Search — Theology Explorer

John 2 wedding at Cana John 2 wine in the Bible

Q: Did Jesus enable drunkenness at the wedding in Cana (John 2)? No. Weddings lasted days, so "well drunk" doesn't mean currently intoxicated. The master of the feast comments that the best wine usually comes first — he's surprised, not diagnosing drunkenness. Jesus providing wine doesn't excuse individual lack of self-control.

Q&A — wedding at Cana and drunkenness

Genesis interpretation Genesis interpretation Cains wife

Q: Where did Cain get his wife and who would kill him? Two options: (1) Adam and Eve's other children/grandchildren — could be hundreds of people by then, genetic issues not yet a problem. (2) Some scholars suggest other humans outside the garden, with Adam and Eve as representative/priestly figures. Mike leans toward option 1.

Q&A — Cain's wife and other people

hell memory in heaven hell

Q: Will we be sad in heaven about people in hell? No — because of resolution, not memory loss. "Former things not remembered" means not dwelling on them or worrying, not literal amnesia. In God's presence with his perspective, we'll understand his justice is right. The glory will outshine all grief.

Q&A — sadness in heaven over hell

2 Corinthians 3:17 Trinity Trinity 2 Corinthians 3:17

Q: 2 Corinthians 3:17 ("the Lord is the Spirit") — does it teach Jesus is the Holy Spirit? It affirms oneness in God but not Oneness Pentecostal theology. The Spirit is sometimes called the Spirit of Jesus; the Holy Spirit is Christ's presence with us. But the full NT also affirms distinct persons of the Trinity.

Q&A — 2 Corinthians 3:17 and the Trinity

Genesis 6 sons of God Nephilim Nephilim Genesis 6 sons of God

Q: Who are the "sons of God" in Genesis 6? Mike leans toward angelic beings who possessed humans to fornicate with human women, producing the Nephilim. Alternative view: the "sons of God" are the godly line of Seth corrupted by marrying ungodly women. Mike has a detailed video in his 1 Peter series.

Q&A — sons of God in Genesis 6

hell annihilationism hell

Q: Does annihilationism follow from eternal life being dependent on salvation? No — eternal life in Scripture means more than mere existence. People physically alive are called "dead" (spiritually); believers have "eternal life" now while still mortal. Life and death are more than existence and non-existence.

Q&A — annihilationism

2 Peter 3:16 Revelation 2:2 2 Peter 3:16 Paul false apostle claim Revelation 2:2

Q: Was Paul a false apostle (Revelation 2:2)? No — Revelation 2:2 actually proves Paul IS a true apostle. The Ephesians could identify false apostles AND they received Paul warmly (Ephesians letter, Acts 20). Peter calls Paul's writings "Scripture" (2 Peter 3:16). Paul-denial movements strip the NT to smuggle in cult theology.

Q&A — Paul as false apostle (Revelation 2:2)

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 rapture rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

Mike affirms the rapture doctrine from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 as plain biblical teaching. The Greek harpazo ("caught up") → Latin rapturus → English "rapture." He's unsettled on pre/mid/post-trib timing but firmly believes in the event itself. Holds a futurist view of Revelation — future events not yet fulfilled.

Rapture — affirmed, timing unsettled

Mark 16:9-20 Mark 16:17-18 Acts 28 (Paul and viper) textual criticism textual criticism Mark 16:9-20

Mark 16:17-18 (signs accompanying believers) — Mike thinks the last 12 verses of Mark are likely not original (earliest manuscripts lack them). Even if original: (1) the signs may apply to SOME believers, not ALL; (2) picking up serpents refers to unintentional encounters (like Paul in Acts 28), not deliberate snake handling; (3) Jesus said "do not put the Lord your God to the test"; (4) if healing applies to all, every Christian should be in hospitals — but nobody does this, revealing inconsistency.

