Search — Theology Explorer

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?

Are All Medications Tied to Witchcraft?: Galatians 5: 20 uses “witchcraft.” The word is only used 2 times in the Bible, with the origin word being where we get pharmacy/medicine. Can you clarify? I grew up learning this was literal and still applies.

Q&A question: Are All Medications Tied to Witchcraft?

Galatians 5 Galatians 5

Honoring God through Singleness: How can I enjoy my singleness? I'm a young adult woman and I want to be in a relationship one day, but I want to be content where I am now. How can I grow closer to God during this time?

Q&A question: Honoring God through Singleness

dating and relationships

Forgiving Others: Jesus said forgive others so that God will forgive us, but Paul says we forgive BECAUSE God has forgiven us. How do you reconcile those statements?

Q&A question: Forgiving Others

Deliverance & the “Spirit of Jezebel”: How do we lovingly correct someone who believes the deliverance ministry doctrine (people saying they have a “spirit of Jezebel” that needs to be prayed away)?

Q&A question: Deliverance & the “Spirit of Jezebel”

Jezebel

About the Filioque: Can you flesh out the Filioque and its implications for the Western church?

Q&A question: About the Filioque

Roman Catholicism baptism

Attending Catholic Ceremonies?: Can Christians go to Catholic weddings, funerals, and baptisms?

Q&A question: Attending Catholic Ceremonies?

How to Safely Study Demonic Works: I've been reading occult books to understand the worldview of a friend in the occult (books like Kybalion, Hermeticism, mediumship, etc.). Do you have any advice for reading these books without getting contaminated?

Q&A question: How to Safely Study Demonic Works

demons

Does God Use Verses Out of Context?: Does God still communicate through verses taken out of context? Some say “yes” due to His unique ways, but I'm unsure.

Q&A question: Does God Use Verses Out of Context?

hermeneutics

Greater Works than Jesus?: In John 14: 12, Jesus said we would do even greater things than Him. That’s a tough pill to swallow since He died for our sins and created everything. How do I process Jesus’ statement?

Q&A question: Greater Works than Jesus?

2 Samuel 12:8 David Samuel 2 Samuel 12:8

Did God Endorse Polygamy in the OT?: In 2 Samuel 12:8, God says that He gave David his wives (multiple), and if he had asked for more, God would’ve given him more. This sounds to be directly saying that God would be endorsing polygamy. How should we as Christians feel about one man having multiple wives according to the Bible, specifically this passage?

Q&A question: Did God Endorse Polygamy in the OT?

Is Only OT Scripture “God-Breathed?”: In 2 Timothy 3: 16, was Paul speaking of ONLY OT Scriptures, since that’s all they had at the time? What about the inspiration of the NT?

Q&A question: Is Only OT Scripture “God-Breathed?”

Timothy

Relearning Proper Theology: One of your videos gave my fiancé a change of heart. He is a former Jehovah’s Witness and feels like he has to start over and unlearn then relearn everything. Where do you suggest we start studying?

Q&A question: Relearning Proper Theology

Jehovah's Witnesses

Is the Hypostatic Union Illogical?: How can Christ truly be God and man at the same time, infringing upon the laws of logic? If it’s true, I know I can't understand it fully, but I do expect to be able to demonstrate how it isn't illogical.

Q&A question: Is the Hypostatic Union Illogical?

demons

Is it Wrong to Teach Kids About Santa?: What do you tell your kids about Santa? Is there a chance that kids who find out Santa isn't real might think the same about Jesus? Would you spoil Santa for children that aren't yours?

Q&A question: Is it Wrong to Teach Kids About Santa?

Should We Avoid Semi-Pelagianism?: I'm a Calvinist, and recently I have been noticing Semi-Pelagian theology in Arminian churches. Can you distinguish between the two and explain why we should avoid Semi-Pelagianism?

Q&A question: Should We Avoid Semi-Pelagianism?

Calvinism

Can We Give God Too Much Credit?: Is it OK to give credit to God for something He might not have done (like a salary raise, new job, or other material or worldly things)?

Q&A question: Can We Give God Too Much Credit?

New Command or Old Command?: Why does 1 John 2:7 say that he is not writing a new command, but in the next verse (1 John 2:8) he says that he is writing a new command? What's going on here?

