Search — Theology Explorer

Holy Spirit covenant theology

Indwelling of the Spirit: How it Differs: What about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit makes us unique compared to Old Covenant believers? I’ve never quite grasped what difference it makes.

Q&A question: Indwelling of the Spirit: How it Differs

John 16 Jesus John 16 Apostles

Does the Spirit Still Teach & Guide Us?: Jesus tells the apostles that the Holy Spirit will “teach them all things” (John 14: 16) and “guide them into all the truth” (John 16: 13). What exactly does this entail, and was it only for the apostles?

Q&A question: Does the Spirit Still Teach & Guide Us?

Reuel vs. Jethro: Contradiction?: Is there an explanation for why Moses’ father-in-law appears to have two different names (Exodus 2: 18 (Reuel) & Exodus 18:2 (Jethro))?

Q&A question: Reuel vs. Jethro: Contradiction?

Moses

Deuteronomy 18 Jonah Joseph Deuteronomy 18 Joseph Smith

Jonah: Failed Prophecies?: I recently had a Mormon claim it’s OK that Joseph Smith had failed prophecies because Jonah also did. He claimed Deuteronomy 18: 22 didn’t apply to either of them. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Jonah: Failed Prophecies?

Daniel Daniel 3 Daniel Daniel 3 NAR

Shad., Mesh., & Abed… Did they Know?: In Daniel 3: 16-18, how did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego know that God would deliver them from the fiery furnace?

Q&A question: Shad., Mesh., & Abed… Did they Know?

Our Work in Eternity: Are there any hints in Scripture about what kind of work we will do in God's Kingdom in the future?

Q&A question: Our Work in Eternity

Is Ash Wednesday Biblical?: Could you share your thoughts on Ash Wednesday and how Christians should understand and approach the day? Is it exclusively a Catholic observance, or is there a way for non-Catholics to participate? Should we participate at all?

Q&A question: Is Ash Wednesday Biblical?

Roman Catholicism

Luke 2 Matthew 2 Matthew Luke 2 Jesus Matthew 2

Bethlehem vs. Nazareth?: Why is Jesus in Bethlehem when the wise men come in Matthew 2:7-11? Luke 2: 22 and 2: 39 say they returned to Nazareth after the 40 day purification rites. Did Matthew make up their hometown as Bethlehem?

Q&A question: Bethlehem vs. Nazareth?

1,000 Year Reign: On Earth?: Is there biblical evidence that the 1,000 year reign of Christ as described in Revelation is on Earth? I hear a lot about the 1,000 year reign specifically being on Earth, but I fail to see the word “Earth” anywhere.

Q&A question: 1,000 Year Reign: On Earth?

revelation revelation

Ways our Worship Could Improve: What do you think about what the Bible teaches about principles of worship? How can our worship improve in the American Protestant churches?

Q&A question: Ways our Worship Could Improve

worship

Does Calvinism Challenge God’s Justice?: I watched your video on Calvinism and it was amazing! But the question I still have is, does Calvinism go against God’s justice? God is just, and that’s a fact. Would that alone disprove Calvinism?

Q&A question: Does Calvinism Challenge God’s Justice?

Calvinism

Do God’s Children Deserve God’s Love?: We always say we don't "deserve anything" from God, but how biblical is this? Don't children deserve a degree of love from their parents?

Q&A question: Do God’s Children Deserve God’s Love?

parenting

Passover vs. Yom Kippur: Why was Jesus' atoning sacrifice on Passover instead of Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement)? I've looked everywhere but can't find an answer.

Q&A question: Passover vs. Yom Kippur

Jesus atonement

The Calling of a Pastor: I’m 17 and have a huge desire to go into pastoral ministry. I feel called and equipped for this, but hear a lot of people say God has to speak to you directly to do this. Is my burden for this enough?

Q&A question: The Calling of a Pastor

pastoral ministry

John 1 Matthew Matthew 4 Peter John 1 Andrew

Andrew’s vs. Peter’s Calling: Matthew 4: 18-22 and John 1: 35-42 seem to have two very different accounts of how Andrew and Peter were called to follow Christ. Can you please explain this?

Q&A question: Andrew’s vs. Peter’s Calling

How to be a “Fisher of Men”: What does it mean to be “fishers of men”? A leader at my seeker church said it meant to use bait to get them in. Not sure if this is what Jesus meant.

