Search — Theology Explorer

How Smart Must We Be to Evangelize?: I often get overwhelmed because it seems that I need to know EVERYTHING about EVERY topic (history, science, linguistics, etc.) to be able to defend the faith. Do you have any advice?

Q&A question: How Smart Must We Be to Evangelize?

angels

Romans 14 millennium Romans 14 Philip

When Will Every Tongue Confess?: When do you think Philippians 2: 10-11 will be fulfilled? At the end of the millennium, at Armageddon, or throughout the future at different stages? I think Romans 14: 10-12 gives us some insight.

Q&A question: When Will Every Tongue Confess?

Sharing Truth with a Defensive Person: My husband doesn't believe in the Trinity and gets so defensive when I try to talk to him about the true God. Should I not bring it up anymore and just live as an example?

Q&A question: Sharing Truth with a Defensive Person

marriage Trinity

Are Believers Still “Sinners”?: I was wondering, when we get saved, are we still “sinners”? I know that after being saved we sometimes sin. But does that still label us as sinners? I thought we were new creations.

Q&A question: Are Believers Still “Sinners”?

creation

Cowardice in the Book of Jonah?: Were the mariners and shipmaster selfish cowards and Pagans in Jonah 1:5-15? Even with drowning in a stormy sea, I sense hesitation to discard Jonah to save their own lives.

Q&A question: Cowardice in the Book of Jonah?

Jonah Jonah

Acts 6 revelation Revelation 2 Acts 6 Jesus revelation

About the Nicolaitans: Isn't Jesus hating the Nicolaitans in Revelation 2:6 out of character? Also, who were they? I hear they were a cult from the Nicholas of Acts 6, one of the 7 deacons.

Q&A question: About the Nicolaitans

Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

The Destruction of Jerusalem: Do you think that Jesus prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70? Or do you think the passages people refer to are only about end times events that have not been fulfilled yet?

Q&A question: The Destruction of Jerusalem

Jesus eschatology

Do We Pray For or Against our Enemies?: How do you reconcile the New Testament's clear teachings to love and pray for our enemies with Psalms like Psalm 69:22-28? Is there ever a time when we should pray against our enemies?

Q&A question: Do We Pray For or Against our Enemies?

1 Corinthians 5 1 Corinthians 5

Interacting with Fallen Believers & Cult Members: How are we to relate to fallen brothers in terms of fellowship, and to cult members with hospitality according to 1 Corinthians 5: 11 and 2 John 1: 10?

Q&A question: Interacting with Fallen Believers & Cult Members

Could God be Playing a Joke On Us?: I am a new Christian and my brother is an atheist. He has brought up the question of “What if God is lying about everything and this all a big cosmic joke?” How do I combat this thinking?

Q&A question: Could God be Playing a Joke On Us?

atheism

Isaiah Isaiah second coming

Unclean Meats & the Second Coming: If all meats were made clean, then how do Christians interpret Isaiah 66: 15-18, as that passage, I believe, refers to Christ’s second coming, and in it He “destroys” those who eat unclean meats?

Q&A question: Unclean Meats & the Second Coming

The Right Age to Evangelize?: When is the right age to evangelize? I'm 15 and I used to evangelize and many believed, but I also got into trouble with the police and at my school. My pastor told me to wait until I’m more mature and I’ve learned more of God’s Word.

Q&A question: The Right Age to Evangelize?

pastoral ministry angels

Religion = Control? / Where’s God During Abuse?: How do I help my dad (an unbeliever) who thinks religion is used to control us? He also says, “If God exists, where was He when my father was beating my mother and I, and I cried out to Him?”

Q&A question: Religion = Control? / Where’s God During Abuse?

evangelism

salvation prayer Calvinism

How to Pray for Unbelievers: I don’t believe Calvinism is biblical, but I find that my prayers for unbelievers often sound Calvinistic: “Change their hearts, bring them to You,” etc. How should we pray for unbelievers' salvation?

Q&A question: How to Pray for Unbelievers

Does Jesus’ Compassion Change?: When Jesus interacts with people, He is often compassionate. However, with the 12, he most often sounds harsh. Does His relationship toward us change once we are “on the team"?

Q&A question: Does Jesus’ Compassion Change?

Jesus

Warnings about False Teachings: Do warnings to Churches and believers in verses such as Jude 1:3-4 or other Epistles regarding false/heretical doctrines apply to Mormons who want a relationship with God/Jesus but are just deceived?

