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Questions

In this section you can write a comment with any question you may have about Christianity, and we, within our capabilities, will give you an answer.

Dudas

If you are a Catholic but need clarification, if you are a Protestant and you think you must correct a Catholic error, if you are an agnostic who has not give up in your search for the truth, or if you are simply a Christian but have questions or want to dig deeper, do not be afraid and ask.

When Thomas saw Jesus and still doubted, Jesus did not just reproach him for his lack of faith; he took his hand and asked him to put his finger into his wound. This is how faith problems are resolved, addressing them directly instead of trying to ignore it for fear of losing faith… or discovering it.


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previous users’ questions

  1. Qasha odisho Avatar
    Qasha odisho

    Was Yahweh originally a Edomite or Canaanite god?

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    1. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

      No, Yahweh was not originally an Edomite or Canaanite god. This claim is based on modern speculative theories, not on solid biblical or historical evidence.

      1️⃣ The Biblical Witness
      The Bible is clear: Yahweh is not a tribal or regional deity but the eternal Creator of heaven and earth. From Genesis to Revelation, He is revealed as the one true God who made all things and who called Israel into a covenant relationship.
      ✅ Exodus 3:14 reveals God’s name to Moses as “I AM WHO AM”—a statement of eternal being, not a local deity’s name.

      2️⃣ Theories Based on Archaeology
      Some scholars propose that Yahweh originated as a southern deity worshipped in places like Edom or Midian, citing inscriptions like those found at Kuntillet Ajrud. But these inscriptions are fragmentary and ambiguous.
      ➕ They may reflect how neighboring peoples adopted the name of Israel’s God or syncretized it, not that Israel borrowed Him from them.

      3️⃣ The Canaanite Confusion
      Others try to link Yahweh to Canaanite deities like El or Baal. While the Bible does use some generic titles (like “El” (God) or “Elyon” (Most-High)), it consistently distinguishes Yahweh from pagan gods, condemning their worship and practices.
      ✅ The prophets fiercely denounced Baal worship precisely because it was not the same as worshipping Yahweh.

      4️⃣ Theological Perspective
      From a theological and historical standpoint, Israel did not invent Yahweh. Rather, God revealed Himself progressively—from the patriarchs to Moses, through the Law and the Prophets, and ultimately in Christ.

      ➖ Conclusion ➖

      Yahweh was not a borrowed deity but the self-revealed God of Israel. The idea that He came from Edom or Canaan is speculative and rooted in revisionist assumptions. The biblical and historical tradition presents Yahweh not as a product of ancient religion, but as its divine Judge and Redeemer.

      Like

  2. mary Avatar
    mary

    Should i support israel or palestine as a christian?

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    1. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

      The Gospel does not call us to take sides in worldly conflicts but to seek justice, truth, and peace for all people, regardless of their nationality or religion.

      1️⃣ OUR FIRST LOYALTY IS TO CHRIST
      As Christians, we are not primarily citizens of any earthly nation but of the Kingdom of Heaven (Philippians 3:20). That means our judgments must be formed by the teachings of Christ, not political ideologies or emotional loyalties. We should not ask, “Which nation is more right?” but “What response is faithful to the Gospel?”

      2️⃣ HUMAN DIGNITY IS UNIVERSAL
      Both Israelis and Palestinians are created in the image of God. That means both have an inalienable right to life, justice, and peace. Supporting one side must never blind us to the suffering of the other. Christians are called to mourn every innocent death and oppose every act of unjust violence.

      3️⃣ CONDEMN EVIL, WHEREVER IT COMES FROM
      Hamas’s acts of terrorism are gravely evil. But that does not justify indiscriminate retaliation or prolonged injustice. If a Christian supports the right of Israel to exist in peace and security, that same Christian must also support the right of Palestinians to live in dignity and freedom. Justice cannot be one-sided.

      4️⃣ THE MODERN STATE OF ISRAEL IS NOT BIBLICAL ISRAEL
      Some Christians mistakenly believe that supporting Israel is a biblical mandate. But the Catholic Church teaches that the promises to Israel were fulfilled in Christ. The modern state of Israel is a secular nation and must be judged according to the same moral principles as any other. It is not above criticism.

