Search — Theology Explorer

John 15 – Will I be “Taken Away”?: What are your thoughts on John 15:2 and the Greek word for "takes away"? I've heard that it would be more accurately translated as "raise up." This word seems to change the meaning of the verse.

Q&A question: John 15 – Will I be “Taken Away”?

John 15 John 15

Do God & Satan Talk?: Is the devil talking to God in today’s generation like in the book of Job? If angels are warring with demons, can we assume there is communication?

Q&A question: Do God & Satan Talk?

Satan angels demons

Roman Catholicism apologetics angels

Which Faith is True?: How can I know I have the right faith? I've been watching many apologetics videos since I first found your videos over four years ago, and many Catholics, reformed believers, and evangelicals all have convincing arguments.

Q&A question: Which Faith is True?

About the Shroud of Turin: What are your thoughts on the Shroud of Turin?

Q&A question: About the Shroud of Turin

Leading Others to Biblical Teachings: My family member LOVES Joel Osteen. What are some thoughtful questions I could ask that would naturally lead them to a more biblical, Christ-centered understanding of the Gospel?

Q&A question: Leading Others to Biblical Teachings

Joel Osteen Joel Osteen

Rulers & Authorities; Manifold Wisdom: Can you explain Ephesians 3: 10 (ESV)? Who are the "rulers and authorities in heavenly places," and how is the "manifold wisdom of God" made known to them through the church?

Q&A question: Rulers & Authorities; Manifold Wisdom

heaven

1 John 2 1 John 2:2 atonement Calvinism 1 John 2

1 Jn. 2:2 & Limited Atonement: Doesn't 1 John 2:2 blow the Calvinist doctrine of Limited Atonement straight out of the water?

Q&A question: 1 Jn. 2:2 & Limited Atonement

Is the Canon Closed?: Why can no new books of the Bible be written? Why is the canon closed?

Q&A question: Is the Canon Closed?

1 Peter 3 Peter 1 Peter 3

Must we Share our Faith in Every Circumstance?: Looking at 1 Peter 3: 15-17, what would you say to anyone who would ask you about "the hope you have in you"? And are there times or certain people who you wouldn't bother providing that answer to (e.g., someone you know isn't really interested in the answer and just seeks to make fun of you)?

Q&A question: Must we Share our Faith in Every Circumstance?

How did the Thief on the Cross Know?: The thief on the cross believed Jesus would come into His kingdom, despite knowing that Jesus was going to die. How might that be, since even the disciples didn’t grasp this until the resurrection?

Q&A question: How did the Thief on the Cross Know?

Jesus resurrection

How to Reach a Wiccan: What can or should I say to a Wiccan relative who wants to have seances to reach her dead son? She’s not a believer, so should I just hold my tongue?

Q&A question: How to Reach a Wiccan

The Man in Mark 14: Who was the man in Mark 14: 51-52? Could it be that this was somehow Jesus Himself escaping? As an unbeliever, how should I approach my readings? Any questions I should keep in mind?

Q&A question: The Man in Mark 14

Mark 14 Jesus Mark 14

2 Samuel 7 2 Samuel 7 Samuel Jesus

Understanding Parallel Prophecies: Is there a process you go through to understand parallel prophecies? For example, 2 Samuel 7: 14 seems to be about Jesus, but clearly not completely because he doesn’t commit iniquity.

Q&A question: Understanding Parallel Prophecies

Different Personalities in the Trinity?: Do the different Persons of the Trinity have different personalities? Would God the Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit act in a different way than the others in a given situation?

Q&A question: Different Personalities in the Trinity?

Trinity Jesus

Do Heavenly Rewards Support LDS Doctrine?: Every time you answer a question about rewards in Heaven, I can't help but think of the LDS levels of Heaven. How do I debate with them when they use rewards as the basis for their belief about there being different levels of Heaven?

Q&A question: Do Heavenly Rewards Support LDS Doctrine?

Mormonism

Can a Christian Struggle to Obey God?: Can a Christian still struggle with submitting completely to God? Or is that a symptom that you're not truly saved?

