Do we have a good idea as to which Pharaoh(s) were around during the time of Moses' life? What internal and external evidence exists to back up those claims? Do any Christian traditions attach any significance to correlating the events of Moses' life to the reign of a specific Pharaoh? The movie *The Prince of Egypt * mentions Ramses as the name of Moses' adoptive mother's son (and the future Pharaoh, both when Moses kills the Egyptian at 40 and when he returns to Egypt when he is 80), but I don't know what the basis is for this claim.

I've always believed that Jesus was stabbed in his left side. That seems to be the common belief. How is that notion supported? I can't find anything the tells me absolutely in which side he was stabbed, so if there is anyone who says it was the right side, how is that supported?

There seems to be an idea among some Christians of a metaphysical timeline that goes something like this: 1. All the angels are created sometime before or during the 7 days of creation in Genesis. 2. Satan desires to become like God, and starts a "war in heaven" 3. Satan loses the war and is cast out of Heaven along with many other angels before or during the time Adam and Eve reside in Eden. 4. Satan, fallen and cast out of Heaven, appears in Eden in the form of a serpent to tempt Eve, and Adam. 5. Satan continues to tempt, torment, and accuse mankind, as evident in Job. 6. Satan is bound for a time when the Messiah comes into power. 7. Satan is released from bondage and wages a final war upon Heaven with his fallen angels and many nations who follow him. 8. Satan is defeated and cast into the lake of fire, which is eternal destruction. Was there a war in Heaven for which Satan was cast out that occurred _before_ the fall of man? What Biblical sources can be cited that describe the events that led to the exile of Satan from Heaven?

## Many Catholic Depictions of Christ Crucified Show the Piercing into the Right Side. ## **Here are some examples of crucifixes from monastery.com:** - **Crucifixion Icon ** - **Byzantine Crucifix ** And - **San Damiano Crucifix ** It was from the image of Christ in the crucifix at **San Damiano** which miraculously spoke these words to **St. Francis of Assisi**: > **"Go repair My Church."** ## What is the Catholic Basis and Support from the *depositum Fidei* for the Depiction of the Piercing into the Right Side of Christ? ## The **best answer** will have arguments from the **72 Books of the Catholic Bible** and **from the writings of the Church Fathers**. *If there is any relevant supporting information on the topic, such as from the well known private revelations, that may be included in an Endnote.* ---------- ## Related Question ## On what side was Jesus' stab wound? ----------

Mystery religions: >Hydria by the Varrese Painter (c. 340 BCE) depicting Eleusinian scenes Mystery religions, mystery cults, sacred mysteries or simply mysteries (Greek: μυστήρια), were religious schools of the Greco-Roman world for which participation was reserved to initiates (mystai). The main characteristic of these religious schools was the secrecy associated with the particulars of the initiation and the ritual practice, which may not be revealed to outsiders. The most famous mysteries of Greco-Roman antiquity were the Eleusinian Mysteries, which predated the Greek Dark Ages. The mystery schools flourished in Late Antiquity; Emperor Julian, of the mid-4th century, is believed by some scholars to have been associated with various mystery cults—most notably the mithraists. Due to the secret nature of the schools, and because the mystery religions of Late Antiquity were persecuted by the Christian Roman Empire from the 4th century, the details of these religious practices are derived from descriptions, imagery and cross-cultural studies. > >Justin Martyr in the 2nd century explicitly noted and identified them as "demonic imitations" of the true faith; "the devils, in imitation of what was said by Moses, asserted that Proserpine was the daughter of Jupiter, and instigated the people to set up an image of her under the name of Kore" (First Apology). Through the 1st to 4th century, Christianity stood in direct competition for adherents with the mystery schools, insofar as the "mystery schools too were an intrinsic element of the non-Jewish horizon of the reception of the Christian message"... Source: Greco-Roman mysteries (Wikipedia)

In [2 Corinthians 10:3-5](http://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/2-corinthians/passage.aspx?q=2-corinthians+10:3-5) Paul makes a contrast between spiritual warfare and war "according to human standards": >Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. In using the phrase "we do not wage war according to human standards", is Paul assuming or expecting Christians will all be pacifists, or is he merely highlighting the contrast between physical and spiritual warfare?

