Search — Theology Explorer

How did the Thief on the Cross Know?: The thief on the cross believed Jesus would come into His kingdom, despite knowing that Jesus was going to die. How might that be, since even the disciples didn’t grasp this until the resurrection?

Q&A question: How did the Thief on the Cross Know?

Jesus resurrection

Matthew 12 Matthew Jesus Matthew 12 Matthew

Are Casual Conversations Sinful?: Someone argued with me that because of Matthew 12: 36 (every idle word…), all jokes and fun conversations are sinful, and that Jesus never spoke in a casual, non-serious way. Is this true?

Q&A question: Are Casual Conversations Sinful?

pornography sexual ethics

Being Open about Sexual Sin: Do you have any advice on how to come out (for lack of a better word) to my Christian parents about being same-sex attracted and addicted to pornography? I know Christianity is true.

Q&A question: Being Open about Sexual Sin

evangelism progressive Christianity anxiety and mental health

Overcoming Anxiety while Witnessing: I always get anxiety and my heart starts beating fast whenever I try to speak up about social or biblical Issues to my family (mainly my dad who is a Progressive Christian). How can I overcome this?

Q&A question: Overcoming Anxiety while Witnessing

Is Repentance a Change of Mind?: If repentance (metanoia) literally means “change of mind,” then why do we say repentance means changing our mind/attitude about sin? Why isn't it changing our minds from unbelief to belief?

Q&A question: Is Repentance a Change of Mind?

repentance

Cursing & Blessing in the OT: When prophets such as Elisha cursed or blessed people, was it God who put it in their minds to do that, or did they have a Spirit-given ability to do such things without having to consult Him?

Q&A question: Cursing & Blessing in the OT

prophecy Elisha

Matthew 24 Matthew 5 Matthew Matthew 24 Matthew 5 eschatology

The Purpose of Scripture in Eternity: Matthew 5: 18 seems to say some Scripture will pass away at the end times, but Matthew 24: 35 appears to contradict this. What use might we have for Scripture in the next life where there is no temptation to sin?

Q&A question: The Purpose of Scripture in Eternity

The Serious Sin of Blasphemy: Why do so many Christians take the Lord’s name in vain? I know several Christians (even two pastors) who do this often. Should we tell them they’re in sin?

Q&A question: The Serious Sin of Blasphemy

pastoral ministry

Can our Conscience make Sex a Sin?: My question is about stronger vs. weaker consciences. Is it possible to make sex into a sin, and if so, how should the "strong" treat the "weak"?

Q&A question: Can our Conscience make Sex a Sin?

faith and science

The Sin of Sodom: What Was the Sin of Sodom & Gomorrah?

Q&A question: The Sin of Sodom

Is Debt Inherently Sinful?: I have a question on debt. Do you see debt as sinful, or is it something that can become sinful if abused, like alcohol consumption? Any clear biblical lines on the issue?

Q&A question: Is Debt Inherently Sinful?

alcohol

Using “Preferred Pronouns”?: I am a manager for a large retailer, and I have recently had two employees request that I address them by their non-binary pronouns. Do you have any thoughts on how I should proceed?

Q&A question: Using “Preferred Pronouns”?

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

Teaching PSA to Our Youth: My ex is Muslim. He taught our kids that God’s forgiveness is enough and there is no need for God to die for our sins. Do you have any ideas on how to discuss Penal Substitution with a 9 yr. old?

Q&A question: Teaching PSA to Our Youth

Islam forgiveness

About Jesus’ DNA: What was Jesus' DNA? Was Jesus' DNA 100% from God, or did He have Mary's human DNA? Perhaps it's the same DNA as Adam, since Jesus is the 2nd Adam?

Q&A question: About Jesus’ DNA

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

Winger explains headship means the husband has a higher position of authority (not the only authority) — when they disagree, the deciding vote goes to the husband. But Jesus commands this be exercised with grace, love, and self-sacrifice, never 'lording it over' the wife.

Q&A question: What does a husband being the head of the wife actually mean he does? Does he boss her around or just be a good man?

complementarianism headship complementarianism

Was Paul Married? Widowed?: Acts 26:9-10: "...cast my vote" has implications that Paul was in the Sanhedrin (also residing over Stephen's trial in 8:1), which would have required him to be married (even though that requirement wasn't recorded until later; I'm guessing it was still implemented). Could Paul have been married? Perhaps widowed?

Q&A question: Was Paul Married? Widowed?

Stephen Sanhedrin

Will God Give Up on Repetitive Sinners?: I suffer from same-sex attraction. I fight it, but sometimes I give in. Will God give up on me at some point if I give in?

Q&A question: Will God Give Up on Repetitive Sinners?

Premarital Cohabitation Without Sex?: Is it OK for me and my long-distance girlfriend to stay in an Air BnB for a couple of months if we do not fall into sexual sin, but are not married?

Q&A question: Premarital Cohabitation Without Sex?

sexual ethics

Why did Jesus Die if Humans Still Die?: If the payment for sin is death, and both believers and non-believers will die anyways, then why did Jesus have to die for us? Was it for a chance at us entering Heaven?

Q&A question: Why did Jesus Die if Humans Still Die?

ARRGH! The Pirate Bible!: Have you heard of The Pirate Bible? Apparently, it has been translated from the KJV into "pirate vernacular" using AI. It seems like a joke to me, but what are your thoughts?

Q&A question: ARRGH! The Pirate Bible!