Mark 16:17-18 — signs and snake handling

Advice for a new missionary to Japan: (1) Don't go alone — attach yourself to other believers and protect those relationships; Satan will target them. (2) Long-term missions requires patience — it's years of investment, not quick results. (3) Your impact ripples through generations even if it feels small. The lives you change will change other lives for decades.

Missionary advice — Japan

long-term missions

1 Corinthians 11 head coverings 1 Corinthians 11 head coverings

Head coverings (1 Corinthians 11): Mike is inclined to say no but admits he can't fully justify that position yet. It's on his list for a 30-40 hour deep study with scholarly literature and commentaries. He's honest about the limits of his current understanding.

Head coverings — unsettled, needs more study

Hebrews 10 willful sin apostasy apostasy Hebrews 10 willful sin

Deliberate sin and condemnation (Hebrews 10): (1) The NT provides forgiveness for sins the OT law couldn't cover — Jesus is better than the law. (2) Hebrews' "willful sin" passage is about apostasy (rejecting Christ entirely), not individual acts of deliberate sin. The context of Hebrews 10 is about abandoning the faith, not occasional moral failures.

Deliberate sin — Hebrews 10 is about apostasy

Romans 14 Romans 14 Romans 14 Romans 14 entertainment ethics

Biblical view of entertainment: Laughter is good (Proverbs: laughter is medicine) but like sex, it's context-dependent. Entertainment that softens our attitude toward sin, mocks God, or turns holy things into jokes causes spiritual harm. Each Christian must develop personal convictions (Romans 14) rather than imposing them on others. The test: is your walk with God sustained while enjoying this entertainment?

Entertainment — biblical principles

necromancy necromancy contacting the dead

Feeling the presence of a dead loved one: concerning because it may lead to attempting to contact the dead, which the OT consistently condemns. If you're contacting any spirit, it's not the deceased — you're opening yourself to whatever spirit wants to respond. Encourage the person to cherish memories but not pursue spiritual contact. The practice of praying to the dead entered church history through the Eastern church's interaction with pagan culture.

Contacting the dead — biblically condemned

gender dysphoria transgender identity

Gender dysphoria: (1) it's a false belief about identity that shouldn't be fed by dressing as the opposite sex — that reinforces the delusion. (2) Our culture causes harm by affirming transgender identity instead of helping people overcome dysphoria. (3) Presenting as the opposite sex perpetrates a deception on others. (4) Overcoming it involves embracing God-given identity and challenging extreme/stereotypical views of masculinity and femininity.

Gender dysphoria — biblical response

Matthew 25:1-13 Matthew 25:1-13 Parable of Ten Virgins nominal Christianity

Parable of the 10 Virgins (Matthew 25): about persevering in genuine devotion to Christ's coming kingdom. The foolish virgins expected the bridegroom but weren't truly prepared — Christians in name only, not in genuineness. Oil likely represents the Holy Spirit (connected to oil symbolism in Zechariah) and genuine relationship with Christ. You can't borrow someone else's faith. The warning: don't be a nominal Christian coasting on a past experience.

Parable of 10 Virgins — genuine vs nominal faith

John 5:46 John 6:44 Calvinism Calvinism John 5:46

John 6:44 ("No one can come to me unless the Father draws him") — Mike's non-Calvinist interpretation: the "drawing" is God's OT revelation through the prophets. Jesus came to the Jews who had already been receiving God's word. Those who responded to the Father's prior revelation naturally accept Jesus; those who rejected it naturally reject Jesus. John 5: "if you believed Moses, you'd believe me, for he wrote about me." This is about Jews rejecting their own Messiah, not about irresistible grace or total depravity.

John 6:44 — non-Calvinist interpretation

1 Corinthians 13:1 1 Corinthians 14 tongues speaking in tongues 1 Corinthians 13:1 speaking in tongues

Are tongues overrated? Yes, in many circles. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1: tongues without love = noisy gong. 1 Corinthians 14: tongues should be limited in gatherings, require interpretation, and if an unbeliever enters they'll think you're crazy. Paul explicitly says prophecy is BETTER than tongues because it edifies the whole church. Tongues as a status symbol or proof of salvation is completely unbiblical.

