There is already a related question on intersex people here: [How are intersex people explained by Christianity?](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/83572/117426) I’ve also come across some personal stories and documentaries on YouTube: * [“I Was Born With Male and Female Parts” | Listen Up | ABC Science](https://youtu.be/4fP8WZXplR4) * [“I Learned I Was Intersex At 21” | Listen Up | ABC Science](https://youtu.be/vcSCW51PSIs) * [Born Intersex: Defying The Binary (Medical Documentary) | Real Stories](https://youtu.be/QVHq8wb19jo) This made me wonder: has there ever been a documented case, in the records of any Christian organization, of an intersex individual being healed of their intersex condition by God? --- --- "Intersex" is the colloquial term used to refer to what medically is known as [*disorders of sex development*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development) (DSD): > **Disorders of sex development** (**DSDs**), also known as **differences in sex development**, **variations in sex > characteristics** (**VSC**),[^(\[2\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-NHS-2)[^(\[3\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-3) **sexual > anomalies**, or **sexual abnormalities**, are [congenital > conditions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congenital_disorder) affecting > the [reproductive > system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_reproductive_system) , in > which development > of [chromosomal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromosome), [gonadal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonad) , > or [anatomical sex](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatomical_sex) is > atypical.[^(\[4\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-lee-4)[^(\[5\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-5) > > DSDs are subdivided into groups in which the labels generally > emphasize the [karyotype](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karyotype) 's > role in diagnosis: 46,XX; 46,XY; sex chromosome; XX, sex reversal; > ovotesticular disorder; and XY, sex > reversal.[^(\[6\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-6) > > Infants born with atypical genitalia often cause confusion and > distress for the family. [Psychosexual > development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychosexual_development) is > influenced by numerous factors that include, but are not limited to, > gender differences in brain > structure, [genes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene) associated with > sexual development, prenatal androgen exposure, interactions with > family, and cultural and societal > factors.[^(\[7\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-7) Because > of the complex and multifaceted factors involved, communication and > psychosexual support are all important. > > A team of experts, or patient support groups, are usually recommended > for cases related to sexual anomalies. This team of experts are > usually derived from a variety of disciplines > including [pediatricians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pediatrics), [neonatologists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonatology) , > pediatric [urologists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urologists) , > pediatric [general > surgeons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_surgery), [endocrinologists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrinologist), [geneticists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneticist), [radiologists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiologists), [psychologists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychologist) and [social > workers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_work).[^(\[8\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-:332-8)[^(\[9\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-9)[^(\[10\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-:432-10) These > professionals are capable of providing first line (prenatal) and > second line diagnostic (postnatal) tests to examine and diagnose > sexual anomalies. > > > #### Gonadal development disorders > > Gonadal development disorders form a wide spectrum, classified by > their [cytogenetic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytogenetics) and [histopathological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histopathology) features . > However, unsolved diagnosis > and [malignancy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malignancy) still > represent difficulties in the sex determination of these > patients.[^(\[37\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-37) Such > disorders include partial or complete gonadal > dysgenesis, [ovotesticular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovotesticular_disorder) DSD, [testicular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testicular) DSD > and [sex > reversal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_reversal).[^(\[8\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-:332-8) > > #### Abnormal genital development > > Genital abnormality can occur in the penis, scrotum or testes in > males; and vagina and labia in > females.[^(\[8\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-:332-8) Sometimes , > ambiguous genitalia could occur, where the clear distinction of > external genitalia is absent in both male and female. Hence, > examination (typically at birth) is carried out where the sex of the > patient will be determined > through [imaging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imaging_biomarker) and [blood > tests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_test).[^(\[8\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-:332-8) Abnormal > genital development includes disorders of fetal origin, disorders in > androgen synthesis or action, disorders in [anti-Müllerian > hormone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-M%C3%BCllerian_hormone) synthesis > or > action.[^(\[8\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-:332-8) > > #### Others > > In addition to the aforementioned sexual anomalies, there are other > unclassified sexual anomalies. In males, this includes severe > early-onset [intrauterine growth > restriction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_growth_restriction) , > isolated [hypospadias](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypospadias), [congenital > hypogonadotropic > hypogonadism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congenital_hypogonadotropic_hypogonadism), [hypogonadism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypogonadism) and [cryptorchidism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptorchidism) . > In females, this includes [Malformation > syndromes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malformation_syndrome), [Müllerian > agenesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BCllerian_agenesis)/[hypoplasia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoplasia), [uterine > anomalies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uterine_malformation), [vaginal > atresia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaginal_atresia) and [labial > adhesions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labial_adhesions).[^(\[8\])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disorders_of_sex_development#cite_note-:332-8)

Does anyone have any good resources on Astronomical dating of Biblical prophecy? I have been looking into how Daniel and John used Astronomical "signs" to date their prophecies and have made several interesting connections. But I need more information on how these prophets use the descriptions of their visions to relate with astronomical positions of the stars and planets.

