Search — Theology Explorer

1 Timothy 4:1 Timothy demons 1 Timothy 4:1

About the “Doctrines of Demons”: Can you give more examples about the “doctrines of demons” mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:1?

Q&A question: About the “Doctrines of Demons”

Matthew Matthew 28 Acts 11 Matthew Matthew 28 Acts 11

About Becoming a Disciple: How do you become a disciple in light of Matthew 28: 19? Can you be unsaved yet still a disciple? I haven’t found the Greek word (μαθητευω) elsewhere. Seems to normally be μαθητης (ex. Acts 11: 29; 19: 30; 21:4, 16).

Q&A question: About Becoming a Disciple

When we Should and Shouldn’t Witness: How do we know when to speak up about the truth of Christ vs. when not to? I am grieved by what I see being claimed as “truth” today, but I don’t want to just sit back and say “I’m not supposed to judge.”

Q&A question: When we Should and Shouldn’t Witness

evangelism

Bible translations creation and science doubt and faith

About the Fear of God and Dinosaurs: Does the "fear" of the Lord mean "scared"? If not, why is "fear” still used in today’s Bibles? Translation problem? Confused here! And were dinosaur bones/fossils created by the devil to cast doubt?

Q&A question: About the Fear of God and Dinosaurs

About Denominations: Do you think denominations are a “concession” from God in that He knew we would disagree on doctrine, or is it more like differing members of the body reaching different people in different ways?

Q&A question: About Denominations

Responding to Mormon Arguments: What is your best answer to a Mormon responding to "There is only ONE God" by saying "Yes, only one God for US. Only one God we are to worship & that’s OUR Heavenly Father but there are others elsewhere"?

Q&A question: Responding to Mormon Arguments

worship Mormonism

Revelation 13 revelation Revelation 13 revelation

What is the Mark of the Beast?: What is the mark of the beast as described in Revelation 13? I’ve heard and read so many things, and I’m not sure how to make sense of it.

Q&A question: What is the Mark of the Beast?

revelation Acts 1 John 16 Jesus worship revelation

Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts: Do we have "Jesus in our hearts" as believers? What about worship songs about Jesus in the room? John 16:5-10, Acts 1:9-11 and basically all of Revelation seems to say Jesus is in Heaven for now.

Q&A question: Is it Biblical? Jesus in our Hearts

Why did God Allow our Sin Nature?: Frank Turek said (paraphrasing) that in Heaven we will have free will, but we won't sin because we won't have a sin nature. If that's the case, why didn't God just make us like that on Earth?

Q&A question: Why did God Allow our Sin Nature?

Frank Turek free will

How to Comfort Grieving Friends: I lost a good friend of over 20 yrs. He was recovering from a heroin addiction. He called his parents saying he couldn't take it anymore and he shot himself. What can I say to comfort them?

Q&A question: How to Comfort Grieving Friends

addiction

Learning about Biblical Heroes: Some biblical characters are heroes in the faith, but not mentioned much in the Bible (people like Enoch and Melchizedek). How can I find out more about what was so special about their relationship with God?

Q&A question: Learning about Biblical Heroes

Melchizedek Enoch

About Christ’s Return: Why did Jesus mention eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building, and getting married in Luke 17?

Q&A question: About Christ’s Return

Jesus

About the Day of the Lord: How do you interpret the “day of the Lord”? Do you understand it as a single day, or do you see it as the whole tribulation period? People seem to have differing views on this.

Q&A question: About the Day of the Lord

tribulation

John 15 Jesus salvation John 15

About the Vine & Branches, Eternal Security: Just wanted clarity on John 15:1-8. Is Jesus talking about people losing their salvation? Or people walking away from Him and the faith?

Q&A question: About the Vine & Branches, Eternal Security

About the LE of Mark: You've said that we should leave in the longer ending of Mark's Gospel because removing it could upset some Christians. If this is so, then should we be including things like the Comma Johanneum because removing that has upset some Christians? Where do you believe we should draw the line, and why?

Q&A question: About the LE of Mark

How to Support a Recovering Spouse: My husband is a recovering alcoholic, now beginning to attend AA meetings. As a wife, what are the most practical ways I can support him while encouraging him to begin leading our home in a biblical way without overwhelming him?

