Search — Theology Explorer

self-examination responsibility godliness

Tip 4: Three specific areas to evaluate — godliness, relationships, and responsibilities

Fourth of seven tips. Mike defines the domains of life to assess in annual review.

practical discipleship discouragement goals vs. resolutions

Tip 5: Make goals instead of resolutions — goals survive failure; resolutions don't

Fifth of seven tips. Mike argues against the traditional resolution framework.

Romans 12:1 Philippians 2:3 Romans 12:1 Philippians 2:3 living sacrifice

Tip 6: Go higher — set goals rooted in godly, selfless ambition rather than worldly self-interest

Sixth of seven tips. Mike calls believers to transcend secular motivations for self-improvement.

marriage self-control practical discipleship

Tip 7: Take practical steps — lofty goals require specific, actionable commitments

Seventh and final tip. Mike insists that all the prior steps require concrete behavioral change to produce results.

perseverance behavior change excuses

Be better at solutions than at excuses — the key to sustained behavior change

Practical advice within Tip 7.

Philippians 4:7 Philippians 4:8 self-talk Philippians 4:7 Philippians 4:8

Stopping the inner monologue of complaint through prayer — personal testimony and Philippians 4:8

Mike shares a personal example of applying Tip 7, and ties it to Philippians 4:8.

evangelism apologetics stewardship

Mike's personal ministry goal: maximize online reach as a form of global gospel stewardship

Q&A/closing section. Mike shares his own goals for the new year as a personal application of the tips.

Calvary Chapel church selection statement of faith

Church selection advice: evaluate a church by both its statement of faith and whether it actually lives out those beliefs

Q&A response to a viewer in the Bay Area asking how to find a good church.

Mormonism esoteric doctrine milk vs. meat teachings

The 'secret language' of Mormonism is partially hidden even from newer Mormons, who only learn the deeper doctrines as they advance in the faith.

Mike explains that this doctrinal vocabulary gap is not merely an outsider misunderstanding — it is also a mystery to many Mormons themselves until they progress further in the faith.

Mormonism prophetic authority Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith is the founder and first prophet of Mormonism, and his revelations form the doctrinal basis of the faith.

Background on Joseph Smith before quoting him directly from the King Follett sermon.

hermeneutics proof-texting Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith misuses a Jesus quote to argue that the Father 'laid down his body' just as Jesus did — Mike identifies this as 'bad Bible study.'

Mike critiques Smith's exegetical method in the King Follett Sermon, where Smith splices two separate Jesus quotes to derive the doctrine of the Father's mortality.

Mormonism vs. Christianity doctrine of God blasphemy

Christian and Mormon concepts of God are mutually exclusive — not just different perspectives but contradictory definitions of what God is.

Mike wraps up the 'God' vocabulary section by emphasizing the incompatibility is categorical, not merely a difference of emphasis.

Trinity Shield of the Trinity three persons one being

Christian definition of the Trinity: three persons in one being — not three gods in one God. Mike introduces the Shield of the Trinity diagram.

Third vocabulary comparison: the word 'Trinity.' Mike introduces the classic visual diagram used to explain Trinitarian orthodoxy.

Christian-Mormon dialogue monotheism Mormon polytheism

Christian monotheism: 'there is only one God' — meant literally. Mormon missionaries and teachers claim to affirm this, but use a different definition.

Fourth vocabulary comparison: the phrase 'only one God.' Mike recounts personal conversations with Mormon missionaries and seminary teachers in Utah.

infinite regression of gods If You Could Hie to Kolob Kolob

Mormon hymn 'If You Could Hie to Kolob' (hymn #284) teaches the doctrine of infinite regression of gods.

Mike cites an official Mormon hymn as further evidence for the polytheistic infinite regression doctrine, making it liturgically embedded in the faith.

Joseph Smith Book of Abraham Pearl of Great Price

Book of Abraham (Pearl of Great Price), chapter 4: creation is described as 'the gods' organizing matter — explicitly polytheistic and not ex nihilo.

Mike reads from official Mormon scripture to demonstrate the polytheistic view of creation embedded in LDS canonical texts.

polytheism McConkie Mormon worship practices

Recent LDS leader McConkie argued Mormons should not worship Jesus, only the Father — revealing internal tension over polytheistic implications.