The concept of "male headship" is prevalent in various Christian traditions. What is the essence of and the biblical basis for this concept? *I understand that this is a controversial subject, but this question is seeking a rational answer from the position of those who subscribe to it.*

One argument I have encountered in support of the view that homosexuality is natural, and therefore acceptable, is that it occurs within the animal kingdom. For example, the Wikipedia article [Homosexual behavior in animals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals) explains: > Various > non-human [animal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal) species > exhibit behavior that can be interpreted > as [homosexual](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual) or [bisexual](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisexuality) , > often referred to as *same-sex sexual behavior* (SSSB) by scientists. > This may include same-sex [sexual > activity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_sexual_behaviour), [courtship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtship_display), [affection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affection), [pair bonding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pair_bond) , and [parenting > among same-sex animal > pairs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_parenting_in_animals).[^(\[1\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-ES-1)[^(\[2\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-Bailey_2009-2)[^(\[3\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-3) Various > forms of this are found among a variety > of [vertebrate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrate) and [arthropod](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthropod) taxonomic [classes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Class_(biology)) . > The sexual behavior of non-human animals takes many different forms, > even within the same species, though homosexual behavior is best known > from [social species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociality) . > > Scientists observe same-sex sexual behavior in animals in different > degrees and forms among different species > and [clades](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clade) . A 2019 paper states > that it has been observed in over 1,500 > species.[^(\[4\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-4) Although > same-sex interactions involving genital contact have been reported in > many animal species, they are routinely manifested in only a few, > including > humans.[^(\[5\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-5) Other > than humans, the only known species to exhibit exclusive homosexual > orientation is the domesticated sheep ([*Ovis > aries*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovis_aries)) , involving about > 10% of > males.[^(\[6\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-Poiani2010-6)[^(\[7\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-levay-7)[^(\[8\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-8) The > motivations for and implications of these behaviors are often lensed > through anthropocentric thinking; [Bruce > Bagemihl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Bagemihl) states that > any hypothesis is "necessarily an account of human interpretations of > these > phenomena".[^(\[9\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-Bagemihl-9)^( : 2)  > > Proposed causes for same-sex sexual behavior vary across species. > Theories include mistaken identity (especially for > arthropods), [sexually antagonistic > selection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_conflict), [balancing > selection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balancing_selection) , > practice of behaviors needed for reproduction, expression of social > dominance or submission, and social > bonding.[^(\[10\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-10) Genetic , > hormonal, and neurological variations as a basis for individual > behavioral differences within species have been proposed, and same-sex > sexual behavior has been induced in laboratory animals by these means. Similarly, other sexual behaviors such as masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex have also been observed in animals. Once again, the Wikipedia article [Non-reproductive sexual behavior in animals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-reproductive_sexual_behavior_in_animals) explains: > **Animal non-reproductive sexual behavior** encompasses [sexual activities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_sexual_behaviour) that > animals participate in which do not lead to > the [reproduction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reproduction) of the > species. Although procreation continues to be the primary explanation > for [sexual behavior in > animals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_sexual_behavior) , recent > observations on animal behavior have given alternative reasons for the > engagement in sexual activities by > animals.[^(\[1\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-reproductive_sexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-Waal-1) Animals > have been observed to engage in sex for [social > interaction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_interaction) , > bonding, exchange for significant materials, affection, mentorship > pairings, sexual enjoyment, or as demonstration of [social > rank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominance_(ethology)) . Observed > non-procreative sexual activities include > non-[copulatory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copulation_(zoology)) mounting > (without insertion, or by a female, or by a younger male who does not > yet produce semen), oral sex, genital stimulation, anal stimulation, > interspecies mating, [same-sex sexual > interaction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals),[^(\[2\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-reproductive_sexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-Dubuc-2)[^(\[3\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-reproductive_sexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-Bailey-3) and > acts of affection, although it is doubted that they have done this > since the beginning of their > existence.[^(\[4\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-reproductive_sexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-4) There > have also been observations of sex with cub > participants,[^(\[5\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-reproductive_sexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-Dukas-5) as > well as [sex with dead > animals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrophilia_in_animals).[^(\[6\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-reproductive_sexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_note-necro2012-6) How can Christians respond to the fact that animals sometimes engage in sexual behaviors like homosexuality or masturbation? If God made animals, and if God is against sexual immorality, why do these behaviors exist in nature? Are animals “sinning” when they do this, or is it acceptable for them but still wrong for humans? How do Christians who are against homosexuality explain the evidence of homosexuality and other sexual behaviors in animals?

