Search — Theology Explorer

About the Extent of the Atonement: Do the two different stances on the extent of the atonement (unlimited and definite) ultimately represent two different gospels? This is a fear of mine.

Q&A question: About the Extent of the Atonement

atonement

Does Prayer Have a Required Formula?: I talk to God in my head and pray during the day, but my thoughts drift and sometimes I realize I never said “amen.” I know that He’s listening, but if it’s not formatted like a prayer, does it still count?

Q&A question: Does Prayer Have a Required Formula?

prayer

How to Find Counsel in Scripture: How do I go about searching the Scriptures to help me find a solution or to come to a decision in an area of my life?

Q&A question: How to Find Counsel in Scripture

About being Born of God/of the Spirit: Prior to Pentecost, was anyone “born of God/Spirit” as the Spirit hadn’t been given yet (John 1: 13; 3:1-7; 7: 39)? Can this discredit regeneration preceding faith/total inability?

Q&A question: About being Born of God/of the Spirit

John 1 John 1

Was Historical Proof of Biblical Events Just Made Up?: I heard that the historians’ consensus for the Patriarchs, the Exodus, and the Conquest of Canaan was that they didn’t happen but were made up later. Any input on this?

Q&A question: Was Historical Proof of Biblical Events Just Made Up?

Canaan

If we Confess our Doubts, Are We Still Saved?: I was having doubts about the atonement, and I was questioning if I really believed it. I had thoughts about me not believing. Am I still saved if confessed those and do believe now?

Q&A question: If we Confess our Doubts, Are We Still Saved?

atonement

Was Jesus Rich? & How to Challenge False Claims: Someone told me “Jesus was rich and that was how He was able to feed the 5,000 and their families.” I know that’s wrong, but where do they find these theories and how do I help them see that’s not true?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Rich? & How to Challenge False Claims

Jesus

How to Share a Summary of the Gospel: Do you have a simple way to share the Gospel? How can we know what to say to be obedient and share the Gospel effectively without missing any of the essentials?

Q&A question: How to Share a Summary of the Gospel

Mary (mother of Jesus)

Thinking Biblically about Covid Restrictions: My province has new Covid mandates that my pastor is implementing. Reduced attendance, vaccine passport checks, and masks even while singing. I think this is unbiblical. What can I do?

Q&A question: Thinking Biblically about Covid Restrictions

pastoral ministry

Advice for Finding a Godly Spouse / Our Desires: I’m 23 yrs. old. 6 yrs. ago, my attraction to women just disappeared. This messed with my head a lot, and also, because of physical problems, I can’t approach girls in order to find a wife. Please, can you advise me?

Q&A question: Advice for Finding a Godly Spouse / Our Desires

marriage

Was David’s Son Punished for David’s Sin?: In a past video, it sounded like Mike said David's child dying was "collateral damage.” How is that not punishment for David's sins?

Q&A question: Was David’s Son Punished for David’s Sin?

David

Exodus 20 Ephesians 6 Exodus 20 Ephesians 6

Did God’s Promise Change?: Why did the promise for honoring your parents change from Old Testament (Exodus 20: 12 – “in the land I will give you”) vs. the New Testament (Ephesians 6:2 – “living long on the earth”)?

Q&A question: Did God’s Promise Change?

Are Different Convictions = Subjective Truth?: How do we protect ourselves from post-modernist thinking such as "truth is subjective" when discussing matters of different convictions (ex: Christians disagreeing over matters such as cursing, etc.)?

Q&A question: Are Different Convictions = Subjective Truth?

About Finding God’s Purpose/Will in our Lives: How do we know God's purpose for our lives, as in a career?

Q&A question: About Finding God’s Purpose/Will in our Lives

How to “Take Every Thought Captive”: What does it mean to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" in 2 Corinthians 10:5? What are some examples of how we can live this out?

Q&A question: How to “Take Every Thought Captive”

Advice for a Difficult Church Situation: My daughter and her father-in-law visited the church I attend. They brought my 3 month old Grandson who was making loud sounds. One of the attendants asked them to leave. Now I have mixed feelings about this church. Should I continue to attend?

