Search — Theology Explorer

hermeneutics death and afterlife

Biblical or Unbiblical Use of a Verse?: Many Christians use "The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away" from Job (1: 21) to explain difficult things such as the death of a loved one. Is this biblical, or is it a misinterpretation of Job?

Q&A question: Biblical or Unbiblical Use of a Verse?

Drawing Near to God on Spiritual Holidays: First Easter being saved! Do you have any suggestions for some God honoring ways to spend Good Friday and Holy Saturday? I’m so excited and want to do whatever is in my power to feel especially close to Christ.

Q&A question: Drawing Near to God on Spiritual Holidays

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

Why Don’t We Have To Obey the Sabbath?: It seems the only commandment of the 10 that we don't still HAVE to follow is the Sabbath. If it was as important as the other 10, why are they all still upheld without exception and not that one?

Q&A question: Why Don’t We Have To Obey the Sabbath?

Sabbath

Handling Local Church Concerns: I’m afraid our church is being unknowingly influenced by progressivism. Ex: People love the podcast “the bible for normal people” with Pete Enns. Should we be worried? How do I share my concerns?

Q&A question: Handling Local Church Concerns

When a Spouse Refuses to Follow Scripture: Can you help a brotha out on what to do if your wife says she will never be a biblical wife for her husband? She is a believer.

Q&A question: When a Spouse Refuses to Follow Scripture

Should We Bring Back Crusades?: Do you think that churches should bring back Gospel crusades? As I was saved at one in the 70s. These days, no one wants to preach the Gospel, but rather, do community works.

Q&A question: Should We Bring Back Crusades?

Was Marriage Different in Biblical Times / Premarital Sex: Some say the biblical prohibition against premarital sex no longer applies since marriage then was so different. How was marriage different then, and how should that impact our view of sex now?

Q&A question: Was Marriage Different in Biblical Times / Premarital Sex

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 marriage

Does Scripture Teach Familial Marriage?: 1 Corinthians 7: 36-38 seems like Paul is saying someone can marry their own daughter. The translations usually say fiancée but when I looked at the Greek the word used means virgin daughter.

Q&A question: Does Scripture Teach Familial Marriage?

John 6 Romans 3 Jesus Calvinism John 6

Does John 6 Teach Faith as a Work?: I recently watched your Calvinism series and you didn't address John 6: 28-29 where Jesus calls belief "work.” I don't think it defeats Romans 3: 27. What do you think?

Q&A question: Does John 6 Teach Faith as a Work?

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

About Conditional Immortality: What are your thoughts on conditional immortality?

Q&A question: About Conditional Immortality

What is Biblical “Meekness”?: Do you believe the current oxford definition of meek or meekness is biblically correct? It's being quiet, gentle, and submissive – but I’ve heard it's being powerful under control. I’d Love to hear your thoughts!

Q&A question: What is Biblical “Meekness”?

Was the Manner of Jesus’ Death Significant?: Was there significance in the exact manner Jesus died, or was it just circumstantial because of the culture/location/era in which He lived? Are there other ways Jesus could have been killed? Would the Gospel be unchanged if perhaps Jesus was thrown off a mountain by the Pharisees or thrown in the Colosseum or something?

Q&A question: Was the Manner of Jesus’ Death Significant?

Jesus Pharisees

What Parts of God’s Image do Humans Share?: "Let Us make man in Our image,” in what way(s) are we made in the image of God?

Q&A question: What Parts of God’s Image do Humans Share?

Why Did Jesus’ Body Still Have Marks?: Why did Jesus' resurrected body still bear the scars and injuries which brought about His death? It is my understanding that our own resurrected bodies will be perfect in every way, not merely those we had just prior to death. I, for one, want all my absent teeth and hair back! Why wasn't Jesus' body also perfect, as ours will be?

Q&A question: Why Did Jesus’ Body Still Have Marks?

Jesus

Typology in Noah’s Story?: Do you think Noah could be a “type” of Christ? Why or why not?

Q&A question: Typology in Noah’s Story?

typology

Learning to Desire our Study Time: How do I develop a craving for solid biblical teaching? I really enjoy your content, but I become bored easily. It’s easy for me to get distracted in my free time.

Q&A question: Learning to Desire our Study Time

Is Evolution Contrary to Belief in God?: I've noticed many people don't believe in God because of evolution. Is evolution contrary to God? Could God really have created the earth in 6 literal days? Can God “speed up” the creation process?

Q&A question: Is Evolution Contrary to Belief in God?

creation evolution

Genesis 2 Genesis Genesis 1 Genesis 2 Genesis Genesis 1

Was Adam the First Man?: It seems in Genesis 1, that God creates humanity and blesses them, but then later in Genesis 2, God creates Adam as a representative in Eden. Doesn’t Scripture teach Adam was the first man?

Q&A question: Was Adam the First Man?

Are Angels Made in the Image of God?: In a previous episode, you stated that angels are not made in the image of God. Is that really something that we can state definitively?

Q&A question: Are Angels Made in the Image of God?

angels

God/Satan in our Dreams?: Does God and/or Satan visit us in dreams?

Q&A question: God/Satan in our Dreams?

Satan

Was Simon Magus Repentant?: In Acts 8:9, Do you think Simon Magus was aware that he wasn’t right with God before Peter rebuked him? Some commentaries assume that he was never truly repentant, but some say he was genuine.

Q&A question: Was Simon Magus Repentant?

Acts 8 Peter Acts 8

Can We “Over-Study” the Bible?: Is it possible to over-study Scripture & theology? I feel like I constantly burn myself out on God's Word, but I also feel terrible if I go too long (like a day or two) without studying it.

Q&A question: Can We “Over-Study” the Bible?

