Search — Theology Explorer

Does God Bless in Material Ways?: Does God still bless us in material ways, or was that just for the old covenant and now He solely blesses us in spiritual ways?

Q&A question: Does God Bless in Material Ways?

covenant theology

Does Prayer Have a Required Formula?: I talk to God in my head and pray during the day, but my thoughts drift and sometimes I realize I never said “amen.” I know that He’s listening, but if it’s not formatted like a prayer, does it still count?

Q&A question: Does Prayer Have a Required Formula?

prayer

If we Confess our Doubts, Are We Still Saved?: I was having doubts about the atonement, and I was questioning if I really believed it. I had thoughts about me not believing. Am I still saved if confessed those and do believe now?

Q&A question: If we Confess our Doubts, Are We Still Saved?

atonement

Was Jesus Rich? & How to Challenge False Claims: Someone told me “Jesus was rich and that was how He was able to feed the 5,000 and their families.” I know that’s wrong, but where do they find these theories and how do I help them see that’s not true?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Rich? & How to Challenge False Claims

Jesus

How to Share a Summary of the Gospel: Do you have a simple way to share the Gospel? How can we know what to say to be obedient and share the Gospel effectively without missing any of the essentials?

Q&A question: How to Share a Summary of the Gospel

Mary (mother of Jesus)

About Finding God’s Purpose/Will in our Lives: How do we know God's purpose for our lives, as in a career?

Q&A question: About Finding God’s Purpose/Will in our Lives

Advice for a Difficult Church Situation: My daughter and her father-in-law visited the church I attend. They brought my 3 month old Grandson who was making loud sounds. One of the attendants asked them to leave. Now I have mixed feelings about this church. Should I continue to attend?

Q&A question: Advice for a Difficult Church Situation

Biblical Help when Struggling with Infertility: I recently have had intense disappointment and grief in my life re: fertility and am struggling with not knowing God's path for my life. Do you have any biblical help to heal and move forward?

Q&A question: Biblical Help when Struggling with Infertility

suffering

Should we Choose a Denomination Right Away?: I'm a new convert. I love God. However, since I'm a new convert I haven't "chosen" a denomination yet. Must I hurry and choose one? Right now, I'm just happy reading the Bible, believing, and praying.

Q&A question: Should we Choose a Denomination Right Away?

Lovingly Calling Out Sin: How do I love and exhort a close family member who knows & believes the Gospel but doesn't seem bothered by some sinful choices (e.g., going to rowdy parties, getting drunk)?

Q&A question: Lovingly Calling Out Sin

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-14

About Leviathan: What are your thoughts on Leviathan? Do you believe he is an actual creature, or more symbolic? Where is he now?

Q&A question: About Leviathan

When to be Re-Baptized: If I lacked repentance at the time of my baptism years ago as a teen, should I be rebaptized now as an adult? This past year I've experienced true, heart-felt repentance and now I just want to obey.

Q&A question: When to be Re-Baptized

repentance baptism

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-14

A Prayer Request from Pastor Mike: Today I want to know how we can all pray for YOU and your ministry.

Q&A question: A Prayer Request from Pastor Mike

prayer pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-21

How to Forgive the Abuse of a Loved One: My disabled daughter w/ MS was abused by her ex (hit, pushed her head through a wall, broke her jaw twice requiring three surgeries, told her he’s going to have her killed, & more). I know I should forgive him, but how?

Q&A question: How to Forgive the Abuse of a Loved One

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-21

Called to be Single? How to Know: How do you know if God has called you to be single?

Q&A question: Called to be Single? How to Know

dating and relationships

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-21

Did Jesus Not Know Who Touched Him?: In Luke 8: 45, Jesus asks who touched His garment while in a crowd. Did Jesus really not know who had touched Him, nor that this miracle would take place?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Not Know Who Touched Him?

Luke 8 Jesus miracles Luke 8

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-28

My Fault if Someone’s Not Saved?: I know God is in control, but since prayer and fasting makes a difference, is it my fault if someone is not saved because I didn’t pray or fast enough for them? I feel responsible when I eat or forget to pray.

Q&A question: My Fault if Someone’s Not Saved?

prayer fasting

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-28

Discerning Extrabiblical Prophecies: When should extrabiblical prophecy be accepted or rejected? I don’t know how to discern or “test the spirits,” and I don’t want to be overly dismissive, even if the claims seem astonishing.

Q&A question: Discerning Extrabiblical Prophecies

prophecy

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-28

How Does the HS Guide Us?: I'm a new born-again Christian and I'd like to know, how does the Holy Spirit guide us?

Q&A question: How Does the HS Guide Us?

Holy Spirit

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-04

Intellectual Agreement vs. Faith in Christ: I believe I'm trusting in Jesus' death and resurrection for salvation, but I have OCD and can't control my thoughts. So how do I know if I'm really trusting, or just agreeing with facts intellectually?

Q&A question: Intellectual Agreement vs. Faith in Christ

Jesus salvation resurrection

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

Should we “Cut Someone Off” in Life?: How do I know if I am doing the right thing by cutting off a very toxic family member?

Q&A question: Should we “Cut Someone Off” in Life?

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

Women Unclean Twice as Long?: In Leviticus 12, women are unclean and excluded from worship in the temple after giving birth. The time is doubled if the baby is a girl, and that has troubled my wife. Do you know the reason for this?

Q&A question: Women Unclean Twice as Long?

marriage worship

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

Can We Focus Too Much on End Times?: As Christians, what should our attitude and mindset be toward end times stuff? I personally know many strong Christians who seem to be almost too focused or too concerned about end times.

Q&A question: Can We Focus Too Much on End Times?

eschatology

When You’re Far from God: My heart is hardened, I’m backslidden, a carnal Christian…whatever you want to call it. I am so far from God right now. I want to love Him, but I don’t. I’m afraid of Hell. What can I do to heal?

