Search — Theology Explorer

Is Diwali Demonic?: Can you tell us a bit about Diwali? And is it OK to wish others a “Happy Diwali”? How should Christians view the holiday?

Q&A question: Is Diwali Demonic?

demons

Words of Comfort vs. Prophecy?: Is there a distinction between God speaking words of comfort to someone and the gift of prophecy? I’ve understood that anytime God speaks, it is by definition, prophecy and subject to testing.

Q&A question: Words of Comfort vs. Prophecy?

prophecy

OT Food Laws vs. Homosexuality?: If we aren't required to keep the Old Covenant food laws, then why are the unclean animals described in Deuteronomy 14:3 with the same Hebrew word for homosexuality in Leviticus 18?

Q&A question: OT Food Laws vs. Homosexuality?

homosexuality

When Christians Devalue Scripture: I’ve heard believers say things like, “The Bible isn’t the fourth member of the Trinity.” Phrases like this can feel dismissive of the Bible. How should we take this from well-meaning Christians?

Q&A question: When Christians Devalue Scripture

Trinity

Demonic Fear & Sexual Temptation: This may sound like a silly question, but do you have any advice for someone scared of demonic or evil forces when going to sleep? It doesn't help that I often fall sexually at night, too.

Q&A question: Demonic Fear & Sexual Temptation

demons

1 Corinthians 10 1 Corinthians 10

Contradicting Passages?: In the plague after the incident at Peor, 24,000 people died. But, in 1 Corinthians 10:8, Paul says 23,000. How can I hold to inerrancy?

Q&A question: Contradicting Passages?

Spiritually Guiding our Loved Ones: My mom is a baby Christian (2 years), but she feels most comfortable in an Orthodox church. She seems to be growing in her faith there. Should I intervene or just let her go where she feels led?

Q&A question: Spiritually Guiding our Loved Ones

1 Corinthians 13 salvation 1 Corinthians 13

More Important: Faith or Love?: 1 Corinthians 13: 13 says love is greater than faith. So then why do we treat faith as more important for grand things like salvation?

Q&A question: More Important: Faith or Love?

Witnessing to Muslims: My Muslim friend is willing to go through the Bible with me. Which books should I start with?

Q&A question: Witnessing to Muslims

Islam

Ladies: Is Makeup Sinful?: Is it sinful for a Christian woman to wear makeup? Nothing too much, but makeup nonetheless. How about nail polish? I don’t personally feel a conviction on this, but I heard a Christian say she “saw people in Hell for it.”

Q&A question: Ladies: Is Makeup Sinful?

hell

God’s Presence Upon Death?: Will we see God right away when we die?

Q&A question: God’s Presence Upon Death?

death and afterlife

alcohol faith and science

Churches Promoting Events w/Drinking?: Should churches publicly promote local events involving alcohol? It seems unwise and inconsiderate toward those with weaker consciences. Some say we shouldn't legalistically refuse to advertise these opportunities for fellowship since drinking in moderation isn't sinful. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Churches Promoting Events w/Drinking?

Matthew 5 Matthew Psalm 5:5 Matthew 5 Matthew Psalm 5:5

Hating vs. Loving Evildoers: Psalm 139:21-22 and Psalm 5:5 seem to imply it is good to hate evil people who oppose God, but Matthew 5: 43-48 seems to encourage the opposite. Where is the proper balance between these things? Thanks!

Q&A question: Hating vs. Loving Evildoers

James James 1 Romans 7 James James 1 Romans 7

Sin Struggles = Double Minded?: What's the difference between being a double-minded man (James 1:8) and being a sincere Christian struggling with sin and the flesh's love for sinful things (Romans 7: 14-25)? Can you draw a distinction?

Q&A question: Sin Struggles = Double Minded?

Wrath: An Attribute of God?: Do you think "wrathfulness" is an attribute of God, or that wrath is just a practical outworking of His attributes of justice and holiness?

