Search — Theology Explorer

Is the Fire Mentioned in 2 Peter Literal?: In 2 Peter 3: 10 it says that on the "Day of the Lord" God will destroy the world and "its elements" with fire. Is this a literal or figurative fire, and why?

Q&A question: Is the Fire Mentioned in 2 Peter Literal?

Peter

Did Jesus’ Family Believe?: Did Jesus' family not believe in Him as Messiah?

Q&A question: Did Jesus’ Family Believe?

Ephesians 6 prophecy Ephesians 6

About “Rhema” (Sword of the Spirit): Can you explain the Greek word Rhema in Ephesians 6 when it talks about the “sword of the Spirit is the Word of God?” Is it Scripture, or like a word of wisdom, knowledge, or prophecy?

Q&A question: About “Rhema” (Sword of the Spirit)

Daniel Daniel 3 Daniel Daniel 3 NAR

Who was the 4th Person in the Furnace in Daniel 3?: Referring to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel, who was the fourth person in the furnace? Is this OT evidence of Christ?

Q&A question: Who was the 4th Person in the Furnace in Daniel 3?

Did Jesus Consider the OT to be Scripture?: You said in a past Q&A session that Jude references Enoch, and your best explanation is that it's just to make a point, not to say that Enoch is canon or inerrant. But that's also my conclusion about when Jesus refers to the Old Testament. Isn’t it the same for when Jesus refers to the Old Testament?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Consider the OT to be Scripture?

Jesus Enoch

If I Don’t Read Scripture, am I Still Accountable?: Romans 1:8-2: 16…Responsibility? I'm afraid to read/not read the Scriptures. So I read/don't read, sometimes feeling physically ill/deeply anxious/even empty. Is it normal to feel like this?

Q&A question: If I Don’t Read Scripture, am I Still Accountable?

Romans 1 Romans 1

Discussing a Confusing Verse: What are your thoughts about Matthew 26: 13? You taught earlier that this specific action is not even recorded in all the Gospels, so what does Jesus mean?

Q&A question: Discussing a Confusing Verse

Matthew Jesus Matthew

How did OT Punishments Display God’s Love?: What was the point of capital punishment in OT, which was way too harsh to the point that it was not strictly followed back then? How does it display God's love when people are killed for not obeying?

Q&A question: How did OT Punishments Display God’s Love?

Reconciling Two Verses: How does Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 reconcile with Paul’s statement that “to live is Christ and to die is gain”? Am I misreading it?

Q&A question: Reconciling Two Verses

1 John 4 1 John 4 forgiveness

Overcoming Condemnation/Embracing God’s Grace: I have a good understanding of God’s Love and forgiveness in my head, but I have trouble living as though I believe it in my heart, and I still feel condemned at times (1 John 4: 16-18). Any advice?

Q&A question: Overcoming Condemnation/Embracing God’s Grace

About Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh: What is your opinion on Paul's thorn in the flesh? I heard it was his eyes, maybe from his encounter on the road to Damascus? 1) He had Luke, a doctor, with him during his travels 2) He had others write his letters.

Q&A question: About Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

Galatians 5 pastoral ministry Galatians 5

How to “Walk in the Spirit”: From Galatians 5, what is does it mean to “walk in the Spirit”? And do you have any pastoral advice for a new disciple on this subject?

Q&A question: How to “Walk in the Spirit”

Difference: Doubt vs. Unbelief: What is the difference biblically between doubt & unbelief? Are either of them a sin?

Q&A question: Difference: Doubt vs. Unbelief

doubt and faith

How is the Holy Spirit Received?: How does receiving the Holy Spirit work? In Acts, there are two times the HS is poured out: Jews (Ch. 2) and then Gentiles (Ch. 10), but every other time is passed by laying on of hands (Acts 8: 14-18, 19:6, etc.).

Q&A question: How is the Holy Spirit Received?

Acts 8 Acts 8

Advice for a Difficult College Situation: I have to read “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” for school, but Oprah did a movie on it. Since she denied that Jesus is the only way, I don’t know if I should drop the class. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Advice for a Difficult College Situation

About the Timing of our Death: Are our deaths appointed to us in both time and manner? If a person dies being hit by a car on the corner of Times Square, was it always going to end that way?

