Most Recent couple of postings:
But isn’t “Penal Substitution” actually illegal (if not immoral)? (65k)
Small clarification on the God-Omnipotence-BigRock problem ("aren't you sorta misusing the term Omnipotence?")
Is the Bible "as violent" as the Quran/Hadith?
Does Micah 5 speak about the birth-place of the Messiah, or only His birth-family?
.....................................................................................
Old Testament Issues:
Questions about the OT/Tanaach as a document (e.g., authorship, dating, transmission)
on the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch? [Nov 9/97, 24kb]
...but was the Pentateuch "adulterated" by later additions? [39kb, Jan2/98]
Was there a textual corruption cover-up over Daniel 8.14? (17k, Apr/04)
" Was Daniel written AFTER the events he foretold?" [menu+2 files, 201K/462K, Nov 28/2k]
Questions about the character of God
How could a God of Love order the massacre/annihilation of the Canaanites?[updated Oct/2k]
Why did God punish the Canaanites for child sacrifice, when He personally ORDERED Abraham to do it?![02/14/97, 21k]
Did God force the people of Jerusalem into cannibalism?!! (4k, 4/8/97)
The Hardening of Pharoah's Heart (12k)
Who Moved David to start his Tragic Census? (8k)
Wasn't Elisha very cruel when he sent those bears against those little kids who were teasing him about being bald?[11k, Oct 26/1999]
Shouldn't the butchering of Amalekite children be considered war crimes? (Oct/2000, 159k)
What about God’s obvious cruelty to the Midianites in Numbers 31? (177k)
“Was God being cruel in the killing of the Firstborn at the Exodus?” (Dec/03, 50k)
Are the laws in the OT about rape and virginity indicative of a God who is either unfair to women (or maybe even just unrealistic/ignorant)? [119k, May/2001]
Questions about matters of fact
...are there any EXTRA-biblical refs to longevity BEFORE the flood?(8/2/96)
Is there extra-biblical evidence for Post-flood longevity? (10k, Apr/04)
Who were the "Sons of God" in Genesis 6? (12/25/95)
Where in the Hebrew Bible does it predict a resurrection after 3 days?
Was the OT wrong about camels being domesticated at the time of Abraham? [20kb, Apr 18/98]
How likely is it that Noah was the only righteous person on the whole earth, at the time of the Flood? (Apr 5/2001)
Did Ephron offer the burial plot to Abraham for free, or was it just an 'expensive' business deal?
Why aren't dinosaurs mentioned in the bible? [6k, Sept 2001]
A Reply to the 'Fivefold Challenge'-- part one (144k, Mar 13/98), dealing with
The parting of the Red Sea(144k, Mar 13/98)
Joshua's 'long day'?(144k, Mar 13/98)
Reversal of the sun by Isaiah?(144k, Mar 13/98)
Questions about possible contradictions
Well, did God LIKE what Jehu did or NOT--"another" contradiction? (9k, 1/5/97)
Well, was Terah 70 or 130 when Abe was born--not good at math, were they?! [3kb, Apr 15/98]
Questions about theology or interpretation
Did the Jews understand the 'weeks' of Daniel as 'years'? [23kb, Mar 29/98]
Adam, Eve, and Incest (12/25/95)
Does Isaiah 45.7 teach that God created metaphysical ethical evil [Feb 14/99, 37k]
Series: responses to The Fabulous Prophecies of the Messiah" (Updated 5/17/97)
Messianic Expectations in 1st Century Judaism--Documentation from Non-Christian Sources (I just got tired of answering this over and over and over...) (78k+, 8/7/96)
A question someone asked about my argument on Is 7:14 (8/30/95)
Is Isaiah 53.10 about Israel, rather than about Jesus? (60k)
Question on contacting the dead (the Witch of Endor story) (22k, Aug 28/2k)
"What would an inscription about Yahweh having a Consort prove?" (May 20, 2002)
New
Testament Issues:
Questions about the New Testament as a document (e.g., authorship, dating, transmission, accuracy)
Did the evangelists/disciples invent the miracles stories of Jesus? …
"Did they write the gospels as intentional myth?" (Oct 4/2001)
Did the Greeks/Romans "believe" their myths, and what would be the implications of that for the gospel authors?" (Oct 9/2001)
Did the evangelists 'free create' miracle stories about Jesus, after some Midrashic fashion? (Nov/2001)
Did the evangelists create miracle stories about Jesus, as the later rabbis seemed to do about each other? (Dec 5/2001)
Did the evangelists mean their writings to be taken as historical fiction or as a historical novel? (Dec 10//2001)
Did the evangelists invent the miracle stores of Jesus to make him look like a Jewish wonder-worker, OT prophet, or messianic figure? (Feb 10, 2002)
"Are there any indications from internal data that the miracle stories are authentic?" (Jun 7/2002)
"Are there any indications from external data that the miracle stories are authentic?" (Jun 19/2002)
'Did Matthew invent the setting for the Sermon on the Mount? [Nov 23/97, 13kb].
