Search — Theology Explorer

About Jacob’s “Wrestle” with God: Did Jacob really "wrestle" with God? Why does Genesis make it sound as though he "won" this fight?

Q&A question: About Jacob’s “Wrestle” with God

Genesis Jacob Genesis

About the “Tongues of Angels”: 1Corinthians 13:1 refers to "speaking in the tongues of men and of angels." The tongues of men are just different languages, but what are tongues of angels?

Q&A question: About the “Tongues of Angels”

tongues angels

Why We Should Go to Church: My aunt tells me to go to church because that's when the Holy Spirit "descends" and is with us. Is this true? I'm abroad for school and I don't understand the language that well. Should I still go?

Q&A question: Why We Should Go to Church

Holy Spirit

How to Grow in Christ: What's the best way to get closest to Christ?

Q&A question: How to Grow in Christ

What does it mean that God IS Love?: What does it mean that God IS love, rather than just saying that He is loving or that He loves us?

Q&A question: What does it mean that God IS Love?

Is it Wrong to have Vaxxed & Non-Vaxxed Services?: My church has decided to have 2 different services: one for those who have gotten the vaccine, and one for those who have not. I love my pastors, but I disagree with this approach, and I see it as divisive. Is this something I should leave the church over? I wouldn’t think Jesus would ever be for this option.

Q&A question: Is it Wrong to have Vaxxed & Non-Vaxxed Services?

Jesus pastoral ministry

revelation worship revelation

Should we Worship the Holy Spirit?: Why isn't the Holy Spirit mentioned in any of the instances in Revelation when praise is being given to the Father and the lamb if He is to be worshiped as separate? For example: Revelation 5: 13.

Q&A question: Should we Worship the Holy Spirit?

About Jannes & Jambres: Why does Paul mention Jannes and Jambres in 2 Timothy as being part of the Exodus story when they weren’t? Did he have a different exodus? Is he referring to an extra-biblical book so authoritatively?

Q&A question: About Jannes & Jambres

Timothy

Is Being Poor a Godly Virtue?: In Luke 16: 19-31 we read the story of Lazarus and the rich man and it seems that the only thing Lazarus did to deserve Paradise was being a sick beggar. Does this story teach virtue in being poor?

Q&A question: Is Being Poor a Godly Virtue?

Luke 16 Lazarus Luke 16

How to Respond to Friends’ Ungodly Behavior: How should I respond when hanging out with friends who cuss / curse or play foul music celebrating sinful behavior, some of them being believers?

Q&A question: How to Respond to Friends’ Ungodly Behavior

About “Twilight” relating to Passover: What does “twilight” mean when the Passover lamb is sacrificed? Is it the start of the 14th, or the end leading into the 15th (first day of unleavened bread)?

Q&A question: About “Twilight” relating to Passover

How to Forgive the Abuse of a Loved One: My disabled daughter w/ MS was abused by her ex (hit, pushed her head through a wall, broke her jaw twice requiring three surgeries, told her he’s going to have her killed, & more). I know I should forgive him, but how?

Q&A question: How to Forgive the Abuse of a Loved One

When to Lovingly tell Someone they’re Deceived: If you spend years lovingly bringing scripture to someone in a religion that corrupts it, hoping to open their eyes but fail, is it wrong to finally say directly they've been deceived, and that the religion is a lie?

Q&A question: When to Lovingly tell Someone they’re Deceived

About “Dynamic Omniscience: Could you please explain and give your take on the Open Theist position called " dynamic omniscience" and how biblical or unbiblical the position is?

Q&A question: About “Dynamic Omniscience

faith and science

Called to be Single? How to Know: How do you know if God has called you to be single?

Q&A question: Called to be Single? How to Know

dating and relationships

Luke 8 Jesus miracles Luke 8

Did Jesus Not Know Who Touched Him?: In Luke 8: 45, Jesus asks who touched His garment while in a crowd. Did Jesus really not know who had touched Him, nor that this miracle would take place?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Not Know Who Touched Him?

tribulation pastoral ministry

About Jews & the Great Tribulation: I heard a pastor claim that 2/3 of Jews will die during the Great Tribulation, and the ones who survive will become Christians. Is this what Paul was referring to with “all Israel will be saved”?

Q&A question: About Jews & the Great Tribulation

Can Mental Issues Sometimes be Demonic?: Could my Generalized Anxiety Disorder and OCD be a demonic issue rather than a mental health issue? I'm a believer, but I suffer from both of these issues and I feel trapped.

Q&A question: Can Mental Issues Sometimes be Demonic?

demons

Was Creation an Incarnation of God?: What do you think of Richard Rohr's claim that "creation was the first incarnation of God"?

Q&A question: Was Creation an Incarnation of God?

creation Richard Rohr

About “Boot Camp” Churches: What is your opinion on "Boot Camp" Churches such as Elevation and Newspring that say that their church is for unbelievers and is not a permanent space for believers to remain?

Q&A question: About “Boot Camp” Churches

evangelism

Isaiah Matthew Isaiah prophecy Matthew

About the Virgin Birth: Is the virgin birth an invention by Matthew to buff up the Gospel narrative? The "double-fulfillment" of Isaiah's prophecy sounds like a convenience interpretation. Does the virgin birth matter?

Q&A question: About the Virgin Birth

Overcoming Fear while Witnessing: I am currently attending a public school, and I’m wondering how I am supposed to speak the Word and truth of God when I fear that I will be shut down if I let my true beliefs be heard. Any advice?

