Search — Theology Explorer

Daniel 9 Daniel Daniel 9 Daniel Gabriel

Which Sacrifices Have Ended?: What sacrifices and offerings is Gabriel talking about in Daniel 9: 27?

Q&A question: Which Sacrifices Have Ended?

James 1 Peter 3 James 3:1 Peter James 1 Peter 3

Is Everyone Called to Street-Preaching?: Do you think the warning in James 3:1 has implications for evangelism? I think all Christians should be ready to share their testimony when asked (1 Peter 3: 15), but not all should street preach.

Q&A question: Is Everyone Called to Street-Preaching?

Red Heifer – Pointing to Christ?: In numbers 19, can you explain if and how the ashes from the red heifer point to Jesus? Especially verses 6, 9-10, and 11-13.

Q&A question: Red Heifer – Pointing to Christ?

Jesus

Can Prophecies be given “On-Demand”?: A couple with a prophetic ministry came to my church and gave a word of knowledge to all who asked. I don’t see prophecy-on-demand in Scripture. Is this a proper use of the gift of prophecy?

Q&A question: Can Prophecies be given “On-Demand”?

prophecy

Wisdom on Mercy vs. Justice: How should I balance mercy and justice as a Christian? How do you know when each one is appropriate? When is it wrong to apply mercy and grace, and when does it become unjust to do so?

Q&A question: Wisdom on Mercy vs. Justice

Records Before Moses?: How were records kept and passed down before Moses? How did Moses write about Abram?

Q&A question: Records Before Moses?

Moses

Jesus Died for You: I’m struggling to understand how we can understand Jesus dying on the cross for our sins personally when it was 2,000 years ago. I’m in the Bible and in prayer all the time, but I still have no peace or assurance.

Q&A question: Jesus Died for You

Jesus prayer

Discerning the Spirit’s Voice: Is the confirmation of the Holy Spirit distinguishable from an evil demon or psychological self-deception?

Q&A question: Discerning the Spirit’s Voice

demons

Do We Give Off “Energy”?: Is “energy” in the esoteric form of the word biblical? I was recently told in a Christian forum that I was “giving off [blank] energy.” Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Do We Give Off “Energy”?

generosity

revelation Matthew Matthew 19 elder qualifications Jesus revelation

Who will Sit on the Thrones?: In Matthew 19: 28, Jesus states the 12 disciples will sit on 12/24 thrones in the regeneration. In Revelation 4:4, 24 elders are sitting on the thrones. Who are the other 12?

Q&A question: Who will Sit on the Thrones?

Ezekiel Roman Catholicism Jesus communion

Proof of Transubstantiation?: If Jesus identifies Himself as “the Word” and Ezekiel literally ate the Word of God (Ezekiel 3:1-3), is this a good case for Ezekiel being an analogy to the Catholic transubstantiation of the Eucharist being true?

Q&A question: Proof of Transubstantiation?

1 Corinthians 14 prophecy 1 Corinthians 14 tongues

Tongues/Prophecy for Believers or Unbelievers?: Can you please explain 1 Corinthians 14: 22-24? Verse 22 states that tongues are a sign for unbelievers, and prophecy is for believers. But vv. 23 and 24 then go on to, seemingly, describe the exact opposite.

Q&A question: Tongues/Prophecy for Believers or Unbelievers?

God’s Name in Vain: What does it mean to not mention God's name in vain?

Q&A question: God’s Name in Vain

1 Samuel 16 David Samuel 1 Samuel 16

The Spirit With, In & Upon Us: When David is anointed in 1 Samuel 16, the Bible says that “the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward.” How would this be similar or different from us receiving the Spirit now?

Q&A question: The Spirit With, In & Upon Us

Titus 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Titus 1 Timothy Titus 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Can a Pastor’s Wife be an Unbeliever?: Do the qualifications for pastors/elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 disqualify a man who has an unbelieving wife?

Q&A question: Can a Pastor’s Wife be an Unbeliever?

James James 4 Matthew 2 James James 4 Matthew 2

About OT Quotes in the NT: How should we understand inerrancy for New Testament passages that appear to quote the Old Testament, but no clear reference can be found? (e.g., James 4:5, Matthew 2: 23).