"Is the tomb story flawed because the term 'rolled' is used?" (72k)
Did John invent the story of the raising of Lazarus?! (Dec 13/97, 4kb)
How did the peasant apostle John write the book of Revelation in Greek?[9/30/97, tiny]
Why was the New Testament written in Greek? (6k, Jul 20/2003)
How does the memory research of Elizabeth Loftus on eyewitness testimony affect the credibility of NT documents? [6/22/97, 82k]
Were the NT writers influenced by pagan religions? (Matthew) [6/14/97, 57k]
Was Jesus Christ just a CopyCat Savior Myth? [5/17/97, 88k]
Is the Sermon on the Mount actually an ancient Essene prayer dating to hundreds of years before Christ?! (4k, 1/5/97)
was Nazareth a mythical place (as SOME skeptics believe)?(6/20/96)
Are some of the NT letters 'pious forgeries'? (Part 1, 685k, October 13, 2002)
Could the resurrection appearances be a case of GROUP Hallucination? (5/31/96)
Did the Messianic Jewish Believers use the OT deceitfully or ignorantly in the New Testament [116k, Apr 25/98]
does Micah 5 speak about the birth-place of the Messiah, or only His birth-family?
Did Jesus/NT authors misquote the Shema when they used the phrase 'with all your mind'? (17k, Jul 20/2003)
Did the gospel authors simply rip-off stories from the OT and ascribe them to Jesus?[May 5, 1999; 93k]
Series: interaction with James Still over NT composition and bias of authors (updated July 23, 1998)
Series: responses to The Fabulous Prophecies of the Messiah" (Updated 5/17/97)
Messianic Expectations in 1st Century Judaism--Documentation from Non-Christian Sources (I just got tired of answering this over and over and over...) (78k+, 8/7/96)
Does the 'bias' of the NT writers make it Unusable as evidence?! (4/6/96, 52k)
A response to a believer's question about "Was John's gospel Anti-Semitic?" (6/11/95, 13k)
...What about the Gospel of Thomas?!(8/25/96, 37K)
Are 1st and 2nd Peter NOT by Peter, but by someone using his name? (Nov 6/1999, 56k)
Did the Christians simply invent the "pierced my hands and feet" passage in Psalm 22? (45KB),
Should the possible addition of John 8.1-11 make us paranoid about other possible inauthentic 'additions'? (9k, Apr/04)
Why does Jude quote from a non-canonical book, and we moderns not accept that book as scripture?
