Search — Theology Explorer

What Did the Pope Say?: Have some of the things Pope Francis has recently said been heretical?

Q&A question: What Did the Pope Say?

heresy Pope Francis

John 9 John 5 John 9 John 5

Does Sin Cause Illness?: Does sinning cause physical illness? Does refraining from sinning stop it? John 9:3 and John 5: 14 seem to say both are true. Is this a contradiction?

Q&A question: Does Sin Cause Illness?

Matthew Matthew 7 Matthew Matthew 7

Casting Pearls before Swine: In what ways or in what situations might Matthew 7:6 be applicable today?

Q&A question: Casting Pearls before Swine

Was David Conceived in Adultery?: In Psalm 51:5, David says that in sin his mother conceived him. Is he saying that he has been in sin since his conception, or that his mother was in sin when she conceived him? Was David born in adultery?

Q&A question: Was David Conceived in Adultery?

Psalm 51 David Psalm 51

Is Calvinism Heresy?: Why isn’t Calvinism more strongly condemned among non-Calvinists? The doctrine essentially teaches that God will punish people for something completely out of their control, which makes God seem unjust.

Q&A question: Is Calvinism Heresy?

Calvinism heresy

Is God Prideful?: Is God prideful? If our purpose in life is to glorify God, does that mean we were created only to praise Him? I know He is worthy of praise, but was He seeking praise by creating us?

Q&A question: Is God Prideful?

Bible Typography: How important is Bible typography? For example, the way the KJV arranges paragraphs makes context harder to understand than in the ESV.

Q&A question: Bible Typography

hermeneutics

Standing With Israel?: With all of the tensions and things going on over in Israel, how should we be responding to those we’re surrounded by who hate Israel? They don’t seem to understand why we stand with Israel.

Q&A question: Standing With Israel?

Israel

Matthew 16 Matthew John 21 Peter Roman Catholicism Jesus

Was Simon Always “Peter”?: Catholics always say Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter. However, previous verses (Matthew 16: 16, John 21: 15, Matthew 4: 18, and Luke 5:8) refer to him as Simon Peter. Jesus says, “You are Peter…” not “From now on, you are Peter.” Was Simon always known as Peter?

Q&A question: Was Simon Always “Peter”?

Genesis 2 Genesis Genesis 2 Genesis

Adam – “Leave & Cleave”?: How do you interpret Genesis 2: 24? How could Adam come with such a statement, since he had no earthly mother or father?

Q&A question: Adam – “Leave & Cleave”?

Are Atheists Gullible?: Why do I say that atheists tend to be gullible?

Q&A question: Are Atheists Gullible?

atheism

Rapture: Do We Have a Choice?: Assuming a rapture, are we irresistibly taken, or is it a choice to leave with Him? I ask irrespective of Calvinistic irresistible grace. Luke 17: 31-36 seems to indicate both.

Q&A question: Rapture: Do We Have a Choice?

rapture Calvinism

The Multiple Beings of Polytheistic Religions: If God is one being and three persons (one “WHAT” and three “WHOs,” what would two beings of gods look like in false religions? How would those beings be differentiated in a way that the Trinity is not?

Q&A question: The Multiple Beings of Polytheistic Religions

Trinity

About Natural Selection: Regarding natural selection, I recently had a class on that topic in college and was a bit confused on how we, as Christians, should approach that topic with others.

Q&A question: About Natural Selection

No Persecution = No Godliness?: 2 Tim 3: 12 says, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” I’m not being persecuted. Does this mean I’m not living a godly life?

Q&A question: No Persecution = No Godliness?

Jesus

Daniel Daniel 4 Nebuchadnezzar Daniel Daniel 4

King Nebuchadnezzar – Saved?: I was wondering your thoughts on King Nebuchadnezzar. Do you think he was saved, based on Daniel 4?

Q&A question: King Nebuchadnezzar – Saved?

Does Satan Always Need God’s Permission?: Does Satan have to come to God any time he messes with us? I have a friend using Job as proof that Satan needs permission to mess with us, too.

Q&A question: Does Satan Always Need God’s Permission?

Satan

Matthew Matthew 27 Jesus Elijah Matthew

Jesus Calling Out for Elijah?: On the cross, why did the Jewish people think Jesus was calling out for Elijah (Matthew 27: 47)?

Q&A question: Jesus Calling Out for Elijah?

Staying Encouraged in Today’s Culture: How do you stay encouraged in today’s culture? The culture is so discouraging. I sometimes feel like a failure because other Christians seem to “have it all together.” Also, how can we pray for you?

Q&A question: Staying Encouraged in Today’s Culture

How You Can Be Blameless: How do you become blameless before God (Philippians 2: 15-18)?

Q&A question: How You Can Be Blameless

Philip Philippi

Bonus Prayer Request.Please pray for my cousin’s 3 grandchildren. A car wreck on Friday has left one paralyzed and 2 in still in the ICU. One has had 7 surgeries so far. They are all under age 12.

Q&A question

prayer

Genesis & Polygamy: Does the book of Genesis support polygamy?

Q&A question: Genesis & Polygamy

Genesis Genesis

1 Corinthians 3 1 Corinthians 3

Christ is “God’s”?: In 1 Corinthians 3: 23, what does it mean that Christ is “God’s”?

Q&A question: Christ is “God’s”?

When God Protects 1 Person but Not Another: How do we respond if God spares us from harm but not others (e.g., during the recent hurricanes)? I know we should trust His will and use our resources to serve, but it is still a complex topic.