Q&A question: How to Support a Recovering Spouse

marriage

Where did Lazarus Temporarily Go?: Where were people who died and later got resurrected located in that period? Do they go to Heaven or Hell and get snatched back to Earth after they’re resurrected (e.g., Lazarus, Dorcas, Eutychus etc.)?

Q&A question: Where did Lazarus Temporarily Go?

Lazarus hell

Holy Spirit anxiety and mental health

Our Own Thoughts vs. the Holy Spirit: In something like pursuing a relationship, or even in general, how do you tell the difference between the Holy Spirit and your own anxiety telling you not to do something?

Q&A question: Our Own Thoughts vs. the Holy Spirit

How to Biblically Grieve Painful Loss: My only son died from an overdose last year. I was angry at God and walked away from Him for a bit. I told Him “If I am to serve you, I want the real God.” Isaiah 43: 18-19 says to get over it. How do I get over it?

Q&A question: How to Biblically Grieve Painful Loss

Isaiah Isaiah

Can Horror Movies & Secular Music Invite Demons?: What are your thoughts about Christians having to be careful so that they don’t invite demons into their lives through watching horror movies or listening to secular music? Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Can Horror Movies & Secular Music Invite Demons?

demons

About Evidence & Belief: Imagine if someone asked you, “Would you be willing to disbelieve in God if the evidence led there?” What would your response be? Are we obligated to say yes? Does that dishonor God?

Q&A question: About Evidence & Belief

apologetics

About the “Golden Rule”: Is the Golden Rule objective or subjective? For example, I tease my friend and he teases me back because we think it's funny, but I won't do it to others because they don't think it's funny.

Q&A question: About the “Golden Rule”

Are All of God’s Actions Infallible?: How do I approach a conversation with someone who doesn't believe God is infallible? He believes in the God of the Bible, but he doesn't think all of God's actions are "good," like in the book of Job.

Q&A question: Are All of God’s Actions Infallible?

biblical inerrancy

Identifying & Rejecting False Teaching: What's up with all the bad hermeneutics out there? How can those of us without formal training avoid bad interpretation/application of Scripture by ourselves and be able to spot them in sermons, etc.?

Q&A question: Identifying & Rejecting False Teaching

hermeneutics

Does God Hate Satan?: Does God hate Satan and the demons?

Q&A question: Does God Hate Satan?

Satan demons

Matthew 5 Matthew Jesus Matthew 5 Matthew

What Did Jesus Mean by “Be Perfect”?: What did Jesus mean when He said, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" in Matthew 5: 48? Wouldn't that mean we're all condemned since we sin every day/week?

Q&A question: What Did Jesus Mean by “Be Perfect”?

Genesis Malachi Jacob Genesis Malachi

About Jacob & Esau: Why didn't God punish Jacob and his mother for stealing Esau's birthright and blessing (Genesis 27)? In fact, why does He love Jacob and hate Esau (Malachi 1)?

Q&A question: About Jacob & Esau

1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 14 tongues

About “Unknown”/ Tongues in 1 Cor.: What do you make of the added word “unknown” in 1 Corinthians 14:2-3, which is not in the original Greek? Could it mean that it is not a different sort of tongues, rather, that no one understands them?

Q&A question: About “Unknown”/ Tongues in 1 Cor.

A Difficult Passage – Ezekiel 45: Is Jesus offering sin sacrifices in Ezekiel 45?

Q&A question: A Difficult Passage – Ezekiel 45

Ezekiel Jesus Ezekiel

Should we Worship Using Instruments?: Should we use instruments in congregational church worship? Why or why not? The early church did not use instruments.

Q&A question: Should we Worship Using Instruments?

worship

What to Do When a Church Member is Out of Line: What should I do if a member of my fellowship with some mental issues has been making several false prophecies every day, saying literally "hear me for the lord speaks”?

Q&A question: What to Do When a Church Member is Out of Line

prophecy

Book Recommendations?: What are some good books for important topics like systematic theology, hermeneutics, complementarianism, etc.?

Q&A question: Book Recommendations?

complementarianism

1 Corinthians 11:3 1 Corinthians 11 1 Corinthians 11:3 Trinity Jesus

About the Subordination of the Son: How do you explain the subordination of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:3; 15: 28) to the Father within Trinitarian theology? I explain it via incarnational subordination (Philippians 2:5; Hebrews 29; 5:8).

