Search — Theology Explorer

Is God Ignoring Your Prayers?: If prayer is effective, why do so many prayers seem to go unanswered, especially in desperate situations?

Q&A question: Is God Ignoring Your Prayers?

prayer

Isaiah Isaiah 11 millennium Isaiah creation

Children/Procreation on the New Earth?: How are there children in the Eternal Kingdom on Earth (Isaiah 11:6-9)? Any child resurrected would mature during the Millennium, right? Does this mean there could be procreation on the New Earth?

Q&A question: Children/Procreation on the New Earth?

Having our Roots Deep in Christ: I recently read Mark 4 (the Parable of the Sower) and was convicted about not having my roots deep enough in Christ. What are some practical ways of achieving this?

Q&A question: Having our Roots Deep in Christ

Acts 17 John 8 Acts 17 Jesus salvation

Jesus’ Deity in Scripture: Where does the Bible teach that the deity of Jesus is a salvation/damnation issue? For example, in Athens (Acts 17), it seems weird that Paul didn't explicitly teach this. John 8, perhaps?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Deity in Scripture

When Parents Oppose Church Attendance: My parents are Mormon. I'm an 18 year-old Christian. They don't want me to go to a Christian church. How do I confront them or ask them if I can go back? Any advice would be great.

Q&A question: When Parents Oppose Church Attendance

Mormonism

“God Bless You” to Non-Believers?: Is it appropriate to say to a non-believer, “May God bless you,” e.g., in a greeting card or in a new endeavor? It could be perceived as “May God give you good stuff.”

Q&A question: “God Bless You” to Non-Believers?

Unequally Yoked Wedding Attendance?: Considering 2 Corinthians 6: 14-16, is it OK to go to a wedding when you know the couple is unequally yoked?

Q&A question: Unequally Yoked Wedding Attendance?

Disciples Knew they Had the Spirit?: In Acts 19:2, Paul asks the disciples if they have received the Holy Spirt. How would they KNOW they received the Holy Spirit? Was there a type of evidence then that we don’t necessarily see today?

Q&A question: Disciples Knew they Had the Spirit?

Acts 19 Acts 19

Evangelism for the Ineloquent: Everyone seems to have their way of sharing the Gospel: street-preaching, pastoring, etc. How do I know how God has called me to share the Gospel? I'm not good socially, but I want to reach people.

Q&A question: Evangelism for the Ineloquent

pastoral ministry angels

1 Corinthians 9 worship 1 Corinthians 9

Secular Songs During Worship?: What are your thoughts on Churches playing a secular song before worship? They’ve defended this practice with 1 Corinthians 9.

Q&A question: Secular Songs During Worship?

How Does God Reveal Himself Today?: Why did God reveal Himself to ignorant people 2,000 years ago? Why doesn’t God do it for everyone today?

Q&A question: How Does God Reveal Himself Today?

Matthew 16 Psalm 22 revelation Peter Roman Catholicism Matthew 16

More Than One Interpretation?: Can Scripture have more than one correct interpretation? I know Psalm 22 can, but Catholics believe this is so with Peter as the rock in Matthew 16: 18 or Mary in Revelation 12. Is there a good method to test Scripture for this?

Q&A question: More Than One Interpretation?

Multiplying Gifts & Producing Fruit: What does the word “interest” mean (spiritually speaking) in Luke 19: 23? How can one not multiply God’s gifts but still produce fruit?

Q&A question: Multiplying Gifts & Producing Fruit

Learning from Fallen Pastors?: Do you think it's wise to listen to preachers who have "fallen from grace" like Mark Driscoll? I find much of his preaching very life-giving, but I get judgment from other Christians.

Q&A question: Learning from Fallen Pastors?

pastoral ministry

The Purpose of the HS’s Intercession: In Romans 8: 26-27, does the Spirit intercede in order to clarify what's in our hearts to God, or is it more to help us understand God's will and how He can help us mend our troubled hearts?

Q&A question: The Purpose of the HS’s Intercession

Romans 8 Romans 8

Daniel 9 2 Peter 3:8 revelation Peter Daniel 9 2 Peter 3:8

Is there Time in Heaven?: Looking at these passages, is there time in Heaven? 2 Peter 3:8, Ephesians 1: 10, Revelation 21, Daniel 9: 13.

