OpenTheo

Is Christianity Really a Story of Reality?

#STRask — Stand to Reason

Is Christianity Really a Story of Reality?

February 1, 2024
#STRask
#STRaskStand to Reason

Questions about whether Christianity is about following Jesus rather than a story of reality, what John the Baptist meant when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” and why John the Baptist seemed confused about whether or not Jesus was the Messiah after he had already confessed he was.

* You said Christianity is a story of reality, and I agree that the Bible is a story of reality (it helps lead our lives), but isn’t Christianity about following Jesus?

* What did John the Baptist mean when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” and how does that apply to us?

* In John 1:34, John the Baptist acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God after baptizing him, so why does he seem confused in Luke 7:19 and Matthew 11:3?

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditCopy Link

Transcript

More From #STRask

How Can We Apply the Bible to Our Lives if We’re Not Supposed to Read Our Circumstances into It?
How Can We Apply the Bible to Our Lives if We’re Not Supposed to Read Our Circumstances into It?
#STRask
February 5, 2024
Questions about how to apply the Bible to our lives if we’re supposed to read it in context and not insert our circumstances into it and how to respon
How Do We Discern between Our Own Inner Voice and the Holy Spirit Telling Us What We’re Supposed to Say?
How Do We Discern between Our Own Inner Voice and the Holy Spirit Telling Us What We’re Supposed to Say?
#STRask
February 8, 2024
Questions about how to discern between our own inner voice and the Holy Spirit telling us what we are supposed to say if, according to Matthew 10:20,
How Can I Evaluate Whether I’m Doing Enough for the Lord?
How Can I Evaluate Whether I’m Doing Enough for the Lord?
#STRask
February 12, 2024
Questions about how to evaluate whether you are “doing enough for the Lord,” whether Ezekiel 3:18 indicates you will be in trouble on judgment day if
If We Can’t Impose a Moral Standard from One Period of Time on Another, How Does That Affect the Moral Argument?
If We Can’t Impose a Moral Standard from One Period of Time on Another, How Does That Affect the Moral Argument?
#STRask
January 29, 2024
Questions about how one can use the moral argument and also say we can’t impose a moral standard from one period of time on another and responding to
Does This Prove We Can’t Ground Objective Morality in God?
Does This Prove We Can’t Ground Objective Morality in God?
#STRask
January 25, 2024
Question about an objection to grounding objective morality in God that states that if God has a morally perfect nature, and he either engaged in or d
How Concerned Should I Be about My Spouse Believing in Annihilationism?
How Concerned Should I Be about My Spouse Believing in Annihilationism?
#STRask
January 22, 2024
Questions about how concerned one should be and what to do about a spouse who now believes in annihilationism and how to navigate differences in doctr
More From "#STRask"

More on OpenTheo

Why Would Any Rational Person Have to Use Any Religious Book?
Why Would Any Rational Person Have to Use Any Religious Book?
#STRask
December 8, 2025
Questions about why any rational person would have to use any religious book, whether apologetics would be redundant if there were actually a good, un
The Historical Perspective vs. The Theological Perspective on the Resurrection: Are Both Valid?
The Historical Perspective vs. The Theological Perspective on the Resurrection: Are Both Valid?
Risen Jesus
October 1, 2025
This episode is a discussion between Dr. Mike Licona and then PhD candidate Laura Robinson on the Capturing Christianity podcast. While both scholars
The Golden Thread of the Western Tradition with Allen Guelzo
The Golden Thread of the Western Tradition with Allen Guelzo
Life and Books and Everything
October 6, 2025
Dr. Guelzo is back once again for another record setting appearance on LBE. Although he just moved across the country, Allen still made time to talk t
Are Demon Possessions and Exorcisms in the New Testament Literal?
Are Demon Possessions and Exorcisms in the New Testament Literal?
#STRask
December 11, 2025
Questions about whether references to demon possessions and exorcisms in the New Testament are literal, how to talk to young children about ghosts, an
What About Those Who Never Heard the Name of Jesus?
What About Those Who Never Heard the Name of Jesus?
#STRask
December 22, 2025
Questions about what will happen to those who never heard of Jesus or were brought up in a different faith, whether there’s biblical warrant to think
Do Christians Need to Believe that Jesus was Raised Bodily from the Dead? Licona vs. Patterson
Do Christians Need to Believe that Jesus was Raised Bodily from the Dead? Licona vs. Patterson
Risen Jesus
October 15, 2025
In this episode, Dr. Stephen Patterson, New Testament professor at Eden Theological Seminary, argues against the bodily resurrection of Jesus, contend
Why Does the Bible Teach You How to Be a Proper Slave Owner?
Why Does the Bible Teach You How to Be a Proper Slave Owner?
#STRask
November 13, 2025
Question about why it seems like the Bible teaches you how to be a proper slave owner rather than than saying, “Stop it. Give them freedom.”   * It s
How Does It Affect You If a Gay Couple Gets Married or a Woman Has an Abortion?
How Does It Affect You If a Gay Couple Gets Married or a Woman Has an Abortion?
#STRask
October 16, 2025
Questions about how to respond to someone who asks, ”How does it affect you if a gay couple gets married, or a woman makes a decision about her reprod
How Could the Similarities Between Krishna and Jesus Be a Coincidence?
How Could the Similarities Between Krishna and Jesus Be a Coincidence?
#STRask
October 9, 2025
Questions about how the similarities between Krishna and Jesus could be a coincidence and whether there’s any proof to substantiate the idea that Jesu
How Do These Passages Fit with Your View on How God Speaks?
How Do These Passages Fit with Your View on How God Speaks?
#STRask
September 15, 2025
Questions about why, if it’s impossible to miss God’s voice, the disciples incorrectly told Paul “through the Spirit” not to go to Jerusalem, people m
Could the Writers of Scripture Have Been Influenced by Their Fallen Nature?
Could the Writers of Scripture Have Been Influenced by Their Fallen Nature?
#STRask
October 23, 2025
Questions about whether or not it’s reasonable to worry that some of our current doctrines were influenced by the fallen nature of the apostles, and h
John Thomson and the Shaping of American Presbyterianism with Stephen A. Fix
John Thomson and the Shaping of American Presbyterianism with Stephen A. Fix
Life and Books and Everything
September 29, 2025
If you are looking for a deep dive into the history of early American Presbyterianism, you have come to the right place! Listen in as Kevin talks with
Since Most People Are Wrong When They Make Supernatural Claims, Why Didn't God Do Better?
Since Most People Are Wrong When They Make Supernatural Claims, Why Didn't God Do Better?
Risen Jesus
September 17, 2025
Dr. Matthew McCormick, a philosophy professor at California State University, Sacramento, doesn’t believe that there is satisfactory historical eviden
The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Licona vs. Ehrman - Part 1
The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Licona vs. Ehrman - Part 1
Risen Jesus
September 3, 2025
In this episode, frequent debate opponents Dr. Michael Licona and Dr. Bart Ehrman face off on the historical reliability of the gospels. Held in 2018
Are You Accursed If You Tithe?
Are You Accursed If You Tithe?
#STRask
December 15, 2025
Questions about whether anyone who tithes is not a Christian and is accursed since Paul says that if you obey one part of the Mosaic Law you’re obliga