Secular music: evaluate by message, not genre; wickedness set to music is still wicked, but neutral or positive messages are fine

Responding to whether it is sinful to listen to secular music and where to draw the line

Christians can and should serve in government; Romans 13 and Romans 12:17 are not contradictory — private morality and governmental justice operate on different principles.

The Brunette Family asks whether a Christian can be a governing authority given Romans 13:1 alongside Romans 12:17 ("repay no one evil for evil").

Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath: Matthew 12:1-8 and the principle of hierarchical moral reasoning

Question from Dakota France about what Jesus means in Matt 12:1-8, whether the Sabbath carries rewards or penalties for Christians.

Hebrews 6:4-6 — apostasy, hardness of heart, and the possible national Israel interpretation

Question from A.D. Chan about whether Hebrews 6:4-6 applies to Judas and what "falling away" means for someone who has experienced the Spirit.

Universal salvation vs. conditional salvation: Romans 5:18, 1 Corinthians 15:22, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Matthew 25:46

Question from New Testament Theologist about squaring universalist-sounding texts with texts affirming eternal punishment.

God physically appearing to everyone would not necessarily eliminate unbelief; unbelief is often a heart issue, not an evidence problem.

Question 8 from Amanda about why God does not appear physically and audibly to eliminate all unbelief.

Modern (rabbinic) Judaism differs fundamentally from biblical Judaism; good works now replace the sacrificial system.

Question 9 from Meg Smiley about how Jews obtain forgiveness without the Temple.

Q: Does Romans 1:20 refute total depravity? Not directly. Romans 1:20 says everyone has received sufficient revelation of God's existence through creation, making them without excuse. Mike disagrees with Calvinist "total inability" (inability to respond even with Holy Spirit's calling) but doesn't think this verse addresses it.

Q&A — Romans 1:20 and total depravity

Romans 13: Christians should generally obey government unless commanded to sin. Closing churches during a global health crisis isn't persecution — it's a quarantine affecting everyone. Government conspiracy theories about using COVID to target churches are unfounded (China was already persecuting churches without needing excuses). The line: obey until they demand disobedience to God.

Government authority and Romans 13

Mike presents a detailed gospel message: how to get saved. Romans 10:9 is the core verse — confess Jesus is Lord, believe God raised him from the dead, and you will be saved. Simple but with deep layers when you zoom in.

Introduction — how to get saved

What to do to be saved (Romans 10:9): (1) "Believe in your heart" = intellectual belief PLUS reliance/trust (Greek pisteuo = entrust). Know the resurrection is true AND rely on Christ for salvation. (2) "Confess Jesus is Lord" = honest commitment to his authority, not just saying words. Lordship means he's your boss, king, authority. Repentance = turning from rebellion to yielding to God.

How to respond — belief and confession

Q&A: Death penalty is biblically valid. Genesis 9:5-6 (pre-Mosaic, given to all humanity): whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed — because man is made in God's image. Society has a mandate to execute justice. Romans 13:4: government bears the sword as God's servant/avenger. The sword = general governmental authority, which includes capital punishment for murder under certain conditions.

Q&A — death penalty

Mike addresses the George Floyd protests and racism from a biblical perspective: (1) All humans are made in God's image — foundational to human rights. (2) Race as commonly discussed doesn't fit the Christian worldview — skin color is irrelevant to human value. (3) Romans 12:21: don't let others' sin trigger your sin. (4) Galatians 6:1: restore in gentleness, keep watch on yourself lest you be tempted. The key warning: don't justify rebellion against God in the name of righteousness.

Biblical response to George Floyd and racism

Hyperdispensationalism claims OT saints were saved by faith plus works. Refuted by Romans 4: Abraham was justified by faith alone, not works. Romans 11:6: grace and works are philosophically unmixable — if by grace, then not works; if by works, then not grace. These categories can't be blended. This applies to every era, not just the NT.

OT salvation by faith alone — Romans 4 and 11:6

Biblical view of entertainment: Laughter is good (Proverbs: laughter is medicine) but like sex, it's context-dependent. Entertainment that softens our attitude toward sin, mocks God, or turns holy things into jokes causes spiritual harm. Each Christian must develop personal convictions (Romans 14) rather than imposing them on others. The test: is your walk with God sustained while enjoying this entertainment?

