.
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My daughter is learning about the Holocaust at school and wanted to know if the millions that died would be in heaven. I told her a would ask Phil. So I am.
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Recently I have been singing at home more and am questioning whether I understand all of the words i.e. understand what I’m singing about!! “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of our God!” What does this mean? Does it mean that the river-water from the throne washes us like I think it does? Sorry it’s probably easy to explain but I want to know that I am on the right lines. The whole song and I do love it. I don't think I have got it all and I really want to. I don't want to miss anything- I think I only get a fraction of it and I want it all!!!
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After we come to the Lord, I know our soul needs a lot of work doing on it by cooperating with or submitting to the Lord, (sanctification and all that) as well as restoration of course, but I have heard that our spirit is made perfect at regeneration (although I believe it can be hurt).
What is your opinion on this??
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I've been asked this quite a few times recently, particularly when Tony Blair became part of the "Quartet" for the Middle East.
The question is...is Tony Blair a possible for the anti-christ position?

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I know you believe Jesus will come back halfway through the 7 years of trouble and we will be taken up to be with Him (Rapture) but what are the reasons you think that this will happen (half way and not before or after the 7 years)?
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Will we be able to do the things that we enjoy on the earth as long as they do not involve any sin, E.g. you could carry on playing your banjo! Could I do all of my engineering stuff and make things?
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Will we need to breathe in heaven?
Although I'm guessing the answer's no because of the resurrection bodies and all. Although didn't Jesus eat fish and bread?

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Phil,
So as I understand it, when we all die on this earth, we will only have a spirit that will go to heaven and will only get new bodies when we come back to rule for the 1000 years with Jesus.
So what can our spirits do, as we can't say anything because we have no vocal cords. Do we communicate through spirit minds and worship the same way and would we recognise and have friendship with other people as spirits in the same place?
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Is there a specific date that commemorates Jesus death? if not, why not? Answer...

Just reading the book of Job at the moment and a number of questions are swimming around in my mind... 1. As Job is the oldest book in the bible (what I was told) whereabouts does it fit in with the biblical timeline? It talks about Job giving a burnt offering (1v5) so I would assume after Moses because didn’t the whole sacrificing animal come after the exodus? 2. If it is the oldest book, why is it where it is in the bible? Shouldn't it be near the start of the bible? 3. If God allowed Satan to torment Job (1v12), does God allow Satan or his forces to torment us? Or do we bring that upon ourselves, through our sin? Will probably add more questions to this as I delve further into the book! Thanks Phil!
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In discussing the topic of my faith with people on a few occasions and in my own life, i have come upon the topic of Christ's second coming not happening in the lifetime of the disciples being used as a reason for unbelief for non-Christians that I have spoken to and a concern in my mind. There are a few scripture references which particularly seem to suggest that Christ would return in that time one that seems to be of particular difficulty is Matthew 24 leading up to verse 34. I find this verse to be troubling.

Many have explained it to mean the generation as Israel or generation in regards to the generation who saw the signs previously stated. I also have heard it taught that he did return in the sense of his resurrection so it was fulfilled and he will be coming again as described.

None of these explanations seem to be particularly satisfying to me in the sense that they all seem more of a stretch than the main and plain of it being that he was saying that this all would happen before the generation he was talking to died. This is additionally supported by the fact that the disciples did not start writing their gospels down until late in their lives (as they thought this would be unnecessary) and the way in which many of them wrote of the second coming in the epistles.

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If there is a 7 year treaty finalised by the end of 08 proposed in the Annapolis agreements does that mean it's the end of the world?
What exactly will happen and will it be really horrid?
Where exactly in Rev. is the prophecy?
And what about the non-believers?

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Why is Satan beyond forgiveness? If God loves unconditionally then why is there a condition for Satan?

So maybe he'd never ask for forgiveness but if God truly loved unconditionally he wouldn’t need the request right? Wouldn't it solve a lot of problems if God forgave Satan? Kind of like the prodigal son.
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Did Jesus speak in tongues? Did He need to if He had perfect communion with His Father?
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I was reading Acts chapter 1 today and in verse 16 peter talks of a prophecy by David in the psalms about Jesus being betrayed by Judas. it is cross referenced in my bible to Ps. 41:9, so I went there and read a bit about David talking about being betrayed which is also apparently a reference to a historic event in the life of David.