Q&A question: Advice for a Difficult Church Situation

Can Remarried People Serve in Church?: A divorced lady in my church recently got remarried to someone else. The church is not allowing remarried couples to serve in any area of the church. Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Can Remarried People Serve in Church?

divorce remarriage

Why are there Sacrifices if Jesus is our Sacrifice?: Why are there sacrifices (more specifically, sin offerings) in the millennial temple on Earth (ex. Ezekiel 42: 13)? I don't get it since Jesus was the final and perfect sacrifice.

Q&A question: Why are there Sacrifices if Jesus is our Sacrifice?

Ezekiel Jesus Ezekiel

Surrendering to God when it’s Difficult: I'm double-minded and depressed. I want real salvation but have a hard time fully surrendering. Good works and prayer feel like pushing a boulder up a hill. Any advice?

Q&A question: Surrendering to God when it’s Difficult

salvation prayer

What is Love, According to the Bible?: Define love according to the Bible. Is it a feeling? Act? Choice? This is very important to me because it will inform how I view if I was loving or not in situations.

Q&A question: What is Love, According to the Bible?

resurrection sanctification

Does Sanctification Continue in Eternity?: J..Do you think sanctification is complete upon our death and resurrection, or do we continue to “improve” throughout eternity?

Q&A question: Does Sanctification Continue in Eternity?

How to be Calm & Kind on Social Media: I often find myself being rude on social media. I don’t mean to be, but it just gets the better of me. How do you approach people, consistently, in such a loving manner?

Q&A question: How to be Calm & Kind on Social Media

Angels, Free Will, & Did God Command Satan to Rebel?} How would you react to someone who claims that angels don't have free will, and that by extension, God commanded Satan to rebel? Hoping to address the issue and the heart here, thanks!

Q&A question

Satan free will angels

Biblical Help when Struggling with Infertility: I recently have had intense disappointment and grief in my life re: fertility and am struggling with not knowing God's path for my life. Do you have any biblical help to heal and move forward?

Q&A question: Biblical Help when Struggling with Infertility

suffering

Is Luke a “Social Justice Gospel”?: The book of Luke is being described as the "social justice gospel” in Progressive circles. What do you think about Luke being described as the social justice gospel?

Q&A question: Is Luke a “Social Justice Gospel”?

About the Vows in Numbers 30: What specific examples of vows or oaths do you think Numbers 30 was referring to?

Q&A question: About the Vows in Numbers 30

Numbers 30 Numbers 30

Refuting WMSCOG Theology: I was approached by the Mother God cult in a department store, and they used Galatians 4: 26. How could I bring clarity to this verse for them next time?

Q&A question: Refuting WMSCOG Theology

Galatians 4 Galatians 4

Should we Choose a Denomination Right Away?: I'm a new convert. I love God. However, since I'm a new convert I haven't "chosen" a denomination yet. Must I hurry and choose one? Right now, I'm just happy reading the Bible, believing, and praying.

Q&A question: Should we Choose a Denomination Right Away?

About “Seal” & “Deposit” in 2 Cor.: What is the meaning of the words "seal" and "deposit" in 2 Corinthians 1: 22?

Q&A question: About “Seal” & “Deposit” in 2 Cor.

Lovingly Calling Out Sin: How do I love and exhort a close family member who knows & believes the Gospel but doesn't seem bothered by some sinful choices (e.g., going to rowdy parties, getting drunk)?

Q&A question: Lovingly Calling Out Sin

About Leviathan: What are your thoughts on Leviathan? Do you believe he is an actual creature, or more symbolic? Where is he now?

Q&A question: About Leviathan

Roman Catholicism Jehovah's Witnesses

What if I Don’t Live near a Bible-based Church?: What do you do when there are only Jehovah’s whiteness, Catholic, and extremely Progressive churches within a day’s drive of where you live?

Q&A question: What if I Don’t Live near a Bible-based Church?

What to Do when a Spouse Turns from Faith: What advice do you have for a man who married a Christian but she has turned away from the faith? I struggle with feeling betrayed by her and God, and I worry about raising our newborn in the faith.

