Search — Theology Explorer

Asking Others for Help When Needed: I have an illness that leaves me physically and mentally fatigued. My wife and I need a lot of help but struggle with asking. How do I ask for help in a way that is God-honoring and not selfish?

Q&A question: Asking Others for Help When Needed

marriage

What Exactly Is Sin?: What exactly is sin? Is there a difference between sins against the flesh and sins against the heart/spirit? Does 1 John 5: 17 have anything to do with that? Is sin only sin when it causes death?

Q&A question: What Exactly Is Sin?

death and afterlife

What does “Woke” Mean?: I have heard you use the word “woke.” Please define it. Since being hijacked from the Black community, it seems to mean different things.

Q&A question: What does “Woke” Mean?

Roman Catholicism salvation hell

Salvation before the Reformation: Were people saved before the Reformation? It is hard to believe everyone went to Hell during that time, so I've heard people use this to argue in favor of Catholicism. Is this a valid argument?

Q&A question: Salvation before the Reformation

Should I Really be Held Accountable?: How can a just God hold people accountable for their beliefs if those beliefs are influenced by cultural, social, and psychological factors beyond their control?

Q&A question: Should I Really be Held Accountable?

Is Hell Just the Absence of God?: Is it accurate when people say, "Hell is simply the absence of God"? For Example, Jesus is the water of life so there's no water in Hell, or we rest in Christ so there's no rest in Hell.

Q&A question: Is Hell Just the Absence of God?

Jesus hell

Political Signups in Church?: Do you think churches should allow political signup ballots for certain bills in the church? I had an older woman come up to me and ask me to sign. For context, it was about gas and electricity.

Q&A question: Political Signups in Church?

hermeneutics

revelation John 15 Revelation 2 Jesus revelation John 15

Slaves or Friends of Christ?: Does Jesus “call” us His slaves? In John 15: 15 He says He does not, but in Revelation 2: 20 He seems to do so.

Q&A question: Slaves or Friends of Christ?

Jesus – the Son of Man: Why does Jesus switch from first person to third person only when He’s referring to Himself as The Son of Man?

Q&A question: Jesus – the Son of Man

Jesus

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 marriage prayer

Does Refusal of Sex Justify Divorce?: Does 1 Corinthians 7 really mean we can never say no to sex except for a season of fasting and prayer? My pastor told my husband that if I deny him for too long then he has biblical grounds for divorce.

Q&A question: Does Refusal of Sex Justify Divorce?

Did Jesus Teach on the Rapture?: A friend doesn’t believe in the Rapture because “Jesus never taught it” and he doesn’t consider Paul (or his writings) to be authoritative. How would you approach something like that?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Teach on the Rapture?

Jesus rapture

Do Only Good Things Come from God?: Is the concept of only good things coming from God biblical? I hear this a LOT in CCM and I am just not sure, given how our culture defines "good.” Is God not finished if your story isn't "good”?

Q&A question: Do Only Good Things Come from God?

Biblical Support for Calvinism?: What's up with Isaiah 63: 17? Is this a bullet in the Calvinist gun?

Q&A question: Biblical Support for Calvinism?

Isaiah Isaiah Calvinism

Did Jesus ever Make Mistakes at Work?: Do you suppose Jesus was the most skilled carpenter who ever lived? Is it heretical to imagine Him ever making a mistake on the job?

Q&A question: Did Jesus ever Make Mistakes at Work?

Jesus heresy

Was Jesus’ Death Suicide?: I need help responding to the objection that Jesus voluntarily going to the cross was suicide. I know this isn’t the case, but I’m having a hard time expressing why.

Q&A question: Was Jesus’ Death Suicide?

Jesus

How Can We Sin if Indwelled?: How are we able to sin if the Holy Spirit is in us?

Q&A question: How Can We Sin if Indwelled?

Holy Spirit

Defining Inerrancy: How can we biblically define inerrancy? Even the writers of the Chicago Statement seem to hold slightly different views on harmonization (according to Mike Licona).

Q&A question: Defining Inerrancy

Mike Licona

Is Nakedness Inherently Sinful?: My 16 year old daughter was wondering why with the Fall in Genesis, shame is associated with being naked. What’s the correlation between sin, nakedness, and the Fall? I didn't really know.

