Search — Theology Explorer

Matthew Joseph Josephus Jesus

Reconciling the Accounts of Jesus’ Birth: How can the accounts of Jesus' birth in Matthew and Luke be reconciled when Josephus says that Quirinius didn't become governor until after the banishment of Archelaus?

Q&A question: Reconciling the Accounts of Jesus’ Birth

revelation Ezekiel 28 Ezekiel prophecy revelation Ezekiel 28

About Gog & Magog: I thought Gog & Magog in Revelation 20:8, and the Gog & Magog war in Ezekiel 28:2 were talking about the same event. I heard a Bible prophecy teacher say it was 2 separate events. Your thoughts?

Q&A question: About Gog & Magog

Should we Read from Christian Mystics?: Should the writings of Christian mystics be avoided? My friend wants me to study a Jeanne Guyon book with her.

Q&A question: Should we Read from Christian Mystics?

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

How to have More Self Control: You mentioned in a past session the issue of “becoming slaves to our desires” instead of "just doing the right things we don't feel like doing." Whether it’s reading Scripture, doing the housework, eating the right things, etc., I struggle with this daily, and my whole house is a disaster. Please, can you offer some advice on how to target this issue?

Q&A question: How to have More Self Control

Is Marriage Required after Kissing or Sex?: Some say that because my ex-boyfriend and I French kissed, we must marry. We broke up 2 years ago and he didn't answer when I asked to talk. I want to be free to marry someone else, but I'm scared to sin against God. Help. How can I know I am free?

Q&A question: Is Marriage Required after Kissing or Sex?

marriage

Why Isn’t the Greek OT More Authoritative?: Why isn’t the Greek Old Testament more authoritative? Its manuscripts are older and are referenced in the New Testament. E.g., Jesus mentions Greek version of Isaiah 61 with “blind” in Luke 4: 18.

Q&A question: Why Isn’t the Greek OT More Authoritative?

Isaiah Isaiah Jesus

Is it Unfair that Certain People Receive God’s Forgiveness?: People in my life push against "saved by faith alone" asking “How can people like Hitler accept Jesus right before death and then go and sit in Heaven next to Mother Teresa? How do I address that?

Q&A question: Is it Unfair that Certain People Receive God’s Forgiveness?

Jesus Hitler forgiveness

Mark 13 Mark 13 rapture tribulation

About the Elect & The Tribulation: Can you be saved but not elect? I’m confused by Mark 13: 20. Will the elect be taken by the rapture, or will they suffer during the Tribulation?

Q&A question: About the Elect & The Tribulation

Is Self-Forgiveness Biblical?: Any thoughts on self-forgiveness? Do you think it’s biblical?

Q&A question: Is Self-Forgiveness Biblical?

forgiveness

Genesis Deuteronomy 25 Genesis Deuteronomy 25

Is Contraception Sinful?: Why do people say there is no biblical basis against contraception when God kills Onan for it (Genesis 38: 8-10)? And the punishment for that is not death according to Deuteronomy 25:7-10.

Q&A question: Is Contraception Sinful?

About Parachurch Ministries / CRU: What do you think of parachurch organizations like Cru? They don't seem biblical to me because they assume the duties of a local church. I would love to know what you think.

Q&A question: About Parachurch Ministries / CRU

About Conviction of Sin: How can someone know if they are truly feeling convicted about something? I am trying to get right with God, and I sometimes feel everything I do is damning. I don’t want to sugarcoat things – I want to be realistic.

Q&A question: About Conviction of Sin

Will we See the Father & Jesus in Heaven?: Jesus said that no one has seen the Father except Himself. Do you think when we get to Heaven, that we will be able to see the Father, as well as Jesus?

Q&A question: Will we See the Father & Jesus in Heaven?

Did Moses Write in Hebrew or Hieroglyphics?: I am curious about the theory that Moses wrote in Egyptian Hieroglyphics, not Hebrew. Arguing for an oral tradition, not a written text. I had never heard this before, and I'm a little baffled.

Q&A question: Did Moses Write in Hebrew or Hieroglyphics?

Moses

heresy charismatic movement

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

Could a Gentile Become a Jew in the OT?: In the Old Testament, God worked with the Israelites. Could a Gentile become a Jew in the Old Testament and be saved?

Q&A question: Could a Gentile Become a Jew in the OT?

Israel

Can Christians Marry Non-Christians?: Would you recommend marrying someone of a different religion? Say, Seventh Day Adventist, for example?

Q&A question: Can Christians Marry Non-Christians?

About the Fall of Satan: How could the devil fall, being perfect (moral excellence), knowing the full comprehension of God? How could he even think evil thoughts?

Q&A question: About the Fall of Satan

Satan

About the “Lying Spirit” in 1 Kings: How do you interpret the lying spirit in 1 kings 22?

Q&A question: About the “Lying Spirit” in 1 Kings

hermeneutics

Theism vs. Biblical Christianity: I’m a theist, but I am not a Christian. What are some attributes of God? And how does Jesus exhibit them in specific situations in the Bible? Could you please pray that God gives me confirmation in my mind of the deity of Jesus? Or at least whether or not Jesus rose from the dead. No matter the evidence, I can’t tell. I want the truth.

Q&A question: Theism vs. Biblical Christianity

About the International Christian Church: My wife and I recently left the International Christian Church (ICC). Do you know about this group, and what advice would you give us, moving forward?

Q&A question: About the International Christian Church

marriage

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

Why Doesn’t God Reveal Himself to More People?: If Jesus can show Himself to Paul, why can’t He show Himself to everyone?

Q&A question: Why Doesn’t God Reveal Himself to More People?

