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Please use the BLOG link on each page to go to
our discussion forum. Post by replying to threads or starting new
threads via the "new topic" link. Current questions and answers will be
posted here, all others may be found on the BLOG forum itself. We're
waiting to hear from YOU!
Gospel Questions
- 1. "The news of Christ's birth disturbed
many."
Why is it that the Jews, upon hearing the news of the impending
birth of their King, did not rejoice? Perhaps it is just my
interpretation of what I have read in the Bible, but it seems that
the Jewish people at the time were more angry and skeptical than
excited or even apprehensive about HIS coming to earth. While trying
to place myself in their situation, I can understand how people
might doubt the authenticity of the claim when they first hear it.
I'm sure we all had our doubts about people coming to us like foxes
dressed in sheep’s clothing. One example that stands out clearly in
my mind is that of David Koresh. The doubtfulness is comprehensible;
however, in this historical case, the most learned men support the
claim and there are many other factors such as his genealogy that
would also indicate the Lord's incarnation.
Also, even though Herod was brutal, we know that "his appointment as
governor was resented by most Jews since he was an Arab" and not the
rightful heir to the thrown of David. One would think that the Jews
would be more curious, if not anything else about this "new human
life" instead of attempting to right off his legitimacy in any way.
- Orthodox Book Club, Dallas
-
2. In the Peshitta Bible text
there is a small footnote regarding Matthew 2:5 regarding the name
Bethlehem. The footnote states, "There is also a Bethlehem of
Galilee, near Nazareth". Is there significance to both of these
towns (one in Galilee and one in Judah-where Christ was born) having
the same name? Was this common?
- OBC
-
3. In his article, George quotes
our Malpan saying that the wise men "believed, like most people in
antiquity, that Heaven communicated its desires and intentions
through signs, comets, starts and astronomical phenomena. Indeed, a
person's destiny was considered determined by the starts under which
one was born." This explanation seems to be more than simply the
study of the stars and celestial bodies; rather, this appears to be
based on astrology--a practice that our church does not condone.
Though I don't personally follow astrology, it does seem a bit odd
that we can honor a belief based on this kind of practice when it is
convenient for us--in this case, to show that the prophecy about
Christ is being fulfilled. Any thoughts?
- OBC
-
4. I am unsure about the
sequence of events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ as
elucidated by the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. We know that Joseph
and Mary came to Bethlehem for the purpose of registering themselves
in the census. Matthew 2:14-15 explains that Joseph took his family
to Egypt after the birth of our Lord. Did the child not have to be
registered as well (especially since the baby was male)? If the
child was also registered, was it not possible for the scribes and
king's men to trace the genealogy of Christ's ancestry to find who
this "King of the Jews" in fact was and in turn seek out Joseph?
- OBC
- 5. Another question pertaining to the
sequence of events: Matt 2:11 indicates that the wise men finds the
baby in a house. Is there a mention of a house anywhere else in the
Bible? The Bible does explain to us that Jesus was born in a manger
as there was no room for him in the inn. How much later was the move
into a house? Was it on the same night? Just to clarify: the star
that guided these Magi led them to a house and not a manger as is
commonly depicted in the secularized depiction of the nativity
scene, right?
- OBC
- OBC
- Ann Zechariah, Chicago
-Tobin
-
9. Who else played a major
role in Jesus' persecution? I've heard of the Pharisees, the
Sadducees, the Sanhedrin, etc. but who are all these people?
-Vibin
-
10. Is there any explanation
for how the Holy Spirit grew in the womb of Mary and became a man?
scientifically, of course, this doesn't seem possible, but what can
explain how this happens? How did spirit become flesh? or are we
supposed to simply accept this with faith?
-Vibin
General Questions
- 11. What if you committed a sin without
knowing it? Will God take it against you because a sin is a sin, no
matter what, or will He forgive you? Also, what if you're a
non-Christian (Hindu, Muslim, Atheist, etc.), will you go to
heaven/hell, or will God base his judgment on your actions and life?
- Bincy Yeldo
- 12. Was Mor Dianasious V Malayali or Syrian?
We were learning about him in Sunday School...so I was just curious
because he did a lot of things in Kottayam, such as printing the
Thaksas and establishing the Syrian Evangelist. However, Dianasious
does not seem like a Malayali name.
- Bessy Yeldo
-D.alex
-
14. OK, color me naive, but
what exactly does our faith preach happens after we die? I know of a
judgment day (or am I getting confused with Catholicism?),
acceptance into heaven, or denial to hell....but what else? What is
known about after death, basically?
-Vibin
-
15. Ok, I realize how broad
this topic is, but how in the world do young people like us get the
courage to spread our faith? every time i start explaining
Christianity to someone, I feel very timid and begin to act like an
outside observer rather than a dedicated believer. How can we get
courage to profess our faith, and what should we say/do ?
-Vibin
-
16. If a person (terrorist
lets say) comes up to you and forces you to denounce God or die, is
it okay if you temporarily denounce Him, but don't mean it? I know
that sounds awkward, but what if you said that to keep on living and
carry out God's work? It's like if you purposefully denounced God so
that you could live and carry out His will with your life.
-Bincy Yeldo
Gospel Answers
- 6. The Bible
doesn't say how many wise men came to see baby Jesus. All we know is
that they brought Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Hope this
helps!
-Bincy
Yeldo
- 8. Father's love
--> Free will.
I don't know if this is completely the "correct" theology; but I
remember reading a book called "Letters from a Skeptic" (or the
title was something like that). One of the points that came up in
that book was this question of the problem of "evil".
From that book, one point that struck me was God gave us free will
to choose Him. He didn't make us inanimate objects in which all our
decisions are made before us.
If everything were provided and given would we really have a choice
to seek Him? Out of His love he may be allowing His creation to hurt
Him with evil, because of a desire for genuine love.
Likewise consider your own parents... depending on your age they are
probably allowing you more and more "freedom". To learn on your own
to seek good on your own...rather than have everything provided. But
even still your parents don't disappear...they remain and still
love.
-Guest
General Answers
- 16 A. Psalm 116:15
-- "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."
Easy as it is to say, but difficult as it is to live... this world
is only temporary...set our sights on Him and His kingdom...that is
where our treasure is.
...but once again, in my life...easy said but harder to accept and
do.
But more than dying...I think living that daily death is harder. to
submit our daily desires and give up on some of them...because they
are not pleasing to Him.
The Orthodox Church has been a persecuted church for the longest
time...and still is. (ie. look into the Coptic Church or the Russian
Orthodox during Stalin's time.)
-Guest
-
16 B.
This answer is just according to what I think. Don't take it
personally. I don't think you should deny Jesus, no matter what the
situation is. Peter denied Jesus three times and he was very sorry
that he did. If you should die in the name of Jesus, that is a very
blessed cause to die for. After all, He died for us and gave up his
whole life for us, so why not give up our life for Him? Don't deny
him no matter what. He didn't deny that He was the Son of God or
that He wasn't the Messiah.
-Bessy
Yeldo
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