Search — Theology Explorer

About Apologetics being Used in Fiction: How effective do you believe apologetics can be done in works of fiction (like Narnia) rather than just straight arguments? Should there be more of it?

Q&A question: About Apologetics being Used in Fiction

apologetics

Can we Only Attend Smaller Groups?: I’m an introvert and have never felt comfortable at large Bible studies with people I don’t know. Do I have to enjoy large group studies? Is it OK to stick to small studies with one or two others?

Q&A question: Can we Only Attend Smaller Groups?

{About Jesus Descending to Hell” If someone believes Jesus had to suffer in Hell for three days after the crucifixion, could they truly be saved? Don't we need to believe it was all accomplished on the cross?

Q&A question

Jesus hell

About Aquinas’ Summa Theologica: Have you ever read or studied the work by St. Thomas Aquinas called "Summa Theologica," and if so, what are your thoughts?

Q&A question: About Aquinas’ Summa Theologica

Thomas

About the Year of Jesus’ Birth: What year do you believe Jesus was born, and how do you reconcile it with the majority consensus of Herod's death in 4 B.C.?

Q&A question: About the Year of Jesus’ Birth

Jesus Herod

Is Lying Ever OK in Rare Circumstances?: What does the Bible say about lying to protect someone? Like if my brother breaks a vase and I say the dog broke it, or if I take the blame for something I didn’t do?

Q&A question: Is Lying Ever OK in Rare Circumstances?

Jeremiah Jeremiah 31 revelation Jeremiah Jeremiah 31 Jesus

Conscience before the New Covenant?: Based on Jeremiah 31: 33-34, did people before the New Covenant not have a conscience (innate knowledge of God and the ability to know right from wrong as we do now)? Based on the radical changes that Jesus and the Church brought to the world, and God seemingly needing to give people constant special revelation in the OT, could there be a case for this? Could the need for the cycle of sin-judgement-repentance/cry for help-deliverance be connected to this?

Q&A question: Conscience before the New Covenant?

revelation Revelation 21 revelation Revelation 21

About the Vanishing & Glass Seas – Revelation: In Revelation 21:1, it describes the "sea vanishing." Is this sea the same as the "sea of glass" in Revelation 4:6 where some have suggested it symbolizes the barrier that separated God from man?

Q&A question: About the Vanishing & Glass Seas – Revelation

1 John 2 John 16 1 John 2:1 Jesus Christ Jesus 1 John 2

About the Paraclete: John 16:7 says Paraclete is the Holy Spirit, and 1 John 2:1 says it is Jesus Christ. I cannot believe this is a mistranslation, so what is 1 John 2:1 talking about?

Q&A question: About the Paraclete

About the Covid Vaccine: How should Christians respond to the push to get the Covid vaccine (especially here in LA)? Is it our Christian duty to put others above ourselves, even if it betrays our own conscience?

Q&A question: About the Covid Vaccine

faith and science

anxiety and mental health

Is Depression Ever a Sin Issue?: Is there ever a point where depression can be a sin issue? How should I view it in light of what Scripture says about worrying, while being charitable toward those who are struggling?

Q&A question: Is Depression Ever a Sin Issue?

Should our Faith Make Sense?: Is Christianity a faith that should make sense, or is it just having the faith to believe? How can we believe if one person interprets the Bible this way and another the other way?

Q&A question: Should our Faith Make Sense?

hermeneutics

revelation Jesus salvation revelation

About Natural Revelation & Salvation: You've said people who've never heard of Jesus need to respond to natural revelation to be saved. Can you give an example of how a woman growing up in Saudi Arabia would respond to natural revelation?

Q&A question: About Natural Revelation & Salvation

Exodus 20 Exodus 20:4 Exodus 20 Exodus 20:4

Is it a Sin to Depict God?: I’m a new believer. I watched a Christian cartoon with my son, and it depicted God as a Santa-looking man. My son asked if we were breaking the 2nd commandment. Is it a sin to depict God in any way? (Exodus 20:4)

Q&A question: Is it a Sin to Depict God?

Do those who Seek God Really Find Him?: The Bible says that those who diligently seek God will find Him. What about the Muslims, Hindus, and all the people who are diligently seeking God but never find Jesus and stay in their religion?

Q&A question: Do those who Seek God Really Find Him?

Jesus Islam

1 Corinthians 15 1 Corinthians 15:28 1 Corinthians 15 1 Corinthians 15:28 Trinity

Defending the Trinity in 1 Cor.: I believe in the Trinity, but there is someone who has used 1 Corinthians 15:28 against the doctrine. Could you please explain this for me?

