Search — Theology Explorer

About Medical Marijuana Use: I have an incurable sleep disorder that my Doctor has authorized the use of Marijuana for as it is one of the few things that helps. Should I pray for healing or keep taking this drug that I hate?

Q&A question: About Medical Marijuana Use

healing

God’s Voice or My Own Thoughts?: How do I differentiate between God's voice and my own intrusive thoughts?

Q&A question: God’s Voice or My Own Thoughts?

True Believer but No Life Change?: Is it possible to believe in Jesus yet never have a change of life? My father has cheated and lived with his mistress. he said he believed in Jesus, yet he never came back home to live with his family.

Q&A question: True Believer but No Life Change?

Jesus

Do Women Always Need a Male Head?: If there is a Christian adult woman whose father has passed away and she does not have a husband, who is she to be accountable to?

Q&A question: Do Women Always Need a Male Head?

marriage

Symbolism Between the Wine & Jesus?: Was Jesus’ miracle of turning water to wine at Cana meant to be a symbol of how Jesus does not use water to wash us, but uses His blood (wine)?

Q&A question: Symbolism Between the Wine & Jesus?

Jesus miracles

Do we Need Religion to have Morals?: How would you respond to this statement?: “You don’t need religion to have morals. If you can’t determine right from wrong, then you lack empathy, not religion.”

Q&A question: Do we Need Religion to have Morals?

Can we be Sure of the Resurrection?: In Acts 25: 20, if Festus and Agrippa can't be sure of the resurrection claim, how can we be sure now?

Q&A question: Can we be Sure of the Resurrection?

resurrection Festus

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

Was I Really Saved in the Past?: Was I ever really saved and had a relationship with Christ if I left heterosexuality and embraced my same sex attraction and married my wife?

Q&A question: Was I Really Saved in the Past?

marriage

Joshua 7 Ezekiel Samuel Achan Joshua 7

Resolving a “Contradiction”: Does Ezekiel 18: 20 contradict the stoning of Achan and his family in Joshua 7: 24-26 (the idea of original sin passed down through Adam) and 2 Samuel 12: 13-15?

Q&A question: Resolving a “Contradiction”

Do we “Just Believe” to be Saved?: To be saved, all we need to do is believe? Like how I believed that Santa was real when I was younger? Or is there more to this belief?

Q&A question: Do we “Just Believe” to be Saved?

How are Miracles Proof if Satan Can Also Do Them?: One of the proofs you've put forward that the Bible is from God is miracles and prophecy. If we see that Satan is also able to do miracles, like Pharaoh's magicians, then why are those things proof it’s from God?

Q&A question: How are Miracles Proof if Satan Can Also Do Them?

Satan prophecy miracles

Can an Infinite God relate to Finite Creation?: How can an infinite God relate to a finite creation? Compared to infinity, our world's age is nothing, be it 10,000 years or billions. Same with the size of universe.

Q&A question: Can an Infinite God relate to Finite Creation?

creation

Could God Exist but Not be Perfectly Good?: Atheist here. What stops a supernatural but not perfectly good being from being the author of the miracles in the Bible, especially when you already accept the existence of supernatural beings?

Q&A question: Could God Exist but Not be Perfectly Good?

miracles atheism

Does Creating Time Require Time?: An atheist posited this question: If God created time, doesn't that require time, to create time?

Q&A question: Does Creating Time Require Time?

atheism

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

How can Jesus be Sinless if “Unclean” at Times?: My professor brought up this question and I need to know your opinion. According to Hebrew Scripture, anything not of God’s perfect eschatological view is sin (human excretion, etc.). So how can we say Jesus is sinless?

Q&A question: How can Jesus be Sinless if “Unclean” at Times?

Jesus eschatology

Should Mormons Celebrate Christmas and Easter?: As a Mormon, since you'd consider us non-Christian, should we be allowed to celebrate Christmas or Easter?

Q&A question: Should Mormons Celebrate Christmas and Easter?

Mormonism

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

Why does God Allow Children to have Cancer?: Why does God allow children to get cancer and other terminal illnesses?