Fasting is mentioned multiple times in the Bible. Some passages that I remember: > [Joel 2:12-13 ESV] 12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord,  “return to me with all your heart, **with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning**; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. > [Luke 2:36-37 ESV] 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, **worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day**. > [Matthew 4:1-4 ESV] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 **And after fasting forty days and forty nights**, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘**Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God**.’” > [Luke 4:1-4 ESV] And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. **And he ate nothing during those days**. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 And Jesus answered him, **“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”** > [Acts 9:8-9 ESV] 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, **and neither ate nor drank**. > [Acts 13:2-3 ESV] 2 While they were **worshiping the Lord and fasting**, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after **fasting and praying** they laid their hands on them and sent them off. > [Acts 14:23 ESV]  And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, **with prayer and fasting** they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. > [Matthew 17:20-21 KJV] 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out **but by prayer and fasting**. > [Matthew 9:15 ESV] And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, **and then they will fast**. > [Mark 2:20 ESV] The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, **and then they will fast** in that day. > [Luke 5:35 ESV] The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, **and then they will fast** in those days.” I'm seeking book recommendations on Christian fasting, **written by Protestant authors**, encompassing both its theoretical and practical aspects. Specifically, I'm interested in resources that explore the spiritual dimensions of fasting within Christian spirituality, including its influence on prayer, worship, fostering a closer relationship with God, combating sin and temptation, subduing the flesh, and strengthening the spirit. Additionally, I'm looking for practical tips and suggestions on how to integrate fasting into daily life, discern when to undertake longer fasts (e.g., 21 days, 40 days), and understand the Holy Spirit's guidance regarding fasting (as we see in Luke 4:1 and Matthew 4:1). Thank you.

Where can I find old Holy Office decrees that are not contained in the *Acta Sanctæ Sedis* (1856-1908) or in the *Acta Apostolicæ Sedis* (1909-present)? For example, I want to check out the citations for canon 1258 of the 1917 Code listed here: > **S. C. S. Off.**, 23 mart. 1656, ad 4; 13 nov. 1669; decr. 20 nov. 1704; > 9 dec. 1745; > > litt. (ad Vic. Ap. Algeriae), 21 ian. 1751; > > (Mission. Tenos in Pelopponeso), 10 maii 1753, ad 1; > > (Algeriae), 14 sept. 1780; > > (Kentucky), 13 ian. 1818, ad 1; > > (Queebec), 23 febr. 1820, ad 1, 3; > > instr. (ad Ep. Sanctorien.), 12 maii 1841, n.2; > > instr. 22 iun 1859; > > (Sanctorien.), instr. (ad Archiep. Corcyren.), 3 ian. 1871, n. 2; > > (Columbi), 14 ian. 1874; > > (Tunkin. Central.), 29 mart. 1879; > > (Bucarest), 8 maii 1889; 19 aug. 1891; > > instr. 1 aug. 1900; > > 24 ian. 1906; > **S. C. de Prop. Fide** (C. G.), 17 apr. 1758, ad 2; > > 15 dec. 1764, ad 3; > > (C. G. - Antibar.), 2 aug. 1803, ad 1; > > (C. P. pro Sin. - Cochinchin.), 2 iul. 1827; > > (C. G.), 21 nov. 1837; > > instr. (ad Vic. Ap. Scopiae), 26 sept. 1840, ad 14; > > litt. (ad Vic. Ap. Aegypti), 3 maii 1876 I tried to find the last citation in the Acta Sanctae Sedis but couldn't, does anyone know where I should look? I'm interested in all the citations for the canon except *Ex illa*, *Ex quo*, *Inter omnigenas* and *Dolorem*. If anyone can help me find any of the above documents or others cited in the canon I'd appreciate it. Any language is good.

I am looking for a good overview/introduction to atonement theory that covers multiple points of view so that I can better understand the difference between the various different theories. I am not looking for someone to outline them here, as I would like a more thorough answer than what would be reasonable in a SE answer. I am also looking for something beyond what Wikipedia provides, as frankly it is not very helpful. Perhaps a book that devotes a chapter or two to an academic presentation of several different views, but doesn't (strongly) argue for or against any of them, would be best.

