Search — Theology Explorer

Tips for Consistent Bible Reading: I’ve been pretty terrible with reading my Bible in past years, and I really want to stay in God’s Word this year (and always). Can you please give me some advice on how to read my Bible consistently? I always start reading plans, fall behind, then just stop reading altogether.

Q&A question: Tips for Consistent Bible Reading

Hebrews 10 Romans 3 Jesus atonement Hebrews 10

Were OT Sacrifices Purely Symbolic?: Did Levitical sacrifices really do anything beyond point people to Jesus? Hebrews 10:4 and Romans 3: 25 tell us that Jesus' atonement was applied retroactively to Old Testament saints, so were their sacrifices only symbolic?

Q&A question: Were OT Sacrifices Purely Symbolic?

elder qualifications pastoral ministry

Do Pastors Have Authority over Believers?: A lot of people in my circle talk about being under the "covering" and authority of their pastor and elders. Is this a thing?

Q&A question: Do Pastors Have Authority over Believers?

Tips for Reading Scripture w/Children: It seems like the more I try and teach my kids the Word (ages 8,12 yrs.) the more they say the Bible is boring and groan every time I want to read with them. I’m getting discouraged. Suggestions?

Q&A question: Tips for Reading Scripture w/Children

parenting

When to be Re-Baptized: If I lacked repentance at the time of my baptism years ago as a teen, should I be rebaptized now as an adult? This past year I've experienced true, heart-felt repentance and now I just want to obey.

Q&A question: When to be Re-Baptized

repentance baptism

Does the P. of Talents demand Physical Work?: My preacher uses the Parable of Talents to say we must go out to do work for the Lord. I have chronic illness and I don't have energy for stuff outside of my family. Does this mean I waste my talents?

Q&A question: Does the P. of Talents demand Physical Work?

suffering

Why Didn’t Adam Stop Eve?: Since Adam was sinless before the fall, why didn't he fulfill his role as a husband when Eve was tempted by the serpent (it seems like he was nearby)?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t Adam Stop Eve?

marriage

Legal, but Is It Moral / Biblical?: In bodybuilding, the usage of performance enhancing drugs are not illegal and are used by higher level competitors. As a Christian, would those drugs be considered sinful to utilize as a tool to be competitive in the pro league?

Q&A question: Legal, but Is It Moral / Biblical?

How is the Bible Perfect, Written by Humans?: According to Scripture, all humans are flawed. There are no examples of humans being perfect, apart from Christ. Therefore, how can anyone deem the Bible 100% perfect when its authors were imperfect?

Q&A question: How is the Bible Perfect, Written by Humans?

A Prayer Request from Pastor Mike: Today I want to know how we can all pray for YOU and your ministry.

Q&A question: A Prayer Request from Pastor Mike

prayer pastoral ministry

Daniel Daniel 4 eschatology Daniel Daniel 4

Who are the Watchers in Daniel 4?: Who are the “watchers” of Daniel 4: 17? Do they play an end times role?

Q&A question: Who are the Watchers in Daniel 4?

Advice for a Transgender Situation: My baby’s kindergarten has hired a transgender person who advocates. If kids ask, they will say that he is a trans. My baby is just 1 yr. old. Is it even safe for her to be with this confused person? Any advice?

Q&A question: Advice for a Transgender Situation

Comfort from Scripture after a Breakup: My girlfriend (devout Catholic) and I (devout "protestant") broke up recently after dating for a year. We wanted to get married, but we broke up due to our faiths. Where can I read for comfort?

Q&A question: Comfort from Scripture after a Breakup

Roman Catholicism

Will we be Judged for our Words or Intentions?: Will God judge us for what we said, or for what we meant by those words?

Q&A question: Will we be Judged for our Words or Intentions?

Understanding the Trinity: How should we understand the "power dynamic" within the Trinity specifically as it applies to "sending" (filioque clause in mind)? Does the Father have a sort of "sending" authority over the Son & the Spirit?

Q&A question: Understanding the Trinity

Trinity

John 10 Psalm 82 John 10 Psalm 82

About the “Little gods” Theory: Can you explain a biblical view of the "little gods" theory (Psalm 82:6 and John 10: 34)?

