101 Questions About the Bible and Christianity: What Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Say
Judaism
"Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?" — Isaiah 40:21 (KJV) Isaiah 40:21
Many questions people ask about the Bible overlap directly with Jewish tradition, since the Hebrew Bible — the Tanakh — forms the foundation of what Christians call the Old Testament. Judaism has a long, rigorous culture of questioning scripture; indeed, the Talmudic tradition is essentially centuries of accumulated questions and debate about sacred texts.
Isaiah 40:21 captures this spirit of inquiry beautifully, asking rhetorically: "Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?" Isaiah 40:21 This verse suggests that the answers to deep questions are embedded in creation itself, accessible to those who seek them.
Deuteronomy 4:32 similarly encourages sweeping historical and theological inquiry: "For ask now of the days that are past... whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?" Deuteronomy 4:32 Rabbinic scholars like Maimonides (12th century) and Rashi (11th century) built entire interpretive frameworks around exactly this kind of probing, questioning approach to sacred text. Judaism doesn't shy away from hard questions — it institutionalizes them.
Christianity
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." — John 20:31 (KJV) John 20:31
Christianity is the tradition most directly addressed by questions about the Bible. The New Testament itself frames scripture as purposefully written to generate faith and understanding. As John 20:31 states plainly: "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." John 20:31 This is arguably the clearest statement of the Bible's own purpose — it's a document designed to answer questions and produce belief.
Yet Jesus himself warned that ignorance of scripture is dangerous. In Mark 12:24, he rebukes his questioners: "Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?" Mark 12:24 This implies that asking questions about the Bible isn't optional — it's spiritually necessary. Scholars like N.T. Wright and William Barclay have built careers on exactly this premise.
John 21:25 acknowledges the sheer scale of what could be asked and written about Jesus: "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written." John 21:25 This is a remarkable admission — no finite list of questions, not even 101, could exhaust the subject.
Some questions touch on mystery and paradox. Ephesians 5:32 describes the relationship between Christ and the Church as "a great mystery" Ephesians 5:32, reminding readers that not every question has a tidy answer. And John 16:31, where Jesus asks his disciples "Do ye now believe?" John 16:31, shows that even those closest to Jesus wrestled with doubt and incomplete understanding — a deeply humanizing detail that makes the questioning tradition feel legitimate and encouraged.
Islam
Not applicable. This question concerns the Bible and Christian scripture/practice specifically. While Islam acknowledges the Torah (Tawrat) and Gospel (Injil) as earlier revelations, it holds that these texts were altered over time and that the Quran supersedes them. Questions specifically about the Bible's contents and Christian theology don't have a direct Islamic counterpart that can be responsibly addressed without retrieved Quranic or Hadith passages to cite.
Where they agree
Both Judaism and Christianity agree that scripture is meant to be actively questioned, studied, and wrestled with — not passively accepted Isaiah 40:21 Mark 12:24. Both traditions affirm that the Hebrew texts (Tanakh/Old Testament) are authoritative and that inquiry into them is spiritually valuable. They also share the conviction, reflected in passages like Deuteronomy 4:32 Deuteronomy 4:32 and Isaiah 40:21 Isaiah 40:21, that history and creation itself bear witness to divine truth — and that asking hard questions is part of how one discovers it.
Where they disagree
| Topic | Judaism | Christianity |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of Jesus | Jesus is not recognized as the Messiah or Son of God | Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God — the central claim of the New Testament John 20:31 |
| Canon of Scripture | The Tanakh (24 books) is the complete Hebrew Bible; the New Testament is not scripture | The Bible includes both Old and New Testaments; the New Testament fulfills the Old |
| Purpose of Scripture | Torah study is a lifelong religious obligation and a form of worship in itself | Scripture is written specifically so that readers may believe in Christ and receive eternal life John 20:31 |
| Mystery in Faith | Mystery is present but the emphasis is on law, practice, and interpretation | Certain doctrines are explicitly called "a great mystery" (e.g., Christ and the Church) Ephesians 5:32 |
Key takeaways
- The Bible explicitly states it was written to generate belief in Jesus as the Christ (John 20:31) John 20:31.
- Jesus warned that not knowing scripture leads to error — making Bible literacy a spiritual priority in Christianity (Mark 12:24) Mark 12:24.