Q&A question: Why does God Allow Children to have Cancer?

parenting suffering

Matthew Jesus miracles Matthew

Why Didn’t God Show Sodom Miracles?: In Matthew 11: 23-24, Jesus says that Sodom would have been saved if they had seen His miracles. Why, then, didn’t God perform miracles so that they would believe? Doesn’t He want everyone to be saved?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t God Show Sodom Miracles?

If God Doesn’t Change, Why do His Rules?: From a non-Christian friend: If God doesn’t change over time, how come He commands Jews not to eat certain foods in the Old Testament, but deems them OK in the New Testament?

Q&A question: If God Doesn’t Change, Why do His Rules?

Can God Give Commands when He Forced us to Exist?: Is it fair for God to demand our everything when we are forced to exist? I know Christ died for us, but it seems unfair to go through such suffering and sacrifice to receive salvation and avoid Hell.

Q&A question: Can God Give Commands when He Forced us to Exist?

salvation suffering hell

Is Evangelism Harmful?: If a conscientious person who never heard the Gospel can still be saved, but a skeptic of the Gospel is damned, doesn't evangelism damn more people than it saves? Wouldn't humanism be our best bet?

Q&A question: Is Evangelism Harmful?

angels

Can we be Pro-Life and Against Same-Sex Adoption?: How do we respond to people who say “You Christians are so pro-life yet you don’t want gay people to adopt”? What’s the path to answering that question?

Q&A question: Can we be Pro-Life and Against Same-Sex Adoption?

abortion homosexuality

Conviction vs. Condemnation: Can you help me process the difference between “conviction” and “condemnation”? I know it’s right to feel sorry when I sin, but where’s the fine line between that feeling and allowing my guilt to cripple me and make me feel like a failure who is unclean before God?

Q&A question: Conviction vs. Condemnation

Thoughts about IVF: What are your thoughts about IVF? I’ve been battling infertility for a few years, but I’m concerned about whether IVF is biblically acceptable, especially about discarding the extra embryos. Is it equal to abortion to discard the embryos even if we can't guarantee they will grow if planted in the womb?

Q&A question: Thoughts about IVF

abortion

Did the Father Turn His Face Away?: Did the Father really turn His face away from Jesus on the cross?

Q&A question: Did the Father Turn His Face Away?

Jesus

About the Witness in John 8: In John 8: 13-19, Jesus testifies that the Father is His witness. Given the emphasis on 2 witnesses in the Law, why did He not mention the Holy Spirit in this point? The absence is conspicuous.

Q&A question: About the Witness in John 8

John 8 Jesus John 8

Are Ministry Raffles & Lotteries Biblical?: What does the Bible say about ministries that raise money using raffles, lotteries, or giveaways? Would you give money to them? They appeal to my (and presumably others’) carnality. Is this sinful?

Q&A question: Are Ministry Raffles & Lotteries Biblical?

The Trinity: Can We Ever be 100% Certain?: I've been fighting doubts and "what ifs" about the Trinity lately, and though I'm confident in the answers I've gotten, I fear I'll never be certain about it again. Any advice?

Q&A question: The Trinity: Can We Ever be 100% Certain?

Trinity

Help Understanding Gossip: I’ve been confused about what type of talk is considered “gossip.” I don’t want to be doing it, but sometimes it’s hard for me to tell if it’s gossip or not. How do I tell what is and isn’t gossip?

Q&A question: Help Understanding Gossip

Are there Differing Accounts of Who Saw Jesus?: How should we explain the differing accounts of people who saw Jesus after He rose? Some verses say women saw Him first, and others say men.

Q&A question: Are there Differing Accounts of Who Saw Jesus?

Jesus

Is it Biblical to Spank Children?: Is it biblical for parents to spank their children? Does it model Christian character? Any advice for parents on how to biblically discipline their children, especially young children (around 2 years old)?

Q&A question: Is it Biblical to Spank Children?

parenting

Matthew Matthew 13 Jesus salvation Matthew

About the Treasure/Pearl in Matthew 13: Is Matthew 13: 44-46 about us finding salvation in Jesus, OR is it about Jesus giving all for us? Is the treasure/pearl our salvation in Jesus? Or is it our value to Him?

