Search — Theology Explorer

prophecy pastoral ministry Apostles

About the “5-Fold Ministry”: Have you heard of the "5-Fold Ministry" way of thinking about apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers exercising those gifts today? And if so, what are your thoughts about it?

Q&A question: About the “5-Fold Ministry”

When does Competition become Unbiblical?: The Bible stresses the importance of unity within the body of Christ. When does competition among believers (even seemingly friendly competition - games, sports, etc.) become unhealthy?

Q&A question: When does Competition become Unbiblical?

What is “Fundamental Christianity”?: Can you define "Fundamental Christianity" for me? Recently I've been seeing it referred to as a negative thing. Is it?

Q&A question: What is “Fundamental Christianity”?

death and afterlife creation and science

Why do Animals Die or Become Extinct?: If “the wages of sin is death,” why do animals die? (My question also involves the extinction of the dinosaurs - why would God create them to be exterminated?)

Q&A question: Why do Animals Die or Become Extinct?

Using the Morality Argument: If using the morality argument, how would you respond to an unbeliever that uses the objection that morality is subjective and there is no real objective right or wrong?

Q&A question: Using the Morality Argument

evangelism

About Feeling Angry toward God: When someone is angry at God, are they able to bring that to God, or do they wait until they are not angry and then go to God? Do we have to be 100% before talking with God, as to not disrespect Him?

Q&A question: About Feeling Angry toward God

About John 15 – Bearing Fruit: What do you think of the view that states that in John 15, Jesus actually said in Greek that those who don't bear fruit are lifted up instead of cut off? Is this us practicing bad Greek?

Q&A question: About John 15 – Bearing Fruit

John 15 Jesus John 15

About Gratitude in the Midst of Hardship: When I was an atheist, I got depressed and actually planned to end my life to escape all its struggles. I now know God exists, but I can’t be grateful for being created. How do I repent from that?

Q&A question: About Gratitude in the Midst of Hardship

atheism

Should Prayer be a Dialogue or Monologue?: About prayer, I’ve heard many people say that praying to God should be more of a dialogue than a monologue. Isn’t the Lord’s Prayer spoken by Jesus a monologue? How should we pray then?

Q&A question: Should Prayer be a Dialogue or Monologue?

Jesus prayer

About Leaving a Church: Is it necessary to ask your church to remove your name from its records if you are leaving due to false teaching/beliefs? I wonder if that’s what God means when He says “come out of her.”

Q&A question: About Leaving a Church

About 1 Kings 13: In 1 Kings 13, what are we supposed to learn from this passage? It seems as though the prophet lied to the man of God, tricking him so that he wouldn’t stay the course. Why lead him into this trap?

Q&A question: About 1 Kings 13

prophecy

revelation Revelation 20 resurrection revelation Revelation 20

About the 1st Resurrection – Revelation: Will all believers partake of the first resurrection, or only those who have been beheaded in the name of Christ? Revelation 20:4

Q&A question: About the 1st Resurrection – Revelation

Matthew Matthew 27 Matthew Matthew 27

About Matthew 27 – Holy People Raised: Can you please explain Matthew 27: 51-53? Hoping to get some clarity about the holy people raised to life. Where did they go? Did they die again?

Q&A question: About Matthew 27 – Holy People Raised

About “Divine Simplicity”: Do you believe in divine simplicity? If so, how do you reconcile it with the Trinity?

Q&A question: About “Divine Simplicity”

Trinity

Did the Covid Mandates Involve a Spiritual Battle?: A lot of believers seemed to believe the Church was being persecuted by being required to wear masks, meet in smaller groups, etc. Was a spiritual battle being waged in the Covid mandates?

Q&A question: Did the Covid Mandates Involve a Spiritual Battle?

About being Used by God in our Lives: I see others being used by God, and I want to be used too. Because of this, I often struggle with envy, jealousy, & comparison. How would you encourage & help me grow past this sin?

Q&A question: About being Used by God in our Lives

About the Death of our Pets: My cat died this week. Where did he go?

Q&A question: About the Death of our Pets

death and afterlife

How Should we Study Other Religions?: Do you have any recommendations for studying other religions and how to approach others with the intention to evangelize? I am particularly interested in Islam.

Q&A question: How Should we Study Other Religions?

Islam angels

Isaiah revelation Isaiah revelation

Comparing Bible Verses – The Ark: How can you explain Isaiah 66: 22-23 to be understood, alongside Revelation 11: 19 (the 10 words are in the ark currently), if Colossians 2: 16 speaks of the weekly Sabbath being abolished?

Q&A question: Comparing Bible Verses – The Ark

Wrestling with Doubts: I've studied the evidence for Christianity & it's amazing. But I struggle with doubts of “what if I'm wrong?” Does this affect my salvation? Will God help me?

Q&A question: Wrestling with Doubts

salvation

Romans 10 repentance Romans 10 angels

Why does John and Other Passages Not Mention Repentance?: If repentance is required to be saved, why is it not mentioned in the Gospel of John and other evangelical texts like Acts 16: 31 and Romans 10? Can repentance be somewhat synonymous with belief?

Q&A question: Why does John and Other Passages Not Mention Repentance?

About Orthodox Beliefs: What do Orthodox Christians believe vs. Protestants? Is their doctrine as problematic as Catholic doctrine? (I heard Hank Hanegraaf converted to it.)

Q&A question: About Orthodox Beliefs

Roman Catholicism

About the Greek in Bible Translations: Pastors often say, "what the Greek REALLY says is…" Why don't translators use the Greek that pastors cite in sermons then? (Like how Peter is akin to pebble but is translated as rock.)

