Search — Theology Explorer

Matthew Matthew 27 Matthew Matthew 27

About Matthew 27 – Holy People Raised: Can you please explain Matthew 27: 51-53? Hoping to get some clarity about the holy people raised to life. Where did they go? Did they die again?

Q&A question: About Matthew 27 – Holy People Raised

About “Divine Simplicity”: Do you believe in divine simplicity? If so, how do you reconcile it with the Trinity?

Q&A question: About “Divine Simplicity”

Trinity

Did the Covid Mandates Involve a Spiritual Battle?: A lot of believers seemed to believe the Church was being persecuted by being required to wear masks, meet in smaller groups, etc. Was a spiritual battle being waged in the Covid mandates?

Q&A question: Did the Covid Mandates Involve a Spiritual Battle?

About being Used by God in our Lives: I see others being used by God, and I want to be used too. Because of this, I often struggle with envy, jealousy, & comparison. How would you encourage & help me grow past this sin?

Q&A question: About being Used by God in our Lives

About the Death of our Pets: My cat died this week. Where did he go?

Q&A question: About the Death of our Pets

death and afterlife

How Should we Study Other Religions?: Do you have any recommendations for studying other religions and how to approach others with the intention to evangelize? I am particularly interested in Islam.

Q&A question: How Should we Study Other Religions?

Islam angels

Isaiah revelation Isaiah revelation

Comparing Bible Verses – The Ark: How can you explain Isaiah 66: 22-23 to be understood, alongside Revelation 11: 19 (the 10 words are in the ark currently), if Colossians 2: 16 speaks of the weekly Sabbath being abolished?

Q&A question: Comparing Bible Verses – The Ark

Wrestling with Doubts: I've studied the evidence for Christianity & it's amazing. But I struggle with doubts of “what if I'm wrong?” Does this affect my salvation? Will God help me?

Q&A question: Wrestling with Doubts

salvation

Romans 10 repentance Romans 10 angels

Why does John and Other Passages Not Mention Repentance?: If repentance is required to be saved, why is it not mentioned in the Gospel of John and other evangelical texts like Acts 16: 31 and Romans 10? Can repentance be somewhat synonymous with belief?

Q&A question: Why does John and Other Passages Not Mention Repentance?

About Orthodox Beliefs: What do Orthodox Christians believe vs. Protestants? Is their doctrine as problematic as Catholic doctrine? (I heard Hank Hanegraaf converted to it.)

Q&A question: About Orthodox Beliefs

Roman Catholicism

About the Greek in Bible Translations: Pastors often say, "what the Greek REALLY says is…" Why don't translators use the Greek that pastors cite in sermons then? (Like how Peter is akin to pebble but is translated as rock.)

Q&A question: About the Greek in Bible Translations

Peter pastoral ministry

Explanation of Ezekiel 14 – Prophets: In Ezekiel 14:9 it says if a prophet is deceived, it’s the Lord who deceived him. Could you offer some explanation to this verse, as it seems out of character for God?

Q&A question: Explanation of Ezekiel 14 – Prophets

Ezekiel prophecy Ezekiel

Romans 4 Abraham Romans 4

About Saving Faith in the OT: Romans 4 tells us that Abraham was saved because of his faith. He believed in God. How can we say that just because he was saved that way, everyone else in the OT was saved that way? Also, if they were saved that way, why did they have to sacrifice lambs? And if people were always saved by just believing in God, why was it necessary for Christ to come?

Q&A question: About Saving Faith in the OT

Fruit of the Spirit – Longsuffering: Could you please explain what longsuffering means, in regard to the fruit of the Spirit?

Q&A question: Fruit of the Spirit – Longsuffering

suffering

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7

Is All of Scripture Inspired?: When Paul says, "I say, not the Lord but I..." in 1 Corinthians 7: 12, does that mean that portion of Scripture was not inspired?

Q&A question: Is All of Scripture Inspired?

