Search — Theology Explorer

Should We Date Unbelievers for Evangelism?: My cousin is dating someone who is not a Christian in the hopes that they will get saved. Is this okay to do?

Q&A question: Should We Date Unbelievers for Evangelism?

angels

If My Own Child Comes Out…: What is your take on what we should say when unbelievers ask, “What would you do if your child came out to be gay?” Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Q&A question: If My Own Child Comes Out…

homosexuality

Avoiding Distraction in Prayer: What is the best way to focus on God? Do you know of any techniques for this? While I'm praying, I try to focus on God, but I always seem to get distracted.

Q&A question: Avoiding Distraction in Prayer

prayer

Can We Wear Cross Jewelry?: What are your thoughts about wearing cross jewelry?

Q&A question: Can We Wear Cross Jewelry?

Am I Doing Enough in Marriage?: My wife works very hard, long hours. She frequently comes home exhausted and stressed. My job is fairly stress-free, and I work from home. I feel like I’m not doing enough for her. What should I do?

Q&A question: Am I Doing Enough in Marriage?

marriage

How to Glorify God at All Times: If Scripture tells me to glorify God in all I do, how can I glorify God when doing things like taking a math class, playing checkers, eating a meal, listening to Beethoven, etc., if these things are "morally neutral"?

Q&A question: How to Glorify God at All Times

“My Yoke is Easy” vs. “Take Up Your Cross”?: I’m confused about why Jesus says “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden” but then instructs us to pick up our cross (of suffering?) and follow Him. That sounds like a heavy burden to me, to try to love and obey Jesus perfectly.

Q&A question: “My Yoke is Easy” vs. “Take Up Your Cross”?

Jesus suffering

Trusting God’s Will for our Loved Ones: We are supposed to trust God with all our hearts. But what does it look like to trust God with the free will decisions of others, like our adult children?

Q&A question: Trusting God’s Will for our Loved Ones

free will

Pastors Teaching Dream Interpretation?: What is your take on Christian pastors practicing and teaching dream interpretation using dream dictionaries, Google, and their own reasoning to interpret?

Q&A question: Pastors Teaching Dream Interpretation?

pastoral ministry

Was Christianity Made Up to Control People?: What do you say to a skeptic that thinks Christianity is just a man-made thing created as a means to control people?

Q&A question: Was Christianity Made Up to Control People?

apologetics

Is Monarchy Unbiblical?: I’ve been thinking about this question a lot since Queen Elizabeth died last month, but I’ve had it for a while. Does 1 Samuel 8:6-7 teach that monarchy is unbiblical?

Q&A question: Is Monarchy Unbiblical?

Samuel

Does Satan Think He’ll Win in the End?: How can Satan, an angel much smarter than us, be so unwise as to oppose an all-powerful God? Does Satan think he stands a chance of winning in the end?

Q&A question: Does Satan Think He’ll Win in the End?

Satan angels

Should Israel be Referred To as Palestine?: Why do you refer to biblical Israel as Palestine when Palestine wasn’t even a country until about 135 B.C.?

Q&A question: Should Israel be Referred To as Palestine?

Israel

prophecy tongues charismatic movement

Should I Date a Hyper-Charismatic?: I've been on a few dates with a great girl, but I've realized she's in a church that over emphasizes prophecy, tongues, possibly NAR things. Any advice on how to approach this?

Q&A question: Should I Date a Hyper-Charismatic?

Hebrews 5 Jesus salvation Hebrews 5

How Could Jesus have been “Perfected”?: Hebrews 5:9 says Jesus was "perfected" when He became the author of salvation to those who obey Him. How can an already perfect Jesus be “perfected”?

Q&A question: How Could Jesus have been “Perfected”?

Does God fill the role of Heavenly Father AND Mother?: My 7 year old asked me why we need an earthly father AND mother, but only a Heavenly Father? I started to say God fills both roles, but was hesitant about that in this gender-confused culture.

Q&A question: Does God fill the role of Heavenly Father AND Mother?

heaven

Overcoming Difficult & Serious Sins: Do believers eventually overcome big sins like lust? What if we don't before we die? Does that mean we were never saved?