      5️⃣ THE ROLE OF THE PEACEMAKER
      Christ said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). Christians are called to be healers, not cheerleaders in political disputes. This means promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and the protection of innocent lives—on both sides. Prayer, fasting, and charity are our greatest weapons in the face of violence.

      ➖ Conclusion ➖
      A Christian should not ask, “Which flag should I defend?” but “Where is Christ in this tragedy?” The answer is: with the innocent, the suffering, and those who seek peace. Support the truth, oppose all injustice, and bear witness to a peace that the world cannot give.

      Like

  3. marigergesaboelnaga Avatar
    marigergesaboelnaga

    Today, many psychiatry experts claim that many of the saints of the Catholic Church who claimed to have experienced apparitions, visions, or trance states, such as Saint Rose of Lima or Saint Teresa of Avila, actually suffered from schizophrenia or other mental illnesses. What do you think about this?

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    1. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

      This is a very common claim today, but it is built more on modern prejudices than on serious evaluation of the facts. To label saints like Teresa of Ávila or Rose of Lima as mentally ill reveals more about our modern mindset than about the saints themselves.

      1️⃣ DIFFERENT CULTURES, DIFFERENT FRAMEWORKS
      Modern psychiatry operates within a secular, materialist worldview. In this worldview, religious experiences are often seen as hallucinations or delusions because they do not fit within the scientific method. But this is a limited lens: what if these experiences were not signs of dysfunction, but of a heightened spiritual awareness?

      2️⃣ THE SANITY AND BALANCE OF THE SAINTS
      People like St. Teresa of Ávila were not unstable or irrational. She was a brilliant thinker, founder of multiple convents, reformer of religious life, and a writer of profound spiritual insight. Her mystical experiences went hand-in-hand with great lucidity, emotional balance, leadership, and virtue.

      Similarly, St. Rose of Lima lived a deeply sacrificial life but was also known for her clarity of thought, spiritual direction, and generosity. Their actions and teachings show self-mastery and coherence, not mental fragmentation.

      3️⃣ PSYCHIATRY ADMITS ITS LIMITS
      Even respected psychiatrists acknowledge that not all extraordinary experiences are pathological. In fact, many people with deep spiritual lives experience phenomena that are non-pathological and even transformative. Some modern psychiatrists of faith even recognize that what looks like madness to the world may be a sign of intimacy with God.

      4️⃣ FAITH IS NOT A DELUSION
      To call religious experiences mental illness simply because they are not “normal” is a form of scientism—believing that science alone can define reality. But if God exists, and if He has acted in history, it makes sense that some people would encounter Him in ways that surpass ordinary human experience.

      ➖ CONCLUSION ➖
      Saints like Teresa of Ávila and Rose of Lima were not mentally ill; they were deeply sane, even if their mystical experiences defied modern categories. Reducing the divine to the pathological may fit a materialist ideology, but it fails to do justice to the lives and legacies of these holy women, whose spiritual genius continues to inspire and transform lives today.

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  4. Fersen Avatar
    Fersen

    What is the number of the beast 666 or 616?

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    1. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

      The number of the beast is most commonly known as 666, but some early manuscripts of the Book of Revelation record it as 616. So, which one is correct—and does it really matter?

      1️⃣ The Manuscript Evidence
      ✅ The majority of ancient Greek manuscripts read 666, and this is the number found in nearly all modern Bibles.
      ✅ However, a few early and respected sources (like Papyrus 115 and some Latin translations) record the number as 616.
      ✅ This is not a modern conspiracy—it’s a well-documented textual variant that scholars have known for centuries.

      2️⃣ What Does the Number Mean?
      Both 666 and 616 are symbolic numbers. Revelation is a book full of symbols and coded meanings, often using a method called gematria—a way of assigning numerical values to letters.
      ✅ “666” has often been interpreted as referring to Nero Caesar, when written in Hebrew letters: נרון קסר = 666.
      ✅ Interestingly, 616 also spells “Nero Caesar” when written in Latin letter values—Neron (Hebrew) becomes Nero (Latin), thus adjusting the total.
      ✅ This suggests that the early Christian readers knew the code, and both numbers pointed to the same persecuting figure.