Q&A question: New Command or Old Command?

1 John 2 1 John 2

Acts 2 Matthew Matthew 28 Peter Acts 2 Jesus

Hasn’t Jesus Always Been Lord?: Peter said in Acts 2: 36 that God has "made Jesus both Lord and Christ." He was already Lord and Christ, so what does this mean? Same with Jesus being “given all authority” in Matthew 28: 18.

Q&A question: Hasn’t Jesus Always Been Lord?

Colossians 1 Colossians 1 suffering

Were Christ’s Sufferings Lacking Something?: In Colossians 1: 24, what is lacking in Christ’s sufferings, and how is Paul contributing to them?

Q&A question: Were Christ’s Sufferings Lacking Something?

Is God Constantly Speaking to Us?: My friend doesn't want to have too small of a view of God, so he sees every small event in his life as God speaking to him, even trivial things. Am I being too stingy, or is he "over-spiritualizing"?

Q&A question: Is God Constantly Speaking to Us?

Examples of Serving God Daily: I’m wondering what discipling others, sharing the Gospel, and service to God looks like in your life day-to-day? Anything you’ve learned over the years?

Q&A question: Examples of Serving God Daily

James James 1 James James 1

How Do We Find Joy in Our Trials?: In James 1, how do we count our trials as joy?

Q&A question: How Do We Find Joy in Our Trials?

Does the Devil Persecute Believers?: Is God giving the Devil permission to persecute the lives of certain Christians today, like in the book of Job?

Q&A question: Does the Devil Persecute Believers?

generosity

Does Praising Jesus Exclude the Father & Spirit?: I've been struggling with phrases or lyrics such as "All glory be to Christ" and "All Heaven sings to Christ alone.” Do these incorrectly exclude the Father and Holy Spirit?

Q&A question: Does Praising Jesus Exclude the Father & Spirit?

Exploring the Different Words for God’s Law: Every verse in Psalm 119 refers to God's Law, and ten different words are used, including: commandments, precepts, law, testimonies, ways, etc. Why? Does each word have a different meaning?

Q&A question: Exploring the Different Words for God’s Law

Psalm 119 Psalm 119

Genesis Genesis 1 Genesis women in ministry Genesis 1

How to Prepare Large Study Projects: How do you go about a project like the Women in Ministry series? I want to do something similar with Genesis 1-2 but I don't even know where to begin or what tools to use (other than Logos, of course).

Q&A question: How to Prepare Large Study Projects

Remembering the Unsaved in Heaven?: I would like to know, when we are in Heaven, will we just forget about those we loved on Earth that weren't saved? I can't imagine how there could be no sorrow if we remember them.

Q&A question: Remembering the Unsaved in Heaven?

heaven

Mike Winger idea 2023-09-29

What Was Paul’s Goal?: Can you explain to me what goal Paul hopes to achieve in Philippians 3: 11-12? What does he have to do?

Q&A question: What Was Paul’s Goal?

Philip Philippi

Can A False Prophet Glorify God?: My parents sit under a pastor who claims to have a prophecy from God almost weekly. He preaches in Jesus’ name and glorifies God, but his prophecies are always totally wrong or incredibly vague. Can a man who glorifies God also prophesy falsely?

Q&A question: Can A False Prophet Glorify God?

Jesus prophecy pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2023-10-17

Teaching Convictions as Truth: How should we deal with a pastor who is unwilling to receive correction on anything against his own convictions? It wouldn’t be as big of an issue, but he preaches his ideas as truth (i.e., no alcohol).

Q&A question: Teaching Convictions as Truth

Mike Winger idea 2023-11-17

Should Youth Pastors Simplify or Go Deep?: I absolutely love being a new Youth Pastor! However, I often find myself going over my students' heads. A small group of them tell me they're thrilled to "actually learn something." I'm conflicted on whether I should simplify my messages in an effort to hold as many attention spans as possible, or keep going into deeper waters to continue feeding those that seem to be benefiting from it. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Should Youth Pastors Simplify or Go Deep?

Mike Winger idea 2024-01-26

Satan’s Guide to The Bible?: There is a dangerous video gaining popularity, called "Satan's Guide to The Bible," that illustrates a pretend children's Sunday school class learning from Satan as their substitute teacher. He claims that pastors keep secrets from their congregants, but that he will reveal those secrets and tell them the truth. Can you please analyze this video and refute its false claims about the Bible?