Q&A question: Is Nakedness Inherently Sinful?

Genesis Genesis

How were Private Events Recorded?: Do you know how biblical authors recorded events, conversations, and moments that transpired despite being in private or in a one-man scenario, perhaps like Judas' death?

Q&A question: How were Private Events Recorded?

Judas

When did the Old Covenant End?: When did the Old Covenant officially end? Christ's birth? Death (Temple veil torn in 2)? Resurrection? Pentecost? 70 A.D. (destruction of the Temple)? Or was it a gradual "end" similar to U.S. slavery?

Q&A question: When did the Old Covenant End?

resurrection

Overcoming Pride: I often feel myself getting prideful and I’m worried that if I don't get control over it, God will humble me. What are some ways to keep myself humble, before God does it for me?

Q&A question: Overcoming Pride

Hebrews 2:2 Acts 7 Galatians 3 Moses Hebrews 2:2 Acts 7

Did God or an Angel Give Moses the Tablets?: How do we reconcile Exodus 31: 18 with Acts 7: 38, Galatians 3: 19, and Hebrews 2:2? I’m unconvinced that Scripture contradicts itself, but this lives in my head rent free and I need a resolution.

Q&A question: Did God or an Angel Give Moses the Tablets?

Daniel Jesus prayer Daniel

Why Pray for Others?: If Jesus is our final intercessor, why should we intercede for or pray over other believers' needs? Is this related to the spiritual realm and prayer delays, like in Daniel 10: 12-14?

Q&A question: Why Pray for Others?

Commentary Recommendations: What is your go-to commentary?

Q&A question: Commentary Recommendations

1 Timothy 2:12 women in ministry complementarianism egalitarianism

Winger says a wife co-teaching an adult Sunday school Bible study IS an elder-type role and would be wrong under his complementarian view. However, co-teaching a topical class (like parenting) is NOT eldership and he'd be fine with it. He warns against creating Pharisaic rules but draws the line at verse-by-verse Bible teaching.

Bonus Q after viewer watched WIM series: Is a woman helping her husband teach a co-ed adult Sunday school class an elder-type role?

Taking On an Atheist’s Challenge: Can you please respond to Holy Koolaid’s video alleging various Bible contradictions and problems with Christianity? Did Jesus Himself undermine Christianity?

Q&A question: Taking On an Atheist’s Challenge

Jesus atheism

Preston Sprinkle & “Side B” Christianity: What's your take on Preston Sprinkle? Some Christians like him, but others call him a heretic or "side B Christian.” The issue seems to be about him not thinking same-sex attraction is a sin when not meditated/acted on.

Q&A question: Preston Sprinkle & “Side B” Christianity

heresy

Is Family Planning Sinful?: My church teaches that a couple must continuously have as many children as they're able, and it's seen as selfish and a sin resulting in church discipline if they use any form of family planning to stop. Many have 12-18 children as a result. Leadership says God wouldn't give more children than a couple can handle. Is this biblical? We already have 5 children.

Q&A question: Is Family Planning Sinful?

parenting

The Pinnacle of Wickedness: Mike, are we there yet? The Bible says it will be as in the days of Noah in the last days. Have we arrived at the pinnacle of wickedness yet?

Q&A question: The Pinnacle of Wickedness

NAR

Can we still Glean from Reckless Charismatism?: I learned that Bethel's prophecy teachings and those of Storms, Wimber, Deere, Randolph, etc. trace back to scandalous Kansas City prophets. Should all be ignored, or can the chaff be separated?

Q&A question: Can we still Glean from Reckless Charismatism?

prophecy Bethel Church

Trusting God with Deep Fears: I’m a mom of three young children. I struggle with a lot of fear over their safety. How can I give this to God, knowing that it doesn’t mean something bad won’t still happen?

Q&A question: Trusting God with Deep Fears

parenting

pastoral ministry healing

Healing = the Children’s Bread?: "Healing is the children's bread" is taught by a pastor friend when he prays for the sick. He uses Mark 7: 24-30 as the proof text. What is the “bread” in v. 27?

