Search — Theology Explorer

Polygamy in Scripture?: Polygamy? Exodus 21: 10–11 says if he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights. Clearly, God is speaking of multiple wives. Your thoughts?

Q&A question: Polygamy in Scripture?

Exodus 21 Exodus 21

Negative Words = Neg. Consequences?: In WOF (Word of Faith) circles, 2 Kings 4:8-37 is an example of why you shouldn’t speak or pray negatively about your situation. What is the actual idea of this passage?

Q&A question: Negative Words = Neg. Consequences?

word of faith

Envy vs. Jealousy?: Is there a difference between envy and jealousy? Can you describe what the difference is biblically?

Q&A question: Envy vs. Jealousy?

1 John 4 Joseph marriage 1 John 4

Did Joseph Fail to “Test the Spirits”?: 1 John 4 says to “test the spirits.” But Mary's husband, Joseph, didn't appear to do this when he had the dream to flee to Egypt. How should we understand or interpret this?

Q&A question: Did Joseph Fail to “Test the Spirits”?

Must we “Wait for God” before Salvation?: Can you get saved whenever? My church teaches that God must first “knock on your heart” before you can respond and accept salvation. This leads to some people wanting to be saved, but waiting.

Q&A question: Must we “Wait for God” before Salvation?

salvation

Matthew 18 Matthew Matthew 18 pastoral ministry Matthew

Clarifying a Difficult Passage: A local UMC pastor preached on Matthew 18: 21-35. She said scholars say that Matthew added verses 34-35 and that the master does not represent God. I've never heard this take and it sounds concerning. Any insight?

Q&A question: Clarifying a Difficult Passage

John 4 John 4 Jesus baptism

Why Didn’t Jesus Baptize?: Why didn’t Jesus water baptize anyone Himself (John 4:2)?

Q&A question: Why Didn’t Jesus Baptize?

Do Not Evangelize to Some People?: Are there situations or groups of people for whom we shouldn't share the Gospel? Acts 16:6-7 seems to say so, but I'd love to hear your insight on the topic and your interpretation of this passage.

Q&A question: Do Not Evangelize to Some People?

angels

complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger explains headship means the husband has a higher position of authority (not the only authority) — when they disagree, the deciding vote goes to the husband. But Jesus commands this be exercised with grace, love, and self-sacrifice, never 'lording it over' the wife.

Q&A question: What does a husband being the head of the wife actually mean he does? Does he boss her around or just be a good man?

Do We Each Have a “Calling”?: How do we know how we (individually) are meant to serve the Lord?

Q&A question: Do We Each Have a “Calling”?

Genesis Genesis 1 Philo creation Genesis

Thoughts on Genesis 1/Creation: I've recently seen Inspiring Philosophy's video on Genesis 1. He says that it's most likely mirroring the near East tradition of assigning purpose rather than actual creation. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Thoughts on Genesis 1/Creation

Song of Solomon = Christ & Church?: I am currently studying Song of Solomon, and I was wondering, do you believe that it represents Christ and the Church? I have an issue with that, as the book describes a sexual relationship.

Q&A question: Song of Solomon = Christ & Church?

Solomon

Can Same-Sex Attractions Change?: I'm a Christian, converted this year. I've felt the Holy Spirit inspire me to live a better life in many ways. But I still struggle with one thing. I'm gay and I struggle to see how my attraction could change.

Q&A question: Can Same-Sex Attractions Change?

homosexuality

DND, Harry Potter, etc.: The Bible is clear about its stance on sorcery and witchcraft. My husband and I play DND and some people were having an issue with this and potentially also with books containing magic. What are your thoughts?

Q&A question: DND, Harry Potter, etc.

marriage

Godly Dating Practices: What is the best way to date for marriage as a Christian? Is there a good way to sift through people to find someone equally yoked?

Q&A question: Godly Dating Practices

marriage

Loving the Lord with Everything: I’ve been wondering about the great commandment Jesus gives in Matthew 22: 36. Seems like a Deuteronomy 6 quote, but why does Jesus change the last quality from “might” to “mind”?

