Search — Theology Explorer

Ephesians 2 salvation Ephesians 2

About Spiritual Death: Can you explain spiritual death as referenced in passages such as Colossians 2: 13, Ephesians 2 and 5: 18, and what part it plays in the process of salvation?

Q&A question: About Spiritual Death

About Fossils, Evolution, & the Gap Theory: What are your thoughts regarding humanoid fossils which scientists claim are part our human evolution? Are they people from Noah’s time, offspring of angels, or part of the Gap Theory?

Q&A question: About Fossils, Evolution, & the Gap Theory

evolution angels

What is the True Mission of the Church?: What is the mission of the Church? I have recently been told that it is worship and not evangelism. Therefore, we cannot worship fully without a diverse local church. I'm a bit confused!

Q&A question: What is the True Mission of the Church?

worship angels

Examples of Faith-Driven Works: What counts as “works”? Since faith without works is dead, what are some examples of works that a woman can do? Please help!

Q&A question: Examples of Faith-Driven Works

What Should Godly Dating Look Like?

Q&A question: What Should Godly Dating Look Like?

dating and relationships

Overcoming Negativity & Responding to “Church People” Behaving Badly: How can I overcome bitterness & negativity? I have been disappointed in friends, family, and "church people" a lot and I found out it has a big impact in my life.

Q&A question: Overcoming Negativity & Responding to “Church People” Behaving Badly

Could Satan Repent?: Would God forgive Satan if he repented?

Q&A question: Could Satan Repent?

Satan

Revelation 20:6 revelation Revelation 2 Revelation 20:6 revelation Revelation 2

One Death or Two in Scripture?: How do we reconcile Hebrews 9: 27 with there also being a “second death” (as in: Revelation 2:11, Revelation 20:6,14, & Revelation 21:8)? Is there one death or two?

Q&A question: One Death or Two in Scripture?

Is it Wrong to Honor a DNR?: What do you think about DNR (do not resuscitate) orders? If I can’t perform CPR on a patient when it could save their life because the order forbids it, am I committing murder by honoring it?

Q&A question: Is it Wrong to Honor a DNR?

Genesis 2 Genesis Genesis 2 Genesis

Does Breath Determine Life?: I've heard people quote Genesis 2:7 (usually from the KJV) to show that a soul can't live or exist without both body and breath. Is this an accurate understanding, and if not, why?

Q&A question: Does Breath Determine Life?

Why Did God Call a “Chosen People”?: Why did God decide to have a “chosen people”? Was this due to His will to have a “people” that His Son would come from?

Q&A question: Why Did God Call a “Chosen People”?

Are We All Lying on the Internet?: Is it a sin to tick a box that says "I have read and accepted the terms and conditions..." without having read them first (e.g. when installing software)? Key word being "read.” That would be lying, yes?

Q&A question: Are We All Lying on the Internet?

Are Pictures of God in Movies or School Biblical?: Is Christian entertainment like The Chosen a violation of the 2nd Commandment? Are things like Sunday school lessons hurting our theology by using pictures of things or people?

Q&A question: Are Pictures of God in Movies or School Biblical?

About the Doctrine of Election: How do you interpret 2 Thessalonians 2: 13 in light of the debate on the doctrine of election?

Q&A question: About the Doctrine of Election

hermeneutics

Is Jesus in Human Form in Heaven?: My question is about the incarnation of Christ. Since He was bodily raised from the dead, does that mean He is still the incarnation in Heaven?

Q&A question: Is Jesus in Human Form in Heaven?

Jesus

Who did God Purchase Us From?: 1Corinthians 6: 19 says "You are not your own, you were bought with a price.” Are the buyer and the seller the same person (e.g., Is God buying the people from Himself)?

Q&A question: Who did God Purchase Us From?

Are Altar Calls Biblical?: Are altar calls biblical? Hard to find much of this in the New Testament. Hard to think this through without preconceived notions.

Q&A question: Are Altar Calls Biblical?

