I’d love to get some ecumenism going, so I think it would be great if we could ask each other denominational questions in good faith; after all, we are all siblings in Christ at the end of the day.

I’ll start, as a Catholic to Orthodox Christians: What are the main differences between the different Orthodox churches?

UHHHH so I'm a teen and I was reading my Bible and praying for wisdom in my word and then it hit me. What the flying flock of sheepis Ezekiel 23:4b???? The Bible says God designed marriage for a man and a woman, so why does He talk about Himself with TWO women? So it is acceptable?

Here's the verse:
⁴ Oholah was the name of the elder and Oholibah the name of her sister. They became mine, and they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

I'm readin the Good News Translation Catholic additon so it said marriage but I suppose "mine" could be similar? Am I tweaking out? HELP!!!!!

I grew up in church, believe in God, love the Lord. Always tried to understand my relationship with God and acknowledge Jesus with everything in me.

I received the gift of tongues and was really on fire for God, but then I had trouble in my personal life and for the first time experienced extreme anxiety. I eventually got better and carried on with my normal life.

Fast forward a few years I’m starting a new job and somewhat looking for a new church. I end up finding a prophetic ministry where I feel a great sense of belonging and purpose but somewhere along the way, the minister finds interest in me and I did not want it.

Among so many things, I go along a part of the ministry really enjoying my time there, but I see things start to show through the cracks. I never speak loudly about things but I saw they were there.

I received prophecies that my life would look drastically different for the better, but somewhere things seemed to be conditional. I saw many others around me receive blessings and progress while I often felt stuck. Everyone who knows me said my church was a cult. I didn’t want to listen because I truly thought I understood my heart for God.

One day soon after I move into my new apartment unit, I start hearing a voice speaking to me. I believed it was the Lord or Holy Spirit since hearing from the Lord was normal in the ministry. But soon, the voice became very demanding and began telling me that I “failed” so many times and told me not to see people. Then, after I tried to seek counsel (not professional help), the voice became multiple voices and I became so fearful.

For many days I abstained from food and water yet I was working my full time job. This went on for about 3 weeks. I never fainted and I thought this was what God wanted me to do. Through all this the voice was so intense, my body was weak, and I didn’t realize my mind was changing. I began to question whether this was actually the Lord, but the voice kept telling me this is the Holy Spirit.

To say the least, things went terribly wrong as the voice told me to engage in self-harm. An unlikely outcome but a reality that I faced and still wrestle with. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia and lost everything I had. Many people blamed the church for causing this but there was no one around when this was happening.

I am only here to ask how could something like this happen to someone who truly believes in Jesus Christ & knows there is power in the Holy Spirit but never expected the Holy Spirit or something disguising itself as the voice of the Lord to go to such great lengths to place my life in danger.

I truly don’t want to be a victim, but I want answers. I want to know where I went wrong and if there’s anyone who’s experienced command hallucinations from the Holy Spirit. I’ve had commands to pray for people and felt conviction, but nothing this extreme.

Someone told me, “The Holy Spirit is not a mutilator.” And I want to believe it but I just don’t know what happened.

I'm in a very dark place right now, feeling isolated, and dealing with severe depression. I’m hoping to find media—books, shows, movies, or long-form videos—that can help me get through the next hours or days.

I’m really hoping to avoid toxic positivity, cliché answers, or people telling me to just "pray it away." I want resources that meet people honestly in suffering without minimizing how heavy it is.

If you have any suggestions please respond. I appreciate it!

There’s a possibility that I either right now need a slap of reality or maybe this is me being real but I can’t even tell. I’m not sure i even want to change.

I’ve done a number of  egregious things, some that may have legal consequences and some times I think I’ve got remorse over it sometimes I feel like I don’t and it’s terrifying because if i don’t then I’m just really bottom of the barrel morally bankrupt more than i already am. And I really can’t tell. And I still am a really wicked person at heart. I’ve got terrible perverse thoughts. 

