Search — Theology Explorer

Thinking Biblically about Trends: There is a trend in many young male Christians where they are wearing earrings, painting nails, fixing eyebrows, and putting on makeup. Help me think biblically about this, as it's a bit shocking.

Q&A question: Thinking Biblically about Trends

How Does the HS Guide Us?: I'm a new born-again Christian and I'd like to know, how does the Holy Spirit guide us?

Q&A question: How Does the HS Guide Us?

Holy Spirit

Is Sheol/Hades the Same as Hell?: Are the biblical references to Sheol/Hades necessarily Hell? Some Christian traditions have it as the underworld, with Hell only being something after the resurrection.

Q&A question: Is Sheol/Hades the Same as Hell?

resurrection hell

Could Only God Atone for our Sins?: What role did the divinity of Christ play in His ability to atone for the sins of the world? i.e., could Adam, before the fall, have chosen to die for the sins of all (hypothetically)?

Q&A question: Could Only God Atone for our Sins?

Are Dating Apps OK?: Should a Christian use Christian dating apps? I don’t see anything wrong with meeting people through these apps, but when I try to use them, I feel guilty. Does the Bible guide us somehow on this?

Q&A question: Are Dating Apps OK?

dating and relationships

Jesus salvation resurrection

Intellectual Agreement vs. Faith in Christ: I believe I'm trusting in Jesus' death and resurrection for salvation, but I have OCD and can't control my thoughts. So how do I know if I'm really trusting, or just agreeing with facts intellectually?

Q&A question: Intellectual Agreement vs. Faith in Christ

Reaching Difficult Students for Christ: I'm a high school teacher at a school that’s heavily influenced by culture and broken homes. The students lack respect, and hate following rules. How can I reach these students that appear far from God?

Q&A question: Reaching Difficult Students for Christ

Do Salvation Numbers = Biblical Practices?: Should we always see new souls coming to Christ as a sign/indicator that the Lord was with us in a particular event, service, or mission field?

Q&A question: Do Salvation Numbers = Biblical Practices?

salvation

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

Desire to Believe, but Still Doubtful?: I am very eager to have a relationship with Jesus. However, I still have doubts about the truth of Christianity, and I don’t have full certainty. But people believe their mom loves them. Advice?

Q&A question: Desire to Believe, but Still Doubtful?

Jesus

Witnessing Well at Work: I've had some really good conversations with friends at work about being a Christian. What are some good tips for me to continue talking to them without it seeming like I'm pushing it on them?

Q&A question: Witnessing Well at Work

evangelism

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

Can We Focus Too Much on End Times?: As Christians, what should our attitude and mindset be toward end times stuff? I personally know many strong Christians who seem to be almost too focused or too concerned about end times.

Q&A question: Can We Focus Too Much on End Times?

eschatology

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-04

When You’re Far from God: My heart is hardened, I’m backslidden, a carnal Christian…whatever you want to call it. I am so far from God right now. I want to love Him, but I don’t. I’m afraid of Hell. What can I do to heal?

Q&A question: When You’re Far from God

hell

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-04

Advising Others on Theologically Bad Content: What do you say to Christians who say they have been blessed by the movie “The Shack” and other Progressive content, even though it is filled with New Age themes and Progressive Christianity?

Q&A question: Advising Others on Theologically Bad Content

progressive Christianity new age

Jeremiah Jeremiah 31 Jeremiah Jeremiah 31

Should we Follow our Hearts?: "Follow your heart" is a popular mantra, but is not encouraged in some Christian circles. I understand that Jeremiah 17.9 says "the heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick," but Proverbs 4.23 says "the springs of life" flow from our hearts. Also, since God's word is written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31.33), shouldn't we follow our hearts?

Q&A question: Should we Follow our Hearts?

Help for a Tough Marital Situation: What do you do when your spouse, who claims to be a Christian, has separated/said they want a divorce when they don’t have biblical grounds, and the church that married you won’t confront them?

