JACK’S QUESTION: What do we know about Joseph of Arimathea? Have scholars learned anything more about him than what is said in the Gospels? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: The man who buried Jesus is a timely topic for Christians’ Holy Week. The quick response is that lots of stuff about Joseph of Arimathea is floating around out there. But much of it was written long centuries after the fact and is best regarded as folklore that tells us about British... Read more

NORMAN’S QUESTION: Why do an overwhelming number of Christians believe (or say they believe) things about Jesus that were not believed by his earliest followers in Jerusalem, led by his brother James? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: This important question results from the previous Q and A item, which summarized central teaching about Jesus Christ that has united most Christians since it was finalized by 5th Century ecumenical councils. It holds that the one true God exists in a Trinity of... Read more

DAVID ASKS: Most of us in the U.S. are aware of Orthodox Christians but don’t really understand their organization. Can you expand on their split around the world? THE RELIGION GUY ANSWERS: Our previous Q and A about Islam’s founding Sunni – Shi’a split mentioned divisions within Orthodox Christianity. Orthodoxy, which means “correct teaching,” sees itself as preserving Christianity’s earliest and most authentic form. This faith is in the spotlight what with 1) history’s first meeting between a Catholic pope... Read more

JIM ASKS: Muslims in the U.S.: Sunni or Shi’a? And a second reader asks about the two groups’ numbers and over-all relationship on the international level. THE RELIGION GUY ANSWERS: This two-sided split underlies the increasingly dangerous Mideast rivalry between a rising Shi’a axis under revolutionary Iran and a bloc led by Saudi Arabia with its strict Sunni regime. A 2012 Pew Research survey asked people in Sunni lands “do you personally consider Shi’as to be Muslims or not?” Those  answering... Read more

PATRICIA’S QUESTION: Who do you think authored the Fourth Gospel? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: This follows up on our December 10 item about whether the apostle John wrote the Bible’s Book of Revelation. The Religion Guy will report what some experts say, not what a mere journalist thinks. The full question from seminary graduate Patricia shows she’s familiar with this debate. Bottom line, there’s no simple answer. The headline sounds like a conundrum. But remember the Gospel text itself names... Read more

JOSH’S QUERY: [Referring to “Time” magazine’s 1971 cover story on the youthful “Jesus Revolution”]  A lot has happened since then — culturally, religiously, movement-wise — and I’d be fascinated to see you revisit your journalistic and theological mind. THE RELIGION GUY’S RESPONSE: This interests Josh because his parents were members of Love Inn, which typified the youth-driven “Jesus Movement” of those days. It was a combination church, commune, Christian rock venue and traveling troupe, based in a barn near the... Read more

HEATHER’S QUESTION: I don’t see the New Revised Standard Version in my biblegateway.com app. Do you have any idea why it’s excluded? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: This specific topic is quick and easy, so the Guy will use the space and occasion to provide broader information about the quite remarkable www.biblegateway.com (hereafter BG), billed as “the most-visited Christian Website in the world” with “more than 18 million unique visitors per month” — and a must for Religion Q and A... Read more

TERRY’S QUESTION: What is it with Muslims and beheadings? Where does that come from? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: Islam has no hesitation about capital punishment when proper legal procedures are observed and death is hudud (mandatory) under Sharia (religious law). Traditionally this covers such infractions as murder, adultery, homosexual activity, political rebellion, and apostasy, including (under the strictest regimes) conversion to a different religion. Beheading has a long human history, but what’s remarkable in the 21st Century is its continued... Read more

RACHAEL’S  QUESTION:   Luke addressed the books of Luke and Acts to Theophilus, but who is he?   THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: Theophilus is a very important person in the New Testament, yet we know next to nothing about him.  If, that is, he was an actual person at all rather than some sort of symbol.  The only information 1st Century history has to offer comes in the introductions to two biblical books:   — “It seemed good to me... Read more

MARY’S QUESTION: Is a belief in God essential to morality? THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: Many online articles carry that above headline so Mary’s question is a classic, one seen in this little incident: A traditional Nativity scene is being moved away from Nebraska’s state capitol for Christmas week 2015 to make way for atheists’ “Reason This Season” display. A sponsor explained the purpose: “It’s meant to communicate that atheists are not bad people; we can be good without God.” Some... Read more