Search — Theology Explorer

About Anglo/British Israelism: What are your thoughts on Anglo-Israelism or British Israelism? It is the belief that America and the British commonwealth are physical descendants of Israel.

Q&A question: About Anglo/British Israelism

Israel

Discerning True vs. False Prophecies: How do you test WOF prophecy when it sounds more like insights/encouragements, not foretelling future events? What SHOULD modern prophecy sound like?

Q&A question: Discerning True vs. False Prophecies

prophecy

Is Fear of Hell a Valid Motivator?: Would a death bed conversion work if the main driving factor is the fear of Hell rather than choosing to trust God?

Q&A question: Is Fear of Hell a Valid Motivator?

hell

Biblical Advice for Parents: What advice can you give to parents in these times to help them raise children who choose to trust and follow Jesus later in life? Can you do a biblical series on parenting?

Q&A question: Biblical Advice for Parents

Jesus

What Should I Do if I Question My Salvation?: If someone is thinking that they might not be saved, seeing their sinfulness, what should they do? “Not sinning” sort of seems like a Band-Aid on the problem.

Q&A question: What Should I Do if I Question My Salvation?

salvation

Singular vs. Plural Pronouns for God?: Why is it improper to refer to God as "they" instead of "He," since He is three persons? Example of the problem: "He spoke to Job out of the storm" tends to make us think the Father alone is speaking.

Q&A question: Singular vs. Plural Pronouns for God?

1 Timothy 3:2 1 Timothy 3 Timothy 1 Timothy 3:2 elder qualifications

Can Past Sins Disqualify a Man from Leadership?: If a man’s pre-salvation life is especially disgraceful, could he ever truly be “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2)? Could old sin, then, even if confessed, disqualify him from being a pastor or elder?

Q&A question: Can Past Sins Disqualify a Man from Leadership?

Bible translations textual criticism

About the Geneva Bible: In your study of Bible translations, have you ever looked at the Geneva Bible that I believe the pilgrims used? What is its textual basis? Do you think Christians should read it?

Q&A question: About the Geneva Bible

Is there Room in Christianity for Psychedelics?: Given the resurgence of psychedelics for recreation and therapeutic use in Western society, is there room for it in Christianity, or should its use stay separate from spiritual practice?

Q&A question: Is there Room in Christianity for Psychedelics?

creation

What were the “Horns” on the Altar?: Why did the altar in the Tabernacle have the horns? Could you please clarify this?

Q&A question: What were the “Horns” on the Altar?

NAR

What does it Mean to “Share in Christ’s Sufferings”?: When we share in Christ’s sufferings, does that refer only to suffering that comes in opposition to doing God’s will, or can it also include something like suffering through a disease or a loss?

Q&A question: What does it Mean to “Share in Christ’s Sufferings”?

suffering

Is Anyone Presently in Hell?: Is Hell something that is taking place right now, or is that a future reality after the final judgment (Luke 16: 19-31)?

Q&A question: Is Anyone Presently in Hell?

Luke 16 Luke 16 hell

Seminary Suggestions and How to Study Well: I’m currently a Junior in high school and plan to go to a seminary after school to become a preacher. How and where do I start studying the Bible to become a true BibleThinker?

Q&A question: Seminary Suggestions and How to Study Well

Are there Multiple “Gods” in Jeremiah?: Why does Jeremiah 46: 25 and Jeremiah 51: 44 make it seem like there are multiple gods? How can God punish a god that doesn’t exist?

Q&A question: Are there Multiple “Gods” in Jeremiah?

Jeremiah Jeremiah

Should Prayer be a Dialogue or Monologue?: Should prayer be a dialogue or monologue? How should we determine if instances of humans having a dialogue with God in the Bible are to be taken as normative?

Q&A question: Should Prayer be a Dialogue or Monologue?

prayer

abortion pastoral ministry

Are All Pastors Pro-Life?: What is your view on the many progressive "pastors" coming out against the overturning of Roe v. Wade?

Q&A question: Are All Pastors Pro-Life?

About God’s Description: God's description in Scripture is often called anthropomorphic. Is it not true though that we are theomorphic instead? Why, therefore, must the imagery of God standing, etc. be metaphorical and not real?