Questions about the character of Jesus
Was Jesus Christ just a CopyCat Savior Myth? [5/17/97, 88k]
Did Jesus cry out to the pagan deity known as 'El' on the Cross? (14kb, 4/28/97)
Did Jesus make a error about the time of His 2nd Advent?" (10/23/96, 42K)
Why was Jesus so mean and insulting to the Canaanite woman? (10/23/96, 17K)
Was Jesus a failure as the Messiah? (11/1/95) and “Why should we believe Jesus was the Messiah, if He didn’t fulfill all the prophecies when He was here?” (219K, Nov 15/2k)
Was Jesus really fraudulent, dishonest, sacrilegious, and conspiratorial?(58k)
Jesus the Hate-monger? (28k)
Is it okay to offer Prayer and Worship to Jesus, and not just to the Father? (9k, Jul 20/2003)
Questions about matters of fact
Two historical issues in Acts: Theudas and the Sanhedrin [10/11/97, 25kb]
What about Luke's mistake about the Census?! (2/24/95, 16k; updated 5/27/97)
SURELY that thing about all those resurrected people walking around in Jerusalem after Jesus' death is bogus, right? (11k, 4/8/97)
was Nazareth a mythical place (as SOME skeptics believe)?(6/20/96)
Could the resurrection appearances be a case of GROUP Hallucination? (5/31/96)
A question about the events surrounding the women's first visit to the Empty Tomb (5/27/96)
Did Jesus/NT authors misquote the Shema when they used the phrase 'with all your mind'? (17k, Jul 20/2003)
If the BirthStar appeared in the East, why did the Magi go WEST? [3kb, Apr 15/98]
Series: Extrabiblical References to Jesus, before 200 ad.. Last update was 4/2/96.
Do none of the New Testament letters really mention "Jesus", but only "Christ"? (9k, Aug28/2k)
Was the NT wrong about roosters being allowed in Jerusalem? (12k, Aug 28/2k)
Did the bible lie about Jesus not being married? (48k, Dec28/2k)
Was the burial of Jesus a temporary one, because of time constraints? (May 26, 2002; 411kb)
Questions about possible contradictions
Well, was it 'after 3 days/nites' or 'on the 3rd day'? [Nov 23/97, 8kb]
On a contradiction between Acts 1 and I Cor 15? [9/30/97, tiny]
Well, did Jesus tell them to take a staff or not? Another contradiction?! [7/27/97, 13kb]
Do the Resurrection accounts HOPELESSLY contradict one another? [03/05/97, 88k]
How many demoniacs were there--and why are the accounts so different? (3k, 3/18/97)
"Three days and nights" versus "On the third day"? (12/25/95)
Are the Christologies of Mark and John radically different? (14k, Aug 28/2000)
Why do the gospels disagree on the last sayings of Jesus on the Cross?
Questions about theology or interpretation
On the meaning of 'born again' in Scripture [9/30/97, tiny]
How did the Gentiles get in the picture if the Jews were the 'chosen ones'? [10k, Sept 2001]
Doesn't Paul's argument in Romans 9 pretty clearly indicate that people's free choices are determined by God--without consideration of free will, etc.? (Apr 5/2001)
When and how long was Jesus in Hell? (11/1/95)
On...the"FirstBORN of creation"? (12/25/95)
Did NT believers mix law and grace? (12/25/95)
A response to a believer's question about "Was John's gospel Anti-Semitic?" (6/11/95, 13k)
“ Was First Thess 2.15ff seriously anti-Semitic??!! (Dec/03, 32k)
Jesus' Death as God's Small Price to Pay?(48k) and “If Jesus didn’t stay dead, how could His death have been a REAL sacrifice?” (Nov 10/150kb)
Is polygamy allowed by the New Testament? [15k] and follow-up question on polygamy: 'one wife' or 'a first wife' (7k)
Does the New Testament condone slavery?(Dec 30,1999, 156k)
Was Judas actually "obeying God" when he fulfilled the Scripture? (8k, Aug 28/2k)
What is "repentance"? (13k, Aug 28/2k)
Is it okay to offer Prayer and Worship to Jesus, and not just to the Father? (9k, Jul 20/2003)
Does the NT contradict the Hebrew Bible by saying that the 'eternal law' has been annulled or changed? (434K, Feb 24/2003)
Does the Joel quote in Acts 2 indicate astral worship by Israel?
Questions about NT backgrounds
A reference to the Temple doors opening beginning around the time of the Crucifixion [9/30/97, tiny]
Series: Extrabiblical References to Jesus, before 200 ad.. Last update was 4/2/96.