Q&A question: Healing = the Children’s Bread?

Titus 2:5 Titus Proverbs 31 Titus 2:5 Titus Proverbs 31

Household Responsibilities in Marriage: Does God care who does the dishes and cooks the food? Is the wife called to manage the household? What if both the husband and wife work similar full-time jobs (Proverbs 31: 15,21,27; Titus 2:5)?

Q&A question: Household Responsibilities in Marriage

Questioning Salvation = Not Saved?: I asked the youth how confident they are of salvation on a 1-10 scale. One replied with a ”7” citing that they still sin and don’t read their Bible often. Can one be saved if they associate salvation with works like Bible reading? Are the warnings in Galatians fitting here?

Q&A question: Questioning Salvation = Not Saved?

salvation

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7

Are All of Paul’s Writings Inspired?: What should we make of Paul saying "I, not the Lord" as if he's just giving his own opinion, while also believing that all Scripture (which includes that statement) is Holy Spirit inspired (1 Corinthians 7)?

Q&A question: Are All of Paul’s Writings Inspired?

Discussing Biblical “Contradictions”!: Can you please discuss some different Bible passages that appear to be contradictory?

Q&A question: Discussing Biblical “Contradictions”!

biblical reliability

Unnecessary Body Parts = Evolution?: I have a coworker that is an atheist. He said that there are parts of our bodies that are not necessary and that might prove evolution rather than a Creator. Any thoughts?

Q&A question: Unnecessary Body Parts = Evolution?

atheism evolution

Is Salvation Sometimes Unfair?: One of my biggest issues is that you NEED to believe in Jesus to be saved. If someone is born in a Muslim country, they would have to sacrifice way more than the average westerner. How is that fair?

Q&A question: Is Salvation Sometimes Unfair?

Jesus salvation Islam

Historical Jesus & Manuscripts: How can we believe in a historical Jesus if the oldest manuscripts we have are from the second or third century?

Q&A question: Historical Jesus & Manuscripts

Jesus

Is Christianity the True Religion?: How do I know Christianity is right/true compared to other world religions?

Q&A question: Is Christianity the True Religion?

Does God Make Mistakes?: I often hear the argument, “If God doesn't make mistakes when it comes to gender, then what about people with disabilities?" How would you respond?

Q&A question: Does God Make Mistakes?

Applying PSA on Earth?: If the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement is just, would it be just for an earthly judge to impute the guilt of a murderer to an innocent volunteer and sentence the volunteer to death instead of the murderer? If not, why?

Q&A question: Applying PSA on Earth?

atonement

Matthew Joseph Jesus prophecy

Joseph in Jesus’ Lineage?: Any idea why Matthew and Luke list Joseph’s genealogy when he’s not Jesus’ birth father? Does that mean Jesus’ lineage isn’t what it needs to be to fulfill prophecy?

Q&A question: Joseph in Jesus’ Lineage?

Is there Really an Afterlife?: Why do Christians think there is an afterlife? Why not just look at death as a return to the quantum state, like before we were born?

Q&A question: Is there Really an Afterlife?

death and afterlife

Did God Create Cancer?: If God created everything, why did He create cancer? As a Christian mother, I still struggle with these sorts of questions.

Q&A question: Did God Create Cancer?

suffering

The Best Argument for God: What do you think is the best evidence/argument there is for God?

Q&A question: The Best Argument for God

apologetics

Does Trusting First Invalidate our Faith?: If you have to believe first in order to experience the reality of Christianity, if the "proof" only comes alive when one chooses to trust it, isn't that "truth" make-believe?

Q&A question: Does Trusting First Invalidate our Faith?

Would a Good God make a Terrible Hell?: When Jesus said that for the person who would betray Him it would be better not to be born, I assume Hell is worse than non-existence. How does this match with a good God?

Q&A question: Would a Good God make a Terrible Hell?

Jesus hell

Jesus salvation homosexuality

Unrepentant Heart – Still Saved by Faith?: If I believe in my heart that Jesus rose from the dead and trust in Him alone for salvation, why would God then send me to Hell for being actively gay? Am I not saved by my faith instead of my works?

Q&A question: Unrepentant Heart – Still Saved by Faith?