Search — Theology Explorer

Genesis 2 Genesis Genesis 2 Genesis

Confession Time: What did Mike get wrong about Genesis 2, relating to the topic of polygamy?

Q&A question: Confession Time

Philippians 4 Philippians 4 Philip Philippi

All Things vs. All This Through Christ?: The NIV changed Philippians 4: 13 from I can do "all things" to "all this" which makes more sense to me in context. Do you think "all things" has been misused historically? Will other translations follow?

Q&A question: All Things vs. All This Through Christ?

Unforgivable Sin in The Didache?: and In the Didache, judging the spirits wrongly was included as the unforgivable sin. Could you explain why you think that is not the case?

Q&A question: Unforgivable Sin in The Didache?

unforgivable sin

Genesis Genesis 6 Genesis 6:3 Genesis Genesis 6 Genesis 6:3

Can We Live More than 120 yrs?: How come people live more than 120 years when God said we wouldn’t in Genesis 6:3?

Q&A question: Can We Live More than 120 yrs?

Spiritual Power?: How can I argue biblically against the idea that we gain personal power/status in the spiritual realm by being full of the Spirit, and how does this relate to abiding in Christ & James 5-16?

Q&A question: Spiritual Power?

James James

anxiety and mental health

Advice for Depression & Spiritual Dryness: When I was a teen, I had depression leading to a suicide attempt. Through God I'm still here, married, and have a family. I read/study the Bible and pray, but I feel lost and far from God. Advice?

Q&A question: Advice for Depression & Spiritual Dryness

The Doctrine of Impassability: Can you help me understand the doctrine of impassability a little bit better? It's confusing for me, and I'm not sure how to relate to the Lord and bring Him my pain, knowing this doctrine.

Q&A question: The Doctrine of Impassability

Balancing Ministry & Family: As a young youth pastor, I am struggling to balance my desire to fully invest time and energy into ministry, with also being married with 2 young boys (2 and 1). Can you give some good principles here?

Q&A question: Balancing Ministry & Family

pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2025-01-17

If Trump Wins, Were the Prophets Right?: If Donald Trump gets elected this year, does that somehow validate any of the false prophets from 4 years ago who prophesied that he would have a second term?

Q&A question: If Trump Wins, Were the Prophets Right?

prophecy Donald Trump

Disciples: Not Recognizing Jesus?: There are some Scriptures where the disciples don’t recognize the resurrected Jesus. Is this because they are prevented by Jesus, or did He actually look different?

Q&A question: Disciples: Not Recognizing Jesus?

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2025-02-14

Our Work in Eternity: Are there any hints in Scripture about what kind of work we will do in God's Kingdom in the future?

Q&A question: Our Work in Eternity

My Sin Blocks My Prayers?: Psalm 66:18 says, "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." Does this mean God will ignore a person's prayers if they have active, ongoing sin in their life? How should we understand this verse in context and alongside other Scriptures about God hearing prayers?

Q&A question: My Sin Blocks My Prayers?

prayer

Biblically Defining a “Church”: Biblically (not legally), what constitutes a church? If someone were to host a weekly Bible study and do some volunteer work with just a few people, would that be considered a small church service?

Q&A question: Biblically Defining a “Church”

Bible study

Support for Limited Atonement?: How does John 17:9 work alongside John 3: 16? Could John 17:9 be a valid point toward Limited Atonement? I do not want to believe in Limited Atonement, but I see verses like this and wonder.

Q&A question: Support for Limited Atonement?

John 3 atonement John 3

Discerning God’s Voice & Direction: My girlfriend recently told me that God told her to break up with me. She got us "promise bracelets" that promise that we will get married. Is what she heard really from God?

Q&A question: Discerning God’s Voice & Direction

John 5 John 12 John 3 John 5 John 12 John 3

Agape vs. Phileo Love: Are agape and phileo love synonymous in Greek? John 3: 19 & John 12: 43 use agape for loving darkness and men's praise, respectively, while John 5: 20 uses phileo to describe the Father's love for the Son.

Q&A question: Agape vs. Phileo Love

Non-Sapien Hominids: Thinking Biblically: How do non-sapien hominids (Neanderthal, Denisovan, Floresiensis, etc.) fit into creation? Do they have the Imago Dei? Are they animals?

Q&A question: Non-Sapien Hominids: Thinking Biblically

creation

The Apostle John Still Alive?: Have you ever heard the theory that the Apostle John might still be alive and be the second witness in the Tribulation? I found the arguments interesting, as conjecture.

Q&A question: The Apostle John Still Alive?

tribulation Apostle John

Is Anointing Oil for Today?: Should we still use oil anointing today (used by elders praying for the sick)? What would that look like?

Q&A question: Is Anointing Oil for Today?

elder qualifications

Deuteronomy 22 Deuteronomy 22

An Error in Translation?: In the NIV translation, Deuteronomy 22: 28-30 uses the word “rape,” but other translations imply consent. Is this a legitimate translation error?

Q&A question: An Error in Translation?

Matthew Matthew 6 Matthew Matthew 6

Are Charitable Tax Deductions Sinful?: Is claiming our charitable donations on our taxes “receiving our reward on Earth” (Matthew 6:1-5)?

Q&A question: Are Charitable Tax Deductions Sinful?

Mike Winger idea 2025-05-02

Do All Christians Have the Gift of Tongues?: Do Christians all have access to a “private prayer language” (speaking in tongues) according to Scripture?

Q&A question: Do All Christians Have the Gift of Tongues?

prayer tongues

Mike Winger idea 2025-05-02

Slaves or Brothers?: Why in Scripture are we told we are the slaves of Christ, as well as the brothers of Christ?

Q&A question: Slaves or Brothers?

Mike Winger idea 2025-05-30

Can Christians Benefit from Secular Therapy?: What are your thoughts on secular therapy for a Christian? Self-help and self-idealization seem antithetical to the Bible. Why isn't the counsel of Scripture and other believers enough?

Q&A question: Can Christians Benefit from Secular Therapy?

tithing

Pastors Using AI?: For pastors preparing sermons: What is the proper use of AI (artificial intelligence)? What are some rules of wisdom we can apply when using AI as a helpful tool?

Q&A question: Pastors Using AI?

pastoral ministry

“Soul” in the OT/NT: How do we reconcile the Old Testament use of "soul" to mean a whole person with statements by Jesus implying that a soul is a separate entity? He seems to be contradicting what the Old Testament teaches.

Q&A question: “Soul” in the OT/NT

Jesus

Why is Open Theism Unbiblical?: I know in the past you have been against Open Theism. Why is the idea of a non-completely settled future unbiblical? I lean toward Open Theism due to God’s freedom.

Q&A question: Why is Open Theism Unbiblical?

Praying for Personal Blessings: Selfish?: Can you share your insight on how to get over the feeling that it’s somehow wrong to pray for personal blessings? Objectively, I know it’s not, but the feeling often creeps in, as if it’s selfish.

Q&A question: Praying for Personal Blessings: Selfish?

“Lord” in the OT vs. NT: Is the title of Lord used in the same capacity in the New Testament as it is in the Old Testament (for example, in John13: 13)?

Q&A question: “Lord” in the OT vs. NT

Confessing to Others: You've recently been calling leaders out publicly. Do all Christians need to publicly confess our sins, or only leaders? Is confessing to God and repenting enough, or should we tell each other?

Q&A question: Confessing to Others

repentance