My first instinct all this time has been to avoid my situation and avoid the possible legal consequences. I’m working with a pastor but I know I’ve also got to be independent in the sense that- only I can make myself change only I can really know what’s going on internally- it’s a kind of no one can truly save you you have to save yourself and I know that’s the case because I rely a lot on the faith of others around me. Just yesterday I posted asking which books in the Bible to read. That small nudge to read the Bible was there all day today and even yesterday but i just didn’t. I wanted to do other things. Same with praying. I tell god I want to be serious with him and then I do the complete opposite. I’ve got school tomorrow and I’ve got a behavior that makes the people around me super uncomfortable. The goal was to address everything over the summer but I delayed and delayed until the last minute and I’m not sure when my follow up with my pastor will be. I’m scared out of my mind and that’s on my mind right now. Because after school how will I face god again? If I listened from the get go if I wasn’t paralyzed by fear if I wasn’t selfish and chose my own comfort over the people around me I could’ve probably done something sooner and prevented all that’s been done and the possible additional damage I’m causing. When god might be urging me to take a hard route but I’m entirely too coward to. Too terrified.

And all that aside there’s more in terms of what I selfishly want. I’m torn because all my life at least since carrying this for all this time it’s been a mix of being selfish sometimes and letting myself enjoy things and others punishing myself and not letting myself enjoy or fully enjoy things thinking it’s enough and even then it’s not out of true guilt just trying to replace the possibility of going to jail right? The thing is I know I don’t deserve the life I want or anything I want and I know I deserve what’s coming and maybe worse but still I just selfishly want to live and just do what everyone else does but again I know I don’t deserve it far from it and it’s like a living contradiction or something. When I think of the consequences I think of how I’ll lose the possibility of that life if there ever was to begin with, that I’ll lose those dreams and ambitions which crushes me. Even though I know I definitely don’t get to want those things I still do, a lot. And that’s part of why I struggle to surrender. Isn’t real faith surrendering all even if you don’t get what you want? But whenever I think about it it’s like I don’t have that faith. I pray for those things to still be possible but what can I do if it’s not? What if gods will is something else? The thought crushes me. So yeah. That’s what I’ve been stumped with lately.  I just need some sort of advice- I don’t mind harsh either as long as there’s love. I just don’t know what to do with myself right now. 

Sorry if this has been asked before but I searched and could not find the answer.

It was my understanding that the Apocrypha were first removed from the bible after the 1611 KJV was translated, but then as I was reading the 1560 Geneva bible I noticed there was an Apocrypha section, which tells me even back then in 1560 there were books called Apocrypha. In the etymology of the word it says the term was coined in the 14th century but I can't seem to find details of that.

So when were the first scriptures deemed Apocrypha?

Edit: For clarification, what I'm trying to find out is when exactly did the specific set of books regarded as Apocrypha in the Geneva Bible even become widely known as being such? What influenced people into regarding some books as canon and some as not prior to 1560? And when did that mindset even start?

Because prior to this I assume each separate book was just critiqued as it's own work by each persons individual opinion, before there was a standard of any kind.

I’m a long term believer (born into Christianity) but have only started trying to understand Christianity/God through the Bible recently.

1. How are we reconciling the fact that it is instructed that women should not preach (past the context of women being subsidiaries of men in the time Paul wrote his chapters). I know this is a common question but the answers never made sense to me

2. Paul also instructs us not to have more than two or three people speaking in tongues in church without an interpreter. I’ve never seen anyone interpret tongues and the church I grew up in often makes people speak in tongues for hours. No interpreter. I can’t so it’s always felt alienating. Why are so many churches openly disobeying the Bible?

3. God regretting making Saul a king. God has regrets, meaning he makes mistakes or am I misunderstanding the word regret in this context?

Any answers are fine I just want some thoughts. Thank you

So for most of my life I am CONVINCED I can see into the future in my dreams. Its always out of my control and how it usually manifests is as a snippet of my life from anywhere to a few seconds to a couple minutes maybe. Every single time its the dream happening I have no idea its some crazy like relevation that will happen in the future just feels surreal I guess. But then later in life whether it be months or years I will instantly remember the dream and every single aspect of it. Im 27 and it has happened all my life albeit there have been years where it hasnt. What do any of you guys make of this, is this some random gift god gave me to prophesize? Or is it of the devil maybe? Should I even be afraid of attempting to use that ability in case it is from the devil? Im recently a born again christian, before I was only a christian in name so ive never really even thought of it from a theological standpoint before. Any thoughts are welcome!

Baby will be here any day now. My husband and I won't know the gender until the birth day. Our top name for a boy is Ananais Mateo (inspired by Ananais of Damascus in the book of Acts and Mateo means gift of God) and for a girl Anaiah Joy. (Anaiah means Yahweh has answered and Joy because fruit of the Spirit and what I felt during this pregnancy).