Dispensationalism endeavors to interpret all of the Bible as literal, and attempts to assign the 1,000 years of Revelation chap. 20 to a future millennial period with a future reign of Christ on earth. See the commonly taught seven dispensation periods outlined here and here . >"Dispensationalists quibbled over the number and names of the dispensations, but most American dispensationalists followed Scofield's seven-fold scheme: Innocency (before the Fall), Conscience (Fall to the Flood), Human Government, Promise (Abraham to Moses), Law (Moses to Christ), Grace (the church age), and Kingdom (the millennium)." Summary by Timothy Webber, author of Christianity Today magazine here . However, Revelation chapter 12 opens with events that had already occurred when the book was written, specifically the birth of Christ and the birth of the church of Christ. As both of these events took place in the first century A.D., and as Rev. 12:4 depicts Satan as attempting to devour both Christ (Herod's slaughter of the children), and the saints (the persecution under Sanhedrin and Nero) in the first century A.D., how can the literal dispensationalists make the "short time" of Rev. 12:12 last for centuries? The literal dispensationalists (pre-millennial / post-millennial), as well as a few other literalists, believe the binding of Satan is yet future, that he is still "alive and well" as Hal Lindsey would say. How do they reconcile a period of 2,000 or more years since the birth of Christ and the birth of the church in the first century A.D. to the "short time" of Rev. 12:12 that the devil was permitted to try to defeat Christ?

Jesus does not have a brother in the catholic tradition, his mother Mary is a perpetual virgin, which can hardly be compatible with having several children. Yet in his epistle to the Galatians (1, 19) , Paul calls James "the brother of the Lord". In the first letter to the Corinthians (9: 4-5) , he mentions other brothers of the Lord who have the right to take their wives during their apostolic mission. It is clear in Paul's formulation that compares his rights with "other apostles and the Lord’s brothers, and the apostle Peter" that he does not attribute the qualifier of brother of the Lord only to a few specific individuals. It does not stand as synonym of disciple. From this, several historians hold the position that either Joseph or Mary had children together or from previous relationships for Joseph like P-A. Bernheim(https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2584331-james-brother-of-jesus) , or F. Blanchetière[2] (https://brill.com/view/title/15554) , who point out that, Paul never qualifies Peter or John as brother of the Lord, or Fr John P. Meier who denies[3] (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/838138.A_Marginal_Jew) the theory of cousins that never appears in the Greek version of the Old Testament in which the term *adelphos* marks exclusively the fraternal bond of blood or right. However the Catholic church and many Catholic exegetes believe that Mary didn't had other children, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church , following the traditional reading based on the later belief in the perpetual virginity of Mary, following Jerome [4] (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3007.htm), the first Father of the Church to argue against the siblings theory for the benefit of the cousins one at the end of the fourth century. They also recuse the half-brothers and sisters theory presented in an apocryphal gospel from James, around 180, born of a first marriage of Joseph from previous relationships. Why these "Brothers of the Lord" have been embarrassing for the Catholic Church which make them gradually forgotten and lose their quality of brothers? Why at the same time as the cult of chastity develops, whose mother of Jesus becomes the symbol and which will find its apogee in the doctrine of its perpetual virginity? Note : Other like Assyrian and part of protestants hold this doctrine as well but I narrow my question to the Catholic Church as far as the different schisms had not yet been pronounced when the doctrine was created.

I was just hoping that some of you could help find bible stories or scripture that supports the view of Pouring Baptism.

> 11“I, only I, am the LORD, And there is no savior besides Me. The OT especially has a strong emphasis on there being only one God, Yahweh, and there are only a few scattered and cryptic references to God even having a Son. Trinitarian doctrine tries to solve this problem at least by stating that God is one Being, but represented by three Persons. Non-trinitarians challenge this saying that God and the Son are distinct beings. They would say that Jesus is subordinate to the Father and yet this passage seems to be saying that there is no Savior apart from the Father. The Word of God is manifested plainly in the New Testament, where Jesus seems to be distinct from the Father. But what do non-trinitarians do hermeneutically with passages in the OT like this one that seem to deny the separate existence of the Word? Why would Yahweh say there is no other Savior, whether person or being, knowing that he would be sending his Son to be the Savior of the world? Anyone should feel free to answer the question regardless of their beliefs about the trinity. Here is the verse in its immediate context. > 10“You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “And My servant whom I > have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I > am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after > Me. 11“I, even I, am the LORD, And there is no savior besides Me. > 12“It is I who have declared and saved and proclaimed, And there was > no strange god among you; So you are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, > “And I am God. 13“Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who > can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?”

