Search — Theology Explorer

Prophecy Fulfillment, or Just Staged?: People quote prophecy as evidence of Jesus’ deity. Couldn’t He have deliberately fulfilled some prophecies, such as bribing men to divide His clothes, or purposefully riding a donkey into Jerusalem?

Q&A question: Prophecy Fulfillment, or Just Staged?

Jesus prophecy

Why Physical vs. Spiritual Blessings?: What is the significance of God promising physical blessings to nations (thinking particularly of the promise to Ishmael), when, in light of eternity, physical blessings are nearly insignificant?

Q&A question: Why Physical vs. Spiritual Blessings?

About the Septuagint & Masoretic Text: Is the Greek LXX (Septuagint) considered a flawed copy? The genealogy of Shem adds hundreds of years which is quite significant. Is the Masoretic Text inerrant, or am I misunderstanding inerrancy?

Q&A question: About the Septuagint & Masoretic Text

biblical inerrancy

Thoughts on the Asbury Revival: What are your thoughts about what is happening at Asbury?

Q&A question: Thoughts on the Asbury Revival

Is there a Proper Format for Church Services?: Is the current way we do church services prescribed in the Bible? Where did this current style of worship come from?

Q&A question: Is there a Proper Format for Church Services?

worship

Exodus 32 Aaron Exodus 32

Was Aaron Punished for the Golden Calf?: Why didn't Aaron get punished for making the golden calf in Exodus 32?

Q&A question: Was Aaron Punished for the Golden Calf?

Butterfly Effect/Multiple Universes?: What are your thoughts on the butterfly effect and the possibility of multiple universes?

Q&A question: Butterfly Effect/Multiple Universes?

Galatians 5 pastoral ministry Galatians 5

Galatians 5 – Heaven or Rewards?: In Galatians 5: 19-21, is the “kingdom of God” a reference to Heaven itself, or a reference to rewards? A local pastor says it is about rewards, but I am skeptical.

Q&A question: Galatians 5 – Heaven or Rewards?

Did God Permit Child Sacrifice?: Why did God allow child sacrifice in Judges when the man said he will sacrifice anything that walks through the door, and then his daughter walks out? Aren't the other nations judged for this action?

Q&A question: Did God Permit Child Sacrifice?

Can Killing a Leader be Justified At Times?: We know that self-defense is biblical, but what about assassinations like Project Valkyrie (Hitler) or times when killing a leader might save other lives? Are we still bound to their authority?

Q&A question: Can Killing a Leader be Justified At Times?

Hitler

Bible Reading Schedule – Required?: Do you think it's wrong if I don't read the Bible regularly? I do read and study it, but I don't have a consistent schedule.

Q&A question: Bible Reading Schedule – Required?

Parable of the Minas: I was just wondering what your interpretation of the parable in Luke 19: 11-27 is. Specifically, what do you think the slaves and the minas represent?

Q&A question: Parable of the Minas

hermeneutics

Must We Always be “Nice”?: Is it biblical to be nice? My boyfriend is extremely honest and it rubs a lot of people the wrong way. Does he have a biblical obligation to be nice with his words?

Q&A question: Must We Always be “Nice”?

The Holiness of God’s Justice: Any tips for how to become less opposed to God’s judgment, and to see it as holy? It can cause me to feel like God is an unloving God sometimes.

Q&A question: The Holiness of God’s Justice

Dancing as a Form of Worship?: Is dancing allowed in church? Can it be considered worship?

Q&A question: Dancing as a Form of Worship?

worship

Matthew Matthew 7 salvation Matthew Matthew 7

Works-Based Salvation?: Does Matthew 7: 21 tell us that works are necessary to get saved?

Q&A question: Works-Based Salvation?

Are Men’s Beards Prideful?: What do you think about beards? I heard a pastor say that it is a prideful thing to wear a beard, and therefore wrong to have one. I don't really agree. I don't think you do either, as you have one.

Q&A question: Are Men’s Beards Prideful?

pastoral ministry

Worshiping in Spirit & in Truth: What does it mean to worship God “in Spirit and in truth”?

