Search — Theology Explorer

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

marriage salvation angels

Evangelizing the Apathetic: My wife and I are having difficulty ministering to her father who doesn’t seem to care about the topic of God at all. How do you help someone realize the importance of salvation?

Q&A question: Evangelizing the Apathetic

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

Mark of the Beast: Literal or Symbolic?: Could the Mark of the Beast being on the forehead or right hand symbolize something that dominates the mind or actions of those who submit to it instead of a literal mark on the body as many assume?

Q&A question: Mark of the Beast: Literal or Symbolic?

submission in marriage

Ancient Israel & The Trinity: Did ancient Israelites believe in the concept of a "multi-personal God"? By multi-personal God, I mean a concept similar to the Trinity, where there is one God made up of multiple Persons.

Q&A question: Ancient Israel & The Trinity

Trinity

Christ Ascending & Descending: What is Paul talking about in Romans 10:6-7 when he’s speaking of Christ descending and ascending? The way he phrases things seems like it should be the other way around.

Q&A question: Christ Ascending & Descending

Romans 10 Romans 10

Making True Disciples: According to Scripture, if the disciple you make doesn't make a disciple, have you really made a disciple?

Q&A question: Making True Disciples

John 3 Jesus baptism Mormonism

Did Jesus Baptize?: Considering John 3: 22 and 4:2, did Jesus Himself baptize others, or not? A Mormon brought this up to me, and the only thing I could think of was that John 3: 22 wasn’t actually saying Jesus baptized, perhaps only that He oversaw the baptisms. Any insight?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Baptize?

Did Jesus’ Deity Die?: Did Jesus' deity die on the cross, and if not, then how could He be an atoning sacrifice for sin? If it died, then how could He be God without affirming the kenotic heresy?

Q&A question: Did Jesus’ Deity Die?

Jesus heresy

Jeremiah David Jeremiah Jesus

God’s Eternal Covenant: I see in Jeremiah 33 that God extends His eternal covenant not only to the house of David as kings, but also Levi as priests (Jeremiah 33: 17-22). Who fulfills this promise? Does Jesus?

Q&A question: God’s Eternal Covenant

Matthew 10 Matthew Jesus salvation Matthew 10

Not Worthy = Not Saved?: Do Jesus' words in Matthew 10: 37-39 give the impression that if we don't put Him first in everything, we're not saved? Does the phrase "not worthy of Me" not refer to salvation?

Q&A question: Not Worthy = Not Saved?

2 Corinthians 4:4 Romans 11 John 12 2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan Romans 11

Does God Veil/Blind Understanding?: Why do we assume that 2 Corinthians 4:4 is not about God, but presumably about Satan? In the context of chapters 3 and 4, and also in other verses, we learn that God veils/blinds eyes (ex: John 12: 40, Romans 11:8).

Q&A question: Does God Veil/Blind Understanding?

Luke 22 Jesus angels Luke 22

How Could God Need Strengthening?: Can you explain how an angel could have strengthened Jesus since He is God (Luke 22: 43)?

Q&A question: How Could God Need Strengthening?

Translation Discrepancies?: Mark 1: 41 in the NIV says Jesus was indignant, but other translations don't. What’s up with that?

Q&A question: Translation Discrepancies?

“Real Presence” in Communion?: Do you think “Real Presence” in the Lord's Supper could be true? The fact that the disciples say "this is a hard teaching" and many of them leave makes me think it was more than symbolic.

Q&A question: “Real Presence” in Communion?

communion

Responding Biblically to Idols: Was it biblical for the man in Iowa to destroy the Satanic Temple display at the state capitol last December? How should Christians respond to the public display of literal idols in our society?

Q&A question: Responding Biblically to Idols

Satan

How to Walk by the Spirit: Can we as Christians really truly live an upright and blameless life?

Q&A question: How to Walk by the Spirit

Is Doomsday Prepping Biblical?: Should we as Christians be stockpiling food and supplies for some future global catastrophe? Some of my Bible study sisters are constantly talking about this and have started preparing for impending doom. Scripture tells us, “Do not worry about tomorrow” and "Be anxious for nothing.” But at the same time, I don't want to be caught off guard. Should Christians be stockpiling just in case?

Q&A question: Is Doomsday Prepping Biblical?

Bible study

Genesis Genesis 9 Samuel Genesis Genesis 9

Navigating Difficult Pregnancies: What are your thoughts on terminating a pregnancy due to a “lethal” condition like anencephaly? This seems like euthanasia. Applicable passages might be Genesis 9:4-6 and 2 Samuel 1:1-16.

Q&A question: Navigating Difficult Pregnancies

Praying for the Sins of Others: Do we in any way need to (or can we) pray for the sins of another person, such as a family member? This topic was a recent one in some chats I am in. The verse cited was Leviticus 26: 40.

Q&A question: Praying for the Sins of Others

Was Mary Asking Jesus for a Miracle?: When Mary told Jesus that the wedding was out of wine, was she asking Him to do a miracle, or a more prosaic fix? I was taught that she asked for a miracle, but I wonder due to her other actions.

Q&A question: Was Mary Asking Jesus for a Miracle?

Jesus miracles

dating and relationships anxiety and mental health

Thinking Biblically about Dating: I’m a late 20s Christian man struggling with anxiety in dating. As things progress, I tend to overanalyze everything to determine if I can marry the girl, and things end about 3 months in. Any scriptural advice?

Q&A question: Thinking Biblically about Dating

Blasphemy in the Sermon on the Mount?: In The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus refers to God as the audience’s Father. How was this not blasphemous in the way that Jesus claiming to be the Son of God was a big deal in the Passion narrative?

Q&A question: Blasphemy in the Sermon on the Mount?

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

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?

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