Do you know of any other books (besides those by John Sailhamer) that advocate for Historical Creationism?

Here's a question for the community wiki. What are the top 10 Catholic academic journals in English? I can think of a few (*The Thomist*, *Nova et Vetera*, *Catholic Biblical Quarterly*), but I haven't been able to find a list anywhere. I'm looking for the top ten scholarly journals, sorted roughly by readership or some other criterion.

The Protestant Marko Latvakoski of "The Mission of God" (or a certain "Cory Cornelius"), in the context of Apocalypse 13 supposedly being fulfilled, claims : >Pope Leo XIV declared, “We must dissolve the barriers between faiths {ONE WORLD THEOLOGY} to achieve lasting peace on earth.” Did Leo XIV say this? Latvakoski/Cornelius continues: >The Antichrist is said to perform great acts in the name of peace, seducing the world into worshiping as one. Pope Leo’s unprecedented interfaith push has set off alarm bells for believers everywhere. >

I live in Nepal. I have no background in any of the Abrahamic religions. I want to study the Bible in simple language with the aid of a book that provides context and spiritual meanings. By "simple" I do not mean simple English. My English is very good. I want a proper explanation of the use of metaphors, myths, etc. in the Bible The book also needs to be suitable for self study. I already have the [Thomas Nelson KJV Study Bible](https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/the-king-james-study-bible-full-color-kjv/) . **Example**: I am right now on the book of Genesis. I was reading the passage about the fight between the Serpent and Eve. There is a verse (Gen 3:15) that says something like he will strike heels and she his head. I want to know if there is any spiritual metaphor here, or whether I am missing something. These are the kind of questions I have that I hope the study aid can answer.

I am aware that it was most likely originally composed in Latin (this is why it is highly unlikely that St. Athanasius himself wrote it) but has anyone ever tried translating it into Koine Greek? If so, where would I be able to find the text?

Does anyone know if an online copy (e.g. stored at the *Internet Archive*) of Bishop Richard Challoner's translation of Thomas à Kempis' "The Imitation of Christ" exists; and if so, where I may find it? What I do know exist (not necessarily online) are: 1. A 1927 edition published by Benziger Brothers with an Imprimatur by Patrick Cardinal Hayes, Archbishop of New York. 1. A similar version by the same publisher c. 1895 with an Imprimatur by an earlier Archbishop. 1. An 1893 edition published by Desclee, Lefebbre & Co., Belgium with an Imprimatur But alas, I have not been able to locate any of the above editions online. The only edition I have been able to find is a TAN Books "Retypeset and republished" edition (in 1989) of a Benziger Brothers edition (year unknown) translated by Richard Challoner, with imprimaturs by the Archbishop of New York Michael Augustine (1895) and Patrick Cardinal Hayes (1926), which can be found at *archive.org* [here](https://ia802903.us.archive.org/25/items/TheImitationOfChristChalloner/TheImitationOfChristChalloner.pdf) , which I don't want because it isn't a true copy of the original.

I noticed many questions about how to figure out or what exactly constitutes an infallible statement from the Pope of the Catholic Church. Since it is infallible Dogma within the Catholic church to believe that the Pope can make these infallible *ex Cathedra* statements on matters of faith, there must be a single agreed upon list of these statements... but I cannot seem to find one. The Vatican’s website or Denzinger’s *Sources of Catholic Dogma* compile key papal teachings, but they don’t explicitly label statements as *ex cathedra*... Are these statements just so rare that there are literally only 2 (making my search kinda silly?): 1. The Immaculate Conception (Pope Pius IX, *Ineffabilis Deus*, 1854), declaring that Mary was conceived free from original sin. 2. The Assumption of Mary (Pope Pius XII, *Munificentissimus Deus*, 1950), declaring that Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven. But... considering things like Vatican II which changed Mass significantly... or Pope John Paul II’s *Ordinatio Sacerdotalis* (1994) on the male-only priesthood (which feels like just a reconfirmation of something that had existed for 1900ish years)... I'm not trying to poke holes in the concept of Papal infallibility, but is there really no list of infallible statements, if Catholics must believe in this Dogma?

