Search — Theology Explorer

“Soul” in the OT/NT: How do we reconcile the Old Testament use of "soul" to mean a whole person with statements by Jesus implying that a soul is a separate entity? He seems to be contradicting what the Old Testament teaches.

Q&A question: “Soul” in the OT/NT

Jesus

Why is Open Theism Unbiblical?: I know in the past you have been against Open Theism. Why is the idea of a non-completely settled future unbiblical? I lean toward Open Theism due to God’s freedom.

Q&A question: Why is Open Theism Unbiblical?

Praying for Personal Blessings: Selfish?: Can you share your insight on how to get over the feeling that it’s somehow wrong to pray for personal blessings? Objectively, I know it’s not, but the feeling often creeps in, as if it’s selfish.

Q&A question: Praying for Personal Blessings: Selfish?

“Lord” in the OT vs. NT: Is the title of Lord used in the same capacity in the New Testament as it is in the Old Testament (for example, in John13: 13)?

Q&A question: “Lord” in the OT vs. NT

Confessing to Others: You've recently been calling leaders out publicly. Do all Christians need to publicly confess our sins, or only leaders? Is confessing to God and repenting enough, or should we tell each other?

Q&A question: Confessing to Others

repentance

The Importance of Jesus’ Lineage: Why was it so important for Jesus to be born from Seth vs. Cain, Isaac vs. Ishmael, etc., since He came to save all mankind?

Q&A question: The Importance of Jesus’ Lineage

Isaac Jesus

Should Shame Linger?: As a kid, even after apologizing, I felt my parents' shame/disappointment/anger in the room until a period of time would pass. I know my sin harms my intimacy w/God even though Romans 8:1 is true, so I can't get over the "awkward in the room" feeling when I try to pray or draw near to God after sinning. Should shame linger for a period of time?

Q&A question: Should Shame Linger?

Romans 8 Romans 8

Church Leadership: Unbiblical Demands?: A church I know has an Intellectual Property document that staff signs and it says they can't pursue personal creative projects without the leadership’s permission. Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Church Leadership: Unbiblical Demands?

church leadership

How to Draw Near to God: How can someone draw closer to God?

Q&A question: How to Draw Near to God

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