Q&A question: Help for a Tough Marital Situation

divorce

About Harry Potter & Lord of the Rings: Biblically thinking, are The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter different regarding sorcery? Lots of Christians disapprove of Harry Potter, yet admire LOTR. Is this distinction biblically justified?

Q&A question: About Harry Potter & Lord of the Rings

Should we Desire to Read Scripture Daily?: Shouldn't a truly born-again believer desire to read the Scriptures regularly (even daily)? How should I approach and encourage a "Christian" who doesn't?

Q&A question: Should we Desire to Read Scripture Daily?

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-18

Should we Read from Christian Mystics?: Should the writings of Christian mystics be avoided? My friend wants me to study a Jeanne Guyon book with her.

Q&A question: Should we Read from Christian Mystics?

Can Christians Marry Non-Christians?: Would you recommend marrying someone of a different religion? Say, Seventh Day Adventist, for example?

Q&A question: Can Christians Marry Non-Christians?

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-18

Theism vs. Biblical Christianity: I’m a theist, but I am not a Christian. What are some attributes of God? And how does Jesus exhibit them in specific situations in the Bible? Could you please pray that God gives me confirmation in my mind of the deity of Jesus? Or at least whether or not Jesus rose from the dead. No matter the evidence, I can’t tell. I want the truth.

Q&A question: Theism vs. Biblical Christianity

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2022-03-18

About the International Christian Church: My wife and I recently left the International Christian Church (ICC). Do you know about this group, and what advice would you give us, moving forward?

Q&A question: About the International Christian Church

1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger says NO — do not follow your husband to a cult. The Bible never gives husbands spiritual authority to dictate their wife's worship. Wives have a relationship with God independent of their husbands. He also rejects the 'husband as priest of his house' teaching as unbiblical. Uses 1 Peter 3:1-6 extensively.

Q&A: Husband joined a cult teaching women go to hell for wearing makeup/trousers. Should wife submit and follow him there?

Advice for Entering College & Adulthood: I’m turning 18 this year, and have been a Christian for 2 years now. I’m looking at colleges now because I’m a junior in high school. Any advice for looking at colleges and going into adulthood?

Q&A question: Advice for Entering College & Adulthood

Encouragement for a Progressive Friend: My friend has always been a strong Christian and is now struggling with same-sex attraction. He has adopted progressive thoughts on the Bible. How can I encourage him otherwise?

Q&A question: Encouragement for a Progressive Friend

Mike Winger idea 2022-04-08

About “Carnal Christians”

Q&A question: About “Carnal Christians”

Biblical or Unbiblical Use of a Verse?: Many Christians use "The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away" from Job (1: 21) to explain difficult things such as the death of a loved one. Is this biblical, or is it a misinterpretation of Job?

Q&A question: Biblical or Unbiblical Use of a Verse?

hermeneutics death and afterlife

Mike Winger idea 2022-04-08

Drawing Near to God on Spiritual Holidays: First Easter being saved! Do you have any suggestions for some God honoring ways to spend Good Friday and Holy Saturday? I’m so excited and want to do whatever is in my power to feel especially close to Christ.

Q&A question: Drawing Near to God on Spiritual Holidays

Mike Winger idea 2022-04-08

About Freemasonry: Can you explain why Christians shouldn't be affiliated with Freemasonry? I have family members who are Freemasons and believe you can be a Christian AND be a member of a Masonic lodge. YIKES.

Q&A question: About Freemasonry

Mike Winger idea 2022-04-15

Typology in Noah’s Story?: Do you think Noah could be a “type” of Christ? Why or why not?

Q&A question: Typology in Noah’s Story?

typology

Mike Winger idea 2022-04-15

Can a True Christian Deny Jesus’ Deity?: If a person believes in the Gospel, that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead, but they don't believe that Jesus was God (just a "higher spiritual being"), are they a Christian?

Q&A question: Can a True Christian Deny Jesus’ Deity?

Jesus

How to Respectfully Correct our Husbands: As a Christian wife, what are some principles I can apply in order to respectfully and lovingly offer my husband correction when needed?