Q&A question: Warnings about False Teachings

Jesus Mormonism heresy

marriage pastoral ministry

Knowing When to Yield: My pastor wants me to obey my husband even when it hurts my mental health, triggers my eating disorder, or my sleep disorder. Is he right or wrong? He says I should “Die like Christ.”

Q&A question: Knowing When to Yield

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-07

Encouragement Amid Physical Limitations: What counsel would you give a discouraged believer with a debilitating chronic illness who carries a lot of guilt for not being able to serve in the ways they want to be able to?

Q&A question: Encouragement Amid Physical Limitations

suffering

If God Seems Silent, Does He Still Care?: My sister walked away from God because she begged for direction in her life and she says she heard nothing from God. This led her to believe God doesn’t care about her. How do I respond to this?

Q&A question: If God Seems Silent, Does He Still Care?

Mike Winger idea 2023-04-07

Was Jesus Really Buried for 3 Days & Nights?: If Jesus died on a Friday and rose on a Sunday, then He was not in the grave for three days and three nights. Why is it that this seems never to be addressed?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Really Buried for 3 Days & Nights?

Jesus

Evolved from Monkeys?: From a biblical standpoint, is there any reason that Christians believe we evolved from monkeys? I'm confused why some Christians believe that, and I’m curious if it’s purely a worldview standpoint?

Q&A question: Evolved from Monkeys?

Is Nepotism Sinful?: Is nepotism a sin? My church was founded by my grandpa, my dad is the senior pastor, and my brother is a youth leader. I do believe they legitimately earned these roles, but others at my church don’t.

Q&A question: Is Nepotism Sinful?

pastoral ministry

revelation Revelation 2 repentance revelation Revelation 2

Repentance After Death?: Can someone repent after death? Hebrews 9: 27 seems to say “no,” BUT Revelation 2: 21-27 seems to suggest “yes” for it is the “unwillingness” to repent that condemns. I really hope the latter is true.

Q&A question: Repentance After Death?

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-05

Can Evolution be Plausible?: Do you think evolution is plausible theologically? I have never heard a good response to how there would have been death before the fall.

Q&A question: Can Evolution be Plausible?

evolution

Honoring Parents through Marital Friction: How can I honor and love my parents biblically when they take offense at and criticize my wife and I for every little thing we do? It's making my wife anxious, and we're going to have a baby. We want a relationship with them, but they seem committed to bitterness.

Q&A question: Honoring Parents through Marital Friction

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-05

Can Non-Believers bear the Fruit of the Spirit?: Can someone who is not a Christian show the fruit of the Spirit?

Q&A question: Can Non-Believers bear the Fruit of the Spirit?

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-05

How Do We “Abstain from Blood” Today?: How, as 21st century Christians, should we understand the decree for gentile believers to abstain from blood (Acts 15: 20, 28, 29)?

Q&A question: How Do We “Abstain from Blood” Today?

Acts 15 Acts 15

Infinite Punishment for Finite Crimes?: Why does God give infinite punishment for finite crimes? Even from a biblical point of view, not every crime is prescribed the same punishment. So why, then, can a person never serve the entirety of their punishment in Hell?

Q&A question: Infinite Punishment for Finite Crimes?

hell

Has Christianity Changed Over Time?: How do you know the Christianity you believe is the same they were practicing in the early Church if history says Constantine and the Greeks changed things?

Q&A question: Has Christianity Changed Over Time?

Constantine

Why Won’t Christians Marry Non-Christians?: A woman stopped dating me because of worldview differences. I believe in a higher power and wouldn’t have pulled her away from her faith. It hurt badly. Why do some Christians do that? She seems indoctrinated (“can’t marry a non-Christian”).

Q&A question: Why Won’t Christians Marry Non-Christians?

dating and relationships

Is Every Good Thing an Answered Prayer?: Why are some people so quick to celebrate when God answers “small” prayers, but they overlook the fact that He didn’t answer “bigger” prayers like healing someone of cancer?

Q&A question: Is Every Good Thing an Answered Prayer?

prayer healing

Why Aren’t Mormons Christians?: Ex-Mormon here. Surely all Christians believe things about God that are incorrect, but they're still saved. What makes the LDS different? How are my misconceptions acceptable when theirs aren't?

Q&A question: Why Aren’t Mormons Christians?