Q&A question: When God Protects 1 Person but Not Another

Stay Focused on Christ!: How do I keep my mind on Jesus all day? I often get so distracted and conform to the ways of people around me. This is the thing I struggle with the most. I’d love your advice!

Q&A question: Stay Focused on Christ!

Jesus

revelation John 12 Revelation 20 eschatology revelation John 12

Eschatological Connections: Do Dispensational Premillennials see a connection between John 12: 31 and Revelation 20:1-3?

Q&A question: Eschatological Connections

God’s Creation of Those Who Would Fall: If God is all-knowing and foresaw the suffering that would result from the fall of Satan, Adam, and Eve, affecting billions, why would He create them, knowing the pain that would follow?

Q&A question: God’s Creation of Those Who Would Fall

Satan creation suffering

Thoughts on The Bible Project: What are your thoughts on The Bible Project?

Q&A question: Thoughts on The Bible Project

Our Motive for Good Deeds: Is it good to do good deeds purely to get heavenly rewards, since you have such great faith in the reward? Or is it bad because your motives are selfish/reward-centered and not centered around love for others?

Q&A question: Our Motive for Good Deeds

heaven

Being a Stay At Home Mom: How do you find meaning in being a stay at home mom and not pursuing a career at the moment?

Q&A question: Being a Stay At Home Mom

Advice for a New Youth Pastor: I just started into youth ministry. Jesus saved me in college; I never had a youth minister, and the position didn’t come with a manual. Any resources, recommendations, wisdom, etc.?

Q&A question: Advice for a New Youth Pastor

Jesus pastoral ministry

Ethical & Happy Non-Christians?: Can unsaved people “do good works”? Why do unsaved people often appear to be happy and live seemingly ethical lives?

Q&A question: Ethical & Happy Non-Christians?

Calling Out False Teachers: Who is supposed to call out false teachings and false teachers? How should it be done? I'm struggling to find Scripture.

Q&A question: Calling Out False Teachers

The Destruction of Jerusalem: Do you believe that in Luke 21: 20 Jesus is talking about the destruction of Jerusalem for today's time?

Q&A question: The Destruction of Jerusalem

Luke 21 Jesus Luke 21

How to Pray for our Enemies: How can we pray for our enemies biblically? Especially those actively trying to kill those you love.

Q&A question: How to Pray for our Enemies

Church Coffee Shops – Sinful?: A church in town opened a coffee shop in the foyer. Some say it's akin to a marketplace in the Temple, and others say since it's run at cost (or even below cost) that it's fine. What are your thoughts?

Q&A question: Church Coffee Shops – Sinful?

Philippians 1 Philip Philippi Philippians 1

Paul & the Female Slave: Why was Paul annoyed with the possessed female slave in Acts 16: 16 when she was actually telling the truth? What about Philippians 1: 18?

Q&A question: Paul & the Female Slave

Philippians 1 Philip Philippi Philippians 1

Does God Grant Our Belief?: What does Philippians 1: 29 mean when it says that God "grants" us belief in Him? Is this deterministic?

Q&A question: Does God Grant Our Belief?

Anger at God’s Word?: Do you have any specific advice on how to deal with emotions while reading the Bible? Recently, I can’t even get through a few verses without feeling overwhelmed with anger or frustration!

Q&A question: Anger at God’s Word?

Exodus 21 marriage Exodus 21

Exodus: Conjugal Rights vs. Adultery?: Exodus 21: 10 says a man married to multiple women shouldn't deny them conjugal rights. Isn't each instance of intimacy in that situation adultery against one wife?

Q&A question: Exodus: Conjugal Rights vs. Adultery?

The Purpose of The Church: What is the biblical purpose of the church, and do you believe modern Christianity is fulfilling that purpose today?

Q&A question: The Purpose of The Church

Bonus: More commentary on question #6 above!

Q&A question

Genesis 2 Genesis Genesis 2 Genesis

Confession Time: What did Mike get wrong about Genesis 2, relating to the topic of polygamy?

Q&A question: Confession Time

Philippians 4 Philippians 4 Philip Philippi

All Things vs. All This Through Christ?: The NIV changed Philippians 4: 13 from I can do "all things" to "all this" which makes more sense to me in context. Do you think "all things" has been misused historically? Will other translations follow?

Q&A question: All Things vs. All This Through Christ?

Unforgivable Sin in The Didache?: and In the Didache, judging the spirits wrongly was included as the unforgivable sin. Could you explain why you think that is not the case?

Q&A question: Unforgivable Sin in The Didache?

unforgivable sin

Genesis Genesis 6 Genesis 6:3 Genesis Genesis 6 Genesis 6:3

Can We Live More than 120 yrs?: How come people live more than 120 years when God said we wouldn’t in Genesis 6:3?

Q&A question: Can We Live More than 120 yrs?

Spiritual Power?: How can I argue biblically against the idea that we gain personal power/status in the spiritual realm by being full of the Spirit, and how does this relate to abiding in Christ & James 5-16?

Q&A question: Spiritual Power?

James James

anxiety and mental health

Advice for Depression & Spiritual Dryness: When I was a teen, I had depression leading to a suicide attempt. Through God I'm still here, married, and have a family. I read/study the Bible and pray, but I feel lost and far from God. Advice?

Q&A question: Advice for Depression & Spiritual Dryness

The Doctrine of Impassability: Can you help me understand the doctrine of impassability a little bit better? It's confusing for me, and I'm not sure how to relate to the Lord and bring Him my pain, knowing this doctrine.

Q&A question: The Doctrine of Impassability