Q&A question: Worshiping in Spirit & in Truth

worship

Hebrews 1 cessationism prophecy Hebrews 1

Does Hebrews Support Cessationism?: Is Hebrews 1:1 a reasonable proof text for cessationism in relation to prophecy? It says God spoke to our ancestors through prophets, but "in these last days," He has spoken to us through Christ. Are we in the "last days" Paul refers to?

Q&A question: Does Hebrews Support Cessationism?

Hair Length that Honors God: At my age and health, it’s hard to manage my long hair. May I cut it chin length as long as I keep it looking feminine and still relatively longer than a man’s? Is simply maintaining that gender distinction the important part?

Q&A question: Hair Length that Honors God

Is Entire Sanctification Biblical?: Coming from a “2 works movement” (CHM), I’ve always heard 1 Thessalonians 5: 23 taught as calling people to a second work of Grace, or an experience of entire sanctification. What is Paul actually saying there?

Q&A question: Is Entire Sanctification Biblical?

sanctification

My Efforts & God’s Sovereignty: How much do my efforts influence situations when God is sovereign and in control? For example, my hard work vs. God blessing my business, improving my health to "extend" my life vs. God setting the number of my days, etc.

Q&A question: My Efforts & God’s Sovereignty

sovereignty of God

What is the “Harvest”?: What does the harvest refer to in Luke 10? I've always heard it talked about relating to evangelism, but a harvest implies that the work has already been done and you're able to get the fruit of your labor.

Q&A question: What is the “Harvest”?

Luke 10 angels Luke 10

Can Satan Stop God’s Plans?: Can Satan stop God's plan? I had to cancel a mission trip at the last minute due to something I couldn't control, but doors had opened and things had fallen into place for us to go, so it seemed like it was God's will.

Q&A question: Can Satan Stop God’s Plans?

Satan

Titus Titus 1 1 Timothy 3:4-5 Timothy Titus elder qualifications

Do Unbelieving Children Disqualify an Elder?: 1 Timothy 3:4-5 and Titus 1:6 seem to indicate if someone desires to be an elder they are disqualified by unbelieving children. Does this include adult children? The wife? What do these verses mean?

Q&A question: Do Unbelieving Children Disqualify an Elder?

1 Corinthians 5 1 Corinthians 5

Interacting with Fallen Believers & Cult Members: How are we to relate to fallen brothers in terms of fellowship, and to cult members with hospitality according to 1 Corinthians 5: 11 and 2 John 1: 10?

Q&A question: Interacting with Fallen Believers & Cult Members

Does Gospel Rejection = Stop Hanging Out?: If I have a friend who is not saved and I have tried to evangelize them and have only been met with resistance, do I need to stop hanging out with them?

Q&A question: Does Gospel Rejection = Stop Hanging Out?

angels

Why Does God Allow the Wicked to Prosper?: Why does God allow success for celebrities that don’t follow Him?

Q&A question: Why Does God Allow the Wicked to Prosper?

1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 14 tongues

Biblical Guidelines – Speaking in Tongues: 1 Corinthians 14: 27-28 says that someone should not speak in tongues unless there is an interpreter, but how are they supposed to know if there is an interpreter present?

Q&A question: Biblical Guidelines – Speaking in Tongues

Ministering to a Suicidal Friend: What is a correct approach to reach someone you care about who is dealing with suicidal thoughts?

Q&A question: Ministering to a Suicidal Friend

Resolving a Scriptural Discrepancy: In the KJV, 2 Kings 8: 26 and 2 Chronicles 22:2 give two completely different ages for Ahaziah when he took the throne. How can we account for this?

Q&A question: Resolving a Scriptural Discrepancy

suffering

Could God be Playing a Joke On Us?: I am a new Christian and my brother is an atheist. He has brought up the question of “What if God is lying about everything and this all a big cosmic joke?” How do I combat this thinking?

Q&A question: Could God be Playing a Joke On Us?

atheism

Ephesians 5 Ephesians 5:5 Ephesians 5 Ephesians 5:5

Saved by Grace – How is Anyone Excluded?: Ephesians 5:5 says that the sexually immoral will have no place in the Kingdom of God, yet later, Ephesians says we’re saved by grace through faith. Is this contradictory?

Q&A question: Saved by Grace – How is Anyone Excluded?

Isaiah Isaiah second coming

Unclean Meats & the Second Coming: If all meats were made clean, then how do Christians interpret Isaiah 66: 15-18, as that passage, I believe, refers to Christ’s second coming, and in it He “destroys” those who eat unclean meats?