      3️⃣ Does It Affect the Message of the Book?
      Not at all. The meaning remains the same: the “beast” represents a corrupt, anti-Christian political or imperial power—first personified in Nero, and later fulfilled in other figures who oppose Christ and His Church.
      ✅ The important point is not the exact number, but the symbolism of opposition to God and the counterfeit of divine perfection (the number 7 being the biblical number of completeness, 6 falling short).

      ➖ Conclusion ➖
      While 666 is the most common and widely accepted number of the beast, 616 is a legitimate early variant that likely refers to the same figure. This doesn’t undermine the message of Revelation, but rather enriches our understanding of its symbolic depth and historical roots.

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  5. tyre Avatar
    tyre

    How do we know that the Bible was inspired by God?

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    1. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

      Well, the answer to that question very much depends on you being Christian or an atheist or from some other religion. Could you be more specific?

      Like

      1. tyre Avatar
        tyre

        I mean, how can we be sure that the Bible is the inspired word of God?

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      2. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

        If we assume you are a Christian, then our answer is: Yes, we can be sure that the Bible is the inspired word of God—but not merely by reading it subjectively or by quoting verses that claim inspiration. The certainty comes from a much deeper and historical foundation.

        1️⃣ Jesus and the Authority of Scripture
        Jesus Christ, whom we recognize as the Son of God, constantly affirmed the authority of the Scriptures. He quoted them as the word of God, held them as binding, and fulfilled them in His life and Passion.
        ✅ In Matthew 5:17, He says: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
        ✅ When resisting temptation, He uses Scripture repeatedly: “It is written…” (Matthew 4).
        ✅ He often asked: “Have you not read what God said to you…?” equating Scripture with God’s direct voice.

        2️⃣ The Church as Witness
        We believe in the inspiration of the Bible not only because the Bible says so, but because the Church—founded by Christ—has faithfully preserved and transmitted this belief for two millennia.
        ✅ The canon of Scripture was not dropped from the sky. It was the Catholic Church, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that discerned which books truly were inspired and excluded others.
        ✅ The Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397), confirmed by Rome, gave us the Bible we know today.
        ✅ The Bible rests on the authority of the Church. Without the Church, there is no canon.

        3️⃣ Internal Unity and Prophetic Power
        The Bible, written by over 40 authors across more than 1,000 years, displays a stunning unity of message—centered on the coming of the Messiah and God’s plan of salvation.
        ✅ Prophecies made centuries earlier are fulfilled with precision in Christ (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Micah 5:2).
        ✅ The moral and spiritual wisdom of Scripture is unmatched and continues to transform hearts and civilizations.

        4️⃣ The Testimony of the Saints and Martyrs
        The greatest saints, mystics, and martyrs of history lived and died proclaiming the truth of Scripture. Their lives and sacrifices bear witness to the Bible’s divine origin.
        ✅ They were not moved by myth, but by an encounter with the living Word of God.

        ➖ Conclusion ➖
        We can be sure the Bible is the inspired word of God because Christ affirmed it, the Church canonized it, its message is miraculously consistent, and its fruits are visible in the lives of saints and believers. Ultimately, it is God Himself—through His providence, His Church, and His Spirit—who confirms it in the heart of the believer.

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  6. rossingcenter Avatar
    rossingcenter

    Is Jesus mentioned in the writings of Flavius Josephus?

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    1. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

      Yes, Jesus is mentioned in the writings of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, specifically in his work Antiquities of the Jews. These references are brief but historically significant.

      1️⃣ The “Testimonium Flavianum”

      Josephus, writing around the year 93 AD, refers to Jesus in Book 18, chapter 3. He describes Him as a wise man, a doer of remarkable works, and someone who attracted many followers. He adds that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate at the instigation of the leaders of the Jews.

      However, parts of this passage seem too favorable to have come from a non-Christian Jew. Most scholars agree that the core of the passage is authentic, but that later Christian copyists may have added phrases like “He was the Christ” or “He appeared to them alive again on the third day.”

      2️⃣ The reference to James

      A second, widely accepted passage comes in Book 20, chapter 9, where Josephus recounts the execution of “James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ.” This mention is almost universally regarded as authentic, and it confirms the historical memory of Jesus as the founder of a movement.