I find it interesting how Peter pulled out certain scriptures to be prophecies about the life of Christ that don't straightforwardly seem to be speaking about Christ's life. This got me thinking about what scriptures the Jews felt were messianic in nature and how they had compiled this list. Many of the Jewish leaders were looking for a Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom and route the Roman invaders.

If my memory serves me correctly there was a sect that was political/religious about this very fact. I can see how this may have caused certain Jews to reject Jesus as the messiah because of him not fitting their views and their reluctance to change their mindsets.

I guess my question comes from the desire for more information about the scriptures that the Jews believed to be messianic and their interpretation of them and subsequently Peter's declarations about David's Psalm.
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As there are many different bible translations e.g., NIV, NASB, NLT etc. and each of them have a different way of explaining things, Is it feasible that one could say "Saying" and the other "Singing" as far as worship in heaven is concerned? Which version of the Bible is the closest translation from the original text? and if so should all of us use it?
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Questioner (1) the earth was made or before or after God created Adam and Eve, and if the garden of Eden was made perfect, why then was a lying snake allowed in it?

Questioner (2) I would like to see a post on this as well. Because it is often something I have thought about. Also the connection people make to the scriptures in Isaiah that seem to refer to Lucifer being cast down from the heights.

Recently I have had a conversation with someone who does not even believe that the serpent was the devil at all as it says in Gen 3:1 that the serpent was more crafty than any of the beasts of the field. Their view (which I didn't entirely agree with) was that evangelical Christians have tied this to the devil but the text itself does not in necessarily refer to anything other than a creature that was able to talk and was very crafty.

The metaphor that C.S. Lewis builds in the second book of his space trilogy "Peralandra" seems a fairly decent sort of idea involving the possession of the creature by a spiritual force- a fallen angel- that desired to bend the will of Eve against the will of God. What are your thoughts about the relationship between this serpent and fallen angels?

Part of what I find interesting is that the decree not to eat was given in the text to Adam before Eve is created. I am wondering and I think have heard that the order of this part of the text is not necessarily linear is this the case.

Additionally this whole knowledge of good and evil is a very interesting name and idea for the fruit of the tree to produce. Is it really true that the pre-fall Adam and Eve were not to have knowledge of wrong and right? This doesn't seem the case as they were to become the stewards of Eden or is the issue who was to be the judge and sustainer of their souls.

This is very complex and I would like to hear some of your thoughts about this and how it relates to death entering the world. I presume the prohibition of eating the tree of life after the Fall was a good thing as they did not live indefinitely in this new state. Also, when they are kicked out there is an angel set to guard this tree of life so that they can not get "back in" to eat.
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How many angels can stand on the head of a pin?
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Mercy & Grace - What's the difference?
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So why were some gifts in operation before Pentecost and some after?
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The Bible tells me that Israel will get back all the land that God assigned to them (which is more than they have now). Is this a promise for the Millennial Reign or should we expect to see it before?
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Strateuma
What does this mean? Its a Greek word. Today God is raising up a ---- in Rugby and it’s so excitingAnswer...

John 20 This Sunday's message
After both disciples have gone into tomb (v8), it says “he believed”. Then in brackets it says they still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead. So what did they believe? Answer...

Is Judas Iscariot in hell or heaven?
Because if God is here to save everyone then how can this one man be foretold to betray Jesus like he had no choice like he was destined to Hell?
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God is outside time, right? And He is also all-powerful? So why then did He bring in an Old Covenant, then replace it with a New Covenant and make the world wait till the time of Jesus to forgive people?
In other words, if Jesus's death was for all time, couldn't God have forgiven people right from the beginning?Answer...

So, this is not a question as such but I’d like to know about women’s role in the Old Testament vs. the NewAnswer...

I understand there are a few books that are called "The Lost Books of the Bible" that are not included because they either do not make sense or were not God inspired, but is there anything that can help with the understanding of the bible and why does the Roman Catholic Church include some of the books to the canon of scripture known as the apocrypha, and by doing so, does it effect what God said, that nothing can be added or taken away?
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Has the new covenant replaced the old? A long answer on the nature of covenant and Israel will suffice!!
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We know from the Bible that Israel and some of the surrounding areas knew God before Jesus was born. Is there any evidence that any other people around the rest of the globe might of known about God?

