Search — Theology Explorer

Preston Sprinkle & “Side B” Christianity: What's your take on Preston Sprinkle? Some Christians like him, but others call him a heretic or "side B Christian.” The issue seems to be about him not thinking same-sex attraction is a sin when not meditated/acted on.

Q&A question: Preston Sprinkle & “Side B” Christianity

heresy

Is Family Planning Sinful?: My church teaches that a couple must continuously have as many children as they're able, and it's seen as selfish and a sin resulting in church discipline if they use any form of family planning to stop. Many have 12-18 children as a result. Leadership says God wouldn't give more children than a couple can handle. Is this biblical? We already have 5 children.

Q&A question: Is Family Planning Sinful?

parenting

The Pinnacle of Wickedness: Mike, are we there yet? The Bible says it will be as in the days of Noah in the last days. Have we arrived at the pinnacle of wickedness yet?

Q&A question: The Pinnacle of Wickedness

NAR

Can we still Glean from Reckless Charismatism?: I learned that Bethel's prophecy teachings and those of Storms, Wimber, Deere, Randolph, etc. trace back to scandalous Kansas City prophets. Should all be ignored, or can the chaff be separated?

Q&A question: Can we still Glean from Reckless Charismatism?

prophecy Bethel Church

Trusting God with Deep Fears: I’m a mom of three young children. I struggle with a lot of fear over their safety. How can I give this to God, knowing that it doesn’t mean something bad won’t still happen?

Q&A question: Trusting God with Deep Fears

parenting

pastoral ministry healing

Healing = the Children’s Bread?: "Healing is the children's bread" is taught by a pastor friend when he prays for the sick. He uses Mark 7: 24-30 as the proof text. What is the “bread” in v. 27?

Q&A question: Healing = the Children’s Bread?

Titus 2:5 Titus Proverbs 31 Titus 2:5 Titus Proverbs 31

Household Responsibilities in Marriage: Does God care who does the dishes and cooks the food? Is the wife called to manage the household? What if both the husband and wife work similar full-time jobs (Proverbs 31: 15,21,27; Titus 2:5)?

Q&A question: Household Responsibilities in Marriage

Questioning Salvation = Not Saved?: I asked the youth how confident they are of salvation on a 1-10 scale. One replied with a ”7” citing that they still sin and don’t read their Bible often. Can one be saved if they associate salvation with works like Bible reading? Are the warnings in Galatians fitting here?

Q&A question: Questioning Salvation = Not Saved?

salvation

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7

Are All of Paul’s Writings Inspired?: What should we make of Paul saying "I, not the Lord" as if he's just giving his own opinion, while also believing that all Scripture (which includes that statement) is Holy Spirit inspired (1 Corinthians 7)?

Q&A question: Are All of Paul’s Writings Inspired?

Discussing Biblical “Contradictions”!: Can you please discuss some different Bible passages that appear to be contradictory?

Q&A question: Discussing Biblical “Contradictions”!

biblical reliability

Unnecessary Body Parts = Evolution?: I have a coworker that is an atheist. He said that there are parts of our bodies that are not necessary and that might prove evolution rather than a Creator. Any thoughts?

Q&A question: Unnecessary Body Parts = Evolution?

atheism evolution

Is Salvation Sometimes Unfair?: One of my biggest issues is that you NEED to believe in Jesus to be saved. If someone is born in a Muslim country, they would have to sacrifice way more than the average westerner. How is that fair?

Q&A question: Is Salvation Sometimes Unfair?

Jesus salvation Islam

Historical Jesus & Manuscripts: How can we believe in a historical Jesus if the oldest manuscripts we have are from the second or third century?

Q&A question: Historical Jesus & Manuscripts

Jesus

Is Christianity the True Religion?: How do I know Christianity is right/true compared to other world religions?

Q&A question: Is Christianity the True Religion?

Does God Make Mistakes?: I often hear the argument, “If God doesn't make mistakes when it comes to gender, then what about people with disabilities?" How would you respond?

Q&A question: Does God Make Mistakes?