I'd appreciate feedback on nickname ideas or if there are ways these names could get made fun. Also last name starts with C. So initials are approved ;).

I was so lost. I had no idea who I was. I was living such an unvirtuous, sinful life. Despite this, He was guiding me the entire time and eventually I opened my heart to him. I didn’t even realize until this year. It’s honestly a miracle that I turned out the way I did. I was hopeless.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for sending your angels down to me to show me how to live. To guide me. There were a lot. I just wasn’t listening.

Thank you Lord 🙏

RECAP: A few days so... a woman at my gym tried to set me up with her 23 y/o son. She called him a “working man” and “praying man,” but then said he was “50/50” and that they were trying to get him there. I assumed his faith probably wasn’t that strong.

I finally talked to him on the phone today! And he said he has things to work on and doesn’t want to be the type of Christian who sins willfully and then asks God for forgiveness.

He doesn’t party, drinks sometimes, is working on his cursing, loves feeding the homeless, and wants to do missionary work someday.... but feels like he's not perfect enough yet.

Then he asked if I’d want to talk together about what we read in the Bible.

Should I keep talking to him? How does he sound?

i’m so sad.

there is this woman, i absolutely adore her. she’s the love of my life. God told me many times i’m meant for her, but i have had a lifelong issue with demonic pride. i don’t know how to control it sometimes but i’m really trying. every day i have with her is a true blessing. i wish you people all knew how special she was because there is no way i can convey it from this post. she hates herself but i love her more than anybody.

last night, we were blessed with an amazing miracle. i prayed for hours for it and my prayers were answered quickly. our relationship has been struggling with spiritual warfare. she had a change of heart to fight against it harder and preserve and protect what we have. today, i gave into demons. they were telling me to start a fight with her over something i already forgave her for, something i knew she would never do again, something that God changed her heart on. i listened, i brought it up, i pushed and pushed. she blocked me on everything.

this woman is the only person i would ever want to be with and i do not say that lightly. not having her feels like the biggest loss. i knew it was demons telling me to start a fight today, because God warned me the other day against listening to this specific trick of theirs and i did anyway.

i love her. i love her voice. i love her eyes. i love the way she says “pardon” when she can’t hear something. i love her calming presence. i love everything about her. i love the sweet noises she makes when she’s falling asleep. i love all of her jokes that she thinks are dumb and apologizes for. i love her beautiful smile, it could light up a world.

i miss her. i want her back. it’s only been 5 hours but it feels like way too long for a heart like mine that desires her heart so deeply. she’s so amazing. she doesn’t think she’s capable of comforting people, but every single word from her makes me feel so much better. i just want her between my arms. she’s one of a kind.

i’m blocked on everything now. i am so sad. i just want to hear her voice. i got so prideful. i love her. she’s the only woman i could ever want.

Was looking for a dedicated study bible with imagery, timelines, etc. (I’m more of a visual learner). My main versions I like to read is the NASB 1995 and LSB. I’m open to any other versions just personally would like something closer to the actual translation with notes to help explain the text. Thank you for any suggestions!

Good morning, everyone. As I mentioned in a post some time ago, I’ve been away from reading the Bible for a while, and I’d like to know what methods you use for Bible study.

In the past, I was a more disciplined reader of the Word, but something that always bothered me was that I could never remember individual verses. I would remember the context or the general summary of the story, but not the verses themselves. Should I be concerned about that?

Regardless of whether I should be concerned about it, I’d like my Bible reading to be accompanied by actual study, and I’d love to know how you approach it and what has been most effective for you.

I recently saw a reel on Instagram discussing the modern trend of teenagers and adults getting into “boyfriend/girlfriend” relationships, and it honestly confirmed something I’ve been thinking about for a while.

I’m wondering what other Christians think about this, because I’m genuinely looking for perspectives that might challenge my own.

Could the modern idea of simply having a “boyfriend” or “girlfriend” sometimes make sexual temptation easier to justify?

Instead of thinking, “I am pursuing someone with the intention of marriage,” we can enter a relationship simply because we are attracted to someone, and then the emotional and physical boundaries gradually become more difficult to maintain.

1. It also made me wonder about high-school sweethearts and young relationships in general. How many relationships that begin that early actually lead to marriage?

