Search — Theology Explorer

Does God Speak to Unbelievers?: My Mormon friend said, “I felt like God was telling me…” while reading the Bible. Is that really God? Does He speak to unbelievers? How is it any different when Christians read the Word and pray?

Q&A question: Does God Speak to Unbelievers?

Mormonism

Salvation: Knowing the Exact Moment: I heard you talk about how you once questioned whether or not you were saved because you couldn’t name the specific time or event where it happened. How did you overcome that? I’m in the same situation.

Q&A question: Salvation: Knowing the Exact Moment

salvation

Tongues During Corporate Prayer?: How do I let someone know that when they pray in tongues during our corporate prayer time, it's distracting? I believe the gift of tongues is for personal edification. I'm not a Cessasionist, by the way.

Q&A question: Tongues During Corporate Prayer?

prayer tongues

Faithful Believers in Unbiblical Offices?: What do you think about genuine Christians who have served in offices that aren't biblical, like bishops, priests, monks, etc.? Does God use faithful believers serving in unbiblical offices?

Q&A question: Faithful Believers in Unbiblical Offices?

Mike Winger idea 2025-05-02

Guarding Against Greed & Corruption: As your influence grows, how do you personally guard against the temptations of greed and the misuse of power, like the corrupted leaders you're revealing?

Q&A question: Guarding Against Greed & Corruption

Witnessing to an LGBTQ+ Family Member: My aunt is gay but claims to be a Christian. I have never talked with her about this, but I feel I am doing her a disservice by not lovingly sharing the truth with her. How can I go about this?

Q&A question: Witnessing to an LGBTQ+ Family Member

homosexuality

Mike Winger idea 2025-05-02

Believing & Receiving Biblically: How do I pray for something and believe I’ve received it (Mark 11: 24) such as healing or peace, if I don't know how God is using the illness or anxiety in my life or someone else's life?

Q&A question: Believing & Receiving Biblically

Mark 11 healing Mark 11

Resentful of the Father but Not the Son?: After a long and HARD life, I sometimes feel almost resentful of GOD the Father whom I’ve never seen, heard, or felt. But every day I love JESUS more and more. Is this normal?

Q&A question: Resentful of the Father but Not the Son?

Jesus

Why Doesn’t God Save Everyone?: My brother is an atheist and says he wouldn’t follow a God that he knows is real, who knowingly creates people who will reject Him and go to Hell, despite having power to save everyone. It’s hard to reason. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Why Doesn’t God Save Everyone?

atheism hell

Questioning our Pastors?: My pastor said that since God called him to shepherd, unless he is teaching false doctrine, you don't question your pastor even if you don't agree with something or they do something wrong. Is this right?

Q&A question: Questioning our Pastors?

pastoral ministry

revelation Jesus revelation

Where is Jesus “Seated”?: What does Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father mean when it’s also said that Jesus was seated on the throne in Revelation?

Q&A question: Where is Jesus “Seated”?

Mike Winger idea 2025-05-30

Personalities in Heaven: I believe that we will still have our personality in Heaven, but what about unborn babies? Will they walk around in Heaven like non-player characters since they haven't formed their own personality yet?

Q&A question: Personalities in Heaven

heaven

Mike Winger idea 2025-05-30

Where Was God Before Genesis?: Where was God before Genesis 1? If space, matter, and time was created, what was before it? Heaven and the angels already existed, so where was the “nothing” where God created everything in Genesis 1?

Q&A question: Where Was God Before Genesis?

Genesis Genesis 1 Genesis Genesis 1 angels

Mike Winger idea 2025-05-30

Can Christians Benefit from Secular Therapy?: What are your thoughts on secular therapy for a Christian? Self-help and self-idealization seem antithetical to the Bible. Why isn't the counsel of Scripture and other believers enough?

Q&A question: Can Christians Benefit from Secular Therapy?

tithing

Mike Winger idea 2025-06-06

Temptation Increasing vs. Satan Fleeing?: The Bible says when we resist the devil, he will flee (James 4:7). So why does it often feel like spiritual warfare INCREASES when we try to buckle down and resist sins of the flesh, addictions, etc.? When I resist, it doesn't feel like the devil flees - it feels like he tries even harder to get me to fall. Why is this?

Q&A question: Temptation Increasing vs. Satan Fleeing?