      3️⃣ Historical value

      Josephus was not a Christian and had no theological interest in promoting Jesus. His mentions show that by the end of the first century, Jesus was known not only among Christians but also to Jewish and Roman historians. His writings offer one of the earliest non-Christian testimonies about Jesus’ existence, crucifixion, and the beginnings of the Christian community.

      ➖ Conclusion ➖

      Josephus’ texts are important historical witnesses. While not affirming faith in Jesus, they support key facts: that Jesus lived, was crucified, had followers, and was known as the Christ. His writings help confirm the Gospel narratives from an external, non-Christian perspective.

      Like

  7. jesus posom Avatar
    jesus posom

    Was Joseph a widower with children when he got betrothed to Mary?

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    1. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

      This idea is part of an old tradition, but it’s not official Church teaching. The Church does not define whether St. Joseph was a widower or a virgin, though some early texts tried to explain his age and background in symbolic ways.

      1️⃣ THE APOCRYPHAL ORIGIN

      The idea that Joseph was a widower with children comes mainly from apocryphal writings like the Protoevangelium of James (2nd century). These texts are not part of the Bible and are not considered reliable historical sources, though they shaped early Christian imagination.

      ✅ In that text, Joseph is portrayed as an elderly widower chosen to care for the young Mary. His supposed children are offered as an explanation for the “brothers of Jesus” mentioned in the Gospels.

      ✅ But these “brothers” can also be understood, in Jewish terms, as cousins or close relatives, not necessarily biological siblings.

      2️⃣ THE VIRGINITY OF JOSEPH

      The Latin tradition, especially from the Middle Ages, came to venerate Joseph as a virgin, not a widower. Saints like Thomas Aquinas and Bernard of Clairvaux preferred to see him as a young, chaste man, totally devoted to Mary and the unique mission entrusted to them.

      ✅ This view better preserves the sense of the Holy Family as a new beginning, a virginal and sacred union fully oriented to God.

      ✅ It also emphasizes Joseph’s strength and virtue, not just his old age as a way to explain his continence.

      3️⃣ WHAT THE CHURCH TEACHES

      The Catholic Church has no dogma on Joseph’s previous life. We are free to believe either version—as long as we uphold Mary’s perpetual virginity and the unique holiness of the Holy Family.

      ➖ Conclusion ➖

      The idea that Joseph was a widower with children is ancient but not essential. Whether young or old, widower or virgin, what matters most is that Joseph was just, obedient, and chosen to be guardian of the Redeemer and spouse of the Virgin. That is his true greatness.

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  8. nineveh Avatar
    nineveh

    Do you think homosexuality is demonic possession?

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    1. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

      Some people ask whether homosexuality is the result of demonic possession. While it’s important to address this question directly, it’s equally important to do so with precision, without falling into exaggeration or cruelty.

      1️⃣ IS HOMOSEXUALITY CAUSED BY DEMONIC POSSESSION?

      ✅ No. The Catholic Church does not teach that homosexual inclination is the result of demonic possession. While temptation and sin can involve spiritual warfare in a broad sense, not every temptation is caused by the devil, and certainly not every sin is the result of possession.

      ✅ Homosexual inclination, like many other disordered tendencies, is part of the woundedness of human nature after the Fall. Some people struggle with same-sex attraction without having chosen it, and the Church calls all people, regardless of inclination, to chastity and holiness.

      ✅ Demonic possession is a very specific and rare spiritual condition in which a person’s body is taken over by a demon, usually against the person’s will. It is very different from temptation or inclination, and the Church requires careful discernment by trained exorcists before ever diagnosing such a case.

      2️⃣ WHAT DOES THE CHURCH ACTUALLY TEACH?

      ✅ The Church teaches that homosexual acts are sinful, just as any sexual activity outside of marriage between a man and a woman is sinful.

      ✅ However, the inclination itself is not a sin, and persons with same-sex attraction are to be treated with dignity and compassion. The Catechism states:
      “They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” (CCC 2358)

      ✅ The Church also teaches that everyone is called to chastity, and that with God’s grace, all people—regardless of their temptations—can live a holy life. Many same-sex attracted Catholics live lives of deep faith and heroic virtue.

      3️⃣ WHERE DO CONFUSIONS COME FROM?

      ✅ Some people, seeing the rise of aggressive ideologies around sexuality, overreact and label all homosexuality as directly demonic. While demonic influence exists in the world, it is a grave mistake to identify people with demons, or to claim possession without discernment.

