Search — Theology Explorer

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-16

Was Jesus Silent?: In Mark and Matthew, Jesus remains silent which amazes Pilate, but in John, He delivers explanations. What are your thoughts on this subject, and how would you handle it when presented?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Silent?

Matthew Jesus Matthew Pilate

Mike Winger idea 2024-08-23

Jesus’ Deity in Scripture: Where does the Bible teach that the deity of Jesus is a salvation/damnation issue? For example, in Athens (Acts 17), it seems weird that Paul didn't explicitly teach this. John 8, perhaps?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Deity in Scripture

Acts 17 John 8 Acts 17 Jesus salvation

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-06

Demons Drowning – Why?: When Jesus cast the Legion of demons into the swine, why do they proceed to drown themselves? It showed the validity of the man being healed, but what was the actual reason for the demons to do so?

Q&A question: Demons Drowning – Why?

Jesus demons Legion

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-14

Typology = Eisegesis?: Is it eisegesis to interpret the Old Testament as depicting Jesus? I commonly hear this objection from Jews who say Christians are "inserting their theology into our book."

Q&A question: Typology = Eisegesis?

Mike Winger idea 2024-09-20

Was Simon Always “Peter”?: Catholics always say Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter. However, previous verses (Matthew 16: 16, John 21: 15, Matthew 4: 18, and Luke 5:8) refer to him as Simon Peter. Jesus says, “You are Peter…” not “From now on, you are Peter.” Was Simon always known as Peter?

Q&A question: Was Simon Always “Peter”?

Matthew 16 Matthew John 21 Peter Roman Catholicism Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-04

No Persecution = No Godliness?: 2 Tim 3: 12 says, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” I’m not being persecuted. Does this mean I’m not living a godly life?

Q&A question: No Persecution = No Godliness?

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-04

Jesus Calling Out for Elijah?: On the cross, why did the Jewish people think Jesus was calling out for Elijah (Matthew 27: 47)?

Q&A question: Jesus Calling Out for Elijah?

Matthew Matthew 27 Jesus Elijah Matthew

Mike Winger idea 2024-10-11

Stay Focused on Christ!: How do I keep my mind on Jesus all day? I often get so distracted and conform to the ways of people around me. This is the thing I struggle with the most. I’d love your advice!

Q&A question: Stay Focused on Christ!

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 2024-10-18

The Destruction of Jerusalem: Do you believe that in Luke 21: 20 Jesus is talking about the destruction of Jerusalem for today's time?

Q&A question: The Destruction of Jerusalem

Luke 21 Jesus Luke 21

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-15

Jesus’ Ministry – Which Nature?: Do you believe Jesus did His ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing out of His divinity, or out of His humanity empowered by the Holy Spirit, in light of Matthew 3: 16-17, etc.? What about us?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Ministry – Which Nature?

Matthew Jesus Matthew healing

Mike Winger idea 2024-11-15

Can the Unsaved Seek God?: Can people not yet saved seek after God? Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:7 to “…seek and knock and it will be opened,” but in Romans 3: 10 it says “There is no one who understands; There is no one who seeks God.”

Q&A question: Can the Unsaved Seek God?

Matthew Romans 3 Matthew 7 Jesus Matthew Romans 3

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-13

The Kingdom – “Suffered Violence”?: Can you help me to contextually understand Matthew 11: 12? Teachings I’ve heard have made no sense, and I have tried to understand it myself, but I’m not sure if I’m understanding what Jesus was saying here.

Q&A question: The Kingdom – “Suffered Violence”?

Matthew Jesus Matthew

Mike Winger idea 2024-12-13

Baptized in the Name of Jesus Only?: Why were people baptized in Jesus’ name in the book of Acts? I was challenged by this question and can’t figure it out.

Q&A question: Baptized in the Name of Jesus Only?

Jesus baptism

Learning to Pay Attention!: Were there really “Wise Men” at Jesus’ birth?

Q&A question: Learning to Pay Attention!

No PSA = OK?: Is it possible to not believe in Penal Substitutionary Atonement without being a Progressive?

Q&A question: No PSA = OK?

atonement

Does God Know His Own Future?: Does God perfectly and exhaustively know His own future? If He does, is He able to change His future, or is He only able to do what He already knows He is going to do?

Q&A question: Does God Know His Own Future?

