Search — Theology Explorer

Restoring Predators?: As a policy, does God command us to restore predators to ministry, as Rick Joyner teaches?

Q&A question: Restoring Predators?

James James pastoral ministry

“Not Many…” So Should I?: How does someone answer the call to be a teacher or a pastor if they feel called but is concerned about the warning in James that not many should become teachers?

Q&A question: “Not Many…” So Should I?

Galatians 6:1 Matthew 7:5 women in ministry egalitarianism egalitarianism

Winger advises a 16-year-old in an egalitarian church on how to approach leaders: do self-assessment first (Matt 7:5, Gal 6:1), don't become one-sided in critique, acknowledge blessings from women's ministry even if the role is unbiblical, bring SPECIFIC evidence rather than just conviction, and start with encouragement.

Q from 16-year-old who has been studying Winger's Women in Ministry series and wants to discuss egalitarianism with church leaders.

“Red Letters”: More Important?: Are Paul's words in Scripture less important than Jesus' words?

Q&A question: “Red Letters”: More Important?

Jesus

The Best Counsel for Couples: My wife and I recently starting doing pre-marital counseling for other couples in our church. What is some of the best advice we should give these couples?

Q&A question: The Best Counsel for Couples

marriage

Philemon Romans 2 Timothy Philemon Romans 2

Paul’s Gospel?: In Philemon 1: 19, why did Philemon owe himself to Paul? And why does Paul call it "his" gospel (please also see Romans 2: 16 , 16: 25, 2 Timothy 2:8)?

Q&A question: Paul’s Gospel?

Worship Lyrics: Thinking Biblically: I have a question about a worship song. Do you think it is appropriate to sing “Let Your holy fire consume us”?

Q&A question: Worship Lyrics: Thinking Biblically

worship

Are Annulments Biblical?: What are your thoughts on annulments? Are they biblical and are they ever wise? Or are people just trying to justify their divorce?

Q&A question: Are Annulments Biblical?

divorce

Hats: Disrespectful or Stylish?: My mother-in-law is "old-fashioned." What's your opinion about wearing hats in church? How about pastors preaching in them?

Q&A question: Hats: Disrespectful or Stylish?

pastoral ministry

Why We’re Never Satisfied: How do I deal with not being satisfied in life? I feel guilty because God should satisfy me and be all that I need, but I don't feel satisfied or content.

Q&A question: Why We’re Never Satisfied

BONUS: Can you PLEASE give a shout-out to my husband, Michael (non-believer) who started listening to you because I wouldn't stop talking about it! Please pray for him!

Q&A question

marriage

Child Preachers: Biblical?: Are “child preachers” biblical?

Q&A question: Child Preachers: Biblical?

Expository Teaching: Biblical?: I asked a pastor at my former church why they chose to teach in a topical style rather than expository. He said we do not see examples of expository teaching in the Bible. Is this true, and a good reason?

Q&A question: Expository Teaching: Biblical?

pastoral ministry

1 Corinthians 15 1 Corinthians 15 baptism Mormonism

Baptism for the Dead?: Does 1 Corinthians 15: 29 give validity to the Mormon practice of getting baptized for the dead?

Q&A question: Baptism for the Dead?

Struggling with Sexual Temptations: I struggle with same-sex attraction, unfortunately. How can I be sure that I’m not reprobate/unregenerate? The idea of evanescent grace scares me.

Q&A question: Struggling with Sexual Temptations

sexual ethics

Apostles vs. Disciples?: Does it matter whether I refer to Jesus' followers as the 12 Apostles or the 12 Disciples?

Q&A question: Apostles vs. Disciples?

Jesus Apostles

Matthew 25 Matthew rapture Matthew 25 tribulation

Sheep, Goats & The Rapture: Have you considered the sheep and goat judgment of Matthew 25 in light of the timing of the Rapture? The Rapture HAS to be before the tribulation in order for the Earth to be repopulated.

Q&A question: Sheep, Goats & The Rapture

Having the Gift of Prophecy: How does a Christian know if they have the gift of prophecy?

Q&A question: Having the Gift of Prophecy

prophecy

Does God Choose to Love Us?: Does God choose to love us? If He Himself is love and He can't help but love us, why should we feel honored by it? Doesn't that take away the meaningfulness of it?

Q&A question: Does God Choose to Love Us?

The Fear of Failing: I’m afraid I’ll sin or lead myself away from God if I make the wrong decisions about personal convictions, theology, and even daily choices. How should I deal with the fear of being wrong?

Q&A question: The Fear of Failing

Divination Worked: Am I Unsaved?: A man who practices divination visited and gave info about me that was about 60% correct. Does this mean I’m not saved if his spells seemed to work on me?

Q&A question: Divination Worked: Am I Unsaved?

Flat Earth Use of Scripture: Do I still say that Flat Earthers misuse Scripture?

Q&A question: Flat Earth Use of Scripture

Why Some Reject & Some Accept Faith: Could you help me answer the Calvinist who asks what the difference is between a person who has faith and a person who rejects faith? If we are all equally sinful, why do some choose Christ?

Q&A question: Why Some Reject & Some Accept Faith

Calvinism

Why My Prayer Isn’t Answered: How can I tell why a prayer hasn’t been answered? How do I know if I just have to wait longer, or if some sin is hindering my prayer, or if the answer is simply “no”?

Q&A question: Why My Prayer Isn’t Answered

prayer

The Bible: Chronological Order?: Is it helpful to read the Bible in chronological order?

Q&A question: The Bible: Chronological Order?

The “Who” of Romans 7: Who is Paul talking about in Romans 7? Himself, some hypothetical believer, or someone else entirely?