Q&A question: Loving the Lord with Everything

Matthew Jesus Matthew

Bonus Q!.Were they really taking the Hobbits to Isengard?

Q&A question

Faith = Just a Family Tradition?: My husband believes that faith comes about by family tradition, and that someone's faith is just an expression of what their family has taught them rather than actual faith in God. What does the bible say about this?

Q&A question: Faith = Just a Family Tradition?

marriage

Wealth & Poverty in Heaven: If we all get different wealth in Heaven based on our deeds on Earth, won’t that create a situation where some people are poor and some are rich? And what happens once we spend it all?

Q&A question: Wealth & Poverty in Heaven

heaven

Was Paul Married? Widowed?: Acts 26:9-10: "...cast my vote" has implications that Paul was in the Sanhedrin (also residing over Stephen's trial in 8:1), which would have required him to be married (even though that requirement wasn't recorded until later; I'm guessing it was still implemented). Could Paul have been married? Perhaps widowed?

Q&A question: Was Paul Married? Widowed?

Stephen Sanhedrin

1 Samuel 16 David Samuel 1 Samuel 16

Did Saul Know who David Was?: Why at the end of 1 Samuel 16 did the author emphasize David's service to and recognition by Saul, but in 1 Samuel 17, Saul didn't seem to even know who David was (no one seemed to know him for that matter)?

Q&A question: Did Saul Know who David Was?

James James 1 Mark 9 James James 1 Mark 9

Is Doubting OK?: I love Mark 9: 24 - “I believe, help my unbelief.” But how do we understand that along with James 1:6-8 which says to ask in faith with no doubting, as the one who doubts will not receive anything from the Lord?

Q&A question: Is Doubting OK?

Should We Pray to Mary?: How can I respond with Scripture to a Catholic friend who says, “Mary is the mother of Jesus, so why wouldn’t you seek help from her? Jesus wouldn’t like you disrespecting His mom in any way”?

Q&A question: Should We Pray to Mary?

Roman Catholicism Jesus

Are Our Souls Truly Immortal?: I was raised in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and they say that the belief in an immortal/immaterial soul is Pagan in origin and has no basis in the Bible. Is this true?

Q&A question: Are Our Souls Truly Immortal?

Matthew Matthew 7 prophecy Matthew Matthew 7

The Fruit of False Prophets: In Matthew 7: 15-20, what are the fruits of the false prophets? The teaching? The followers? The acts? Or something else?

Q&A question: The Fruit of False Prophets

1 Corinthians 3 1 Corinthians 3

Leading with Proper Wisdom: In light of 1 Corinthians 3: 18, how can I lead others spiritually with wisdom without considering myself to be wise?

Q&A question: Leading with Proper Wisdom

Will God Give Up on Repetitive Sinners?: I suffer from same-sex attraction. I fight it, but sometimes I give in. Will God give up on me at some point if I give in?

Q&A question: Will God Give Up on Repetitive Sinners?

Premarital Cohabitation Without Sex?: Is it OK for me and my long-distance girlfriend to stay in an Air BnB for a couple of months if we do not fall into sexual sin, but are not married?

Q&A question: Premarital Cohabitation Without Sex?

sexual ethics

Must Christians Attend Church?: Do you have to attend church to be a Christian?

Q&A question: Must Christians Attend Church?

When Other Faiths Pray for Us: When people of other religions pray for us and we see these prayers answered, how do we reconcile that with Christianity? Does that mean all faiths are good?

Q&A question: When Other Faiths Pray for Us

prayer

Why did Jesus Die if Humans Still Die?: If the payment for sin is death, and both believers and non-believers will die anyways, then why did Jesus have to die for us? Was it for a chance at us entering Heaven?

Q&A question: Why did Jesus Die if Humans Still Die?

Jesus

Did Augustine Consider the Apocrypha Canon?: How would you respond to those who point out that Augustine considered the Apocrypha as canon?

Q&A question: Did Augustine Consider the Apocrypha Canon?

Augustine

Luke 10 Jesus Satan Luke 10

Satan’s Fall in Luke 10: Could you shed some light on what Jesus meant in Luke 10: 18? Is Jesus talking about Satan's initial fall here, and what purpose does it serve in the passage?

