Search — Theology Explorer

About the Census: Luke 2: Is there any extrabiblical evidence for the census in Luke 2? I heard it would be a pretty dumb idea to send people to their place of birth if you later want them to pay taxes from their current home.

Q&A question: About the Census: Luke 2

Luke 2 Luke 2

About Jesus’ Divinity Upon His Death: Was Jesus still fully God when He died? What happened to His divinity between God "turning His face away" and the resurrection?

Q&A question: About Jesus’ Divinity Upon His Death

Jesus resurrection

Navigating Marital Struggles: What should a Christian wife do if her husband doesn't want to work on their marriage, expects her to do almost everything when it comes to responsibilities, and doesn't provide enough for her needs?

Q&A question: Navigating Marital Struggles

marriage

Overcoming Self-Consciousness: Mike how can we be less self-aware or self-conscious? It stops me from preaching to anybody because my thoughts tell me I'm being disingenuous.

Q&A question: Overcoming Self-Consciousness

Ideas for What to Pray About: I have issues praying every day because I feel like I don’t have anything to pray about. What would you suggest, to help with this?

Q&A question: Ideas for What to Pray About

Genesis 22 Genesis Abraham salvation Genesis 22

Is Islam an “Abrahamic Faith” that Saves?: How do I defend the Christian faith with my family when they always bring up Genesis 22: 18, arguing that Islam can also lead to salvation because it's an Abrahamic faith?

Q&A question: Is Islam an “Abrahamic Faith” that Saves?

Should I Correct my Christian Boss?: I work for a company that is owned by a professing Christian. He makes inappropriate jokes. I don't know if rebuking or correcting my boss is proper or not. How do I go about this?

Q&A question: Should I Correct my Christian Boss?

Catholic vs. SDA School for Children?: Would it be better to send my children to a Catholic School or a 7th Day Adventist school? We are looking to take our children out of public schools, and these are the two options available to us.

Q&A question: Catholic vs. SDA School for Children?

Roman Catholicism

Guiding a Wayward Teen: How do I respond to my 17 year old daughter who is persistent in being with her boyfriend who is an unbeliever and has fallen into sexual immorality?

Q&A question: Guiding a Wayward Teen

Persis

marriage pastoral ministry

Can Fathers “Veto” Who their Daughters Marry?: We moved and are visiting a new church. The Pastor is teaching on marriage. He used 2 Corinthians 11:2 (KJV) to say that fathers can “veto” who their daughters marry. Is this a biblical view?

Q&A question: Can Fathers “Veto” Who their Daughters Marry?

Was Jesus ever Naughty as a Child?: Maybe a bit of a silly question, but do you think Jesus was an average naughty child or was He perfect as a child, too?

Q&A question: Was Jesus ever Naughty as a Child?

Jesus

Spiritual but Not Religious?: How should we respond when someone says, “I’m not religious, I’m spiritual”?

Q&A question: Spiritual but Not Religious?

Who is our “Neighbor”?: “Who, then, is my neighbor?” In Luke 10: 25-37, I know the Good Samaritan is me, but who does the "neighbor" he helped represent? I have never met a naked, beaten, and robbed Jew...I don't think.

Q&A question: Who is our “Neighbor”?

Luke 10 Luke 10

About Mid-Acts Dispensationalism: Can you give some more information on the Mid-Acts Dispensationalism movement? It sounds biblical.

Q&A question: About Mid-Acts Dispensationalism

dispensationalism

Holy Spirit doubt and faith

Should Ungodly Behavior Cause Doubt?: If I were to doubt Christianity (I don't), it would be because of a lack of holiness. Christians seem to be jerks at the same rate as the world, or more. Why is this, if we have the Holy Spirit?

Q&A question: Should Ungodly Behavior Cause Doubt?

Genesis 3 Genesis Genesis 3 Jesus Genesis

God in the Garden: Who was walking in the garden in Genesis 3:8? Was it Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit, or all three?

Q&A question: God in the Garden

About Anglo/British Israelism: What are your thoughts on Anglo-Israelism or British Israelism? It is the belief that America and the British commonwealth are physical descendants of Israel.

