reading 8-9

Question 1

What do all conservative Christians agree on regarding the Bible?

Answer 1

That the Bible is a reliable and authoritative guide to understanding God and how to live.

Question 2

What is the belief of supporters of Biblical inerrancy?

Answer 2

That the original writings of the Bible are completely error-free in all areas including history and geography.

Question 3

What is the concern of inerrancy supporters if we believe the Bible has errors?

Answer 3

People might stop trusting the Bible completely.

Question 4

What do opponents of Biblical inerrancy believe?

Answer 4

That the Bible is still inspired by God but may contain small human mistakes.

Question 5

What is Ellen G. White’s view on inerrancy?

Answer 5

She believed her messages and the Bible were from God but accepted that small mistakes could happen.

Question 6

What is the main point in the inerrancy debate among Christians?

Answer 6

Some think the Bible must be error-free to be trusted; others trust it despite small human mistakes.

Question 7

What did Reinhold Niebuhr say about understanding humans?

Answer 7

We remain the biggest mystery despite all our knowledge.

Question 8

What is one human paradox?

Answer 8

We are limited but aware of it.

Question 9

What does it mean that humans are both free and determined?

Answer 9

Some traits are given, but we also make choices like career and lifestyle.

Question 10

What does the Bible say about understanding humanity and God?

Answer 10

We can’t fully understand one without the other.

Question 11

What does it mean that humans are ‘creatures’?

Answer 11

We were created by God with a purpose.

Question 12

What does being made in God’s image mean?

Answer 12

We reflect something special about God and have a unique role.

Question 13

What are different Christian views on human origins?

Answer 13

Some believe in evolution guided by God, others believe in direct creation by God.

Question 14

How does the Bible describe human finiteness?

Answer 14

We depend on natural needs and are limited by time and space.

Question 15

Why are human bodies important in Christianity?

Answer 15

Our physical bodies are part of what makes us human and reflect our limits.

Question 16

What is Biblical wholism?

Answer 16

The idea that body and soul are united and a person is complete only when both are together.

Question 17

What does the Bible mean by ‘soul’?

Answer 17

A whole living person, not a separate spirit that lives on after death.

Question 18

What does the term ‘spirit’ or ‘breath’ refer to in the Bible?

Answer 18

The life force from God, not an independent soul.

Question 19

Why is community important according to the Bible?

Answer 19

God created humans to live in relationship and support one another.

Question 20

What is ‘corporate personality’ in the Bible?

Answer 20

One person’s actions can represent or affect their whole group.

Question 21

How does ‘corporate personality’ help explain Jesus’ death?

Answer 21

Jesus, one person, could represent all humanity and bring salvation.

Question 22

What is human solidarity in the Bible?

Answer 22

We are deeply connected and our actions affect others.

Question 23

What is the Christian view of sex and marriage?

Answer 23

Sex is meant for marriage between one man and one woman.

Question 24

What does the Bible say about adultery and fornication?

Answer 24

It clearly speaks against any sex outside of marriage.

Question 25

What is the Seventh-day Adventist policy on divorce and remarriage?

Answer 25

After 1950, even the guilty party could be accepted back after repentance and rebaptism.

Question 26

What is the Christian view of premarital sex?

Answer 26

The Bible teaches that sex before marriage is wrong.

Question 27

Why does the Bible encourage waiting for sex until marriage?

Answer 27

To avoid STDs, unplanned pregnancy, and emotional harm.

Question 28

What is the traditional Biblical view on homosexuality?

Answer 28

Same-sex behavior is condemned, though orientation is not directly addressed.

Question 29

What is the modern Christian understanding of homosexuality?

Answer 29

Some distinguish between being gay (orientation) and acting on it (behavior).

Question 30

What should be the Christian attitude toward LGBTQ+ people?

Answer 30

Respect, love, and dignity for all, regardless of belief differences.

Question 31

What has been the historical role of women?

Answer 31

Women were often seen as inferior and dominated by men.

Question 32

What is the Bible’s view on the value of women?

Answer 32

Men and women are equally made in God's image and are valuable.

Question 33

Who are some strong women mentioned in the Bible?

Answer 33

Miriam, Deborah, Ruth, Esther, Lydia, and Phoebe.

Question 34

What does it mean that humans continue to grow?

Answer 34

We’re always developing physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Question 35

Is human nature fixed or changeable according to Christianity?

Answer 35

It's something that develops over time, not just something we’re born with.

Question 36

What does it mean to be made in God’s image?

Answer 36

We have moral understanding, purpose, and spiritual awareness.

Question 37

What does it mean that humans are God's representatives?

Answer 37

We’re meant to care for the world using creativity and responsibility.

Question 38

What does stewardship mean in Christianity?

Answer 38

We manage the earth for God; it belongs to Him, not us.

Question 39

What are two wrong attitudes about nature?

Answer 39

Thinking the world exists only for humans or thinking humans shouldn’t change anything.

Question 40

What is the balanced Christian view of nature?

Answer 40

We can use nature responsibly, as caretakers, not owners.

Question 41

No Perfect Bible Translation Exists

Answer 41

There’s no such thing as a perfect Bible translation. Languages don’t match word-for-word. English varies across cultures, so every Bible version is a kind of paraphrase to some degree.

Question 42

Use More Than One Bible Version

Answer 42

Because no version is perfect, it's smart to have several translations on hand. Differences in versions signal a need to look more closely at the meaning. This applies across languages.

Question 43

What are the three main types of Bible translations?

Answer 43

1. Formal or 'Strict' Translations 2. Dynamic or 'Free' Translations 3. Paraphrases

Question 44

What are Formal or "Strict" Translations?

Answer 44

Stay as close as possible to original Greek and Hebrew, avoid paraphrasing, done by scholars. Examples: KJV, NKJV, NASB, NRSV. Great for in-depth study but can be harder to understand.

Question 45

What are Dynamic or "Free" Translations?

Answer 45

Based on original languages but focus on meaning in everyday language, more paraphrasing. Examples: J.B. Phillips’s version, NIV, TEV, NEB. Easier to read, good for understanding message, less exact.

Question 46

What are Paraphrases?

Answer 46

Not direct translations, reworded from existing English versions, influenced by author’s beliefs. Examples: The Living Bible, The Clear Word. Helpful for beginners and devotionals but not reliable for deep study.

Question 47

What should you watch out for in paraphrases?

Answer 47

They can oversimplify or reflect writer’s opinions, smoothing out challenging parts instead of letting readers wrestle with them.

Question 48

Why is it important to study harder parts of the Bible?

Answer 48

Different writers offer different perspectives. For example, Paul and James seem to disagree but both offer valuable insight. Deep study involves wrestling with complexity.

Question 49

What is the conclusion about choosing Bible translations for study?

Answer 49

For serious theological study, use formal or dynamic translations based on original texts. Paraphrases are good for light reading or devotionals but are not exact translations.