Q&A question: About God’s Description

1 Thessalonians 4 1 Thessalonians 4

How do the Dead in Christ Rise if they’re in Heaven?: If believers are taken directly to Heaven when they die, then why does 1 Thessalonians 4: 16 say the dead in Christ rise at His return? Doesn't that suggest they are in their graves?

Q&A question: How do the Dead in Christ Rise if they’re in Heaven?

About Near-Death Experiences: What do you think about near-death experiences?

Q&A question: About Near-Death Experiences

death and afterlife

Does our Evangelism Determine Salvation?: Could our failure to share the Gospel actually determine someone’s salvation? Or will God provide the same opportunity somewhere else? I can’t imagine we have control over each other’s salvation?

Q&A question: Does our Evangelism Determine Salvation?

salvation angels

Matthew Jesus resurrection Matthew

Why did Some Disciples Doubt?: Why does Matthew record that some disciples doubted the resurrection? Is there some sort of significance to this? How could they doubt if Jesus was right in front of them?

Q&A question: Why did Some Disciples Doubt?

Should Incarcerated Parents be Involved?: My 2-year-old adopted son’s birth mom is in prison for 15 years for using/selling meth. Biblically, should we let her be involved in his life? My wife thinks they should have an active relationship.

Q&A question: Should Incarcerated Parents be Involved?

marriage

Is “Spiritual Attack” Legitimate?: Is "spiritual attack" really a thing? Is that biblical? (i.e., during some notable season as a Christian, if we have intensified doubt, hopelessness, illness, etc. why's that not just, y'know, life?)

Q&A question: Is “Spiritual Attack” Legitimate?

doubt and faith

About OT Prophet Credibility: Why were many of the prophets who wrote books included in the Old Testament if they didn't perform miracles and their prophecies didn't come true until the New Testament? What made them stand out from false prophets?

Q&A question: About OT Prophet Credibility

prophecy miracles

Romans 4 Abraham Romans 4 Enoch

Why is Abraham our Spiritual Father?: Why is Abraham our spiritual father (Romans 4: 16-25) if people before him also had faith in God: Abel, Enoch, Noah, etc.? Were they not "counted righteous" through faith the same way Abraham was?

Q&A question: Why is Abraham our Spiritual Father?

What is a “Clear Conscience” Before God?: I'm getting baptized soon, and one of the questions my church asks is basically, “Do you promise to follow God with a clear conscience?” I deal with a condemning conscience. Would this break the promise?

Q&A question: What is a “Clear Conscience” Before God?

baptism

When did the Holy Spirit Come?: My question is about the Spirit. Jesus spoke of the Spirit coming after Him in John 14, but He is there in Luke 1 before Jesus’ birth. When did the Spirit actually come?

Q&A question: When did the Holy Spirit Come?

Jesus

Isaiah Isaiah 6 Isaiah Jesus Isaiah 6

Does God Need Death to Atone for Sins?: In Isaiah 6, sin is taken away by hot coals. Does God need death to forgive something or atone for sin (i.e. Jesus on the cross)? If so, how was Isaiah forgiven? If not, what’s the point of sacrifices?

Q&A question: Does God Need Death to Atone for Sins?

Minimal Facts vs. Maximal Facts Arguments: Is a minimal facts argument or maximal facts argument better in presenting the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus?

Q&A question: Minimal Facts vs. Maximal Facts Arguments

Jesus resurrection

Acts 8 Peter Acts 8 Jesus

About the Samaritans Receiving the Spirit: How were the Samaritans in Acts 8: 14-17 baptized in the name of Jesus, but only received the Holy Spirt when Peter and John came?

Q&A question: About the Samaritans Receiving the Spirit

How to Decide What to Read in Scripture: Do you have any advice for reading the Bible? How do I decide what to read?

Q&A question: How to Decide What to Read in Scripture

About the Difference between Heaven & Eden: What is the ontological difference between Heaven and pre-sin Eden? If Heaven is greater than Eden, then doesn’t it follow that Adam & Eve’s sin led to a greater eternity than they would’ve had otherwise?

Q&A question: About the Difference between Heaven & Eden

heaven

Is Baptism Purely Symbolic?: Is baptism just a symbolic representation of our faith, or does it have a deeper value?