Entertainment — biblical principles

Faith for miracles is different from saving faith — it's initiated by God (a spiritual gift), not fabricated by the believer. Jesus had a responsive ministry to the Father, not initiatory. You respond to what the Spirit reveals.

Theological framework: miracle-faith as God-initiated response, not self-generated belief

Christians should pay taxes even to corrupt governments that use money for immoral purposes — Jesus said to pay taxes to Rome, which would use that money to crucify him. Romans 13:1-7 teaches we OWE government obedience, taxes, fear, and honor.

Biblical teaching on taxes, submission to government, and Romans 13

Honor the office even when you despise the officeholder — "salute the rank, not the person." Christians who only honor leaders they agree with are operating from party affiliation, not biblical integrity.

Biblical principle of honoring government leaders regardless of party

Romans 13:1-4 endorses the death penalty in the NEW Testament era — the government "bears the sword" as "God's avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." Romans 12:19 commands individuals NOT to avenge — leave it to government.

Romans 13 as NT endorsement of the death penalty, paired with Romans 12

Objections answered: (1) Jesus's "turn the other cheek" refutes personal vengeance, not governmental justice; (2) David's pardon is a divine exception, not a rule; (3) John 8 (woman in adultery) was a mob, not a court — and the passage is textually questionable.

Responding to objections against the death penalty

Refuting JW Theology: A Jehovah’s Witness said that all the letters in the NT addressed to saints are for the 144,000 (example: Romans 1:7). How do I show that a saint is a believer, and that the NT should be applied to everyone?

Q&A question: Refuting JW Theology

Why does John and Other Passages Not Mention Repentance?: If repentance is required to be saved, why is it not mentioned in the Gospel of John and other evangelical texts like Acts 16: 31 and Romans 10? Can repentance be somewhat synonymous with belief?

Q&A question: Why does John and Other Passages Not Mention Repentance?

If I Don’t Read Scripture, am I Still Accountable?: Romans 1:8-2: 16…Responsibility? I'm afraid to read/not read the Scriptures. So I read/don't read, sometimes feeling physically ill/deeply anxious/even empty. Is it normal to feel like this?

Q&A question: If I Don’t Read Scripture, am I Still Accountable?

Reconciling 2 Important Verses/Worldly Christians?: Can you explain Matthew 7: 21 vs. Romans 10: 13? Also, how do you spot worldly Christians (1 Corinthians 3:1) from those who are unsaved but have good works (Matthew 7: 22-23)? Shouldn't we have grace for sanctification?

Q&A question: Reconciling 2 Important Verses/Worldly Christians?

About the 2 Witnesses / Rapture?: It seems like the 2 witnesses in Zechariah 4 and Revelation 11 are like two peoples instead of individuals, as Romans 11: 17-21 speaks of olive trees/branches being Jews/Gentiles. If so, would the rapture be the "calling up" of them?

Q&A question: About the 2 Witnesses / Rapture?

Judging & Correcting Non-Believers: Are we supposed to judge those outside of the Church, and do we have any right to control/direct what they do (Romans 1: 32; 1 Corinthians 5: 12)?

Q&A question: Judging & Correcting Non-Believers

When Israel is Mentioned in Scripture: In the Bible, when Israel is mentioned in the context, is it referring more to the people or to the land (country)? (Ex: Romans 11:26)

Q&A question: When Israel is Mentioned in Scripture

About Following our Conscience: I Grew up in a KJVO (King James Version Only) Independent Fundamental Baptist church. I have thought about reading the NKJV, but my conscience feels like this is wrong. Does Romans 14 mean I must defer to my conscience in this situation?

Q&A question: About Following our Conscience

Should we Insert Names into Scripture?: A friend likes to substitute names in place of "you" in Scripture. Is that biblical? Romans 15: 13 for example.

Q&A question: Should we Insert Names into Scripture?

Were the Nazis Appointed by God?: Were the Nazis as a government authority "appointed by God" according to Romans 13?

Q&A question: Were the Nazis Appointed by God?

Yoga Pants & Ripped Jeans?: Ladies on the worship team sometimes wear yoga pants and ripped jeans. I think that goes against the Romans 14 principle of not causing a brother to stumble. What do you think?

Q&A question: Yoga Pants & Ripped Jeans?

