Search — Theology Explorer

Should We Avoid Semi-Pelagianism?: I'm a Calvinist, and recently I have been noticing Semi-Pelagian theology in Arminian churches. Can you distinguish between the two and explain why we should avoid Semi-Pelagianism?

Q&A question: Should We Avoid Semi-Pelagianism?

Calvinism

Can We Give God Too Much Credit?: Is it OK to give credit to God for something He might not have done (like a salary raise, new job, or other material or worldly things)?

Q&A question: Can We Give God Too Much Credit?

New Command or Old Command?: Why does 1 John 2:7 say that he is not writing a new command, but in the next verse (1 John 2:8) he says that he is writing a new command? What's going on here?

Q&A question: New Command or Old Command?

1 John 2 1 John 2

Acts 2 Matthew Matthew 28 Peter Acts 2 Jesus

Hasn’t Jesus Always Been Lord?: Peter said in Acts 2: 36 that God has "made Jesus both Lord and Christ." He was already Lord and Christ, so what does this mean? Same with Jesus being “given all authority” in Matthew 28: 18.

Q&A question: Hasn’t Jesus Always Been Lord?

Colossians 1 Colossians 1 suffering

Were Christ’s Sufferings Lacking Something?: In Colossians 1: 24, what is lacking in Christ’s sufferings, and how is Paul contributing to them?

Q&A question: Were Christ’s Sufferings Lacking Something?

Is God Constantly Speaking to Us?: My friend doesn't want to have too small of a view of God, so he sees every small event in his life as God speaking to him, even trivial things. Am I being too stingy, or is he "over-spiritualizing"?

Q&A question: Is God Constantly Speaking to Us?

Examples of Serving God Daily: I’m wondering what discipling others, sharing the Gospel, and service to God looks like in your life day-to-day? Anything you’ve learned over the years?

Q&A question: Examples of Serving God Daily

James James 1 James James 1

How Do We Find Joy in Our Trials?: In James 1, how do we count our trials as joy?

Q&A question: How Do We Find Joy in Our Trials?

Does the Devil Persecute Believers?: Is God giving the Devil permission to persecute the lives of certain Christians today, like in the book of Job?

Q&A question: Does the Devil Persecute Believers?

generosity

Does Praising Jesus Exclude the Father & Spirit?: I've been struggling with phrases or lyrics such as "All glory be to Christ" and "All Heaven sings to Christ alone.” Do these incorrectly exclude the Father and Holy Spirit?

Q&A question: Does Praising Jesus Exclude the Father & Spirit?

Exploring the Different Words for God’s Law: Every verse in Psalm 119 refers to God's Law, and ten different words are used, including: commandments, precepts, law, testimonies, ways, etc. Why? Does each word have a different meaning?

Q&A question: Exploring the Different Words for God’s Law

Psalm 119 Psalm 119

Genesis Genesis 1 Genesis women in ministry Genesis 1

How to Prepare Large Study Projects: How do you go about a project like the Women in Ministry series? I want to do something similar with Genesis 1-2 but I don't even know where to begin or what tools to use (other than Logos, of course).

Q&A question: How to Prepare Large Study Projects

Remembering the Unsaved in Heaven?: I would like to know, when we are in Heaven, will we just forget about those we loved on Earth that weren't saved? I can't imagine how there could be no sorrow if we remember them.

Q&A question: Remembering the Unsaved in Heaven?

heaven

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-29

What Was Paul’s Goal?: Can you explain to me what goal Paul hopes to achieve in Philippians 3: 11-12? What does he have to do?

Q&A question: What Was Paul’s Goal?

Philip Philippi

Can A False Prophet Glorify God?: My parents sit under a pastor who claims to have a prophecy from God almost weekly. He preaches in Jesus’ name and glorifies God, but his prophecies are always totally wrong or incredibly vague. Can a man who glorifies God also prophesy falsely?

Q&A question: Can A False Prophet Glorify God?

Jesus prophecy pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-29

Was Jesus’ Body Broken For Us?: What are your thoughts on when people say “This is the body of Christ, broken for you.” To me, this is not accurate, as Jesus was not “broken” for us (no bones broken like the Passover lamb).

Q&A question: Was Jesus’ Body Broken For Us?

Mike Winger idea 2023-10-17

Teaching Convictions as Truth: How should we deal with a pastor who is unwilling to receive correction on anything against his own convictions? It wouldn’t be as big of an issue, but he preaches his ideas as truth (i.e., no alcohol).

Q&A question: Teaching Convictions as Truth

Mike Winger idea 2023-11-17

Should Youth Pastors Simplify or Go Deep?: I absolutely love being a new Youth Pastor! However, I often find myself going over my students' heads. A small group of them tell me they're thrilled to "actually learn something." I'm conflicted on whether I should simplify my messages in an effort to hold as many attention spans as possible, or keep going into deeper waters to continue feeding those that seem to be benefiting from it. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Should Youth Pastors Simplify or Go Deep?

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-16

Why does God Heal Some Cancer but Not All?: I have a neighbor who can't get past this question: “My dad had cancer and died. You [me] had it and lived. Why does God think that's fair?”

Q&A question: Why does God Heal Some Cancer but Not All?

suffering

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-16

Would God Pass the Test?: Ricky Gervais says that if all scientific knowledge and religion were erased, science would be eventually re-discovered, but not God. Thoughts

Q&A question: Would God Pass the Test?

