Search — Theology Explorer

What if God Has No Free Will?: Does God lack free will Himself, since He cannot act outside of or contrary to His nature? If so, doesn’t that make His actions questionable?

Q&A question: What if God Has No Free Will?

free will

Do Our Prayers Affect Others’ Salvation?: Do our prayers for the unsaved actually increase their chances of being saved, vs. if they didn’t have anyone praying for them?

Q&A question: Do Our Prayers Affect Others’ Salvation?

salvation prayer

About Asexuality: Is asexuality real? I know believers who say they’re asexual (not sexually attracted to anyone). I think this may be true of me, but could it just be God guarding my heart from lust over the years?

Q&A question: About Asexuality

sexual ethics

Physical Appearances of Jesus Today?: Does Mark 13: 21-23 refute present-day claims of Jesus physically appearing to people, or is this a misapplication of the text?

Q&A question: Physical Appearances of Jesus Today?

Mark 13 Jesus Mark 13

Is Charity Meaningless Apart from the Church?: A pastor I listen to says that any community service/charity work that is not done through the Church or a Christian organization is meaningless to God. What are your thoughts on this?

Q&A question: Is Charity Meaningless Apart from the Church?

pastoral ministry

Hebrews 10 Hebrews 10 forgiveness

Does Sin Separate Believers from God?: I often hear that sin "breaks fellowship" or causes "relational unforgiveness" (to quote GotQuestions.org), but is there Scripture to show that sin can, in any way, separate a Christian from God (Hebrews 10: 19)?

Q&A question: Does Sin Separate Believers from God?

Overcoming the Pressure of Comparison: How do I stop comparing myself to others? As a college student, I’m surrounded by a highly competitive environment and I find myself comparing my grades and career to others. How do I overcome this?

Q&A question: Overcoming the Pressure of Comparison

(Just for fun!) BONUS Q: In LOTR Return of the King, it is mentioned that 3 days are needed to gather more forces. Before Aragorn leaves. However, only 1 day seems to pass. How do you reconcile this?

Q&A question

revelation Revelation 20 Satan revelation Revelation 20

Are We Living in Satan’s Deception?: Have you heard of the theory that we're already living in Satan's short season of deception from Revelation 20:3-8? Some of the ideas are intriguing, but most also claim extra conspiracy baggage, e.g., the "mud flood" and much more.

Q&A question: Are We Living in Satan’s Deception?

Strategic Evangelism to Strangers: How do you initiate sharing the Gospel with a stranger? Is it best to be direct (e.g., “Can I share the Gospel with you?”), or would you recommend a more gradual approach?

Q&A question: Strategic Evangelism to Strangers

angels

Roman Catholicism communion

Different Views on Communion: Have you considered differing views on communion? I’ve just recently learned there are more than just the typical Baptist, Lutheran, and Catholic views. Some believe in Real Presence in spirit, not corporeal.

Q&A question: Different Views on Communion

Acts 13 Calvinism Acts 13 free will

Does Acts 13 Prove Calvinism?: I'd like to hear your thoughts about Acts 13: 48. It seems to contradict the idea that God wants everyone to be saved and that everyone has the same opportunity/free will to believe in Him.

Q&A question: Does Acts 13 Prove Calvinism?

1 Corinthians 11:3 Philippians 2:5-8 John 14:28 complementarianism headship Trinity

Winger affirms the Father has authority over the Son but attributes this to the Incarnation (Phil 2:5-8), not necessarily to the eternal nature of the Trinity. He's open to but not convinced by Eternal Functional Subordination (EFS). Explicitly says he does NOT use EFS to defend complementarianism.

Q: Do many scriptures showing different authority levels between Father and Jesus mean the Father has higher authority? (John 14:28, 1 Cor 11:3, Matt 28:18)

Mark 9 Matthew 12 Matthew Jesus Mark 9 Matthew 12

Mark vs. Matthew – Contradiction?: Can you explain what some say is contradictory between Mark 9: 38-41 (not against us = for us) & Matthew 12: 30 (not with me = against me) & how that applies to NAR/false teachers who profess Jesus?

Q&A question: Mark vs. Matthew – Contradiction?

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-01

Effectively Caring for the Homeless: How are we expected to help homeless people in our modern culture? Are we still expected to invite strangers into our very homes as they did in Bible times?

