Search — Theology Explorer

Should Immoral Things Be Illegal?: Should biblically immoral mean illegal? Surely if sin harms the community, then all legal sin harms society and should be against the law.

Q&A question: Should Immoral Things Be Illegal?

Fellowshipping as an Introvert: I am worried that being an introvert is keeping me from congregating in the church. Does this mean that I'm truly not saved? Where is the joy that I'm supposed to have in the Lord? Please help.

Q&A question: Fellowshipping as an Introvert

Was Elihu in Job Correct?: In Job 32:7-9, the Lord tells Job’s 3 friends to sacrifice burnt offerings because they haven’t spoken truth, but the Lord didn’t mention Elihu. Does that mean Elihu was correct in his speech?

Q&A question: Was Elihu in Job Correct?

Elihu

salvation Mormonism heresy

Saved while Believing Heresy?: Can someone be saved without affirming certain correct propositions? If someone holds a believe that is heretical (to believe it would prevent salvation) but they are ignorant, are they saved?

Q&A question: Saved while Believing Heresy?

People we Shouldn’t Pray For?: My father believes that there are people we do not (or should not) pray for. He backs it up with John 17:9, saying that it may even be a sin to pray for people we shouldn’t pray for. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Q&A question: People we Shouldn’t Pray For?

Truth in Love when Family is in Sin: My fiancé's sibling is transgender. I'm scared our future children will think it is a good thing and that it’s right. His family accepts this lifestyle unquestionably. I don't want to cut them out of our lives, but I don't know what else to do to protect our family. How can I be obedient to God and still be loving to his sibling and the rest of the family?

Q&A question: Truth in Love when Family is in Sin

parenting

Spiritual vs. Political Progressivism: Isn't Progressive Christianity simply the outcome of forcing progressive/leftist ideology onto Christianity? Should we even make the distinction between politically & religiously progressive beliefs?

Q&A question: Spiritual vs. Political Progressivism

progressive Christianity

Witnessing to a Dying Loved One: My grandpa is dying, and doesn't have long. He has dementia/Alzheimer’s now and has never been a Christian. Is it too late to share the Gospel with him? If not, how do I do it effectively?

Q&A question: Witnessing to a Dying Loved One

evangelism

About House Churches: What do you think of the house church movement (Francis Chan)?

Q&A question: About House Churches

About Levirate Marriages: Why did God endorse levirate marriage? Isn’t it wrong to pressure a man to marry someone he doesn’t want to? And since marriage will supposedly end in Heaven, is love not a factor for God?

Q&A question: About Levirate Marriages

marriage

1 Timothy 3:2 1 Timothy 3 Timothy 1 Timothy 3:2 marriage

Must Pastors be Married?: Does 1 Timothy 3:2 mean that I must have a wife to be a pastor? What about a man who doesn’t have a wife?

Q&A question: Must Pastors be Married?

Are Illusionists’ Tricks Sinful?: Is there anything wrong with learning sleight of hand magic or using it in evangelism?

Q&A question: Are Illusionists’ Tricks Sinful?

angels

Matthew marriage Jesus Matthew

About Marriage in Heaven: In Matthew 22: 23-29, Jesus rebukes the Sadducees for trying to trap Him, saying they don’t know the Scriptures. Where in the Scriptures is this topic of marriage in Heaven mentioned?

Q&A question: About Marriage in Heaven

About the Census: Luke 2: Is there any extrabiblical evidence for the census in Luke 2? I heard it would be a pretty dumb idea to send people to their place of birth if you later want them to pay taxes from their current home.

Q&A question: About the Census: Luke 2

Luke 2 Luke 2

About Jesus’ Divinity Upon His Death: Was Jesus still fully God when He died? What happened to His divinity between God "turning His face away" and the resurrection?

Q&A question: About Jesus’ Divinity Upon His Death

Jesus resurrection

Navigating Marital Struggles: What should a Christian wife do if her husband doesn't want to work on their marriage, expects her to do almost everything when it comes to responsibilities, and doesn't provide enough for her needs?