Applying PSA on Earth?: If the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement is just, would it be just for an earthly judge to impute the guilt of a murderer to an innocent volunteer and sentence the volunteer to death instead of the murderer? If not, why?

Q&A question: Applying PSA on Earth?

atonement

Matthew Joseph Jesus prophecy

Joseph in Jesus’ Lineage?: Any idea why Matthew and Luke list Joseph’s genealogy when he’s not Jesus’ birth father? Does that mean Jesus’ lineage isn’t what it needs to be to fulfill prophecy?

Q&A question: Joseph in Jesus’ Lineage?

Is there Really an Afterlife?: Why do Christians think there is an afterlife? Why not just look at death as a return to the quantum state, like before we were born?

Q&A question: Is there Really an Afterlife?

death and afterlife

Did God Create Cancer?: If God created everything, why did He create cancer? As a Christian mother, I still struggle with these sorts of questions.

Q&A question: Did God Create Cancer?

suffering

The Best Argument for God: What do you think is the best evidence/argument there is for God?

Q&A question: The Best Argument for God

apologetics

Does Trusting First Invalidate our Faith?: If you have to believe first in order to experience the reality of Christianity, if the "proof" only comes alive when one chooses to trust it, isn't that "truth" make-believe?

Q&A question: Does Trusting First Invalidate our Faith?

Would a Good God make a Terrible Hell?: When Jesus said that for the person who would betray Him it would be better not to be born, I assume Hell is worse than non-existence. How does this match with a good God?

Q&A question: Would a Good God make a Terrible Hell?

Jesus hell

Jesus salvation homosexuality

Unrepentant Heart – Still Saved by Faith?: If I believe in my heart that Jesus rose from the dead and trust in Him alone for salvation, why would God then send me to Hell for being actively gay? Am I not saved by my faith instead of my works?

Q&A question: Unrepentant Heart – Still Saved by Faith?

Salvation in the OT: How were people saved in the Old Testament before Jesus? And if they were saved without believing in Jesus, then why did it change?

Q&A question: Salvation in the OT

Jesus salvation

Why do Christians Ask for Forgiveness?: My question from a skeptic is, if you are already saved, why do you still ask for forgiveness for your sins?

Q&A question: Why do Christians Ask for Forgiveness?

forgiveness

Hypostatic Union – Contradictory?: Is Jesus being God and Man a contradiction? The Bible says that the Son doesn’t know the day or the hour of His coming. Can Jesus know (as God) and not know (as Man) at the same time?

Q&A question: Hypostatic Union – Contradictory?

Jesus

Bible = Pure Fiction?: As a Christian, what is an appropriate answer to an atheist claiming that the Bible is pure fiction?

Q&A question: Bible = Pure Fiction?

atheism

James James 2 John 5 James salvation James 2

Mixed Messages in Scripture?: I lost my faith due to all the mixed messages in the Bible. For example, is salvation by faith alone like John 5: 24, or faith plus works like James 2? Why doesn’t this cause you to doubt?

Q&A question: Mixed Messages in Scripture?

Does the Concept of Sin Apply to God?: Is God holy and sinless? Can God do things which, if we did them, would be considered sin? One example is killing the firstborn of Egypt. Does the concept of sin (or being sinless) even APPLY to God?

Q&A question: Does the Concept of Sin Apply to God?

How to Trust in Christ: I’m a Bible believing non-Christian that hurt himself by absorbing bad Charismatic teachings. I have always had trouble trusting and accepting Christ. How would one begin to as a skeptic?

Q&A question: How to Trust in Christ

charismatic movement

The Bible Doesn’t Exist?: Can you please respond to Abraham Piper’s claim that the Bible doesn’t even exist?

Q&A question: The Bible Doesn’t Exist?

Abraham

Luke 4:9-12 Jesus Satan Luke 4:9-12

Jesus’ Deity in Scripture: In Luke 4:9-12, Satan uses the term "Son of God" yet Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 6: 16. Is this a possible claim that Christ is God, similarly to how He takes God's names for Himself?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Deity in Scripture

Lack of Works = No Heaven?: Why do we only talk about what will get you into Heaven (faith or works or both)? The Bible seems to teach that only faith can get you in, but lack of works can keep you out. Any thoughts?