Q&A question: What to Do when a Spouse Turns from Faith

Modesty according to the Bible: What do you believe is the standard of modesty, biblically?

Q&A question: Modesty according to the Bible

Tips for Consistent Bible Reading: I’ve been pretty terrible with reading my Bible in past years, and I really want to stay in God’s Word this year (and always). Can you please give me some advice on how to read my Bible consistently? I always start reading plans, fall behind, then just stop reading altogether.

Q&A question: Tips for Consistent Bible Reading

Hebrews 10 Romans 3 Jesus atonement Hebrews 10

Were OT Sacrifices Purely Symbolic?: Did Levitical sacrifices really do anything beyond point people to Jesus? Hebrews 10:4 and Romans 3: 25 tell us that Jesus' atonement was applied retroactively to Old Testament saints, so were their sacrifices only symbolic?

Q&A question: Were OT Sacrifices Purely Symbolic?

elder qualifications pastoral ministry

Do Pastors Have Authority over Believers?: A lot of people in my circle talk about being under the "covering" and authority of their pastor and elders. Is this a thing?

Q&A question: Do Pastors Have Authority over Believers?

Tips for Reading Scripture w/Children: It seems like the more I try and teach my kids the Word (ages 8,12 yrs.) the more they say the Bible is boring and groan every time I want to read with them. I’m getting discouraged. Suggestions?

Q&A question: Tips for Reading Scripture w/Children

parenting

When to be Re-Baptized: If I lacked repentance at the time of my baptism years ago as a teen, should I be rebaptized now as an adult? This past year I've experienced true, heart-felt repentance and now I just want to obey.

Q&A question: When to be Re-Baptized

repentance baptism

Does the P. of Talents demand Physical Work?: My preacher uses the Parable of Talents to say we must go out to do work for the Lord. I have chronic illness and I don't have energy for stuff outside of my family. Does this mean I waste my talents?

Q&A question: Does the P. of Talents demand Physical Work?

suffering

Why Didn’t Adam Stop Eve?: Since Adam was sinless before the fall, why didn't he fulfill his role as a husband when Eve was tempted by the serpent (it seems like he was nearby)?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t Adam Stop Eve?

marriage

Legal, but Is It Moral / Biblical?: In bodybuilding, the usage of performance enhancing drugs are not illegal and are used by higher level competitors. As a Christian, would those drugs be considered sinful to utilize as a tool to be competitive in the pro league?

Q&A question: Legal, but Is It Moral / Biblical?

How is the Bible Perfect, Written by Humans?: According to Scripture, all humans are flawed. There are no examples of humans being perfect, apart from Christ. Therefore, how can anyone deem the Bible 100% perfect when its authors were imperfect?

Q&A question: How is the Bible Perfect, Written by Humans?

A Prayer Request from Pastor Mike: Today I want to know how we can all pray for YOU and your ministry.

Q&A question: A Prayer Request from Pastor Mike

prayer pastoral ministry

Daniel Daniel 4 eschatology Daniel Daniel 4

Who are the Watchers in Daniel 4?: Who are the “watchers” of Daniel 4: 17? Do they play an end times role?

Q&A question: Who are the Watchers in Daniel 4?

Advice for a Transgender Situation: My baby’s kindergarten has hired a transgender person who advocates. If kids ask, they will say that he is a trans. My baby is just 1 yr. old. Is it even safe for her to be with this confused person? Any advice?

Q&A question: Advice for a Transgender Situation

Comfort from Scripture after a Breakup: My girlfriend (devout Catholic) and I (devout "protestant") broke up recently after dating for a year. We wanted to get married, but we broke up due to our faiths. Where can I read for comfort?

Q&A question: Comfort from Scripture after a Breakup

Roman Catholicism

Will we be Judged for our Words or Intentions?: Will God judge us for what we said, or for what we meant by those words?

Q&A question: Will we be Judged for our Words or Intentions?

Understanding the Trinity: How should we understand the "power dynamic" within the Trinity specifically as it applies to "sending" (filioque clause in mind)? Does the Father have a sort of "sending" authority over the Son & the Spirit?

Q&A question: Understanding the Trinity

Trinity