Assurance of God’s Love & Salvation: Does God really love me, and am I really saved? I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but I am still sinful and I struggle with sin. However, it seems that God answers my prayers. Am I really saved?

Q&A question: Assurance of God’s Love & Salvation

Jesus salvation prayer

Has Mankind always only had One Spirit?: What are your views that God only created one spirit and gave it to Adam which was then passed through generations? This explains how God doesn’t create an impure spirit at birth, or generational curse.

Q&A question: Has Mankind always only had One Spirit?

About Witnessing and Exemplifying Christ: My husband isn’t open to hearing me speak truth, so I have stopped correcting him. Is this a sin?? If he dies, he will go to hell.

Q&A question: About Witnessing and Exemplifying Christ

marriage hell

church leadership prophecy

Promises vs. Prophecies: Is there a difference between a promise and a prophecy? Are all God's promises prophecies? Am I responsible if a prophecy told about me doesn't come to pass? A church leader told me these things.

Q&A question: Promises vs. Prophecies

1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 13

How to Be Kind when it’s Difficult: What specific actions can one who has no empathy do to be kind? (Thinking 1 Corinthians 13 "kind.")

Q&A question: How to Be Kind when it’s Difficult

marriage submission in marriage

Help with Marital Conflict: I feel led by God to homeschool my teens. My husband disagrees. He doesn't want them to be sheltered. I want to submit, but I’m conflicted. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Help with Marital Conflict

James James 2 James James 2

“Free Grace” Theology, Faith, & Works: Free grace theology says that "save" in James 2: 14 means from physical death or harm. All uses of the word “save” in James 2: 14 are in the context of physical harm, so why is this different for you in 2: 14?

Q&A question: “Free Grace” Theology, Faith, & Works

When is Kissing Sinful?: Is all kinds of romantic kissing outside of marriage a sin? Could a Christian actor/actress do a kissing scene?

Q&A question: When is Kissing Sinful?

marriage

Do Jew. & Gent. Christians Worship Together?: I’m an ethnically Jewish Christian and have seen that some believe that Jewish & Gentile Christians worship together, but with different lifestyle callings. This has been stressful. Input?

Q&A question: Do Jew. & Gent. Christians Worship Together?

worship

Did God Promote Adultery in Genesis?: In Genesis 38:7-10, Someone was commanded to lay with his brother’s wife and impregnate her. He didn’t impregnate her, and the Lord struck him down. Is God promoting adultery?

Q&A question: Did God Promote Adultery in Genesis?

Genesis marriage Genesis

How to Tell if Repentance is Genuine: How can we know if we have genuinely repented from our sins?

Q&A question: How to Tell if Repentance is Genuine

repentance

How to Respond to Disrespect: How do you respond to a brother or sister that disrespects you?

Q&A question: How to Respond to Disrespect

Luke 16 Luke 16:9 Jesus Luke 16 Luke 16:9

About “Friends by Unrighteous Wealth” in Luke: What does Jesus mean when He says to make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth in Luke 16:9?

Q&A question: About “Friends by Unrighteous Wealth” in Luke

Should Repetitive Bible Passages Concern Us?: I'm very confused about why Psalms 14 & 53 are almost identical. Is this an error in Scripture? Are any other pairs of psalms also duplicate? This is causing me to worry about the reliability of Scripture. Please help me understand this!

Q&A question: Should Repetitive Bible Passages Concern Us?

biblical reliability

How to Connect Deeply with God: I struggle deeply with feeling the presence of a relationship with God. I believe I am saved, but I had wandered far and often during my youth. To this day, I try to "imagine" my relationship with God, but I still feel estranged (mostly I think because of sinfulness). I am desperate for that deep, living connection to the Father. What can I do to get connected in relationship with Him?

Q&A question: How to Connect Deeply with God

Jesus miracles word of faith

More Miracles than Jesus?: Often, John 14:12-14 is used by “word of faith” preachers that I used to listen to. Their claim is that we are to do the same and more of the miracles that Jesus did. How should I see these verses?

