Search — Theology Explorer

Only One Way to Evangelize?: Before Jesus left, He gave us the Great Commission: "Go spread the Gospel and make Disciples." Sounds good, I can do that. But since Jesus didn't tell us exactly how to share the Gospel (He just tells us to do it), can we share the Gospel however we want, or do we have to do it a certain way?

Q&A question: Only One Way to Evangelize?

Jesus angels

Why Didn’t Jesus Inherit Adam’s Sin?: Since Jesus was fully man, as well as fully God, according to the hypostatic union, how did He not inherit Adam's sin that all men inherit according to Psalm 51:5?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t Jesus Inherit Adam’s Sin?

Psalm 51 Jesus Psalm 51

progressive Christianity new age

Advising Others on Theologically Bad Content: What do you say to Christians who say they have been blessed by the movie “The Shack” and other Progressive content, even though it is filled with New Age themes and Progressive Christianity?

Q&A question: Advising Others on Theologically Bad Content

revelation Matthew Revelation 19 revelation Matthew Revelation 19

Explaining a Confusing Passage of Scripture: Is the man in Matthew 22: 11-13 thrown out for not doing good works, considering Revelation 19:8?

Q&A question: Explaining a Confusing Passage of Scripture

Is a Fear of Sin Biblical?: I find myself feeling paranoid and anxious because I'm scared to fall into sin. I'm no longer in bondage to sin, but I feel like the fear of sin can hold me captive. Is the fear of sin biblical?

Q&A question: Is a Fear of Sin Biblical?

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Having a Right Attitude about Sin: How do I have the appropriate attitude toward the seriousness of sin? I fear I lack it, which is displeasing to the Lord.

Q&A question: Having a Right Attitude about Sin

Should we Follow our Hearts?: "Follow your heart" is a popular mantra, but is not encouraged in some Christian circles. I understand that Jeremiah 17.9 says "the heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick," but Proverbs 4.23 says "the springs of life" flow from our hearts. Also, since God's word is written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31.33), shouldn't we follow our hearts?

Q&A question: Should we Follow our Hearts?

Jeremiah Jeremiah 31 Jeremiah Jeremiah 31

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-11

Does God Forgive “Extreme” Sins?: A loved one is struggling with the idea that God would forgive an abuser or a murderer if they started following God after their evil actions. What can I say to help them through this doubt?

Q&A question: Does God Forgive “Extreme” Sins?

doubt and faith

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-18

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?

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-18

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?

Genesis Deuteronomy 25 Genesis Deuteronomy 25

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-18

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

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?

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

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

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?

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 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

Raising Children with an Unbelieving Spouse: My husband doesn't believe in God and our 6 year old has started to notice and is asking why daddy doesn't believe. How should I approach this in a way that's helpful and honors my husband and God?

Q&A question: Raising Children with an Unbelieving Spouse

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?

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

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”

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

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-06

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

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

1 Corinthians 6 1 Corinthians 6 hell

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-06

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?

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-06

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

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

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”

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

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

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?

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

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

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?

dating and relationships anxiety and mental health

How to Biblically Choose Who to Date?: How should mental health issues affect dating for Christians (both one's own issues and a spouse candidate's potential issues)? Overall, what things should be considered when choosing to start dating?

Q&A question: How to Biblically Choose Who to Date?

Are Anti-Abortion Laws Biblical?: Is it biblical to make abortion unavailable to others by law? Or is it better to support organizations like Mom's House who help single moms with having a baby?

Q&A question: Are Anti-Abortion Laws Biblical?

abortion

Why does Satan Tempt Believers?: Why does the devil bother to tempt people to sin if they are already saved? What's the gain for him?

Q&A question: Why does Satan Tempt Believers?

Satan

Does Infant Salvation Conflict w/Original Sin?: How can we believe in the doctrine of Original Sin and also believe that if a child dies they go to Heaven? Inheriting Original Sin from Adam makes every child that dies unredeemed.

Q&A question: Does Infant Salvation Conflict w/Original Sin?

salvation

Should I Confront My Spouse about Sexual Sin: I discovered that my wife watches porn. Any advice on how to approach her about this? I struggle with it, too, and I also hesitate addressing it with her because I think her viewing it puts her in the mood for intimacy with me.

Q&A question: Should I Confront My Spouse about Sexual Sin