Q&A question: Navigating Marital Struggles

marriage

Overcoming Self-Consciousness: Mike how can we be less self-aware or self-conscious? It stops me from preaching to anybody because my thoughts tell me I'm being disingenuous.

Q&A question: Overcoming Self-Consciousness

Ideas for What to Pray About: I have issues praying every day because I feel like I don’t have anything to pray about. What would you suggest, to help with this?

Q&A question: Ideas for What to Pray About

Genesis 22 Genesis Abraham salvation Genesis 22

Is Islam an “Abrahamic Faith” that Saves?: How do I defend the Christian faith with my family when they always bring up Genesis 22: 18, arguing that Islam can also lead to salvation because it's an Abrahamic faith?

Q&A question: Is Islam an “Abrahamic Faith” that Saves?

Should I Correct my Christian Boss?: I work for a company that is owned by a professing Christian. He makes inappropriate jokes. I don't know if rebuking or correcting my boss is proper or not. How do I go about this?

Q&A question: Should I Correct my Christian Boss?

Catholic vs. SDA School for Children?: Would it be better to send my children to a Catholic School or a 7th Day Adventist school? We are looking to take our children out of public schools, and these are the two options available to us.

Q&A question: Catholic vs. SDA School for Children?

Roman Catholicism

Guiding a Wayward Teen: How do I respond to my 17 year old daughter who is persistent in being with her boyfriend who is an unbeliever and has fallen into sexual immorality?

Q&A question: Guiding a Wayward Teen

Persis

marriage pastoral ministry

Can Fathers “Veto” Who their Daughters Marry?: We moved and are visiting a new church. The Pastor is teaching on marriage. He used 2 Corinthians 11:2 (KJV) to say that fathers can “veto” who their daughters marry. Is this a biblical view?

Q&A question: Can Fathers “Veto” Who their Daughters Marry?

Was Jesus ever Naughty as a Child?: Maybe a bit of a silly question, but do you think Jesus was an average naughty child or was He perfect as a child, too?

Q&A question: Was Jesus ever Naughty as a Child?

Jesus

Spiritual but Not Religious?: How should we respond when someone says, “I’m not religious, I’m spiritual”?

Q&A question: Spiritual but Not Religious?

Who is our “Neighbor”?: “Who, then, is my neighbor?” In Luke 10: 25-37, I know the Good Samaritan is me, but who does the "neighbor" he helped represent? I have never met a naked, beaten, and robbed Jew...I don't think.

Q&A question: Who is our “Neighbor”?

Luke 10 Luke 10

About Mid-Acts Dispensationalism: Can you give some more information on the Mid-Acts Dispensationalism movement? It sounds biblical.

Q&A question: About Mid-Acts Dispensationalism

dispensationalism

Holy Spirit doubt and faith

Should Ungodly Behavior Cause Doubt?: If I were to doubt Christianity (I don't), it would be because of a lack of holiness. Christians seem to be jerks at the same rate as the world, or more. Why is this, if we have the Holy Spirit?

Q&A question: Should Ungodly Behavior Cause Doubt?

Genesis 3 Genesis Genesis 3 Jesus Genesis

God in the Garden: Who was walking in the garden in Genesis 3:8? Was it Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit, or all three?

Q&A question: God in the Garden

About Anglo/British Israelism: What are your thoughts on Anglo-Israelism or British Israelism? It is the belief that America and the British commonwealth are physical descendants of Israel.

Q&A question: About Anglo/British Israelism

Israel

Discerning True vs. False Prophecies: How do you test WOF prophecy when it sounds more like insights/encouragements, not foretelling future events? What SHOULD modern prophecy sound like?

Q&A question: Discerning True vs. False Prophecies

prophecy

Is Fear of Hell a Valid Motivator?: Would a death bed conversion work if the main driving factor is the fear of Hell rather than choosing to trust God?

Q&A question: Is Fear of Hell a Valid Motivator?

hell

Biblical Advice for Parents: What advice can you give to parents in these times to help them raise children who choose to trust and follow Jesus later in life? Can you do a biblical series on parenting?

