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@ViaCrucis Thanks again for your clear explanations. However, I don't understand why the possibility of starving Jesus turning stone into bread would be considered using divine power selfishly or why his answer Man shall not live on bread alone actually means Go away. I will park this and move...

I have taken your advice and started reading the Gospel of Luke. Why is turning stone to bread (Luke 4:3) considered a temptation? Why did he avoid answering the devil's question by saying Man shall not live on bread alone (Luke 4:4)?

Thank you for this very complete and concise answer. It looks like you put some effort into it.

Hello, So far I have found the Bible pretty tough going - and I haven't even finished Genesis! Regardless of what I have tried to study in the past, I have found group lessons to be most effective and fun way to learn. I see there are many online Bible study groups. Why do they tend to be...

I have the same impression of the Bible as you described but I thought that might be due my lack of experience. When you encounter a contradictory or cryptic verse, do you simply choose your own interpretation ?

Why would the Bible be unsystematic, chaotic or open to interpretation if it's the word of God?

You're right and my definition of accepted practice was rather sloppy. I meant not seeing it as a sin

By accepted practice, I mean Christians do it without fear of eternal damnation

For example, someone who believes men are superior to women might meditate on Genesis 3:16 Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you. But other mights choose to ignore it. Is this common and accepted practice?

No, I have not yet read Revelation because a Christian friend recommended me to read Genesis and Exodus first. However, I am getting bogged down with questions like - why did God not punish Abram for impregnating his wife's slave? Why did she have a slave in the first place?

Are you saying my belief in the Golden rule (Matthew 7:12) comes from God rather than common sense?

Paul agrees? do you have Bible references for that?

Hello, Whenever I feel the temptation to do something bad, I see root cause is simply my own weakness but I can always work on overcoming it. If I understand correctly, Christians believe that this temptation comes from the devil. Is my viewpoint incompatable with the Christian faith?

If understand correctly, the main hope offered by Christianity is the promise of eternal bliss after we die in return for following God. What does the Bible say about hope for our lives on earth?

In Genesis 19 we see that God rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah. Today we have no shortage of violence but it's typically directly committed by humans, although some claim divine inspiration for their acts. There also is no shortage of immoral actors so why did god stop directly...

Back in the 80s, when I attended a Presbyterian school, I understood the Bible doesn't change but the Christian interpretation of it does. For example it was once widely understood from the Book of Genesis that the world was created about 6000 years ago. I thought that modern Christians see...

Hello, I came across interesting concept in 2 Corinthians 12:9 "...I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses...". which I think is attributed to Paul. Do you Christians practice this? If so, I would be curious to hear some examples.

Thanks David, I am flattered by your curiosity! I have basic understanding of the Christianity after spending 5 years in a Presbyterian school, including obligatory Church on Sundays, and have crossed paths with various Christians ever since. My interest in is was weighted towards history...

When created my CF account last night, I read through the list of Faiths, and after checking the definitions on Wikipedia, I found that Pathesism was the closest to my own belief. I have never met a single person who calls themselves a Pantheist. The numbers must be miniscule compared to...

Acts 5 describes the apostles rejoicing their own persecution. That's a great example of strength.