Q&A question: Is there Time in Heaven?

Do our Lives Affect our Eternity?: Is our ability to rule and reign with God in His new world forever (Revelation 22:5) dependent on how we serve God in our lifetime for His mission (Luke 19: 17)?

Q&A question: Do our Lives Affect our Eternity?

revelation revelation

Serving God in our Professions: I am a DJ on a secular radio station. Knowing what's in many of the songs, I wonder if I am not pleasing the Lord by being in this job. Is this a matter of conscience?

Q&A question: Serving God in our Professions

faith and science

Did Jonah Actually Die?: Did Jonah die? I was introduced to this theory by social media and was surprised to see a lot of people think he died and was risen based off of Jonah 2:1-6, Jewish tradition, and The Sign of Jonah.

Q&A question: Did Jonah Actually Die?

Jonah Jonah

Numbers 6 1 Corinthians 11 Numbers 6 1 Corinthians 11

Nazarite Vows – Why Long Hair?: If long hair for men is a disgrace by nature (1 Corinthians 11: 14), then why is it part of the Nazirite vow in Numbers 6:5?

Q&A question: Nazarite Vows – Why Long Hair?

How to Pray Without Ceasing: What does it mean to "pray without ceasing" as instructed in 1Thessalonians 5: 17, and how do we practically achieve this?

Q&A question: How to Pray Without Ceasing

Isaiah revelation Isaiah revelation annihilationism

Proof of Annihilationism?: Does Isaiah 66: 24 prove annihilationism? The only counter verse seems to be Revelation 14: 10-11 and most of the Bible talks about Sheol, perishing, or the wages being death.

Q&A question: Proof of Annihilationism?

WHY is Cussing Wrong?: I know I'm "supposed to" believe cuss words are bad to use as a Christian, but can you help me REALLY understand why? Most of them don't "feel" wrong to say in casual settings, especially if I'm by MYSELF (home alone and I trip or something).

Q&A question: WHY is Cussing Wrong?

Demons Drowning – Why?: When Jesus cast the Legion of demons into the swine, why do they proceed to drown themselves? It showed the validity of the man being healed, but what was the actual reason for the demons to do so?

Q&A question: Demons Drowning – Why?

Jesus demons Legion

Can We Truly Learn if Forgiven?: My friend says he doesn't want forgiveness because he won't learn from his mistakes if he doesn't face consequences. How would you respond?

Q&A question: Can We Truly Learn if Forgiven?

forgiveness

Matthew 24 Matthew Matthew 24 rapture Matthew

Must All People Hear before Rapture?: Does Matthew 24: 14 teach that the rapture will not happen until all people groups hear the Gospel? Or could Christ return before this happens?

Q&A question: Must All People Hear before Rapture?

Marriage in God’s Eyes: What does it take for someone to be considered married in the eyes of God? A ceremony? A presiding religious leader? Religious words spoken? Having a legal certificate? Intimate acts?

Q&A question: Marriage in God’s Eyes

marriage

revelation Luke 16 Revelation 20 revelation Luke 16 Revelation 20

Are We Judged Twice?: Are we judged twice? Luke 16: 19-23 and Revelation 20: 11-13 suggest so.

Q&A question: Are We Judged Twice?

Can WE Bless GOD?: Popular worship song lyrics say things like "I bless You" (as in we humans can bless God) and "You are enough, so I am enough." Is this biblical? Does Christ's righteousness imparted onto us also make us "enough"?

Q&A question: Can WE Bless GOD?

worship

Voting for the “Lesser of 2 Evils”?: Is it biblical to vote for “the lesser of two evils”? Could you point to something in Scripture to help us understand why or why not?

Q&A question: Voting for the “Lesser of 2 Evils”?

The Chosen’s New Book: Did The Chosen make their own Gospel?

Q&A question: The Chosen’s New Book

Isaiah Galatians 6 Isaiah Galatians 6

Our Attitude when God Works Through Us: Is it sinful for a Christian to be pleased when God enables them to do a good work (Isaiah 64:6, Galatians 6:4)?