Q&A question: Overcoming Fear while Witnessing

evangelism

Are Some Worship Songs Selfish?: Is it selfish or unbiblical for us to sing the song “How He Loves”? Sometimes I feel it's selfish that we're singing about ourselves when it's supposed to be a worship song. Shouldn't God get the glory?

Q&A question: Are Some Worship Songs Selfish?

worship

Should we Hate the Devil?: Is it OK to Hate Satan?

Q&A question: Should we Hate the Devil?

Satan

My Fault if Someone’s Not Saved?: I know God is in control, but since prayer and fasting makes a difference, is it my fault if someone is not saved because I didn’t pray or fast enough for them? I feel responsible when I eat or forget to pray.

Q&A question: My Fault if Someone’s Not Saved?

prayer fasting

Romans 11 revelation Zechariah rapture Romans 11 revelation

About the 2 Witnesses / Rapture?: It seems like the 2 witnesses in Zechariah 4 and Revelation 11 are like two peoples instead of individuals, as Romans 11: 17-21 speaks of olive trees/branches being Jews/Gentiles. If so, would the rapture be the "calling up" of them?

Q&A question: About the 2 Witnesses / Rapture?

John Piper Romans 6 John Piper salvation sanctification

Does Romans Teach Works for Salvation?: Does Romans 6: 22 preach salvation by works? John Piper claims that this verse suggests that at final salvation, our works coming from sanctification result in eternal life.

Q&A question: Does Romans Teach Works for Salvation?

Matthew Calvinism Matthew

Does God Grant People Faith? / Calvinism: How would you interpret the end of Matthew 11 in a non-Calvinist way, since it seems at a quick read to me that God grants people faith?

Q&A question: Does God Grant People Faith? / Calvinism

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

Advice for being a Godly Man: I just turned 18 today, and for the past few months, I've been struggling with the transition into adulthood. Got any advice for someone trying to become the man God wants them to be?

Q&A question: Advice for being a Godly Man

Does Blindness Cover Sin?: In John 9: 41, Jesus says, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin..." What does it mean to be "blind" in this context? Does this blindness also cover sin?

Q&A question: Does Blindness Cover Sin?

John 9 Jesus John 9

Discerning Extrabiblical Prophecies: When should extrabiblical prophecy be accepted or rejected? I don’t know how to discern or “test the spirits,” and I don’t want to be overly dismissive, even if the claims seem astonishing.

Q&A question: Discerning Extrabiblical Prophecies

prophecy

Genesis 3:16 Ephesians 5:22 1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger affirms husband-wife roles are equal in value but different in role, calling this 'irrefutably taught' in the NT. He rejects the word 'rule' as misleading in modern English but affirms husbands have a higher position of authority.

Q&A question asking why submission is taught as God-ordained in the NT if the husband's rule was a curse of the fall.

Matthew Matthew 6 Jesus prayer worship

Right and Wrong Public Worship/Prayer: In Matthew 6:5, Jesus says not to pray like people in public who try to get attention. Would that include praying and worshiping in church?

Q&A question: Right and Wrong Public Worship/Prayer

Interpreting the Psalms: In Psalm 2: 12, What does the psalmist mean by this verse in its non-messianic context?

Q&A question: Interpreting the Psalms

hermeneutics

1 Corinthians 5 Romans 1 1 Corinthians 5 Romans 1

Judging & Correcting Non-Believers: Are we supposed to judge those outside of the Church, and do we have any right to control/direct what they do (Romans 1: 32; 1 Corinthians 5: 12)?

Q&A question: Judging & Correcting Non-Believers

Theological Differences while Dating: I've just discovered my long-term girlfriend does not believe homosexuality is a sin, and I'm really struggling with anxiety regarding this. Is it wrong to break up over this, and how should I approach this?

Q&A question: Theological Differences while Dating

homosexuality

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

Resources for Seniors: Are there any good sources for ministering to seniors you can recommend?

Q&A question: Resources for Seniors

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

Abortion OK - Babies will Go to Heaven?: What would you say to a vicar who says that abortion isn't the biggest issue or problem for God as the babies will end up in Heaven anyway?

Q&A question: Abortion OK - Babies will Go to Heaven?

abortion

Matthew 5 Matthew Ephesians 2 Jesus Matthew 5 Matthew

Did Jesus Come to Abolish the Law?: Why does Paul say in Ephesians 2: 15 “…by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances…” when Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the law in Matthew 5: 17?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Come to Abolish the Law?

Book of Ecclesiastes – Enjoying Life?: When the teacher in Ecclesiastes says to enjoy life, in the context of the book, is it being said like "Enjoy it 'cause it is a gift from God," or "Enjoy your lot since everything is meaningless”?

Q&A question: Book of Ecclesiastes – Enjoying Life?

hermeneutics

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?

About the “Serpent Seed” Doctrine: What are your thoughts about the “Serpent Seed Doctrine” which states that the serpent mated with Eve in the Garden of Eden as the first sin, and that the offspring of their union was Cain?

Q&A question: About the “Serpent Seed” Doctrine

1 Samuel 15 1 Samuel 15:3 Samuel 1 Samuel 15 1 Samuel 15:3

Difficult Passages – Trusting in God’s Goodness: How do you respond to 1 Samuel 15:3 that includes in the command "child & infant"? It doesn't ruin my trust in God's goodness, but it is hard to understand/explain. Any insight you have is appreciated!

Q&A question: Difficult Passages – Trusting in God’s Goodness

About Mars Hill / Pr. Mark Driscoll: What are the lessons we all can learn from Mark Driscoll and the “Rise and Fall of Mars Hill”?

Q&A question: About Mars Hill / Pr. Mark Driscoll

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