Q&A question: About the “Little gods” Theory

About Jacob’s “Wrestle” with God: Did Jacob really "wrestle" with God? Why does Genesis make it sound as though he "won" this fight?

Q&A question: About Jacob’s “Wrestle” with God

Genesis Jacob Genesis

About the “Tongues of Angels”: 1Corinthians 13:1 refers to "speaking in the tongues of men and of angels." The tongues of men are just different languages, but what are tongues of angels?

Q&A question: About the “Tongues of Angels”

tongues angels

Why We Should Go to Church: My aunt tells me to go to church because that's when the Holy Spirit "descends" and is with us. Is this true? I'm abroad for school and I don't understand the language that well. Should I still go?

Q&A question: Why We Should Go to Church

Holy Spirit

How to Grow in Christ: What's the best way to get closest to Christ?

Q&A question: How to Grow in Christ

What does it mean that God IS Love?: What does it mean that God IS love, rather than just saying that He is loving or that He loves us?

Q&A question: What does it mean that God IS Love?

Is it Wrong to have Vaxxed & Non-Vaxxed Services?: My church has decided to have 2 different services: one for those who have gotten the vaccine, and one for those who have not. I love my pastors, but I disagree with this approach, and I see it as divisive. Is this something I should leave the church over? I wouldn’t think Jesus would ever be for this option.

Q&A question: Is it Wrong to have Vaxxed & Non-Vaxxed Services?

Jesus pastoral ministry

revelation worship revelation

Should we Worship the Holy Spirit?: Why isn't the Holy Spirit mentioned in any of the instances in Revelation when praise is being given to the Father and the lamb if He is to be worshiped as separate? For example: Revelation 5: 13.

Q&A question: Should we Worship the Holy Spirit?

About Jannes & Jambres: Why does Paul mention Jannes and Jambres in 2 Timothy as being part of the Exodus story when they weren’t? Did he have a different exodus? Is he referring to an extra-biblical book so authoritatively?

Q&A question: About Jannes & Jambres

Timothy

Is Being Poor a Godly Virtue?: In Luke 16: 19-31 we read the story of Lazarus and the rich man and it seems that the only thing Lazarus did to deserve Paradise was being a sick beggar. Does this story teach virtue in being poor?

Q&A question: Is Being Poor a Godly Virtue?

Luke 16 Lazarus Luke 16

How to Respond to Friends’ Ungodly Behavior: How should I respond when hanging out with friends who cuss / curse or play foul music celebrating sinful behavior, some of them being believers?

Q&A question: How to Respond to Friends’ Ungodly Behavior

About “Twilight” relating to Passover: What does “twilight” mean when the Passover lamb is sacrificed? Is it the start of the 14th, or the end leading into the 15th (first day of unleavened bread)?

Q&A question: About “Twilight” relating to Passover

How to Forgive the Abuse of a Loved One: My disabled daughter w/ MS was abused by her ex (hit, pushed her head through a wall, broke her jaw twice requiring three surgeries, told her he’s going to have her killed, & more). I know I should forgive him, but how?

Q&A question: How to Forgive the Abuse of a Loved One

When to Lovingly tell Someone they’re Deceived: If you spend years lovingly bringing scripture to someone in a religion that corrupts it, hoping to open their eyes but fail, is it wrong to finally say directly they've been deceived, and that the religion is a lie?

Q&A question: When to Lovingly tell Someone they’re Deceived

About “Dynamic Omniscience: Could you please explain and give your take on the Open Theist position called " dynamic omniscience" and how biblical or unbiblical the position is?

Q&A question: About “Dynamic Omniscience

faith and science

Called to be Single? How to Know: How do you know if God has called you to be single?

Q&A question: Called to be Single? How to Know

dating and relationships

Luke 8 Jesus miracles Luke 8

Did Jesus Not Know Who Touched Him?: In Luke 8: 45, Jesus asks who touched His garment while in a crowd. Did Jesus really not know who had touched Him, nor that this miracle would take place?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Not Know Who Touched Him?

tribulation pastoral ministry

About Jews & the Great Tribulation: I heard a pastor claim that 2/3 of Jews will die during the Great Tribulation, and the ones who survive will become Christians. Is this what Paul was referring to with “all Israel will be saved”?

