Search — Theology Explorer

DND, Harry Potter, etc.: The Bible is clear about its stance on sorcery and witchcraft. My husband and I play DND and some people were having an issue with this and potentially also with books containing magic. What are your thoughts?

Q&A question: DND, Harry Potter, etc.

marriage

Godly Dating Practices: What is the best way to date for marriage as a Christian? Is there a good way to sift through people to find someone equally yoked?

Q&A question: Godly Dating Practices

marriage

Loving the Lord with Everything: I’ve been wondering about the great commandment Jesus gives in Matthew 22: 36. Seems like a Deuteronomy 6 quote, but why does Jesus change the last quality from “might” to “mind”?

Q&A question: Loving the Lord with Everything

Matthew Jesus Matthew

Bonus Q!.Were they really taking the Hobbits to Isengard?

Q&A question

Faith = Just a Family Tradition?: My husband believes that faith comes about by family tradition, and that someone's faith is just an expression of what their family has taught them rather than actual faith in God. What does the bible say about this?

Q&A question: Faith = Just a Family Tradition?

marriage

Wealth & Poverty in Heaven: If we all get different wealth in Heaven based on our deeds on Earth, won’t that create a situation where some people are poor and some are rich? And what happens once we spend it all?

Q&A question: Wealth & Poverty in Heaven

heaven

Was Paul Married? Widowed?: Acts 26:9-10: "...cast my vote" has implications that Paul was in the Sanhedrin (also residing over Stephen's trial in 8:1), which would have required him to be married (even though that requirement wasn't recorded until later; I'm guessing it was still implemented). Could Paul have been married? Perhaps widowed?

Q&A question: Was Paul Married? Widowed?

Stephen Sanhedrin

1 Samuel 16 David Samuel 1 Samuel 16

Did Saul Know who David Was?: Why at the end of 1 Samuel 16 did the author emphasize David's service to and recognition by Saul, but in 1 Samuel 17, Saul didn't seem to even know who David was (no one seemed to know him for that matter)?

Q&A question: Did Saul Know who David Was?

James James 1 Mark 9 James James 1 Mark 9

Is Doubting OK?: I love Mark 9: 24 - “I believe, help my unbelief.” But how do we understand that along with James 1:6-8 which says to ask in faith with no doubting, as the one who doubts will not receive anything from the Lord?

Q&A question: Is Doubting OK?

Should We Pray to Mary?: How can I respond with Scripture to a Catholic friend who says, “Mary is the mother of Jesus, so why wouldn’t you seek help from her? Jesus wouldn’t like you disrespecting His mom in any way”?

Q&A question: Should We Pray to Mary?

Roman Catholicism Jesus

Are Our Souls Truly Immortal?: I was raised in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and they say that the belief in an immortal/immaterial soul is Pagan in origin and has no basis in the Bible. Is this true?

Q&A question: Are Our Souls Truly Immortal?

Matthew Matthew 7 prophecy Matthew Matthew 7

The Fruit of False Prophets: In Matthew 7: 15-20, what are the fruits of the false prophets? The teaching? The followers? The acts? Or something else?

Q&A question: The Fruit of False Prophets

1 Corinthians 3 1 Corinthians 3

Leading with Proper Wisdom: In light of 1 Corinthians 3: 18, how can I lead others spiritually with wisdom without considering myself to be wise?

Q&A question: Leading with Proper Wisdom

Will God Give Up on Repetitive Sinners?: I suffer from same-sex attraction. I fight it, but sometimes I give in. Will God give up on me at some point if I give in?

Q&A question: Will God Give Up on Repetitive Sinners?

Premarital Cohabitation Without Sex?: Is it OK for me and my long-distance girlfriend to stay in an Air BnB for a couple of months if we do not fall into sexual sin, but are not married?

Q&A question: Premarital Cohabitation Without Sex?

sexual ethics

Must Christians Attend Church?: Do you have to attend church to be a Christian?

Q&A question: Must Christians Attend Church?

When Other Faiths Pray for Us: When people of other religions pray for us and we see these prayers answered, how do we reconcile that with Christianity? Does that mean all faiths are good?