Q&A question: Defending the Trinity in 1 Cor.

Will Psychopaths be Judged the Same?: It has recently been scientifically proven that many psychopaths have a physical brain alteration that doesn't allow their synapses to receive the neuron chemicals for emotions such as sympathy. Oftentimes, they become violent criminals or even murderers. Will they be judged by God the same as any other person, even though they have something physiologically wrong with them?

Q&A question: Will Psychopaths be Judged the Same?

Matthew Matthew 7 Matthew Paul Washer Matthew 7

Is Everyone Claiming to be Saved Really Saved?: Paul Washer said that Matthew 7: 13-14 is not about Christians and non-Christians, but rather, real Christians and Christians who think they’re saved. He says many who think they are saved aren’t really saved. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Is Everyone Claiming to be Saved Really Saved?

About Giving Everything for the Lord: If salvation is a free gift and not by works, then why does Jesus say those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples? How do we know when we have given up everything?

Q&A question: About Giving Everything for the Lord

Jesus salvation

Genesis Luke 22:3 Genesis 6 Genesis Luke 22:3 Genesis 6

About Demons and The Nephilim: Are demons the spirits of dead Nephilim? Genesis 6 explains that the Nephilim are the offspring of women and angels. Demons never materialize, but we know angels can. Luke 22:3 is not convincing to me.

Q&A question: About Demons and The Nephilim

About Asking for Forgiveness/Mark of the Beast: A popular internet ministry says Jesus never said we need to ask for forgiveness and the Bible doesn’t mention it. Is that true? They also say it’s impossible for a Christian to take mark of the beast. Is that true?

Q&A question: About Asking for Forgiveness/Mark of the Beast

Jesus forgiveness

Help During Trying Times of Doubt: Why can’t I trust Christ for complete forgiveness even though I fully believe every word in the Bible? Why won’t my heart allow me to enter salvation? Why doesn’t God seem to want to help me?

Q&A question: Help During Trying Times of Doubt

salvation forgiveness

About the Satanic Temple’s 7 Tenets: The Satanic Temple has been gaining popularity online due to their “7 tenets” they believe people should live by. Many people see these tenets as positive and morally good, and are being drawn into their organization as a result. What are your thoughts about this?

Q&A question: About the Satanic Temple’s 7 Tenets

Satan

When we Should and Shouldn’t Witness: How do we know when to speak up about the truth of Christ vs. when not to? I am grieved by what I see being claimed as “truth” today, but I don’t want to just sit back and say “I’m not supposed to judge.”

Q&A question: When we Should and Shouldn’t Witness

evangelism

Revelation 13 revelation Revelation 13 revelation

What is the Mark of the Beast?: What is the mark of the beast as described in Revelation 13? I’ve heard and read so many things, and I’m not sure how to make sense of it.

Q&A question: What is the Mark of the Beast?

revelation Acts 1 John 16 Jesus worship revelation

Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts: Do we have "Jesus in our hearts" as believers? What about worship songs about Jesus in the room? John 16:5-10, Acts 1:9-11 and basically all of Revelation seems to say Jesus is in Heaven for now.

Q&A question: Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts

About the LE of Mark: You've said that we should leave in the longer ending of Mark's Gospel because removing it could upset some Christians. If this is so, then should we be including things like the Comma Johanneum because removing that has upset some Christians? Where do you believe we should draw the line, and why?

Q&A question: About the LE of Mark

Holy Spirit anxiety and mental health

Our Own Thoughts vs. the Holy Spirit: In something like pursuing a relationship, or even in general, how do you tell the difference between the Holy Spirit and your own anxiety telling you not to do something?

Q&A question: Our Own Thoughts vs. the Holy Spirit

How to Biblically Grieve Painful Loss: My only son died from an overdose last year. I was angry at God and walked away from Him for a bit. I told Him “If I am to serve you, I want the real God.” Isaiah 43: 18-19 says to get over it. How do I get over it?

Q&A question: How to Biblically Grieve Painful Loss

Isaiah Isaiah

About Evidence & Belief: Imagine if someone asked you, “Would you be willing to disbelieve in God if the evidence led there?” What would your response be? Are we obligated to say yes? Does that dishonor God?

Q&A question: About Evidence & Belief

apologetics

Are All of God’s Actions Infallible?: How do I approach a conversation with someone who doesn't believe God is infallible? He believes in the God of the Bible, but he doesn't think all of God's actions are "good," like in the book of Job.

