Search — Theology Explorer

Helping Friends be Biblical: Most of my friends claim to be Christians, but they support “pride month.” It depresses me that they encourage gay marriage which the Bible clearly says is a sin. How do I talk to them about this?

Q&A question: Helping Friends be Biblical

marriage homosexuality

1 Corinthians 10 1 Corinthians 10 forgiveness

Are there Sins we Really Can’t Help Doing?: How can I reconcile 1 Corinthians 10: 13 after decades of struggling with sloth, bad work ethic, sin at work, etc.? I’m praying for forgiveness, but was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I now see I can’t help it without meds.

Q&A question: Are there Sins we Really Can’t Help Doing?

Was the Bible Written w/Chapters & Verses?: Since the Bible wasn't written with chapters and verses, how should that impact our reading of the current translations?

Q&A question: Was the Bible Written w/Chapters & Verses?

Bible translations

Are Cards Inherently Sinful?: Are playing cards wrong? My parents think they are wrong even if I’m not playing Poker or anything like that. They think that there is some kind of evil in the card itself.

Q&A question: Are Cards Inherently Sinful?

Will We Fall into Sin in Heaven?: If Satan was able to disobey and sin against God in Heaven (along with him persuading others to sin), how do we know we will not sin against God when we are home with Him? I’m struggling with this question.

Q&A question: Will We Fall into Sin in Heaven?

Satan

Matthew Matthew 19 marriage Jesus Matthew

Marriage in Heaven?: Since Jesus says that wives will be had in Heaven in Matthew 19: 29, why do most Christians say marriage won't exist in Heaven?

Q&A question: Marriage in Heaven?

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?

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

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 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

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

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

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?

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

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?

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-22

Should Incarcerated Parents be Involved?: My 2-year-old adopted son’s birth mom is in prison for 15 years for using/selling meth. Biblically, should we let her be involved in his life? My wife thinks they should have an active relationship.

Q&A question: Should Incarcerated Parents be Involved?

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-22

Does God Need Death to Atone for Sins?: In Isaiah 6, sin is taken away by hot coals. Does God need death to forgive something or atone for sin (i.e. Jesus on the cross)? If so, how was Isaiah forgiven? If not, what’s the point of sacrifices?

Q&A question: Does God Need Death to Atone for Sins?

Isaiah Isaiah 6 Isaiah Jesus Isaiah 6

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-22

About the Difference between Heaven & Eden: What is the ontological difference between Heaven and pre-sin Eden? If Heaven is greater than Eden, then doesn’t it follow that Adam & Eve’s sin led to a greater eternity than they would’ve had otherwise?

Q&A question: About the Difference between Heaven & Eden

heaven

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-29

Does God Get Angry When We Sin?: Does God ever get angry with believers when we sin? If not, why did God get so angry with the Israelites when they sinned?

Q&A question: Does God Get Angry When We Sin?

Israel

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-29

Can I Trust that my Faith is Sincere?: I sincerely believe Jesus is my Savior, but if my sincerity can’t be trusted (just like the rich young ruler’s), how can I truly 100% know that I actually do have a saving faith in Jesus Christ?

Q&A question: Can I Trust that my Faith is Sincere?

Jesus Christ Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2022-07-29

Examples of Faith-Driven Works: What counts as “works”? Since faith without works is dead, what are some examples of works that a woman can do? Please help!

Q&A question: Examples of Faith-Driven Works

Are We All Lying on the Internet?: Is it a sin to tick a box that says "I have read and accepted the terms and conditions..." without having read them first (e.g. when installing software)? Key word being "read.” That would be lying, yes?

Q&A question: Are We All Lying on the Internet?

Are Pictures of God in Movies or School Biblical?: Is Christian entertainment like The Chosen a violation of the 2nd Commandment? Are things like Sunday school lessons hurting our theology by using pictures of things or people?

Q&A question: Are Pictures of God in Movies or School Biblical?

Is Jesus in Human Form in Heaven?: My question is about the incarnation of Christ. Since He was bodily raised from the dead, does that mean He is still the incarnation in Heaven?

Q&A question: Is Jesus in Human Form in Heaven?

About Egypt’s Sacrifices in Isaiah: Isaiah 19: 21 speaks of Egypt repenting and offering Jewish sacrifices. How can this be, since we no longer have those sacrifices?

Q&A question: About Egypt’s Sacrifices in Isaiah

Isaiah Isaiah

Matthew Matthew 19 Matthew Matthew 19

Are Retirement Savings Sinful?: Based off of the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12: 16-21) and the story in Matthew 19: 21, do you think it is sinful to save up for retirement?

Q&A question: Are Retirement Savings Sinful?

Safeguarding Ourselves While Witnessing: I have felt God call me to minister to the JWs, and He has opened doors for me to do so. What should I do to make sure my faith is not endangered when I am doing ministry? I meet with them tonight.