While reading the Prophecy of the Popes, I noticed that the entry for the 111 Pope in the series reads: Glory of the olive (Gloria oliviae). Wikipedia's article on this subject states: > Proponents of the prophecies generally try to draw a connection between Benedict and the Olivetan order to explain this motto: Benedict's choice of papal name is after Saint Benedict of Nursia, founder of the Benedictine Order, of which the Olivetans are one branch. Other explanations make reference to him as being a pope dedicated to peace and reconciliations of which the olive branch is the symbol. The olive is considered the symbol of peace. >The use of a dove and olive branch as a symbol of peace originated with the early Christians, who portrayed the act of baptism accompanied by a dove holding an olive branch in its beak and also used the image on their sepulchres. The dove appears in many funerary inscriptions in the Roman catacombs, sometimes accompanied by the words in pace (Latin for "in peace"). - Peace symbols (Wikipedia) When Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope, he took the papal name of Francis in honor of **St Francis of Assisi**. Furthermore St Francis of Assisi is also one of the patron saints of peace. My question is quite simple: **Are there any known Catholic authors who have tried to interpret the papal reigns of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis as being a single reign in order to make both of them fit into St Malachy's *Gloria oliviae* of his Prophecy of the Popes?** To be crystal clear, Pope Francis holds the keys of St. Peter and not Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. > “That is what I have said, indeed, that – if one wishes to specify it – it is very clear, the **Plena Potestas, the Plenitudo Potestatis** [full power, incarnate authority] is in the hands of Pope Francis. He is the man who has right now the succession of Peter. And then there are no difficulties left, as I also have said it. These two are also not in a competitive relationship. That is where one has to make use of common sense, as well as the Faith and a little bit of theology. Then one does not have at all difficulties to understand properly [sic] what I have said.” - [Interview: Archbishop Gänswein on Benedict, The Two Popes, and Prophecy](https://onepeterfive.com/interview-archbishop-ganswein-on-benedict-the-two-popes-and-prophecy/)

I've read where The Gospel of Thomas was originally composed in the Coptic language (actually some sayings are believed to have been written in Greek predating the Coptic) but I've also seen where scholars have 'reversed engineered' the Coptic back into a Greek dialect. I'm wondering if such a document is easily accessible and its location. Specifically I'm looking for the Greek (from Coptic?) for saying number 108: "Jesus said, 'He who will drink from my mouth will become like Me. I myself shall become he, and the things that are hidden will become revealed to him.'"

I'm trying to find Calvin's commentary on Psalm 88 in his original Latin.

Is the Nestle-Aland *Novum Testamentum Graece* or the United Bible Societies *Greek New Testament* available in .sword format, for use with software such as Xiphos or AndBible?

Are there liberal-leaning Protestant interpretations of Jacques Maritain's thought, in particular his [Integral Humanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Maritain#Integral_Humanism) ? I tried searching the Internet but unable to find the answer, although I did find very general statements such as "Maritain still has a huge influence in Christian thought". In my opinion, there are very many parts of his philosophy that are in line with Protestantism, in particular with Reformed and liberal Protestantism (emphasis on reason, on freedom, on tolerance, etc.), and his style of thought is reminiscent to me of the intellectual style in liberal Reformed churches. [*GotQuestion*](https://www.gotquestions.org/secular-humanism.html) has a long and in-depth discussion on Christian humanism (to which belongs Maritain), so I feel astonished not to find more easily a bridge between Protestantism and him. I did find some [recent critical discussion of him by Catholics](https://onepeterfive.com/jacques-maritain-visionary-leftist/) . Maritain was critical of Luther and Calvin but he was not anti-Protestant, and expressed gratitude for some things they brought.

I'm looking for an English translation of Martin Luther's notes in his German Bible translation. Or maybe it would be called his preface. My understanding is that he included personal notes before each book in the New Testament. Does anyone know what I am talking about or where I could find it? Thanks.

I've been looking specifically for a PDF version of the Martin Luther 1534 translation of the Bible with a Parallel English translation (preferably KJV, but any edition will do). I've been hitting a serious brick wall in finding any such composition. Does such a creature exist? I have a Crossway hard copy edition, but the Martin Luther translation is a revised edition and of course it's physical - I need a PDF for portability and markup purposes (using Liquid Text for markup and note taking): 

I have been a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod for most of my life. My problem is that now, as a middle-aged man, and for the last five years, I have realized that I am a gay man. I am not thrilled about this and I wish it was not the case. I also have not done anything in furtherance of it either. I believe the Bible condemns it as sin. However, in being a member of a conservative denomination such as mine, I have nowhere to turn for help. I live in daily fear of God's wrath and worry that I'm in danger of being "given up" as mentioned in Roman's 1:24. I have a great pastor but I don't feel like I can come talk to him about this because I don't know what would happen. Thus, I am reluctant to ring a bell that can't be unrung. Any references to literature, etc. Would be most appreciated.