Q&A question: Wrath: An Attribute of God?

New Christian Channel: Am I Ready?: How much planning should a person do before starting a Christian channel? How do you know when you’re ready and it’s time to post your first video?

Q&A question: New Christian Channel: Am I Ready?

Romans 5 Genesis Genesis 5 Romans 5 Genesis Genesis 5

Adam’s 930 Years: Could Genesis 5:5 mean Adam’s 930 years began after the Fall, so he and Eve lived much longer in the Garden? Romans 5: 12 says death came through sin; did Adam start dying then?

Q&A question: Adam’s 930 Years

Family Member Teaching Falsely: Help!: How do we deal with a family member (brother) who is actively teaching a false gospel (Hebrew Roots but Jesus is not God)? He has started his own group in person and is also sharing online.

Q&A question: Family Member Teaching Falsely: Help!

Jesus

Specific Prayers: Controlling God?: When we pray, should we be specific? Or is that trying to control God?

Q&A question: Specific Prayers: Controlling God?

prayer

How to Stop Scrolling So Much!: In a generation that grew up scrolling, how can we overcome it? It’s not inherently sinful, but it sucks up so much of our time today. Biblical advice on this?

Q&A question: How to Stop Scrolling So Much!

Biblical Thoughts on Giving: Analyzing Pastor Marvin Winans’ giving service.

Q&A question: Biblical Thoughts on Giving

pastoral ministry

Israel: Right to the Holy Land?: Hi Mike, in your view, does ethnic Israel have a divine right to the Holy Land today, according to Scripture?

Q&A question: Israel: Right to the Holy Land?

Israel

How to Serve the Lord: How do we serve the Lord, biblically? Sometimes I feel like I don't know how to serve the Lord.

Q&A question: How to Serve the Lord

Finding Our Identity?: Can you explain the trend about finding our true identity? Jamie Winship and others talk about knowing your true identity. Is it more specific than who we are in Christ (i.e., that we’re redeemed, etc.)?

Q&A question: Finding Our Identity?

Romans 10 Romans 10:9 Jesus Romans 10 Romans 10:9

The Minimum to Be Saved?: What's the minimum one must believe to be saved? Romans 10:9? But anything else? What about polytheists who believe it? Or if someone said, "Yes, Lord Jesus died and rose, but His death wasn't for our sin"?

Q&A question: The Minimum to Be Saved?

Deuteronomy 32 Deuteronomy 32

Impassability – Does God Have Emotions?: Could you help me understand impassability? I’ve heard that God doesn’t have emotions, meaning we can’t move God to “feel.” What about Deuteronomy 32: 21 which sounds like we can move God to feel things?

Q&A question: Impassability – Does God Have Emotions?

Discouraged by Free Will: My son is bothered by free will because it causes so much pain and suffering and that God foreknew we would sin. How can I encourage him?

Q&A question: Discouraged by Free Will

suffering free will

Developing Belief as an Analytical Person: How do I develop a belief in Christianity? It feels very difficult as an analytical person. I’ve been looking into apologetics but still can't develop faith and I strongly want to live righteously.

Q&A question: Developing Belief as an Analytical Person

apologetics

Trusting God While Questions Linger: I keep thinking I’ll trust God easier if I get more questions about God answered. But I’m sad about things like unmet godly desires. Remembering God’s promises doesn’t help. How do I fix this?

Q&A question: Trusting God While Questions Linger

Hell: Traditional vs. Conditional?: What is Mike’s perspective on the topic of Hell?

Q&A question: Hell: Traditional vs. Conditional?

hell

1 Timothy 5 Timothy marriage 1 Timothy 5

Marriage, Heaven & Vows: Regarding 1 Timothy 5: 11-12, if there is no marriage in Heaven, and when a spouse dies we’re free to remarry, how then does a young widow break her first vow?

