Search — Theology Explorer

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

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

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

Mike Winger idea 2023-07-21

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

Song of Solomon = Christ & Church?: I am currently studying Song of Solomon, and I was wondering, do you believe that it represents Christ and the Church? I have an issue with that, as the book describes a sexual relationship.

Q&A question: Song of Solomon = Christ & Church?

Solomon

When Should I NOT Take Communion?: When should a believer NOT take communion? Is finding myself repenting of the same sin over and over and having an ongoing struggle with the same sin a reason not to?

Q&A question: When Should I NOT Take Communion?

communion

Christ & H.S. In Us = Modalism?: At the end of Colossians, it talks about Christ in us, and in Galatians, it talks about the Spirit of His son in our hearts crying out “Abba, Father.” That sounds like the Holy Spirit, but is it Modalism to call Christ in you the Holy Spirit?

Q&A question: Christ & H.S. In Us = Modalism?

Holy Spirit

Did Jesus Have a Sin Nature?: Was Jesus the biological son of Mary? If so, how did He not inherit a sin nature?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Have a Sin Nature?

Galatians 6:2 Galatians 6 Galatians 6:2 Galatians 6

Share Our Burdens?: Galatians 6:2 says to carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ, but verse 5 says that each person should carry their own load. Should we share our burdens or carry our own?

Q&A question: Share Our Burdens?

Raising Children w/Unbelieving Family: Is it wrong that I don’t want to raise my son around my unbelieving family members? They can even be hostile to the faith. I even have a transgender niece, and my wife and I don’t want our son around that.

Q&A question: Raising Children w/Unbelieving Family

marriage

Mike Winger idea 2023-10-17

Praising the Holy Spirit?: A friend said that Scripture never calls us to praise the Holy Spirit despite numerous worship songs and the Doxology saying otherwise. Is he wrong? Should we only worship the Father and the Son?

Q&A question: Praising the Holy Spirit?

worship

Different Wills among the Godhead?: In the Trinity, do the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all have three separate wills?

Q&A question: Different Wills among the Godhead?

Trinity

Mike Winger idea 2023-10-17

Christians Made Whole “Again”?: How do you feel about songs that state, “You make me whole again”? It’s my understating that before faith in Christ we aren’t whole, saved, or forgiven. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Christians Made Whole “Again”?

atheism Islam Richard Dawkins

Reaching Atheist Children: I'm a new Christian from Islam. My son & daughter are like Richard Dawkins (atheist). What do you think would be the best way to give them the Gospel, short but clear?

Q&A question: Reaching Atheist Children

Are Pseudonyms Sinful?: Do you think it is sinful to use pseudonyms online to protect your personal identity? Could this be considered intentional deception? As Christians, to what extent do we have a right to privacy?

Q&A question: Are Pseudonyms Sinful?

Uphold the Constitution vs. Obey Government?: In general, Christians should not rebel against the government without biblical reason, but as one in the military, should I keep my oath to defend the Constitution if the government violates it?

Q&A question: Uphold the Constitution vs. Obey Government?

Responding to “Oneness” Teachings: How would you respond to a Oneness believer who denies the distinct Personhood of the Father, Son, and Spirit, even after showing them clear verses that distinguish the Father from the Son, etc.?

Q&A question: Responding to “Oneness” Teachings

Why is Jesus Called the “Son”?: Why is the title of Jesus “Son”? Why isn't the Holy Spirit called the Son of God?

Q&A question: Why is Jesus Called the “Son”?

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-16

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

Mike Winger idea 2023-12-29

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?

Luke 13 Jesus prophecy Luke 13

Mike Winger idea 2024-01-26

Interpreting the Book of Acts: How do we interpret the book of Acts? Is it a reasonable interpretation that it’s merely a transitional period and that we have to be careful how much doctrine we take from it?

Q&A question: Interpreting the Book of Acts

hermeneutics

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-16

Are We Called to Love AND “Like” Others?: Do I have to like a brother in Christ? I know I should love my neighbor and not hate anyone, but there are some personalities I don't like. Is that sinful?

Q&A question: Are We Called to Love AND “Like” Others?

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-16

Overcoming the Pressure of Comparison: How do I stop comparing myself to others? As a college student, I’m surrounded by a highly competitive environment and I find myself comparing my grades and career to others. How do I overcome this?

Q&A question: Overcoming the Pressure of Comparison

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-23

Are We Living in Satan’s Deception?: Have you heard of the theory that we're already living in Satan's short season of deception from Revelation 20:3-8? Some of the ideas are intriguing, but most also claim extra conspiracy baggage, e.g., the "mud flood" and much more.

Q&A question: Are We Living in Satan’s Deception?

revelation Revelation 20 Satan revelation Revelation 20

Mike Winger idea 2024-02-23

Winger affirms the Father has authority over the Son but attributes this to the Incarnation (Phil 2:5-8), not necessarily to the eternal nature of the Trinity. He's open to but not convinced by Eternal Functional Subordination (EFS). Explicitly says he does NOT use EFS to defend complementarianism.