Q&A question: Can a Christian Struggle to Obey God?

submission in marriage

About the “Two Witnesses” in Rev.: Who are the two witnesses in the book of Revelation, and is it possible for them to be people that are walking the Earth today that are not in the Bible?

Q&A question: About the “Two Witnesses” in Rev.

revelation revelation

Matthew 12 Matthew Jesus Matthew 12 Matthew

Are Casual Conversations Sinful?: Someone argued with me that because of Matthew 12: 36 (every idle word…), all jokes and fun conversations are sinful, and that Jesus never spoke in a casual, non-serious way. Is this true?

Q&A question: Are Casual Conversations Sinful?

Should We Still Forgive when Not Asked?: Do we still need to forgive others if they don’t ask for forgiveness? My grandma believes that as Christians, we don’t forgive unless the other person repents and asks for forgiveness.

Q&A question: Should We Still Forgive when Not Asked?

forgiveness

Christian Creators: Make This Content!: As a YouTube pastor, do you have any suggestions for content you would like to see Christians make? I'm in seminary and I’m thinking about making videos, but I wonder what I should create (if I did).

Q&A question: Christian Creators: Make This Content!

pastoral ministry

pornography sexual ethics

Being Open about Sexual Sin: Do you have any advice on how to come out (for lack of a better word) to my Christian parents about being same-sex attracted and addicted to pornography? I know Christianity is true.

Q&A question: Being Open about Sexual Sin

Titus Titus 3:5 Titus Calvinism Titus 3:5

Does Titus 3:5 Teach Calvinism?: What is a non-Calvinist way of understanding regeneration in Titus 3:5?

Q&A question: Does Titus 3:5 Teach Calvinism?

Proverbs 8 John 3:16 John 3 Proverbs 8 John 3:16 John 3

Is God’s Love Actually Conditional?: If the Bible says God loves those who love Him, thereby making a condition we have to fulfill for His love (Proverbs 8: 17, John 14: 21, 23), can we still say that God's love is unconditional (John 3:16, etc.)?

Q&A question: Is God’s Love Actually Conditional?

Lessons from a Peculiar Bible Story: What is the lesson for us from 1 Kings 13: 11-24 where the man of God is deceived by the old prophet, eats with him, and is killed by the lion?

Q&A question: Lessons from a Peculiar Bible Story

prophecy

Roman Catholicism miracles communion

About Catholic Claims: Eucharistic Miracle: Have you ever heard of the apparent eucharistic miracle that Catholics point to? How would you respond to it and how they claim that the apparent miracle has been scientifically verified?

Q&A question: About Catholic Claims: Eucharistic Miracle

Baptized Believer, but Not Indwelled?: Acts 8: 16 says that believers in Samaria were baptized but hadn’t yet received the Spirit. Can one believe and be baptized without receiving the Spirit?

Q&A question: Baptized Believer, but Not Indwelled?

Acts 8 Acts 8 baptism

evangelism progressive Christianity anxiety and mental health

Overcoming Anxiety while Witnessing: I always get anxiety and my heart starts beating fast whenever I try to speak up about social or biblical Issues to my family (mainly my dad who is a Progressive Christian). How can I overcome this?

Q&A question: Overcoming Anxiety while Witnessing

Genesis 3 Jeremiah Matthew 16 Genesis 3 Jeremiah Matthew 16

God Lied 4 Times??: I’ve recently had someone use Jeremiah 20:7, Matthew 16: 28, the lack of immediate death in Genesis 3, and Cain’s exile in Genesis 4 as “evidence” that God is a liar. How would you respond?

Q&A question: God Lied 4 Times??

Animal Death Before the Fall?: If animal death occurred prior to the fall, wouldn’t that mean God called animal death/suffering “very good?” If we later see a wolf dwelling with a lamb, wouldn’t that indicate that prior to the fall, that was what we had enjoyed?

Q&A question: Animal Death Before the Fall?

suffering

Avoid the Appearance of Evil?: You recently said, "Scripture says: avoid the appearance of evil." I was wondering, if 1 Thessalonians 5: 22 is the verse you were thinking of, isn't that verse referring to staying away from partaking in evil, not abstaining from things that look like you're partaking in evil to others?

Q&A question: Avoid the Appearance of Evil?