      ✅ Others confuse moral disorientation in society (which can indeed have spiritual roots) with possession, which is a much more rare and extreme reality.

      ✅ True Christian witness must speak clearly about sin without dehumanizing those who struggle. Holiness is possible for all. And grace is more powerful than sin.

      4️⃣ BALANCE: TRUTH AND CHARITY

      ✅ We must neither deny the reality of spiritual warfare, nor exaggerate it to the point of paranoia. Sin is real, the devil is real—but God’s grace is more real, and Christ has overcome the world.

      ✅ The goal is not labeling people but inviting all souls to Christ, who alone can heal, strengthen, and save. The Church’s mission is not to condemn, but to offer the fullness of truth and the power of sacramental life.

      ➖ CONCLUSION ➖

      Homosexuality is not demonic possession. It is one of many manifestations of fallen human nature that Christ came to redeem. The Church rejects both false tolerance and false condemnation. She speaks the truth in love: homosexual acts are sinful, but persons with same-sex attraction are deeply loved by God and called to holiness. Demonizing people is not the way of Christ. Leading them to the Cross is.

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  9. eliyo vasteras Avatar
    eliyo vasteras

    How can we be sure that the biblical God is the one true God?

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    1. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

      Many religions speak of “God,” but only the Bible presents a God who enters history, speaks through prophecy, reveals Himself in a Person, and conquers death. The evidence for the biblical God is not just spiritual—it is historical, prophetic, rational, and deeply personal.

      1️⃣ THE GOD WHO ACTS IN HISTORY

      ✅ The biblical God is not an abstract force or impersonal idea. He is the Creator who enters real history, guiding His people through events like the call of Abraham, the Exodus, the monarchy, the Exile, and ultimately the Incarnation.

      ✅ These are not myths or symbolic tales. They are rooted in time, place, and recorded events. God reveals Himself in human history, not apart from it.

      2️⃣ THE POWER OF PROPHECY—ESPECIALLY DANIEL

      ✅ One of the most striking evidences for the biblical God is the fulfillment of detailed prophecies, written centuries before their fulfillment.

      ✅ The most astonishing example is the prophecy of Daniel 9:24–27, which precisely predicts the time of the Messiah’s coming, several centuries in advance. It speaks of “seventy weeks” of years (490 years), and the Messiah being “cut off” after 69 weeks—exactly corresponding to the time when Jesus of Nazareth appeared and was crucified.

      ✅ No other religion offers this kind of verifiable, time-stamped prophetic witness. It shows that God truly knows and governs history, not as a distant observer, but as Lord of time.

      3️⃣ THE GOD WHO FULFILLS PROPHECY IN JESUS

      ✅ Jesus Christ fulfills not just Daniel’s prophecy, but hundreds of others: born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), betrayed for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12–13), pierced (Psalm 22), and risen (Psalm 16:10).

      ✅ These were not vague spiritual metaphors—they were fulfilled in the real, public life of Jesus of Nazareth, a historical figure crucified under Pontius Pilate, just as predicted.

      4️⃣ THE RESURRECTION: GOD’S FINAL PROOF

      ✅ Above all, what proves that the God of the Bible is the one true God is this: Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Unlike any founder of any religion, Jesus did not remain in the grave.

      ✅ The resurrection is not a pious legend. There are powerful historical reasons to believe it truly happened: the empty tomb, the transformation of the apostles, the explosion of the early Church, and the lack of any credible counter-explanation.

      ✅ We explore these evidences in detail in this article, based on the work of a bishop and historian:
      ➡️ Historical Evidence for the Resurrection

      ✅ The resurrection confirms that Jesus is who He claimed to be, and that the God who raised Him is the living God.

      5️⃣ A GOD WHO MAKES SENSE OF REASON AND HEART

      ✅ The biblical God matches what reason seeks: a being who is eternal, necessary, intelligent, good, and personal. But He is more than philosophy—He is love, and calls each of us to relationship.

      ✅ In Jesus, we don’t just see ideas about God—we meet God Himself.

      ➖ CONCLUSION ➖

      The biblical God is the only one who speaks in history, foretells the future, becomes man, and overcomes death. His existence is not a guess, but a revealed truth supported by reason, prophecy, and historical fact. He is not one god among many. He is the Lord of heaven and earth, and He is calling us to know Him.

