r/AskTheologists

I am working on a free rpg game where you use scripture to fight enemies who misuse scripture out of context. It’s meant to be like a conversation or visualization of spiritual warfare, but I‘ve been wondering if using verses like 2 Kings 6:18 to blind enemies or lower their accuracy would be like witchcraft. I figured making it a random chance of it succeeding could make it feel up to God but I don’t know— in an abundance of counselors, there is safety.

(While I am looking for answers to this question, I will likely have more, so if anyone feels led to follow the project and offer more advice as it develops, feel free to DM me.)

Hello all! I’ve been struggling with a heavy burden of doubt especially in regards to biblical studies (for the biblical scholars here I would most wholeheartedly appreciate your insight)and the seeming humaneness of the New Testament. For starters the historical Jesus differs majorly from the theological Christ of Christianity with most of the New Testament seemingly echoing a far more theological Jesus then what can actually be verified historically of him such as the virgin birth or his walking on water with Peter and leads me to question if God in his infinite love truly wanted to transmit his word unto all of mankind why not make such details verifiable with the evidence necessary for belief without doubt?(I’m not an inerrantist though God could have seemingly transmitted the Bible in such a way). Also I’m having trouble squaring the fact that Jesus never claimed to be God and in many ways subordinates himself next to the father so how can that be reconciled with the trinity? The more I learn the harder for me it becomes to reconcile how Gods revelation is transmitted in mostly just the writing of human hands with his role seeming very minimal. I have hope and pray always that I remain with the Lord Christ and I hope by the help of the many wise people of this sub my doubts can be eased. Thank you all and God bless!

I am a working on an adult education class for my congregation about the Christian Ethics of political involvement that I hope to teach in the spring. I want to cover such things as state legitimacy, Christian duty to obey the state/law, duties or permissions to civilly or un-civilly disobey, Just War, and arguments for and against strict non-violence.

I can find secular philosophy on these topics, but having trouble finding specifically Christian takes by either theologians or Christian philosophers on many of them (apart from Augustine and selections from the New Testament). Can anyone recommend any books, articles, or authors that touch on any of these topics?

(I am Episcopalian/Anglican, but I am open to sources from any and all traditions.)

I wasn't raised in a relgion, nor am I currently religious. I don't really like the term atheist, but that is probably the best way to describe my worldview. I was taught some old testament stories in primary school, but they were framed the same way as fairy tales and greek myths. That is to say, I do get a non-literal interpretation from a non-religious perspective, but I don't get how this would work for a religious person.

If you're Christian and believe there is a god and Jesus died for our sins (bonus question about this at the end), how do you decide what is literal and what isn't? Is it just that the pope (read: church leadership) decides what parts should be seen as literal and what parts aren't? I'm not saying that a literal interpretation of the bible would be better, but it does seem more internally consistent as an outside observer.

If you already see some parts as allegory, what makes someone certain other parts are literal? If non-literal interpretations removed all the supernatural stuff and just looked at the text fully as an allegory, that would make sense to me. Like following Christian morality, but no believing in a god or going to heaven. It's the mixing of both interpretations that doesn't make any sense to me at all.

Thanks in advance for anyone taking the time to inform me. I'm not certain if this is the correct place to post this, so if it isn't could someone please point me to the correct place.

Bonus Question:

Why do some Christians seem mad about Jesus dying? While I'm not religious, I do live in a country that observes Christian holidays, so I am somewhat familiar with his story. As I understand it, he was sent to earth to absolve us of our sins by dying (and then coming back three days later and then ascending into heaven like a month after that). To be fair, I'm also not quite sure what "absolving us of our sins means", but it is talked about like it's a good thing. The entirety of Christianity is based around him dying, he even knew and talked about him dying, so why are some Christians angry about this? I also see this paired with antisemitism, blaming "the jews" for killing Jesus, but shouldn't they love them for killing Jesus? Also, wasn't it the Romans that crucified him?

Who do you think Babylon the great is?

What translation of the Bible do you recommend?

If Jesus was not involved in the political issues of his day , why is it ok for Christians?

Do you believe in the Trinity? If so why?

Do you believe that salvation requires belief in one true religion, or a general good standing with God?

I know these are all huge questions. I just have a lot of confusion because of the religion I grew up in. If you wouldn't mind answering one of two I would really appreciate it. Book recommendations or chapters of the Bible to read are also highly appreciated 👍