Q&A question: Marriage, Heaven & Vows

Purpose of the Tree of Life: If we were created as eternal beings, then what purpose did the Tree of Life hold in the Garden of Eden?

Q&A question: Purpose of the Tree of Life

Matthew Matthew 6 Matthew Matthew 6

Matthew 6 – But Poverty?: How do we reconcile Matthew 6: 25-33 with the reality of poverty? I'm comfortable saying "even He doesn't, God is still good" but this passage sounds almost Word-of-Faith.

Q&A question: Matthew 6 – But Poverty?

Matthew 18 Matthew Matthew 18 Matthew

Purgatory in the Book of Matthew?: I've been curious about the word “until” or “till” in Matthew 18: 34. Does this imply purgatory?

Q&A question: Purgatory in the Book of Matthew?

Jesus Given a Higher Name?: New believer here, and my question is, since Jesus is YHWH, why is He given the name above every other name in Philippians 2? What does that mean?

Q&A question: Jesus Given a Higher Name?

Jesus Philip Philippi

1 Corinthians 14 prophecy 1 Corinthians 14

Can All Believers Prophesy?: Does 1 Corinthians 14: 31 mean all believers can prophesy? If all can teach in some way without being teachers (i.e., teaching their children), can all prophesy without being prophets?

Q&A question: Can All Believers Prophesy?

Hyperbole in Scripture: The Sermon on the Mount has some hyperbole (cut off your hand). How do you know what is hyperbole and what isn't, specifically regarding anger?

Q&A question: Hyperbole in Scripture

Does God Use our Sin?: Do you believe that God uses the consequences/results of a sin for His own purposes, like a one night stand resulting in a child? A reference could be Joseph and his brothers.

Q&A question: Does God Use our Sin?

Joseph

Matthew Matthew 8 Jesus Pharisees Centurion

How/Why was Jesus Amazed?: Matthew 8:5-13 says that Jesus was amazed at the centurion's faith. In other places in the New Testament, Jesus knew the thoughts of the Pharisees. If Jesus could read thoughts, how could He be amazed?

Q&A question: How/Why was Jesus Amazed?

Interracial Marriage: Biblical?: Are mixed-race or interracial marriages biblically permissible?

Q&A question: Interracial Marriage: Biblical?

marriage

Evangelism: Relationships Required?: I've been told that you should build a relationship with someone before sharing the Gospel with them. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Evangelism: Relationships Required?

angels

Others’ Consciences: Our Responsibility?: Are we responsible if someone is emboldened to disobey his conscience because of something we posted online (Romans 14)? I wish to show games I like on my channel, but I’m afraid they may convict a brother.

Q&A question: Others’ Consciences: Our Responsibility?

Romans 14 Romans 14

Matthew Matthew 23 pastoral ministry Matthew Matthew 23

Are “Titles” Biblical?: Is calling people by a church title, like Pastor, biblical? Nowhere in Scripture is anyone referred to by anything other than their first name, and Matthew 23:7-12 seems to forbid it.

Q&A question: Are “Titles” Biblical?

Scriptural Coincidences?: Abram's father, Terah set out for Canaan, but stopped in Harran, where he died. Later, God calls Abraham to Canaan. How do I know if something like this is a coincidence or meaningful?

Q&A question: Scriptural Coincidences?

Abraham Canaan Terah

Should Abortion be Prosecuted?: Do you think it's biblical that women who have abortions should be legally judged the same way as someone who commits murder?

Q&A question: Should Abortion be Prosecuted?

abortion

Balancing Ambition & Contentment: As a Christian, how do you balance ambition and contentment?

Q&A question: Balancing Ambition & Contentment

James Acts 15 James Acts 15 salvation

James: Works Based Salvation?: In Galatians, Paul says Jews from the sect of James were Judaizers. If the book of James was written before the Acts 15 council, do you think James in his book taught a works-based salvation?

Q&A question: James: Works Based Salvation?