Mormonism

Are Miracles Unreliable?: If Satan and his workers can perform miracles to mislead people, why should I believe Christians when they tell me to look at miracles, or when Jesus says to look at His miracles?

Q&A question: Are Miracles Unreliable?

Jesus Satan miracles

Can Non-Believers Come to Church to Observe?: Are there any good rules of thumb for atheists attending a church service for the purposes of learning? Assuming they have no intention of conversion, is this considered rude or invasive?

Q&A question: Can Non-Believers Come to Church to Observe?

atheism

Is the Bible Just a Storybook?: How can you believe in a storybook (referring to the Bible)? This was actually a question I faced several times when I stayed in Germany for a while.

Q&A question: Is the Bible Just a Storybook?

{Does God Know Every Choice We’ll Make?” Does God already know what choices we will make? Does He just know the outcome of every single option, or are there maybe two or a couple possible options for everyone’s choices? If the first, what's the point?

Q&A question

dating and relationships

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-26

Stumbled by Theological Doctrines?: The different theologies like cessationism & continuationism can be a stumbling block for unbelievers and cause confusion. How can this be explained to them?

Q&A question: Stumbled by Theological Doctrines?

cessationism

Disqualified from our Rewards?: Since sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit, and we will never be fully sinless in this life, how do we not become disqualified from/lose rewards in Heaven (1 Corinthians 9: 27)?

Q&A question: Disqualified from our Rewards?

1 Corinthians 9 sanctification 1 Corinthians 9

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-26

Do We Still Have a Sin Nature?: Does flesh = sin nature? Adam & Eve sinned, even without a sin nature. After salvation, we still have the flesh (Romans 7: 18), but we’re dead to sin/not slaves to sin (Rom 6:2-7). Does this mean we no longer have a sin nature?

Q&A question: Do We Still Have a Sin Nature?

Romans 7 salvation Romans 7

Mike Winger idea 2023-05-26

Which Faith is True?: How can I know I have the right faith? I've been watching many apologetics videos since I first found your videos over four years ago, and many Catholics, reformed believers, and evangelicals all have convincing arguments.

Q&A question: Which Faith is True?

Roman Catholicism apologetics angels

1 Peter 3 Peter 1 Peter 3

Must we Share our Faith in Every Circumstance?: Looking at 1 Peter 3: 15-17, what would you say to anyone who would ask you about "the hope you have in you"? And are there times or certain people who you wouldn't bother providing that answer to (e.g., someone you know isn't really interested in the answer and just seeks to make fun of you)?

Q&A question: Must we Share our Faith in Every Circumstance?

How did the Thief on the Cross Know?: The thief on the cross believed Jesus would come into His kingdom, despite knowing that Jesus was going to die. How might that be, since even the disciples didn’t grasp this until the resurrection?

Q&A question: How did the Thief on the Cross Know?

Jesus resurrection

How to Reach a Wiccan: What can or should I say to a Wiccan relative who wants to have seances to reach her dead son? She’s not a believer, so should I just hold my tongue?

Q&A question: How to Reach a Wiccan

The Man in Mark 14: Who was the man in Mark 14: 51-52? Could it be that this was somehow Jesus Himself escaping? As an unbeliever, how should I approach my readings? Any questions I should keep in mind?

Q&A question: The Man in Mark 14

Mark 14 Jesus Mark 14

Do Heavenly Rewards Support LDS Doctrine?: Every time you answer a question about rewards in Heaven, I can't help but think of the LDS levels of Heaven. How do I debate with them when they use rewards as the basis for their belief about there being different levels of Heaven?

Q&A question: Do Heavenly Rewards Support LDS Doctrine?

Mormonism

About the “Two Witnesses” in Rev.: Who are the two witnesses in the book of Revelation, and is it possible for them to be people that are walking the Earth today that are not in the Bible?

Q&A question: About the “Two Witnesses” in Rev.

revelation revelation

Matthew 12 Matthew Jesus Matthew 12 Matthew

Are Casual Conversations Sinful?: Someone argued with me that because of Matthew 12: 36 (every idle word…), all jokes and fun conversations are sinful, and that Jesus never spoke in a casual, non-serious way. Is this true?

Q&A question: Are Casual Conversations Sinful?

Should We Still Forgive when Not Asked?: Do we still need to forgive others if they don’t ask for forgiveness? My grandma believes that as Christians, we don’t forgive unless the other person repents and asks for forgiveness.

Q&A question: Should We Still Forgive when Not Asked?

forgiveness