Search — Theology Explorer

How the Jewish Bible is Different: Why aren't there Bibles with the Hebrew order of the Old Testament? Some say the Hebrew order helps to show additional context and beauty of the Prophets and writings within Israel’s history. Any reason to stick to the English order? If either is fine, why aren’t there options?

Q&A question: How the Jewish Bible is Different

prophecy

James elder qualifications James healing

Does James Teach Guaranteed Healing?: Does James 5: 14-15 say that a sick person should ask elders to pray for him and he will be always healed? The text seems to be quite straight forward on this.

Q&A question: Does James Teach Guaranteed Healing?

anxiety and mental health

Is Worrying a Sin?: Is worrying (stress/anxiety) a sin? If so, could you provide some thoughts on the reasons you think it is?

Q&A question: Is Worrying a Sin?

Protecting Children from Bad Teaching: My Hubby was raised Mormon. He still believes it all but isn't active. His family takes my son to church if he stays with them & they've started teaching him LDS doctrine. I want to not let him go anymore w/out hurting them. Advice?

Q&A question: Protecting Children from Bad Teaching

Mormonism

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-08

Was Christ Nailed to a Tree or Cross?: I’ve heard some Christian songs say Christ was nailed to a “tree” instead of a cross. Would you happen to know why the two terms are interchanged?

Q&A question: Was Christ Nailed to a Tree or Cross?

About Liberal & Conservative Christians: It seems like conservative Christians are biblical with respect to personal morality, to the exclusion of societal justice - and liberal ones vice versa. Why? Is one more important? How do we reconcile the extremes?

Q&A question: About Liberal & Conservative Christians

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-15

Does Scripture Promote Evil Things?: I’ve been challenged with the accusation that the Bible “promotes killing, rape, and slavery,” quoting Numbers 31: 15-18. I don’t want to simply prove them wrong; that doesn’t address this person’s heart. Would you please help?

Q&A question: Does Scripture Promote Evil Things?

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-15

Is there Hope After Death for the Unsaved?: Can the Gospel be preached to the dead? According to 1 Peter 4:6, is there any hope for people after they die? Also, in 1 Peter 3:19-20, what does “preached unto the spirits in prison” mean?

Q&A question: Is there Hope After Death for the Unsaved?

1 Peter 3 Peter 1 Peter 3

Mike Winger idea 2021-10-15

About God’s Omnipotence & Non-Contradiction: Since God can’t contradict Himself, does that mean that His power is limited in a way? I know God is all powerful, but what is the logical reason behind Him being powerful and non-contradictory?

Q&A question: About God’s Omnipotence & Non-Contradiction

biblical reliability

John 11 resurrection John 11

About Being Alive in Christ/Future Resurrection: Please explain John 11: 25-26, how the first person became dead but believed and the second person being a believer never dies.

Q&A question: About Being Alive in Christ/Future Resurrection

About Sin and our Flesh: Does Romans 7: 24 suggest that sin is in our flesh? Is this the reason why some people may be predisposed to certain sinful behaviors?

Q&A question: About Sin and our Flesh

Romans 7 Romans 7

revelation Jesus revelation

Is Jesus Finite or Infinite?: Jesus said, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (Revelation 22: 13 ESV). Does this mean God the Son is finite? Is He saying Jesus, fully man, is finite?

Q&A question: Is Jesus Finite or Infinite?

Roman Catholicism baptism

Should a Protestant Marry a Catholic?: What do I do if I'm thinking about marrying a Catholic girl, myself being Protestant? She has no problems with my faith but wants our sons baptized, since she and her whole family is Catholic.

Q&A question: Should a Protestant Marry a Catholic?

Mike Winger idea 2021-11-05

Can Sons be Punished for Parents’ Sins?: Don't questions like 2 Kings 5: 27, 2 Kings 9:8, and Exodus 12: 29 contradict Ezekiel 18: 20 which says that sons cannot be punished for the sins of their fathers?

Q&A question: Can Sons be Punished for Parents’ Sins?

Ezekiel Exodus 12 Ezekiel Exodus 12

Mike Winger idea 2021-11-05

About Questionable Worship Lyrics: I play guitar at my church. I don’t always agree with the theology couched in some songs. I don’t sing lines I don’t agree with, but I am still on stage. Would love to hear your general thoughts on this!

Q&A question: About Questionable Worship Lyrics

worship

Mike Winger idea 2021-11-05

How to Witness to an Angry Person: My friend has left Christianity. His family is a bit extreme and aggressive with their faith, and he says they are what pushed him away from his. If I try to talk with him, he gets angry. What can I do?

Q&A question: How to Witness to an Angry Person

evangelism

Mike Winger idea 2021-11-12

Will Unbelievers Bow?: Does “every knee shall bow” refer to each person when they die and stand before God, or mankind collectively at the return of Jesus? If it's the latter, does this mean unbelievers will be forced to do this?

Q&A question: Will Unbelievers Bow?

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2021-12-03

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

Mike Winger idea 2021-12-03

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?

Mike Winger idea 2021-12-10

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

Mike Winger idea 2021-12-10

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

Mike Winger idea 2021-12-17

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

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-14

Advice for a Transgender Situation: My baby’s kindergarten has hired a transgender person who advocates. If kids ask, they will say that he is a trans. My baby is just 1 yr. old. Is it even safe for her to be with this confused person? Any advice?

Q&A question: Advice for a Transgender Situation

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-14

Understanding the Trinity: How should we understand the "power dynamic" within the Trinity specifically as it applies to "sending" (filioque clause in mind)? Does the Father have a sort of "sending" authority over the Son & the Spirit?