Q&A question: More Miracles than Jesus?

Is Common Sense an Argument for God?: Some weeks ago you said you believed common sense is the best argument for God. Can you elaborate?

Q&A question: Is Common Sense an Argument for God?

About Jupiter in the Bible: In Acts 19:35 where it says “the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter,” is this referring to the planet Jupiter, and did they know of other planets in that period of time?

Q&A question: About Jupiter in the Bible

Acts 19 Acts 19

Are the Son & Spirit Extensions of the Father?: What would you say to people who say that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are mere extensions of the one God, the Father?

Q&A question: Are the Son & Spirit Extensions of the Father?

Jesus

What is a Biblical Perspective on Anointing for Today?: Can you explain “anointing” in the Bible and what the NT application is for believers? I've heard phrases like "That song/speaker is anointed" or "the anointing is in the room." Is this correct?

Q&A question: What is a Biblical Perspective on Anointing for Today?

John 3:13 John 3 Elijah John 3:13 Enoch

About Elijah & Enoch: About John 3:13 KJV - Where did Elijah & Enoch go? Elijah appeared at the mountain of transfiguration…where did he come from?

Q&A question: About Elijah & Enoch

John 18 Jesus resurrection Pilate

Private Convos w/Pilate and the Resurrection: In John 18 from verse 33, Jesus & Pilate share private conversations inside his residence without any of Jesus’ followers being present. How would the disciples know what was said? Did He tell his disciples post resurrection, proving that the resurrection is TRUE?

Q&A question: Private Convos w/Pilate and the Resurrection

Do Punishments Get Passed Down?: Does God punish children for the sins of their fathers?

Q&A question: Do Punishments Get Passed Down?

parenting

About Adoption Outside of Marriage: Is it biblically wrong to adopt a child before marriage when you know you want to marry? And what about adopting a child if you don't intend to marry?

Q&A question: About Adoption Outside of Marriage

marriage

Matthew Matthew 7 Matthew Matthew 7

Can Non-Believers Bear Fruit?: Can a non-believer bear the fruit of the Spirit? (Matthew 7:17) How can this be, and is it an argument in favor of secular morality?

Q&A question: Can Non-Believers Bear Fruit?

How to be a “Peacemaker”: What is a peacemaker? How controversial can we be, and can we push back? Does it matter how loving we look when the world looks at love differently?

Q&A question: How to be a “Peacemaker”

salvation Philip Philippi

How to “Work out our Salvation”: I read a commentary on Philippians 2:12 and it was implied that salvation is not complete, what does that mean? Are we not fully saved?

Q&A question: How to “Work out our Salvation”

Clinging to Hope in Tough Circumstances: My husband had a vasectomy before we got together. I used to be WOF and "claimed" a baby but now know that movement is heretical. Is it dumb to still believe in having a baby?

Q&A question: Clinging to Hope in Tough Circumstances

marriage heresy

Is Covid God’s Plan, or From the Enemy?: Some pastors say the Coronavirus is God's plan. Others say it's a scourge of the Enemy. How do we rationalize these two views when both come from pastors you trust and admire?

Q&A question: Is Covid God’s Plan, or From the Enemy?

pastoral ministry

About Holiness, Faithfulness, & Faith: Are holiness and faithfulness as important as having Faith? It's my position that they are. I just want a fresh perspective.

Q&A question: About Holiness, Faithfulness, & Faith

About John the Baptizer/Baptist’s Salvation: Was John the Baptizer born saved? Luke 1: 15 says he would be filled with the Holy Spirit "even from his mother's womb.”

Q&A question: About John the Baptizer/Baptist’s Salvation

salvation baptism

How to Tell Which Verses Apply to Us: I'm confused about how to know whether a verse is for me or not. I see devotional books where they pluck out a verse, and I never know if it is for us now or not.

Q&A question: How to Tell Which Verses Apply to Us