Questions about Paul
Series: responding to one Muslim piece on Paul being radically 'non-Jesus' [updated Feb 16/1998]
Post-NT
Issues:
Questions about the Canon
Were the Apostolic Fathers unable to distinguish between authentic and unauthentic books? [88kb, Aug 24/98]
Wasn't the process of deciding what books were to be included in the bible rather BOGUS?! [started 8/6/97; multi-part]
...What about the Gospel of Thomas?!(8/25/96, 37K)
Why does Jude quote from a non-canonical book, and we moderns not accept that book as scripture?
Questions about the early church and its beliefs/praxis
Are the Nazarenes and Ebionites the only TRUE Christians? [Dec 27/97, part one, 115kb]
My reply to a Muslim who disagreed with my assessment of the evidence on the Nazarenes and Ebionites [84k, Jan 18/98].
Did the early Church believe in Reincarnation? (Dec 13/97, 5kb)
Is it mistaken to understand Pliny's reference to the Christian women as meaning 'deaconesses'?
A long, detailed piece on Did the Christians burn/destroy all the classical literature? [8/2/96, 60k].
Did the Christians simply invent the "pierced my hands and feet" passage in Psalm 22? (45KB),
Questions about the social/religious context of the early church
Was Josephus relying on the Gospel of Matthew? (Dec 13/97, 10kb)
Did the Christians just OUTLIVE those who "knew better and were silent"? (12/12/96, 10kb)
did the Roman empire totally distort the New Testament documents?(6/20/96)
I absent-mindedly answered the question "Would eyewitnesses to the NT REALLY have been able to refute it?" TWICE--with two sets of data(!). One here and one here (12/25/95).
Does the Secret Gospel of Mark prove the Church suppressed/hid the truth at will? [Oct 18/1999, 31k]
Theological
Issues:
Does God condone slavery in the Bible? (OT) [Nov 9/97, 76kb]
Did God arbitrarily decide who to save and who to condemn? (175k, Oct 22/2002)
Does being born in a Western culture unfairly predetermine that you will become a Christian?” (Nov/03, 43k)
Does God's judgment in time unfairly compromise someone's 'free will'? (Apr 5/2001)
Doesn't Paul's argument in Romans 9 pretty clearly indicate that people's free choices are determined by God--without consideration of free will, etc.? (Apr 5/2001)
How did the Gentiles get in the picture if the Jews were the 'chosen ones'? [10k, Sept 2001]
Is God a self-centered and insecure glory-hog, because He created an entire universe just to sit around and praise Him?
Did God make evil? [9/30/97, the tiniest you will ever see here!]...somebody disagreed [Feb 13/99, 37k]
How do textual errors in modern bibles impact 'inerrancy'? [7/23/97, 8k]
"How can God not lie, and still Deceive the Wicked?" (6/3/96)
"Was Jesus' death a violation of the commandment against human sacrifice?"(5/31/96)
"But isn’t “Penal Substitution” actually illegal (if not immoral)??" (65k).
Does the Bible advocate abstinence from alcoholic beverages?
If God cannot look upon sin, how can the Holy Spirit be present inside the believer?
Is it okay to offer Prayer and Worship to Jesus, and not just to the Father? (9k, Jul 20/2003)
Are there any limits to the evil a believer can experience? (11/1/95)
What use was Jesus' death on the Cross? (12/25/95)
If sins are forgiven, how will Christians be judged? (12/25/95)
Isn't Jesus admitting that the Unpardonable sin could be committed today? (21k, Apr/04)
Did Christ die on the Cross for Satan? [3kb, Apr 15/98]
Why can't God just forgive sin, instead of demanding justice? [Dec 8,1998; 61k]
What kind of a choice is THAT--Love Me or Burn?! (36k, Aug 28/2k)
Evidence for the existence of the soul (128K, 7/20/97).
What about Those Who Haven't Heard The Gospel (1/24/96, 50k)
"is the Bible "as violent" as the Quran/Hadith?"