By Grace, Through Faith, No Works: As a former strict, legalistic Orthodox, will I ever be able to grasp that salvation truly is by faith and NOT works? I STRUGGLE!

Q&A question: By Grace, Through Faith, No Works

salvation

The Temple – Continued Sacrifices?: What do we make of the Temple at the end of Ezekiel? It says God will dwell there, and sacrifices will be continued by Levites (Ch. 43:7; 19). Verse 27 indicates this will continue happening.

Q&A question: The Temple – Continued Sacrifices?

Ezekiel Ezekiel

Is “Bodybuilding” Biblical?: My friends and I love natural bodybuilding. Is it biblical to work on your body to one day showcase it in minimal clothing on a bodybuilding stage or on social media in a non-sexual way?

Q&A question: Is “Bodybuilding” Biblical?

sexual ethics

True Peace in the Midst of Storms: Can you give us some thoughts on how to have peace and joy in Christ in this season, despite being stuck in some really messed up circumstances?

Q&A question: True Peace in the Midst of Storms

Choosing Sides?: A friend of a friend asked why he has to “choose sides” (God or the Devil). Why can't he just remain neutral? He claims it's not really free will when there's only one “right side.”

Q&A question: Choosing Sides?

free will

Hebrews 13:4 marriage Hebrews 13:4

Purity in the Marriage Bed: Are married Christian couples allowed to engage in things like kink, costumes, and roleplay in the bedroom? Hebrews 13:4 states that the marriage bed must remain pure. But what is in and out of bounds?

Q&A question: Purity in the Marriage Bed

1 John 3 David salvation 1 John 3

David’s Salvation – Murderer?: If according to John, no murderer has eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3: 15), how do we explain David’s salvation, since he had Uriah killed?

Q&A question: David’s Salvation – Murderer?

Bonus Q! Since Christmas is next Wednesday, what’s your favorite Christmas tradition? And what Christmas traditions would you recommend avoiding/refusing to participate in?

Q&A question

Luke 16 Lazarus Luke 16 hell

What is Hades Like?: Looking at Luke 16: 19-31 (Rich Man and Lazarus), what does this parable teach us about the afterlife, and how literally should the depiction in that passage of Heaven and Hell be taken?

Q&A question: What is Hades Like?

Making Decisions “From Faith”: Is there a difference between indecisiveness and doing things “not from faith” (Romans 14: 23)? I struggle to make decisions and feel guilty about doing things without being 100% sure it’s God’s will.

Q&A question: Making Decisions “From Faith”

Romans 14 Romans 14

The Great Wealth Transfer: What is your opinion on the movement of "The Great Wealth Transfer" that prosperity preachers teach, where believers obtain unbelievers’ land and wealth?

Q&A question: The Great Wealth Transfer

evangelism

Difficult OT Passages: Nahum 3:5-6 is hard for me to reconcile with our holy and loving God. Can you help me understand this?

Q&A question: Difficult OT Passages

Nahum Nahum

Praying Biblically in Dire Situations: Is it a lack of faith in me to not pray for a miraculous healing for a fatal diagnosis in my baby I’m carrying, and instead be praying primarily for strength, comfort, and peace?

Q&A question: Praying Biblically in Dire Situations

healing

Matthew 24 Matthew Jesus Matthew 24 Matthew

Does Jesus NOW Know?: Did Jesus’ limits He placed on Himself while on Earth disappear once He resurrected/exalted to Heaven (Matthew 24: 36, No one knows the day or the hour except the Father)? Could Jesus know now?

Q&A question: Does Jesus NOW Know?

Should Morality be Legislated?: How do I respond to a Christian who thinks things (like abortion and transgenderism) are wrong but that they shouldn’t vote to have the government legislate against it to restrain/correct non-Christians (forcing it on them)?

Q&A question: Should Morality be Legislated?

abortion

Avoiding the “Barn Building” Attitude: I feel the need/desire to make good money - that it's necessary to feel secure, to be a provider, and yes - to have some nice things (a house, vacations, etc.). Am I the Luke 12 barn builder?

Q&A question: Avoiding the “Barn Building” Attitude

Spiritual Significance of The Election?: What do you think of invoking biblical figures like David, Cyrus, and Jehu when talking about President-elect Trump? Does his election have spiritual significance?

Q&A question: Spiritual Significance of The Election?

