Search — Theology Explorer

Genesis 22 Genesis Abraham Isaac Genesis 22

Did God Command Sin?: In Genesis 22:2, God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering. How can God ask men to do something that is sinful, and how could Abraham obey God’s direction to sin?

Q&A question: Did God Command Sin?

Deuteronomy 22 Deuteronomy 22

Proof of Virginity Required?: In Deuteronomy 22: 13-21, why were the women to be stoned to death if they didn’t present proof of virginity? Was it the same for the men?

Q&A question: Proof of Virginity Required?

Keep All but 1 Commandment?: Why do Christians try to keep all 10 commandments except the 4th one? I hope this doesn't sound rude.

Q&A question: Keep All but 1 Commandment?

Does God Have Blood?: Does God have blood? If not, isn’t that Nestorian?

Q&A question: Does God Have Blood?

How to Put Faith in Christ: As an atheist who would like to believe in God, goes to church, and has read the Gospel, what steps do I take to believe?

Q&A question: How to Put Faith in Christ

atheism

Is it Logical to Believe the Bible?: How can Christians believe in a literal Adam and Eve account or a literal worldwide flood?

Q&A question: Is it Logical to Believe the Bible?

Adam and Eve

Did Jesus Doubt?: Is it true to say that Jesus doubted? How would you respond to someone that claims that He did (in Gethsemane), implying it's OK to doubt?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Doubt?

Jesus

Why Doesn’t God Immediately Help/Heal?: Why would I "surrender" myself to someone who could help me (be well, not be in pain, heal me) and is with me at all times, but doesn't help me?

Q&A question: Why Doesn’t God Immediately Help/Heal?

Why is Belief Necessary for Forgiveness?: Why does God require belief for forgiveness? Why can’t God simply forgive our sins since Jesus died for all and not attach belief to that?

Q&A question: Why is Belief Necessary for Forgiveness?

Jesus forgiveness

Why does God Heal Some Cancer but Not All?: I have a neighbor who can't get past this question: “My dad had cancer and died. You [me] had it and lived. Why does God think that's fair?”

Q&A question: Why does God Heal Some Cancer but Not All?

suffering

Rejecting the Message due to Credentials: Any advice for lay people doing public ministry that get attacked by non-believers on the basis of their credentials? I feel I am capable of interpretation and ministry despite never having been to seminary.

Q&A question: Rejecting the Message due to Credentials

hermeneutics

Does the Devil Know Our Thoughts?: Can the Devil interpret what a non-believer may be thinking or what's on their mind? Can he understand what a person is thinking?

Q&A question: Does the Devil Know Our Thoughts?

hermeneutics

Prophecies Written Afterwards?: How can you prove that parts of the Bible weren't written after the events took place, like prophecies or historical accounts of God's providence?

Q&A question: Prophecies Written Afterwards?

prophecy

Proof of God’s Existence: What proof apart from science is there that there’s a God?

Q&A question: Proof of God’s Existence

faith and science

Couldn’t the Bible be More Clear?: Do you honestly think the Bible couldn't have been more clear about important moral issues where the church has been very wrong (treatment of gays, etc.)? What does that say about authorship?

Q&A question: Couldn’t the Bible be More Clear?

homosexuality

How to Know Christianity is the Truth: I am so afraid. There is so many views about God. How can I be sure I am following the correct ways? I claim to be a Christian but there are too many different views.

Q&A question: How to Know Christianity is the Truth

The Problem of Evil: Why is there so much suffering if God is good? If He is almighty, why doesn’t He stop all the bad things?

Q&A question: The Problem of Evil

theodicy suffering

Faith/Trust Defined: Define faith/trust. If someone intellectually knows that God exists but doesn't know how to trust in Him, how would you counsel them?

Q&A question: Faith/Trust Defined

Didn’t the Israelites Have Meat to Eat?: If the Israelites had flocks and herds, why did they complain that they had no meat? They didn't have the Law of Moses yet on what not to eat.

Q&A question: Didn’t the Israelites Have Meat to Eat?

Moses

Would God Pass the Test?: Ricky Gervais says that if all scientific knowledge and religion were erased, science would be eventually re-discovered, but not God. Thoughts

Q&A question: Would God Pass the Test?

Ricky Gervais

Which Denomination is True?: Why are there over 30,000 Christian denominations all claiming to be the “true Christians”? Which one should I follow, and why?

Q&A question: Which Denomination is True?

Was Jesus Only Condemning the Religious?: I often hear people saying that Jesus was speaking to and condemning the religious only, not speaking to the world. How would you respond to this sentiment?

Q&A question: Was Jesus Only Condemning the Religious?

Jesus

Romans 5 Ezekiel Romans 5 Adam and Eve Ezekiel

Punished for Adam’s Sin?: Are we guilty of the sin of Adam and Eve? If so, isn’t it unjust for God hold us accountable for something we had no part of (Ezekiel 18, Romans 5: 12)?

Q&A question: Punished for Adam’s Sin?

Worship Only Services?: When it comes to a church service, would it be appropriate on occasion to just have worship instead of both worship and the Word preached? Should it always be both?

Q&A question: Worship Only Services?

worship

Matthew Matthew 28 baptism Matthew Matthew 28

Three Dippings during Baptism?: What are your thoughts on “Trine Immersion” during baptism, specifically three dippings? Is it justified in Matthew 28: 19?

Q&A question: Three Dippings during Baptism?

Repentant but Still Rejected: I was rejected by my church because of my behavior, PTSD & my mouth. They didn’t excommunicate me but stopped talking to me/started ignoring me. I’ve repented, apologized, and begged but they still ignore me. It has left me feeling flawed & unloved. What would Scripture tell me about my situation?

