Search — Theology Explorer

The Pastor’s Salary: How MUCH?: How much should pastors be paid for their work in the ministry?

Q&A question: The Pastor’s Salary: How MUCH?

Interpretations for Private Tongues?: When the gift of speaking in tongues is in operation, do the same requirements and standards exist for private/smaller ministry gatherings as they do the corporate gatherings of a church service? For example, if someone in the background is praying in tongues while you are praying for someone at a hospital, does that still demand an interpretation?

Q&A question: Interpretations for Private Tongues?

tongues

Images of God: Ever Biblical?: Author J.I. Packer states that the 2nd commandment forbids using images of God for worship (such as paintings or statues/icons of God) and that images cannot capture His power & only serve as a crutch when worshiping Him. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Images of God: Ever Biblical?

worship

Hebrews 4 Jesus atheism Hebrews 4

Was Jesus Tempted with Unbelief?: As a former atheist, the verse in Hebrews 4: 15 comforts and confuses me; how could the Son of Man be tempted with unbelief in Himself?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Tempted with Unbelief?

Isaiah Matthew Isaiah prophecy Matthew

Immediate or Messianic Prophecy?: It looks like Isaiah 7: 14 is fulfilled in Isaiah 8:4. The prophecy seems to describe something immediate and not messianic. What do we do with Matthew seemingly saying it is a messianic prophecy?

Q&A question: Immediate or Messianic Prophecy?

1 Peter 1 Romans 10 Matthew Peter 1 Peter 1 Romans 10

How to “Obey the Gospel”: How do we answer those who think “obeying the Gospel” means physical obedience (works)? They cite verses like 1 Peter 1: 22, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, Romans 10: 16, and Matthew 7: 21.

Q&A question: How to “Obey the Gospel”

Did The Apostles Misunderstand?: I’m struggling with the apostles believing that Jesus’ return was happening within their lifetime. How can we trust everything else they said to be inspired by God if they got this wrong?

Q&A question: Did The Apostles Misunderstand?

Jesus Apostles

1 Timothy 2 Acts 2 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Acts 2

Not Enough Prayer in Church?: Why do we pray so little collectively during Sunday services? Singing makes up 40%, while praying roughly 1-2%. This does not seem to line up biblically or historically (Acts 2: 42; 1 Timothy 2:1-8).

Q&A question: Not Enough Prayer in Church?

Gospel Contradictions?: Is there an irreconcilable contradiction in the Gospels as to whether Jesus instructed The Twelve to take a staff (Matt 10: 10, Mark 6:8)? How should this affect our view on inerrancy?

Q&A question: Gospel Contradictions?

Mark 6 Jesus Mark 6

Resolving to Follow Christ Amid Doubts: Can you be saved by choosing the Christian life at any moment and hoping it’s real, or do you have to be convinced? What conditions do you need from God or yourself? Do you have to be feeling a certain way?

Q&A question: Resolving to Follow Christ Amid Doubts

doubt and faith

Bonus! Guitar Time, courtesy of Seth Yoder’s request.

Q&A question

The Upside-Down Kingdom Bible: What are your thoughts on the newly released Zondervan NIV Upside-Down Kingdom Bible, edited by Dr. Preston Sprinkle?

Q&A question: The Upside-Down Kingdom Bible

Helping Children Grasp the Gospel: As a pastor to the youth for so long, what would you recommend parents do with their children to help them have a personal relationship with God?

Q&A question: Helping Children Grasp the Gospel

Moses/Genesis: When/How?: When/how did Moses acquire the contents and narrative of Genesis?

Q&A question: Moses/Genesis: When/How?

Genesis Moses Genesis

Is Marriage an Oath?: James 5: 12 says not to make oaths, but isn’t getting married making an oath?

Q&A question: Is Marriage an Oath?

James James marriage

Overcoming the Grip of Sin: What’s the balance between the Holy Spirit changing us, and us trying to do good works and love God? I just feel so stuck in my sin. I don’t know how to get out of this habit. I’m scared my repentance isn’t real.

Q&A question: Overcoming the Grip of Sin

repentance

Sin in the Millennium?: Will there be sin in the Millennium? Will that affect our glorified bodies and our lives in the Millennium?

Q&A question: Sin in the Millennium?

millennium

Corporal Punishment: More Harm than Good?: I’m a new parent doing research. I’ve heard that the Bible supports corporal punishment, but also that scientific studies say corporal punishment has negative outcomes. How do you reconcile these two things?

Q&A question: Corporal Punishment: More Harm than Good?

Disciples: Not Recognizing Jesus?: There are some Scriptures where the disciples don’t recognize the resurrected Jesus. Is this because they are prevented by Jesus, or did He actually look different?

Q&A question: Disciples: Not Recognizing Jesus?

Jesus

Water & Blood: 1 John 4: What is the significance of the water and the blood in 1 John 4:6, 8?

Q&A question: Water & Blood: 1 John 4

1 John 4 1 John 4

Relationships with Family in Eternity: What do you think our relationship will be like with family members in Heaven? Will we know each other? Will we still sort of be related? I know there won't be marriage.

Q&A question: Relationships with Family in Eternity

marriage

(Bonus Q!).Who's your favorite LOTR character? I bet it's Treebeard.

Q&A question

JD Vance’s Christian Concept: Is JD Vance’s “Christian concept” of love truly Christian?

Q&A question: JD Vance’s Christian Concept

Resisting Temptation in the Workplace: What advice would you give to somebody who feels vulnerable to worldliness in the workplace? Not only do I spend most of my time there, but all of my coworkers knew me pre-salvation. It’s a struggle.

