Search — Theology Explorer

Christian worldview kingdom of God eternal security

God is good and His promises remain — our eternal kingdom is incorruptible and preserved in Christ

Opening encouragement at the start of the Q&A, framed against social and political polarization in early 2021

discipleship kingdom of God Christian political engagement

Christians risk confusing Christ's kingdom with contemporary political events, as did the first disciples

Transition from opening encouragement into a warning about political entrenchment

John 18:36 Christian fellowship kingdom of God Christian political engagement

Political disagreement should not fracture Christian fellowship; the kingdom of Christ is not of this world

Question from Mariano Rogers about reaching a fellow believer deceived by mainstream media regarding conservative politics

John 18:36 Peter kingdom of God Christian political engagement

Christians should not use political grievances as justification for storming government or causing violence

Closing thought on political question, referencing the January 6, 2021 Capitol events contextually

Joshua Rahab Christian ethics deception

Whether a Christian can work for the CIA or NSA involves the question of whether all deception is always wrong

Question from Mick Making Oreo1113 about whether Christians can work in intelligence agencies where lying is part of the job

Hebrews 11:31 Joshua 2 faith Rahab Christian ethics

Rahab's deception of those seeking the spies is commended in Hebrews 11, suggesting not all deception is sinful

Biblical case study on deception and the ethics of intelligence work

vocation Christian ethics moral accountability

Moral limits apply in every job; a Christian working in intelligence may face a moment requiring resignation

Concluding thought on Christians in intelligence work

idolatry government early church

A prayer opening Congress in the name of the Hindu god Brahma is blasphemy — but the appropriate Christian response is not rebellion

Question from Gorilla Christianity about a US Congress session opened in the name of Brahma

John 18:36 Christian political engagement John 18:36 civil government

Government paganism does not nullify Christian obligation to submit to civil authority

Continuing response to the Congress prayer question

Philippians 3:13-14 calling Paul discouragement

The feeling of "not being there yet" in Christian growth is healthy when it motivates pressing on rather than giving up

Question from Derry Draws about how to grow spiritually when the fire feels gone

Being too submissive is a real and dangerous failure — biblical submission has limits defined by obedience to God

Question from Lacey Fix about marriage counseling — secular counselors say too-submissive equals codependent, biblical counselors say submit more and your spouse will repent

submission David Saul

1 Peter 3:1 1 Peter 3:1 marriage conversion

Real-life example: a wife's Christ-like conduct broke through her angry husband's defenses and led to his conversion

Illustrative story supporting 1 Peter 3:1 and the "may" interpretation

Abraham salvation universalism

Those who lived before Christ or never heard the gospel can still be saved — through faith in the true God, ultimately through Christ

Question from Telly Kaler about how people who lived before Jesus will be judged

Hebrews 4:15 Hebrews 2:17 Jesus temptation incarnation

Hebrews 2:17 — "made like his brothers in every respect" does not imply Jesus had a sinful nature or that humans are born innocent

Question from Troy Mulberry about Hebrews 2:17 and human nature at birth

John 16:13 apostles Holy Spirit prophecy

John 16:13 has primary application to the apostles; broadly applying it to all Christians sets the bar for Spirit-guidance too low

Question from Rocketman Sean about the extent to which John 16:13 applies to Christians today

Holy Spirit discernment false prophecy

A rearview mirror test for Spirit-led claims: look back at past "God told me" moments and evaluate their accuracy

Practical tool for evaluating claims of Spirit guidance

Romans 14:23 Romans 14:23 conscience faith

A hyper-sensitive conscience projects fear onto others and paralyzes daily life — the solution is more faith, not more scrutiny

Continuing response to the overly-scrupulous conscience question

Romans 14 Romans 14 Christian liberty conscience

Church attendance decisions during COVID are a matter of conscience — Christians should not cause division over this

Question from Israel Garcia about whether Christians are obligated to attend church during the pandemic

Judges Judges typology Samson

Judges is a book designed to show total human depravity — God is the only hero; even the deliverers fail

Broader theological point drawn from the Judges 20 discussion

Christian liberty conscience civil government

Christians are not free to disobey government laws simply because they seem pointless — but there is a threshold of oppression where resistance becomes legitimate

Question from Jared's Story about UK COVID laws and Christian obligation to comply

perspective Christian worldview kingdom of God

The Hobbit analogy: getting into the Word is like climbing above the fog to regain vision and direction

Transition into the bonus questions — encouragement for the viewers

2 Corinthians 2 baptism grace re-baptism

Re-baptism is not prescribed in Scripture but can be appropriate when the original baptism lacked genuine understanding

Question from Andrew Green about whether re-baptisms are biblical

Ephesians 4:31 Matthew 7:3-5 Holy Spirit self-examination bitterness

Bitterness, clamor, and slander toward political opponents grieve the Spirit — Christians must deal with their own carnality first

Application of Ephesians 4:30-31 to the current political/cultural climate

Proverbs Craig Blomberg wisdom Proverbs

Proverbs recommended as the antidote to the lack of wisdom on both political extremes

Closing remarks

Bethel Church Hillsong Brian Houston

Hillsong assessed as a mixed-bag ministry — not progressive, but tilted toward intense positivity over theological substance

Question from Christian Galindo about whether Hillsong is a progressive church with sound theology.

Hillsong Prosperity gospel / positivity gospel Ministry success metrics

Hillsong's explosive growth is driven by an extra layer of intense positivity — the "Happy Meal" model of Christianity

Continued analysis of Hillsong's ministry model.

Bethel Church Christian unity Hillsong

Hillsong is not a progressive church — progressives target traditional Christianity, Hillsong seeks an inclusive umbrella

Answering whether Hillsong qualifies as theologically progressive.

