Search — Theology Explorer

Is Hypnosis OK for Christians?: What does the Bible say about hypnosis as a form of medical treatment? I struggle with food addiction and have heard that it can help by reaching the subconscious. However, I want to be super careful not to dip into the supernatural demonic realm that can sometimes happen during yoga sessions when "channeling your inner-self" and "connecting with the universe."

Q&A question: Is Hypnosis OK for Christians?

demons

Was the Temple Ever Cleaned?: Blood was sprinkled around the altar in the Tabernacle and Temple. Did the priests ever clean up all the blood splatter? Or just let it accumulate? I cannot find the answer in Scripture.

Q&A question: Was the Temple Ever Cleaned?

NAR

About the Evidence of the Spirit: In Acts 8, how did they know when the Samaritans had and had not received the Holy Spirit? Pentecostals teach that it must have been tongues. Is there another explanation?

Q&A question: About the Evidence of the Spirit

Acts 8 Acts 8 tongues

Genesis Genesis 1 Jesus Genesis Genesis 1

What is the Light in Gen. 1?: What is the light in Genesis 1:3? Some say the light is a spiritual force, Jesus, stars, the Big Bang, etc. I know it’s not Jesus, but I’m getting a lot of feedback in a group without any real solid answers.

Q&A question: What is the Light in Gen. 1?

anxiety and mental health

Should We Apologize for Every Past Sin?: Should Christians apologize to everyone from their past? I had so much anxiety, messaging people from high school about every lie or mean comment I could think of, even some things people didn't remember.

Q&A question: Should We Apologize for Every Past Sin?

About Pastors Preaching on Certain Sins: How would you respond to a pastor who says “I don't need to teach that a particular practice is a sin”? What dangers do you think are there if someone doesn't recognize certain sins?

Q&A question: About Pastors Preaching on Certain Sins

pastoral ministry

Are Works Required? (Sheep & Goats): Does John 5: 29 or the Parable of Sheep and Goats mean that Jesus taught we need works to be saved? It seems to align with the mid-acts dispensational view.

Q&A question: Are Works Required? (Sheep & Goats)

John 5 Jesus John 5

What is a Relationship with God?: What does a relationship with God look like practically?

Q&A question: What is a Relationship with God?

John 10 Jesus atonement John 10

About Limited Atonement: If the extent of Jesus’ death was for all, but the application of His death was only for His sheep, why does Jesus say that He lays down His life for His sheep in John 10: 15 (v. 16 clarifies extent, right?)?

Q&A question: About Limited Atonement

About Demons Confessing Jesus’ Identity: Why did demons always announce Jesus' true identity when they were in His presence? Wouldn't they rather lie and claim He was a false prophet or something to deceive others? (Ex: Luke 4: 33-34)

Q&A question: About Demons Confessing Jesus’ Identity

Jesus prophecy demons

Should We Pray Once or Repeatedly?: I’ve heard several teachings about prayer and I’m a bit confused. Are we to pray once, believe we have it, and walk in faith? Or should we pray repeatedly until God gives us an answer?

Q&A question: Should We Pray Once or Repeatedly?

prayer

About Boundaries w/Unsaved Friends: I turned away from God 14 yrs. ago, but got saved this summer. My "best friend" has since made many bad remarks about me AND God. I only hear from him if HE needs something. Do I cut him off, or show him love?

Q&A question: About Boundaries w/Unsaved Friends

Should we Use the Word “Christian”?: The original definers of the word “Christian” were the enemies of Jesus’ followers. What authorizes us today to define who is/isn’t a Christian? Especially if we don’t know what their OG criteria was?

Q&A question: Should we Use the Word “Christian”?

Jesus

Jeremiah Jeremiah 31 Jeremiah Jeremiah 31

About Ephraim / Israel: Often when I see Ephraim mentioned, it looks to me like God is referring to all of Israel. Have I misunderstood something? Why does He use this tribe? My reading today: Jeremiah 31:6 (?), 18, & 20.

Q&A question: About Ephraim / Israel

About YT Ads: As a fellow YouTuber, do you get concerned about the ads your viewers see on your videos?

Q&A question: About YT Ads

About Lifting Hands in Worship & Others Watching Us: I have trouble lifting my hands during worship songs, though commanded in Psalms. I can’t get over the mental block that I’m trying to look good to people around me. Do I have a weak conscience, or am I disobeying Scripture?

Q&A question: About Lifting Hands in Worship & Others Watching Us

worship

Thoughts on Veganism: What are your thoughts on Veganism?

Q&A question: Thoughts on Veganism

Can We Trust the Lord Through Unanswered Prayer?: Jesus promises to give us what we ask in His name/His will, if we believe it. He also says to “let your yes be yes and your no be no.” Can we really say that God keeps His promises when this doesn't always happen?

Q&A question: Can We Trust the Lord Through Unanswered Prayer?

Jesus prayer

Biblical Counsel for Self-Harming Habits: I’ve been struggling for years with self-harm and am looking for biblical advice. I'm Baptist and believe we go through hard times, but I am just looking for advice!

