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Stan, on the subject of "science or the Bible", the creation/evolution issue is always the first example that comes to mind. You even began your OP with reference to it. How can it be "off topic"? "Science or the Bible" would be very difficult to discuss without bringing in specific examples...

I did a post on this subject only a few weeks ago: http://www.christianityboard.com/topic/22315-the-gifts-of-the-spirit-some-principles/ As for the four questions above, here are my answers: 1) Yes. 2) I do not believe we can dictate to the Holy Spirit which gifts to give us. "He distributes...

I know you don't - but you did say that some cultures do, and you did talk about "mainstream Christians" (which would probably include people like me) having a superstitious fear of it. We know that it's just a gland that makes sleep hormone, but that was only discovered relatively recently in...

Really? What a bizarre reaction to a perfectly ordinary part of the brain. It secretes melatonin, which regulates our circadian rhythm. Every part of our brain is amazing and mysterious. Why single out the pineal body? Why revere it? God made it, it's no more sacred than anything else just...

But as soon as He was resurrected, Jesus told His disciples to take the message of the Kingdom to all nations (Matthew 28:16-20;Mark 16:15; Luke24:46-48; Acts 1:8). And that was what Paul did: he "proclaimed the Kingdom of God." (Acts 28:31)

Definitely. I'd certainly think twice about attending a church whose pastor was rich.

The different Bible versions don't vary that much in meaning. The words may vary quite legitimately because they are all translations - and there is often more than one correct way of translating a sentence from one language into another. And no, they were not the same councils. I'm not aware...

No, of course they don't. I think what Spurgeon was getting at was this: From the 'outside', when we are unbelievers, it appears to be all free will. But we, now that we are believers, know that it isn't - because of verses like those you have quoted from John 6.

I'm not suggesting that God's sovereignty does not play a part in our conversion - and I don't think that Spurgeon was either. It's a case of how it appears at the time.

I've also come across that analogy, attributed to Spurgeon. Whoever first thought of it, it's a good way of showing how there is a tension between God's sovereignty and Man's free will. It's both/and, not either/or. And so it is worth passing on.

Today we see these things (rightly, I think) as superficialities - 'window dressing', as you put it. But a century ago, many Christians believed them to be much more important than that. It makes you wonder what future generations will make of some of the 'issues' we see as being so important...

Hi Oz I've been a reasonably confident Christian for most of my Christian life (40 years plus) but went through a 'shaky' time a few years ago after being battered by some aggressive atheists on a secular forum. I originally wrote this post a few years ago for another (now defunct) forum, and...

I'm sorry, but I don't understand. Why should it be shameful for Paul to say this?

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for” (Hebrews 11:1). But how sure does ‘sure’ have to be? 50% sure? 90%? Will only 100% certainty be sufficient? Jesus tells us that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Actions are the evidence/proof of faith - but it isn't necessary...

Many Anglicans observe Lent, but it isn't regarded as a compulsory. Some people find it a useful discipline. I don't - but that may be because I am a naturally self-disciplined person anyway. The only bit of Lent I observe is Pancake Day. ;)

Christians hold a wide variety of opinions concerning the end times and the rapture. In most churches there will be a diversity of opinions. This subject is only divisive if you want to make it so. Are you trying to force your particular conviction (whatever it is) on others who disagree with...

I don't find this very logical. The truth of the Biblical account is not dependent on the success of modern archaeologists in finding evidence for it, surely? That's like insisting that anyone who believes in Jesus' resurrection MUST also believe that the Turin Shroud is genuine. It is perfectly...

Numbers 5:11-31 HAS to be read in its cultural context - and when you do so it is not actually anti-women at all, but protective of women. https://alastairadversaria.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/the-cup-of-the-adulteress-understanding-the-jealousy-ritual-of-numbers-5/ If a woman was caught in the...

Words of wisdom and knowledge Anyone can ask God confidently for wisdom (James 1:5); it is a product of ‘the fear of the Lord’ (Job 28:28). But the spiritual gift of wisdom is slightly different; it is, in fact, a ‘word of wisdom’ (I Corinthians 12:8). This is what the Spirit will give us in...

Personally, I think it's highly unlikely that anything would be left of the Ark. Think about it... when Noah and his family finally disembarked and wanted to offer sacrifices to God, where (with the environment devastated) did they get the wood from to light a fire? Wood coated with pitch would...