Search — Theology Explorer

About “Holy Water” or “Blessed” Objects: A local street preacher uses holy water on the ground, which he says keeps demonic activity from disrupting his preaching. I haven't seen Scripture support this. Is it biblical?

Q&A question: About “Holy Water” or “Blessed” Objects

demons

About the Millennial Kingdom: If God is eternal and He knows everything from the beginning to the end, then why does He set up a 1000 year Millennium Kingdom? What are the reasons for this, biblically?

Q&A question: About the Millennial Kingdom

millennium

Perichoresis vs. Modalism: Can you explain the difference between the concepts of perichoresis and modalism? They seem to be very similar ideas on the surface.

Q&A question: Perichoresis vs. Modalism

About Bart Ehrman’s Teachings & Tactics: You have talked about Dr. Bart Ehrman (ex: your “Atheist Scholar Misleads Millions Of People” video). Does he also use these "techniques" on his professional peers?

Q&A question: About Bart Ehrman’s Teachings & Tactics

Bart Ehrman atheism

Trusting God when He Seems Silent: What practical steps do you do to trust in the Lord? I frequently have difficulty trusting Him during difficult times, especially when He doesn’t seem to be answering prayer.

Q&A question: Trusting God when He Seems Silent

prayer

Were the Nazis Appointed by God?: Were the Nazis as a government authority "appointed by God" according to Romans 13?

Q&A question: Were the Nazis Appointed by God?

Romans 13 Romans 13

Genesis Genesis 12 Abraham Jacob Genesis

Why did God Send Jacob to Egypt?: In Genesis 12: 10, Abraham goes to Egypt. That decision is considered by many as disobedience to God. If going to Egypt is related to a bad decision, why is it that later, God sent Jacob to Egypt?

Q&A question: Why did God Send Jacob to Egypt?

Romans 6 Romans 7 Jesus Romans 6 Romans 7

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?

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

How to Understand the Bible: What is your general advice on understanding Bible verses that we don't understand?

Q&A question: How to Understand the Bible

Communion: How Frequent?: My dad thinks that the Lord's Supper should only be observed on Passover because when Jesus said "do this in remembrance of Me,” He meant Passover. Any evidence in Scripture for weekly communion?

Q&A question: Communion: How Frequent?

Jesus communion

How to Help Victims of Abuse: I'm a new youth leader and we have teenagers who are severely abused at home. What messages do we focus on to help them? And what else can we do to help?

Q&A question: How to Help Victims of Abuse

Does God Command Murder?: What do you think of people that commit murder and then state, “God told me to do it”?

Q&A question: Does God Command Murder?

Corporate vs. Individual Election: What are your thoughts on the idea of corporate election, as opposed to individual election?

Q&A question: Corporate vs. Individual Election

Is Jesus the Bible?: How should we biblically respond when someone says they believe Jesus IS the Torah or Jesus IS the Bible?

Q&A question: Is Jesus the Bible?

Jesus

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

Matthew 1 Corinthians 8:3 1 Corinthians 8 Jesus Matthew 1 Corinthians 8:3

Does God Not Knowing a Soul Mean They Never Loved Him?: Through 1 Corinthians 8:3, we know that whoever loves God is known by Him. Thus, would you agree that Jesus saying “I never knew you” in Matthew 7 is the equivalent of Him saying “You never loved Me”?

Q&A question: Does God Not Knowing a Soul Mean They Never Loved Him?

About the Patriarchs’ Ages in Genesis: Were the biological ages of the Patriarchs from Adam to Noah congruent with their chronological ages? At 900 years old, were they biologically 90? How long do you think they spent in childhood?

Q&A question: About the Patriarchs’ Ages in Genesis

Genesis Genesis

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

How Much Should we Desire Marriage?: How fervently should I pray for the possibility of marriage being included in God’s will for my life? It has always felt pointless considering that it's likely God may not ever give it in my life.

Q&A question: How Much Should we Desire Marriage?

marriage

Colossians 1 Jesus Colossians 1

How Will Jesus Reconcile All Things in Heaven?: In Colossians 1: 20, Paul says that Jesus reconciles all things to Himself, both in Heaven and on Earth. What does it mean for Jesus to reconcile all things in Heaven?

Q&A question: How Will Jesus Reconcile All Things in Heaven?

Matthew Matthew 28 Matthew Matthew 28

Am I Called to Global Missions?: Is Matthew 28: 18-20 a calling for all Christians to leave their respective countries to share the Gospel, or just some? How can I tell if I am to leave my home country to share the Gospel?

Q&A question: Am I Called to Global Missions?

Should We Celebrate Friends’ “Out of Wedlock” Pregnancies?: I have some Christian friends who have gotten pregnant out of wedlock, and I feel like they expect you to react just the same as if they were married. What’s the right response in this situation?

Q&A question: Should We Celebrate Friends’ “Out of Wedlock” Pregnancies?