Q&A question: About the Treasure/Pearl in Matthew 13

Wisdom in Applying for Ministry Jobs: I'm pursuing a degree in religion, and considering looking for ministry jobs. Is it right of me to apply for ministry jobs I might not be qualified for and trust the church to make a good decision?

Q&A question: Wisdom in Applying for Ministry Jobs

Genesis 3 Genesis Genesis 3 Genesis

Clarifying a Confusing Verse: What’s your opinion on Genesis 3: 16? ESV says “contrary to” and other translations say “for.” It can’t be both, can it? I’m so confused by it.

Q&A question: Clarifying a Confusing Verse

Did God Command Balaam & then Become Upset?: Why does God get angry with Balaam in Numbers 22: 20-22 for going when it seems He just told him to go in verse 20?

Q&A question: Did God Command Balaam & then Become Upset?

About Repentance & Rebuke: Can you talk about Luke 17:3? Should you rebuke someone after they repent?

Q&A question: About Repentance & Rebuke

repentance

Does God Only Speak through Scripture?: Does God still speak to us? I have heard it said that if you want to hear God speak, read your Bible; and if you want to hear Him speak audibly, read the Bible out loud. I believe God does still speak, but I’m conflicted.

Q&A question: Does God Only Speak through Scripture?

Why is Transgender Surgery Wrong?: If Christian work is restorative: healing the sick, clothing the naked, etc. to create "foretastes" of Heaven, then why is transgender surgery wrong? Isn't that also restorative/fixing disorder?

Q&A question: Why is Transgender Surgery Wrong?

healing

Isaiah Matthew Isaiah Jesus prophecy

About Prophecy in Matthew’s Gospel: A Muslim asked: “Why did the Gospel of Matthew ascribe the prophecy in Isaiah 7 to Jesus, when that prophecy described events which didn’t happen within centuries in Jesus’ lifetime?”

Q&A question: About Prophecy in Matthew’s Gospel

Loving our Enemies when it’s Difficult: How must we love enemies according to the Bible in extreme scenarios, such as loving murderers and rapists? In which way should we love them?

Q&A question: Loving our Enemies when it’s Difficult

Should Pastors Preach Using Commentaries?: We just got a new pastor, and he preaches from commentaries in addition to the Bible. Is this something that we should be cautious about? Is there a line where it can become too much?

Q&A question: Should Pastors Preach Using Commentaries?

pastoral ministry

Can God be in the Presence of Sin?: If God cannot be in the presence of sin, how do you reconcile an eternal perfect unity within the Trinity with the moment that Jesus “became sin” on the cross?

Q&A question: Can God be in the Presence of Sin?

Trinity Jesus

Is it Helpful to Offer “Thoughts & Prayers”?: Following a tragedy, people will often say, “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected,” which is often followed by angry or mocking non-believer comments such as, “Your prayers clearly aren’t working. Do something that will actually help like changing the laws.” What are some proper, biblical ways to respond to that sort of position?

Q&A question: Is it Helpful to Offer “Thoughts & Prayers”?

prayer

Zechariah worship Zechariah

How Creative Can Worship Be in Church?: I would like your views on flag waving (as the Lord is my banner), dancing, and body painting as part of “creative worship” in church. When I questioned these things, Zechariah 1: 20-21 was quoted to me. Since creativity is inspired by God, am I being overly cautious and resisting change which is from God?

Q&A question: How Creative Can Worship Be in Church?

tithing pastoral ministry

Can Legalism be Spiritually Abusive?: Our pastor and denomination as a whole requires that any women serving (even volunteers) must only wear skirts, and that only the KJV is God's Word (every other version is a "perversion") and requires tithing. Are these things spiritual abuse?

Q&A question: Can Legalism be Spiritually Abusive?

Does Scripture talk about Sex Slaves?: What’s your advice on how to approach numbers -18 (the passage about sex slaves)?

Q&A question: Does Scripture talk about Sex Slaves?