Q&A question: About the Timing of our Death

death and afterlife

How to Handle Online-Only Congregants: How should churches handle their local online only congregants? This is a big dilemma in my church's leadership right now. (Let's assume that it is safe to return to in-person church.)

Q&A question: How to Handle Online-Only Congregants

About the “Day of the Lord”: What is the day of the Lord?

Q&A question: About the “Day of the Lord”

Revelation 3 revelation Jesus creation Revelation 3

Was Jesus Created? Answering JWs: How would you respond to a JW who says that Revelation 3: 14 proves that Jesus was created when it says He is the “beginning of Creation”?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Created? Answering JWs

Using Apologetics to Reach Friends: How do you recommend bringing up apologetics with unbelieving friends?

Q&A question: Using Apologetics to Reach Friends

apologetics

Are Non-Believers Morally Superior?: How should I respond to the attitude of, “So-and-so is moral without a belief in God - therefore, they are better than someone who needs religion to be good”?

Q&A question: Are Non-Believers Morally Superior?

Can Preaching the Truth Harden Hearts?: What is a Christian’s role to speak truth on cultural issues to non-Christian society? Just preach good news & individual hearts get changed? It seems like preaching against homosexuality hardens hearts.

Q&A question: Can Preaching the Truth Harden Hearts?

homosexuality

Is Receiving Imputed Righteousness Just?: How/why can our sins be imputed to Jesus? I'm confused about the "transfer." If God is just, how can He let someone else step in for our sin? And how valid is the sacrifice if He was going to rise again?

Q&A question: Is Receiving Imputed Righteousness Just?

Jeremiah John 15 Zechariah 3 Jeremiah Jesus John 15

Is God the Branch, or the Vine?: A few times in the OT, Jesus is referred to as the Branch (Zechariah 3:8, 6: 12, Jeremiah 23:5). Why then is He referred to as the Vine and us the branches in John 15:5?

Q&A question: Is God the Branch, or the Vine?

Were Jesus’ Disciples Married?: Were Christ’s disciples married / did they have families? I believe there is a reference to Peter’s in-law, but I find it to be an interesting question. What would it be like for them? How would that fit with what the Lord tells us about the role of a husband/father? The love for God trumps all, so did that override their responsibilities as a husband/father?

Q&A question: Were Jesus’ Disciples Married?

Peter marriage Jesus

Should We Give to Beggars?: I've had multiple encounters where people directly approach me and my wife on the street or at a gas station asking for money, food, or a ride. I know most people would say don't give anything because you're feeding their bad habit, and I know there is also the risk that if you do help/give, they may try to push for even more favors. But it's obvious that Jesus was compassionate toward beggars. What are some biblical principles for this in today's age?

Q&A question: Should We Give to Beggars?

marriage Jesus

What is a Miracle?: What is a miracle? If it can be explained, is it still a miracle?

Q&A question: What is a Miracle?

miracles

Should we be Worried about Gov’t Control?: Should Christians be worried about government control? I have friends not getting the Covid vaccine because "it's a way to be controlled by the government.” I want to think biblically about this.

Q&A question: Should we be Worried about Gov’t Control?

About Walking by the Spirit: Does living in the Spirit mean fighting the flesh? How do you fight something that is already dead?

Q&A question: About Walking by the Spirit

About “Perfect Love Casting Out Fear”: What did John mean in 1 John by “perfect love casts out fear, and that whoever fears has not been made perfect…”?

Q&A question: About “Perfect Love Casting Out Fear”

Galatians 1 Acts 9 Galatians 1 Acts 9

About Paul and a Time Gap in Scripture: Why didn’t Luke mention the time gap that took place during Acts 9: 20-26, that Paul mentioned in Galatians 1: 17-18?

Q&A question: About Paul and a Time Gap in Scripture

Prayer to Help with Deep Depression: Can you pray for me? I’ve battled depression my whole life, and the past 2 weeks I’ve gotten so low I need some prayer if you have the time.

Q&A question: Prayer to Help with Deep Depression

prayer

Why did Jesus need to be Led by the Spirit?: Why did Jesus (God) need to be filled, led, or anointed by the Spirit? Troubled by some saying that Jesus did everything as a man through the Spirit, so we should be able to do everything Jesus did.