Q&A question: Biblical Counsel for Self-Harming Habits

Is it Unreasonable to Say God had No Beginning?: If we say that it’s unreasonable to say that the universe had no beginning, why is it not also unreasonable to say that God had no beginning?

Q&A question: Is it Unreasonable to Say God had No Beginning?

Theology Books for Teens/College Age: My 17 yr. old son is into theology. Do you have any theology books you’d recommend for teens/college students that aren’t weighty reads, but offer good, biblical answers to Christian questions? Something that will interest a teenager without getting lost into a huge textbook.

Q&A question: Theology Books for Teens/College Age

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

How Does God Speak to Us?: How does God communicate to us outside of the Bible? Does He speak through mediums like words, numbers, coincidences, etc.?

Q&A question: How Does God Speak to Us?

About Separation from Bishops: How is separation from all bishops okay when all “early church fathers” (especially Cyprian & Ignatius) taught that separation from your bishop can call into question your salvation (Cyprian Epistle 26, Ignatius Phil.)?

Q&A question: About Separation from Bishops

salvation Ignatius

revelation tribulation revelation

About Revelation/Great Tribulation: Do you have any idea why Revelation 7: 14 in the NLT says these are the ones who died, but other translations say they came out of the Great Tribulation?

Q&A question: About Revelation/Great Tribulation

How to Initiate Gospel Conversations: How do I start conversations about Jesus with strangers/acquaintances?

Q&A question: How to Initiate Gospel Conversations

Jesus

About the Extent of the Atonement: Do the two different stances on the extent of the atonement (unlimited and definite) ultimately represent two different gospels? This is a fear of mine.

Q&A question: About the Extent of the Atonement

atonement

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

How to Find Counsel in Scripture: How do I go about searching the Scriptures to help me find a solution or to come to a decision in an area of my life?

Q&A question: How to Find Counsel in Scripture

About being Born of God/of the Spirit: Prior to Pentecost, was anyone “born of God/Spirit” as the Spirit hadn’t been given yet (John 1: 13; 3:1-7; 7: 39)? Can this discredit regeneration preceding faith/total inability?

Q&A question: About being Born of God/of the Spirit

John 1 John 1

Was Historical Proof of Biblical Events Just Made Up?: I heard that the historians’ consensus for the Patriarchs, the Exodus, and the Conquest of Canaan was that they didn’t happen but were made up later. Any input on this?

Q&A question: Was Historical Proof of Biblical Events Just Made Up?

Canaan

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)

Thinking Biblically about Covid Restrictions: My province has new Covid mandates that my pastor is implementing. Reduced attendance, vaccine passport checks, and masks even while singing. I think this is unbiblical. What can I do?

Q&A question: Thinking Biblically about Covid Restrictions

pastoral ministry

Advice for Finding a Godly Spouse / Our Desires: I’m 23 yrs. old. 6 yrs. ago, my attraction to women just disappeared. This messed with my head a lot, and also, because of physical problems, I can’t approach girls in order to find a wife. Please, can you advise me?

Q&A question: Advice for Finding a Godly Spouse / Our Desires

marriage

Was David’s Son Punished for David’s Sin?: In a past video, it sounded like Mike said David's child dying was "collateral damage.” How is that not punishment for David's sins?

Q&A question: Was David’s Son Punished for David’s Sin?

David

Exodus 20 Ephesians 6 Exodus 20 Ephesians 6

Did God’s Promise Change?: Why did the promise for honoring your parents change from Old Testament (Exodus 20: 12 – “in the land I will give you”) vs. the New Testament (Ephesians 6:2 – “living long on the earth”)?

Q&A question: Did God’s Promise Change?

Are Different Convictions = Subjective Truth?: How do we protect ourselves from post-modernist thinking such as "truth is subjective" when discussing matters of different convictions (ex: Christians disagreeing over matters such as cursing, etc.)?

Q&A question: Are Different Convictions = Subjective Truth?

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

How to “Take Every Thought Captive”: What does it mean to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" in 2 Corinthians 10:5? What are some examples of how we can live this out?

Q&A question: How to “Take Every Thought Captive”

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

Can Remarried People Serve in Church?: A divorced lady in my church recently got remarried to someone else. The church is not allowing remarried couples to serve in any area of the church. Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Can Remarried People Serve in Church?

divorce remarriage

Why are there Sacrifices if Jesus is our Sacrifice?: Why are there sacrifices (more specifically, sin offerings) in the millennial temple on Earth (ex. Ezekiel 42: 13)? I don't get it since Jesus was the final and perfect sacrifice.

Q&A question: Why are there Sacrifices if Jesus is our Sacrifice?

Ezekiel Jesus Ezekiel

Surrendering to God when it’s Difficult: I'm double-minded and depressed. I want real salvation but have a hard time fully surrendering. Good works and prayer feel like pushing a boulder up a hill. Any advice?

Q&A question: Surrendering to God when it’s Difficult

salvation prayer

What is Love, According to the Bible?: Define love according to the Bible. Is it a feeling? Act? Choice? This is very important to me because it will inform how I view if I was loving or not in situations.

Q&A question: What is Love, According to the Bible?