And if someone for example was searching for something spiritual, would God have made him self known to people who hadn't heard of him? Or were the people of Israel the only ones to have knowledge and communication with God until Jesus came?
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At lunch today the question was asked, Why the Transfiguration?Answer...

From the little study I have done on this matter, I get the impression that the different sects at the time were in a sense at war with each other. Or at least greatly disliked each other.

You have all the priestly classes who had a position of power that Jesus was threatening. The Pharisees who wanted to have an earthly kingdom and were concerned with their own piety and the rebels who desired to overthrow roman rule. They all despised Jesus or wanted to use him for different ends. In one sense we get a picture of why he was crucified in terms of human opposition to his message at that time.

I am wondering since the Jewish religion rejected Jesus as the hoped for Messiah they are obviously awaiting a messianic appearance of some sort and how did this diverge into greater schools of Jewish thought.
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What are the fundamental differences between the Jewish Torah and the Old Testament?
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So do we get a guardian angel each and if we do because there are more humans on the planet than ever does that mean God might run out of angels one day or is he creating more as he needs them and equally could Satan's forces be getting over-stretched?
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A guy at work today who is a Muslim told me we have the same God. At first that grated with me but after a while I began to think he might be right. There is only one God, but many different ways to (supposedly) reach him. I believe in the Christian way but that doesn't mean we have a different God, right?
What are your thoughts?

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Who were resurrected after the crucifixion? Why is this event only mentioned in one Gospel (Matt 27:52-53)? Is there any significance in it? Do we know any of the holy people it talked about?
When Jesus died and conquered death, was this like a first rapture? All the old heroes of the Bible - Noah, Abraham, Moses, David etc - were they all in waiting and Jesus brought them into heaven through what he did? (Someone told me and I can't remember where it is in the bible about Jesus going to Hades, preaching and bringing people back. Now if this is true does it link in with the verses in Matthew in any way!?)
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Will all of our body parts be 'raptured', I am just curious.
For example, if I were to donate a kidney to a non-Christian, would my kidney get raptured with me, or would they get to keep it? And on the flip side, if you were a Christian and you were given a kidney transplant, would that be left when you were raptured (along with your clothes and contact lenses??)

By the way, I am not trying to sell / buy / obtain or donate a kidney - this is just for demonstration purposes.
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Freewill and Predestination: what happens if you emphasise one to the detriment of the other?
Freewill and Predestination: what happens if you emphasise one to the detriment of the other? This question is one of two which arise from a question about Judas (qv).

I have answered it separately because it is immensely theologically important in its own right.


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So how about angels, do they have the possibility to sin throughout eternity?
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When we go to heaven and get our heavenly bodies, Do we inhabit the same place with the angels? Can we do the same jobs as angels? Do we become angels? Or are we there to worship our maker and have nothing to do with fighting evil on earth?
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What is the Greek translation of the word "flabbergasted" and why is it so important!!!?
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Can Angels appear in human form to help out in a situation and then disappear again when you are in great need of help?Answer...

Ok, in the light of Dr. Sharon Stone's talk on Sunday, can we commission angels or do we ask God to?
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I have been reading in 'Breastfeeding News' that you do not need to feed babies water, as breast milk contains everything that they need to survive. On this basis, do you think that manna was made from the same basic ingredients as breast milk?? What do you think that God added to it to make it solidify and do you think that the Israelites were told not to save any until the next day because they didn't have refrigerators?
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Why is theology like every other ology? Hence Sociology or Physiology, Psychology and every other ology way over our natural heads. Is there really a logical explanation for everything? See wikiology for reference! :P http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ologies#List_of_-ologies
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This from a US citizen who is struggling to reconcile her faith with political systems:
I'm curious what Biblical support there is for democracy as many Christians claim it as the only true biblical model. As far as I can tell, it would probably look more of a monarchy (though not exactly the UK model per say) as Jesus is King, where the last come first (i.e the poor, the broken, oppressed etc.) and first come last. This certainly isn't always evident in democracy and this ideal of individualism.

Though there are also some elements of socialism with some of the collective efforts. For example, the first mention of Christians in Acts 11 from the Church in Antioch did something quite collectivist after accepting Jesus: They provided help to all of Judea, those hit hardest by a famine, each according their ability. Even the first Jewish believers sold their possessions and goods, and gave to anyone who had need. And they became large in numbers (Acts 2:42-47). Yet, if a Christian for example were to propose a policy of this nature in a democracy it would be consider in many cases socialist or communistic.