- Judaism shares the Hebrew scriptures with Christianity and has an equally deep tradition of questioning texts, rooted in passages like Isaiah 40:21 Isaiah 40:21 and Deuteronomy 4:32 Deuteronomy 4:32.
- John 21:25 acknowledges that no book — or list of 101 questions — could fully capture everything about Jesus John 21:25.
- Islam is out of scope for this question, as it concerns the Bible and Christian theology specifically, not Quranic revelation.
FAQs
Why was the Bible written, according to the Bible itself?
Does the Bible encourage asking questions?
What happens if you don't know the Bible well?
Are there things about Jesus that the Bible doesn't cover?
Does Christianity involve mystery, or is everything explained?
Judaism
Not applicable. Concerns Christian scripture/practice; no direct counterpart.
Christianity
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Scripture models faithful questioning. Israel asks “Why has GOD decreed upon us all this fearful evil?”—a frank inquiry about justice and sin. Jeremiah 16:10 The Torah anticipates children asking, “What mean the decrees, laws, and rules...?” showing that explanation and catechesis are integral to biblical faith. Deuteronomy 6:20 The psalmist voices doubt: “How could God know? Is there knowledge with the Most High?”—a raw question answered within worship and wisdom. Psalms 73:11 Paul raises pastoral questions about marriage and salvation—“how knowest thou...whether thou shalt save” your spouse—framing hope with humility. 1 Corinthians 7:16 And at the center, Christianity proclaims: “Christ...the power of God, and the wisdom of God,” a touchstone for all other questions. 1 Corinthians 1:24
Starter prompts for “101 questions about the Bible and Christianity” (each traceable to these patterns):
- Why does God allow judgment, and what counts as sin? Jeremiah 16:10
- How should we teach and remember God’s commands in daily life? Deuteronomy 6:20
- What do we do with doubt about God’s knowledge or presence? Psalms 73:11
- How do believers navigate marriage, calling, and hope in mixed-faith homes? 1 Corinthians 7:16
- How does Christ reframe wisdom and power for Christians? 1 Corinthians 1:24
Biblical wisdom also presses us to remember what we’ve “heard...from the beginning,” urging understanding rooted in God’s work in creation and history. Isaiah 40:21
Islam
Not applicable. Concerns Christian scripture/practice; no direct counterpart.
Where they agree
- The biblical witness affirms that asking questions is part of faithful learning before God: “When…your children ask you, ‘What mean the decrees…?’” Deuteronomy 6:20
- Prophetic and wisdom texts acknowledge people’s struggle to understand God’s ways: “Why has GOD decreed upon us all this fearful evil?” Jeremiah 16:10
- Christian proclamation locates ultimate wisdom in Christ, orienting all questions toward Him: “Christ…the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:24
Where they disagree
| Theme | Tension/Disagreement as a Question | Representative Texts |
|---|---|---|
| Human doubt vs. divine knowledge | Do human perceptions of injustice imply God doesn’t know or care? | “How could God know? Is there knowledge with the Most High?” Psalms 73:11 vs. the summons to remember and understand what God has revealed “from the beginning.” Isaiah 40:21 |
| Judgment and responsibility | Why does judgment come, and what sins are in view? | “Why has GOD decreed upon us all this fearful evil? What is the iniquity and what the sin…?” Jeremiah 16:10 answered within covenant teaching and commanded remembrance. Deuteronomy 6:20 |
| Pastoral hope in relationships | Can a believing spouse’s witness lead to salvation for the other? | “How knowest thou…whether thou shalt save thy husband…thy wife?” 1 Corinthians 7:16 with Christ as the grounding of hope and wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:24 |
Key takeaways
- Biblical faith expects questions and teaches through them, especially in covenant instruction. Deuteronomy 6:20
- Communities facing judgment are invited to ask why and to examine sin before God. Jeremiah 16:10
- Christian discernment centers on Christ as God’s wisdom and power. 1 Corinthians 1:24
- Scripture acknowledges doubt yet directs believers to remember what God has revealed. Psalms 73:11 Isaiah 40:21
FAQs
Does the Bible encourage asking hard questions about faith and practice?
What is the Christian center for answering life’s ultimate questions?
How does the New Testament guide believers in complex family situations?
How does Scripture address doubts about God’s knowledge?
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