Q&A question: About the Greek in Bible Translations

Peter pastoral ministry

Explanation of Ezekiel 14 – Prophets: In Ezekiel 14:9 it says if a prophet is deceived, it’s the Lord who deceived him. Could you offer some explanation to this verse, as it seems out of character for God?

Q&A question: Explanation of Ezekiel 14 – Prophets

Ezekiel prophecy Ezekiel

Romans 4 Abraham Romans 4

About Saving Faith in the OT: Romans 4 tells us that Abraham was saved because of his faith. He believed in God. How can we say that just because he was saved that way, everyone else in the OT was saved that way? Also, if they were saved that way, why did they have to sacrifice lambs? And if people were always saved by just believing in God, why was it necessary for Christ to come?

Q&A question: About Saving Faith in the OT

Fruit of the Spirit – Longsuffering: Could you please explain what longsuffering means, in regard to the fruit of the Spirit?

Q&A question: Fruit of the Spirit – Longsuffering

suffering

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7

Is All of Scripture Inspired?: When Paul says, "I say, not the Lord but I..." in 1 Corinthians 7: 12, does that mean that portion of Scripture was not inspired?

Q&A question: Is All of Scripture Inspired?

Assurance of God’s Love & Salvation: Does God really love me, and am I really saved? I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but I am still sinful and I struggle with sin. However, it seems that God answers my prayers. Am I really saved?

Q&A question: Assurance of God’s Love & Salvation

Jesus salvation prayer

Has Mankind always only had One Spirit?: What are your views that God only created one spirit and gave it to Adam which was then passed through generations? This explains how God doesn’t create an impure spirit at birth, or generational curse.

Q&A question: Has Mankind always only had One Spirit?

About Witnessing and Exemplifying Christ: My husband isn’t open to hearing me speak truth, so I have stopped correcting him. Is this a sin?? If he dies, he will go to hell.

Q&A question: About Witnessing and Exemplifying Christ

marriage hell

church leadership prophecy

Promises vs. Prophecies: Is there a difference between a promise and a prophecy? Are all God's promises prophecies? Am I responsible if a prophecy told about me doesn't come to pass? A church leader told me these things.

Q&A question: Promises vs. Prophecies

1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 13

How to Be Kind when it’s Difficult: What specific actions can one who has no empathy do to be kind? (Thinking 1 Corinthians 13 "kind.")

Q&A question: How to Be Kind when it’s Difficult

marriage submission in marriage

Help with Marital Conflict: I feel led by God to homeschool my teens. My husband disagrees. He doesn't want them to be sheltered. I want to submit, but I’m conflicted. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Help with Marital Conflict

James James 2 James James 2

“Free Grace” Theology, Faith, & Works: Free grace theology says that "save" in James 2: 14 means from physical death or harm. All uses of the word “save” in James 2: 14 are in the context of physical harm, so why is this different for you in 2: 14?

Q&A question: “Free Grace” Theology, Faith, & Works

When is Kissing Sinful?: Is all kinds of romantic kissing outside of marriage a sin? Could a Christian actor/actress do a kissing scene?

Q&A question: When is Kissing Sinful?

marriage

Do Jew. & Gent. Christians Worship Together?: I’m an ethnically Jewish Christian and have seen that some believe that Jewish & Gentile Christians worship together, but with different lifestyle callings. This has been stressful. Input?

Q&A question: Do Jew. & Gent. Christians Worship Together?

worship

Did God Promote Adultery in Genesis?: In Genesis 38:7-10, Someone was commanded to lay with his brother’s wife and impregnate her. He didn’t impregnate her, and the Lord struck him down. Is God promoting adultery?

Q&A question: Did God Promote Adultery in Genesis?

Genesis marriage Genesis

How to Tell if Repentance is Genuine: How can we know if we have genuinely repented from our sins?

Q&A question: How to Tell if Repentance is Genuine

repentance

How to Respond to Disrespect: How do you respond to a brother or sister that disrespects you?

Q&A question: How to Respond to Disrespect

Luke 16 Luke 16:9 Jesus Luke 16 Luke 16:9

About “Friends by Unrighteous Wealth” in Luke: What does Jesus mean when He says to make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth in Luke 16:9?

Q&A question: About “Friends by Unrighteous Wealth” in Luke

Should Repetitive Bible Passages Concern Us?: I'm very confused about why Psalms 14 & 53 are almost identical. Is this an error in Scripture? Are any other pairs of psalms also duplicate? This is causing me to worry about the reliability of Scripture. Please help me understand this!

Q&A question: Should Repetitive Bible Passages Concern Us?

biblical reliability

How to Connect Deeply with God: I struggle deeply with feeling the presence of a relationship with God. I believe I am saved, but I had wandered far and often during my youth. To this day, I try to "imagine" my relationship with God, but I still feel estranged (mostly I think because of sinfulness). I am desperate for that deep, living connection to the Father. What can I do to get connected in relationship with Him?

Q&A question: How to Connect Deeply with God

Jesus miracles word of faith

More Miracles than Jesus?: Often, John 14:12-14 is used by “word of faith” preachers that I used to listen to. Their claim is that we are to do the same and more of the miracles that Jesus did. How should I see these verses?

Q&A question: More Miracles than Jesus?

Is Common Sense an Argument for God?: Some weeks ago you said you believed common sense is the best argument for God. Can you elaborate?

Q&A question: Is Common Sense an Argument for God?

About Jupiter in the Bible: In Acts 19:35 where it says “the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter,” is this referring to the planet Jupiter, and did they know of other planets in that period of time?

Q&A question: About Jupiter in the Bible

Acts 19 Acts 19

Are the Son & Spirit Extensions of the Father?: What would you say to people who say that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are mere extensions of the one God, the Father?

Q&A question: Are the Son & Spirit Extensions of the Father?

Jesus