Q&A question: About Jews & the Great Tribulation

Can Mental Issues Sometimes be Demonic?: Could my Generalized Anxiety Disorder and OCD be a demonic issue rather than a mental health issue? I'm a believer, but I suffer from both of these issues and I feel trapped.

Q&A question: Can Mental Issues Sometimes be Demonic?

demons

Was Creation an Incarnation of God?: What do you think of Richard Rohr's claim that "creation was the first incarnation of God"?

Q&A question: Was Creation an Incarnation of God?

creation Richard Rohr

About “Boot Camp” Churches: What is your opinion on "Boot Camp" Churches such as Elevation and Newspring that say that their church is for unbelievers and is not a permanent space for believers to remain?

Q&A question: About “Boot Camp” Churches

evangelism

Isaiah Matthew Isaiah prophecy Matthew

About the Virgin Birth: Is the virgin birth an invention by Matthew to buff up the Gospel narrative? The "double-fulfillment" of Isaiah's prophecy sounds like a convenience interpretation. Does the virgin birth matter?

Q&A question: About the Virgin Birth

Overcoming Fear while Witnessing: I am currently attending a public school, and I’m wondering how I am supposed to speak the Word and truth of God when I fear that I will be shut down if I let my true beliefs be heard. Any advice?

Q&A question: Overcoming Fear while Witnessing

evangelism

Are Some Worship Songs Selfish?: Is it selfish or unbiblical for us to sing the song “How He Loves”? Sometimes I feel it's selfish that we're singing about ourselves when it's supposed to be a worship song. Shouldn't God get the glory?

Q&A question: Are Some Worship Songs Selfish?

worship

Should we Hate the Devil?: Is it OK to Hate Satan?

Q&A question: Should we Hate the Devil?

Satan

My Fault if Someone’s Not Saved?: I know God is in control, but since prayer and fasting makes a difference, is it my fault if someone is not saved because I didn’t pray or fast enough for them? I feel responsible when I eat or forget to pray.

Q&A question: My Fault if Someone’s Not Saved?

prayer fasting

Romans 11 revelation Zechariah rapture Romans 11 revelation

About the 2 Witnesses / Rapture?: It seems like the 2 witnesses in Zechariah 4 and Revelation 11 are like two peoples instead of individuals, as Romans 11: 17-21 speaks of olive trees/branches being Jews/Gentiles. If so, would the rapture be the "calling up" of them?

Q&A question: About the 2 Witnesses / Rapture?

John Piper Romans 6 John Piper salvation sanctification

Does Romans Teach Works for Salvation?: Does Romans 6: 22 preach salvation by works? John Piper claims that this verse suggests that at final salvation, our works coming from sanctification result in eternal life.

Q&A question: Does Romans Teach Works for Salvation?

Matthew Calvinism Matthew

Does God Grant People Faith? / Calvinism: How would you interpret the end of Matthew 11 in a non-Calvinist way, since it seems at a quick read to me that God grants people faith?

Q&A question: Does God Grant People Faith? / Calvinism

Thinking Biblically about Trends: There is a trend in many young male Christians where they are wearing earrings, painting nails, fixing eyebrows, and putting on makeup. Help me think biblically about this, as it's a bit shocking.

Q&A question: Thinking Biblically about Trends

Advice for being a Godly Man: I just turned 18 today, and for the past few months, I've been struggling with the transition into adulthood. Got any advice for someone trying to become the man God wants them to be?

Q&A question: Advice for being a Godly Man

Does Blindness Cover Sin?: In John 9: 41, Jesus says, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin..." What does it mean to be "blind" in this context? Does this blindness also cover sin?

Q&A question: Does Blindness Cover Sin?

John 9 Jesus John 9

Discerning Extrabiblical Prophecies: When should extrabiblical prophecy be accepted or rejected? I don’t know how to discern or “test the spirits,” and I don’t want to be overly dismissive, even if the claims seem astonishing.

Q&A question: Discerning Extrabiblical Prophecies

prophecy

Genesis 3:16 Ephesians 5:22 1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger affirms husband-wife roles are equal in value but different in role, calling this 'irrefutably taught' in the NT. He rejects the word 'rule' as misleading in modern English but affirms husbands have a higher position of authority.

Q&A question asking why submission is taught as God-ordained in the NT if the husband's rule was a curse of the fall.