James James 4 James 4:7 James James 4 Satan

Mike Winger idea 2025-06-06

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

Romans 1 creation Romans 1

Mike Winger idea 2025-06-06

When AI Grows Too Much: If AI (Artificial Intelligence} keeps developing to where society at large starts to call it sentient, would we as Christians have to stand in opposition to that?

Q&A question: When AI Grows Too Much

elder qualifications Calvinism

Choosing Between Two Churches: What would you do if you had to choose between a Calvinist leaning church and a church that believed women could be elders? Both churches are otherwise healthy and doctrinally sound.

Q&A question: Choosing Between Two Churches

Processing Past Relationship Issues: My wife had several partners before our marriage. I wasn’t around, but I feel like I have to forgive the men. Am I being weird? How do I bring this to God, because I'm still losing sleep 10 years later?

Q&A question: Processing Past Relationship Issues

Matthew 24 Matthew Trinity Matthew 24 Matthew

Is the Holy Spirit All-Knowing?: Does Matthew 24: 36 imply that the Holy Spirit doesn't know everything? How does that work if the Holy Spirit is God? I've been struggling with the Trinity lately.

Q&A question: Is the Holy Spirit All-Knowing?

Colossians 3:18 Ephesians 5:22 1 Peter 3:1-6 complementarianism headship complementarianism

Winger says Eph 5:22 and Col 3:18 apply regardless of whether the husband is a Christian — the qualifier is 'your husband,' not 'your Christian husband.' Submission is not 100% in every possible thing, and exceptions exist for abuse, but the exception shouldn't be used to invalidate the rule.

Q: How should a newly Christian woman apply Eph 5:22 and Col 3:18 when her husband hasn't come to Christ and isn't supportive?

Mike Winger idea 2025-07-18

Should Shame Linger?: As a kid, even after apologizing, I felt my parents' shame/disappointment/anger in the room until a period of time would pass. I know my sin harms my intimacy w/God even though Romans 8:1 is true, so I can't get over the "awkward in the room" feeling when I try to pray or draw near to God after sinning. Should shame linger for a period of time?

Q&A question: Should Shame Linger?

Romans 8 Romans 8

Galatians 6:1 Matthew 7:5 women in ministry egalitarianism egalitarianism

Winger advises a 16-year-old in an egalitarian church on how to approach leaders: do self-assessment first (Matt 7:5, Gal 6:1), don't become one-sided in critique, acknowledge blessings from women's ministry even if the role is unbiblical, bring SPECIFIC evidence rather than just conviction, and start with encouragement.

Q from 16-year-old who has been studying Winger's Women in Ministry series and wants to discuss egalitarianism with church leaders.

Are Annulments Biblical?: What are your thoughts on annulments? Are they biblical and are they ever wise? Or are people just trying to justify their divorce?

Q&A question: Are Annulments Biblical?

divorce

Why We’re Never Satisfied: How do I deal with not being satisfied in life? I feel guilty because God should satisfy me and be all that I need, but I don't feel satisfied or content.

Q&A question: Why We’re Never Satisfied

BONUS: Can you PLEASE give a shout-out to my husband, Michael (non-believer) who started listening to you because I wouldn't stop talking about it! Please pray for him!

Q&A question

Mike Winger idea 2025-08-29

The Fear of Failing: I’m afraid I’ll sin or lead myself away from God if I make the wrong decisions about personal convictions, theology, and even daily choices. How should I deal with the fear of being wrong?

Q&A question: The Fear of Failing

Mike Winger idea 2025-09-05

The “Who” of Romans 7: Who is Paul talking about in Romans 7? Himself, some hypothetical believer, or someone else entirely?

Q&A question: The “Who” of Romans 7

Romans 7 Romans 7

Mike Winger idea 2025-09-12

Prenups Always Bad?: Is a prenuptial agreement ever biblical? My fiance’s parents want us to get one. In my opinion, prenuptial agreements undermine the permanence of marriage, its covenantal nature, trust, and unity.

Q&A question: Prenups Always Bad?

Mike Winger idea 2025-09-12

Anxiety: Am I Doing Something Wrong?: I am a Christian and struggle with anxiety. It especially happens when I try to speak or when God is using me for something even around believers. It cripples me. Am I doing something wrong?

Q&A question: Anxiety: Am I Doing Something Wrong?

anxiety and mental health

Pre-Wired to Sin?: Why are Adam and Eve guilty when the brains God gave them are what guided them to make their decision to sin? They processed the situation based on the way God had pre-wired them.