Q&A question: Overcoming Difficult & Serious Sins

sexual ethics

Knowing God’s Plan for our Career: How do you know what job/career God wants you to pursue?

Q&A question: Knowing God’s Plan for our Career

Ephesians 5 John 15 Ephesians 5 John 15

Are Only Men Called to Sacrificially Love?: Can you explain how Ephesians 5: 25 is a particularly masculine command? Many verses including John 15: 12-13 call ALL believers to love one another sacrificially.

Q&A question: Are Only Men Called to Sacrificially Love?

Did Luke Journey With Paul?: I have studied Acts verse-by-verse and I have noticed that in some parts the writer uses “we” and “us” (Chapter 28 for example). Was Luke with Paul on his missionary journeys?

Q&A question: Did Luke Journey With Paul?

Codex Vaticanus vs. Modern Bibles?: If the Codex Vaticanus is the oldest Bible, how much does it differ from modern Bibles, if at all?

Q&A question: Codex Vaticanus vs. Modern Bibles?

Overcoming a Fear of the Dark: How can I overcome a fear of the dark? Ever since I was young until now (I’m 25 years old), it’s hard for me to fall asleep every night because I’m scared that there might be something evil watching me sleeping.

Q&A question: Overcoming a Fear of the Dark

1 Corinthians 1 Ray Comfort 1 Corinthians 1

Does This Verse Justify False Teaching?: How should we understand 1 Corinthians 1: 18-2:5,14, 3: 18-19? Ray Comfort quoted this to say Bible stories are supposed to sound dumb! Can't this be quoted to justify any dumb-sounding false teaching?

Q&A question: Does This Verse Justify False Teaching?

John the Baptist Jesus John the Baptist

Why didn’t JTB’s Followers just Follow Jesus?: Why did John the Baptist still have disciples after he clearly pointed out Jesus? Shouldn't they have followed Jesus?

Q&A question: Why didn’t JTB’s Followers just Follow Jesus?

Were the OT Sacrifices Cruel?: If God hates animal cruelty, why did He require animal sacrifices in the Old Testament?

Q&A question: Were the OT Sacrifices Cruel?

Eschatological Insights: What's your take on 2 Thessalonians 2:7? I've always used this as a proof text for the Church being removed before the time of the antichrist. That and 1 Thessalonians 5:9. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Eschatological Insights

eschatology

Our Reign With Christ & Purpose of Authority in Eternity: What does it mean that we will reign with Christ in Heaven? What use will there be for any kind of authority in a sinless universe where our righteousness and wisdom are perfect?

Q&A question: Our Reign With Christ & Purpose of Authority in Eternity

heaven

Study Resource Recommendations: Are there any non-Calvinist Systematic Theology books you recommend?

Q&A question: Study Resource Recommendations

Calvinism

1 Corinthians 11 1 Corinthians 11

Biblical Hair Length of Movie Characters?: In Lord of the Rings, would you consider the hair length too long for some characters, such as Aragorn or Legolas? How do I apply 1 Corinthians 11 when designing characters for my own projects?

Q&A question: Biblical Hair Length of Movie Characters?

Luke 23 Jesus resurrection Luke 23

How Was the “Thief on the Cross” Saved?: How was the “good thief” in Luke 23: 42 saved? He died without knowing Jesus' resurrection. Jesus tells him, “Today you will be with me in paradise,” but Christ doesn’t rise for 3 days. Confused!

Q&A question: How Was the “Thief on the Cross” Saved?

Should We Hate Evildoers?: How do you talk to someone who claims the Christian faith but hates people groups because they are “haters of God and denied Jesus”? My friend won’t talk to me because I don’t hate evil people enough.

Q&A question: Should We Hate Evildoers?

Jesus

Meaning of the Leftover Miracle Food: What is the meaning of the 12 and 7 baskets left over from the feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000?

Q&A question: Meaning of the Leftover Miracle Food

miracles

Should I Leave My Job if I’m Kept from Church?: Due to work, I’m not able to go to church. should I look for another job so I can maintain fellowship, or should I just continue with the job I have now?