Q&A question: Safeguarding Ourselves While Witnessing

evangelism

How did Jesus Pay in Advance for our Sin?: I'm not sure about penal substitution. How can it be that my sins, which were not yet committed at the time of the crucifixion, could have been imputed to Christ on the cross?

Q&A question: How did Jesus Pay in Advance for our Sin?

Acts 13 Mormonism Acts 13

Should False Teachers be Shown Less Grace?: I've been told that when witnessing to groups such as the LDS (Mormons), a rebuke is better than a conversation because of Acts 13:8-10. Should false teachers be shown less grace than non-believers?

Q&A question: Should False Teachers be Shown Less Grace?

Matthew 5 Matthew Matthew 5 Matthew hell

Will Sin Send Some Believers to Hell?: Is Matthew 5: 30 referring to believers? How do we reconcile this with "There is no condemnation in Christ"?

Q&A question: Will Sin Send Some Believers to Hell?

When People Justify Bad Behavior w/Scripture: When strong Christians suddenly start to justify sinful treatment of others (rage, control, insults, blaming) through Scripture twisting, could this be due to a shipwrecked faith or mental illness?

Q&A question: When People Justify Bad Behavior w/Scripture

Should we Pray in Public Before Meals?: I grew up praying before every meal, even in restaurants. I want to know how often I should do this, since I don’t want to be like the Pharisees praying publicly to be seen by others.

Q&A question: Should we Pray in Public Before Meals?

Pharisees

How Might Fathers Exasperate their Children?: What does “Fathers, do not exasperate your children” in Colossians 3: 21 mean? Is this meant to be a general guidance to raising children, or discipling them?

Q&A question: How Might Fathers Exasperate their Children?

parenting

Must We Look Forward to our Glorified Bodies?: As a disabled person, some claim I’m missing out because I’m not looking forward to a new body. I’m content. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Must We Look Forward to our Glorified Bodies?

Why does Jesus need to Pray in Heaven?: Why does Jesus pray for us in Heaven when He could just directly ask God, since He is seated at the right hand of God?

Q&A question: Why does Jesus need to Pray in Heaven?

Mike Winger idea 2022-09-02

Are We Dead to Sin, or Sold Under It?: Why does Paul say "...reckon ye yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God through Christ Jesus our Lord" in Romans 6: 11, yet in Romans 7: 14, he says, "...but I am carnal, sold under sin"?

Q&A question: Are We Dead to Sin, or Sold Under It?

Romans 6 Romans 7 Jesus Romans 6 Romans 7

Mike Winger idea 2022-09-02

Traditional Preferences over Biblical Theology?: I’m an ex-Catholic, but I’m getting pulled back in. I don’t know why, but I just like praying in Latin, the Rosary, praying to saints, and using scripted prayers because I don’t know how to pray on my own.

Q&A question: Traditional Preferences over Biblical Theology?

Roman Catholicism prayer

Mike Winger idea 2022-09-16

Is Loan Forgiveness Moral or Immoral?: Is it biblical for a Christian to file for student loan forgiveness? I attended college in my 20s and racked up 20k in student loans. The balance is currently at 16k. Biden's student loan forgiveness plan would really help, but would I be "taking the easy way out" when I'm able-bodied to pay off the remainder over time myself? Would it be selfish and irresponsible, or a blessing, to accept the aid?

Q&A question: Is Loan Forgiveness Moral or Immoral?

forgiveness

Mike Winger idea 2022-09-16

Was Sacrificing to Molech Similar to Abortion?: Was Molech child sacrifice similar to abortion in that a key purpose was to get rid of unwanted babies born (most often) of sexual sin? Ezekiel 16: 20-21(NKJV) clearly links the practice to fornication.

Q&A question: Was Sacrificing to Molech Similar to Abortion?

Ezekiel abortion Ezekiel

Can We Resist Sin Without the Spirit?: How were the disciples able to follow Jesus and resist sin without the Spirit indwelling them? Is it possible to be a Christian without the Spirit?

Q&A question: Can We Resist Sin Without the Spirit?

Help with the Hiddenness of God: The hiddenness (and silence) of God is causing me doubts. Is there any advice or help you can offer (such as that God is silent now because revelation has been completed with the New Testament)?

Q&A question: Help with the Hiddenness of God

revelation revelation

Are Batchelor Parties Always Sinful?: I am attending a bachelor party and I have a Christian co-worker who said "Christians shouldn't go to bachelor parties." How would you response to this? All at the party profess to be Christians.

Q&A question: Are Batchelor Parties Always Sinful?

Overcoming Addictions: I struggle with an addiction to nicotine and caffeine. There are no rehab centers for these. What do I do? I know its sinful, but I need help to overcome. I can’t be a slave to two masters.

Q&A question: Overcoming Addictions

addiction

Matthew Matthew 6 Matthew Matthew 6

Will the Father Not Forgive Us?: Matthew 6: 14-15 says we should forgive others of their trespasses or our Father will not forgive us of ours. But the Bible also says that all of our sins have been atoned for on the cross. Can you explain?

Q&A question: Will the Father Not Forgive Us?