Q&A question: Understanding the Trinity

Trinity

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-21

Are Some Worship Songs Selfish?: Is it selfish or unbiblical for us to sing the song “How He Loves”? Sometimes I feel it's selfish that we're singing about ourselves when it's supposed to be a worship song. Shouldn't God get the glory?

Q&A question: Are Some Worship Songs Selfish?

worship

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-04

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

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-04

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

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

Women Unclean Twice as Long?: In Leviticus 12, women are unclean and excluded from worship in the temple after giving birth. The time is doubled if the baby is a girl, and that has troubled my wife. Do you know the reason for this?

Q&A question: Women Unclean Twice as Long?

marriage worship

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

Can We Focus Too Much on End Times?: As Christians, what should our attitude and mindset be toward end times stuff? I personally know many strong Christians who seem to be almost too focused or too concerned about end times.

Q&A question: Can We Focus Too Much on End Times?

eschatology

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-04

Winger clarifies his 1 Peter 3 teaching on Abigail: she is an example of not submitting in a life-threatening situation, but he does NOT limit exceptions to only life-threatening cases. He refuses to draw precise lines because 'life is so messy' — drawing them too tightly either encourages rebellion or traps abuse victims.

Q challenging why Winger interpreted Abigail's story through a 'life-threatening situations' lens as the only valid exception for wives not submitting.

1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Are Job and Jonah Historical?: My pastor says Job and Jonah are probably not historical events, but more poetic lessons. How do I decide true stories from parables in the Old Testament without questioning everything?

Q&A question: Are Job and Jonah Historical?

Jonah pastoral ministry Jonah

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Pastor Mike’s Favorite Attributes of God: What is your personal favorite aspect/quality of each member of the Trinity?

Q&A question: Pastor Mike’s Favorite Attributes of God

Trinity pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Is the Trinity Clearly Taught in the OT?: Is there a reason why a doctrine as important as the Trinity isn't EXPLICITLY declared in the Old Testament, especially the Torah, seeing as belief in the second person is paramount for salvation?

Q&A question: Is the Trinity Clearly Taught in the OT?

Trinity salvation

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-18

Scriptural Support for Continuationism: Is there Scripture that supports being a Continuationist? I am a "soft-charismatic," but personal experience is not convincing to a Cessasionist claiming I'm being unbiblical, or even heretical.

Q&A question: Scriptural Support for Continuationism

heresy charismatic movement

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-18

How to Honor our Leaders: How do we actually honor leaders that we find personally dishonorable? Some find President Trump dishonorable, and some find President Biden dishonorable. What does honoring them actually entail?

Q&A question: How to Honor our Leaders

Mike Winger idea 2022-04-01

How Much to Confess Past Sins: I have some past sins that are pretty bad and very shameful. Do I need to confess these sins to my family and friends? I've confessed them to God and a personal pastor.

Q&A question: How Much to Confess Past Sins

pastoral ministry

About the Parable of the Prodigal Son: Can you please teach us about the Parable of the Prodigal Son, specifically focusing on the obedient son who stays in his father's house and ends up resenting his prodigal brother? It seems like there's no real benefit to being the obedient son in that situation. Am I missing cultural context that would enhance my understanding of this parable?

Q&A question: About the Parable of the Prodigal Son

hermeneutics

About “The Last Reformation”: Have you heard of a movement called The Last Reformation, started by Torben Sondergaard in Denmark? Now he’s based in the U.S., but it has grown worldwide. Would you consider it a cult?

Q&A question: About “The Last Reformation”

Strengthening our Faith When Others are Doubting: I have been doubting lately because I know of so many people deconverting even after finding apologetics. It makes me question my reasoning at times. What are your thoughts on this?

Q&A question: Strengthening our Faith When Others are Doubting

apologetics

Mike Winger idea 2022-04-15

About Freemasonry: Can you explain why Christians shouldn't be affiliated with Freemasonry? I have family members who are Freemasons and believe you can be a Christian AND be a member of a Masonic lodge. YIKES.

Q&A question: About Freemasonry

Can a True Christian Deny Jesus’ Deity?: If a person believes in the Gospel, that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead, but they don't believe that Jesus was God (just a "higher spiritual being"), are they a Christian?

Q&A question: Can a True Christian Deny Jesus’ Deity?

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2022-04-15

Obeying vs. Honoring Parents: I am a legal adult and I currently still live in my parents’ home. I am looking at moving out in the near future, but my parents believe that young women shouldn’t leave the home until they’re married. Where do you draw the line between personal convictions and the command to honor your parents?

Q&A question: Obeying vs. Honoring Parents

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-06

Who Were the Spirits in Prison?: Who are the spirits in prison Jesus preached to in 1 Peter 3: 19?

Q&A question: Who Were the Spirits in Prison?

1 Peter 3 Peter Jesus 1 Peter 3

Comments on Reincarnation/Simpsons’ Prophecies?: Do you have any suggestions to help a believer of reincarnation? Ex: Ryan Hammons has 55 verified statements about having a past life. Also, Bible prophecies mean nothing since The Simpsons have predicted the future many times.

Q&A question: Comments on Reincarnation/Simpsons’ Prophecies?

prophecy

Is a Belief in God an Attempt to Personalize the Impersonal?: An atheist claims: “Belief in God is what happens when social brains try to explain an impersonal universe. Personal explanations for impersonal events fail to deal with logic of uncertainty.” Any help?

Q&A question: Is a Belief in God an Attempt to Personalize the Impersonal?

atheism

Why Christianity vs. Other Religions?: Why should a person be Christian over another monotheistic religion which claims to be the truth, such as Islam?

Q&A question: Why Christianity vs. Other Religions?

Islam