Q&A question: About OT Quotes in the NT

Grieving our Loved Ones when Not Sure of Salvation: My mom just passed away and I am unsure of her salvation. I know she prayed with the hospital's chaplains. My kids ask if they will see her in Heaven. How do I talk to them about this?

Q&A question: Grieving our Loved Ones when Not Sure of Salvation

salvation

1 Corinthians 14 prophecy 1 Corinthians 14 tongues

A Difficult Bible Contradiction: Can you please explain 1 Corinthians 14: 22-24? Verse 22 states that tongues are a sign for unbelievers, and prophecy is for believers. But vv. 23 and 24 then go on to seemingly describe the exact opposite.

Q&A question: A Difficult Bible Contradiction

John 1 Matthew Jesus Elijah prophecy

John Rejects but Jesus Affirms?: How should we understand John's rejection of being Elijah and a prophet (John 1: 21), while Jesus affirmed it (Matthew 11: 14)?

Q&A question: John Rejects but Jesus Affirms?

Debates on the Canon: What do we do with some of the earliest listed Bible canons and church fathers that exclude Esther and include Sirach and Wisdom of Solomon?

Q&A question: Debates on the Canon

Esther Esther Solomon

Are Easier Translations Unwise?: I struggle reading word for word translations of the Bible like the ESV. I love the NLT for its simple vocabulary and how easy it is to understand. Is it unwise to use the NLT to memorize and study from?

Q&A question: Are Easier Translations Unwise?

Bible translations

1 Corinthians 6 1 Corinthians 6

Proper Interpretation of a Common Passage: What are your thoughts on 1 Corinthians 6: 19? I hear people use this Scripture to call anything they don’t like sin (tattoos, drugs, junk food, etc.). But it seems it’s mostly about sexual immorality.

Q&A question: Proper Interpretation of a Common Passage

Genesis Genesis 5 Genesis Genesis 5

Are We Still Made in God’s Image?: Can you explain Genesis 5:1-3? Why is it different with the birth of Seth? Are we still God’s image bearers?

Q&A question: Are We Still Made in God’s Image?

Is “Déjà Vu” a Biblical Concept?: What are your thoughts on Deja Vu and are there any examples of it in the Bible? I've definitely had times where I had the feeling of being somewhere before when it was the first time being there.

Q&A question: Is “Déjà Vu” a Biblical Concept?

Are Eating Challenges Sinful?: Could you talk a little on what is and is not gluttony? Is it just eating more than you need to, or is there more involved (i.e., eating challenges)?

Q&A question: Are Eating Challenges Sinful?

When Competition turns Sinful: How do I know when my competitiveness is sinful? I coach baseball and want to ensure I'm providing the right model of competition for the players, while also still being as competitive as possible.

Q&A question: When Competition turns Sinful

“Apostasy” = “Departed”?: I've heard that the word translated "apostasy" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 can also be translated as "departed," as in "the end will not come until the departing (rapture) comes first." Do you think this is true?

Q&A question: “Apostasy” = “Departed”?

rapture apostasy

Deceased Loved Ones & Necromancy?: Is going to the cemetery and talking to loved ones necromancy?

Q&A question: Deceased Loved Ones & Necromancy?

Jeremiah Jeremiah 1:5 Jeremiah 1 Jeremiah marriage creation

Our Choices & God’s Sovereign Will: Do we have any true control over life entering the world, or is it only based on God's sovereignty? I think if it’s God's plan for me to have a child, I'll get pregnant even if on birth control. But my husband thinks we control conception through birth control. If Jeremiah 1:5 applies to all people, wouldn't that mean God's plan overrides our plan for procreation?

Q&A question: Our Choices & God’s Sovereign Will

Jesus’ Death: Physical but Not Spiritual?: If Jesus' humanity and divinity are inseparable, then how could He experience bodily death on the cross without His deity dying, as well?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Death: Physical but Not Spiritual?

Jesus

1 John 1 forgiveness 1 John 1

Do Christians Continue to Need Forgiveness?: 1 John 1:9 perplexes me. I am a Christian. In what sense does my daily confession apply "forgiveness" to me? What happens if I die with “unforgiven” sin?

