Search — Theology Explorer

The Temple – Continued Sacrifices?: What do we make of the Temple at the end of Ezekiel? It says God will dwell there, and sacrifices will be continued by Levites (Ch. 43:7; 19). Verse 27 indicates this will continue happening.

Q&A question: The Temple – Continued Sacrifices?

Ezekiel Ezekiel

Is “Bodybuilding” Biblical?: My friends and I love natural bodybuilding. Is it biblical to work on your body to one day showcase it in minimal clothing on a bodybuilding stage or on social media in a non-sexual way?

Q&A question: Is “Bodybuilding” Biblical?

sexual ethics

True Peace in the Midst of Storms: Can you give us some thoughts on how to have peace and joy in Christ in this season, despite being stuck in some really messed up circumstances?

Q&A question: True Peace in the Midst of Storms

Choosing Sides?: A friend of a friend asked why he has to “choose sides” (God or the Devil). Why can't he just remain neutral? He claims it's not really free will when there's only one “right side.”

Q&A question: Choosing Sides?

free will

Hebrews 13:4 marriage Hebrews 13:4

Purity in the Marriage Bed: Are married Christian couples allowed to engage in things like kink, costumes, and roleplay in the bedroom? Hebrews 13:4 states that the marriage bed must remain pure. But what is in and out of bounds?

Q&A question: Purity in the Marriage Bed

1 John 3 David salvation 1 John 3

David’s Salvation – Murderer?: If according to John, no murderer has eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3: 15), how do we explain David’s salvation, since he had Uriah killed?

Q&A question: David’s Salvation – Murderer?

Bonus Q! Since Christmas is next Wednesday, what’s your favorite Christmas tradition? And what Christmas traditions would you recommend avoiding/refusing to participate in?

Q&A question

Genesis: Different Views: What are the different interpretations that different Christians have about the book of Genesis and the creation accounts?

Q&A question: Genesis: Different Views

Genesis creation Genesis

Exodus 32 Moses Exodus 32

Israel – God’s People or Moses’ People?: What’s the significance of God calling the Israelites Moses’ people in the golden calf story, and then Moses calling them God’s people? I can’t help but think it sounds like two parents of the same child saying “That’s your kid” as the child misbehaves (Exodus 32:1-14, specifically verses 7 and 11).

Q&A question: Israel – God’s People or Moses’ People?

Are our Souls Immortal?: Seventh-day Adventism claims that belief in an immortal soul comes from Paganism and leads to occult spiritualism (like necromancy and belief in ghosts). Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Are our Souls Immortal?

occult

Christians and Yoga: A family member does yoga for stretching, but in that quiet time they meditate, pray, and worship God. I know yoga for stretching is fine, but is worshiping while doing yoga an issue because of Deuteronomy 12: 30-31?

Q&A question: Christians and Yoga

worship

Colossians 1 Colossians 1 angels

Can Angels be Saved?: Does Colossians 1: 19, 20 suggest that Christ’s sacrificial death can be applied to fallen angels, as well?

Q&A question: Can Angels be Saved?

Can we Feel the Spirit Move?: Is “feeling the Spirit moving” biblical?

Q&A question: Can we Feel the Spirit Move?

Guilty of Unintentional Sins?: Are we guilty of sins we do not know we have committed (Leviticus 4: 27, 5: 17)?

Q&A question: Guilty of Unintentional Sins?

Prayer: How Long & How Many Times?: How long should our prayers be? I see many people online who need prayers, and I want to pray each night for everyone. It feels tedious & repetitive, but it feels wrong to pray for them only once. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Prayer: How Long & How Many Times?

prayer

revelation salvation revelation

Salvation by Works in Revelation?: Is Revelation 14: 12 talking about salvation by works?

Q&A question: Salvation by Works in Revelation?

From Intellect to Salvation: Is there a way for me to go from an intellectual belief in God to a relationship with God, or do I have to wait on Him for that?

Q&A question: From Intellect to Salvation

salvation

Luke 16 Lazarus Luke 16 hell

What is Hades Like?: Looking at Luke 16: 19-31 (Rich Man and Lazarus), what does this parable teach us about the afterlife, and how literally should the depiction in that passage of Heaven and Hell be taken?

Q&A question: What is Hades Like?

Making Decisions “From Faith”: Is there a difference between indecisiveness and doing things “not from faith” (Romans 14: 23)? I struggle to make decisions and feel guilty about doing things without being 100% sure it’s God’s will.

Q&A question: Making Decisions “From Faith”

Romans 14 Romans 14

The Great Wealth Transfer: What is your opinion on the movement of "The Great Wealth Transfer" that prosperity preachers teach, where believers obtain unbelievers’ land and wealth?

Q&A question: The Great Wealth Transfer

evangelism

Difficult OT Passages: Nahum 3:5-6 is hard for me to reconcile with our holy and loving God. Can you help me understand this?

Q&A question: Difficult OT Passages

Nahum Nahum

Praying Biblically in Dire Situations: Is it a lack of faith in me to not pray for a miraculous healing for a fatal diagnosis in my baby I’m carrying, and instead be praying primarily for strength, comfort, and peace?

Q&A question: Praying Biblically in Dire Situations

healing

Matthew 24 Matthew Jesus Matthew 24 Matthew

Does Jesus NOW Know?: Did Jesus’ limits He placed on Himself while on Earth disappear once He resurrected/exalted to Heaven (Matthew 24: 36, No one knows the day or the hour except the Father)? Could Jesus know now?

Q&A question: Does Jesus NOW Know?

Should Morality be Legislated?: How do I respond to a Christian who thinks things (like abortion and transgenderism) are wrong but that they shouldn’t vote to have the government legislate against it to restrain/correct non-Christians (forcing it on them)?

Q&A question: Should Morality be Legislated?

abortion

Avoiding the “Barn Building” Attitude: I feel the need/desire to make good money - that it's necessary to feel secure, to be a provider, and yes - to have some nice things (a house, vacations, etc.). Am I the Luke 12 barn builder?

Q&A question: Avoiding the “Barn Building” Attitude

Spiritual Significance of The Election?: What do you think of invoking biblical figures like David, Cyrus, and Jehu when talking about President-elect Trump? Does his election have spiritual significance?

Q&A question: Spiritual Significance of The Election?

David

Genesis Genesis 1 Genesis Genesis 1

Let “US” Make Man in “OUR” Image?: In Genesis 1: 26 God said, "Let us make man in our image." Who is the “us” He’s talking about?

Q&A question: Let “US” Make Man in “OUR” Image?

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?

pastoral ministry

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

pastoral ministry

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