Q&A question: Lack of Works = No Heaven?

heaven

James James 1 James James 1

Are Sinful Desires Sinful?: James 1: 15 speaks about your desire giving birth to sin, but if you have an evil desire, isn’t that already sin?

Q&A question: Are Sinful Desires Sinful?

Are Natural Disasters from God?: We recently had a tornado touch down here in upstate New York. How does one explain to a non-believer that the tornado was not from God? Was it man-made?

Q&A question: Are Natural Disasters from God?

Hebrews 1 Jesus Christ Jesus cessationism

Does Hebrews 1 Prove Cessationism?: Is Hebrews 1:1 supportive of the idea that there are no prophets since the 1st century as God only speaks from Jesus Christ?

Q&A question: Does Hebrews 1 Prove Cessationism?

Does Blas. of the Spirit Debunk Calvinism?: Is the fact that we can commit Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit proof that Calvinism is false?

Q&A question: Does Blas. of the Spirit Debunk Calvinism?

Calvinism

Jesus & the Samaritan Woman: Was Jesus pointing out the sin of the Samaritan woman, or was He letting her know He understood her circumstances, considering women had little control over their marital status?

Q&A question: Jesus & the Samaritan Woman

Jesus Samaritan woman

Modalism & Oneness – Truly Saved?: Are people who believe in Modalism or Oneness doctrines truly saved? Should I allow my kids to participate in events at churches that believe in Modalism?

Q&A question: Modalism & Oneness – Truly Saved?

Acts 2 Acts 8 John 20 Acts 2 Acts 8 Apostles

Receiving the Holy Spirit: When does a Christian receive the Holy Spirit? The apostles, it seems, received the Holy Spirit twice (John 20: 22, Acts 2:1-4). Others had different experiences (Acts 8: 14-17, 11: 15, 19:1-6).

Q&A question: Receiving the Holy Spirit

BONUS Q!.What language do you think we will speak in Heaven?

Q&A question

heaven

Delivering Someone Over to Satan?: What does the Bible mean when it says to "deliver such a one over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh"?

Q&A question: Delivering Someone Over to Satan?

Satan

Prophecy = Preaching the Word?: I hear many Bible teachers say that the New Testament gift of prophecy is merely proclaiming/preaching the Word; it is never predictive or revelatory. That doesn’t seem right to me. Could you give us your take?

Q&A question: Prophecy = Preaching the Word?

prophecy

Are Insulting Names Sometimes Appropriate?: Does Jesus calling the Pharisees fools, vipers, and whitewashed tombs give Christians a license to call our enemies insulting names?

Q&A question: Are Insulting Names Sometimes Appropriate?

Jesus Pharisees

Can a Vow to God be Cancelled?: At age 19, I made a lifetime vow to God (not marital) that 31 years later seems counterproductive in light of new insight & circumstances. Is there a biblical case to cancel a vow despite Ecclesiastes 5:4-6?

Q&A question: Can a Vow to God be Cancelled?

Dangerous Recreational Activities: What does the Bible say about participating in dangerous activities, particularly those that are recreational, such as riding motorcycles, mountain climbing, big wave surfing, etc.?

Q&A question: Dangerous Recreational Activities

creation

creation pastoral ministry

Chuck Missler & the Hologram Theory: Have you heard of Pastor Chuck Missler and his endorsement of the Hologram Theory (the idea that there is no gravity beyond our solar system, a holographic representation of God’s Creation)?

Q&A question: Chuck Missler & the Hologram Theory

Temptations from the Flesh vs. the Enemy: Is it possible to discern between temptations that come from Satan and those that come from within due to the sinful desires of flesh?

Q&A question: Temptations from the Flesh vs. the Enemy

Satan

Meaning of “To Live Is Christ”: What does it mean when Paul says "For me to live is Christ”? I've never heard someone use a phrase where an action or state of being IS a person.

Q&A question: Meaning of “To Live Is Christ”