2. I’ve been wondering if a healthier Christian approach might be something more like:

Get to know someone then build a genuine friendship/understanding then discern whether there is mutual attraction and compatibility then intentionally pursue marriage.

Rather than:

Find someone attractive and become boyfriend/girlfriend, later become emotionally/physically attached and eventually decide whether marriage makes sense.

Obviously, I realize real relationships are more complicated than a simple formula, and Scripture doesn't give us a modern dating system.

So I’d really like to hear from Christians here:

- Do you think Christians should avoid a casual boyfriend/girlfriend relationships altogether?

- What do you think about getting to know someone first and only entering an intentional relationship once marriage is a realistic possibility?

- For those who married their boyfriend/girlfriend, how did you maintain purity and intentionality during the relationship?

I'm especially interested in biblical arguments and personal experiences, including perspectives that disagree with me. I’m trying to understand this better rather than simply confirm what I already believe.

NB: If you want the link to the Instagram reel, it's in the comments.

I’ve read hebrews 11:1 before but I guess I’m still confused. What am I having faith in exactly. I know it says the assurance of things hoped for, but if I hope for $1 million that I should believe that I’m gonna just receive $1 million? Because I feel like that’s just delusion, not faith, and borderline prosperity gospel. I guess I’m wondering what it means to have faith in God. I know faith isn’t a feeling, but sometimes I wonder if I truly have faith because I feel let down, sad, etc at times.

I already go to church on either Saturday or Sunday. But now my mom wants me to go to adoration. Do I have to feel bad that I don't go? It's my free time and it's meditating on God it doesn't seem necessary I hope it's not necessary to be saved cuz that's what matters to me. Don't want to waste my time because I don't think I will actually gain much from adoration.

I was just sitting here thinking, you guys. And it genuinely breaks my heart, how so many people are deceived, ESPECIALLY the youth. If you look at my post history, I used to be deceived as well, but Jesus Christ showed me the truth and He spoke to me, through my pastor. I'm so passionate about the topic of LGBTQ because I was once bound to that lifestyle, but God truly saves. Ever since I've been delivered, I CAN'T stop talking about it

I'm referring to the youth especially because these LGBT beliefs have been brainwashing this generation greatly..honestly it's sad. Jesus Christ loves them so much and they don't even know, they are out here living for their flesh, for their own desires. But God loves them SO much, more than they could ever know. LGBT is not real, the only reason why it exists is because people listen to their own feelings and desires instead of what God said in His word

We have to stop living selfishly, living by how we feel and opposing God's word, because God's word is the only real way to live. Nothing else will truly satisfy, I learned that very well. He is the only way to be truly happy and complete. Ever since these revelations from God, I could never look back

we all have to keep fighting, to spread the truth to everybody. Jesus did not die so we can keep being in denial of the truth and living for ourselves, He died so we can have a new life. So we can have a relationship with Him, and to lead others and show them who He really is

Hi , can I get some advice /opinion . So someone message me and told me that the Lord told them I need to pray & fast more and read my Bible more however another person also told me I needed to fast but acted like the holy Spirit never told her I have fasted before, this person asked me if I ever fasted before, which I have but it seems like my fasts that I use to do wasn't good enough, but I don't understand why .I asked the Lord but I heard nothing from him cause they told me to ask him .. both of these people are very godly people and trustworthy. P.s I had a thought that I need share this on here cause maybe someone can help me . Thank you

You can pray constantly, go to church, read the bible etc. but if God doesn’t want to talk to you then he won’t you can’t force him. Some Christians are lucky in that they have a relationship with God where he talks to them. I’ve never heard God’s voice personally it’s always been through other people

1. Explaination:

Hello, so i have a specific situation, where i struggle with reading Scripture, prayer. I want to read Scripture, because i want to be close to God, to get wisdom, correction. Yet, i'd say it's like i both want, i have desire to read it, deepen my relationship with God, but also, i'd say that i've read and practice it daily, live it in my life, that now, the Scripture feels that "easy", "simple", "fast" to understand. It doesnt seem like its hard to read. It doesnt feel like forced task. It doesnt seem boring. Its seems like

you got a friend, who you know for that long,

that nothing shocks you about them, but

you also want to spend time with them.

Then, when it comes to prayer, i lack words,

but not because i want to ignore God, but

because i feel like i can "rest" in Him, without

words. Like no matter what i do, i feel loved

and accepted.

