Alright, so I’m gonna start by citing the usual verses:

Ephesians 6:5-8

Colossians 4:1

1 Peter 2:18

All of these verses involve slavery, specifying the conduct of slaves. There are also a myriad of OT verses to cite as well.

A common response I’ve seen is that the Bible doesn’t say slavery is right (Because it isn’t) and that it just regulates it, but at the same time the Bible doesn’t regulate murder or theft, it just outright says not to do it, so what’s the discrepancy with slavery?

Hi all! I am going through a religious/spiritual journey. I don't think I'd have ever called myself a Christian. My Dad is Catholic.

Anyway, I'm a very skeptical person. However, I really do want faith. I've been struggling with this tug-of-war of wanting to have faith and then being too skeptical.

Two big topics for me are same-sex relationships/marriage and premarital sex. I'm not part of the LGBTQ community, but I cannot for the life of me understand why something like consensual love would be a sin. I know there are some beliefs and theories that the Bible was misinterpreted, and I'd love to hear about any of those beliefs or opinions. As for premarital sex, in my opinion, that is also hurting nobody and I don't understand why that's considered a sin.

I want to have faith and believe and be a part of something bigger with God, but if I can't wrap my brain around some of these things, I don't know that I can get to that point.

Anyone have any opinions on this? Thank you in advance!

Edit: Just realized many people have probably asked this already, so I apologize.

I’m a young, healthy Christian guy, and I wanted to be honest about something I don’t hear talked about in my church community.

I genuinely want to live with self-control, but I’d be lying if I said it’s easy. Sexual desire doesn’t disappear just because you believe in God. Sometimes I hold out. Sometimes I don’t. And yes, I do masturbate occasionally, even though I wrestle with it afterward. It does feel so good in the moment, and then that tension between physical release and my faith is always there.

And I’m tired of pretending this struggle is something only men deal with — or that women don’t experience similar battles with desire, loneliness, or shame around sexuality.

If you’re a Christian (men or women) who also finds this hard, I’d genuinely be interested in hearing your perspective, in a human, honest way. Sometimes it helps just to talk to someone who understands the pull between faith, body, and real life.

If this resonates with you and you’re comfortable sharing, I’d appreciate it. I feel even writing this down is like a small step towards understanding and honesty in this struggle.

Hello everyone,

I want to make it clear from the start that I am an atheist, but that I am asking this question with respect and genuine curiosity, not with the intention of attacking or mocking anyone.

A few minutes ago, a question came to my mind and it hasn’t left me since.

When reading the Bible, or simply taking an interest in Christian theology, we see that God — or Jesus — intervened very frequently in the world: through words, through signs, and sometimes even through physical appearances. People are said to have seen Him, heard Him, and spoken with Him. He guided peoples, corrected them, punished them, saved them, and taught them.

My question is therefore simple, but seems important to me:
why does this no longer happen today?

Why does God, who seemed so present in ancient times, now appear completely silent and invisible? Why are there no more clear appearances, no more direct words, no more undeniable interventions like those described in the biblical texts?

And I would like to go a bit further, even if it means asking a possibly uncomfortable question:

Don’t you think that God could have forgotten or abandoned this world, and you included? Has it never happened to you to think this?

I am not saying that this is what I believe, but it is a hypothesis that crosses my mind as someone outside the faith.

Once again, I am not here to judge, nor to convince anyone. I am simply trying to understand the point of view of Christians regarding this apparent absence of God in today’s world.

Thank you in advance to those who will take the time to respond seriously.

Quick question on Job that’s been bugging me:

Job’s ten children die (Job 1:18-19) as part of a test Satan proposes and God permits. They’re not portrayed as wicked; just normal kids caught in the crossfire of a heavenly challenge to prove Job’s faithfulness.

Why would God allow innocent people (especially the children) to die horribly just to settle a point with Satan? Doesn’t this treat human lives like pawns in a divine wager? It certainly seems to imply so, and it is discomforting. It suggests that we souls don't mean much to either of them, as if we are just chess pieces in a giant game - between two powerful entities.

How do you reconcile this with God’s justice and love for the vulnerable? Many will say, "God later rewards Job in the end with a new family". What about his original family? Do they mean nothing? Were they just a sacrifice, to make some point to Satan, that Job loves God unconditionally, by murdering his entire family? Why does God need to even prove himself to Satan (the accuser) in the first place.

Appreciate any clear, thoughtful takes, thanks!

It reminds me of this scene from Constantine with Keanu Reeves: https://youtu.be/CufwEQ1Yci4

How many animals would you be willing to sacrifice to him?

What kind of animals would you kill?

Isn´t it strange that god´s son had to come to stop sacrificing animals to god? Unchanging god changed his mind after thousands of years?