Q&A question: Is Baptism Purely Symbolic?

baptism

About Gene Editing Technology: Suppose that a gene editing technology like CRISPR could change the cells of a zygote to change the sex of the individual. Would there or should there be a secular question as to the eventual sex?

Q&A question: About Gene Editing Technology

salvation Philip Philippi

How Do We “Work Out Our Salvation?”: What does it mean to "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" in Philippians 2: 12?

Q&A question: How Do We “Work Out Our Salvation?”

What Will We Do With our Time in Heaven?: I've been feeling a little anxious about Heaven. What will we do with our time for eternity? Will we have actual bodies, or just be spirits?

Q&A question: What Will We Do With our Time in Heaven?

heaven

Isaiah Isaiah 54:1 Isaiah marriage prophecy

About Prophecy & Marriage in Heaven: How will Isaiah 54:1 be fulfilled if there is no marriage in heaven?

Q&A question: About Prophecy & Marriage in Heaven

James Romans 14 James Romans 14

About Following our Conscience: I Grew up in a KJVO (King James Version Only) Independent Fundamental Baptist church. I have thought about reading the NKJV, but my conscience feels like this is wrong. Does Romans 14 mean I must defer to my conscience in this situation?

Q&A question: About Following our Conscience

John 20 Jesus resurrection John 20

When did the New Cov. Begin?: Did the New Covenant officially begin at Jesus’ last supper, death, burial, and resurrection…or at His ascension (alluded to in John 20: 17)?

Q&A question: When did the New Cov. Begin?

Does God Get Angry When We Sin?: Does God ever get angry with believers when we sin? If not, why did God get so angry with the Israelites when they sinned?

Q&A question: Does God Get Angry When We Sin?

Israel

Why are Tongues Only Prevalent in Some Denominations?: Why is speaking in tongues so common in specific church denominations, but virtually never happens in others? What does this say about other spiritual gifts?

Q&A question: Why are Tongues Only Prevalent in Some Denominations?

spiritual gifts tongues

Matthew 5 Matthew Ephesians 2 Jesus Matthew 5 Matthew

Did Jesus Come to Abolish the Law?: Does Ephesians 2: 15 contradict Matthew 5: 17? In Matthew, Jesus says that He did not come to abolish the law, but it looks like Paul in Ephesians says the opposite.

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

About Gun Laws, Usage, & Violence: Which bible passages do you think should shape how we think about gun laws, gun violence, gun usage etc? Are there any passages that are misused in this debate?

Q&A question: About Gun Laws, Usage, & Violence

Did People Evangelize in the OT?: Why wasn’t evangelism a focus in the Old Covenant? How were Gentiles far away from Israel supposed to learn about Yahweh, and what opportunities for salvation did they have?

Q&A question: Did People Evangelize in the OT?

salvation angels

Is “Inner Healing Prayer” Biblical?: Is “inner healing prayer” as a form of trauma relief biblical? This practice involves a prayer leader asking the patient to picture vivid images and hear direct statements from Jesus.

Q&A question: Is “Inner Healing Prayer” Biblical?

Jesus prayer healing

Are Only Jesus’ Words Authoritative?: Can we only use Jesus' words and not the rest of the Bible? Does Jesus teach against homosexuality? My friend claims that he isn't against it and she doesn't consider Paul's letters authoritative.

Q&A question: Are Only Jesus’ Words Authoritative?

Jesus homosexuality

Can I Trust that my Faith is Sincere?: I sincerely believe Jesus is my Savior, but if my sincerity can’t be trusted (just like the rich young ruler’s), how can I truly 100% know that I actually do have a saving faith in Jesus Christ?

Q&A question: Can I Trust that my Faith is Sincere?

Jesus Christ Jesus

Matthew Matthew 4 Jesus second coming rapture

About Eschatology/The Second Coming: In Matthew 4: 42 Jesus warns believers to be ready for a second coming. Does this point to a partial rapture of only those actively practicing their faith, with others having to endure tribulation?

Q&A question: About Eschatology/The Second Coming

Is it Wrong to Handle Ungodly Items?: I work in a warehouse handling every item imaginable. How should I handle satanic/"magic" items? Should I refuse to handle such things?

Q&A question: Is it Wrong to Handle Ungodly Items?

Satan