David

Genesis Genesis 1 Genesis Genesis 1

Let “US” Make Man in “OUR” Image?: In Genesis 1: 26 God said, "Let us make man in our image." Who is the “us” He’s talking about?

Q&A question: Let “US” Make Man in “OUR” Image?

Mike Winger idea 2025-01-10

Was Jesus Tempted with Unbelief?: As a former atheist, the verse in Hebrews 4: 15 comforts and confuses me; how could the Son of Man be tempted with unbelief in Himself?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Tempted with Unbelief?

Hebrews 4 Jesus atheism Hebrews 4

Mike Winger idea 2025-01-10

Did The Apostles Misunderstand?: I’m struggling with the apostles believing that Jesus’ return was happening within their lifetime. How can we trust everything else they said to be inspired by God if they got this wrong?

Q&A question: Did The Apostles Misunderstand?

Jesus Apostles

Mike Winger idea 2025-01-10

Gospel Contradictions?: Is there an irreconcilable contradiction in the Gospels as to whether Jesus instructed The Twelve to take a staff (Matt 10: 10, Mark 6:8)? How should this affect our view on inerrancy?

Q&A question: Gospel Contradictions?

Mark 6 Jesus Mark 6

Mike Winger idea 2025-01-17

Disciples: Not Recognizing Jesus?: There are some Scriptures where the disciples don’t recognize the resurrected Jesus. Is this because they are prevented by Jesus, or did He actually look different?

Q&A question: Disciples: Not Recognizing Jesus?

Mike Winger idea 2025-02-14

Does the Spirit Still Teach & Guide Us?: Jesus tells the apostles that the Holy Spirit will “teach them all things” (John 14: 16) and “guide them into all the truth” (John 16: 13). What exactly does this entail, and was it only for the apostles?

Q&A question: Does the Spirit Still Teach & Guide Us?

John 16 Jesus John 16 Apostles

Mike Winger idea 2025-02-21

Bethlehem vs. Nazareth?: Why is Jesus in Bethlehem when the wise men come in Matthew 2:7-11? Luke 2: 22 and 2: 39 say they returned to Nazareth after the 40 day purification rites. Did Matthew make up their hometown as Bethlehem?

Q&A question: Bethlehem vs. Nazareth?

Luke 2 Matthew 2 Matthew Luke 2 Jesus Matthew 2

Mike Winger idea 2025-02-21

Passover vs. Yom Kippur: Why was Jesus' atoning sacrifice on Passover instead of Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement)? I've looked everywhere but can't find an answer.

Q&A question: Passover vs. Yom Kippur

Jesus atonement

Mike Winger idea 2025-02-21

How to be a “Fisher of Men”: What does it mean to be “fishers of men”? A leader at my seeker church said it meant to use bait to get them in. Not sure if this is what Jesus meant.

Q&A question: How to be a “Fisher of Men”

Mike Winger idea 2025-03-21

So Many Saw – So Little Believed?: Since many saw the saints who were raised to life (Matthew 27: 52-53) then more than 500 saw Jesus after His resurrection, how is it that so many didn’t believe He rose (e.g. Saul pre-Damascus)?

Q&A question: So Many Saw – So Little Believed?

Matthew Matthew 27 Jesus resurrection Matthew

Mike Winger idea 2025-03-21

Garden of Gethsemane: What is The Cup?: In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays for the Father to let the cup pass from Him. I've understood the cup to be God's wrath, but Jesus says a few chapters later that James & John will drink it, too.

Q&A question: Garden of Gethsemane: What is The Cup?

James James Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2025-04-11

How did Martha Know?: In John 11, when Martha says she knows her brother will rise in the resurrection on the last day, did she know that from the Old Testament, or from Jesus’ teachings?

Q&A question: How did Martha Know?

John 11 Jesus resurrection John 11

Mike Winger idea 2025-04-11

Jesus’ Sacrifice: Human Sacrifice?: If God doesn't allow human sacrifice, how do we reconcile Jesus' sacrifice?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Sacrifice: Human Sacrifice?

Mike Winger idea 2025-05-09

Resentful of the Father but Not the Son?: After a long and HARD life, I sometimes feel almost resentful of GOD the Father whom I’ve never seen, heard, or felt. But every day I love JESUS more and more. Is this normal?

Q&A question: Resentful of the Father but Not the Son?