Search — Theology Explorer

Should we be Baptized while Having Doubts?: People encourage me to get baptized ASAP (Acts 22: 16), but I struggle with serious psychological doubts. Should I disregard my doubts and get baptized? Can I take more time?

Q&A question: Should we be Baptized while Having Doubts?

baptism

Why did Jesus call the Father His God?: I've been wrestling with this passage for a couple of months, and I haven't found a solid answer yet. It's in John 20: 17. I can't seem to understand why Jesus calls the Father His God.

Q&A question: Why did Jesus call the Father His God?

John 20 Jesus John 20

Evaluating our Spiritual Traditions: I'm an ex-Muslim follower of Christ from Afghanistan. Some Islamic traditions felt really spiritual and comforting such as praying on an Islamic rug, etc. Is it okay if I keep some of those traditions?

Q&A question: Evaluating our Spiritual Traditions

Islam

Distinguishing Obedience from Legalism: How can we walk in obedience to Christ without falling into a “works-based salvation” frame of mind?

Q&A question: Distinguishing Obedience from Legalism

salvation

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?

John 19 Jesus communion John 19

Communion Elements/Did Jesus Drink Wine?: My family and I attend a church that is in fellowship with an organization that uses water during communion instead of wine or grape juice. They attempt to use John 19: 34 to justify this, and they also believe Jesus never consumed wine. Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Communion Elements/Did Jesus Drink Wine?

1 Corinthians 6 2 Corinthians 13:5 Jesus 1 Corinthians 6 2 Corinthians 13:5

Does Jesus Live in Us?: Would it be accurate after reading 1 Corinthians 6: 19 & 2 Corinthians 13:5 to state that both the Holy Spirit and Jesus live in the believer?

Q&A question: Does Jesus Live in Us?

Are “God-Given Rights” Biblical?: Does the Bible say anything about "God Given Rights,” at least the way many Americans use the phrase?

Q&A question: Are “God-Given Rights” Biblical?

When & How to Evangelize: I want everyone to be saved & I feel guilty if I don't share the Gospel with every person I see. How do I know when I should share the Gospel & how do I start the conversation?

Q&A question: When & How to Evangelize

angels

Genesis 3 Genesis Genesis 5 Genesis 3 Genesis Genesis 5

Is the Curse of the Ground Still Active?: In what way did Noah bring relief from the curse of the ground (Genesis 5: 28-29)? Am I mistaken in thinking the curse still seems active today (Genesis 3: 17-19; 8: 21)?

Q&A question: Is the Curse of the Ground Still Active?

What is a False Teacher?: What do you think is the biblical definition of a false teacher? People's interpretations of this vary widely. I’d just like to have a fresh pair of eyes on it.

Q&A question: What is a False Teacher?

hermeneutics

About Fantasy Entertainment: What is your stance on fantasy entertainment which utilizes pagan/made up religions such as GoT, Lotr, Zelda, Hercules, or Valheim? Isn’t it promoting Idolatry?

Q&A question: About Fantasy Entertainment

Hercules

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 does Our Will Intertwine with God’s?: In Genesis 20:4-6, Abimelech seems to think he didn’t touch Sarah out of his own will, but God says HE didn’t allow it. Any insight on the intersection between our will and God’s hand making stuff happen?

Q&A question: How does Our Will Intertwine with God’s?

Genesis Sarah Genesis

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?

Jesus

Discerning God’s Calling from Our Feelings?: How can I tell the difference between when God is truly calling me to something or if I am just searching for signs?

Q&A question: Discerning God’s Calling from Our Feelings?

Is Being Baptized in a Special Location More “Spiritual”?: Is it wrong to think being baptized in the Jordan River could be special?

Q&A question: Is Being Baptized in a Special Location More “Spiritual”?

baptism

What does it Look Like to “Renounce All” for God?: How should we live out Luke 14: 33?

Q&A question: What does it Look Like to “Renounce All” for God?

Luke 14 Luke 14

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?

Are the Ceremonial Laws Gone?: Where do we see in Scripture that the old ceremonial laws are gone?

Q&A question: Are the Ceremonial Laws Gone?

How Important are Legal Marriage Papers?: Help, Mike. I need a Bible verse to help a Christian couple who are cohabitating and have 4 kids, but don’t want to marry. They say faithfulness is more important than marriage papers.

Q&A question: How Important are Legal Marriage Papers?

marriage

Should we Pray for those who Pass Away?: I just lost a friend to an overdose. I don't think she was a believer. Should I pray for her mercy or is there no point after death?

Q&A question: Should we Pray for those who Pass Away?

death and afterlife

Does God Tempt?: God tests/tempts Israel and Abraham. But James says God doesn't test/tempt. How can we make sense of this?

Q&A question: Does God Tempt?

James James Abraham

Health/Prayer Update: Pastor Mike, can you give us an update on your personal health and sleep troubles?

