Search — Theology Explorer

About our Future Glorified Bodies: Will we still have scars and such in our new bodies? Like when Jesus was resurrected, He still had His crucifixion marks. Was that just for God’s purposes (Thomas) or is it a sneak-peek of what our new bodies will be like?

Q&A question: About our Future Glorified Bodies

Jesus Thomas

If our Sins are Forgiven, Why Ask for Forgiveness?: If Jesus paid for all of our sins once and for all, why are we still called throughout Scripture to continually ask for forgiveness (ex: The Lord's Prayer)?

Q&A question: If our Sins are Forgiven, Why Ask for Forgiveness?

Jesus prayer forgiveness

About Gematria & Numerology: In light of today’s first question, how do you account for more subtle/compelling examples of Gematria such as JESUS (IESOUS in Greek) calculating to "888"? Contrast with "666.” 8=new life, etc.

Q&A question: About Gematria & Numerology

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

About Graven Images & Biblical Actors: Could you explain Exodus 20:4? Is God stating we shouldn’t have any images at all, like the images we see of Jesus in churches? And what about the people who portray Jesus in biblical movies?

Q&A question: About Graven Images & Biblical Actors

Mike Winger idea 2021-07-30

About John the Baptist being Jesus’ Cousin: Is it a big deal that John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin? I haven't heard this talked about much; wouldn't that mean that they knew each other when they were kids/before their ministries?

Q&A question: About John the Baptist being Jesus’ Cousin

John the Baptist Jesus John the Baptist

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

Did Jesus’ Family Believe?: Did Jesus' family not believe in Him as Messiah?

Q&A question: Did Jesus’ Family Believe?

Did Jesus Consider the OT to be Scripture?: You said in a past Q&A session that Jude references Enoch, and your best explanation is that it's just to make a point, not to say that Enoch is canon or inerrant. But that's also my conclusion about when Jesus refers to the Old Testament. Isn’t it the same for when Jesus refers to the Old Testament?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Consider the OT to be Scripture?

Jesus Enoch

Discussing a Confusing Verse: What are your thoughts about Matthew 26: 13? You taught earlier that this specific action is not even recorded in all the Gospels, so what does Jesus mean?

Q&A question: Discussing a Confusing Verse

Matthew Jesus Matthew

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

Revelation 3 revelation Jesus creation Revelation 3

Was Jesus Created? Answering JWs: How would you respond to a JW who says that Revelation 3: 14 proves that Jesus was created when it says He is the “beginning of Creation”?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Created? Answering JWs

Is Receiving Imputed Righteousness Just?: How/why can our sins be imputed to Jesus? I'm confused about the "transfer." If God is just, how can He let someone else step in for our sin? And how valid is the sacrifice if He was going to rise again?

Q&A question: Is Receiving Imputed Righteousness Just?

Jeremiah John 15 Zechariah 3 Jeremiah Jesus John 15

Is God the Branch, or the Vine?: A few times in the OT, Jesus is referred to as the Branch (Zechariah 3:8, 6: 12, Jeremiah 23:5). Why then is He referred to as the Vine and us the branches in John 15:5?

Q&A question: Is God the Branch, or the Vine?

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-13

Were Jesus’ Disciples Married?: Were Christ’s disciples married / did they have families? I believe there is a reference to Peter’s in-law, but I find it to be an interesting question. What would it be like for them? How would that fit with what the Lord tells us about the role of a husband/father? The love for God trumps all, so did that override their responsibilities as a husband/father?

Q&A question: Were Jesus’ Disciples Married?

Peter marriage Jesus

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

Why did Jesus need to be Led by the Spirit?: Why did Jesus (God) need to be filled, led, or anointed by the Spirit? Troubled by some saying that Jesus did everything as a man through the Spirit, so we should be able to do everything Jesus did.

Q&A question: Why did Jesus need to be Led by the Spirit?

Mike Winger idea 2021-05-07

God of the Living AND the Dead?: In Mark 12: 27, Jesus says God is the God of the living, not the dead; yet in Roman 14:9, Paul says He is the God of the living and the dead. How do I reconcile this?

Q&A question: God of the Living AND the Dead?

Mark 12 Jesus Mark 12

Mike Winger idea 2021-05-07

Why Didn’t the Father Send Jesus Earlier?: Why didn’t God simply use the “new” covenant right away (meaning, why didn’t He just send Jesus much earlier in the world’s history)?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t the Father Send Jesus Earlier?