Q&A question: When Other Faiths Pray for Us

prayer

Why did Jesus Die if Humans Still Die?: If the payment for sin is death, and both believers and non-believers will die anyways, then why did Jesus have to die for us? Was it for a chance at us entering Heaven?

Q&A question: Why did Jesus Die if Humans Still Die?

Did Augustine Consider the Apocrypha Canon?: How would you respond to those who point out that Augustine considered the Apocrypha as canon?

Q&A question: Did Augustine Consider the Apocrypha Canon?

Augustine

Luke 10 Jesus Satan Luke 10

Satan’s Fall in Luke 10: Could you shed some light on what Jesus meant in Luke 10: 18? Is Jesus talking about Satan's initial fall here, and what purpose does it serve in the passage?

Q&A question: Satan’s Fall in Luke 10

OCD-Like Prayers: Any thoughts on struggles with OCD-like prayers? Ex: feeling the need to pray for protection over family members every day in fear that something bad will happen to them if I don’t.

Q&A question: OCD-Like Prayers

prayer

God Didn’t Reveal Himself?: What do you tell an atheist who says he looked for God and God didn't reveal Himself to him? And in general, what do you make of the argument of nonresistant non-believers?

Q&A question: God Didn’t Reveal Himself?

atheism

How to Hear God’s Voice: What does it mean to hear God's voice? Many teachings say to listen to your thoughts and discern God's voice. Is this even Biblical, or is it a cliche? Reminds me of imagination (visions/prophecy).

Q&A question: How to Hear God’s Voice

prophecy

Why did God Change OT Names?: Why does God change the name of Abram to Abraham, Saul to Paul, and Sarai to Sarah? Is there a meaning behind this?

Q&A question: Why did God Change OT Names?

Sarah Abraham

ARRGH! The Pirate Bible!: Have you heard of The Pirate Bible? Apparently, it has been translated from the KJV into "pirate vernacular" using AI. It seems like a joke to me, but what are your thoughts?

Q&A question: ARRGH! The Pirate Bible!

NAR

Does Video Auto-Play Lead to Sin?: Is it a sin to use a social media service that often displays ungodly messages and music? Short-form video services such as TikTok display videos directly on your feed rather than suggesting them to you. I will still often see ungodly videos even though I don't want to.

Q&A question: Does Video Auto-Play Lead to Sin?

Is Jesus Presently King?: Is Jesus presently on the throne or at the right hand of the throne? Is He King today? In what sense is He King? Proof text? How does the answer impact premillennial eschatology?

Q&A question: Is Jesus Presently King?

Jesus eschatology

Uncontacted Tribes & Judgment: I was wondering, what will happen to the uncontacted tribes during the time of Jacob’s trouble, and without the ability to hear the Gospel, what does judgment look like for them?

Q&A question: Uncontacted Tribes & Judgment

Jacob

Are Violent Video Games Permissible?: What are your thoughts on Christians playing violent video games like Call of Duty or Doom? At what point does it become a question of conscience vs. it just being wrong?

Q&A question: Are Violent Video Games Permissible?

faith and science

Have a Pure Mind – Battling Lust: I came to Christ around 9 months ago, but I’ve been really struggling with getting closer God. I’m 15 and I have problems with lust. How can I stop always falling back into sin through lusting?

Q&A question: Have a Pure Mind – Battling Lust

sexual ethics

Does Catholicism Save?: If at the end of days, the Protestant belief is proven true, would Catholics be saved? Conversely, if Catholicism turns out to be the truth, would Protestants be saved?

Q&A question: Does Catholicism Save?

Roman Catholicism

Philippians 1 Philip Philippi Philippians 1

Is Long Life a Blessing?: Proverbs 16: 31 says that long life is the reward of the righteous. But in Philippians 1: 23, Paul says he longs to go and be with Christ, which would be far better. So how is long life a blessing?

Q&A question: Is Long Life a Blessing?

About the 2nd Temple’s Construction: Given that Ezekiel's temple prophecy with its strict measurements was written before the second temple was built, why didn't the second temple get built to those specifications?

Q&A question: About the 2nd Temple’s Construction

Ezekiel prophecy Ezekiel

Do Christians Still Sin?: How should I understand 1 John 3 when it talks about those who abide in Christ no longer sinning, even as someone who continues to sin?