Tongues overrated — 1 Corinthians 13-14

2 Corinthians 5:17 born again 2 Corinthians 5:17 born again

Can bad people go to heaven and ruin it? Reconciled by regeneration: everyone who believes in Christ receives a new nature. Even hypothetically, if Hitler truly repented on his deathbed, he'd be a new creation in heaven — hating his old ways, transformed by the Holy Spirit. Heaven is populated by transformed people, not merely forgiven ones.

Bad people in heaven — regeneration transforms

When Should I NOT Take Communion?: When should a believer NOT take communion? Is finding myself repenting of the same sin over and over and having an ongoing struggle with the same sin a reason not to?

Q&A question: When Should I NOT Take Communion?

communion

Jesus prophecy pastoral ministry

Can A False Prophet Glorify God?: My parents sit under a pastor who claims to have a prophecy from God almost weekly. He preaches in Jesus’ name and glorifies God, but his prophecies are always totally wrong or incredibly vague. Can a man who glorifies God also prophesy falsely?

Q&A question: Can A False Prophet Glorify God?

Christ & H.S. In Us = Modalism?: At the end of Colossians, it talks about Christ in us, and in Galatians, it talks about the Spirit of His son in our hearts crying out “Abba, Father.” That sounds like the Holy Spirit, but is it Modalism to call Christ in you the Holy Spirit?

Q&A question: Christ & H.S. In Us = Modalism?

Holy Spirit

Animal Sacrifices in Millen. Kingdom?: Why will there be animal sacrifices in the Millennial Kingdom?

Q&A question: Animal Sacrifices in Millen. Kingdom?

Ephesians 6:5-8 Ephesians 6 Ephesians 6:5-8 Ephesians 6

Should Slaves have Run Away from Masters?: In light of Ephesians 6:5-8 and Colossians 3: 22-23, was it wrong for African slaves to run away from their masters?

Q&A question: Should Slaves have Run Away from Masters?

Do Our Prayers Need to be Specific?: People have been saying with increasing frequency, "Make your prayers specific.” I’m wondering why I keep hearing this lately. Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Do Our Prayers Need to be Specific?

prayer

Did Jesus Have a Sin Nature?: Was Jesus the biological son of Mary? If so, how did He not inherit a sin nature?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Have a Sin Nature?

Jesus

Does Heaven Last for Eternity?: Do we live in Heaven for eternity, or will it be a finite time period (Isaiah 65: 20)?

Q&A question: Does Heaven Last for Eternity?

Isaiah Isaiah

Galatians 6:2 Galatians 6 Galatians 6:2 Galatians 6

Share Our Burdens?: Galatians 6:2 says to carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ, but verse 5 says that each person should carry their own load. Should we share our burdens or carry our own?

Q&A question: Share Our Burdens?

Reject the Church = Reject Christianity?: If I reject the Church as an institution, do I automatically reject the Christian faith?

Q&A question: Reject the Church = Reject Christianity?

Committed Relationships as Good as Marriage?: How would you answer claims that “committed sexual relationships” have everything good that a marriage has? What’s the essence of marriage that withstands infertility/impotence/distance, etc.?

Q&A question: Committed Relationships as Good as Marriage?

marriage

Recovering from Works Based Thinking: I left the Hebrew Israelite movement 3 years ago, and since then, I’ve been struggling with my walk. I know we have God’s grace, but I was so used to doing works that I feel lost now. Any suggestions?

Q&A question: Recovering from Works Based Thinking

Israel

Laws, Islam & Executing Apostates: Looking at Deuteronomy 13:6-10, is the apostasy law similar to Muslims? And is it inherently immoral for an apostate to be put to death because of their beliefs, according to the Old Testament?