When Will Every Tongue Confess?: When do you think Philippians 2: 10-11 will be fulfilled? At the end of the millennium, at Armageddon, or throughout the future at different stages? I think Romans 14: 10-12 gives us some insight.

Q&A question: When Will Every Tongue Confess?

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

Christ Ascending & Descending: What is Paul talking about in Romans 10:6-7 when he’s speaking of Christ descending and ascending? The way he phrases things seems like it should be the other way around.

Q&A question: Christ Ascending & Descending

Does God Veil/Blind Understanding?: Why do we assume that 2 Corinthians 4:4 is not about God, but presumably about Satan? In the context of chapters 3 and 4, and also in other verses, we learn that God veils/blinds eyes (ex: John 12: 40, Romans 11:8).

Q&A question: Does God Veil/Blind Understanding?

Can we be Too Wayward to be Forgiven?: Romans 1: 24 says “God will give them up to the lust in their hearts to defile their bodies.” Can one be forgiven and come back to Christ if one thinks this has happened to them?

Q&A question: Can we be Too Wayward to be Forgiven?

Obeying our Conscience: Is Romans 14: 23 about emotional doubt or intellectual doubt? For example, I'm mentally convinced that ham is OK to eat but I still doubt it emotionally. Which is my conscience to obey?

Q&A question: Obeying our Conscience

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”

How to “Obey the Gospel”: How do we answer those who think “obeying the Gospel” means physical obedience (works)? They cite verses like 1 Peter 1: 22, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, Romans 10: 16, and Matthew 7: 21.

Q&A question: How to “Obey the Gospel”

Giving Time vs. Money?: Is it ever OK to give time instead of money to church? How do we balance giving vs. saving, especially if giving might cause debt (Mark 12: 41-44, Romans 13:1-8)? I also have a family to provide for.

Q&A question: Giving Time vs. Money?

Seeing God in Creation: Despite Romans 1: 20, I do not inherently see God in His creation. I choose to believe in God, but I feel like an ant lacking the capacity to contemplate my surroundings, let alone a creator.

Q&A question: Seeing God in Creation

The Minimum to Be Saved?: What's the minimum one must believe to be saved? Romans 10:9? But anything else? What about polytheists who believe it? Or if someone said, "Yes, Lord Jesus died and rose, but His death wasn't for our sin"?

Q&A question: The Minimum to Be Saved?

Others’ Consciences: Our Responsibility?: Are we responsible if someone is emboldened to disobey his conscience because of something we posted online (Romans 14)? I wish to show games I like on my channel, but I’m afraid they may convict a brother.

Q&A question: Others’ Consciences: Our Responsibility?

Romans 13 & Corrupt Government: Many preachers use Romans 13 to promote supporting our current governmental leadership. Yet those same preachers were anti-Biden or anti-Democratic when he was in office. How do we walk that out rightly?

Q&A question: Romans 13 & Corrupt Government

Romans 11 6

"Does the Bible Permit A Woman to Preach?" - Jonny Ardavanis

A question that is both sensitive and significant within the life of the church — examining God's design, the effects of the fall, qualifications for church leadership, and relevant passages.

Wives Submit? | Ephesians 5:21-24 - Conrad Macintyre

Verse-by-verse teaching through Ephesians 5:21-24. Examines mutual submission and the meaning of "wives submit" in its literary and historical context.

Women in Ministry - Prof Craig Keener

Paul's letters stand at the centre of the dispute over women's role in church ministry, with each side of the dispute championing texts from the Apostle. How do we understand the text in 1 Corinthians 14 where Paul instructs women to be silent, or the 1 Timothy 2 passage where women are forbidden to teach or exercise authority over men? Are these texts addressing a specific cultural situation or should they be treated as universal prohibitions? Craig Keener delved deeply into the world of Paul and wrestled with these thorny texts in his book [*Paul, Women and Wives: Marriage and Women's Ministry in the Letters of Paul*](/library/25) (Hendrikson, 1992). In a public lecture at Laidlaw's Henderson campus in September 2019, Professor Keener looked at the arguments for both sides of the question: 'are women allowed to be in ministry?', and the approaches various theologians and church traditions have taken throughout the centuries. He gave insights into the culture at the time Paul wrote his letters, and of the way false teachers were targeting women. He notes the importance of considering the original situation of Paul's letters, and that Paul does affirm women's ministry which helps us to see that Paul himself did not prohibit women from teaching the Bible always.