I'm just curious, because I think there really is a misunderstanding of what's God's system of government really it is. Especially in America. It doesn't really seem to fit under a label in my opinion, and democracy is not a catch all phrase for the government of God. But just my thoughts...what do do you think?

P.S. Also to help on paradigms just a bit as my nationality is American and you are British --- this is what the average far right wing Christian American might say:

"A Socialist system is not a Biblical system,. The UK may enjoy such a system but we Christians in the USA have no use for it." - A retired American pastor

i.e if you help the poor in government policies it's socialist and not "biblical". UK actually has a welfare state, the US does not. So it's promoting the American form of Democracy with privatisation and no welfare. But historically, the British welfare state began with Queen Elizabeth's Poor Law in the 1600s with the giving of alms. It was very much founded on a Biblical model to begin with anyway under a Monarchy system of govt. This is just an example, and I think the government of God can be established in any system.

But I guess my question is, what is the scriptural justification for democracy? It is the most widely exported government system across the nations of the earth. But it is it completely Biblical? Especially with structural adjustment programmes that discourage a welfare state?

i.e. The US in promoting "democracy" in its foreign policies places conditions on nations to cut welfare programmes, and encourage privatisation - which is both the American model and seen as "Christian", and liberating the oppressed. It can be quite the contrary and oppressive to say the least.

Some nations have been completely crippled by the US policies to promote "democracy" allowing for Islam to come and take over- Somalia for example. The political-economic damage was intensified and left the country vulnerable to another government system. Therefore, I don't believe the "American strategy" for promoting democracy was and is always the biblical model. Besides, isn't bringing God's Kingdom into government simply hearing God's voice (strategy) for a government and acting upon it. Which brings me back to my original question: how is democracy - especially the American model justified by scripture?
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A new Islamic document circulating - Should we sign it?
I was asked to give my opinion on a document which is in the News. I thought the subject might be interesting on here. Christians are being invited to sign up to a document produced by Islamic Scholars who are responding to the Pope's speech at Regensburg. The document is called "A Common Word" and can be found here: http://www.acommonword.com/index.php?lang=en I have given a summary here, then a more detailed examination of the document as an answer.
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I read in the paper this week about a young lady who gave birth to twins but died due to loss of blood and her refusing a blood transfusion because she was a Jehovah witness. Her husband would also not allow them to save her. What do they believe which means they can not have blood transfusions, and is it not classed as a sin to allow someone to die if you have the means to save them? Especially your husband or wife who you agree to look after in your wedding vows? And does this mean that they think God would rather they died than receive a transfusion, I don’t get this bit the most as I wouldn’t have thought that he would give us the resources to survive only for us to refuse to use them!
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What did it mean to the disciples to be told "pick up your cross"? They did not know Jesus would be crucified
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I've read and heard lots of discussions about 1st, 2nd and 3rd heaven. The basis of this, I assume, is Paul's reference to being taken up to the third heaven. Some think therefore that 1st heaven is the earthly realm (though why it should be called heaven is confusing), 2nd heaven is the spiritual realm and 3rd heaven is throne room of God. Is this correct and if so what is the biblical basis for this? John was taken to heaven ("come up here") but I don't think he ever called it third heaven did he? Was Paul referring to a Jewish/Hebraic way of thinking?
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As I understand it the queen of England is the upholder of the Christian faith, and I believe that Charles wants to be the upholder of all faiths if he gets a chance at being king, does the church have the authority to prevent Charles from upholding all faiths or do they have to abide to his requests?
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I was reading 1 Sam 19 today and here are my questions: Why would God send an evil spirit to Saul causing Saul to want to kill David (v9) particularly when God had anointed David to be King? If Saul was "visited" by evil spirit how come he seems to easily prophesy under power of Holy Spirit? (v23 & 1Sam 18:10). I wonder what he was prophesying?Answer...

Matthew says it's adultery if you even have lustful thoughts. Got that and agree.
What if you’re unmarried?
Also... what about the person (lets presume it's a woman) whose being lusted over without knowing it?
It's not fair on her! She has no choice and that in theory makes it rape-like.
What can you do about it?

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Why do we refer to our first name as our Christian name?
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