Overcoming Nervousness in Evangelism: I’m starting high school soon, and I feel very nervous to share the Gospel in person. Is it wrong for me to just stick to sharing it online where I don’t feel nervous at all?

Q&A question: Overcoming Nervousness in Evangelism

angels

Can we Trust Paul’s Writings?: I was wondering how you combat the claims against the Apostle Paul if you have heard of the claims against him, such as preaching a different Gospel than Jesus and the 12.

Q&A question: Can we Trust Paul’s Writings?

Jesus

About Egypt’s Sacrifices in Isaiah: Isaiah 19: 21 speaks of Egypt repenting and offering Jewish sacrifices. How can this be, since we no longer have those sacrifices?

Q&A question: About Egypt’s Sacrifices in Isaiah

Isaiah Isaiah

Solidifying our Identities: How do I know if I am solidified in my own identity? And do you think it is biblically important for people who walk with you in the faith to understand your identity and who you are as a person?

Q&A question: Solidifying our Identities

Should we be Baptized while Having Doubts?: People encourage me to get baptized ASAP (Acts 22: 16), but I struggle with serious psychological doubts. Should I disregard my doubts and get baptized? Can I take more time?

Q&A question: Should we be Baptized while Having Doubts?

baptism

Why did Jesus call the Father His God?: I've been wrestling with this passage for a couple of months, and I haven't found a solid answer yet. It's in John 20: 17. I can't seem to understand why Jesus calls the Father His God.

Q&A question: Why did Jesus call the Father His God?

John 20 Jesus John 20

Evaluating our Spiritual Traditions: I'm an ex-Muslim follower of Christ from Afghanistan. Some Islamic traditions felt really spiritual and comforting such as praying on an Islamic rug, etc. Is it okay if I keep some of those traditions?

Q&A question: Evaluating our Spiritual Traditions

Islam

Distinguishing Obedience from Legalism: How can we walk in obedience to Christ without falling into a “works-based salvation” frame of mind?

Q&A question: Distinguishing Obedience from Legalism

salvation

Matthew Matthew 19 Matthew Matthew 19

Are Retirement Savings Sinful?: Based off of the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12: 16-21) and the story in Matthew 19: 21, do you think it is sinful to save up for retirement?

Q&A question: Are Retirement Savings Sinful?

John 19 Jesus communion John 19

Communion Elements/Did Jesus Drink Wine?: My family and I attend a church that is in fellowship with an organization that uses water during communion instead of wine or grape juice. They attempt to use John 19: 34 to justify this, and they also believe Jesus never consumed wine. Is this biblical?

Q&A question: Communion Elements/Did Jesus Drink Wine?

1 Corinthians 6 2 Corinthians 13:5 Jesus 1 Corinthians 6 2 Corinthians 13:5

Does Jesus Live in Us?: Would it be accurate after reading 1 Corinthians 6: 19 & 2 Corinthians 13:5 to state that both the Holy Spirit and Jesus live in the believer?

Q&A question: Does Jesus Live in Us?

Are “God-Given Rights” Biblical?: Does the Bible say anything about "God Given Rights,” at least the way many Americans use the phrase?

Q&A question: Are “God-Given Rights” Biblical?

When & How to Evangelize: I want everyone to be saved & I feel guilty if I don't share the Gospel with every person I see. How do I know when I should share the Gospel & how do I start the conversation?

Q&A question: When & How to Evangelize

angels

Genesis 3 Genesis Genesis 5 Genesis 3 Genesis Genesis 5

Is the Curse of the Ground Still Active?: In what way did Noah bring relief from the curse of the ground (Genesis 5: 28-29)? Am I mistaken in thinking the curse still seems active today (Genesis 3: 17-19; 8: 21)?

Q&A question: Is the Curse of the Ground Still Active?

What is a False Teacher?: What do you think is the biblical definition of a false teacher? People's interpretations of this vary widely. I’d just like to have a fresh pair of eyes on it.