Mike notes an internal LDS controversy where a leader tried to resolve the polytheism problem by restricting worship to the Father alone.

creation ex nihilo doctrine of creation Christian cosmology

Christian view: God created all things ex nihilo — out of nothing. God created not just objects but matter, space, energy, and time themselves.

Fifth vocabulary comparison: the phrase 'God created all things.' Mike explains the Christian doctrine of creation ex nihilo before contrasting it with the Mormon view.

Joseph Smith King Follett Sermon creation ex nihilo

King Follett Sermon quote: Joseph Smith mocks orthodox scholars for teaching creation ex nihilo, claiming special knowledge via the Holy Ghost.

Direct quotation from the King Follett Sermon on creation, where Smith attacks the ex nihilo doctrine and claims superior knowledge.

Mormon afterlife three degrees of glory telestial kingdom

Christian view of heaven: dwelling in God's presence. Mormon view: one of three tiered kingdoms — telestial, terrestrial, celestial.

Sixth vocabulary comparison: 'going to heaven.' The Mormon afterlife is a complex tiered system rather than a simple presence with God.

Mormon afterlife telestial kingdom LDS soteriology

Mormon telestial kingdom: lowest level, for the wicked who may burn off sin in hell before arriving; no access to God the Father or Jesus, only the Holy Spirit visits.

Details of the lowest tier of the Mormon afterlife.

Mormon afterlife terrestrial kingdom LDS soteriology

Mormon terrestrial kingdom: middle level for 'lukewarm Mormons'; Jesus and Holy Spirit present, but no access to God the Father.

Details of the middle tier of the Mormon afterlife.

celestial kingdom LDS soteriology Mormon exaltation

Mormon celestial kingdom: highest level, where one may become a god. Leads into the concept of Mormon exaltation.

Overview of the highest tier of the Mormon afterlife, previewing the exaltation concept discussed in more detail later.

salvation by grace sola gratia Christian soteriology

Christian view of salvation by grace: entirely unearned, covering forgiveness, reception into heaven, and future glorification — all purely by grace.

Seventh vocabulary comparison: 'saved by grace.' Mike articulates the Christian doctrine of grace as entirely free, unearned, and unkeepable by human effort.

Mormon soteriology LDS grace universal resurrection (LDS)

Mormon view of 'saved by grace': Jesus earns your resurrection (basic bodily resurrection), but full salvation requires burning off sin and earning one's way upward.

The Mormon concept of grace is limited to resurrection — much less than what Christians mean by grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9 Ephesians 2:8-9 sola gratia Mormon soteriology

Mormon phrase: 'saved by grace after all that we do' — contrasted with Ephesians 2:8-9's 'by grace you have been saved through faith, not of works.'

Mike highlights the definitive Mormon phrase that encapsulates their works-based soteriology, directly contrasting it with the key Pauline text.

eschatology glorification Christian exaltation

Christian definition of exaltation: being with God forever in glorified human bodies — received by grace by every believer as part of salvation.

Eighth vocabulary comparison: 'exaltation.' The Christian meaning is simply eschatological union with God in resurrected bodies.

eternal progression infinite regression of gods Mormon cosmology

The Mormon cosmology of exaltation implies an infinite regression of gods — each God had a god before him who was once a man — which Mike argues is a philosophical impossibility.

Mike draws out the logical implications of the Mormon exaltation cycle: an infinite backwards chain of gods with no first cause.

Joseph Smith King Follett Sermon eternal progression

King Follett Sermon quote: 'you have got to learn how to be gods yourselves... from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation' — eternal life is progressive deification.

Joseph Smith's direct teaching on exaltation from the King Follett Sermon, framing godhood as the telos of Mormon salvation.

LDS.org works-based salvation LDS exaltation requirements

LDS.org lists requirements for exaltation: obey all commands of God, be baptized, be an LDS member, become a Melchizedek priest, receive temple endowment, marry for time and eternity, and more.

Mike reads the official LDS list of exaltation requirements to show the burden placed on Mormon believers.

Christian soteriology gospel faith

Christian definition of the gospel: the good news of forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection — sufficient for complete salvation.

Ninth vocabulary comparison: 'the gospel.' For Christians, the gospel is straightforward good news requiring faith, not works.