Jesus' Death as God's Small Price to Pay?(48k)
Wouldn't a heresy inside the Bible be a fatal flaw in the Christian system?
The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart (12k)
God is Wrathful, Vengeful, Jealous, and Angry every day--and you want me to have a relationship with Him?! [262k, Jul 23/2k]
Why didn't God stop the process before it started, if He knew of the massive amounts of suffering that would befall many of His creatures?? (5 part series) Jun 3/2k
What is "repentance"? (13k, Aug 28/2k)
Does female "pain-prone" reproductive physiology indicate that God apparently hates women? (145k, Apr 26/2k1)
Philosophical
Issues:
A major 75+, multiple section document on Knowing the Truth of the Christian Position--major issues.
Is there evidence for the existence of 'spirits' and some 'spiritual dimension'?" (166k, September 25, 2001)
Do unconscious processes (automaticity) undermine the Christian faith?" (two parts, Sept 28/2002, 368k and 216K)
Added part two to "How do you decide between competing revelations?" (updated Dec 14/97)
Why doesn't God give us Proof? [4/21/96] (the person to whom I wrote the response was very appreciative! I wrote a response to Adam, trying to answer some of his follow-up questions [11/23/96]).
Does complexity REALLY require a “more complex” cause? (51k)
"if Christianity is true, why does it need so much defending? And why doesn't God make it clearer?" (5 parts, Sept 24/2k)
How can a good God allow Natural Evil?[mod.8/15/96]
"Can you provide any evidence towards the existence of God?"
Does being born in a Western culture unfairly predetermine that you will become a Christian?” (Nov/03, 43k)
How could finite language be used of an infinite God? (6k, 3/18/97)
Does incomplete knowledge mean God is unknowable? (10k, Aug 28/2k)
If God is infinite, how can there still be room for us? (13k, Aug 28/2k)
“Isnt there a “God part of the Brain” that proves all this Jesus stuff is untrue? (a tiny 7k, Apr/04)
Why can't God just forgive sin, instead of demanding justice? [Oct 2004; 101k]
"does the savagery of predation in nature show that God either isn't, or at least isn't good-hearted?" [July 6, 1999; 213k]
Series: Most common errors skeptics make in apologetics, followed by an outline of a piece (VERY incomplete) on Most common errors believers make in apologetics. (updated 8/30/95)
Series: How I decide between competing claims to religious truth or competing claims to revelation. (updated 10/8/95)
Understanding "Faith," and "Believing" our Understanding...(39k)
Series: 'theodicy section':
God apparently set humanity up for failure in the Garden, so doesn't this show Him to be cruel, schizoid, or psychotic? [116k, Nov 3/98]
"Isn't God REALLY the ONLY EVIL agent in the Universe?" (72k)[4/4/96]
Implications from Suffering, for the Character of God(11k). [4/4/96]
Why didn't God stop the process before it started, if He knew of the massive amounts of suffering that would befall many of His creatures?? (5 part series) Jun 3/2k
"Did humanity INVENT the concept of God?" (3kb, 10/11/97)
What kind of a choice is THAT--Love Me or Burn?! (36k, Aug 28/2k)
A in-depth update of the Evidence for the existence of the soul (128K, 7/20/97).
The old 'God and the Big Rock' Problem (yawn) (8k) and ("aren't you sorta misusing the term Omnipotence?")
Just a couple of short replies to those holding to 'only reason' [11k] or 'only logic' [11k] views of knowledge [Sept 2001]
Was God so 'needy' that He had to create the universe? (May 30, 2002)
Other/Multiple-area/Misc Issues:
How well-respected are the theories of Eisenman, Allegro, Thiering, and Baigent and Leigh--about the Dead Sea Scrolls? [Dec 27/97, 21kb]
Are Christian academic institutions optional or necessary? (3k, 4/8/97)
Was the bible created by the rulers to control the common people? (4k, 3/18/97)
Spoof of the methods of the GK writer (above) (28k)
Why would government have any authority in personal areas like marriage? (12k, Aug 28/2k)