Search — Theology Explorer

Matthew 10 Matthew Jesus Matthew 10 Matthew

Understanding a Difficult Verse: Can you please explain Matthew 10:34-39 where Jesus says a man’s household will be his enemy?

Q&A question: Understanding a Difficult Verse

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?

About Evangelism & Guilt/Responsibility: If we don’t share the Gospel with our friends and family, is their blood on our hands?

Q&A question: About Evangelism & Guilt/Responsibility

angels

About Imputed Righteousness: Is imputed righteousness synonymous with forgiveness of sins? Or does God require more than just sinlessness (that is to say: a positive ascribed righteousness)?

Q&A question: About Imputed Righteousness

forgiveness

About Jesus Making Himself Eq. w/God: The Pharisees were wrong in much of what they did, so wouldn’t that mean they were also incorrect in thinking Jesus was trying to make Himself equal with God?

Q&A question: About Jesus Making Himself Eq. w/God

Jesus Pharisees

{About Jesus Descending to Hell” If someone believes Jesus had to suffer in Hell for three days after the crucifixion, could they truly be saved? Don't we need to believe it was all accomplished on the cross?

Q&A question

Jesus hell

Biblical Wisdom for a Tough Family Situation: My mother-in-law is in a gay marriage. My wife has shared the Gospel with her, but she rejects it. Lord willing, we'd like to have kids. Should there be boundaries between the kid/grandma relationship?

Q&A question: Biblical Wisdom for a Tough Family Situation

marriage homosexuality

About Aquinas’ Summa Theologica: Have you ever read or studied the work by St. Thomas Aquinas called "Summa Theologica," and if so, what are your thoughts?

Q&A question: About Aquinas’ Summa Theologica

Thomas

Ephesians 1 Philip Philippi Ephesians 1

About being “In Christ” in Paul’s Letters: In Paul’s prison letters, he uses the phrases “in him, in Christ, and in whom.” He seems to use these a lot in Ephesians 1, but also uses them in Philippians and Colossians. What does it mean?

Q&A question: About being “In Christ” in Paul’s Letters

About Jesus being Truly Man: If Jesus was fully man and subject to time and space, how is John 21: 25 possible? Or is it hyperbole?

Q&A question: About Jesus being Truly Man

John 21 Jesus John 21

How Can We Pray Constantly?: What are some practical ways to practice 1 Thessalonians 5:7? Trying to pray constantly can be draining & discouraging because it feels like there are only so many things I can pray over.

Q&A question: How Can We Pray Constantly?

About the Year of Jesus’ Birth: What year do you believe Jesus was born, and how do you reconcile it with the majority consensus of Herod's death in 4 B.C.?

Q&A question: About the Year of Jesus’ Birth

Jesus Herod

Is Lying Ever OK in Rare Circumstances?: What does the Bible say about lying to protect someone? Like if my brother breaks a vase and I say the dog broke it, or if I take the blame for something I didn’t do?

Q&A question: Is Lying Ever OK in Rare Circumstances?

Bonus surprise!

Q&A question

Jeremiah Jeremiah 31 revelation Jeremiah Jeremiah 31 Jesus

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?

Help for Maintaining a Godly Attitude: The Lord has blessed me tremendously in life. I love Him & want to please Him! But for some reason (& I have no excuse) I find it really hard to have a calm, grateful, God-honoring attitude. I'm easily irritated & find myself complaining about little things constantly, especially when I don't get my way or experience a minor inconvenience. I'm ashamed of this & don't want my attitude to be this way but I can't seem to change.

Q&A question: Help for Maintaining a Godly Attitude

dispensationalism covenant theology

Covenant vs. Dispensational Theology: What's your thought on the reformed perspective of Covenant Theology vs. the dispensational view?

Q&A question: Covenant vs. Dispensational Theology

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

revelation Revelation 21 revelation Revelation 21

About the Vanishing & Glass Seas – Revelation: In Revelation 21:1, it describes the "sea vanishing." Is this sea the same as the "sea of glass" in Revelation 4:6 where some have suggested it symbolizes the barrier that separated God from man?

Q&A question: About the Vanishing & Glass Seas – Revelation

Discussing Theology Without Focusing on Death: My 14 y.o. does not like the subject of death (her father/my husband died suddenly 4 years ago). How can I talk about salvation and other biblical things in a way that doesn’t make her anxious?

Q&A question: Discussing Theology Without Focusing on Death

marriage salvation

1 John 2 John 16 1 John 2:1 Jesus Christ Jesus 1 John 2

About the Paraclete: John 16:7 says Paraclete is the Holy Spirit, and 1 John 2:1 says it is Jesus Christ. I cannot believe this is a mistranslation, so what is 1 John 2:1 talking about?

Q&A question: About the Paraclete

Did Moses Write the Pentateuch?: Do we have evidence that Moses wrote the first 5 books of the Bible? My atheist friend is questioning this.

Q&A question: Did Moses Write the Pentateuch?

Moses atheism

Does the Man Sin when an Abortion is Done?: Is it a sin for the man if a woman decides to get an abortion? With or without his consent (does that make a difference?)

Q&A question: Does the Man Sin when an Abortion is Done?

abortion

Are We Obligated to Obey God’s Standards?: My friend asked me: If we didn't choose to exist or come into existence, why do we have to follow what God says or His "standards"? Why does He have standards anyways? How do I respond?

Q&A question: Are We Obligated to Obey God’s Standards?

About the Covid Vaccine: How should Christians respond to the push to get the Covid vaccine (especially here in LA)? Is it our Christian duty to put others above ourselves, even if it betrays our own conscience?