Q&A question: Satan’s Fall in Luke 10

OCD-Like Prayers: Any thoughts on struggles with OCD-like prayers? Ex: feeling the need to pray for protection over family members every day in fear that something bad will happen to them if I don’t.

Q&A question: OCD-Like Prayers

prayer

God Didn’t Reveal Himself?: What do you tell an atheist who says he looked for God and God didn't reveal Himself to him? And in general, what do you make of the argument of nonresistant non-believers?

Q&A question: God Didn’t Reveal Himself?

atheism

How to Hear God’s Voice: What does it mean to hear God's voice? Many teachings say to listen to your thoughts and discern God's voice. Is this even Biblical, or is it a cliche? Reminds me of imagination (visions/prophecy).

Q&A question: How to Hear God’s Voice

prophecy

Why did God Change OT Names?: Why does God change the name of Abram to Abraham, Saul to Paul, and Sarai to Sarah? Is there a meaning behind this?

Q&A question: Why did God Change OT Names?

Sarah Abraham

ARRGH! The Pirate Bible!: Have you heard of The Pirate Bible? Apparently, it has been translated from the KJV into "pirate vernacular" using AI. It seems like a joke to me, but what are your thoughts?

Q&A question: ARRGH! The Pirate Bible!

NAR

Does Video Auto-Play Lead to Sin?: Is it a sin to use a social media service that often displays ungodly messages and music? Short-form video services such as TikTok display videos directly on your feed rather than suggesting them to you. I will still often see ungodly videos even though I don't want to.

Q&A question: Does Video Auto-Play Lead to Sin?

Is Jesus Presently King?: Is Jesus presently on the throne or at the right hand of the throne? Is He King today? In what sense is He King? Proof text? How does the answer impact premillennial eschatology?

Q&A question: Is Jesus Presently King?

Jesus eschatology

Uncontacted Tribes & Judgment: I was wondering, what will happen to the uncontacted tribes during the time of Jacob’s trouble, and without the ability to hear the Gospel, what does judgment look like for them?

Q&A question: Uncontacted Tribes & Judgment

Jacob

Are Violent Video Games Permissible?: What are your thoughts on Christians playing violent video games like Call of Duty or Doom? At what point does it become a question of conscience vs. it just being wrong?

Q&A question: Are Violent Video Games Permissible?

faith and science

Have a Pure Mind – Battling Lust: I came to Christ around 9 months ago, but I’ve been really struggling with getting closer God. I’m 15 and I have problems with lust. How can I stop always falling back into sin through lusting?

Q&A question: Have a Pure Mind – Battling Lust

sexual ethics

Does Catholicism Save?: If at the end of days, the Protestant belief is proven true, would Catholics be saved? Conversely, if Catholicism turns out to be the truth, would Protestants be saved?

Q&A question: Does Catholicism Save?

Roman Catholicism

Philippians 1 Philip Philippi Philippians 1

Is Long Life a Blessing?: Proverbs 16: 31 says that long life is the reward of the righteous. But in Philippians 1: 23, Paul says he longs to go and be with Christ, which would be far better. So how is long life a blessing?

Q&A question: Is Long Life a Blessing?

About the 2nd Temple’s Construction: Given that Ezekiel's temple prophecy with its strict measurements was written before the second temple was built, why didn't the second temple get built to those specifications?

Q&A question: About the 2nd Temple’s Construction

Ezekiel prophecy Ezekiel

Do Christians Still Sin?: How should I understand 1 John 3 when it talks about those who abide in Christ no longer sinning, even as someone who continues to sin?

Q&A question: Do Christians Still Sin?

1 John 3 1 John 3

Leviticus – Burnt Offerings: In Leviticus 1:9, why were only the legs and entrails washed before burning? Cultural?

Q&A question: Leviticus – Burnt Offerings

tithing

Are Crop-Tops Appropriate?: Most of the older girls and young women at our church are wearing crop tops to church. I find this obviously inappropriate for church and in general, but I don't want to be legalistic. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Are Crop-Tops Appropriate?