Search — Theology Explorer

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

Romans 11 revelation Zechariah rapture Romans 11 revelation

About the 2 Witnesses / Rapture?: It seems like the 2 witnesses in Zechariah 4 and Revelation 11 are like two peoples instead of individuals, as Romans 11: 17-21 speaks of olive trees/branches being Jews/Gentiles. If so, would the rapture be the "calling up" of them?

Q&A question: About the 2 Witnesses / Rapture?

John Piper Romans 6 John Piper salvation sanctification

Does Romans Teach Works for Salvation?: Does Romans 6: 22 preach salvation by works? John Piper claims that this verse suggests that at final salvation, our works coming from sanctification result in eternal life.

Q&A question: Does Romans Teach Works for Salvation?

Matthew Calvinism Matthew

Does God Grant People Faith? / Calvinism: How would you interpret the end of Matthew 11 in a non-Calvinist way, since it seems at a quick read to me that God grants people faith?

Q&A question: Does God Grant People Faith? / Calvinism

Thinking Biblically about Trends: There is a trend in many young male Christians where they are wearing earrings, painting nails, fixing eyebrows, and putting on makeup. Help me think biblically about this, as it's a bit shocking.

Q&A question: Thinking Biblically about Trends

Advice for being a Godly Man: I just turned 18 today, and for the past few months, I've been struggling with the transition into adulthood. Got any advice for someone trying to become the man God wants them to be?

Q&A question: Advice for being a Godly Man

Does Blindness Cover Sin?: In John 9: 41, Jesus says, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin..." What does it mean to be "blind" in this context? Does this blindness also cover sin?

Q&A question: Does Blindness Cover Sin?

John 9 Jesus John 9

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

Genesis 3:16 Ephesians 5:22 1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger affirms husband-wife roles are equal in value but different in role, calling this 'irrefutably taught' in the NT. He rejects the word 'rule' as misleading in modern English but affirms husbands have a higher position of authority.

Q&A question asking why submission is taught as God-ordained in the NT if the husband's rule was a curse of the fall.

Matthew Matthew 6 Jesus prayer worship

Right and Wrong Public Worship/Prayer: In Matthew 6:5, Jesus says not to pray like people in public who try to get attention. Would that include praying and worshiping in church?

Q&A question: Right and Wrong Public Worship/Prayer

Interpreting the Psalms: In Psalm 2: 12, What does the psalmist mean by this verse in its non-messianic context?

Q&A question: Interpreting the Psalms

hermeneutics

1 Corinthians 5 Romans 1 1 Corinthians 5 Romans 1

Judging & Correcting Non-Believers: Are we supposed to judge those outside of the Church, and do we have any right to control/direct what they do (Romans 1: 32; 1 Corinthians 5: 12)?

Q&A question: Judging & Correcting Non-Believers

Theological Differences while Dating: I've just discovered my long-term girlfriend does not believe homosexuality is a sin, and I'm really struggling with anxiety regarding this. Is it wrong to break up over this, and how should I approach this?

Q&A question: Theological Differences while Dating

homosexuality

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

Resources for Seniors: Are there any good sources for ministering to seniors you can recommend?

Q&A question: Resources for Seniors

Is Sheol/Hades the Same as Hell?: Are the biblical references to Sheol/Hades necessarily Hell? Some Christian traditions have it as the underworld, with Hell only being something after the resurrection.

Q&A question: Is Sheol/Hades the Same as Hell?

resurrection hell

Abortion OK - Babies will Go to Heaven?: What would you say to a vicar who says that abortion isn't the biggest issue or problem for God as the babies will end up in Heaven anyway?

Q&A question: Abortion OK - Babies will Go to Heaven?

abortion

Matthew 5 Matthew Ephesians 2 Jesus Matthew 5 Matthew

Did Jesus Come to Abolish the Law?: Why does Paul say in Ephesians 2: 15 “…by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances…” when Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the law in Matthew 5: 17?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Come to Abolish the Law?

Book of Ecclesiastes – Enjoying Life?: When the teacher in Ecclesiastes says to enjoy life, in the context of the book, is it being said like "Enjoy it 'cause it is a gift from God," or "Enjoy your lot since everything is meaningless”?

Q&A question: Book of Ecclesiastes – Enjoying Life?

hermeneutics

Could Only God Atone for our Sins?: What role did the divinity of Christ play in His ability to atone for the sins of the world? i.e., could Adam, before the fall, have chosen to die for the sins of all (hypothetically)?

Q&A question: Could Only God Atone for our Sins?

About the “Serpent Seed” Doctrine: What are your thoughts about the “Serpent Seed Doctrine” which states that the serpent mated with Eve in the Garden of Eden as the first sin, and that the offspring of their union was Cain?

Q&A question: About the “Serpent Seed” Doctrine

1 Samuel 15 1 Samuel 15:3 Samuel 1 Samuel 15 1 Samuel 15:3

Difficult Passages – Trusting in God’s Goodness: How do you respond to 1 Samuel 15:3 that includes in the command "child & infant"? It doesn't ruin my trust in God's goodness, but it is hard to understand/explain. Any insight you have is appreciated!