Q&A question: How to Respectfully Correct our Husbands

Responding to Others about Divorce: How do you handle Christians who don’t believe that your divorce was biblical? He was a narcissist/sociopath who convinced them before he died that I was the problem, and my children won’t speak to me.

Q&A question: Responding to Others about Divorce

divorce

Can Christians Work for Secular Businesses?: Should Christians work for businesses that include agendas promoting sin (like Disney)? It has a diverse product but sinful ideas are included. How do we make sure we’re not being unequally yoked in non-marital situations?

Q&A question: Can Christians Work for Secular Businesses?

Do Women Always Need a Male Head?: If there is a Christian adult woman whose father has passed away and she does not have a husband, who is she to be accountable to?

Q&A question: Do Women Always Need a Male Head?

Was I Really Saved in the Past?: Was I ever really saved and had a relationship with Christ if I left heterosexuality and embraced my same sex attraction and married my wife?

Q&A question: Was I Really Saved in the Past?

Should Mormons Celebrate Christmas and Easter?: As a Mormon, since you'd consider us non-Christian, should we be allowed to celebrate Christmas or Easter?

Q&A question: Should Mormons Celebrate Christmas and Easter?

Mormonism

Why Christianity vs. Other Religions?: Why should a person be Christian over another monotheistic religion which claims to be the truth, such as Islam?

Q&A question: Why Christianity vs. Other Religions?

Islam

If God Doesn’t Change, Why do His Rules?: From a non-Christian friend: If God doesn’t change over time, how come He commands Jews not to eat certain foods in the Old Testament, but deems them OK in the New Testament?

Q&A question: If God Doesn’t Change, Why do His Rules?

Can God Give Commands when He Forced us to Exist?: Is it fair for God to demand our everything when we are forced to exist? I know Christ died for us, but it seems unfair to go through such suffering and sacrifice to receive salvation and avoid Hell.

Q&A question: Can God Give Commands when He Forced us to Exist?

salvation suffering hell

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-20

Can we be Pro-Life and Against Same-Sex Adoption?: How do we respond to people who say “You Christians are so pro-life yet you don’t want gay people to adopt”? What’s the path to answering that question?

Q&A question: Can we be Pro-Life and Against Same-Sex Adoption?

abortion homosexuality

Is it Biblical to Spank Children?: Is it biblical for parents to spank their children? Does it model Christian character? Any advice for parents on how to biblically discipline their children, especially young children (around 2 years old)?

Q&A question: Is it Biblical to Spank Children?

parenting

Mike Winger idea 2022-05-20

Why is Transgender Surgery Wrong?: If Christian work is restorative: healing the sick, clothing the naked, etc. to create "foretastes" of Heaven, then why is transgender surgery wrong? Isn't that also restorative/fixing disorder?

Q&A question: Why is Transgender Surgery Wrong?

healing

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-03

How to Biblically Choose Who to Date?: How should mental health issues affect dating for Christians (both one's own issues and a spouse candidate's potential issues)? Overall, what things should be considered when choosing to start dating?

Q&A question: How to Biblically Choose Who to Date?

dating and relationships anxiety and mental health

Mike Winger idea 2022-06-03

Rapture vs. Second Coming?: Do you think the rapture and the second coming could be different events? I have heard some Christians suggest this, explaining how the rapture will come before the tribulation.

Q&A question: Rapture vs. Second Coming?

second coming rapture tribulation

1 Corinthians 6 1 Corinthians 6

Can Christians ever Sue Christians?: Does 1 Corinthians 6 prohibit believers from ever taking other believers to court? Is there ever an appropriate time to take a brother “before unbelievers”?

Q&A question: Can Christians ever Sue Christians?

Matthew 10 Matthew Matthew 10 Matthew

Are Secret Churches “Denying God Before Men?”: Do secret churches in countries where Christianity is illegal contradict Matthew 10: 32-33?

Q&A question: Are Secret Churches “Denying God Before Men?”

Dealing with Toxic People: What biblical counsel would you give for dealing with toxic people, especially Christian family members you live with, who are oftentimes mentally and emotionally unhealthy to be around?

Q&A question: Dealing with Toxic People