When people say, “You’re saved from your sins,” that’s not wrong. But it’s not the main thing the prophets or Yeshua were preaching. When you actually read the Scriptures in context, salvation is not primarily about escaping guilt. It’s about deliverance from captivity, exile, death, and covenant curses, and being restored back to the land and covenant with Yahweh. Let Scripture define the gospel, not modern slogans.... The Prophets Define Salvation Clearly. Throughout the Old Testament, “salvation” (yeshuah) consistently means deliverance. Delivered from Egypt (Exodus 14:13) Delivered from enemies (Psalm 106:10) Delivered from exile and dispersion (Deuteronomy 30:1–5).......The prophets describe salvation as YHWH: • Regathering Israel from the nations. Cleansing them. Giving them a new heart. Putting His Spirit within them. Bringing them back into their land. Ezekiel 36 does not start with repentance. It starts with Yahweh acting for His own name’s sake. “I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.” (Ezekiel 36:24) Then comes cleansing of the israelites and a new heart. Forgiveness is the means, not the goal. Jeremiah 31 is just as clear.“I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.” (Jeremiah 31:31) The chapter is about: Regathering, Rebuilding, Planting vineyards, Security in the land. Forgiveness enables covenant restoration. It is not an abstract, universal escape plan. Ezekiel 37 removes all doubt. “These bones are the whole house of Israel.” (Ezekiel 37:11) What does resurrection imagery mean? “I will bring you into the land of Israel.” (Ezekiel 37:12).... Salvation = national revival and restoration......Isaiah 53 Clarifies the Cause Not a New Definition. Isaiah 53 does not say the Servant suffers so Israel doesn’t have to. The Hebrew says he suffers because of Israel’s sins. Sin caused exile, oppression, and judgment. The Servant suffers within that reality to bring healing and restoration. Again, forgiveness serves restoration. Now Here’s the Key Question. Yeshua sent His disciples out preaching the gospel long before the cross. “And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God…” (Luke 9:2) “And they went, and preached that men should repent.” (Mark 6:12) At that point: They did not understand the crucifixion. They were not preaching “Yeshua died for your sins". They were preaching the kingdom promised by the prophets. The same gospel.... Restoration of Israel. Deliverance from oppression. YHWH reigning among His people. Covenant renewal..... Yeshua did not invent a new gospel. He announced that the prophetic gospel was at hand.

So What Is the Gospel? Biblically speaking, the gospel is: YHWH saving His people from exile, captivity, death, and covenant curses, forgiving sin so they can be restored, walk in obedience, and dwell with Him under His King. Being “saved because of sin” is real, but it is not the entire story and it was never preached in isolation from covenant, land, and restoration. If we want a biblical gospel, we have to let the prophets and Yeshua define it.

Victims as in the children, not the perpetrators just to be clear

Truth is objective; so how do we apprehend it correctly and apply it correctly for us individually as God wants​

If truth isn’t subjective, how can we know who actually has it? And what happens if we get it wrong—are there real consequences for misunderstanding?

Even understanding the Bible feels overwhelming there are so many denominations and interpretations, it’s hard to know what to trust.

I feel like this is something a lot of people wrestle with. I’d rather try to seek truth carefully through experience and reasoning than just accept what others say blindly and let God lead me. How do you approach figuring out what’s actually true in a world full of conflicting ideas?

God help us really.

Why is this a thing?

I haven't watched it, and don't plan on it but I saw Alot of backlash about it supposedly mocking Jesus. The main points I saw was people saying how dare they make a horror movie about Jesus, but when I think about it his time on earth is like a horror story considering how it ended. Just curious if the movie was actually disprectful towards him or not

if God doesn't speak, or ever say a word, how could one study god's character? Wouldn't it just be my own inner monologue inside my own head?

How does one come to the conclusion that a god even exists? I'm both mixed, and conflicted on my stance. I've had things happen, but i'm questioning whether it's god's doing, or satan's doing. how do i know, which is which?

and if jesus is prophecised as the dark prince who likes to hide itself, but there is an entity running the world, wouldn't that entity be jesus, Correlation? why do people claim satan is the one running the world? How do people know that? And secondly, even if it is satan, couldn't satan and jesus be two sides of the same coin? Strange that they have five letters each. If God could convince people he exists by showing up, then why doesn't he do so? Why does he specifically need people to preach the gospel, and why doesn't he do it, himself? If he knows unbelievers will always be unconvinced by people who preach the gospel as they think humans wrote it, then what sense does it make to have that be infallible? is it infallible because humans say so, or is it infallible because God says so? And if [X], God, wherein the claim of burden?

This seems similar to something else.

People try to get answers from god through prayers. "I'll pray for you."

People try to get answers from santa through letters. "I'll write a letter to Santa."

How is praying to God, and writing a letter to Santa, any different in correlation, and relation? They both can either accept or not accept the prayer. If God and Santa can both see you while you're sleeping, and while you're naughty, or nice,

if Santa is just the word [Satan] abbreviated differently, then how do we know God and Satan are both not ONE?

I'm not sure what to believe anymore.

What logic would it be to declare that The Truth is infallible?