NAR

Does Video Auto-Play Lead to Sin?: Is it a sin to use a social media service that often displays ungodly messages and music? Short-form video services such as TikTok display videos directly on your feed rather than suggesting them to you. I will still often see ungodly videos even though I don't want to.

Q&A question: Does Video Auto-Play Lead to Sin?

Have a Pure Mind – Battling Lust: I came to Christ around 9 months ago, but I’ve been really struggling with getting closer God. I’m 15 and I have problems with lust. How can I stop always falling back into sin through lusting?

Q&A question: Have a Pure Mind – Battling Lust

sexual ethics

Philippians 1 Philip Philippi Philippians 1

Is Long Life a Blessing?: Proverbs 16: 31 says that long life is the reward of the righteous. But in Philippians 1: 23, Paul says he longs to go and be with Christ, which would be far better. So how is long life a blessing?

Q&A question: Is Long Life a Blessing?

Do Christians Still Sin?: How should I understand 1 John 3 when it talks about those who abide in Christ no longer sinning, even as someone who continues to sin?

Q&A question: Do Christians Still Sin?

1 John 3 1 John 3

Honoring God through Singleness: How can I enjoy my singleness? I'm a young adult woman and I want to be in a relationship one day, but I want to be content where I am now. How can I grow closer to God during this time?

Q&A question: Honoring God through Singleness

dating and relationships

Greater Works than Jesus?: In John 14: 12, Jesus said we would do even greater things than Him. That’s a tough pill to swallow since He died for our sins and created everything. How do I process Jesus’ statement?

Q&A question: Greater Works than Jesus?

2 Samuel 12:8 David Samuel 2 Samuel 12:8

Did God Endorse Polygamy in the OT?: In 2 Samuel 12:8, God says that He gave David his wives (multiple), and if he had asked for more, God would’ve given him more. This sounds to be directly saying that God would be endorsing polygamy. How should we as Christians feel about one man having multiple wives according to the Bible, specifically this passage?

Q&A question: Did God Endorse Polygamy in the OT?

Is Only OT Scripture “God-Breathed?”: In 2 Timothy 3: 16, was Paul speaking of ONLY OT Scriptures, since that’s all they had at the time? What about the inspiration of the NT?

Q&A question: Is Only OT Scripture “God-Breathed?”

Timothy

Does Praising Jesus Exclude the Father & Spirit?: I've been struggling with phrases or lyrics such as "All glory be to Christ" and "All Heaven sings to Christ alone.” Do these incorrectly exclude the Father and Holy Spirit?

Q&A question: Does Praising Jesus Exclude the Father & Spirit?

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

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?

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

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

Mike Winger idea 2023-10-17

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?

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?

Matthew Matthew 6 salvation Matthew Matthew 6

Mike Winger idea 2023-10-17

Congregational Votes – Sometimes Sinful?: Is it against the Bible to have your congregation vote on whether or not to have women as elders?

Q&A question: Congregational Votes – Sometimes Sinful?

elder qualifications

Mike Winger idea 2023-11-17

Are there 7 Deadly Sins?: I’ve heard people refer to the “7 Deadly Sins,” but I haven’t been able to find that sort of list in Scripture. Are those sins especially “deadly” according to Scripture? If not, where did that list come from?

Q&A question: Are there 7 Deadly Sins?

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-01

Are Pseudonyms Sinful?: Do you think it is sinful to use pseudonyms online to protect your personal identity? Could this be considered intentional deception? As Christians, to what extent do we have a right to privacy?

Q&A question: Are Pseudonyms Sinful?

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-01

Is it OK to Tour Other Religions’ Places?: Where do you see the Bible speak to touring temples of other faiths for the goal of building long-term relationships and sharing the Gospel while also guarding against demonic influence or causing people to stumble?

Q&A question: Is it OK to Tour Other Religions’ Places?

demons

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-01

They’re Not Worried about Eternity!: What advice do you have for witnessing to someone who doesn’t care about what happens after they die? I have a friend who is content with betting their eternity on Hell if they are wrong.

Q&A question: They’re Not Worried about Eternity!

hell

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-16

Did God Command Sin?: In Genesis 22:2, God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering. How can God ask men to do something that is sinful, and how could Abraham obey God’s direction to sin?

Q&A question: Did God Command Sin?

Genesis 22 Genesis Abraham Isaac Genesis 22

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-16

Why is Belief Necessary for Forgiveness?: Why does God require belief for forgiveness? Why can’t God simply forgive our sins since Jesus died for all and not attach belief to that?

Q&A question: Why is Belief Necessary for Forgiveness?

Jesus forgiveness

Romans 5 Ezekiel Romans 5 Adam and Eve Ezekiel

Punished for Adam’s Sin?: Are we guilty of the sin of Adam and Eve? If so, isn’t it unjust for God hold us accountable for something we had no part of (Ezekiel 18, Romans 5: 12)?

Q&A question: Punished for Adam’s Sin?

Why Ask for Forgiveness?: If we are saved by faith alone, why are there so many prayers asking that our sins be forgiven, when by faith we know that they have been? Thank You

Q&A question: Why Ask for Forgiveness?

prayer forgiveness

Should we “Sin Boldly”?: Martin Luther has a quote that says “sin boldly.” I’ve heard he meant don’t be afraid of sinning and do so boldly knowing it has been paid for, but I feel that this is dangerous. Your thoughts?

Q&A question: Should we “Sin Boldly”?

Martin Luther