Q&A question: Are All of God’s Actions Infallible?

biblical inerrancy

Matthew 5 Matthew Jesus Matthew 5 Matthew

What Did Jesus Mean by “Be Perfect”?: What did Jesus mean when He said, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" in Matthew 5: 48? Wouldn't that mean we're all condemned since we sin every day/week?

Q&A question: What Did Jesus Mean by “Be Perfect”?

What to Do When a Church Member is Out of Line: What should I do if a member of my fellowship with some mental issues has been making several false prophecies every day, saying literally "hear me for the lord speaks”?

Q&A question: What to Do When a Church Member is Out of Line

prophecy

Are there Really “Accidents”?: Are there really accidents? For example, a freak car accident? How do we square God’s will with what might seem like a totally random event or “accident”?

Q&A question: Are there Really “Accidents”?

Can we Write Jesus into Games or Stories?: I'm a hobbyist/game developer and have started making Bible themed games. I want to include Jesus in one of my projects, but I feel uncomfortable writing words for Him. Any advice? Can I even do this?

Q&A question: Can we Write Jesus into Games or Stories?

Jesus

About the Natural Condition of Man: I've heard you say that you don't agree with any of the points in TULIP. What do you believe about the natural condition of man?

Q&A question: About the Natural Condition of Man

Can we Give to Non-Christian Causes?: Thoughts on charitable giving to organizations that I'm passionate about but aren't overtly Christian? Even if it's above my normal tithe, is this "taking money away" from Kingdom advancement?

Q&A question: Can we Give to Non-Christian Causes?

tithing

Protecting Children from Bad Teaching: My Hubby was raised Mormon. He still believes it all but isn't active. His family takes my son to church if he stays with them & they've started teaching him LDS doctrine. I want to not let him go anymore w/out hurting them. Advice?

Q&A question: Protecting Children from Bad Teaching

Mormonism

Is “Entire Sanctification” Biblical?: What are your thoughts on Entire Sanctification? Could a Christian eventually live a life without sin through God's power? If not, shouldn’t we shoot for it anyway?

Q&A question: Is “Entire Sanctification” Biblical?

sanctification

About the Apostles’ Martyrdom: A big defense for Christianity is that the Apostles died & were tortured, never recanting Jesus. How are the Heavens Gate & Jonestown 1978 incidents any different? They all willingly died for a lie, too.

Q&A question: About the Apostles’ Martyrdom

Jesus Apostles

Jeremiah Matthew Jeremiah worship Matthew

Did God Ordain Animal Sacrifices?: Does Jeremiah 7: 22 & Matthew 9: 13 indicate God never ordained animal sacrifices? To me it seems God has gradually moved mankind away from sacrifices & idol worship and into His ideal form of religion.

Q&A question: Did God Ordain Animal Sacrifices?

revelation Revelation 21 revelation Revelation 21

What does “Cowardly” Mean in Revelation?: Can you shed some light on what Revelation 21:8 really means by the cowardly or the fearful having a special place in the lake of fire?

Q&A question: What does “Cowardly” Mean in Revelation?

Forming a Biblical Self-Image: How do I overcome self hate? Whenever I look at myself, I see a sinner and a failure and it's hard to see God as a loving Father when all I can see Him as is a judge, and I'm afraid of Him at times.

Q&A question: Forming a Biblical Self-Image

About the Marks of Stigmata: What do you think about the marks of the stigmata? Is there any way this could be biblical, even if someone isn't Catholic?

Q&A question: About the Marks of Stigmata

Roman Catholicism

About God Revealing Himself to Mankind: If God wants you to be saved more than you do, why doesn’t He reveal Himself to everyone like He did to Paul? Wouldn't more people be saved if they had the same “Road to Damascus” experience that Paul had?

Q&A question: About God Revealing Himself to Mankind

revelation Daniel Jesus revelation Daniel

About the 70th Week & Seven Seals: Is there any biblical evidence that the beginning of Daniel's 70th week and Jesus opening the first of the seven seals in Revelation will occur roughly at the same time?

Q&A question: About the 70th Week & Seven Seals

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 marriage

Advice for an Unequally Yoked Marriage: My wife is an unbeliever. The more I attend church, the more strain it puts on our marriage. Is it right to continue going to church, or should I stop? (1 Corinthians 7: 14) I pray for her every day.

Q&A question: Advice for an Unequally Yoked Marriage

Luke 13 Jesus salvation Luke 13

About Salvation by Grace vs. Our Efforts: If we don't have to do works to get saved, why does Jesus tell us to "make every effort to enter through the narrow door" in Luke 13: 24?

Q&A question: About Salvation by Grace vs. Our Efforts