Q&A question: How to be a “Fisher of Men”

Jesus

The JWs Came Over: What happened when the Jehovah’s Witnesses came to my house?

Q&A question: The JWs Came Over

Jehovah's Witnesses

Matthew Matthew 27 Jesus resurrection Matthew

So Many Saw – So Little Believed?: Since many saw the saints who were raised to life (Matthew 27: 52-53) then more than 500 saw Jesus after His resurrection, how is it that so many didn’t believe He rose (e.g. Saul pre-Damascus)?

Q&A question: So Many Saw – So Little Believed?

Genesis Galatians 3 Abraham Genesis Galatians 3

Circumcision: How would Paul Respond?: In Galatians 3, Paul says faith, not law, saves us, citing Abraham’s heirs (Galatians 3:7, 28-29). How would he respond to Judaizers citing Genesis 17:9-14 on circumcision as necessary? Why doesn’t this apply now?

Q&A question: Circumcision: How would Paul Respond?

women in ministry elder qualifications elder qualifications

Winger says there is no biblical requirement for an ordained person to officiate a wedding — marriage is a public covenant between a man and woman, and the authority to marry doesn't reside in a pastor, government, or anyone else. He wrestles with whether to recommend a woman officiate for non-believing family.

Q from a female believer: brother (non-believer) asked her to officiate his wedding; only option is online ordination, which feels like mocking God.

“Spirit Princes” – For Today?: Can you explain Daniel 10: 13 and 10: 20? What is the ‘spirit prince’ of the kingdom of Persia (NLT)? Is the concept of a spirit prince over a region only seen in the Old Testament, or can this happen today?

Q&A question: “Spirit Princes” – For Today?

Daniel Daniel

How Could a Million Hear at Once?: How can the entire community of Israel, more than 1 million people, fit together & gather to hear (Leviticus 8:3, Deuteronomy 29: 10-12, 31: 10-13)?

Q&A question: How Could a Million Hear at Once?

Israel

PSA – Contradicting Proverbs?: If Penal Substitutionary Atonement is an accurate doctrine, then isn't it contradicting Proverbs 17: 15?

Q&A question: PSA – Contradicting Proverbs?

atonement

Encouragement through Arduous Times: What gives people the will to live in the midst of terror, hardship, poverty, pain, childhood abuse, loss, and all other types of calamity (specifically non-Christians, but also Christians)?

Q&A question: Encouragement through Arduous Times

Garden of Gethsemane: What is The Cup?: In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays for the Father to let the cup pass from Him. I've understood the cup to be God's wrath, but Jesus says a few chapters later that James & John will drink it, too.

Q&A question: Garden of Gethsemane: What is The Cup?

James James Jesus

revelation Revelation 19 revelation Revelation 19

Antichrist: Dead at Christ’s Coming?: Does the Antichrist die or not at Christ's coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8, Revelation 19: 20)?

Q&A question: Antichrist: Dead at Christ’s Coming?

My Sin Blocks My Prayers?: Psalm 66:18 says, "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." Does this mean God will ignore a person's prayers if they have active, ongoing sin in their life? How should we understand this verse in context and alongside other Scriptures about God hearing prayers?

Q&A question: My Sin Blocks My Prayers?

prayer

Biblically Defining a “Church”: Biblically (not legally), what constitutes a church? If someone were to host a weekly Bible study and do some volunteer work with just a few people, would that be considered a small church service?

Q&A question: Biblically Defining a “Church”

Bible study

Support for Limited Atonement?: How does John 17:9 work alongside John 3: 16? Could John 17:9 be a valid point toward Limited Atonement? I do not want to believe in Limited Atonement, but I see verses like this and wonder.

Q&A question: Support for Limited Atonement?

John 3 atonement John 3

Discerning God’s Voice & Direction: My girlfriend recently told me that God told her to break up with me. She got us "promise bracelets" that promise that we will get married. Is what she heard really from God?

Q&A question: Discerning God’s Voice & Direction

John 5 John 12 John 3 John 5 John 12 John 3

Agape vs. Phileo Love: Are agape and phileo love synonymous in Greek? John 3: 19 & John 12: 43 use agape for loving darkness and men's praise, respectively, while John 5: 20 uses phileo to describe the Father's love for the Son.