Q&A question: Unclean Meats & the Second Coming

The Right Age to Evangelize?: When is the right age to evangelize? I'm 15 and I used to evangelize and many believed, but I also got into trouble with the police and at my school. My pastor told me to wait until I’m more mature and I’ve learned more of God’s Word.

Q&A question: The Right Age to Evangelize?

pastoral ministry angels

Religion = Control? / Where’s God During Abuse?: How do I help my dad (an unbeliever) who thinks religion is used to control us? He also says, “If God exists, where was He when my father was beating my mother and I, and I cried out to Him?”

Q&A question: Religion = Control? / Where’s God During Abuse?

evangelism

Do This if Your House is Haunted: What's the biblical response on what a Christian should do if they move into a haunted house? I know "hauntings" are demonic...

Q&A question: Do This if Your House is Haunted

demons

Overcoming Covetousness: Why is it so hard to be content? I've been blessed with more than most people, but I'm always wanting MORE. I drain so much money buying more "stuff" and once I see something I like, I'm bummed/stressed until I get to buy it. I don't want to be this way. Please help!

Q&A question: Overcoming Covetousness

Psalm 110 Psalm 110:1 rapture eschatology tribulation

Eschatological Timings: What effect does Psalm 110:1 and Luke 20: 42-43 have on the timing or placement of the rapture of the Church in reference to the tribulation?

Q&A question: Eschatological Timings

salvation prayer Calvinism

How to Pray for Unbelievers: I don’t believe Calvinism is biblical, but I find that my prayers for unbelievers often sound Calvinistic: “Change their hearts, bring them to You,” etc. How should we pray for unbelievers' salvation?

Q&A question: How to Pray for Unbelievers

Can We Be as Close as the Disciples?: Do you think that we can have as personal and intimate of a relationship with Jesus as His twelve disciples did? I've heard 1 John 1:1-3 used to support this.

Q&A question: Can We Be as Close as the Disciples?

1 John 1 Jesus 1 John 1

Exodus 3 Moses Exodus 3 Pharaoh

Did God Direct Moses to Deceive Pharaoh?: Why did God tell Moses to ask Pharaoh to go "three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God" (Exodus 3: 18) if it wasn't God's intention for them to return to Egypt?

Q&A question: Did God Direct Moses to Deceive Pharaoh?

Ezekiel Kris Vallotton prophecy Ezekiel

Do our Prophecies Create Reality?: Kris Vallotton cites Ezekiel 37:1-6 to claim that our prophecies create reality, rather than just foretelling the future. Is there merit to this?

Q&A question: Do our Prophecies Create Reality?

Does Jesus’ Compassion Change?: When Jesus interacts with people, He is often compassionate. However, with the 12, he most often sounds harsh. Does His relationship toward us change once we are “on the team"?

Q&A question: Does Jesus’ Compassion Change?

Jesus

Moving Forward after Church Hurt: What are your thoughts on how to best get back involved with the Church after you have had past hurts both done to you, and you toward others? Also, should a person go back to the same church, or seek a new one?

Q&A question: Moving Forward after Church Hurt

Matthew 10 Matthew Philippians 1 Trinity Matthew 10 Philip

Trinitarian Clarity: How is the Holy Spirit not the Son or Father (Matthew 10: 20, Philippians 1: 19)? These verses confuse me when I’m trying to answer this question.

Q&A question: Trinitarian Clarity

Warnings about False Teachings: Do warnings to Churches and believers in verses such as Jude 1:3-4 or other Epistles regarding false/heretical doctrines apply to Mormons who want a relationship with God/Jesus but are just deceived?

Q&A question: Warnings about False Teachings

Jesus Mormonism heresy

marriage pastoral ministry

Knowing When to Yield: My pastor wants me to obey my husband even when it hurts my mental health, triggers my eating disorder, or my sleep disorder. Is he right or wrong? He says I should “Die like Christ.”

Q&A question: Knowing When to Yield

Encouragement Amid Physical Limitations: What counsel would you give a discouraged believer with a debilitating chronic illness who carries a lot of guilt for not being able to serve in the ways they want to be able to?

Q&A question: Encouragement Amid Physical Limitations

suffering