Q&A question: Laws, Islam & Executing Apostates

Islam apostasy

Was Jesus’ Body Broken For Us?: What are your thoughts on when people say “This is the body of Christ, broken for you.” To me, this is not accurate, as Jesus was not “broken” for us (no bones broken like the Passover lamb).

Q&A question: Was Jesus’ Body Broken For Us?

Jesus

{Are Non-Believers Always Wrong?{ Some Christians act like non-believers are inherently untrustworthy or dishonest, like they shouldn't be taken seriously. This feels really wrong. Can you please help me find biblical teaching on this?

Q&A question

Our Bodies during the Millennial Reign: What kind of body will each "group" of people have during the Millennial Reign? I know the previously dead will receive knew bodies, and those that die in God during the Tribulation will get new bodies.

Q&A question: Our Bodies during the Millennial Reign

tribulation

The “Prize” in Philippians: What is the prize of the upward call" in Philippians 3: 14?

Q&A question: The “Prize” in Philippians

Philip Philippi

Raising Children w/Unbelieving Family: Is it wrong that I don’t want to raise my son around my unbelieving family members? They can even be hostile to the faith. I even have a transgender niece, and my wife and I don’t want our son around that.

Q&A question: Raising Children w/Unbelieving Family

marriage

Praising the Holy Spirit?: A friend said that Scripture never calls us to praise the Holy Spirit despite numerous worship songs and the Doxology saying otherwise. Is he wrong? Should we only worship the Father and the Son?

Q&A question: Praising the Holy Spirit?

worship

The Bible Harmonized w/Psychology?: How do we harmonize the Bible and psychology? I have some leaders that try to diagnose people’s sin through the lens of psychology and not Scripture (things like compulsive lying, laziness, etc.).

Q&A question: The Bible Harmonized w/Psychology?

Different Wills among the Godhead?: In the Trinity, do the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all have three separate wills?

Q&A question: Different Wills among the Godhead?

Trinity

Conflict in Israel – Eschatological Significance?: Is the war going on in Israel right now part of a biblical prophecy?

Q&A question: Conflict in Israel – Eschatological Significance?

prophecy eschatology

One Governor or 12?: In 1 Kings 4:7-19, there are twelve governors for Israel listed. I’m confused by verse 19b: “There was one governor...” What’s your take on this? 12 or 1?

Q&A question: One Governor or 12?

Israel

Matthew Matthew 6 salvation Matthew Matthew 6

Do Some Sins Indicate a Lack of Salvation?: Verses like Matthew 6: 14 make me feel like there are sins so bad that if you commit them (like unforgiveness), you’re 100% not a Christian. I feel like I have to maintain my own salvation.

Q&A question: Do Some Sins Indicate a Lack of Salvation?

Would the Spirit Ever Leave Us?: Can you please explain what it meant in 1 Samuel when the Spirit left Saul?

Q&A question: Would the Spirit Ever Leave Us?

Samuel

The Vatican & Revelation: Does Revelation 7:9 apply to Vatican City despite its size and hosting unbiblical stuff?

Q&A question: The Vatican & Revelation

revelation revelation

Is Marital Intimacy Only for Procreation?: Can a biblical case be made for the purpose of sex within marriage being for procreation AND intimacy/pleasure and not just for procreation? Is sex without the possibility of procreation evil?

Q&A question: Is Marital Intimacy Only for Procreation?

marriage creation

Christians Made Whole “Again”?: How do you feel about songs that state, “You make me whole again”? It’s my understating that before faith in Christ we aren’t whole, saved, or forgiven. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Christians Made Whole “Again”?

Teaching Convictions as Truth: How should we deal with a pastor who is unwilling to receive correction on anything against his own convictions? It wouldn’t be as big of an issue, but he preaches his ideas as truth (i.e., no alcohol).

Q&A question: Teaching Convictions as Truth

pastoral ministry

Counting our Trials as Joy: How are we to “count it all joy” when we face trials and temptations, as James chapter 1 says?

Q&A question: Counting our Trials as Joy

James James