Search — Theology Explorer

James James 4 James 4:7 James James 4 Satan

Temptation Increasing vs. Satan Fleeing?: The Bible says when we resist the devil, he will flee (James 4:7). So why does it often feel like spiritual warfare INCREASES when we try to buckle down and resist sins of the flesh, addictions, etc.? When I resist, it doesn't feel like the devil flees - it feels like he tries even harder to get me to fall. Why is this?

Q&A question: Temptation Increasing vs. Satan Fleeing?

What is Blasphemy?: What is the biblical understanding of blasphemy? A Catholic online was complaining about how Protestants blaspheme Mary. How do we biblically define blasphemy, and what verses support this?

Q&A question: What is Blasphemy?

Roman Catholicism

Paul vs. Barnabas: What are your thoughts on the dispute between Paul and Barnabas over Mark in Acts 15: 37-40? Were either of them at fault? What can we take from it?

Q&A question: Paul vs. Barnabas

Acts 15 Barnabas Acts 15

Romans 1 creation Romans 1

Seeing God in Creation: Despite Romans 1: 20, I do not inherently see God in His creation. I choose to believe in God, but I feel like an ant lacking the capacity to contemplate my surroundings, let alone a creator.

Q&A question: Seeing God in Creation

church leadership Hillsong

How to Share Concerns w/Leadership: Can you share some advice on how to approach church leadership with concerns regarding what appears to be false theology creeping into my church? Specifically: a lot of Hillsong/Elevation songs, TPT references, etc.

Q&A question: How to Share Concerns w/Leadership

When AI Grows Too Much: If AI (Artificial Intelligence} keeps developing to where society at large starts to call it sentient, would we as Christians have to stand in opposition to that?

Q&A question: When AI Grows Too Much

1 Chronicles 20 Samuel 1 Chronicles 20

Resolving 2 Challenging Passages: 1 Chronicles 20:5 and 2 Samuel 21: 19 seem to disagree with each other. How should we think biblically about these two passages?

Q&A question: Resolving 2 Challenging Passages

Protection from Legalism: How do you keep yourself from legalism? I’m breaking an addiction right now, and it feels like I’m doing it to be saved instead of because I am saved. It’s also been hard to rely on God lately.

Q&A question: Protection from Legalism

addiction

Is MMA OK for Christians?: Is participating in MMA wrong? I'm a new Christian and I'm conflicted and want to do right. I've just signed with a big promotion but now I don't know what would please God. Please Help!

Q&A question: Is MMA OK for Christians?

The Role of Physical Attraction: What role should perceived physical attractiveness play in choosing a partner?

Q&A question: The Role of Physical Attraction

Bonus Q!.How many funny shirts does Mike Winger own?

Q&A question

Mike Winger

Would They Abort Jesus?: What are four Bible verses to learn, to support the pro-live position? Would they have aborted Jesus back in history, based on current cultural reasoning we hear?

Q&A question: Would They Abort Jesus?

Sins Against Us or Just God?: If someone commits a sin against you (abuse, etc.), are you also owed justice? Can Jesus forgive the justice you are owed, or was the sin committed only against God and not you (the sinner is now saved)?

Q&A question: Sins Against Us or Just God?

elder qualifications Calvinism

Choosing Between Two Churches: What would you do if you had to choose between a Calvinist leaning church and a church that believed women could be elders? Both churches are otherwise healthy and doctrinally sound.

Q&A question: Choosing Between Two Churches

Interpreting the “High Places”: How should we understand the "high places"? 2 Chronicles 15: 17 and other passages condemn the kings for not tearing them down, but in 1 Samuel 9: 12, Samuel attends and blesses a sacrifice at a high place.

Q&A question: Interpreting the “High Places”

Samuel

Processing Past Relationship Issues: My wife had several partners before our marriage. I wasn’t around, but I feel like I have to forgive the men. Am I being weird? How do I bring this to God, because I'm still losing sleep 10 years later?

Q&A question: Processing Past Relationship Issues

marriage

Different Translations = Different Meanings?: Why does 1 Samuel 13:1 have different meanings in different translations (like the NKJV and NIV)?

Q&A question: Different Translations = Different Meanings?

Samuel

Matthew 24 Matthew Trinity Matthew 24 Matthew

Is the Holy Spirit All-Knowing?: Does Matthew 24: 36 imply that the Holy Spirit doesn't know everything? How does that work if the Holy Spirit is God? I've been struggling with the Trinity lately.

Q&A question: Is the Holy Spirit All-Knowing?

Colossians 3:18 Ephesians 5:22 1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger says Eph 5:22 and Col 3:18 apply regardless of whether the husband is a Christian — the qualifier is 'your husband,' not 'your Christian husband.' Submission is not 100% in every possible thing, and exceptions exist for abuse, but the exception shouldn't be used to invalidate the rule.

Q: How should a newly Christian woman apply Eph 5:22 and Col 3:18 when her husband hasn't come to Christ and isn't supportive?

Galatians: The Meaning of “Quickly”: When the Galatians quickly deserted the Gospel (Galatians 1:6), did "quickly" refer to the time after Paul left to when they heard false teaching, or how easily they turned once they heard false teaching?

Q&A question: Galatians: The Meaning of “Quickly”

Galatians 1 Galatians 1

Historical Data: Biblical Christianity: Is there any historical data on biblical Christianity outside the Catholic Church before the Reformation?

Q&A question: Historical Data: Biblical Christianity

Roman Catholicism

Bonus Q!.What’s your favorite Star Wars film?

Q&A question

Pastors Using AI?: For pastors preparing sermons: What is the proper use of AI (artificial intelligence)? What are some rules of wisdom we can apply when using AI as a helpful tool?

Q&A question: Pastors Using AI?

pastoral ministry

“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

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?

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