Q&A question: Repentant but Still Rejected

repentance

Is God Deterministic?: If Jesus in the Old Testament was intentional by God, does that mean that God is sometimes deterministic? For example, did God orchestrate Joseph’s life?

Q&A question: Is God Deterministic?

Joseph Jesus

How to “Build Up” One Another: What does “building others up” with your words really mean? Does it mean that you should compliment people and just say nice things to them? Does it mean more, or something entirely different?

Q&A question: How to “Build Up” One Another

Why Ask for Forgiveness?: If we are saved by faith alone, why are there so many prayers asking that our sins be forgiven, when by faith we know that they have been? Thank You

Q&A question: Why Ask for Forgiveness?

prayer forgiveness

Should We Limit our Fun?: I read my Bible every day and pray, but I feel guilty when I engage in a hobby or have “fun.” Is there a limit to the amount of fun one can have in a day?

Q&A question: Should We Limit our Fun?

Luke 13 Jesus prophecy Luke 13

Jesus Just an Ordinary Prophet?: Why did Jesus refer to Himself as a prophet in Luke 13: 33 and not the Son of God? Wouldn't that be putting Himself on the same level as regular prophets when He was in fact elevated?

Q&A question: Jesus Just an Ordinary Prophet?

Genesis Genesis evolution

Life on Other Planets = Abiogenesis?: If basic organisms are discovered on other planets, would that prove abiogenesis and prove evolution?

Q&A question: Life on Other Planets = Abiogenesis?

Should we “Sin Boldly”?: Martin Luther has a quote that says “sin boldly.” I’ve heard he meant don’t be afraid of sinning and do so boldly knowing it has been paid for, but I feel that this is dangerous. Your thoughts?

Q&A question: Should we “Sin Boldly”?

Martin Luther

Mortal & Venial Sins?: 1 John 5: 16-17 seems to support the Roman Catholic understanding of mortal and venial sins. Is that the proper interpretation of this verse, and if not, how should we understand sin and the death it causes?

Q&A question: Mortal & Venial Sins?

Roman Catholicism

Why Follow Any of the OT?: What would you say to the objection that “if we don't follow the old covenant anymore, why should we care about Leviticus 18”?

Q&A question: Why Follow Any of the OT?

covenant theology

How to Rejoice and Weep With Others: Since both good and bad things happen in the body of Christ daily, how can we accurately practice Romans 12: 15?

Q&A question: How to Rejoice and Weep With Others

Romans 12 Romans 12

1 Corinthians 8 1 Corinthians 8

Has the HS Been Left Out?: Why is the Holy Spirit not mentioned in the greetings of Paul, and why He is left out in such statements like 1 Corinthians 8:6?

Q&A question: Has the HS Been Left Out?

The Granville Sharp’s Rule: How reliable is the Granville Sharp's rule? Is it implemented outside of New Testament writings?

Q&A question: The Granville Sharp’s Rule

The “Secret Sauce” to Fasting: Please help me with how to fast. I am praying for a friend’s salvation and protection from some dark things. I know that’s not a lot of info, but I want to know if there is a secret sauce to fasting.

Q&A question: The “Secret Sauce” to Fasting

salvation fasting

The Heartache of an Unbelieving Family: I'm the only Christian in my whole biological family. How do I not despair at the fact that they're all headed to Hell as it stands? It’s leading me to doubt the goodness of God.

Q&A question: The Heartache of an Unbelieving Family

hell

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

Genesis Genesis 1 Genesis Genesis 1 evolution

Was Evolution Used by God?: Genesis 1: 24 sounds like God created animals through evolution (at God’s command) – “The Earth brings forth…” V. 11 also uses the same language. Interestingly, it’s not used with water, birds, animals & man. Thoughts on why this may be?

Q&A question: Was Evolution Used by God?

Jeremiah Hosea Jeremiah Hosea

Israel – Male & Female?: What is the explanation for God referring to Israel as male (Hosea 14:5-6) and as female (Jeremiah 3:6)? Is it context related, or is there another explanation?

Q&A question: Israel – Male & Female?

Bethlehem & The Messiah: Did people not know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem (John 7: 41-43 NIV)? I feel like that would have cleared up some of their issues with Him being the Messiah!

Q&A question: Bethlehem & The Messiah

John 7 Jesus John 7

Does Deuteronomy Prohibit Witnessing to Cults?: Does Deuteronomy 12: 30 prohibit current Christians from learning about other worldviews/religions/cults in order to evangelize them and utilize appropriate apologetics techniques?

Q&A question: Does Deuteronomy Prohibit Witnessing to Cults?

apologetics angels

Why Did God Appoint Unfaithful Leaders?: Why did God choose bad kings if He knows every heart? Saul, Solomon, Jeroboam, Hazael, and Jehu all turned away, but were directly chosen by Him. Why not choose kings He knew would stay faithful?

Q&A question: Why Did God Appoint Unfaithful Leaders?

Solomon

The Divine Council Theory: I heard you once say you didn't agree with Michael Heiser's views on the Divine Council. What part of it do you not agree with?

Q&A question: The Divine Council Theory

Michael Heiser

Speaking in Tongues: When did “speaking in tongues” change from being real human languages that the speaker didn’t naturally know to being a non-human/Spirit language?

Q&A question: Speaking in Tongues

tongues

Biblically, how is “Neighbor” Defined?: Is there a biblical definition for the term “neighbor”? I've always thought it was a term used to describe a non-believer who shows love to a Christian (or means them no harm).

Q&A question: Biblically, how is “Neighbor” Defined?