The Oriental Orthodox Church holds to Miaphysitism—that in the person of Jesus Christ, divinity and humanity are united in one nature (mia physis) without separation, confusion, or change. This view differs from the Chalcedonian definition, which speaks of two distinct natures united in one person. What passages of Scripture are used by the Oriental Orthodox Church to support the doctrine of Miaphysitism?

**What did Jesus eat in relationship to his Jewish culture and tradition?** We all know that the Jews of Jesus' days observed many dietary laws that were laid down by God. What I am interested in knowing is a little more nuanced in regards to Jewish culture and tradition at the time of Jesus. For example, both wheat and barley were grown and eaten by the ancient Jews. However is there any historical references that state when barley loaves would be consumed over loaves made with wheat? I know that many Christian traditions use hosts made with wheat in their communion services, yet the Gospels also recounted the story of two fish and five loaves made of barley loaves [(John6:9)](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%206%3A9&version=NIV) . Do we have any historical records as to when one particular Jew food stuffs would be traditional used over another Jewish alternative? Although I would like an answer to the question in regards to the usage of wheat over barley, I am not limiting this post to these two food stuffs. There may be a Jewish preference or tradition in eating a particular fish on Jewish feasts over everyday meals!

Concerning Ezekiel the Prophet, considering the fact that he was in exile and isolated, does Catholic tradition have anything to say about him?

Is there a bilingual, Greek-English version of St. Romanus's *Akathist Hymn* ?

[Genesis 19:1-20](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2019:1-29&version=NIV) tells the famous story of Soddom and Gomorrah. In the story, the men of Sodom come to Lot's house, and demand that Lot release his visitors to be raped by the men of the town. Lot refuses, and instead offers his virgin daughters (verse 8) to appease the crowd. Nothing else is ever mentioned about Lot offering his daughters to be gang-raped by a crowd of men. In light of this, why is Lot considered "righteous?" (See [2 Peter 2:7](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%202:7&version=NIV)) Can we draw any other conclusions from Lot's actions here? I guess I don't really know what question to ask... I'm just kind of dumb-struck by the situation... What in the world?

In the United States, the Secretary of Defense just lifted the ban on women in combat. Many Christians seem to oppose this idea and believe that women should not be put in combat. What is the biblical basis or precedent for this position?

In Revelation 2:9 and 3:9, John refers to the “synagogue of Satan” — people who claim to be Jews but are not. Some interpreters read this literally (as false converts or hostile groups), while others see it symbolically. My question is: - At the time John wrote Revelation (late 1st century), were there any secret societies, cults, or hidden religious groups in the Greco-Roman world that might have influenced this imagery?

- What are the most common reasons that cause Christians to lose their faith and turn to atheism, agnosticism or skepticism? - Are these reasons only effective against young Christians? What about pastors, priests, elders, evangelists, missionaries, etc.? Are long-time committed Christians also vulnerable to have their faith "shaken" by these reasons? I think these are important questions to answer, especially with so many atheist activists spreading skepticism and atheism nowadays. Wikipedia has an informative [list of atheist activists and educators](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_atheist_activists_and_educators) . There are also the ["Four Horsemen of the New Atheism"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Atheism#%22Four_Horsemen%22) , namely, Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett, and Sam Harris. In social media we also find lots of content producers who spread agnosticism, atheism and skeptical ways of thinking. For example, on YouTube I'm familiar with [Genetically Modified Skeptic](https://www.youtube.com/c/GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic/featured) (458K subscribers), [CosmicSkeptic](https://www.youtube.com/c/CosmicSkeptic) (446K subscribers), [The Atheist Experience](https://www.youtube.com/user/TheAtheistExperience) (365K subscribers), [Rationality Rules](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqZMgLgGlYAWvSU8lZ9xiVg) (296K subscribers), [AronRa](https://www.youtube.com/c/AronRa) (263K subscribers) and [Bart D. Ehrman](https://www.youtube.com/c/bartdehrman) (83K subscribers). Here is [a list with the top 50 atheist YouTube channels](https://blog.feedspot.com/atheist_youtube_channels/) . ____________ EDIT: [For legacy reasons.] This question originally had a third dot point which was removed to make it more focused. However, before the question was closed a user managed to post an answer where a big chunk of it addresses this third point. Therefore, I'm keeping it below for legacy reasons only. Future answerers may feel free to completely ignore it if they wish. > - What measures (if any) are Christian churches taking to counteract these reasons for deconversion? Do any Christian churches or organizations teach people how to have an unshakable faith, even in the face of the most challenging objections?