Q&A question: Do Christians Still Sin?

1 John 3 1 John 3

Leviticus – Burnt Offerings: In Leviticus 1:9, why were only the legs and entrails washed before burning? Cultural?

Q&A question: Leviticus – Burnt Offerings

tithing

Are Crop-Tops Appropriate?: Most of the older girls and young women at our church are wearing crop tops to church. I find this obviously inappropriate for church and in general, but I don't want to be legalistic. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Are Crop-Tops Appropriate?

Are All Medications Tied to Witchcraft?: Galatians 5: 20 uses “witchcraft.” The word is only used 2 times in the Bible, with the origin word being where we get pharmacy/medicine. Can you clarify? I grew up learning this was literal and still applies.

Q&A question: Are All Medications Tied to Witchcraft?

Galatians 5 Galatians 5

Honoring God through Singleness: How can I enjoy my singleness? I'm a young adult woman and I want to be in a relationship one day, but I want to be content where I am now. How can I grow closer to God during this time?

Q&A question: Honoring God through Singleness

dating and relationships

Forgiving Others: Jesus said forgive others so that God will forgive us, but Paul says we forgive BECAUSE God has forgiven us. How do you reconcile those statements?

Q&A question: Forgiving Others

Deliverance & the “Spirit of Jezebel”: How do we lovingly correct someone who believes the deliverance ministry doctrine (people saying they have a “spirit of Jezebel” that needs to be prayed away)?

Q&A question: Deliverance & the “Spirit of Jezebel”

Jezebel

About the Filioque: Can you flesh out the Filioque and its implications for the Western church?

Q&A question: About the Filioque

Roman Catholicism baptism

Attending Catholic Ceremonies?: Can Christians go to Catholic weddings, funerals, and baptisms?

Q&A question: Attending Catholic Ceremonies?

How to Safely Study Demonic Works: I've been reading occult books to understand the worldview of a friend in the occult (books like Kybalion, Hermeticism, mediumship, etc.). Do you have any advice for reading these books without getting contaminated?

Q&A question: How to Safely Study Demonic Works

demons

Does God Use Verses Out of Context?: Does God still communicate through verses taken out of context? Some say “yes” due to His unique ways, but I'm unsure.

Q&A question: Does God Use Verses Out of Context?

hermeneutics

Greater Works than Jesus?: In John 14: 12, Jesus said we would do even greater things than Him. That’s a tough pill to swallow since He died for our sins and created everything. How do I process Jesus’ statement?

Q&A question: Greater Works than Jesus?

2 Samuel 12:8 David Samuel 2 Samuel 12:8

Did God Endorse Polygamy in the OT?: In 2 Samuel 12:8, God says that He gave David his wives (multiple), and if he had asked for more, God would’ve given him more. This sounds to be directly saying that God would be endorsing polygamy. How should we as Christians feel about one man having multiple wives according to the Bible, specifically this passage?

Q&A question: Did God Endorse Polygamy in the OT?

Is Only OT Scripture “God-Breathed?”: In 2 Timothy 3: 16, was Paul speaking of ONLY OT Scriptures, since that’s all they had at the time? What about the inspiration of the NT?

Q&A question: Is Only OT Scripture “God-Breathed?”

Timothy

Relearning Proper Theology: One of your videos gave my fiancé a change of heart. He is a former Jehovah’s Witness and feels like he has to start over and unlearn then relearn everything. Where do you suggest we start studying?

Q&A question: Relearning Proper Theology

Jehovah's Witnesses

Is the Hypostatic Union Illogical?: How can Christ truly be God and man at the same time, infringing upon the laws of logic? If it’s true, I know I can't understand it fully, but I do expect to be able to demonstrate how it isn't illogical.

Q&A question: Is the Hypostatic Union Illogical?

demons

Is it Wrong to Teach Kids About Santa?: What do you tell your kids about Santa? Is there a chance that kids who find out Santa isn't real might think the same about Jesus? Would you spoil Santa for children that aren't yours?

Q&A question: Is it Wrong to Teach Kids About Santa?