Q&A question: About the Subordination of the Son

Were Any of Jesus’ Bones Broken?: If the nail of a crucified victim was inserted through the heel bone or ankle bone, how should we interpret John 19: 36? Wouldn’t a nail cause the bone to break?

Q&A question: Were Any of Jesus’ Bones Broken?

John 19 Jesus John 19

When to be Kind vs. Aggressive: When trying to be biblically based, how do we know when to be kind, and when to be aggressive?

Q&A question: When to be Kind vs. Aggressive

How the Jewish Bible is Different: Why aren't there Bibles with the Hebrew order of the Old Testament? Some say the Hebrew order helps to show additional context and beauty of the Prophets and writings within Israel’s history. Any reason to stick to the English order? If either is fine, why aren’t there options?

Q&A question: How the Jewish Bible is Different

prophecy

marriage justification divorce

Advice - Tough Marriage/Divorce Situation: Regarding divorce, you mentioned that verbal/emotional abuse is only a valid justification when it is extreme. How do we think biblically about what God would consider to be extreme? I'm finding it hard not to doubt my own perceptions, but my husband is in complete denial. Also, where the husband has essentially separated from the wife within the marriage, is it still not permissible to remarry?

Q&A question: Advice - Tough Marriage/Divorce Situation

Matthew 24 Matthew Matthew 24 Matthew Jehovah's Witnesses

About the “Faithful & Discreet Slave”: Can you explain how we should properly interpret Matthew 24: 45-47? I know Jehovah’s Witnesses think it’s referring to their governing body, but I’d like your opinion.

Q&A question: About the “Faithful & Discreet Slave”

Can Sin be Subjective At Times?: Sin is objective, but isn't it sometimes subjective? For example, you may be convicted of a certain activity and won't do it, but I do, or vice versa…and how modesty is different around the world.

Q&A question: Can Sin be Subjective At Times?

Are there Really “Accidents”?: Are there really accidents? For example, a freak car accident? How do we square God’s will with what might seem like a totally random event or “accident”?

Q&A question: Are there Really “Accidents”?

How to Quickly Defend Christianity: Please teach us to talk about why Christianity is true (3-5 points in 2-3 minutes).

Q&A question: How to Quickly Defend Christianity

Can we Write Jesus into Games or Stories?: I'm a hobbyist/game developer and have started making Bible themed games. I want to include Jesus in one of my projects, but I feel uncomfortable writing words for Him. Any advice? Can I even do this?

Q&A question: Can we Write Jesus into Games or Stories?

Jesus

About the Natural Condition of Man: I've heard you say that you don't agree with any of the points in TULIP. What do you believe about the natural condition of man?

Q&A question: About the Natural Condition of Man

Can There Be Differing Interpretations of Scripture?: If the word “clear” is used to describe a teaching in the Bible by two Christians with opposing views on the same teaching, wouldn’t that void the effectiveness of using the word in that way?

Q&A question: Can There Be Differing Interpretations of Scripture?

hermeneutics

suffering sovereignty of God

Trusting God in Very Difficult Times: Do you have any advice for dealing with a miscarriage? It’s the first time in my life where I’ve been angry at God. I know He’s sovereign, but it’s difficult to accept right now.

Q&A question: Trusting God in Very Difficult Times

James elder qualifications James healing

Does James Teach Guaranteed Healing?: Does James 5: 14-15 say that a sick person should ask elders to pray for him and he will be always healed? The text seems to be quite straight forward on this.

Q&A question: Does James Teach Guaranteed Healing?

Can we Give to Non-Christian Causes?: Thoughts on charitable giving to organizations that I'm passionate about but aren't overtly Christian? Even if it's above my normal tithe, is this "taking money away" from Kingdom advancement?

Q&A question: Can we Give to Non-Christian Causes?

tithing

John 6 Mark 6 John 6 Mark 6

Is There a Contradiction?: The Synoptics seem to indicate that the Feeding of 5,000 took place on the Sea of Galilee's West side (Mark 6:30-56), but it seems to take place on the East side in John 6. How do we resolve this?

Q&A question: Is There a Contradiction?

anxiety and mental health

Is Worrying a Sin?: Is worrying (stress/anxiety) a sin? If so, could you provide some thoughts on the reasons you think it is?

Q&A question: Is Worrying a Sin?