Search — Theology Explorer

Defining Inerrancy: How can we biblically define inerrancy? Even the writers of the Chicago Statement seem to hold slightly different views on harmonization (according to Mike Licona).

Q&A question: Defining Inerrancy

Mike Licona

How were Private Events Recorded?: Do you know how biblical authors recorded events, conversations, and moments that transpired despite being in private or in a one-man scenario, perhaps like Judas' death?

Q&A question: How were Private Events Recorded?

Judas

Commentary Recommendations: What is your go-to commentary?

Q&A question: Commentary Recommendations

1 Timothy 2:12 women in ministry complementarianism egalitarianism

Winger says a wife co-teaching an adult Sunday school Bible study IS an elder-type role and would be wrong under his complementarian view. However, co-teaching a topical class (like parenting) is NOT eldership and he'd be fine with it. He warns against creating Pharisaic rules but draws the line at verse-by-verse Bible teaching.

Bonus Q after viewer watched WIM series: Is a woman helping her husband teach a co-ed adult Sunday school class an elder-type role?

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-05

Are All of Paul’s Writings Inspired?: What should we make of Paul saying "I, not the Lord" as if he's just giving his own opinion, while also believing that all Scripture (which includes that statement) is Holy Spirit inspired (1 Corinthians 7)?

Q&A question: Are All of Paul’s Writings Inspired?

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7

Does God Make Mistakes?: I often hear the argument, “If God doesn't make mistakes when it comes to gender, then what about people with disabilities?" How would you respond?

Q&A question: Does God Make Mistakes?

Applying PSA on Earth?: If the doctrine of Penal Substitutionary Atonement is just, would it be just for an earthly judge to impute the guilt of a murderer to an innocent volunteer and sentence the volunteer to death instead of the murderer? If not, why?

Q&A question: Applying PSA on Earth?

atonement

The Best Argument for God: What do you think is the best evidence/argument there is for God?

Q&A question: The Best Argument for God

apologetics

Salvation in the OT: How were people saved in the Old Testament before Jesus? And if they were saved without believing in Jesus, then why did it change?

Q&A question: Salvation in the OT

Jesus salvation

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-19

How to Trust in Christ: I’m a Bible believing non-Christian that hurt himself by absorbing bad Charismatic teachings. I have always had trouble trusting and accepting Christ. How would one begin to as a skeptic?

Q&A question: How to Trust in Christ

charismatic movement

Jesus & the Samaritan Woman: Was Jesus pointing out the sin of the Samaritan woman, or was He letting her know He understood her circumstances, considering women had little control over their marital status?

Q&A question: Jesus & the Samaritan Woman

Jesus Samaritan woman

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-26

Prophecy = Preaching the Word?: I hear many Bible teachers say that the New Testament gift of prophecy is merely proclaiming/preaching the Word; it is never predictive or revelatory. That doesn’t seem right to me. Could you give us your take?

Q&A question: Prophecy = Preaching the Word?

prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-26

Chuck Missler & the Hologram Theory: Have you heard of Pastor Chuck Missler and his endorsement of the Hologram Theory (the idea that there is no gravity beyond our solar system, a holographic representation of God’s Creation)?

Q&A question: Chuck Missler & the Hologram Theory

creation pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-09

Do False gods Exist?: When the Old Testament talks of false gods such as Moloch, what does that mean? Is it that they don't exist, or is the word "false" referring to them being untrustworthy/deceitful?

Q&A question: Do False gods Exist?

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-09

Courage & Self-Control on Social Media: Do you think God expects us to post about controversial issues on our social media accounts? I don’t want to start needless arguments online, but I also sometimes worry that I’m being cowardly.

Q&A question: Courage & Self-Control on Social Media

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-16

The Changing Morality of the Bible?: Why does God seem more wrathful in the Old Testament and more forgiving and loving in the New Testament? Does the Bible have changing morals?

Q&A question: The Changing Morality of the Bible?

generosity

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-16

Balancing our Time Wisely: How can we find a healthy balance between time with God and entertainment, like reading non-Christian books?

