Search — Theology Explorer

meditation and contemplation

How do we Meditate on Scripture?: I was wondering: how do you remember Scripture? I will read in the morning, and by the time night/the next day comes, I forget what I read. I know we’re to meditate on it, but how do we do this?

Q&A question: How do we Meditate on Scripture?

How to Pray for our Leaders: I find it very difficult to pray for the current administration. I know they need it desperately. How do I overcome this struggle?

Q&A question: How to Pray for our Leaders

1 Timothy 3 1 Timothy 3 elder qualifications 1 Timothy 3 elder qualifications

Winger walks through 1 Timothy 3 elder qualifications, acknowledging real-life churches (especially small ones) struggle to find people who meet all criteria. Lists: blameless, husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy, gentle, not quarrelsome, rules his own house well, not a novice.

Q&A: How literally should we follow the qualifications for pastors/elders in 1 Timothy and Titus?

Mike Winger idea 2021-06-18

Will we receive Glorified Bodies AND Minds?: We know that we will eventually gain glorified bodies, but what about glorified minds? Will someone who suffers from a mental disorder (like Down’s Syndrome) be “healed”?

Q&A question: Will we receive Glorified Bodies AND Minds?

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

Mike Winger idea 2021-06-25

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

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

John 18 Jesus resurrection Pilate

Private Convos w/Pilate and the Resurrection: In John 18 from verse 33, Jesus & Pilate share private conversations inside his residence without any of Jesus’ followers being present. How would the disciples know what was said? Did He tell his disciples post resurrection, proving that the resurrection is TRUE?

Q&A question: Private Convos w/Pilate and the Resurrection

About Adoption Outside of Marriage: Is it biblically wrong to adopt a child before marriage when you know you want to marry? And what about adopting a child if you don't intend to marry?

Q&A question: About Adoption Outside of Marriage

Clinging to Hope in Tough Circumstances: My husband had a vasectomy before we got together. I used to be WOF and "claimed" a baby but now know that movement is heretical. Is it dumb to still believe in having a baby?

Q&A question: Clinging to Hope in Tough Circumstances

marriage heresy

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-23

How to Tell Which Verses Apply to Us: I'm confused about how to know whether a verse is for me or not. I see devotional books where they pluck out a verse, and I never know if it is for us now or not.

Q&A question: How to Tell Which Verses Apply to Us

Am I Rightly or Wrongly Judging?: How do I know if I have a judgmental attitude toward someone or an honest concern about their sin?

Q&A question: Am I Rightly or Wrongly Judging?

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-30

Is Yahweh Only the Father’s Name?: Some people I know say Yahweh is the name of the whole Trinity combined. I thought Yahweh was only the name of the Father (like how Jesus is the name of the Son). What are your thoughts?

Q&A question: Is Yahweh Only the Father’s Name?

Trinity Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-30

Interpreting a Difficult Verse: I’ve read two different views on 1 John 3: 20. 1: If our heart condemns us, how much more will God since He is greater than our heart? 2: Even though we feel guilty, God knows our heart. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Interpreting a Difficult Verse

1 John 3 1 John 3

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-30

About “Rhema” (Sword of the Spirit): Can you explain the Greek word Rhema in Ephesians 6 when it talks about the “sword of the Spirit is the Word of God?” Is it Scripture, or like a word of wisdom, knowledge, or prophecy?

Q&A question: About “Rhema” (Sword of the Spirit)

Ephesians 6 prophecy Ephesians 6

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-06

Advice for a Difficult College Situation: I have to read “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” for school, but Oprah did a movie on it. Since she denied that Jesus is the only way, I don’t know if I should drop the class. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Advice for a Difficult College Situation

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-06

How to Handle Online-Only Congregants: How should churches handle their local online only congregants? This is a big dilemma in my church's leadership right now. (Let's assume that it is safe to return to in-person church.)