Pharisaism Joseph Smith works-based salvation

Mormon definition of the gospel: a complex set of new teachings restored by Joseph Smith that must be learned and performed — not 'good news' but a difficult path.

The Mormon gospel adds a body of doctrine and performance requirements that make it not 'good news' in any conventional sense.

apologetics Christian-Mormon dialogue Mormon missions

Q&A: Many Mormons don't know their own doctrine until their mission trip, where they encounter informed Christians and discover the differences for the first time.

Viewer question: 'Why do so many Mormons consider themselves Christians even though their doctrine seems completely different? Are they not aware of the obvious differences?'

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 divorce and remarriage adultery

Q&A (off-topic): Divorced woman who was cheated on and physically abused asks if remarrying would be adultery after her ex-husband has now married his fifth wife.

Viewer question from 'Truth Watch' about remarriage after divorce involving infidelity and abuse.

sola gratia works-based salvation cults and false gospels

Christian cults always remove salvation by grace — Mike attributes this pattern to demonic influence, citing the book of Galatians.

Viewer question from 'Douglas Dobbins': 'Have you ever noticed that Christian cults always throw out salvation by grace?'

Mormon cosmology infinite regression divine infinity

Philosophical Q&A: Why is infinite regression of gods illogical but an infinite God is not? — because infinite regression refers to an infinite series of events, not to God's nature.

Viewer question: 'Why is infinite regression illogical but an infinite God is not?'

Pearl of Great Price Book of Mormon Doctrine and Covenants

The LDS church is quietly distancing itself from past presidential statements and Journal of Discourses rather than formally changing doctrine — 'plausible deniability.'

Mike explains the mechanism by which Mormonism is changing: not reforming doctrine but retreating from its sources.

liberal theology LDS membership decline Mormon splinter groups

Liberal theology movements die — Mormonism's doctrinal retreat is likely to cause continued fragmentation, declining membership, and organizational decline.

Mike predicts the long-term consequences of Mormonism's theological liberalization.

apologetics Christian-Mormon dialogue pastoral ethics

Practical advice for engaging Mormons: don't mock, don't assume what they know, ask what they believe rather than lecturing them about their own doctrine.

Mike closes the teaching section with pastoral and apologetic advice on how to use this information in real conversations.

Mormonism Jehovah's Witnesses sola fide

Catholicism, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses all oppose sola fide — Mike sees their agreement as confirming the unique gospel

Positioning the debate lines

Romans 3:28 Romans 4 justification by faith Abraham Romans 3:28

Protestant counter using Romans 3:28 and Romans 4 — Abraham justified by faith, not works

Presenting the Protestant response to James 2:24

hermeneutics semantic range word meaning vs. theological meaning

Hermeneutics — the art and science of understanding a text; theological word meanings vs. dictionary word meanings

Introducing the key hermeneutical principle for the James 2 debate

1 Timothy 2:15 semantic range 1 Timothy 2:15 sozo

1 Timothy 2:15 — 'saved in childbearing' as further example of non-theological use of 'saved'

Second example of 'saved' used in a non-salvific sense

semantic range theos theological definition vs. dictionary definition

Greek 'theos' does not always refer to the God of Christian theology — it can mean any deity or powerful being

Extending the semantic range principle to 'God'

2 Corinthians 4:4 semantic range theos 2 Corinthians 4:4

2 Corinthians 4:4 — 'theos' used twice in one verse: once for Satan, once for God

Concrete example of 'theos' with different meaning levels in a single verse

semantic range Elohim Hebrew vocabulary

Hebrew 'Elohim' is even more flexible — used for angels, human judges, deities, and the God of Israel

Extending the semantic range discussion to the Hebrew word for God

James 2:14 dead faith James 2:14 easy believism

James 2:14 introduces 'easy believism' — the person who says 'Jesus is my Savior but not my Lord'

Identifying the theological problem James 2 addresses

James 2:14 dead faith James 2:14 saving faith

Greek 'ophelos' — 'what good is it' means what benefit or advantage; James is asking about the salvific utility of dead faith

Word study on James 2:14's opening phrase

James 2:19 dead faith saving faith James 2:19

James 2:19 — 'Even demons believe and shudder' — intellectual assent alone is not saving faith

Verse-by-verse analysis of James 2:19