Q&A question: The “Who” of Romans 7

Romans 7 Romans 7

Single but Living As Married: My fiancée moved in, is sleeping with me, using my credit card, is on my home title and health insurance, and we’re filing taxes jointly. But our wedding ceremony is not until 2027. I want to break up with her. Is that OK since we’ve made no vow yet before God?

Q&A question: Single but Living As Married

dating and relationships

Romans 5 Moses Romans 5 salvation

Sin Before The Law: In Romans 5: 13, what does it mean that sin was not counted against those before Moses gave the law? Did all those people receive eternal salvation?

Q&A question: Sin Before The Law

Are You Reformed?: I think you've said that you consider yourself Reformed, and I wondered what you mean by that. What Reformed doctrines do you accept besides the ones that constitute basic orthodoxy?

Q&A question: Are You Reformed?

Does Porn Disqualify from Ministry?: What are your thoughts on pastors struggling with porn/lust? Is it disqualifying? I stepped out of ministry to heal. Many ministers my age (23) struggle. Please pray. I’ve seen progress, but I still fight.

Q&A question: Does Porn Disqualify from Ministry?

pastoral ministry

Evangelism amid Difficult Family Dynamics: What’s the appropriate way to navigate being an uncle and sharing the truth with nieces/nephews when your sibling doesn’t have a biblical worldview?

Q&A question: Evangelism amid Difficult Family Dynamics

angels

Bonus – Prayer Request: Can you please pray for my mom? She’s been diagnosed with breast cancer. Her prognosis looks good, but we are praying for God's miraculous and complete healing.

Q&A question

prayer healing

Rapture Predictions: Are rapture predictions always bad?

Q&A question: Rapture Predictions

rapture

Teaching Kids Theology: What are some easy ways to explain hard theological concepts to my son as he grows up? He’s only 9 months old right now, but I want to be ready.

Q&A question: Teaching Kids Theology

Isaiah Isaiah 53:5 Isaiah 53 Isaiah Jesus Isaiah 53:5

Jesus’ Stripes vs. The Cross?: My former church claimed that Jesus' stripes specifically paid for our sickness, while the cross paid for the rest, using Isaiah 53:5 to support it. Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Stripes vs. The Cross?

Titus Titus 1 Titus Titus 1 prophecy

Paul & The Cretans: What point was Paul making in Titus 1: 12 when he quoted a "prophet" who said “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons”?

Q&A question: Paul & The Cretans

Prenups Always Bad?: Is a prenuptial agreement ever biblical? My fiance’s parents want us to get one. In my opinion, prenuptial agreements undermine the permanence of marriage, its covenantal nature, trust, and unity.

Q&A question: Prenups Always Bad?

marriage

Supporting Israel?: How do we know whether supporting what Israel is doing in Gaza is or isn't God's will?

Q&A question: Supporting Israel?

Israel

Moses church leadership Calvary Chapel

The Moses Model: Biblical?: Given your Calvary Chapel background and current focus on church leadership structures vulnerable to abuse, how does the Moses Model ensure checks and balances on authority in the church?

Q&A question: The Moses Model: Biblical?

Does History Really Repeat Itself?: With the death of Charlie Kirk, it feels like we are in times similar to the 60s. Is it biblical to think that history repeats itself, or is mankind just predictable?

Q&A question: Does History Really Repeat Itself?

death and afterlife

Matthew Matthew 13 Luke 8 Matthew Matthew 13 Luke 8

What’s a Backslidden Christian?: What's a backslidden Christian? Is this the same as a Christian with thorny soil (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8)? And are they a slave to sin if they do sin? I'm afraid I'm this Christian.

Q&A question: What’s a Backslidden Christian?

anxiety and mental health

Anxiety: Am I Doing Something Wrong?: I am a Christian and struggle with anxiety. It especially happens when I try to speak or when God is using me for something even around believers. It cripples me. Am I doing something wrong?

Q&A question: Anxiety: Am I Doing Something Wrong?

Rapture Craze?: Can you address “Brother Joshua” and the current rapture craze?

Q&A question: Rapture Craze?

rapture

Galatians 2 Romans 6 Galatians 2 atonement Romans 6

PSA + Crucified WITH Christ?: How does the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement harmonize with us being “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2: 20, Romans 6:5-6)? The substitution element seems to be missing, and wrath seems confusing if we are to affirm crucifixion with Christ.

Q&A question: PSA + Crucified WITH Christ?

Pre-Wired to Sin?: Why are Adam and Eve guilty when the brains God gave them are what guided them to make their decision to sin? They processed the situation based on the way God had pre-wired them.

Q&A question: Pre-Wired to Sin?

Adam and Eve

Eschatology in The Psalms?: Is it valid to interpret Psalms 42-49 as talking about the End Times (Tribulation in 42-44, Lamb’s wedding in 45, God’s reign/judgment and New Jerusalem with a river in 46-49)?

Q&A question: Eschatology in The Psalms?

eschatology tribulation

Obedience Leading to Hardship?: My walk with Christ feels harder the more I obey. I lost family, friends, and even my girlfriend. Sometimes I wonder if this is even worth it, yet I still long to stay faithful. Any advice?

Q&A question: Obedience Leading to Hardship?

Galatians 1 salvation baptism Galatians 1

Baptismal Regeneration: False Gospel?: Would you consider the teaching that baptism is necessary for salvation to be a "different gospel” (Galatians 1:6)? If not, how would you distinguish it from the Circumcision Party's false teachings?

Q&A question: Baptismal Regeneration: False Gospel?