Romans 5 Matthew 12 Matthew Romans 5 Jesus Matthew 12

Is it Possible to be “Good”?: “Good Man”? Jesus said there is none good but God in Luke 18: 19, Mathew 19: 17, and Mark 10: 18. But, in Acts 11: 24 it talks about a Good Man. Also in Matthew 12: 35, Proverbs 13: 22, and Romans 5:7 (NIV).

Q&A question: Is it Possible to be “Good”?

About Moral, Civil & Ceremonial Laws: Why do we differentiate between moral, ceremonial, and civil law? Meaning, who decided the moral law was to be continued but not the other two types?

Q&A question: About Moral, Civil & Ceremonial Laws

1 Samuel 28 Abraham Samuel salvation

About Abraham’s Bosom & King Saul’s Salvation: Does 1 Samuel 28: 19 disprove the theological idea of “Abraham’s Bosom,” or could we perhaps assume that King Saul was saved?

Q&A question: About Abraham’s Bosom & King Saul’s Salvation

Matthew 5 Matthew Philo Matthew 5 Matthew

Can Only God be Perfect?: As a philosopher, I want to say that only God is (or can possibly be) perfect. How do I reconcile this with Matthew 5: 48?

Q&A question: Can Only God be Perfect?

A Family Attending Different Churches: Is it okay to go to different churches while being under the same household? My family goes to a Pentecostal church, but I prefer a Baptist one.

Q&A question: A Family Attending Different Churches

Should We Require a Sign from God Before Belief?: How would you respond if someone you love said something like, "I won't believe in any God unless He performs a supernatural miracle right in from of me”?

Q&A question: Should We Require a Sign from God Before Belief?

miracles

Is Satan Omnipresent?: I was asked if Satan was omnipresent. I said no, but was met with some push back. What are some good Bible verses to prove why Satan is not omnipresent and why this attribute is exclusive to God?

Q&A question: Is Satan Omnipresent?

Satan

Does the Opportunity for Repentance Expire?: Is there a point in someone's life when they can't repent anymore (like Esau)?

Q&A question: Does the Opportunity for Repentance Expire?

repentance

Can We Take Communion for Someone Else?: My mom likes to “take communion over people” when they need prayer as if it does something extra special or gives her favor in prayer. It seems like this isn’t right or biblical. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Can We Take Communion for Someone Else?

prayer communion

Daniel 12 Daniel Daniel 12 Daniel

What is being Awaken from in Daniel 12?: In Daniel 12:2 what are they "awakening" from?

Q&A question: What is being Awaken from in Daniel 12?

Discerning What is Vanity in our Appearance: How do you discern what is vanity and what is not? Is wanting to "fix" appearances always vanity? Examples: covering scars with tattoos or having rhinoplasty to "fix" an appearance after a broken nose.

Q&A question: Discerning What is Vanity in our Appearance

tattoos

Does the Bible Refer to Men as Virgins, or Only Women?: Why are women in the Bible referred to as virgins, but not men? It makes it seem as though sexual purity was only important for women, but not for men. I know that’s not true, but would love clarity.

Q&A question: Does the Bible Refer to Men as Virgins, or Only Women?

sexual ethics

Surprise Bonus Q!

Q&A question

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?

Jesus

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

A Young Pastor being Disrespected: I am a young pastor of a church with people mostly in their 60s and 70s. My staff often micromanages me, corrects me in public, and treats me like a grandchild instead of their pastor. Any advice?

Q&A question: A Young Pastor being Disrespected

pastoral ministry

Is Christian Nationalism Biblical?: Is Christian nationalism in the sense of theocracy a scriptural concept?

Q&A question: Is Christian Nationalism Biblical?

God’s Judgment vs. Justice: How are God's judgment (him being a judge who carries out consequences) and His justice (establishing order) different if He uses His judgment to apply justice? Or can you explain His judgment vs. His justice?

Q&A question: God’s Judgment vs. Justice

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?

Are Rapture Dreams Truly from God?: What are your thoughts on Christians that have “rapture dreams” claiming that the rapture will be soon? Do you think these are from God, or just a result of all of the end times talk that has ramped up lately?

Q&A question: Are Rapture Dreams Truly from God?

rapture eschatology

Was Aaron Punished In Place of Moses?: In the book of Numbers, why did God punish Aaron for unbelief when Moses is the one who struck the rock?

Q&A question: Was Aaron Punished In Place of Moses?

Moses Aaron

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

How Were Jesus’ Words Translated?: Did the synoptic writers translate Jesus’ words from Aramaic to Greek? Does that partially explain why they don’t match each other exactly, because they translated to best explain His teaching?

Q&A question: How Were Jesus’ Words Translated?

Jesus

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?

1 Peter 3 Peter Jesus 1 Peter 3

Is Typology Only About Jesus?: Is typology only ever about Jesus? If so, how do we explain the type/antitype in 1 Peter 3: 21? If not, how do we tell true vs. false types when "no new theology" can come from typology?

Q&A question: Is Typology Only About Jesus?

Christ’s Law vs. the Moral Law: What is Christ’s law, and how is it different from the 10 commandments which many argue is the moral law we are to keep to this day?

Q&A question: Christ’s Law vs. the Moral Law