Romans 1 Exodus 20:4-5 Romans 1 Idolatry Graven images

Images are not inherently wrong — the biblical prohibition is against images used for worship, not images per se

Question from Jesper about whether Christians can have icons in the home.

1 Timothy 2:5 1 Timothy 2:5 Temple theology Ark of the Covenant

The temple's empty space at the center of worship is the model for where all prayer and worship must be directed — God alone, with no mediating object

Continued answer on icons/images, drawing on the temple design.

John 17:21 John 14-16 Indwelling of the Holy Spirit Jesus as mediator John 17:21

John 17:21 — the oneness Jesus prays for is relational unity via the indwelling Spirit and Christ's mediation, not ontological Trinity participation

Question from David Foresight about what it means for believers to be "one" as the Father and Son are one in John 17:21.

John 17:21 John 13:35 Apologetics John 17:21 Christian unity as apologetic

Christian community love is an apologetic — Trinitarian unity manifested in the church is evidence that God sent Christ

Continuation of John 17:21 discussion.

2 Timothy 1:7 Prayer Spiritual warfare 2 Timothy 1:7

Modifying prayer practices out of fear of Satan is itself a spiritual defeat — Christians pray to God in the victory of Christ

Practical application of the Satan/prayer question.

Romans 9 Isaiah 64:8 Luke 16:8 Romans 9 Divine sovereignty and human responsibility Potter and clay (Isaiah 64:8 / Romans 9)

The Potter/clay metaphor does not eliminate human responsibility — diligence and trust in God operate simultaneously, not in opposition

Question from David Mason about whether God being the Potter means humans are not responsible for their own lives.

Acts 1:9-11 Philippians 3:21 Glorified body of Christ Ascension of Christ Right hand of God

Jesus currently has a glorified human body in heaven — the localized presence of God is where Christ is embodied, worshipped by angels

Question from Agnes Magnusson about what form Jesus has in heaven.

Christian music genres Cultural discernment Witness and lifestyle

Christian rock and metal can honor God but requires vigilance — the genre's sinful elements easily infect the message

Question from Simon Batha about whether Christian rock and metal can honor God.

Baptism Infant baptism Re-baptism / believer's baptism

Adult believers who were baptized as infants should consider being re-baptized — baptism is a ratification of a personal decision to follow Christ

Question from LucyQ (from Finland) who was baptized in the Evangelical Lutheran Church as an infant but came to faith as an adult.

Romans 13:1 Romans 14 Hebrews 10:25 Romans 13:1 Romans 14 Hebrews 10:25

Romans 13:1 requires submission to governing authorities, but the command to gather (Hebrews 10:25) creates a potential tension during COVID restrictions

Question from Felicia Claan about Hosea 8:4 vs. Romans 13:1 in the context of COVID restrictions on household gatherings.

Galatians 2 2 Peter 3:16 Galatians 2 Mormonism Joseph Smith

Paul's conversion is credible because it was Apostolically ratified and his gospel was identical to the Twelve's — Joseph Smith fails both tests

Question from Summer Monsoon about apologetics for Paul's conversion vs. Joseph Smith's claimed vision.

Mormonism Joseph Smith King Follett Discourse

The King Follett Sermon reveals Joseph Smith's radically unbiblical theology — God was once a man, humans become gods

Supporting evidence in the Mormonism discussion.

Romans 3-5 Antinomianism Holiness Sanctification

Imputed righteousness does not eliminate moral obligation — it changes the basis of standing before God, not the Christian's motivation to pursue holiness

Question from John Dutton about whether imputed righteousness is biblical and whether it undermines the call to repent from sin.

Bible translation taxonomy: word-for-word and thought-for-thought are both valuable; paraphrases (Amplified, The Message) are tools, not translations, and are misused when read as straight Bible

Bonus question from Constant (Australia) about the New Century Version, Amplified Bible, and Contemporary English Version.

ESV NASB NIV

Revelation 2-3 evangelism Revelation 2-3 Crusades

Evangelism strategy for someone hurt by Christian abuse: separate Jesus from his misrepresenters

Question from Kenneth Kelly about reaching a Native American friend whose aunt was beaten to death by a Catholic nun.

lukewarm Revelation 3:15-17 evangelism lukewarm Laodicea

Revelation 3:15-17 -- Jesus's rebuke of Laodicea used as evangelism tool to show Jesus is not like his unfaithful followers

Mike reads Revelation 3:15-17 as a concrete example of Jesus rebuking church representatives who misrepresent him.

Ruth 4:5-6 typology Adam Ruth 4:5-6

Ruth 4:5-6 -- Kinsman-redeemer typology: Boaz as Christ, the unnamed redeemer as a failed Adam-figure

Question from 'yo man' about whether Ruth 4:5-6 is typologically connected to Galatians 3:23-25.

Galatians 3:23-25 typology justification by faith paidagogos

Galatians 3:23-25 -- The Law as paidagogos (guardian/tutor) leading to Christ; distinct from kinsman-redeemer language

Mike evaluates whether Galatians 3:23-25 connects to the Ruth kinsman-redeemer passage.

Exodus 7 Mark 13:22 discernment evangelism Exodus 7

False signs and wonders: miracles do not authenticate a religion; Satan has real but limited supernatural power

Question from 'spazzy jazzy' about a Japanese friend who believes a false religion because of a miraculous healing her mother received.

Revelation Hebrews warning passages Revelation once saved always saved eternal security

Book of Life: names blotted out -- the phrase is too non-specific to resolve the eternal security debate

Question from Paul Redding about how one is written into or blotted out of the Book of Life.