Q&A question: Satan’s Guide to The Bible?

Satan pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-16

Is Charity Meaningless Apart from the Church?: A pastor I listen to says that any community service/charity work that is not done through the Church or a Christian organization is meaningless to God. What are your thoughts on this?

Q&A question: Is Charity Meaningless Apart from the Church?

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-08

What to Do if Your Pastor is Female: I've watched your Women in Ministry series and come to basically the same conclusions you have. However, I'm part of a church with a female lead pastor. How do I handle this?

Q&A question: What to Do if Your Pastor is Female

women in ministry pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-12

Home Churches & Pastors’ Pay: Can you address the belief that churches should only meet in homes, that church buildings are unbiblical, and pastors should not be paid? I’m questioning if this is biblical.

Q&A question: Home Churches & Pastors’ Pay

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-19

Can a Pastor’s Wife be an Unbeliever?: Do the qualifications for pastors/elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 disqualify a man who has an unbelieving wife?

Q&A question: Can a Pastor’s Wife be an Unbeliever?

Titus 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Titus 1 Timothy Titus 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-03

Too Much Theology & Doctrine?: My pastor says that theology is “just someone’s opinion” and that “we shouldn’t get hooked on theology and doctrine.” How would you respond?

Q&A question: Too Much Theology & Doctrine?

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-24

Winger rejects the 'covering' argument that a senior male pastor can authorize female elders/pastors under his headship. A husband is the head of his wife — an elder is NOT the head of other elders. 1 Timothy 2 says 'I don't allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man,' period — not 'without a male head.'

Q&A: advice for a member of a church with a male lead elder pastoring alongside ordained female elders who often teach on Sundays.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 1 Timothy 2:12 women in ministry complementarianism headship

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-21

Does Refusal of Sex Justify Divorce?: Does 1 Corinthians 7 really mean we can never say no to sex except for a season of fasting and prayer? My pastor told my husband that if I deny him for too long then he has biblical grounds for divorce.

Q&A question: Does Refusal of Sex Justify Divorce?

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 marriage prayer

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-05

Healing = the Children’s Bread?: "Healing is the children's bread" is taught by a pastor friend when he prays for the sick. He uses Mark 7: 24-30 as the proof text. What is the “bread” in v. 27?

Q&A question: Healing = the Children’s Bread?

pastoral ministry healing

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-26

Chuck Missler & the Hologram Theory: Have you heard of Pastor Chuck Missler and his endorsement of the Hologram Theory (the idea that there is no gravity beyond our solar system, a holographic representation of God’s Creation)?

Q&A question: Chuck Missler & the Hologram Theory

creation pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-09

Open vs. Closed Communion: What is your opinion on open vs. closed communion? Should the pastors or elders check who is taking the communion? 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 may support closed communion.

Q&A question: Open vs. Closed Communion

1 Corinthians 5 elder qualifications 1 Corinthians 5 communion

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-16

Bonus Q for Fun!.Why do you and so many other pastors like the LOTR so much?

Q&A question

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-23

Evangelism for the Ineloquent: Everyone seems to have their way of sharing the Gospel: street-preaching, pastoring, etc. How do I know how God has called me to share the Gospel? I'm not good socially, but I want to reach people.

Q&A question: Evangelism for the Ineloquent

pastoral ministry angels

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-30

Learning from Fallen Pastors?: Do you think it's wise to listen to preachers who have "fallen from grace" like Mark Driscoll? I find much of his preaching very life-giving, but I get judgment from other Christians.

Q&A question: Learning from Fallen Pastors?

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-11

Advice for a New Youth Pastor: I just started into youth ministry. Jesus saved me in college; I never had a youth minister, and the position didn’t come with a manual. Any resources, recommendations, wisdom, etc.?

Q&A question: Advice for a New Youth Pastor

Jesus pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-25

Balancing Ministry & Family: As a young youth pastor, I am struggling to balance my desire to fully invest time and energy into ministry, with also being married with 2 young boys (2 and 1). Can you give some good principles here?

Q&A question: Balancing Ministry & Family