Ricky Gervais

Mike Winger idea 2024-01-26

Satan’s Guide to The Bible?: There is a dangerous video gaining popularity, called "Satan's Guide to The Bible," that illustrates a pretend children's Sunday school class learning from Satan as their substitute teacher. He claims that pastors keep secrets from their congregants, but that he will reveal those secrets and tell them the truth. Can you please analyze this video and refute its false claims about the Bible?

Q&A question: Satan’s Guide to The Bible?

Satan pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-16

Is Charity Meaningless Apart from the Church?: A pastor I listen to says that any community service/charity work that is not done through the Church or a Christian organization is meaningless to God. What are your thoughts on this?

Q&A question: Is Charity Meaningless Apart from the Church?

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-16

(Just for fun!) BONUS Q: In LOTR Return of the King, it is mentioned that 3 days are needed to gather more forces. Before Aragorn leaves. However, only 1 day seems to pass. How do you reconcile this?

Q&A question

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-01

The LXX More Reliable for Typology?: Is the Septuagint more reliable for finding Jesus in the Old Testament? S. Douglas Woodward & others say that messianic passages & timelines in the Masoretic Text were altered in 2nd century to keep Jews from converting to Christianity.

Q&A question: The LXX More Reliable for Typology?

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-08

What to Do if Your Pastor is Female: I've watched your Women in Ministry series and come to basically the same conclusions you have. However, I'm part of a church with a female lead pastor. How do I handle this?

Q&A question: What to Do if Your Pastor is Female

women in ministry pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-12

Home Churches & Pastors’ Pay: Can you address the belief that churches should only meet in homes, that church buildings are unbiblical, and pastors should not be paid? I’m questioning if this is biblical.

Q&A question: Home Churches & Pastors’ Pay

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-12

Records Before Moses?: How were records kept and passed down before Moses? How did Moses write about Abram?

Q&A question: Records Before Moses?

Moses

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-19

Can a Pastor’s Wife be an Unbeliever?: Do the qualifications for pastors/elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 disqualify a man who has an unbelieving wife?

Q&A question: Can a Pastor’s Wife be an Unbeliever?

Titus 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Titus 1 Timothy Titus 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-19

About OT Quotes in the NT: How should we understand inerrancy for New Testament passages that appear to quote the Old Testament, but no clear reference can be found? (e.g., James 4:5, Matthew 2: 23).

Q&A question: About OT Quotes in the NT

James James 4 Matthew 2 James James 4 Matthew 2

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-19

Grieving our Loved Ones when Not Sure of Salvation: My mom just passed away and I am unsure of her salvation. I know she prayed with the hospital's chaplains. My kids ask if they will see her in Heaven. How do I talk to them about this?

Q&A question: Grieving our Loved Ones when Not Sure of Salvation

salvation

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-26

Proper Interpretation of a Common Passage: What are your thoughts on 1 Corinthians 6: 19? I hear people use this Scripture to call anything they don’t like sin (tattoos, drugs, junk food, etc.). But it seems it’s mostly about sexual immorality.

Q&A question: Proper Interpretation of a Common Passage

1 Corinthians 6 1 Corinthians 6

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-03

Too Much Theology & Doctrine?: My pastor says that theology is “just someone’s opinion” and that “we shouldn’t get hooked on theology and doctrine.” How would you respond?

Q&A question: Too Much Theology & Doctrine?

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-24

Winger rejects the 'covering' argument that a senior male pastor can authorize female elders/pastors under his headship. A husband is the head of his wife — an elder is NOT the head of other elders. 1 Timothy 2 says 'I don't allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man,' period — not 'without a male head.'

Q&A: advice for a member of a church with a male lead elder pastoring alongside ordained female elders who often teach on Sundays.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 1 Timothy 2:12 women in ministry complementarianism headship

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-07

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

Genesis Genesis 9 Samuel Genesis Genesis 9

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-07

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?

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-21

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?

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 marriage prayer

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-05

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?

pastoral ministry healing

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-12

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

Q&A question: Discussing Biblical “Contradictions”!

biblical reliability

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-26

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

creation pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-09

Open vs. Closed Communion: What is your opinion on open vs. closed communion? Should the pastors or elders check who is taking the communion? 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 may support closed communion.

Q&A question: Open vs. Closed Communion

1 Corinthians 5 elder qualifications 1 Corinthians 5 communion

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-09

Explaining a Confusing Passage: Can you please explain how you understand Revelation 22: 11? I was super confused the first time I read this verse.

Q&A question: Explaining a Confusing Passage

revelation revelation

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-16

Bonus Q for Fun!.Why do you and so many other pastors like the LOTR so much?

Q&A question

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-23

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

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-30

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?

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-30

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?

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

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-11

Advice for a New Youth Pastor: I just started into youth ministry. Jesus saved me in college; I never had a youth minister, and the position didn’t come with a manual. Any resources, recommendations, wisdom, etc.?

Q&A question: Advice for a New Youth Pastor

Jesus pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-25

The Doctrine of Impassability: Can you help me understand the doctrine of impassability a little bit better? It's confusing for me, and I'm not sure how to relate to the Lord and bring Him my pain, knowing this doctrine.

Q&A question: The Doctrine of Impassability

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-25

Balancing Ministry & Family: As a young youth pastor, I am struggling to balance my desire to fully invest time and energy into ministry, with also being married with 2 young boys (2 and 1). Can you give some good principles here?

Q&A question: Balancing Ministry & Family

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-15

Can Fallen Leaders Be Restored?: Can fallen pastors who have engaged in egregious sin be restored back to ministry?

Q&A question: Can Fallen Leaders Be Restored?