Search — Theology Explorer

elder qualifications Calvinism

Choosing Between Two Churches: What would you do if you had to choose between a Calvinist leaning church and a church that believed women could be elders? Both churches are otherwise healthy and doctrinally sound.

Q&A question: Choosing Between Two Churches

Interpreting the “High Places”: How should we understand the "high places"? 2 Chronicles 15: 17 and other passages condemn the kings for not tearing them down, but in 1 Samuel 9: 12, Samuel attends and blesses a sacrifice at a high place.

Q&A question: Interpreting the “High Places”

Samuel

Processing Past Relationship Issues: My wife had several partners before our marriage. I wasn’t around, but I feel like I have to forgive the men. Am I being weird? How do I bring this to God, because I'm still losing sleep 10 years later?

Q&A question: Processing Past Relationship Issues

marriage

Different Translations = Different Meanings?: Why does 1 Samuel 13:1 have different meanings in different translations (like the NKJV and NIV)?

Q&A question: Different Translations = Different Meanings?

Samuel

Matthew 24 Matthew Trinity Matthew 24 Matthew

Is the Holy Spirit All-Knowing?: Does Matthew 24: 36 imply that the Holy Spirit doesn't know everything? How does that work if the Holy Spirit is God? I've been struggling with the Trinity lately.

Q&A question: Is the Holy Spirit All-Knowing?

Colossians 3:18 Ephesians 5:22 1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger says Eph 5:22 and Col 3:18 apply regardless of whether the husband is a Christian — the qualifier is 'your husband,' not 'your Christian husband.' Submission is not 100% in every possible thing, and exceptions exist for abuse, but the exception shouldn't be used to invalidate the rule.

Q: How should a newly Christian woman apply Eph 5:22 and Col 3:18 when her husband hasn't come to Christ and isn't supportive?

Galatians: The Meaning of “Quickly”: When the Galatians quickly deserted the Gospel (Galatians 1:6), did "quickly" refer to the time after Paul left to when they heard false teaching, or how easily they turned once they heard false teaching?

Q&A question: Galatians: The Meaning of “Quickly”

Galatians 1 Galatians 1

Historical Data: Biblical Christianity: Is there any historical data on biblical Christianity outside the Catholic Church before the Reformation?

Q&A question: Historical Data: Biblical Christianity

Roman Catholicism

Bonus Q!.What’s your favorite Star Wars film?

Q&A question

Pastors Using AI?: For pastors preparing sermons: What is the proper use of AI (artificial intelligence)? What are some rules of wisdom we can apply when using AI as a helpful tool?

Q&A question: Pastors Using AI?

“Soul” in the OT/NT: How do we reconcile the Old Testament use of "soul" to mean a whole person with statements by Jesus implying that a soul is a separate entity? He seems to be contradicting what the Old Testament teaches.

Q&A question: “Soul” in the OT/NT

Jesus

Why is Open Theism Unbiblical?: I know in the past you have been against Open Theism. Why is the idea of a non-completely settled future unbiblical? I lean toward Open Theism due to God’s freedom.

Q&A question: Why is Open Theism Unbiblical?

Praying for Personal Blessings: Selfish?: Can you share your insight on how to get over the feeling that it’s somehow wrong to pray for personal blessings? Objectively, I know it’s not, but the feeling often creeps in, as if it’s selfish.

Q&A question: Praying for Personal Blessings: Selfish?

“Lord” in the OT vs. NT: Is the title of Lord used in the same capacity in the New Testament as it is in the Old Testament (for example, in John13: 13)?

Q&A question: “Lord” in the OT vs. NT

Confessing to Others: You've recently been calling leaders out publicly. Do all Christians need to publicly confess our sins, or only leaders? Is confessing to God and repenting enough, or should we tell each other?

Q&A question: Confessing to Others

repentance

The Importance of Jesus’ Lineage: Why was it so important for Jesus to be born from Seth vs. Cain, Isaac vs. Ishmael, etc., since He came to save all mankind?

Q&A question: The Importance of Jesus’ Lineage

Isaac Jesus

Should Shame Linger?: As a kid, even after apologizing, I felt my parents' shame/disappointment/anger in the room until a period of time would pass. I know my sin harms my intimacy w/God even though Romans 8:1 is true, so I can't get over the "awkward in the room" feeling when I try to pray or draw near to God after sinning. Should shame linger for a period of time?

Q&A question: Should Shame Linger?

Romans 8 Romans 8

Church Leadership: Unbiblical Demands?: A church I know has an Intellectual Property document that staff signs and it says they can't pursue personal creative projects without the leadership’s permission. Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Church Leadership: Unbiblical Demands?

church leadership

How to Draw Near to God: How can someone draw closer to God?

Q&A question: How to Draw Near to God

Restoring Predators?: As a policy, does God command us to restore predators to ministry, as Rick Joyner teaches?

Q&A question: Restoring Predators?

James James pastoral ministry

“Not Many…” So Should I?: How does someone answer the call to be a teacher or a pastor if they feel called but is concerned about the warning in James that not many should become teachers?

Q&A question: “Not Many…” So Should I?

Galatians 6:1 Matthew 7:5 women in ministry egalitarianism egalitarianism

Winger advises a 16-year-old in an egalitarian church on how to approach leaders: do self-assessment first (Matt 7:5, Gal 6:1), don't become one-sided in critique, acknowledge blessings from women's ministry even if the role is unbiblical, bring SPECIFIC evidence rather than just conviction, and start with encouragement.

Q from 16-year-old who has been studying Winger's Women in Ministry series and wants to discuss egalitarianism with church leaders.

“Red Letters”: More Important?: Are Paul's words in Scripture less important than Jesus' words?

Q&A question: “Red Letters”: More Important?