Q&A question: How to Handle Online-Only Congregants

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-13

Should We Give to Beggars?: I've had multiple encounters where people directly approach me and my wife on the street or at a gas station asking for money, food, or a ride. I know most people would say don't give anything because you're feeding their bad habit, and I know there is also the risk that if you do help/give, they may try to push for even more favors. But it's obvious that Jesus was compassionate toward beggars. What are some biblical principles for this in today's age?

Q&A question: Should We Give to Beggars?

marriage Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-13

Can we Know 100% our Faith is True?: Is it possible to be 100% certain of Christianity and the Bible? Is believing but also having doubt a sin? I would like to have 100% certainty, but there's always a doubt that it all could be a lie.

Q&A question: Can we Know 100% our Faith is True?

doubt and faith

Mike Winger idea 2021-05-07

Bible Study Resource Recommendations?: Do you know of any good Bible Study resources for a group with no teacher, only facilitators?

Q&A question: Bible Study Resource Recommendations?

Bible study

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-02

Do you Know of any Biblical Marriage Songs?: I write lyrics for songs and I'm wondering if there are any marriage songs based on biblical theology. I spent years writing one to my wife and it still doesn't work. Looking for examples to follow.

Q&A question: Do you Know of any Biblical Marriage Songs?

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-02

About Confession of Sins to Others: Is apologizing to people we’ve sinned against (e.g. lust) always necessary, and if so, to what extent? We must if they know about it, but what if they don't (or are indifferent/hard to contact)?

Q&A question: About Confession of Sins to Others

sexual ethics confession

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-02

Can we Only Attend Smaller Groups?: I’m an introvert and have never felt comfortable at large Bible studies with people I don’t know. Do I have to enjoy large group studies? Is it OK to stick to small studies with one or two others?

Q&A question: Can we Only Attend Smaller Groups?

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-20

Conscience before the New Covenant?: Based on Jeremiah 31: 33-34, did people before the New Covenant not have a conscience (innate knowledge of God and the ability to know right from wrong as we do now)? Based on the radical changes that Jesus and the Church brought to the world, and God seemingly needing to give people constant special revelation in the OT, could there be a case for this? Could the need for the cycle of sin-judgement-repentance/cry for help-deliverance be connected to this?

Q&A question: Conscience before the New Covenant?

Jeremiah Jeremiah 31 revelation Jeremiah Jeremiah 31 Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-20

Jesus – “Forgive them, for they know not…”: Why did Jesus say “Forgive them, for they know not what they do” if Jesus knew they had to do it to save us at the cross?

Q&A question: Jesus – “Forgive them, for they know not…”

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2021-09-03

About Giving Everything for the Lord: If salvation is a free gift and not by works, then why does Jesus say those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples? How do we know when we have given up everything?

Q&A question: About Giving Everything for the Lord

Jesus salvation

Mike Winger idea 2021-09-03

About Demons and The Nephilim: Are demons the spirits of dead Nephilim? Genesis 6 explains that the Nephilim are the offspring of women and angels. Demons never materialize, but we know angels can. Luke 22:3 is not convincing to me.

Q&A question: About Demons and The Nephilim

Genesis Luke 22:3 Genesis 6 Genesis Luke 22:3 Genesis 6

Mike Winger idea 2021-09-03

“Hearing” God in Prayer/His Guidance in Life: When we pray, how do we "hear" God's reply? How can someone differentiate between hearing the voice of God and hearing their own thoughts? When I pray, I feel like it's just me. How can I make decisions if I don't know what God wants of me?

Q&A question: “Hearing” God in Prayer/His Guidance in Life

prayer

Mike Winger idea 2021-09-10

When we Should and Shouldn’t Witness: How do we know when to speak up about the truth of Christ vs. when not to? I am grieved by what I see being claimed as “truth” today, but I don’t want to just sit back and say “I’m not supposed to judge.”

Q&A question: When we Should and Shouldn’t Witness

evangelism

Mike Winger idea 2021-09-10

Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts: Do we have "Jesus in our hearts" as believers? What about worship songs about Jesus in the room? John 16:5-10, Acts 1:9-11 and basically all of Revelation seems to say Jesus is in Heaven for now.