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  10. Homs Avatar
    Homs

    Who is Satan according to Judaism?

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    1. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

      At first glance, the figure of Satan seems to differ between Judaism and Christianity. But the difference is not contradiction—it’s a matter of progressive revelation. What was seen dimly in the Old Testament becomes fully clear in the light of Christ.

      1️⃣ SATAN IN THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES

      ✅ In the Old Testament, “satan” is a title, not a proper name. It means “adversary” or “accuser.” For example, in Job 1–2, the satan appears as part of the divine court, acting like a prosecutor, accusing Job before God.

      ✅ He does not appear (yet) as an evil rebel or enemy of God, but as a servant fulfilling a role. Similarly, in Zechariah 3, the satan accuses the high priest Joshua before God, and is rebuked by the Lord.

      ✅ Even human adversaries are sometimes called “satan,” as in 1 Samuel 29:4 or Numbers 22:22. So in the Hebrew Scriptures, the concept is real, but not yet fully developed.

      2️⃣ BETWEEN THE TESTAMENTS: A GROWING CLARITY

      ✅ During the Second Temple period, Jewish writings began to deepen the idea of a spiritual enemy. Texts like 1 Enoch, Jubilees, and others speak of fallen angels, demonic powers, and cosmic battles between good and evil.

      ✅ While not part of the Jewish canon, these texts reflect how God was gradually allowing His people to perceive deeper spiritual realities, including the reality of a personal Evil One.

      ✅ However, in Rabbinic Judaism (after the destruction of the Temple), these ideas were not systematically developed. Many Jewish scholars came to interpret satan more as a metaphor for the evil inclination (yetzer hara) than as a real being.

      3️⃣ CHRIST BRINGS FULL REVELATION

      ✅ The Christian understanding of Satan does not contradict the Old Testament, but completes it. Jesus reveals that Satan is not just an accuser, but a personal, fallen spiritual being: “a murderer from the beginning, and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

      ✅ In the Gospels, Satan tempts Jesus, opposes His mission, and is cast out by His authority. Jesus shows that Satan is the enemy of God and of humanity, who seeks to deceive, accuse, and destroy.

      ✅ The New Testament is clear: the devil was “a sinner from the beginning” (1 John 3:8) and “the god of this world who blinds the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4). In Revelation, he is “the great dragon… who deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9).

      ✅ This is not a contradiction, but the culmination of a long path of understanding, prepared in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Christ, who came “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).

      4️⃣ REVELATION IS PROGRESSIVE, NOT CONTRADICTORY

      ✅ Christian doctrine holds that God reveals His truth gradually, because man cannot grasp everything at once. The Old Testament contains real truths, but often in veiled or partial form.

      ✅ As salvation history unfolds, the Holy Spirit leads God’s people to deeper understanding. What was once seen in shadow becomes clear in the light of Christ.

      ✅ Therefore, the Christian view of Satan is not a later invention or a contradiction of Judaism, but the full unveiling of a truth already present from the beginning: that there is a real spiritual adversary who opposes God and must be overcome by grace.

      ➖ CONCLUSION ➖

      Judaism recognizes “the satan” as an accuser or adversary. Christianity, building on that foundation and enlightened by Christ, recognizes him as a fallen angel who opposes salvation. This isn’t evolution of myth—it’s revelation fulfilled. In Jesus, we finally understand who Satan is, and how God triumphs over him.

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    2. Anthony Messeh Avatar
      Anthony Messeh

      According to Judaism, the serpent of Genesis is not Satan?

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      1. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

        In Christianity, we clearly identify the serpent in Genesis with Satan. But Judaism, especially in its traditional form, does not.

        1️⃣ WHAT ANCIENT JEWS BELIEVED
        In the Old Testament itself, the serpent of Genesis 3 is not explicitly identified with Satan. He’s described simply as “more cunning than any of the animals the Lord God had made” (Genesis 3:1). Most pre-Christian Jewish writings do not equate the serpent with Satan, although some later Jewish texts—like certain apocalyptic writings (e.g., 1 Enoch)—begin to associate evil spirits or rebellious angels with demonic activity.