Q&A question: Effectively Caring for the Homeless

James James heresy homosexuality

About the Queen James Bible: What are your thoughts about the Queen James Bible, also known as the “Gay Bible”? Is this a blasphemous translation to be avoided, or did the QJV publishers have any linguistically valid reason to remove negative references to homosexuality from the Bible? Also, can the Holy Spirit still speak through heretical Bible translations?

Q&A question: About the Queen James Bible

Should We Only Help Others, Never Ourselves?: Is it a sin to help myself instead of others? I only know Scripture that tells me to give to others (Philippians). I'm often frustrated when I'm forced to help others when I need time myself.

Q&A question: Should We Only Help Others, Never Ourselves?

Philip Philippi

women in ministry pastoral ministry

What to Do if Your Pastor is Female: I've watched your Women in Ministry series and come to basically the same conclusions you have. However, I'm part of a church with a female lead pastor. How do I handle this?

Q&A question: What to Do if Your Pastor is Female

Paul’s Hands vs. Jesus’ Hands: “These hands” provided for Paul in Acts 20: 34 NKJV & ESV. But “…of mine” (i.e., “these hands of mine”) is in some translations such as NIV & NET. Is Paul referring to Jesus’ hands or his OWN hands?

Q&A question: Paul’s Hands vs. Jesus’ Hands

Acts 20 Acts 20 Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-15

Navigating a Difficult Marital Situation: Am I dishonoring God if I initiate separation? I’ve been married for over 12 years, always rocky. I've begged for counseling, but my husband (professing believer) said he'd pick divorce first. He says he no longer loves me.

Q&A question: Navigating a Difficult Marital Situation

marriage divorce

Reaching a Pagan Friend: I've got a Pagan friend. He believes that all the different gods exist, including the Abrahamic God, and that the Norse Pantheon is most worthy of worship. Any advice on reaching him?

Q&A question: Reaching a Pagan Friend

Abraham worship Theon

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-15

Winger defends his call for egalitarians to repent, distinguishing it from Calvinism disagreements because egalitarianism directly harms marriages and church leadership structure. He also calls patriarchalists to repent for teaching women are inherently more easily deceived.

Q&A question from someone who agrees egalitarians should repent but asks if the same applies to Calvinism as a secondary issue.

women in ministry complementarianism egalitarianism

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-05

Bonus Prayer.Could you pray for my youth leader? He collapsed one day and has been in the hospital ever since. He was supposed to be leading a youth camp I was going to. Asking for prayer for his healing. Thanks.

Q&A question

prayer healing

Home Churches & Pastors’ Pay: Can you address the belief that churches should only meet in homes, that church buildings are unbiblical, and pastors should not be paid? I’m questioning if this is biblical.

Q&A question: Home Churches & Pastors’ Pay

pastoral ministry

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

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?

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

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

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-03

“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

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

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-03

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

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-03

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

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-17

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

What Makes a Cult?: What makes a cult? I grew up in a church that took many hard stances on issues that led our elders to act in unbiblical ways. Most would say it was a cult. Where is the line drawn?

Q&A question: What Makes a Cult?

elder qualifications

1 Timothy 3:1-7 1 Timothy 2:12 women in ministry complementarianism headship

Winger rejects the 'covering' argument that a senior male pastor can authorize female elders/pastors under his headship. A husband is the head of his wife — an elder is NOT the head of other elders. 1 Timothy 2 says 'I don't allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man,' period — not 'without a male head.'

Q&A: advice for a member of a church with a male lead elder pastoring alongside ordained female elders who often teach on Sundays.

Does God Overlook Ignorance?: In Acts 17: 30, what does Paul mean by God overlooking the times of ignorance? Was He more lenient toward idolatry before the time of Christ? Or did He stop trying to save the idolaters of that time?

Q&A question: Does God Overlook Ignorance?

Acts 17 Acts 17

Does God Operate Outside of Time?: Can you talk about your views on God’s relationship to time? Personally, I find the timeless God view incoherent and unbiblical. It seems He operates within time.

Q&A question: Does God Operate Outside of Time?

What if Election Isn’t about Salvation?: What are your thoughts on election being about service and blessing rather than salvation (i.e., Judas was chosen by Jesus to serve Him but obviously wasn't saved)?

Q&A question: What if Election Isn’t about Salvation?

Jesus salvation Judas