Q&A question: What is a False Teacher?

hermeneutics

About Fantasy Entertainment: What is your stance on fantasy entertainment which utilizes pagan/made up religions such as GoT, Lotr, Zelda, Hercules, or Valheim? Isn’t it promoting Idolatry?

Q&A question: About Fantasy Entertainment

Hercules

Safeguarding Ourselves While Witnessing: I have felt God call me to minister to the JWs, and He has opened doors for me to do so. What should I do to make sure my faith is not endangered when I am doing ministry? I meet with them tonight.

Q&A question: Safeguarding Ourselves While Witnessing

evangelism

How does Our Will Intertwine with God’s?: In Genesis 20:4-6, Abimelech seems to think he didn’t touch Sarah out of his own will, but God says HE didn’t allow it. Any insight on the intersection between our will and God’s hand making stuff happen?

Q&A question: How does Our Will Intertwine with God’s?

Genesis Sarah Genesis

How did Jesus Pay in Advance for our Sin?: I'm not sure about penal substitution. How can it be that my sins, which were not yet committed at the time of the crucifixion, could have been imputed to Christ on the cross?

Q&A question: How did Jesus Pay in Advance for our Sin?

Jesus

Discerning God’s Calling from Our Feelings?: How can I tell the difference between when God is truly calling me to something or if I am just searching for signs?

Q&A question: Discerning God’s Calling from Our Feelings?

Is Being Baptized in a Special Location More “Spiritual”?: Is it wrong to think being baptized in the Jordan River could be special?

Q&A question: Is Being Baptized in a Special Location More “Spiritual”?

baptism

What does it Look Like to “Renounce All” for God?: How should we live out Luke 14: 33?

Q&A question: What does it Look Like to “Renounce All” for God?

Luke 14 Luke 14

Acts 13 Mormonism Acts 13

Should False Teachers be Shown Less Grace?: I've been told that when witnessing to groups such as the LDS (Mormons), a rebuke is better than a conversation because of Acts 13:8-10. Should false teachers be shown less grace than non-believers?

Q&A question: Should False Teachers be Shown Less Grace?

Matthew 5 Matthew Matthew 5 Matthew hell

Will Sin Send Some Believers to Hell?: Is Matthew 5: 30 referring to believers? How do we reconcile this with "There is no condemnation in Christ"?

Q&A question: Will Sin Send Some Believers to Hell?

Are the Ceremonial Laws Gone?: Where do we see in Scripture that the old ceremonial laws are gone?

Q&A question: Are the Ceremonial Laws Gone?

How Important are Legal Marriage Papers?: Help, Mike. I need a Bible verse to help a Christian couple who are cohabitating and have 4 kids, but don’t want to marry. They say faithfulness is more important than marriage papers.

Q&A question: How Important are Legal Marriage Papers?

marriage

Should we Pray for those who Pass Away?: I just lost a friend to an overdose. I don't think she was a believer. Should I pray for her mercy or is there no point after death?

Q&A question: Should we Pray for those who Pass Away?

death and afterlife

Does God Tempt?: God tests/tempts Israel and Abraham. But James says God doesn't test/tempt. How can we make sense of this?

Q&A question: Does God Tempt?

James James Abraham

Health/Prayer Update: Pastor Mike, can you give us an update on your personal health and sleep troubles?

Q&A question: Health/Prayer Update

prayer pastoral ministry

The Purpose of our Lives: As Christians, what is the purpose of our lives?

Q&A question: The Purpose of our Lives

eschatology Bethel Church heresy

About Kenosis Theology: Is Bethel style Kenosis theology from Philippians 2:5-11 heretical (where Christ is said to have lost His divinity to live instead as a human)? Or is that a secondary issue like sacraments and eschatology?

Q&A question: About Kenosis Theology

When People Justify Bad Behavior w/Scripture: When strong Christians suddenly start to justify sinful treatment of others (rage, control, insults, blaming) through Scripture twisting, could this be due to a shipwrecked faith or mental illness?

Q&A question: When People Justify Bad Behavior w/Scripture