Q&A question: Should I Leave My Job if I’m Kept from Church?

Why is the NAR Unbiblical?: Please explain why the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is unbiblical.

Q&A question: Why is the NAR Unbiblical?

Is Heaven a Choice?: Does Revelation 22: 17 mean that we have a choice to stay in Heaven (the last sentence specifically)? Would we be able to blink out of existence? Would this offend God?

Q&A question: Is Heaven a Choice?

revelation revelation

How Would Adam & Eve Know Disobedience was Wrong?: If Adam and Eve didn’t have knowledge of good and evil, how would they know it is wrong to disobey God and eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil?

Q&A question: How Would Adam & Eve Know Disobedience was Wrong?

Adam and Eve

Can We “Declare” things in Prayer?: What are your thoughts on “declarative prayer” or “positive confession” (e.g., “I declare revival for this city,” “I declare that this day is blessed,” etc.)?

Q&A question: Can We “Declare” things in Prayer?

prayer

About Boycotting Businesses: Should Christians boycott businesses paying for abortion travel?

Q&A question: About Boycotting Businesses

abortion

How Deep in Theology to go while Evangelizing: How much of the doctrine of the Trinity do we need to explain while sharing the Gospel (especially when it comes to the hypostatic union)?

Q&A question: How Deep in Theology to go while Evangelizing

Trinity angels

Jesus second coming prophecy

Was Jesus’ Second Coming Prophesied?: Is it clear in Old Testament prophecies that Jesus will come not only once, but twice?

Q&A question: Was Jesus’ Second Coming Prophesied?

Should We Settle On a Religion that “Feels Right”?: If a friend says they're looking for a religion that "feels right," how do I approach them if they’ve already left Christianity?

Q&A question: Should We Settle On a Religion that “Feels Right”?

Will We Remember Unbelievers in Eternity?: After a believer dies, will they remember their loved ones who were unbelievers? I understand "perfect peace," but that doesn’t answer the question.

Q&A question: Will We Remember Unbelievers in Eternity?

evangelism

Why Do Two Peoples’ Prayers Yield Different Results?: Why do some people have a gift of healing that works when they pray for people, but I can’t do the same? If we are praying to the same God, why do two peoples’ prayers give different results?

Q&A question: Why Do Two Peoples’ Prayers Yield Different Results?

prayer healing

Choosing Biblical Homeschooling Resources: We homeschool, and one of the most popular "Christian" curricula happens to be from a Mormon. I keep going back and forth over if I should use it because it's very solid academically. Advice?

Q&A question: Choosing Biblical Homeschooling Resources

Mormonism

Handling our Emotions Biblically: What's the difference between suppressing our emotions vs. having self-control over our emotions? I struggle to show positive/negative emotions to God/others, and I seem to distrust God/others with my emotions.

Q&A question: Handling our Emotions Biblically

Genesis baptism creation Genesis

Did God Rest for More than 1 Day?: In the beginning of Genesis, it says God rested on day 7, but considering no creation happens beyond day 7, didn't He technically rest for more than 1 day, or am I misunderstanding something? Also, is it possible to ask you to pray for me? I'm getting baptized on Sunday and I hope my unsaved friends and family turn to Christ when they watch.

Q&A question: Did God Rest for More than 1 Day?

Are Soul Ties Biblical?: What are “soul ties,” and are they biblical?

Q&A question: Are Soul Ties Biblical?

Jesus baptism pastoral ministry

Has Jesus Always Been God?: Our pastor said on Sunday that Jesus wasn’t God here on Earth until the baptism of John and descending of the Holy Spirit. It sounded really bad to my ears. Can you comment, please?

Q&A question: Has Jesus Always Been God?

Honoring God Regardless of Feelings: When I feel "good" I find myself doubting less, being more loving, and sinning less. How do I know if I'm growing in the spirit or if it's just my antidepressants making me nicer?

Q&A question: Honoring God Regardless of Feelings

doubt and faith