Q&A question: Pre-Wired to Sin?

Adam and Eve

Obedience Leading to Hardship?: My walk with Christ feels harder the more I obey. I lost family, friends, and even my girlfriend. Sometimes I wonder if this is even worth it, yet I still long to stay faithful. Any advice?

Q&A question: Obedience Leading to Hardship?

Loving God Above Family: My husband is an unbeliever. He recently told me he can't be a believer because he idolizes me and our kids and couldn't love God more than us. Beyond praying, how can I address this biblically?

Q&A question: Loving God Above Family

Church Membership but Rarely Attending?: I’m a youth pastor at my church, and several families at my church consider themselves members but are only present a few times per year due to weekend activities. Should we address this strongly?

Q&A question: Church Membership but Rarely Attending?

pastoral ministry

Mike Winger idea 2025-09-26

Trusting God More in Prayer: I fully believe God never fails and His decisions are always right and good. But it's still hard not to feel like He's "let me down" when I pray SO hard for something and it doesn't happen. It feels like He's absent and it (ashamedly) makes me question the parts in Scripture where He invites us to ask and SAYS He'll act.

Q&A question: Trusting God More in Prayer

prayer

The Mortality of Adam & Eve: Is Adam and Eve's mortality a result of the poison in the forbidden fruit or the declaration of God in Genesis 2: 17?

Q&A question: The Mortality of Adam & Eve

Genesis 2 Genesis Genesis 2 Genesis Adam and Eve

Mike Winger idea 2025-09-26

Ezekiel 37: 2 Separate Events?: In Ezekiel 37, Ezekiel is told to prophesy to dry bones, and they come together, but he had to prophesy again for them to come to life. Do you think this is referring to two separate events?

Q&A question: Ezekiel 37: 2 Separate Events?

Ezekiel Ezekiel

Responding to Zachary Levi: A respectful analysis of Zachary Levi’s beliefs on the Bible.

Q&A question: Responding to Zachary Levi

The Witness of the Spirit: If I know I believe the Gospel is true but I don’t feel any “witness of the Spirit,” what does that mean? I’m trying to trust with my whole heart.

Q&A question: The Witness of the Spirit

evangelism

Has God Abandoned the World?: My dad is an unbeliever but acknowledges God’s existence through creation. He believes that God created the world and then abandoned it. How can I help show him that God is still with us to this day?

Q&A question: Has God Abandoned the World?

creation

Should I Worship a God I Don’t Like?: A common objection I hear is, "Why should I worship a God I don't like?"

Q&A question: Should I Worship a God I Don’t Like?

worship

Is My Sin Even My Fault?: Why am I accountable to God for my sins when I was born with a sin nature? Shouldn't a loving God provide the basic remedy for creation when they had no choice in being created and no choice regarding their nature?

Q&A question: Is My Sin Even My Fault?

creation

Was YHWH Beaten in Battle?: How can I defend 2 Kings 3 when skeptics use it as an example of Yahweh being beaten in battle by another entity in driving the Israelites out, despite them being prophesied to win?

Q&A question: Was YHWH Beaten in Battle?

apologetics Israel

Learning to Evangelize Better: I converted just over a year ago and had some success evangelizing to my community (libertarians). I've read the New Testament and I’m working on reading it twice now. What can I do to evangelize better, especially to libertarians?

Q&A question: Learning to Evangelize Better

angels

Revelation 3 revelation Jesus Revelation 3 revelation

How Can God Have a God?: I heard this question in my group: God is considered the Most High; thus Jesus (who is God) is the Most High. Therefore, why does Jesus claim that He has a God above Him in Revelation 3: 12?

Q&A question: How Can God Have a God?

Does Doubt = Incomplete Faith?: I’m a new believer who used to be a Jehovah’s Witness. I gave my life to Christ a few years ago, but sometimes I wrestle with doubt. Does that make my faith incomplete?

Q&A question: Does Doubt = Incomplete Faith?

Jehovah's Witnesses

Acceptance Only of a “Higher Power”: My daughter (13) believes that there may be a higher power, but doesn’t believe in Jesus. I’m trying to figure out how to reach her in an effective manner. What advice can you offer?

Q&A question: Acceptance Only of a “Higher Power”

Jesus