Where Did Satan’s Rebellion Come From?: Since God is not the author of evil and didn't create a kingdom with temptation or evil beings, how did Lucifer's pride and rebellion come about?

Q&A question: Where Did Satan’s Rebellion Come From?

Satan

How Intimate Before Marriage is Appropriate?: I think sexual intimacy prior to marriage (i.e., clothed sexual touching/rubbing) is sinful, but my fiancée disagrees. What do I do, as a soon to be husband, when we disagree on what is sinful?

Q&A question: How Intimate Before Marriage is Appropriate?

Ezekiel Exodus 34 Ezekiel Exodus 34

Resolving a “Contradiction”: About generational sin: Exodus 34:7 vs Ezekiel 18: 20…can you please explain how we should understand this apparent contradiction?

Q&A question: Resolving a “Contradiction”

Is a Continuous Drunkard Saved?: Are you still saved if you can't stop drinking?

Q&A question: Is a Continuous Drunkard Saved?

alcohol

Does God Control our Free Will?: In Proverbs 21:1 it says, "The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord. Like the rivers of water He turns it wherever He wishes." Does that mean God controls the king's free will?

Q&A question: Does God Control our Free Will?

free will

How was Solomon Wise since he Turned Away?: How was Solomon considered to be the wisest man on Earth and yet he, too, turns away from God in his old age? He also doesn't seem to recognize his sinful ways. He doesn't even ask God to relent.

Q&A question: How was Solomon Wise since he Turned Away?

Solomon

Witnessing Opportunity vs. Spiritual Trap!: I met some Muslims who were evangelizing, and I went up to them to challenge their beliefs. They invited me to a Ramadan dinner at a mosque. Should I go, or would that be a spiritual trap?

Q&A question: Witnessing Opportunity vs. Spiritual Trap!

Islam angels

Are Court Weddings Recognized by God?: I watched the whole marriage series and didn’t find anything about this: my wife and I have been married for 8 years (through the court) and she claims God doesn’t acknowledge it. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Are Court Weddings Recognized by God?

About Jesus’ 40 Days in the Desert: I saw a video where you said “3 days and nights” was a Jewish idiom. Is 40 days in the desert the same, or is the Bible referring to 40 as just a long time that can be tangible (40 days, 40 nights, 40 years, etc.)?

Q&A question: About Jesus’ 40 Days in the Desert

Jesus

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

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

How to Respectfully Correct our Husbands: As a Christian wife, what are some principles I can apply in order to respectfully and lovingly offer my husband correction when needed?

Q&A question: How to Respectfully Correct our Husbands

Genesis revelation Moses Genesis revelation

Can we Trust what Moses Wrote?: Besides simply “the Bible says so” and biblical figures certifying them, how do we trust revelations that what Moses wrote of others’ lives and/or words (all of Genesis) are things those people actually said/happened?

Q&A question: Can we Trust what Moses Wrote?

Should I Get Re-Baptized?: If I was baptized as a teen and "messed up" a bunch, even not going to church as I should, should I get re-baptized after "coming to my senses" and trying to live for God again?

Q&A question: Should I Get Re-Baptized?

baptism

Responding to Others about Divorce: How do you handle Christians who don’t believe that your divorce was biblical? He was a narcissist/sociopath who convinced them before he died that I was the problem, and my children won’t speak to me.

Q&A question: Responding to Others about Divorce

divorce

Wisdom for Young Marrieds: Do you have any advice or mistakes to avoid for a young marriage?

Q&A question: Wisdom for Young Marrieds

1 Corinthians 6 1 Corinthians 6 hell

Struggling with Repeated Sin: There are sins listed in 1 Corinthians 6 that seem to send people to Hell. I struggle often with gluttony and anger. I repent, but I fall back into it often. What’s the difference?

Q&A question: Struggling with Repeated Sin

How to Interpret Proverbs: Verses in Proverbs often seem like unrelated thoughts. Their vague quality makes it hard to know how to interpret them correctly. How do you determine the context of these verses?

Q&A question: How to Interpret Proverbs

hermeneutics

Can Christians Work for Secular Businesses?: Should Christians work for businesses that include agendas promoting sin (like Disney)? It has a diverse product but sinful ideas are included. How do we make sure we’re not being unequally yoked in non-marital situations?

Q&A question: Can Christians Work for Secular Businesses?

Mark 16 Acts 3:6 miracles Mark 16 Apostles

Should we Command People to be Healed?: Should we command for someone to be healed, or ask God for someone to be healed (Acts 3:6)? Do we have the very same authority of the Apostles to perform miracles (Mark 16: 17-18)?

Q&A question: Should we Command People to be Healed?

Are the Beatitudes Eschatological?: Can it be said that the Beatitudes are eschatological? I've heard that the word “blessed” can be better translated as “blissful” in them.

Q&A question: Are the Beatitudes Eschatological?

eschatology

Speaking the Truth in Love – Abortion: How do we discuss abortion in a way that doesn't push people away from the Gospel? Despite being very careful to speak up with gentleness, I'm still getting accused of being hateful, and blocked.

Q&A question: Speaking the Truth in Love – Abortion

abortion

Bearing with One Another’s Conscience: The Bible says to bear with brethren of weaker faith. If instrumental music is a liberty, shouldn’t we bear with those who believe a cappella is the right way and not use instruments?

Q&A question: Bearing with One Another’s Conscience

faith and science

About Pastors Purchasing Sermons: What are your thoughts about pastors purchasing sermons and not acknowledging the original author, basically plagiarizing another pastor? It has been a huge problem at our former church.

Q&A question: About Pastors Purchasing Sermons

pastoral ministry

1 Peter 3 Peter Jesus 1 Peter 3

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?