Q&A question: Our Attitude when God Works Through Us

Isaiah Isaiah 45 Isaiah Isaiah 45

Is YHWH Biased?: How do we know YHWH isn't just BIASED with His Word (as one would be in any form of competition), when God says "There is no other, beside Me there is no God" in Isaiah 45:5 or "I know not any" in Isaiah 44:8?

Q&A question: Is YHWH Biased?

1 Corinthians 15 1 Corinthians 15

Did Christ Become the HS?: Does 1 Corinthians 15: 45 mean that Christ became the Holy Spirit? I was taught this growing up, but it seems like Modalism to me now. I can’t break from this reading of the verse since I left that group.

Q&A question: Did Christ Become the HS?

How to Love Your Neighbor As Yourself: What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself? Do I put their needs equal to mine, or above mine?

Q&A question: How to Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

1 Peter 2:5 Peter 1 Peter 2:5

Are Believers “Priests”?: What are the implications of believers being called to be "A Holy Priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5)? Does this mean we need to view ourselves as priests?

Q&A question: Are Believers “Priests”?

Typology = Eisegesis?: Is it eisegesis to interpret the Old Testament as depicting Jesus? I commonly hear this objection from Jews who say Christians are "inserting their theology into our book."

Q&A question: Typology = Eisegesis?

Jesus

1 Corinthians 14 Matthew Matthew 6 1 Corinthians 14 tongues Matthew

Tongues = Vain Repetition?: Would it be fair to consider the way some churches use tongues in opposition to 1 Corinthians 14 as a form of "vain repetition" (Matthew 6:5-8)?

Q&A question: Tongues = Vain Repetition?

How to Know if We Should Marry Someone: What are some biblical ways to help you decide if you should marry someone?

Q&A question: How to Know if We Should Marry Someone

Matthew 10 Matthew Matthew 10 Matthew angels

Why Evangelize?: Why should we evangelize, other than because God tells us to? If it would be God's will for someone to hear about Him, wouldn't God's will happen anyway? And based on Matthew 10: 14-15, wouldn’t they be worse off?

Q&A question: Why Evangelize?

What Did the Pope Say?: Have some of the things Pope Francis has recently said been heretical?

Q&A question: What Did the Pope Say?

heresy Pope Francis

John 9 John 5 John 9 John 5

Does Sin Cause Illness?: Does sinning cause physical illness? Does refraining from sinning stop it? John 9:3 and John 5: 14 seem to say both are true. Is this a contradiction?

Q&A question: Does Sin Cause Illness?

Matthew Matthew 7 Matthew Matthew 7

Casting Pearls before Swine: In what ways or in what situations might Matthew 7:6 be applicable today?

Q&A question: Casting Pearls before Swine

Was David Conceived in Adultery?: In Psalm 51:5, David says that in sin his mother conceived him. Is he saying that he has been in sin since his conception, or that his mother was in sin when she conceived him? Was David born in adultery?

Q&A question: Was David Conceived in Adultery?

Psalm 51 David Psalm 51

Is Calvinism Heresy?: Why isn’t Calvinism more strongly condemned among non-Calvinists? The doctrine essentially teaches that God will punish people for something completely out of their control, which makes God seem unjust.

Q&A question: Is Calvinism Heresy?

Calvinism heresy

Is God Prideful?: Is God prideful? If our purpose in life is to glorify God, does that mean we were created only to praise Him? I know He is worthy of praise, but was He seeking praise by creating us?

Q&A question: Is God Prideful?

Bible Typography: How important is Bible typography? For example, the way the KJV arranges paragraphs makes context harder to understand than in the ESV.

Q&A question: Bible Typography

hermeneutics

Standing With Israel?: With all of the tensions and things going on over in Israel, how should we be responding to those we’re surrounded by who hate Israel? They don’t seem to understand why we stand with Israel.

Q&A question: Standing With Israel?

Israel

Matthew 16 Matthew John 21 Peter Roman Catholicism Jesus

Was Simon Always “Peter”?: Catholics always say Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter. However, previous verses (Matthew 16: 16, John 21: 15, Matthew 4: 18, and Luke 5:8) refer to him as Simon Peter. Jesus says, “You are Peter…” not “From now on, you are Peter.” Was Simon always known as Peter?

Q&A question: Was Simon Always “Peter”?