Mike Winger idea 2021-05-07

Contradicting Genealogies?: Why are the genealogies of Jesus different in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke?

Q&A question: Contradicting Genealogies?

Matthew Jesus Matthew

Matthew 12 Mark 16 Matthew Jesus Matthew 12 Mark 16

Was Jesus Dead for Three Days?: According to Matthew 12: 40, Jesus predicted He would be dead for 3 days. But according to Mathew 28:1 and Mark 16:9, it seems this wasn’t the case. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Dead for Three Days?

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

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

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

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-20

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

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…”

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-20

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

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

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-27

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?

Jesus pastoral ministry Apostles

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-27

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

revelation Jesus salvation revelation

Mike Winger idea 2021-08-27

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

What do Miracles/Healing Depend On?: If one were to pray over someone for a miracle or for healing, what would the chances of it working depend on? Jesus said that it depends on faith. Does it also depend on being a relatively righteous person?

Q&A question: What do Miracles/Healing Depend On?

Jesus miracles healing

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

Can We Love Truth More than God?: Can I be a truth-seeker and a good Christian? Is it possible to love the truth more than God, considering that Jesus is the truth?

Q&A question: Can We Love Truth More than God?

About the OT Law & Sacrifices vs. Faith: Why was the old covenant law set up to require animal sacrifice, since we see Abraham was atoned for by his faith in the promise to come of what was Jesus (dimly perceived)?

Q&A question: About the OT Law & Sacrifices vs. Faith

Abraham Jesus

About the Dead Jesus Raised: Where did all the people that Jesus and the disciples raised from the dead go while they were dead? I would hate to think they were in Paradise somewhere, then had to come back.

Q&A question: About the Dead Jesus Raised

About Asking for Forgiveness/Mark of the Beast: A popular internet ministry says Jesus never said we need to ask for forgiveness and the Bible doesn’t mention it. Is that true? They also say it’s impossible for a Christian to take mark of the beast. Is that true?

Q&A question: About Asking for Forgiveness/Mark of the Beast

Jesus forgiveness

Jesus’ Deity & His Title of “Son of God”: If Jesus is God, then why do Paul and the Gospels often speak of them separately? What is the significant about the phrase "Son of God" being used for Jesus, since it is used for others, too?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Deity & His Title of “Son of God”

Isaiah Isaiah 9:6 Isaiah Trinity Jesus

Does Isaiah Disprove the Trinity?: Does Isaiah 9:6 disprove the Trinity since it calls Jesus the Father? many Oneness/Unitarians use this verse to support Oneness/modalism.

Q&A question: Does Isaiah Disprove the Trinity?

revelation Acts 1 John 16 Jesus worship revelation

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

About Christ’s Return: Why did Jesus mention eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building, and getting married in Luke 17?

Q&A question: About Christ’s Return

John 15 Jesus salvation John 15

About the Vine & Branches, Eternal Security: Just wanted clarity on John 15:1-8. Is Jesus talking about people losing their salvation? Or people walking away from Him and the faith?

Q&A question: About the Vine & Branches, Eternal Security

Matthew 5 Matthew Jesus Matthew 5 Matthew

What Did Jesus Mean by “Be Perfect”?: What did Jesus mean when He said, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" in Matthew 5: 48? Wouldn't that mean we're all condemned since we sin every day/week?

Q&A question: What Did Jesus Mean by “Be Perfect”?

A Difficult Passage – Ezekiel 45: Is Jesus offering sin sacrifices in Ezekiel 45?

Q&A question: A Difficult Passage – Ezekiel 45

Ezekiel Jesus Ezekiel

1 Corinthians 11:3 1 Corinthians 11 1 Corinthians 11:3 Trinity Jesus

About the Subordination of the Son: How do you explain the subordination of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:3; 15: 28) to the Father within Trinitarian theology? I explain it via incarnational subordination (Philippians 2:5; Hebrews 29; 5:8).

Q&A question: About the Subordination of the Son

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-01

Were Any of Jesus’ Bones Broken?: If the nail of a crucified victim was inserted through the heel bone or ankle bone, how should we interpret John 19: 36? Wouldn’t a nail cause the bone to break?

Q&A question: Were Any of Jesus’ Bones Broken?

John 19 Jesus John 19

Can we Write Jesus into Games or Stories?: I'm a hobbyist/game developer and have started making Bible themed games. I want to include Jesus in one of my projects, but I feel uncomfortable writing words for Him. Any advice? Can I even do this?

Q&A question: Can we Write Jesus into Games or Stories?