Q&A question: About Anglo/British Israelism

Israel

Discerning True vs. False Prophecies: How do you test WOF prophecy when it sounds more like insights/encouragements, not foretelling future events? What SHOULD modern prophecy sound like?

Q&A question: Discerning True vs. False Prophecies

prophecy

Is Fear of Hell a Valid Motivator?: Would a death bed conversion work if the main driving factor is the fear of Hell rather than choosing to trust God?

Q&A question: Is Fear of Hell a Valid Motivator?

hell

Biblical Advice for Parents: What advice can you give to parents in these times to help them raise children who choose to trust and follow Jesus later in life? Can you do a biblical series on parenting?

Q&A question: Biblical Advice for Parents

Jesus

What Should I Do if I Question My Salvation?: If someone is thinking that they might not be saved, seeing their sinfulness, what should they do? “Not sinning” sort of seems like a Band-Aid on the problem.

Q&A question: What Should I Do if I Question My Salvation?

salvation

Singular vs. Plural Pronouns for God?: Why is it improper to refer to God as "they" instead of "He," since He is three persons? Example of the problem: "He spoke to Job out of the storm" tends to make us think the Father alone is speaking.

Q&A question: Singular vs. Plural Pronouns for God?

1 Timothy 3:2 1 Timothy 3 Timothy 1 Timothy 3:2 elder qualifications

Can Past Sins Disqualify a Man from Leadership?: If a man’s pre-salvation life is especially disgraceful, could he ever truly be “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2)? Could old sin, then, even if confessed, disqualify him from being a pastor or elder?

Q&A question: Can Past Sins Disqualify a Man from Leadership?

Bible translations textual criticism

About the Geneva Bible: In your study of Bible translations, have you ever looked at the Geneva Bible that I believe the pilgrims used? What is its textual basis? Do you think Christians should read it?

Q&A question: About the Geneva Bible

Is there Room in Christianity for Psychedelics?: Given the resurgence of psychedelics for recreation and therapeutic use in Western society, is there room for it in Christianity, or should its use stay separate from spiritual practice?

Q&A question: Is there Room in Christianity for Psychedelics?

creation

What were the “Horns” on the Altar?: Why did the altar in the Tabernacle have the horns? Could you please clarify this?

Q&A question: What were the “Horns” on the Altar?

NAR

What does it Mean to “Share in Christ’s Sufferings”?: When we share in Christ’s sufferings, does that refer only to suffering that comes in opposition to doing God’s will, or can it also include something like suffering through a disease or a loss?

Q&A question: What does it Mean to “Share in Christ’s Sufferings”?

suffering

Is Anyone Presently in Hell?: Is Hell something that is taking place right now, or is that a future reality after the final judgment (Luke 16: 19-31)?

Q&A question: Is Anyone Presently in Hell?

Luke 16 Luke 16 hell

Seminary Suggestions and How to Study Well: I’m currently a Junior in high school and plan to go to a seminary after school to become a preacher. How and where do I start studying the Bible to become a true BibleThinker?

Q&A question: Seminary Suggestions and How to Study Well

Are there Multiple “Gods” in Jeremiah?: Why does Jeremiah 46: 25 and Jeremiah 51: 44 make it seem like there are multiple gods? How can God punish a god that doesn’t exist?

Q&A question: Are there Multiple “Gods” in Jeremiah?

Jeremiah Jeremiah

Should Prayer be a Dialogue or Monologue?: Should prayer be a dialogue or monologue? How should we determine if instances of humans having a dialogue with God in the Bible are to be taken as normative?

Q&A question: Should Prayer be a Dialogue or Monologue?

prayer

abortion pastoral ministry

Are All Pastors Pro-Life?: What is your view on the many progressive "pastors" coming out against the overturning of Roe v. Wade?

Q&A question: Are All Pastors Pro-Life?

About God’s Description: God's description in Scripture is often called anthropomorphic. Is it not true though that we are theomorphic instead? Why, therefore, must the imagery of God standing, etc. be metaphorical and not real?