Q&A question: Do Christians Continue to Need Forgiveness?

apologetics doubt and faith

Why Doesn’t God Just Satisfy Skeptics’ Doubts?: How would you answer someone who says, “If there is a God, He knows what evidence I would need to believe and has not given it to me” and seems to genuinely mean it, not mocking/scoffing?

Q&A question: Why Doesn’t God Just Satisfy Skeptics’ Doubts?

Romans 8 Romans 8 resurrection

Metaphorical, Spiritual, or Physical Resurrection?: Is Romans 8: 11 referring to a metaphorical, spiritual, or physical resurrection later to come? I thought it was spiritual, but the term "mortal bodies" has me thinking differently.

Q&A question: Metaphorical, Spiritual, or Physical Resurrection?

Too Much Theology & Doctrine?: My pastor says that theology is “just someone’s opinion” and that “we shouldn’t get hooked on theology and doctrine.” How would you respond?

Q&A question: Too Much Theology & Doctrine?

pastoral ministry

Did Peter & Other Disciples Quit?: Did Peter and the others "quit the ministry" when they went fishing in John 21:3? It seems that Peter had already seen the risen Christ 2 or 3 times before this event.

Q&A question: Did Peter & Other Disciples Quit?

John 21 Peter John 21

Stewarding Friendships with Unbelievers: How do you navigate having worldly friends? At times I enjoy their company and the conversation is good, but at other times they are unbearable to be around, making crude jokes.

Q&A question: Stewarding Friendships with Unbelievers

evangelism

God Conceals a Matter?: In Proverbs 25:2, in what sense is the author saying that God conceals a matter? It's clearly not an absolute (i.e., He does reveal things).

Q&A question: God Conceals a Matter?

Jesus Supporting Violence?: Why does Jesus tell the disciples to buy swords? Is this Jesus supporting violence in self-defense?

Q&A question: Jesus Supporting Violence?

Jesus

Overcome by Strong Delusion?: In 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, when the antichrist is revealed, God will send a strong delusion to those who refused to be saved. Will everyone who has heard the Gospel but not repented be overcome by it?

Q&A question: Overcome by Strong Delusion?

repentance antichrist

Ephesians 4 homosexuality Ephesians 4

What is “Coarse Joking”?: How do we know what coarse joking is (Ephesians 4: 29, 5: 20)? My teen's Christian friends often joke about being LGBTQ and getting high or drunk. Is this a freedom issue, or is this sinful? How should a teen respond?

Q&A question: What is “Coarse Joking”?

Led by the Spirit vs. our Own Feelings: My mom changed her name recently. She felt God was giving her a new name. She often feels led by the Spirit where I don't agree. Any advice for those times, and should I introduce her by new name?

Q&A question: Led by the Spirit vs. our Own Feelings

generosity

The Unrighteous Entering the Millennium?: In the Premillennial view, who are the unrighteous (not saved) that enter into the Millennium? During the sheep/goats judgment, it seems like all the goats get sent to their eternity in Hell.

Q&A question: The Unrighteous Entering the Millennium?

millennium hell

God Taking someone to Avoid Apostasy?: Is there any precedent for God taking home a believer before he might fall away? I Kings 14: 13 says some good was found in Jeroboam’s son.

Q&A question: God Taking someone to Avoid Apostasy?

apostasy

Will We Remember “The Bad” in Eternity?: Can you go into detail as to what Isaiah 65: 17 means by “not remembered” and the “nor come to mind” part? I was told it meant literal memory loss and that scares me. I want to remember even the bad.

Q&A question: Will We Remember “The Bad” in Eternity?

Isaiah Isaiah

The Most Pressing Issue for Deconstructionists: What do you believe is the most pressing issue for deconstructionists?

Q&A question: The Most Pressing Issue for Deconstructionists

deconstruction

1 Kings 19 Elijah 1 Kings 19

Advice for When We’re Exhausted: Do you have any advice for someone who is spiritually and physically exhausted (like Elijah in 1 Kings 19)?

Q&A question: Advice for When We’re Exhausted

Standing Firm for Christ at Work: My work environment is very vulgar and toxic. It's "easier" for me to blend in and not honor Christ with my language and attitude. How can I have more confidence and not give in?

Q&A question: Standing Firm for Christ at Work