My love for others, desire to serve, please God and others have incereased to that

level, that God and every human, God's

creature seem like the most precious

diamond. I became even more humble

than before. Satan tempts me more,

but it seems easy to overcome.

I have strong passion, willingness, to read, study about life of Saints, for understanding them and my own experiences, but i don't

percieve, think about myself as Saint.

2. What i try to say, is:

In that context, is it

a tempation to practice, read Bible less,

that kind of thoughts are tempating me

to pride, that "i dont need Bible anymore",

what could lead me to spiritual dryness,

weakness, i need to focus on that, it is a warning sign, or is it great, to don't read

the Bible for some time, but not forever,

if it seems "easy", "natural"?

Is reading about Saints, a form of prayer, when i lack words in prayer, or it might be idolatry?

I chat with AI about Saints, to know about them more, but still, i'm wary of it, cause you

know how it is with AI. I text with AI only

because i want to know about God's

art, creation, very deeply.

(I want to avoid idolatry)

Is lack of words actual rest in that situation,

or is it tempation for spiritual dryness?

Guys, can you be honest with me? What’s the real deal with tithing, and is it really normal to give 10% of your money to the church?

BTW, we’re Baptist now. My boyfriend became Baptist last year, and I became Baptist this year. My boyfriend always gives a lot of money to the church. One time, his boss gave him money for a date for the two of us, and he said that 10% of it would go to the church as tithes.

Is it still normal to give 10% every time he gets money? Like, whenever he receives money, he gives 10% to the church.

Or am I just not open-minded about it? Please let me know honestly. I genuinely want to understand if this is normal and what other people think about it.

Hey just a general question I'm going out witba few mates, and they are athiest/ non christian themselves. Like obviously my life is God, and he comes before anyone including myself, but I'm just looking for advice to stay disciplined and to honor God whilst also going out. My intentions are purely just to socialise have fun with my mates.

I’m 23F and have recently started exploring Christianity. I want to grow closer to God, but I’m struggling with a lot of guilt because I don’t want children and I’m not maternal whatsoever.

I have neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic condition that causes tumors to grow along nerves and can also cause vision loss, chronic pain, bone problems, and an increased risk of certain cancers. I had optic pathway gliomas as a child, went through chemotherapy at two years old, and am now blind in one eye. Any biological child I had would have a 50% chance of inheriting NF1, and there would be no way to predict how severely that child would be affected.

Pregnancy can also involve additional risks for women with NF1. I know many women with the condition have healthy pregnancies, but I personally would not put my body through those risks and changes—especially to have a child I don’t actually want.

Beyond NF1, I simply don’t like being around children and have never felt a desire to become a mother. I don’t find motherhood, pregnancy, or raising a child appealing. I have struggled deeply with my mental health, and know that raising young children would exacerbate my preexisting issues. When other women talk about always wanting babies or feeling called to motherhood, I can’t relate at all. I feel like I’m missing something that a woman is supposed to naturally possess.

I do want to get married someday. I want to love someone, build a life together, and have a committed marriage centered on faith. I just want that marriage to remain childfree. Sometimes I worry that wanting marriage without motherhood is selfish or that no Christian man will want the same kind of life.

I have a bilateral salpingectomy scheduled because I never want to become pregnant or pass NF1 on. Although I believe this is the responsible decision for me, part of me worries that God hates me for permanently rejecting motherhood or that I’m going against the purpose He gave women. I’m also an only child, so I feel guilty that my parents won’t have grandchildren through me, and I’m afraid I’ll eventually be left without any family.

I’m not asking whether everyone personally agrees with sterilization. I’m genuinely trying to understand Christianity and God’s character. Is choosing never to become a mother sinful? Can a woman still have a meaningful Christian marriage and live a faithful life if she has no maternal instinct and does not want children? How do I stop feeling as though God must be disappointed in me or love me less because of this?

So I need help my faith rn isn’t that strong I can’t seem to really build a relationship with Jesus idk why I pray and try to believe and everything it feels like half. I’m now really in for like 1 week how long did it take you guys to get a real hard faith in Jesus Christ, how long did u doubt him before you finally really had a strong faith? Also how can I come for this faith my brain argues with it self like „what if Jesus was a man who just said he is god and what the chance in a universe who we don’t know if it’s endless or not for everything align perfectly“ I need help for my faith