Q&A question: Biblical Advice for Parents

Jesus

What Should I Do if I Question My Salvation?: If someone is thinking that they might not be saved, seeing their sinfulness, what should they do? “Not sinning” sort of seems like a Band-Aid on the problem.

Q&A question: What Should I Do if I Question My Salvation?

salvation

Singular vs. Plural Pronouns for God?: Why is it improper to refer to God as "they" instead of "He," since He is three persons? Example of the problem: "He spoke to Job out of the storm" tends to make us think the Father alone is speaking.

Q&A question: Singular vs. Plural Pronouns for God?

1 Timothy 3:2 1 Timothy 3 Timothy 1 Timothy 3:2 elder qualifications

Can Past Sins Disqualify a Man from Leadership?: If a man’s pre-salvation life is especially disgraceful, could he ever truly be “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2)? Could old sin, then, even if confessed, disqualify him from being a pastor or elder?

Q&A question: Can Past Sins Disqualify a Man from Leadership?

Bible translations textual criticism

About the Geneva Bible: In your study of Bible translations, have you ever looked at the Geneva Bible that I believe the pilgrims used? What is its textual basis? Do you think Christians should read it?

Q&A question: About the Geneva Bible

Is there Room in Christianity for Psychedelics?: Given the resurgence of psychedelics for recreation and therapeutic use in Western society, is there room for it in Christianity, or should its use stay separate from spiritual practice?

Q&A question: Is there Room in Christianity for Psychedelics?

creation

What were the “Horns” on the Altar?: Why did the altar in the Tabernacle have the horns? Could you please clarify this?

Q&A question: What were the “Horns” on the Altar?

NAR

What does it Mean to “Share in Christ’s Sufferings”?: When we share in Christ’s sufferings, does that refer only to suffering that comes in opposition to doing God’s will, or can it also include something like suffering through a disease or a loss?

Q&A question: What does it Mean to “Share in Christ’s Sufferings”?

suffering

Is Anyone Presently in Hell?: Is Hell something that is taking place right now, or is that a future reality after the final judgment (Luke 16: 19-31)?

Q&A question: Is Anyone Presently in Hell?

Luke 16 Luke 16 hell

Seminary Suggestions and How to Study Well: I’m currently a Junior in high school and plan to go to a seminary after school to become a preacher. How and where do I start studying the Bible to become a true BibleThinker?

Q&A question: Seminary Suggestions and How to Study Well

Are there Multiple “Gods” in Jeremiah?: Why does Jeremiah 46: 25 and Jeremiah 51: 44 make it seem like there are multiple gods? How can God punish a god that doesn’t exist?

Q&A question: Are there Multiple “Gods” in Jeremiah?

Jeremiah Jeremiah

Should Prayer be a Dialogue or Monologue?: Should prayer be a dialogue or monologue? How should we determine if instances of humans having a dialogue with God in the Bible are to be taken as normative?

Q&A question: Should Prayer be a Dialogue or Monologue?

prayer

abortion pastoral ministry

Are All Pastors Pro-Life?: What is your view on the many progressive "pastors" coming out against the overturning of Roe v. Wade?

Q&A question: Are All Pastors Pro-Life?

About God’s Description: God's description in Scripture is often called anthropomorphic. Is it not true though that we are theomorphic instead? Why, therefore, must the imagery of God standing, etc. be metaphorical and not real?

Q&A question: About God’s Description

1 Thessalonians 4 1 Thessalonians 4

How do the Dead in Christ Rise if they’re in Heaven?: If believers are taken directly to Heaven when they die, then why does 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 say the dead in Christ rise at His return? Doesn't that suggest they are in their graves?

Q&A question: How do the Dead in Christ Rise if they’re in Heaven?

About Near-Death Experiences: What do you think about near-death experiences?

Q&A question: About Near-Death Experiences

death and afterlife

Does our Evangelism Determine Salvation?: Could our failure to share the Gospel actually determine someone’s salvation? Or will God provide the same opportunity somewhere else? I can’t imagine we have control over each other’s salvation?

Q&A question: Does our Evangelism Determine Salvation?

salvation angels