Q&A question: Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts

revelation Acts 1 John 16 Jesus worship revelation

Mike Winger idea 2021-09-24

How to Support a Recovering Spouse: My husband is a recovering alcoholic, now beginning to attend AA meetings. As a wife, what are the most practical ways I can support him while encouraging him to begin leading our home in a biblical way without overwhelming him?

Q&A question: How to Support a Recovering Spouse

Mike Winger idea 2021-09-24

About “Unknown”/ Tongues in 1 Cor.: What do you make of the added word “unknown” in 1 Corinthians 14:2-3, which is not in the original Greek? Could it mean that it is not a different sort of tongues, rather, that no one understands them?

Q&A question: About “Unknown”/ Tongues in 1 Cor.

1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 14 tongues

Mike Winger idea 2021-09-24

When to be Kind vs. Aggressive: When trying to be biblically based, how do we know when to be kind, and when to be aggressive?

Q&A question: When to be Kind vs. Aggressive

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-01

About the “Faithful & Discreet Slave”: Can you explain how we should properly interpret Matthew 24: 45-47? I know Jehovah’s Witnesses think it’s referring to their governing body, but I’d like your opinion.

Q&A question: About the “Faithful & Discreet Slave”

Matthew 24 Matthew Matthew 24 Matthew Jehovah's Witnesses

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-01

Trusting God in Very Difficult Times: Do you have any advice for dealing with a miscarriage? It’s the first time in my life where I’ve been angry at God. I know He’s sovereign, but it’s difficult to accept right now.

Q&A question: Trusting God in Very Difficult Times

suffering sovereignty of God

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-01

Was Christ Nailed to a Tree or Cross?: I’ve heard some Christian songs say Christ was nailed to a “tree” instead of a cross. Would you happen to know why the two terms are interchanged?

Q&A question: Was Christ Nailed to a Tree or Cross?

Does Jesus Mean “Hail Zeus”?: What do you say to people who claim that the name Jesus really means “hail Zeus”? They say one is unknowingly doing witchcraft by using the name Jesus. Why didn’t His name just continue as Yeshua?

Q&A question: Does Jesus Mean “Hail Zeus”?

Jesus

About Angels: I know that we are made in the image and likeness of God and are called God’s children, but what are angels to God? Are they made in the image and likeness of God? Are they God’s children?

Q&A question: About Angels

angels

How Many People are in Heaven?: It's estimated that 60% of natural conceptions fail to implant in the uterus and that at least 50 billion people lived until now. Does that mean there are around 75 billion people in Heaven?

Q&A question: How Many People are in Heaven?

heaven

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-15

How to Recognize the Spirit vs. Enemy: How do we know when we feel the Holy Spirit that it isn't a trick from Satan making us think that it’s God? And how do you know Jesus’s resurrection wasn’t a false miracle/wonder by Satan?

Q&A question: How to Recognize the Spirit vs. Enemy

Jesus resurrection Satan

Why Didn’t God Rewrite Difficult Passages?: Can you explain the Holy Spirit Inspiration Doctrine? I struggle with understanding why God did not rewrite controversial Bible passages. I know I am only a man, and I seek to understand.

Q&A question: Why Didn’t God Rewrite Difficult Passages?

Holy Spirit

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-15

About God’s Omnipotence & Non-Contradiction: Since God can’t contradict Himself, does that mean that His power is limited in a way? I know God is all powerful, but what is the logical reason behind Him being powerful and non-contradictory?

Q&A question: About God’s Omnipotence & Non-Contradiction

biblical reliability

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-15

About being Satisfied in God: How can you know that you are satisfied in God? How does it manifest practically? Does doing Christian things mean I'm satisfied in God? Can’t I do Christian stuff and still not be satisfied in Him?

Q&A question: About being Satisfied in God

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-29

Is Marriage Different Now?: My friend says the definition of marriage evolved over time, and that now it’s a legal contract, but in biblical times she claims it was a social transfer of care. Thus, she believes living with her boyfriend unmarried is biblical. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Is Marriage Different Now?