Q&A question: Health/Prayer Update

prayer pastoral ministry

The Purpose of our Lives: As Christians, what is the purpose of our lives?

Q&A question: The Purpose of our Lives

eschatology Bethel Church heresy

About Kenosis Theology: Is Bethel style Kenosis theology from Philippians 2:5-11 heretical (where Christ is said to have lost His divinity to live instead as a human)? Or is that a secondary issue like sacraments and eschatology?

Q&A question: About Kenosis Theology

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

Can Satan Heal People?: In view of the magicians in Exodus potentially getting their power from Satan, can Satan and demons heal, and are these potentially healings that don't last?

Q&A question: Can Satan Heal People?

Satan healing demons

Roman Catholicism marriage

How to Reach Catholic Family Members: I’m a new believer, and my wife is a Catholic. Married 5 years. We have 2 very young baby daughters. How do I win my wife to Christ if she grew up rigidly Catholic? I can't break past her typological beliefs.

Q&A question: How to Reach Catholic Family Members

Empathizing with Victims of Tragic Events: How should I view the pain I feel for victims of the Holocaust, Nanking Massacre, etc. when these groups were mostly un-elect vessels of wrath who will receive no comfort?

Q&A question: Empathizing with Victims of Tragic Events

Is Psychology Satanic?: I’ve heard some people say that psychology belongs to Satan and that Christians should stray from studying it. What is your opinion on that, and is there any biblical basis for avoiding it?

Q&A question: Is Psychology Satanic?

Satan

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

How to Distinguish Core Doctrines: How do I know what things are a “salvation issue” that I have to be right about, and what things are more open to interpretation that if I am wrong about my salvation will not be affected?

Q&A question: How to Distinguish Core Doctrines

salvation

Why is the Resurrection so Important?: Why are Jesus' claims and resurrection the one true root of our faith? Asking to help explain it to unbelievers who believe all religions lead to God.

Q&A question: Why is the Resurrection so Important?

Jesus resurrection

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 was Tamar a “Disgraced Woman”?: Why was Tamar in 2 Samuel considered “a disgraced woman” after being raped by her half-brother, Amnon?

Q&A question: Why was Tamar a “Disgraced Woman”?

Samuel Amnon Tamar

Should we Insert Names into Scripture?: A friend likes to substitute names in place of "you" in Scripture. Is that biblical? Romans 15: 13 for example.

Q&A question: Should we Insert Names into Scripture?

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?

Jesus

How to get Others Excited about Apologetics: What is the best way to get a fellow believer to realize the importance of apologetics? I meet way too many Christians who are just like, "I just read the Bible and that's all that's important."

Q&A question: How to get Others Excited about Apologetics

apologetics

Matthew Matthew 19 Jesus Matthew Matthew 19

Why 6 Commandments Rather Than 10?: In Matthew 19: 18-19, why doesn’t Jesus tell the man to follow all 10 commandments instead of the 6 he listed when the man questioned him about having eternal life?

Q&A question: Why 6 Commandments Rather Than 10?

Was Early Church Worship the Same?: Do we know if the early Church worshiped in a similar way to how we have corporate worship today?

Q&A question: Was Early Church Worship the Same?

worship

How to Draw Near to God when we Feel Far: I’m far from the Lord in this moment and not very genuine. What could I do to improve my relationship with God and to be as honest as I can, be obedient to Him, and listen to His word?

Q&A question: How to Draw Near to God when we Feel Far

Are we “Worthy” and “Enough”?: What do you think of popular statements such as “You are Worthy” and “You are enough”? To me, neither sound biblical. We are unworthy and not enough, and neither do we have to be, because Jesus is.

Q&A question: Are we “Worthy” and “Enough”?

Jesus

Matthew 6:1-4 Matthew 5 Matthew Jesus Matthew 6:1-4 Matthew 5

Did Jesus Contradict Himself?: Why would Jesus instruct us to let our good works be seen by others (Matthew 5: 16) if He also instructed us to do our good works in secret (Matthew 6:1-4)? Am I misunderstanding something?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Contradict Himself?

Romans 5 Acts 4 Romans 5 Acts 4

Do Some People Get More Grace?: Romans 5:2 says we stand on grace. In Acts 4: 33, it says great grace was upon them all. Does that mean some people have more grace? I’ve heard you say we don't get grace little by little.

Q&A question: Do Some People Get More Grace?

If You’ve Forgotten a Promise to God: What do you do when you’ve made a promise to God and either forget the specifics of it or forget you’ve made it altogether?

Q&A question: If You’ve Forgotten a Promise to God

Should We Fear Future Events?: What is a healthy way to look at the future with all the disasters in Revelation? I have trouble building up my life without fearing everything will change soon, for the worse.

Q&A question: Should We Fear Future Events?

revelation revelation