Q&A question: Agape vs. Phileo Love

Non-Sapien Hominids: Thinking Biblically: How do non-sapien hominids (Neanderthal, Denisovan, Floresiensis, etc.) fit into creation? Do they have the Imago Dei? Are they animals?

Q&A question: Non-Sapien Hominids: Thinking Biblically

creation

The Apostle John Still Alive?: Have you ever heard the theory that the Apostle John might still be alive and be the second witness in the Tribulation? I found the arguments interesting, as conjecture.

Q&A question: The Apostle John Still Alive?

tribulation Apostle John

Is Anointing Oil for Today?: Should we still use oil anointing today (used by elders praying for the sick)? What would that look like?

Q&A question: Is Anointing Oil for Today?

elder qualifications

Deuteronomy 22 Deuteronomy 22

An Error in Translation?: In the NIV translation, Deuteronomy 22: 28-30 uses the word “rape,” but other translations imply consent. Is this a legitimate translation error?

Q&A question: An Error in Translation?

Matthew Matthew 6 Matthew Matthew 6

Are Charitable Tax Deductions Sinful?: Is claiming our charitable donations on our taxes “receiving our reward on Earth” (Matthew 6:1-5)?

Q&A question: Are Charitable Tax Deductions Sinful?

False Humility: Pride vs. Confidence: What does biblical humility look like, and how can Christians avoid pride while still being confident in their calling?

Q&A question: False Humility: Pride vs. Confidence

Does God Speak to Unbelievers?: My Mormon friend said, “I felt like God was telling me…” while reading the Bible. Is that really God? Does He speak to unbelievers? How is it any different when Christians read the Word and pray?

Q&A question: Does God Speak to Unbelievers?

Mormonism

Salvation: Knowing the Exact Moment: I heard you talk about how you once questioned whether or not you were saved because you couldn’t name the specific time or event where it happened. How did you overcome that? I’m in the same situation.

Q&A question: Salvation: Knowing the Exact Moment

salvation

Tongues During Corporate Prayer?: How do I let someone know that when they pray in tongues during our corporate prayer time, it's distracting? I believe the gift of tongues is for personal edification. I'm not a Cessasionist, by the way.

Q&A question: Tongues During Corporate Prayer?

prayer tongues

Faithful Believers in Unbiblical Offices?: What do you think about genuine Christians who have served in offices that aren't biblical, like bishops, priests, monks, etc.? Does God use faithful believers serving in unbiblical offices?

Q&A question: Faithful Believers in Unbiblical Offices?

John 11 Jesus resurrection John 11

How did Martha Know?: In John 11, when Martha says she knows her brother will rise in the resurrection on the last day, did she know that from the Old Testament, or from Jesus’ teachings?

Q&A question: How did Martha Know?

Jesus’ Sacrifice: Human Sacrifice?: If God doesn't allow human sacrifice, how do we reconcile Jesus' sacrifice?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Sacrifice: Human Sacrifice?

Jesus

Balancing Kindness & “Tough Love”: How do you maintain kindness in the midst of tension while advocating for yourself or others? Some people lean toward kindness and don't speak up, while others lean toward speaking harsh truth, with an emphasis on harshness.

Q&A question: Balancing Kindness & “Tough Love”

Growing in Self-Discipline: Do you have any advice on how to become disciplined in life, such as in the realm of Bible study, sleep schedule, and working efficiently? How do I learn to force myself to do things?

Q&A question: Growing in Self-Discipline

Bible study

Guarding Against Greed & Corruption: As your influence grows, how do you personally guard against the temptations of greed and the misuse of power, like the corrupted leaders you're revealing?

Q&A question: Guarding Against Greed & Corruption

Do All Christians Have the Gift of Tongues?: Do Christians all have access to a “private prayer language” (speaking in tongues) according to Scripture?

Q&A question: Do All Christians Have the Gift of Tongues?

prayer tongues

1 Timothy 5 Timothy 1 Timothy 5

A Judgment for Widows?: What is the judgment put on widows in 1 Timothy 5: 12, and how do we know we can change course without judgment? Does it apply to keeping an unchanging devotion time with God? My goals can get legalistic.

Q&A question: A Judgment for Widows?

Slaves or Brothers?: Why in Scripture are we told we are the slaves of Christ, as well as the brothers of Christ?

Q&A question: Slaves or Brothers?