Q&A question: Why did Jesus need to be Led by the Spirit?

Ephesians 5 1 Thessalonians 4 Ephesians 5 1 Thessalonians 4

Forming a Healthy Work/Rest Balance: Since life is finite and Heaven is infinite, how do we justify spending any time not working to influence eternity? Where is the balance between relaxation & work? (Ephesians 5: 15-16 vs. 1 Thessalonians 4: 11)

Q&A question: Forming a Healthy Work/Rest Balance

revelation Roman Catholicism revelation

Refuting Catholic “Queenship” of Mary: How would you answer a Catholic who uses Revelation 12 to argue Mary's queenship?

Q&A question: Refuting Catholic “Queenship” of Mary

Can we be Confident in God’s Existence?: How can one ever be sure that the arguments for God’s existence are truly sound? Is it because all current objections fail? Maybe there is an Achilles heel that has not come up yet.

Q&A question: Can we be Confident in God’s Existence?

What is Prevenient Grace?: I just heard about prevenient grace. I have looked it up and it just don't understand it. Can you explain it?

Q&A question: What is Prevenient Grace?

Finding Hope in Difficult Situations: How do you interpret the hopelessness of Psalm 88? How can you comfort someone who feels what Psalm 88:18b (NIV) implies?

Q&A question: Finding Hope in Difficult Situations

hermeneutics

anxiety and mental health

Is Receiving Mental Health Therapy Biblical?: Is it a sin for Christians to see a mental health therapist/psychiatrist? Is biblical counseling the only option for Christians?

Q&A question: Is Receiving Mental Health Therapy Biblical?

Can we Know 100% our Faith is True?: Is it possible to be 100% certain of Christianity and the Bible? Is believing but also having doubt a sin? I would like to have 100% certainty, but there's always a doubt that it all could be a lie.

Q&A question: Can we Know 100% our Faith is True?

doubt and faith

How to Respond to Verbal Abuse in Marriage: My husband yells & curses at me. I always tell him I don’t deserve it, but he continues. Can this be corrected? If so, how? And would I dishonor God if I stop being physically intimate with him?

Q&A question: How to Respond to Verbal Abuse in Marriage

marriage

Is God Actively Judging Today?: Is God actively judging the world today or is all judgment held out ‘till the second coming? When negative things happen like natural disasters, how much of this can we say is God’s judgment?

Q&A question: Is God Actively Judging Today?

second coming

Hidden Meaning in the Book of Ruth?: Is there any hidden meaning behind Ruth uncovering Boaz's feet in Scripture?

Q&A question: Hidden Meaning in the Book of Ruth?

How to Stay Close to God When We’re Slipping: How do I get better in my relationship with God? I'm slipping away, what do I do?

Q&A question: How to Stay Close to God When We’re Slipping

Sharing the Gospel/Unsaved Loved Ones: How do you share the Gospel to people with unsaved loved ones who have already passed? (Accepting it to be true would mean accepting that their loved ones are in hell.)

Q&A question: Sharing the Gospel/Unsaved Loved Ones

hell

What does “Turn the Other Cheek” Mean?: In the Bible, it says to “turn the other cheek.” Does that mean no one is supposed to be punished, except by God? (Meaning we shouldn't have prisons or protect ourselves and loved ones.)

Q&A question: What does “Turn the Other Cheek” Mean?

About Adam’s Sin Nature/Original Sin: Does Psalm 51:5 teach that we inherit the guilt of Adam's sin, not just his sin nature?

Q&A question: About Adam’s Sin Nature/Original Sin

Psalm 51 Psalm 51

Unity When We Disagree Politically: There is a lot of contempt within the body of Christ across the political aisle. How can there be genuine unity with those who differ so greatly in thinking when it comes to things like abortion or BLM?

Q&A question: Unity When We Disagree Politically

abortion

prayer tithing pastoral ministry

How can I Better Support my Pastor?: Aside from tithing and prayer, what are good ways to support my pastor? Would it be weird to send an email each week thanking him for the sermon? I have a social disorder, so I’m always unsure.

Q&A question: How can I Better Support my Pastor?