        But the clear identification of the serpent with Satan—as the personal enemy of God and humanity—only appears explicitly in the New Testament, especially in Revelation 12:9 and 20:2, where Satan is called “that ancient serpent.” Revelation 12:9 (“that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan”)

        2️⃣ PROGRESSIVE REVELATION
        This is key: God’s revelation is progressive. He reveals truths over time, gradually preparing His people to receive the fullness in Christ. Judaism, having stopped at the Old Testament, possesses real light from God, but not the full light. It is like seeing the puzzle pieces without the final picture.

        Therefore, it’s no surprise that Jewish interpretations of Genesis fall short of the Christian understanding—because they are based on an incomplete revelation.

        3️⃣ THE CHRISTIAN VIEW: CLARIFIED BY CHRIST
        With the coming of Christ, the nature and identity of evil is more fully revealed. Jesus speaks clearly of Satan as “the father of lies” and a “murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44), alluding back to the deception in Eden. The Church Fathers saw in Genesis not merely a snake, but the first appearance of Satan’s hatred against humanity.

        Thus, for Christians, the serpent in Eden is Satan acting through a creature, or possibly even appearing in that form. This interpretation is not just a possibility—it is a truth confirmed by divine revelation.

        ➖ CONCLUSION ➖
        So while Judaism does not identify the serpent with Satan, this is not surprising: it reflects a limited, partial view of revelation. Christianity, which possesses the fullness of God’s self-revelation in Christ, sees the serpent as Satan without doubt. This is not an interpretation imposed on the text, but a truth made clear by the One who fulfills all Scripture.

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  11. nazarmaskoonee Avatar
    nazarmaskoonee

    What is the difference between Eastern Orthodoxy and Eastern-rite Catholicism?

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    1. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

      Eastern Orthodoxy and Eastern-rite Catholicism may appear similar at first glance, but they differ in key aspects—most notably in their relationship with the Pope and their understanding of Church authority.

      1️⃣ Communion with Rome
      Eastern-rite Catholics are in full communion with the Pope and the Catholic Church. This means they accept the primacy and authority of the Bishop of Rome, while preserving their Eastern liturgical rites, spirituality, and customs. They are fully Catholic but follow the Byzantine, Maronite, Chaldean, or other Eastern liturgical traditions.

      Eastern Orthodox Christians, on the other hand, are not in communion with the Pope. They recognize the Patriarch of Constantinople as a “first among equals,” but they reject papal supremacy and the Catholic understanding of universal jurisdiction.

      2️⃣ Doctrine and Dogma
      While the Eastern Orthodox share many of the same early Church doctrines with Catholics, they reject certain Catholic dogmas defined after the Great Schism (1054), such as the Immaculate Conception and Papal Infallibility. Eastern-rite Catholics, however, accept all Catholic dogmas, including those defined by ecumenical councils held after the schism.

      3️⃣ Liturgy and Spirituality
      Both Eastern Orthodox and Eastern-rite Catholics often celebrate the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, use icons, chant in similar styles, and have comparable fasting and prayer traditions. Visually and spiritually, their liturgies can be almost indistinguishable.

      However, the key difference remains ecclesial: Eastern Catholics are united with Rome, while the Eastern Orthodox are not.

      4️⃣ Ecclesiology and Unity
      The Catholic Church teaches that full ecclesial communion includes unity in faith, sacraments, and governance—especially under the Pope. Eastern-rite Catholics embody this model. Eastern Orthodoxy maintains apostolic succession and valid sacraments, but lacks communion with the Pope, which the Catholic Church sees as a wound to full unity.

      ➖ Conclusion ➖
      While they may look the same on the outside, the fundamental difference lies in communion with the Pope. Eastern-rite Catholics fully share in the Church Christ founded on Peter, while Eastern Orthodoxy, though rich in apostolic heritage, remains separated from the visible head of the universal Church. The Catholic Church longs for the full unity of East and West, rooted in truth and charity.

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  12. stantonyad stantony Avatar
    stantonyad stantony

    When will you publish this article in English?

    https://apologia21.com/2020/11/08/las-imagenes-en-la-iglesia-primitiva/

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    1. Christian M. Valparaíso Avatar

      not sure, but before the end of this year we will publish all the articles in the series about images.

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