Q&A question: Difficult Passages – Trusting in God’s Goodness

About Mars Hill / Pr. Mark Driscoll: What are the lessons we all can learn from Mark Driscoll and the “Rise and Fall of Mars Hill”?

Q&A question: About Mars Hill / Pr. Mark Driscoll

Are Dating Apps OK?: Should a Christian use Christian dating apps? I don’t see anything wrong with meeting people through these apps, but when I try to use them, I feel guilty. Does the Bible guide us somehow on this?

Q&A question: Are Dating Apps OK?

dating and relationships

Jesus salvation resurrection

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

Reaching Difficult Students for Christ: I'm a high school teacher at a school that’s heavily influenced by culture and broken homes. The students lack respect, and hate following rules. How can I reach these students that appear far from God?

Q&A question: Reaching Difficult Students for Christ

About Seraphim, Snakes & Satan: If the word “seraphim” is derived from the same Hebrew root word for snake, it is really a stretch to say that Lucifer (who is a seraphim) in the Garden of Eden could have appeared reptilian?

Q&A question: About Seraphim, Snakes & Satan

Satan

Staying in Fellowship While Working: I just moved to a new city, and I work every Sunday. How do I find a church family if I work every Sunday?

Q&A question: Staying in Fellowship While Working

Encouragement for New Bible Teachers: I'm a recent MDiv graduate who gets questions from friends and family about the Bible. I do a study and answer them, and they respond with "that's what I thought." Any encouragement to keep trying?

Q&A question: Encouragement for New Bible Teachers

Watching Inappropriate Content: Do you think it’s a sin to watch movies or shows that make inappropriate jokes and have some language? Or is it only a sin when we personally make crude jokes and use that language?

Q&A question: Watching Inappropriate Content

Acts 13 Calvinism Acts 13

Refuting a Calvinist Interpretation: I am not a Calvinist, but I am having a very hard time finding a non-Calvinist interpretation of Acts 13: 48.

Q&A question: Refuting a Calvinist Interpretation

Which OT Teachings are for Us Today?: How are some biblical teachings like hair length considered cultural and specific only to ancient times, when other things apply even today, like homosexuality?

Q&A question: Which OT Teachings are for Us Today?

homosexuality

marriage charismatic movement

Theological Disagreements in Marriage: Should a husband refuse to go to a hyper-Charismatic church that his wife wants to attend, and rather attend his own church that emphasizes the Bible?

Q&A question: Theological Disagreements in Marriage

About being “Unequally Yoked”: What does being “unequally yoked” look like?

Q&A question: About being “Unequally Yoked”

About the “7 Mountain Mandate”: Could you explain why the “7 Mountain Mandate” is wrong theology? It is so popular and, on the surface, seems like such a good idea.

Q&A question: About the “7 Mountain Mandate”

Do Salvation Numbers = Biblical Practices?: Should we always see new souls coming to Christ as a sign/indicator that the Lord was with us in a particular event, service, or mission field?

Q&A question: Do Salvation Numbers = Biblical Practices?

salvation

Attending No Church vs. an Unbiblical Church?: Is it better to attend a church you disagree with in theology, rather than not attending church at all?

Q&A question: Attending No Church vs. an Unbiblical Church?

Do Sources of Inspiration Matter?: I want my music to glorify God. When I make music with computer though, I worry a lot about the sources of my inspiration. Any tips or principles to ensure that I’m not being influenced by ungodly sources?

Q&A question: Do Sources of Inspiration Matter?

Should We Have “Home Altars”?: What are the biblical parameters for altars in the home. Are they still biblical?

Q&A question: Should We Have “Home Altars”?

Desire to Believe, but Still Doubtful?: I am very eager to have a relationship with Jesus. However, I still have doubts about the truth of Christianity, and I don’t have full certainty. But people believe their mom loves them. Advice?

Q&A question: Desire to Believe, but Still Doubtful?

Jesus

Matthew 16 Matthew Matthew 16 Matthew

About “Binding and Loosing”: In Matthew 16: 19, what does the Bible mean in terms of "binding" and "loosing," and how do we rightly understand and apply that concept today?

Q&A question: About “Binding and Loosing”

Giving to Different Ministries: If I don't feel edified by the watered-down milk preaching at my local church, it is wrong to give less money to the local church and more money to online ministries that I spend hours listening to?

Q&A question: Giving to Different Ministries

generosity

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?

Defending the Trinity: What are your thoughts on the argument against the Trinity that points out the lack of a Trinitarian controversy (like that of Nicaea) in the time of Acts and the writing of the New Testament?

Q&A question: Defending the Trinity

Trinity

Joseph Joseph Smith prophecy

About False Prophets: How should we interpret Deuteronomy 13:6-9? Part of chapter is often used on Mormons for Joseph Smith being a false prophet...but if rejecting a false prophet is required, would it follow that this is required, too? This chapter - all or nothing?

Q&A question: About False Prophets

“Being the Light” in Difficult Situations: As a new believer, I feel I won’t be able to go to my sister-in-law’s house again because they smoke weed at every gathering. How do I find balance between being the light & not being in certain situations?

Q&A question: “Being the Light” in Difficult Situations