Q&A question: Resisting Temptation in the Workplace

salvation

Should Children be Taught about Hell?: What should children who would go to Heaven if they die be taught about Hell, if anything? It may make them afraid that they would go there.

Q&A question: Should Children be Taught about Hell?

hell

The Unsaved: Prayer Priorities?: Is it appropriate to pray for the physical healing of an unsaved person? Isn’t it more reasonable to pray that they would come to faith in Christ? What is the "prayer priority" in this situation?

Q&A question: The Unsaved: Prayer Priorities?

prayer healing

Specific Moment of Salvation?: Do you have to have a specific date of salvation, or can salvation be a gradual thing/realization? This has been a debate within our current Bible study.

Q&A question: Specific Moment of Salvation?

salvation

God’s Omnipresence: Within God’s omnipresence, is that confined to spatial and spiritual dimensions? Or does that include Him being present across all of time, as well? As in He’s currently in all times all at once?

Q&A question: God’s Omnipresence

Disqualifications for Serving?: What disqualifies someone from non-pastoral ministry? Are the rules for pastors the same for sound techs, ushers, etc.?

Q&A question: Disqualifications for Serving?

Brands/Products: Letting in Spirits?: Are there specific brands or products that Christians shouldn‘t use? I’ve seen videos showing things like makeup products Christians shouldn't use because they let in spirits. Should I throw these away?

Q&A question: Brands/Products: Letting in Spirits?

Genesis Genesis 32 Hosea Jacob Genesis Genesis 32

Jacob’s Wrestling: Father or Son?: Do you believe Jacob wrestled with God the Father or God the Son (Hosea 12:4 and Genesis 32)?

Q&A question: Jacob’s Wrestling: Father or Son?

Tribulation Saints: Position in Heaven?: In the pre-tribulation view of the rapture, if the raptured Church is the Bride of Christ, then what position/purpose in Heaven do the tribulation saints hold?

Q&A question: Tribulation Saints: Position in Heaven?

rapture tribulation

(Bonus) Prayer Request from Jacob: Can you and your listeners please pray for my sister Darby's pregnancy? The other day we found out she was having twins, but at the same time she was told she's most likely going to miscarry. The babies are measuring smaller than they should, with no heartbeats detected. Please join us in asking God to miraculously breathe life into her babies again.

Q&A question

Jacob prayer

revelation prophecy revelation

Prophecy Always Positive?: Is the gift of prophecy always supposed to yield a positive, uplifting revelation?

Q&A question: Prophecy Always Positive?

Praying Over Things?: What are your thoughts on praying over a house or object? Is that superstition?

Q&A question: Praying Over Things?

Romans 13 Mark 12 Romans 13 Mark 12

Giving Time vs. Money?: Is it ever OK to give time instead of money to church? How do we balance giving vs. saving, especially if giving might cause debt (Mark 12: 41-44, Romans 13:1-8)? I also have a family to provide for.

Q&A question: Giving Time vs. Money?

Parable of the Wedding Feast: Can you please explain the parable in Matthew 22: 1-14 (The Parable of the Wedding Feast)? I don’t understand the meaning.

Q&A question: Parable of the Wedding Feast

Matthew Matthew

Should I Be Rebaptized?: I fell out of the faith years ago and recently came back and feel like I should get baptized again. Is there anything for or against this in the Bible?

Q&A question: Should I Be Rebaptized?

baptism

Is God Selfish?: Do you believe that God is selfish in everything He does? It seems even His "selfless" acts are done for His own sake (Psalm 106:8, dying on the cross for His own glory, etc.). Would that motivation be wrong?

Q&A question: Is God Selfish?

Acts 2 Acts 2 baptism heresy

Is Baptismal Regeneration Heresy?: Is believing that baptism is for the remission of sins based on Acts 2: 38 heresy? Is someone who was thusly baptized then not saved?

Q&A question: Is Baptismal Regeneration Heresy?

Sinful Vows: Binding?: Are vows made in sin or amidst sinful circumstances still binding in eyes of God (Ecclesiastes 5:5, Joshua 9, Genesis 27, Judges 12)?

Q&A question: Sinful Vows: Binding?

Genesis Genesis

Isaiah Isaiah 14 Isaiah Satan Isaiah 14

Isaiah 14: About Satan?: Is Isaiah 14:3-20 about Satan? It says it is to the King of Babylon, but I have heard verses 12-14 used in reference to Satan. Just curious about your thoughts on it!

Q&A question: Isaiah 14: About Satan?

Deuteronomy 24 David marriage Deuteronomy 24

Did David Violate Deut. 24?: How was David able to take Michal back as his wife? Isn’t that a violation of Deuteronomy 24, and does that apply today?

Q&A question: Did David Violate Deut. 24?

Should We Expose Pastors?: Can you provide an overview of why it is biblical and right to expose abusive and harmful pastors and those who are in positions of Christian leadership?

Q&A question: Should We Expose Pastors?

revelation Satan revelation angels

Fallen Angels – Past or Future?: I’ve heard someone say that Satan hasn’t taken a third of the heavenly angels yet, but will do it in the future (Revelation 12:3-4, 7-9). Is that a possibility?

Q&A question: Fallen Angels – Past or Future?

David’s Story: Exempting Accountability?: How should we respond to people who use the story of David and other flawed biblical figures, whom God still used, to justify their own sinful behavior, especially when in positions of power?

Q&A question: David’s Story: Exempting Accountability?

David