Q: Do many scriptures showing different authority levels between Father and Jesus mean the Father has higher authority? (John 14:28, 1 Cor 11:3, Matt 28:18)

1 Corinthians 11:3 Philippians 2:5-8 John 14:28 complementarianism headship Trinity

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-01

Should Unequally Yoked Believers Bear Children?: I'm married to an unbeliever. I regret it and I worry that I’ve jeopardized my son's salvation! Would it be better not to have any more children in my “ungodly” marriage even though we'd like to have more?

Q&A question: Should Unequally Yoked Believers Bear Children?

marriage salvation

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-08

About the Queen James Bible: What are your thoughts about the Queen James Bible, also known as the “Gay Bible”? Is this a blasphemous translation to be avoided, or did the QJV publishers have any linguistically valid reason to remove negative references to homosexuality from the Bible? Also, can the Holy Spirit still speak through heretical Bible translations?

Q&A question: About the Queen James Bible

James James heresy homosexuality

Mike Winger idea 2024-03-15

Blaspheming the Spirit vs. the Son/Father: Why is the unforgivable sin described as blaspheming the Holy Spirit, as opposed to blaspheming the Son or the Father?

Q&A question: Blaspheming the Spirit vs. the Son/Father

Holy Spirit unforgivable sin

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-05

Why was David’s Family Punished?: In 2 Samuel 12: 10, why was the sword to never depart from David’s house if our sins aren’t supposed to carry over? Why was his family punished for his sin, and not just his son with Bathsheba but Ammon, etc.?

Q&A question: Why was David’s Family Punished?

David Samuel Bathsheba

Mike Winger idea 2024-04-12

Jesus Died for You: I’m struggling to understand how we can understand Jesus dying on the cross for our sins personally when it was 2,000 years ago. I’m in the Bible and in prayer all the time, but I still have no peace or assurance.

Q&A question: Jesus Died for You

Jesus prayer

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-17

God Taking someone to Avoid Apostasy?: Is there any precedent for God taking home a believer before he might fall away? I Kings 14: 13 says some good was found in Jeroboam’s son.

Q&A question: God Taking someone to Avoid Apostasy?

apostasy

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-24

Does God Operate Outside of Time?: Can you talk about your views on God’s relationship to time? Personally, I find the timeless God view incoherent and unbiblical. It seems He operates within time.

Q&A question: Does God Operate Outside of Time?

Mike Winger idea 2024-05-24

Ancient Israel & The Trinity: Did ancient Israelites believe in the concept of a "multi-personal God"? By multi-personal God, I mean a concept similar to the Trinity, where there is one God made up of multiple Persons.

Q&A question: Ancient Israel & The Trinity

Trinity

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-07

Praying for the Sins of Others: Do we in any way need to (or can we) pray for the sins of another person, such as a family member? This topic was a recent one in some chats I am in. The verse cited was Leviticus 26: 40.

Q&A question: Praying for the Sins of Others

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-07

Blasphemy in the Sermon on the Mount?: In The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus refers to God as the audience’s Father. How was this not blasphemous in the way that Jesus claiming to be the Son of God was a big deal in the Passion narrative?

Q&A question: Blasphemy in the Sermon on the Mount?

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-21

Jesus – the Son of Man: Why does Jesus switch from first person to third person only when He’s referring to Himself as The Son of Man?

Q&A question: Jesus – the Son of Man

Mike Winger idea 2024-06-21

Does Refusal of Sex Justify Divorce?: Does 1 Corinthians 7 really mean we can never say no to sex except for a season of fasting and prayer? My pastor told my husband that if I deny him for too long then he has biblical grounds for divorce.

Q&A question: Does Refusal of Sex Justify Divorce?

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 marriage prayer

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-12

Would a Good God make a Terrible Hell?: When Jesus said that for the person who would betray Him it would be better not to be born, I assume Hell is worse than non-existence. How does this match with a good God?

Q&A question: Would a Good God make a Terrible Hell?

Jesus hell

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-12

Hypostatic Union – Contradictory?: Is Jesus being God and Man a contradiction? The Bible says that the Son doesn’t know the day or the hour of His coming. Can Jesus know (as God) and not know (as Man) at the same time?

Q&A question: Hypostatic Union – Contradictory?

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-19

Jesus’ Deity in Scripture: In Luke 4:9-12, Satan uses the term "Son of God" yet Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 6: 16. Is this a possible claim that Christ is God, similarly to how He takes God's names for Himself?

Q&A question: Jesus’ Deity in Scripture

Luke 4:9-12 Jesus Satan Luke 4:9-12

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-26

Meaning of “To Live Is Christ”: What does it mean when Paul says "For me to live is Christ”? I've never heard someone use a phrase where an action or state of being IS a person.

Q&A question: Meaning of “To Live Is Christ”

Mike Winger idea 2024-07-26

The Sonship of Jesus: A local church believes Jesus was literally the Son of God before the incarnation who "proceeded out of the Father" just like Eve from Adam. Can you help me understand the Sonship of Jesus?

Q&A question: The Sonship of Jesus