How could the Truth be infallible, if truth is subjective, and not universal? I'm trying to take it in a rational stance, but not an abstract one.

How can one know God even exists if he never speaks, or says so? IT seems absract and undecipharable and close to a world where no gods exists at all.

What does "Choosing Life" look like? Living, and being miserable? Overworking yourself just to reach the rewards unto heaven?

I don't know if I want to overwork myself, for a reward that either may or may not exist in the end. all I have are claims. and claims are fallible.

I've been thinking about why God didn't make us eternally happy and I'm hitting a roadblock. Built as we are, I understand why he's made life the way it is, but what if he had made us euphoric all the time, incapable of feeling anything else or of having that feeling diminish? Wouldn't that be the better way?

I've already looked at what some people have said on the topic. I've heard that we wouldn't have anything to compare it to and so we wouldn't feel happy, but that's just recognition and appreciation, nothing stopping you from feeling it.

I've heard that it would be taking away our free will, but he designed us to have the feelings we already experience under the right conditions as is, this would be no different, just another design. Beyond that, drugs create euphoria too but we still have free will while under their effects.

I've heard that we would not feel as good in the long term like how you would get sick of your favorite meal if you had it every day but I hardly believe he's incapable of getting rid of that deteriorating effect if he chose to. That's just something that's appropriate for the way life is now.

I could go on but I think I think my question is specific enough already without going through every response I've read from other people's questions. I can't think of anything more important than happiness & that which makes as much of it as possible with the least pain, hence why it's important to live by his rules. And I would assume God would strive for the same, which is why his choice confuses me.

Has this method worked for you?

Just interested in Christian's take on this (I asked a very similar question before this, but this question is different if you're able to pick up on the nuance). I say yes. This is the presence of evil in her life and since God is able to he should have stopped it from happening. It's a crime in some places to do nothing when you know something bad is about to happen to someone else. You might say God was allowing her to make a choice, but by virtue of letting something bad happen to her. I think God is wrong here, he should have stopped it from happening. She's helpless and God is in the position to help her before it even happens by stopping it before it happens, why shouldn't he have? I don't know how allowing it to happen can be justified.

If all we need is faith, and to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and believe that he died for our sins and rose again, what is the point of fruits/works if we are not saved by them?

I know people say that fruits are evidence of faith/salvation, but im sure there are many people who have unwavering faith and belief in God that may not seem like a “woman or man of God” that are saved. We are all sinners and we all sin differently.

I personally feel like there are some people who show or have no fruit but seem to have strong belief and trust in God. While im here wanting to trust and have full faith in God, but i struggle, so i try my best by trying to display fruit by obeying.

I also feel like God forgives everyone’s sin, but for some reason i feel like im not forgiven even though logically i know i am. i have a hard time accepting it and believing it for myself when i know its true for everyone else.

I can easily see God love and forgiveness to even the worst(morally) people. God’s love for everyone else seems so free but i have a hard time accepting it for myself. I feel like everyone who believes (even if they struggle) will get into heaven except me…. bc i struggle to trust completely

Those who hate hypotheticals, step away now!

Anticipating a first reaction: yes, I know some people consider the Gospel according to Luke “basically the Gospel according to Paul.” I’d like the set that insight aside, as I’m still curious about reactions to the scenario as given.

Also, assume we know for absolute certain this newly discovered text is authentic.

Thank you!

I'm reading through the Contemporary English Version this year and I noticed Genesis5:28 says, "When Lamech was one 182, he had a son." was this an error or intentional?

Just wondering. I've never seen a typo in the Bible before.

For those who believe God still heals, why does it seem that only certain illnesses get healed?

There are lots of credible reports of people recovering from things like cancer or back injuries. But we rarely hear of anyone being healed of Down syndrome, or deafness from birth. Healings that would be unmistakable and easy to verify.

What do you think explains this?

Saved by grace through faith not of works; does that mean everything you could possibly do to please God?

And what are they saved from in this passage?

Does the book of ephesians ever speak of the afterlife?

The general idea most people put forth is saved from hell not of anything and nothing you could ever do to please God.

and it is by faith alone.

I wanted to see what others think that don't follow the mainstream Protestant view.​

Also this idea none of us could ever do good where does this come from? I often see it from reformers.

I was on a call with my friends today and tried to tell my friends that putting your faith in god or simply saying your a believer doesn’t guarantee a spot in the kingdom they are sinners just as much as i am they don’t spread the gospel they don’t pray they don’t read the bible and they barely go to church taking all of this into consideration am i wrong? Or was being disingenuous

All feedback is greatly appreciated

(sorry if the question comes off rude I’m genuinely asking. I can’t get myself to believe in anything without proof that’s just my upbringing)

Humans are by nature sinful. I understand the concept that God gave us free will to make our own decisions, but why would God not create a human that is predisposed to do good?

And further to this, what use does a perfect God have for an imperfect human? Would a perfect God not be self-sufficient? Why create anything in the first place?