Q&A question: Balancing our Time Wisely

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-30

Learning from Fallen Pastors?: Do you think it's wise to listen to preachers who have "fallen from grace" like Mark Driscoll? I find much of his preaching very life-giving, but I get judgment from other Christians.

Q&A question: Learning from Fallen Pastors?

pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-30

The Purpose of the HS’s Intercession: In Romans 8: 26-27, does the Spirit intercede in order to clarify what's in our hearts to God, or is it more to help us understand God's will and how He can help us mend our troubled hearts?

Q&A question: The Purpose of the HS’s Intercession

Romans 8 Romans 8

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-30

Nazarite Vows – Why Long Hair?: If long hair for men is a disgrace by nature (1 Corinthians 11: 14), then why is it part of the Nazirite vow in Numbers 6:5?

Q&A question: Nazarite Vows – Why Long Hair?

Numbers 6 1 Corinthians 11 Numbers 6 1 Corinthians 11

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-14

Typology = Eisegesis?: Is it eisegesis to interpret the Old Testament as depicting Jesus? I commonly hear this objection from Jews who say Christians are "inserting their theology into our book."

Q&A question: Typology = Eisegesis?

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-20

Bible Typography: How important is Bible typography? For example, the way the KJV arranges paragraphs makes context harder to understand than in the ESV.

Q&A question: Bible Typography

hermeneutics

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-20

Adam – “Leave & Cleave”?: How do you interpret Genesis 2: 24? How could Adam come with such a statement, since he had no earthly mother or father?

Q&A question: Adam – “Leave & Cleave”?

Genesis 2 Genesis Genesis 2 Genesis

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-11

Being a Stay At Home Mom: How do you find meaning in being a stay at home mom and not pursuing a career at the moment?

Q&A question: Being a Stay At Home Mom

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-11

Advice for a New Youth Pastor: I just started into youth ministry. Jesus saved me in college; I never had a youth minister, and the position didn’t come with a manual. Any resources, recommendations, wisdom, etc.?

Q&A question: Advice for a New Youth Pastor

Jesus pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-18

Exodus: Conjugal Rights vs. Adultery?: Exodus 21: 10 says a man married to multiple women shouldn't deny them conjugal rights. Isn't each instance of intimacy in that situation adultery against one wife?

Q&A question: Exodus: Conjugal Rights vs. Adultery?

Exodus 21 marriage Exodus 21

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-18

Bonus: More commentary on question #6 above!

Q&A question

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-25

Advice for Depression & Spiritual Dryness: When I was a teen, I had depression leading to a suicide attempt. Through God I'm still here, married, and have a family. I read/study the Bible and pray, but I feel lost and far from God. Advice?

Q&A question: Advice for Depression & Spiritual Dryness

anxiety and mental health

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-08

Why Didn’t God Forbid Polygamy?: If verses like Exodus 21: 10 aren't supporting polygamy but protecting women in a bad situation, why didn't God just outlaw polygamy outright? I agree with you, but don't know how to counter this argument.

Q&A question: Why Didn’t God Forbid Polygamy?

Exodus 21 Exodus 21

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-08

Obeying our Conscience: Is Romans 14: 23 about emotional doubt or intellectual doubt? For example, I'm mentally convinced that ham is OK to eat but I still doubt it emotionally. Which is my conscience to obey?

Q&A question: Obeying our Conscience

Romans 14 Romans 14

Learning to Pay Attention!: Were there really “Wise Men” at Jesus’ birth?

Q&A question: Learning to Pay Attention!

Jesus

No PSA = OK?: Is it possible to not believe in Penal Substitutionary Atonement without being a Progressive?

Q&A question: No PSA = OK?

atonement

Does God Know His Own Future?: Does God perfectly and exhaustively know His own future? If He does, is He able to change His future, or is He only able to do what He already knows He is going to do?

Q&A question: Does God Know His Own Future?

By Grace, Through Faith, No Works: As a former strict, legalistic Orthodox, will I ever be able to grasp that salvation truly is by faith and NOT works? I STRUGGLE!

Q&A question: By Grace, Through Faith, No Works

salvation

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?