Q&A question: About the Covid Vaccine

faith and science

Matthew 5 Matthew Matthew 5 Matthew

About the Doctrine of Preservation: Does Matthew 5: 18 teach the doctrine of preservation? What are your thoughts on this doctrine?

Q&A question: About the Doctrine of Preservation

About the Trinity & God’s Attributes: How can the three persons of the Trinity be distinct if they all have the same attributes (Omni-s) and their wills are the same?

Q&A question: About the Trinity & God’s Attributes

Trinity

anxiety and mental health

Is Depression Ever a Sin Issue?: Is there ever a point where depression can be a sin issue? How should I view it in light of what Scripture says about worrying, while being charitable toward those who are struggling?

Q&A question: Is Depression Ever a Sin Issue?

How to Evangelize at Work: What’s the best way to share the Gospel in the workplace? Is there a guide to sharing the Gospel that you keep to?

Q&A question: How to Evangelize at Work

angels

About Exodus 4 & Zipporah: Please explain Exodus 4: 20-26, especially Zipporah's part in it.

Q&A question: About Exodus 4 & Zipporah

Zipporah

marriage salvation eschatology

When Married Couples Disagree on Theology: What is your view of a husband and wife having differing opinions on eschatology or matters of salvation and particular biblical verses? Is it best to just agree to disagree?

Q&A question: When Married Couples Disagree on Theology

Can a Person be Beyond Repentance?: Can someone be beyond repentance as Esau was?

Q&A question: Can a Person be Beyond Repentance?

repentance

Should our Faith Make Sense?: Is Christianity a faith that should make sense, or is it just having the faith to believe? How can we believe if one person interprets the Bible this way and another the other way?

Q&A question: Should our Faith Make Sense?

hermeneutics

Why did God Punish ALL Snakes?: Why did God punish all snakes for what Satan did in the Garden of Eden?

Q&A question: Why did God Punish ALL Snakes?

Satan

Jesus pastoral ministry Apostles

Why Didn’t Jesus Mention Paul?: Hello, I am a Christian, and it's been important to me to understand why the Lord Jesus didn't mention to the apostles or anyone that Paul would be coming to enlighten the Way for His Church. This question hasn't been addressed in any of the studies I've researched, nor by any of the pastors I listen to. But isn't this question a most serious matter, since Paul wrote the majority of our New Testament?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t Jesus Mention Paul?

Is God Male?: Is God a male?

Q&A question: Is God Male?

About the Woman of Tekoa & Banishing: How can someone be banished, and yet not cast out from God? I’m referring to what the woman of Tekoa said in 2 Samuel 14: 14. Is it only within that context, or can it be applied transcendently?

Q&A question: About the Woman of Tekoa & Banishing

Samuel

About OCD, Vows, & Fear: I’ve been struggling with OCD vows recently (such as, if I don’t say this in prayer, I’m not saved). Many places online say to let it go, and that you can’t make a vow out of fear. How can I look at this biblically?

Q&A question: About OCD, Vows, & Fear

prayer

Are Souls Eternal?: Is the soul as an eternal entity more of a Greek philosophical idea, or confirmed in Scripture? Do you have any biblical references for an eternal soul?

Q&A question: Are Souls Eternal?

Philo

Did Anyone in “The Flood” Go to Heaven?: Do you think any of the people that died in the flood (above the age of accountability) may have been saved or will not go to Hell?

Q&A question: Did Anyone in “The Flood” Go to Heaven?

hell

revelation Jesus salvation revelation

About Natural Revelation & Salvation: You've said people who've never heard of Jesus need to respond to natural revelation to be saved. Can you give an example of how a woman growing up in Saudi Arabia would respond to natural revelation?

Q&A question: About Natural Revelation & Salvation

About the “Mysteries of God” in Ephesians: Please explain what is meant by the mysteries of God in Ephesians 3:5.

Q&A question: About the “Mysteries of God” in Ephesians

About the Beginning of the New Covenant: Did the New Covenant start when the Temple, which housed the Ark of the Covenant, was destroyed?

Q&A question: About the Beginning of the New Covenant

covenant theology

About Miracles & False Religions: You've said miracles in other religions are false signs from Satan. Why would other religions have reason to think these signs are from Satan? Couldn't a Muslim say the same thing to a Christian?

Q&A question: About Miracles & False Religions

Satan miracles Islam

Do We Have to Attend Church?: Is it OK to not attend church at all? I live in Russia and Christianity here is very unbiblical. I’ve tried a lot of churches and I don’t feel comfortable there.

Q&A question: Do We Have to Attend Church?

Exodus 20 Exodus 20:4 Exodus 20 Exodus 20:4

Is it a Sin to Depict God?: I’m a new believer. I watched a Christian cartoon with my son, and it depicted God as a Santa-looking man. My son asked if we were breaking the 2nd commandment. Is it a sin to depict God in any way? (Exodus 20:4)

Q&A question: Is it a Sin to Depict God?

Do those who Seek God Really Find Him?: The Bible says that those who diligently seek God will find Him. What about the Muslims, Hindus, and all the people who are diligently seeking God but never find Jesus and stay in their religion?

Q&A question: Do those who Seek God Really Find Him?

Jesus Islam

Does God Forgive Repeated Sin?: If you struggle with sin and there is true contrition but you still keep repeating the same sin and asking for forgiveness, will God still forgive you?

Q&A question: Does God Forgive Repeated Sin?

forgiveness

Advice for the Timing of Baptism: I recently converted to Christianity. Our church does baptisms once a year, but my husband has Covid and can't attend. I want him to be there, but I also want to get baptized ASAP. What should I do?

Q&A question: Advice for the Timing of Baptism

marriage baptism