1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger says NO — do not follow your husband to a cult. The Bible never gives husbands spiritual authority to dictate their wife's worship. Wives have a relationship with God independent of their husbands. He also rejects the 'husband as priest of his house' teaching as unbiblical. Uses 1 Peter 3:1-6 extensively.

Q&A: Husband joined a cult teaching women go to hell for wearing makeup/trousers. Should wife submit and follow him there?

Does Moses Refer to himself as YHWH?: Why does Moses refer to himself as YHWH in Deuteronomy 29:6?

Q&A question: Does Moses Refer to himself as YHWH?

Moses

Luke 6 Matthew 5 Matthew Luke 6 Matthew 5 Matthew

The Beatitudes in Luke vs. Matthew: The beatitudes in Luke 6: 20-21 seem to have a different emphasis than those in Matthew 5 (physical poverty/hunger in Luke vs. spiritual poverty/hunger in Matthew). Much of the discourse in Luke 6 seems to cover similar teaching points as the Sermon on the Mount, so should the beatitudes in Luke be understood as the same as those in Matthew? If they are different, what is the takeaway from Luke's beatitudes?

Q&A question: The Beatitudes in Luke vs. Matthew

Genesis 3 Genesis Genesis 3 Genesis Adam and Eve

Were Adam & Eve Cursed?: When reading Genesis 3: 16 (especially in the KJV), I’m under the impression that Adam and Eve were not cursed, but only the Earth. Could you please weigh in on this?

Q&A question: Were Adam & Eve Cursed?

Advice for Entering College & Adulthood: I’m turning 18 this year, and have been a Christian for 2 years now. I’m looking at colleges now because I’m a junior in high school. Any advice for looking at colleges and going into adulthood?

Q&A question: Advice for Entering College & Adulthood

1 Corinthians 5 1 Corinthians 5 abortion

About 1 Cor. 5 & Banning Abortion: Does 1 Corinthians 5: 12-13 mean we shouldn't pass laws to ban abortion for "outsiders"?

Q&A question: About 1 Cor. 5 & Banning Abortion

Can Pagan Traditions be Redeemed?: Are things with proven or supposed Pagan origins (such as wedding rings or birthday candles) to be avoided, according to Scripture? Or are they able to be redeemed?

Q&A question: Can Pagan Traditions be Redeemed?

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

Encouragement for a Progressive Friend: My friend has always been a strong Christian and is now struggling with same-sex attraction. He has adopted progressive thoughts on the Bible. How can I encourage him otherwise?

Q&A question: Encouragement for a Progressive Friend

Can We Do God’s Will Without Realizing It?: As a kid, my mom taught me to treat others as you would want them to treat you. I remember living by this, but I didn't know it came from Jesus. Does this show us that we can do God's will without realizing it?

Q&A question: Can We Do God’s Will Without Realizing It?

Can We Hear the “Still Small Voice” Today?: Pastors have preached about this “still small voice” that approached Elijah when he was distressed in the caves. Is this something we are supposed to be waiting and staying still to listen to today?

Q&A question: Can We Hear the “Still Small Voice” Today?

Elijah pastoral ministry

How to Be Content While Suffering: God has blessed my life and I know it could be worse, but I'm severely disabled and sometimes I feel so trapped in my body that I want to die, but know that I can't. How do I learn to be content?

Q&A question: How to Be Content While Suffering

suffering

Understanding Jesus’ Atonement: Is it more accurate to say that Jesus' death was sufficient for all rather than that He paid for all? Otherwise, wouldn't there be people in Hell right now for sins that Jesus already paid for?

Q&A question: Understanding Jesus’ Atonement

Jesus atonement hell

About YEC & “Mockers”: How do you interpret 2 Peter 3:4 (in context)?I’ve heard Young Earth Creationists compare the mockers to people who say rates like erosion or radioactive decay are unchanging and deny the biblical creation account.

Q&A question: About YEC & “Mockers”

Peter creation

How Important is a Church’s Statement of Faith?: How important is a church's statement of faith? If a church has a basic, correct statement but adds and emphasizes serious errors in their services, what would you think they're really about?

Q&A question: How Important is a Church’s Statement of Faith?

Settling an Interpretive Disagreement: Can you help settle this? I've heard it said that the word “brothers” in Matt 25: 40 refers only to believing brothers. I believe it refers to anyone in need. How would you interpret this?

Q&A question: Settling an Interpretive Disagreement

hermeneutics

Should We Separate from Spiritually Unsafe Friends?: My friend of 15 years started practicing witchcraft. I ended our friendship because I felt unsafe. Was I wrong to do that? Can I still be close friends with her? What Scripture can I take to her?

Q&A question: Should We Separate from Spiritually Unsafe Friends?

occult

About “Carnal Christians”

Q&A question: About “Carnal Christians”

anxiety and mental health

Ministering to Friends with Mental Struggles: How can I share the Gospel with people who have schizoaffective disorder and severe depression? I know a man who can't comprehend that he has worth and value.

Q&A question: Ministering to Friends with Mental Struggles

Matthew 12 Matthew Matthew 12 Matthew

Can All Sins Be Forgiven?: What does Matthew 12: 32 mean?

Q&A question: Can All Sins Be Forgiven?

BONUS Q!.What is the perfect number of cats, and how many cats do you have currently?

Q&A question

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

Did David Not Understand Heaven?: In Psalm 6:5 David asks God to spare his life because "For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?" Does David not have a belief or understanding of Heaven at this point in his life?

Q&A question: Did David Not Understand Heaven?

Psalm 6 David Psalm 6

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”

About the Devil’s Disguise: The devil, according to 2 Corinthians 11: 14, disguises as angel of light, but can't fight against himself ( Mark 3: 24) or his kingdom won't stand. What if in disguising himself, he condemns himself?

Q&A question: About the Devil’s Disguise

Mark 3 Mark 3 angels