Q&A question: When You’re Far from God

hell

1 Corinthians 6 1 Corinthians 6:9 salvation 1 Corinthians 6 1 Corinthians 6:9

About the Law, Works, & Salvation: I've watched both of your videos on the Old Testament law. I get that we don't need to keep the law, as we are now under grace, so how do I understand 1 Corinthians 6:9 which says adulterers won't inherit the Kingdom?

Q&A question: About the Law, Works, & Salvation

Overcoming a Fear of War: How do I overcome a fear of war, thinking that the Ukrainian-Russian conflict will affect my country, too (I live in Europe)? I know in theory that God is in control, but my heart is still afraid.

Q&A question: Overcoming a Fear of War

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Discerning God’s Will in our Lives: How do I learn God's will for major life decisions like buying a pet, when and where to move, who I should marry, or if I should even get married? How do I know if it’s from God, or from my own desires?

Q&A question: Discerning God’s Will in our Lives

Will We Have Memories in Heaven?: I recently heard people at my church say that when we get to Heaven our memories will essentially be wiped, and we won’t have any knowledge of our friends/family who are in Hell. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Will We Have Memories in Heaven?

hell

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Does God Sometimes Not Know Things?: Why does God ask, “Who told you that you were naked?” in Genesis 3: 11? Does He not know?

Q&A question: Does God Sometimes Not Know Things?

Genesis 3 Genesis Genesis 3 Genesis

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Reformed Theology vs. Calvinism: What’s the difference between “Reformed theology” and Calvinism? It seems like the two are different, but also the same. Just curious to know all the different groups within this body of believers.

Q&A question: Reformed Theology vs. Calvinism

Calvinism

Is Marriage Required after Kissing or Sex?: Some say that because my ex-boyfriend and I French kissed, we must marry. We broke up 2 years ago and he didn't answer when I asked to talk. I want to be free to marry someone else, but I'm scared to sin against God. Help. How can I know I am free?

Q&A question: Is Marriage Required after Kissing or Sex?

About Parachurch Ministries / CRU: What do you think of parachurch organizations like Cru? They don't seem biblical to me because they assume the duties of a local church. I would love to know what you think.

Q&A question: About Parachurch Ministries / CRU

About Conviction of Sin: How can someone know if they are truly feeling convicted about something? I am trying to get right with God, and I sometimes feel everything I do is damning. I don’t want to sugarcoat things – I want to be realistic.

Q&A question: About Conviction of Sin

About the Fall of Satan: How could the devil fall, being perfect (moral excellence), knowing the full comprehension of God? How could he even think evil thoughts?

Q&A question: About the Fall of Satan

Satan

About the International Christian Church: My wife and I recently left the International Christian Church (ICC). Do you know about this group, and what advice would you give us, moving forward?

Q&A question: About the International Christian Church

Advice for Entering College & Adulthood: I’m turning 18 this year, and have been a Christian for 2 years now. I’m looking at colleges now because I’m a junior in high school. Any advice for looking at colleges and going into adulthood?

Q&A question: Advice for Entering College & Adulthood

Encouragement for a Progressive Friend: My friend has always been a strong Christian and is now struggling with same-sex attraction. He has adopted progressive thoughts on the Bible. How can I encourage him otherwise?

Q&A question: Encouragement for a Progressive Friend

Can We Do God’s Will Without Realizing It?: As a kid, my mom taught me to treat others as you would want them to treat you. I remember living by this, but I didn't know it came from Jesus. Does this show us that we can do God's will without realizing it?

Q&A question: Can We Do God’s Will Without Realizing It?

Jesus

How to Be Content While Suffering: God has blessed my life and I know it could be worse, but I'm severely disabled and sometimes I feel so trapped in my body that I want to die, but know that I can't. How do I learn to be content?

Q&A question: How to Be Content While Suffering

suffering

Understanding Jesus’ Atonement: Is it more accurate to say that Jesus' death was sufficient for all rather than that He paid for all? Otherwise, wouldn't there be people in Hell right now for sins that Jesus already paid for?

Q&A question: Understanding Jesus’ Atonement

Jesus atonement hell

anxiety and mental health

Ministering to Friends with Mental Struggles: How can I share the Gospel with people who have schizoaffective disorder and severe depression? I know a man who can't comprehend that he has worth and value.

Q&A question: Ministering to Friends with Mental Struggles

About “The Last Reformation”: Have you heard of a movement called The Last Reformation, started by Torben Sondergaard in Denmark? Now he’s based in the U.S., but it has grown worldwide. Would you consider it a cult?

Q&A question: About “The Last Reformation”

Strengthening our Faith When Others are Doubting: I have been doubting lately because I know of so many people deconverting even after finding apologetics. It makes me question my reasoning at times. What are your thoughts on this?

Q&A question: Strengthening our Faith When Others are Doubting

apologetics

Handling Local Church Concerns: I’m afraid our church is being unknowingly influenced by progressivism. Ex: People love the podcast “the bible for normal people” with Pete Enns. Should we be worried? How do I share my concerns?

Q&A question: Handling Local Church Concerns

Was Marriage Different in Biblical Times / Premarital Sex: Some say the biblical prohibition against premarital sex no longer applies since marriage then was so different. How was marriage different then, and how should that impact our view of sex now?

Q&A question: Was Marriage Different in Biblical Times / Premarital Sex

Mike Winger idea 2022-04-15

Are Court Weddings Recognized by God?: I watched the whole marriage series and didn’t find anything about this: my wife and I have been married for 8 years (through the court) and she claims God doesn’t acknowledge it. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Are Court Weddings Recognized by God?