Q&A question: About God’s Description

1 Thessalonians 4 1 Thessalonians 4

How do the Dead in Christ Rise if they’re in Heaven?: If believers are taken directly to Heaven when they die, then why does 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 say the dead in Christ rise at His return? Doesn't that suggest they are in their graves?

Q&A question: How do the Dead in Christ Rise if they’re in Heaven?

About Near-Death Experiences: What do you think about near-death experiences?

Q&A question: About Near-Death Experiences

death and afterlife

Does our Evangelism Determine Salvation?: Could our failure to share the Gospel actually determine someone’s salvation? Or will God provide the same opportunity somewhere else? I can’t imagine we have control over each other’s salvation?

Q&A question: Does our Evangelism Determine Salvation?

salvation angels

Matthew Jesus resurrection Matthew

Why did Some Disciples Doubt?: Why does Matthew record that some disciples doubted the resurrection? Is there some sort of significance to this? How could they doubt if Jesus was right in front of them?

Q&A question: Why did Some Disciples Doubt?

Should Incarcerated Parents be Involved?: My 2-year-old adopted son’s birth mom is in prison for 15 years for using/selling meth. Biblically, should we let her be involved in his life? My wife thinks they should have an active relationship.

Q&A question: Should Incarcerated Parents be Involved?

marriage

Is “Spiritual Attack” Legitimate?: Is "spiritual attack" really a thing? Is that biblical? (i.e., during some notable season as a Christian, if we have intensified doubt, hopelessness, illness, etc. why's that not just, y'know, life?)

Q&A question: Is “Spiritual Attack” Legitimate?

doubt and faith

About OT Prophet Credibility: Why were many of the prophets who wrote books included in the Old Testament if they didn't perform miracles and their prophecies didn't come true until the New Testament? What made them stand out from false prophets?

Q&A question: About OT Prophet Credibility

prophecy miracles

Romans 4 Abraham Romans 4 Enoch

Why is Abraham our Spiritual Father?: Why is Abraham our spiritual father (Romans 4: 16-25) if people before him also had faith in God: Abel, Enoch, Noah, etc.? Were they not "counted righteous" through faith the same way Abraham was?

Q&A question: Why is Abraham our Spiritual Father?

What is a “Clear Conscience” Before God?: I'm getting baptized soon, and one of the questions my church asks is basically, “Do you promise to follow God with a clear conscience?” I deal with a condemning conscience. Would this break the promise?

Q&A question: What is a “Clear Conscience” Before God?

baptism

When did the Holy Spirit Come?: My question is about the Spirit. Jesus spoke of the Spirit coming after Him in John 14, but He is there in Luke 1 before Jesus’ birth. When did the Spirit actually come?

Q&A question: When did the Holy Spirit Come?

Jesus

Isaiah Isaiah 6 Isaiah Jesus Isaiah 6

Does God Need Death to Atone for Sins?: In Isaiah 6, sin is taken away by hot coals. Does God need death to forgive something or atone for sin (i.e. Jesus on the cross)? If so, how was Isaiah forgiven? If not, what’s the point of sacrifices?

Q&A question: Does God Need Death to Atone for Sins?

Minimal Facts vs. Maximal Facts Arguments: Is a minimal facts argument or maximal facts argument better in presenting the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus?

Q&A question: Minimal Facts vs. Maximal Facts Arguments

Jesus resurrection

Acts 8 Peter Acts 8 Jesus

About the Samaritans Receiving the Spirit: How were the Samaritans in Acts 8: 14-17 baptized in the name of Jesus, but only received the Holy Spirt when Peter and John came?

Q&A question: About the Samaritans Receiving the Spirit

How to Decide What to Read in Scripture: Do you have any advice for reading the Bible? How do I decide what to read?

Q&A question: How to Decide What to Read in Scripture

About the Difference between Heaven & Eden: What is the ontological difference between Heaven and pre-sin Eden? If Heaven is greater than Eden, then doesn’t it follow that Adam & Eve’s sin led to a greater eternity than they would’ve had otherwise?

Q&A question: About the Difference between Heaven & Eden

heaven

Is Baptism Purely Symbolic?: Is baptism just a symbolic representation of our faith, or does it have a deeper value?

Q&A question: Is Baptism Purely Symbolic?

baptism