Jesus

The Best Counsel for Couples: My wife and I recently starting doing pre-marital counseling for other couples in our church. What is some of the best advice we should give these couples?

Q&A question: The Best Counsel for Couples

marriage

Philemon Romans 2 Timothy Philemon Romans 2

Paul’s Gospel?: In Philemon 1: 19, why did Philemon owe himself to Paul? And why does Paul call it "his" gospel (please also see Romans 2: 16 , 16: 25, 2 Timothy 2:8)?

Q&A question: Paul’s Gospel?

Worship Lyrics: Thinking Biblically: I have a question about a worship song. Do you think it is appropriate to sing “Let Your holy fire consume us”?

Q&A question: Worship Lyrics: Thinking Biblically

worship

Are Annulments Biblical?: What are your thoughts on annulments? Are they biblical and are they ever wise? Or are people just trying to justify their divorce?

Q&A question: Are Annulments Biblical?

divorce

Hats: Disrespectful or Stylish?: My mother-in-law is "old-fashioned." What's your opinion about wearing hats in church? How about pastors preaching in them?

Q&A question: Hats: Disrespectful or Stylish?

Why We’re Never Satisfied: How do I deal with not being satisfied in life? I feel guilty because God should satisfy me and be all that I need, but I don't feel satisfied or content.

Q&A question: Why We’re Never Satisfied

BONUS: Can you PLEASE give a shout-out to my husband, Michael (non-believer) who started listening to you because I wouldn't stop talking about it! Please pray for him!

Q&A question

marriage

Child Preachers: Biblical?: Are “child preachers” biblical?

Q&A question: Child Preachers: Biblical?

Expository Teaching: Biblical?: I asked a pastor at my former church why they chose to teach in a topical style rather than expository. He said we do not see examples of expository teaching in the Bible. Is this true, and a good reason?

Q&A question: Expository Teaching: Biblical?

1 Corinthians 15 1 Corinthians 15 baptism Mormonism

Baptism for the Dead?: Does 1 Corinthians 15: 29 give validity to the Mormon practice of getting baptized for the dead?

Q&A question: Baptism for the Dead?

Struggling with Sexual Temptations: I struggle with same-sex attraction, unfortunately. How can I be sure that I’m not reprobate/unregenerate? The idea of evanescent grace scares me.

Q&A question: Struggling with Sexual Temptations

sexual ethics

Apostles vs. Disciples?: Does it matter whether I refer to Jesus' followers as the 12 Apostles or the 12 Disciples?

Q&A question: Apostles vs. Disciples?

Jesus Apostles

Matthew 25 Matthew rapture Matthew 25 tribulation

Sheep, Goats & The Rapture: Have you considered the sheep and goat judgment of Matthew 25 in light of the timing of the Rapture? The Rapture HAS to be before the tribulation in order for the Earth to be repopulated.

Q&A question: Sheep, Goats & The Rapture

Having the Gift of Prophecy: How does a Christian know if they have the gift of prophecy?

Q&A question: Having the Gift of Prophecy

prophecy

Does God Choose to Love Us?: Does God choose to love us? If He Himself is love and He can't help but love us, why should we feel honored by it? Doesn't that take away the meaningfulness of it?

Q&A question: Does God Choose to Love Us?

The Fear of Failing: I’m afraid I’ll sin or lead myself away from God if I make the wrong decisions about personal convictions, theology, and even daily choices. How should I deal with the fear of being wrong?

Q&A question: The Fear of Failing

Divination Worked: Am I Unsaved?: A man who practices divination visited and gave info about me that was about 60% correct. Does this mean I’m not saved if his spells seemed to work on me?

Q&A question: Divination Worked: Am I Unsaved?

Flat Earth Use of Scripture: Do I still say that Flat Earthers misuse Scripture?

Q&A question: Flat Earth Use of Scripture

Why Some Reject & Some Accept Faith: Could you help me answer the Calvinist who asks what the difference is between a person who has faith and a person who rejects faith? If we are all equally sinful, why do some choose Christ?

Q&A question: Why Some Reject & Some Accept Faith

Calvinism

Why My Prayer Isn’t Answered: How can I tell why a prayer hasn’t been answered? How do I know if I just have to wait longer, or if some sin is hindering my prayer, or if the answer is simply “no”?

Q&A question: Why My Prayer Isn’t Answered

prayer

The Bible: Chronological Order?: Is it helpful to read the Bible in chronological order?

Q&A question: The Bible: Chronological Order?

The “Who” of Romans 7: Who is Paul talking about in Romans 7? Himself, some hypothetical believer, or someone else entirely?

Q&A question: The “Who” of Romans 7

Romans 7 Romans 7

Single but Living As Married: My fiancée moved in, is sleeping with me, using my credit card, is on my home title and health insurance, and we’re filing taxes jointly. But our wedding ceremony is not until 2027. I want to break up with her. Is that OK since we’ve made no vow yet before God?

Q&A question: Single but Living As Married

dating and relationships

Romans 5 Moses Romans 5 salvation

Sin Before The Law: In Romans 5: 13, what does it mean that sin was not counted against those before Moses gave the law? Did all those people receive eternal salvation?

Q&A question: Sin Before The Law

Are You Reformed?: I think you've said that you consider yourself Reformed, and I wondered what you mean by that. What Reformed doctrines do you accept besides the ones that constitute basic orthodoxy?

Q&A question: Are You Reformed?

Does Porn Disqualify from Ministry?: What are your thoughts on pastors struggling with porn/lust? Is it disqualifying? I stepped out of ministry to heal. Many ministers my age (23) struggle. Please pray. I’ve seen progress, but I still fight.

Q&A question: Does Porn Disqualify from Ministry?