Search — Theology Explorer

1 Corinthians 7:3-5 Paul 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 conjugal rights

1 Corinthians 7:3-5 establishes mutual bodily authority in marriage and implicitly rules out polygamy

Reading and exposition of 1 Corinthians 7 on conjugal rights

idolatry government early church

A prayer opening Congress in the name of the Hindu god Brahma is blasphemy — but the appropriate Christian response is not rebellion

Question from Gorilla Christianity about a US Congress session opened in the name of Brahma

John 18:36 Christian political engagement John 18:36 civil government

Government paganism does not nullify Christian obligation to submit to civil authority

Continuing response to the Congress prayer question

Prayer to Mary and the glorification of Mary in the rosary are the primary theological problems for an ex-Catholic

Question from Calm 23 — an ex-Catholic still doing the daily rosary, seeking a replacement devotional

Mary prayer Catholicism

Matthew 6:7 Matthew 6:9-13 prayer vain repetition Matthew 6:7

Jesus warns against vain repetition in prayer — praying a formula many times over can become "heaping up empty phrases"

Exposition of Matthew 6:5-13 in response to the rosary question

prayer Bible study methods Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer is an excellent structured guide for prayer when used as a launch pad, not as a rote formula to repeat

Positive application of the Lord's Prayer and recommendation for daily devotional practice

1 Timothy 2:5 1 Timothy 2:5 Temple theology Ark of the Covenant

The temple's empty space at the center of worship is the model for where all prayer and worship must be directed — God alone, with no mediating object

Continued answer on icons/images, drawing on the temple design.

Prayer Idolatry Catholic devotional practices

Catholic saint icons carry a superstitious protection function incompatible with biblical worship

Practical application of the icons question to Catholic devotional objects.

John 17:21 John 14-16 Indwelling of the Holy Spirit Jesus as mediator John 17:21

John 17:21 — the oneness Jesus prays for is relational unity via the indwelling Spirit and Christ's mediation, not ontological Trinity participation

Question from David Foresight about what it means for believers to be "one" as the Father and Son are one in John 17:21.

John 13:2 Ephesians 6:16 John 13:2 Prayer Satan / demonic activity

There is no biblical confirmation that Satan can read human thoughts, but he can place thoughts in the heart

Question from Juliet Isil about whether there is biblical basis for Satan not hearing silent prayers.

2 Timothy 1:7 Prayer Spiritual warfare 2 Timothy 1:7

Modifying prayer practices out of fear of Satan is itself a spiritual defeat — Christians pray to God in the victory of Christ

Practical application of the Satan/prayer question.

Acts 1:9-11 Philippians 3:21 Glorified body of Christ Ascension of Christ Right hand of God

Jesus currently has a glorified human body in heaven — the localized presence of God is where Christ is embodied, worshipped by angels

Question from Agnes Magnusson about what form Jesus has in heaven.

Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Romans 8:34 and 1 John 2:1-2 -- Christ's intercession is not ongoing pleading but his perpetual existence as our propitiation

Question from Sephora Ba about why Jesus still intercedes for the elect if they are already saved (Romans 8:34).

Romans 8:34 1 John 2:1-2 salvation eternal security propitiation

Mike Winger idea 2018-10-31

Mike offers pastoral advice on controlling anger in traffic, recommending a practice of redirecting the impulse to complain into prayer, focusing on controlling one’s own reactions rather than others’ behavior.

Response to viewer asking for counsel on road rage/anger

prayer sanctification pastoral counsel

Mike Winger idea 2018-10-31

Mike closes the livestream, identifies his debate opponent as Paul from Paulogia on the Non-Sequitur Show, scheduled for Thursday at 5 p.m., and asks for prayers.

Final closing remarks

apologetics resurrection of Jesus debate

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

The "upon" experience continues in the New Testament alongside indwelling: Acts 4 prayer for boldness as a second coming of the Spirit upon believers already indwelt.

Reconciling Old Testament "upon" empowerment with New Testament reality.

Acts 4 Acts 4 Holy Spirit empowerment Holy Spirit filling

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Praying for the salvation of the deceased: not immoral as described, but lacks biblical authorization and is questionable in effect.

Question from "Nothing Much" about retroactive prayer for someone who has already died.

Prayer for the dead Purgatory God's relationship to time

Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q20: Do we need to feel bad for sin when we repent, or is knowing it is wrong enough? Feeling is healthy but not required — emotions are the caboose of the train

Viewer Joel Larson asks whether genuine repentance requires feeling bad about sin, noting his ex-girlfriend does not feel bad about their shared sexual sin.

2 Corinthians 4 repentance sanctification Paul the Apostle

Matthew 23 apologetics Catholicism Pharisees

Warning against making theological decisions based on aesthetics — beauty of Catholic churches and liturgy is irrelevant to truth

People in doctrinal confusion sometimes drift toward Catholic practice for aesthetic or experiential reasons rather than theological ones.

Ephesians 6:17-18 prayer armor of God Ephesians 6:17-18

Sword of the Spirit (Word of God) — the only offensive weapon; prayer as the capstone

Sixth and final piece of armor: the one offensive weapon in the full armor. Paul adds prayer outside the armor list.

spiritual disciplines confirmation bias listening prayer

Question: Is it okay to sit quietly and write down what you hear from God (journaling/listening prayer)?

Viewer Mackenzie McEwan asks about the practice of trying to hear God and writing down what comes.

1 Kings 19 spiritual disciplines still small voice listening prayer

The still small voice (1 Kings 19) is not a model for seeking God through hints and whispers

Common proof-text for listening prayer misapplied.

Prayer life Christian service Spiritual disciplines

Organizing prayer life: mindset matters more than rigid structure; serving God during quarantine requires ambitious creativity.

Question from Ian Becker about organizing prayer life and serving God during COVID quarantine.

Bethel Church Holy Spirit Listening prayer

Listening prayer is not condemned in Scripture but formulizing the Holy Spirit's work is dangerous and can produce fabrications.

Question from Susan Krieg about whether the Bible endorses listening prayer.

Assurance of salvation New Age spirituality Conversion and faith

How to find God: Christianity's goal is not emotional comfort but truth and relationship; reading and praying without trusting Christ is insufficient.

Question from an anonymous person (username 'it's me') who found comfort in the New Age but confusion in Christianity after 5 months of reading and prayer.

1 Corinthians 12 Cessationism Baptism of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 12

Baptism of the Holy Spirit as a post-salvation experience with mandatory tongues is not supported by Scripture; authentic gifts are preferred over formulaic fake ones.

Question from Lauren Breon about whether the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a separate experience with prayer language is scriptural.

Holy Spirit discernment prophecy

Testing whether a vision or impression is from the Holy Spirit

UK Dove Girl asked how to know whether a lucid open-eyed vision comes from the Spirit rather than the subconscious.

Hebrews 7:7 spiritual authority Levitical priesthood Abraham

Pronouncing a blessing on others: Hebrews 7:7 and mutual blessing in the body of Christ

Andrej asked whether saying "I bless you" to someone implies a hierarchical superiority that is inappropriate between equals.

discernment false teaching church discipline

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young: channeled content, demonic origin, pastoral danger

Rachel joined a church prayer group using the devotional Jesus Calling and found concerning content.