Human Souls vs. Animal Souls: Does Ecclesiastes 3: 18-21 teach that there is no difference between the spirits of humans and those of animals? I’ve heard this claim from those who reject an immortal soul.

Q&A question: Human Souls vs. Animal Souls

Has Jesus Always Had a Physical Body?: What form did Jesus exist in before He was conceived in Mary’s womb? Did He have a physical body before that?

Q&A question: Has Jesus Always Had a Physical Body?

Jesus

Evangelism Required for Salvation?: Is our salvation based not only on being saved and accepting Jesus into our life and believing in Him, but also on a need to be spreading the Word of God (the Bible)?

Q&A question: Evangelism Required for Salvation?

Jesus salvation angels

Is Repentance a Change of Mind?: If repentance (metanoia) literally means “change of mind,” then why do we say repentance means changing our mind/attitude about sin? Why isn't it changing our minds from unbelief to belief?

Q&A question: Is Repentance a Change of Mind?

repentance

Matthew Matthew 28 Matthew Matthew 28 Theon

Theocracy & Theonomy: Could Christ's commission to disciple the nations in Matthew 28: 19 mean the Christianization of countries and nation-states, or does it apply only to individual people?

Q&A question: Theocracy & Theonomy

1 Corinthians 6:3 1 Corinthians 6 1 Corinthians 6:3 1 Corinthians 6 angels

Will We Judge Angels?: 1 Corinthians 6:3 states that we will judge angels. What do you think Paul means by this, and is there any other reference about us judging angels?

Q&A question: Will We Judge Angels?

Cursing & Blessing in the OT: When prophets such as Elisha cursed or blessed people, was it God who put it in their minds to do that, or did they have a Spirit-given ability to do such things without having to consult Him?

Q&A question: Cursing & Blessing in the OT

prophecy Elisha

Does the HS Help Us or Take Over?: Does the Holy Spirit enhance who we are, as in assisting us in Godly behavior? Or does He, at times, take over completely so that we behave, see, and feel things opposite of our ungodly flesh?

Q&A question: Does the HS Help Us or Take Over?

Holy Spirit

Matthew 24 Matthew 5 Matthew Matthew 24 Matthew 5 eschatology

The Purpose of Scripture in Eternity: Matthew 5: 18 seems to say some Scripture will pass away at the end times, but Matthew 24: 35 appears to contradict this. What use might we have for Scripture in the next life where there is no temptation to sin?

Q&A question: The Purpose of Scripture in Eternity

Matthew 18 Matthew Matthew 18 Matthew

Are We to Administer Revenge Ourselves?: Someone said it was okay to exact revenge on pedophiles, and they used Matthew 18:6 to justify it. Is that what this Scripture really means or allows for?

Q&A question: Are We to Administer Revenge Ourselves?

Death on the New Earth?: Why is there a reference to death and a lifespan (albeit a long one) in Isaiah 65: 20 when speaking of the New Earth?

Q&A question: Death on the New Earth?

Isaiah Isaiah

Will We Remember our Lives in Heaven?: Do you think we will remember our earthly lives in Heaven, given that there is nothing negative in Heaven and this world is so full of negative things and memories?

Q&A question: Will We Remember our Lives in Heaven?

heaven

The Serious Sin of Blasphemy: Why do so many Christians take the Lord’s name in vain? I know several Christians (even two pastors) who do this often. Should we tell them they’re in sin?

Q&A question: The Serious Sin of Blasphemy

pastoral ministry

What did Jesus Mean?: What do you think Jesus meant when He said "The first shall be last and the last shall be first" in Matthew 20: 16?

Q&A question: What did Jesus Mean?

Matthew Jesus Matthew

Can our Conscience make Sex a Sin?: My question is about stronger vs. weaker consciences. Is it possible to make sex into a sin, and if so, how should the "strong" treat the "weak"?

Q&A question: Can our Conscience make Sex a Sin?

faith and science

The Law of Agency: How do you respond to non-trinitarians who use the "Law of Agency" to dismiss the scriptural evidence for the Trinity in regard to Jesus, etc. claiming He is not God, but simply God's agent?

Q&A question: The Law of Agency

Trinity Jesus