Search — Theology Explorer

About Freedom from the Law: When Paul says we're saved by grace apart from the works of the law, is he referring only to the Law of Moses, or the moral law, as well?

Q&A question: About Freedom from the Law

Moses

About Gematria & Numerology: In light of today’s first question, how do you account for more subtle/compelling examples of Gematria such as JESUS (IESOUS in Greek) calculating to "888"? Contrast with "666.” 8=new life, etc.

Q&A question: About Gematria & Numerology

Jesus

About “The Passion of the Christ”: As a Christian, is The Passion of The Christ film OK to watch, and is it biblical?

Q&A question: About “The Passion of the Christ”

About Ezekiel & OT Prophecies: What does Ezekiel 40-48 mean for us? What about OT prophecies about future sacrifices?

Q&A question: About Ezekiel & OT Prophecies

Ezekiel prophecy Ezekiel

About the Doxology in Scripture: How should we make sense of the Doxology at the end of The Lord's Prayer in some English Bibles when it doesn't occur in earlier manuscripts? Should we not use it?

Q&A question: About the Doxology in Scripture

prayer

What does it Mean that God has a Plan?: I always hear "God has a plan for your life." What does this mean? Is this about salvation, gifting/calling, or about God's overall will for believers? Is this specific or general?

Q&A question: What does it Mean that God has a Plan?

salvation

Exodus 20 Exodus 20:4 Jesus Exodus 20 Exodus 20:4

About Graven Images & Biblical Actors: Could you explain Exodus 20:4? Is God stating we shouldn’t have any images at all, like the images we see of Jesus in churches? And what about the people who portray Jesus in biblical movies?

Q&A question: About Graven Images & Biblical Actors

How to Respond to Unbiblical Statements: I was wondering of a kind way to correct people who just say "God just wants me to be happy.”

Q&A question: How to Respond to Unbiblical Statements

Can Disobedience Thwart God’s Promises?: If God gives us a promise, could His promise be dependent on our obedience, and could we veto a promise either by our actions or by our unwillingness to receive? Please elaborate on Romans 4:13-15.

Q&A question: Can Disobedience Thwart God’s Promises?

Romans 4 Romans 4

About the Perpetual Virginity of Mary: What are your thoughts on the Protoevangelium of James? Does it support the perpetual virginity of Mary?

Q&A question: About the Perpetual Virginity of Mary

James James angels

About the phrase “Son of Perdition”: What is the Greek meaning of “Son of Perdition”? Is it a specific person, or a general statement?

Q&A question: About the phrase “Son of Perdition”

Should Atheist Arguments Concern Us?: Should we be concerned about counterarguments that atheists and skeptics present to our faith?

Q&A question: Should Atheist Arguments Concern Us?

atheism

Is “Praying the Gay Away” Biblical?: Is “praying the gay away” wrong? It seems biblical to me.

Q&A question: Is “Praying the Gay Away” Biblical?

homosexuality

Am I Rightly or Wrongly Judging?: How do I know if I have a judgmental attitude toward someone or an honest concern about their sin?

Q&A question: Am I Rightly or Wrongly Judging?

About the Woman Caught in Adultery Passage: It's said that the story from John 7: 53 to 8: 11 isn't found in the earlier manuscripts. It's one of my favorite pictures of God's grace. What do you think about how we should deal with this?

Q&A question: About the Woman Caught in Adultery Passage

John 7 John 7

elder qualifications church leadership pastoral ministry

Church Leader Living in Sin? Letter vs. Spirit: I am a young adult, still living in my parents' home. My father is the pastor of our small church. One of my siblings has leadership roles, but is living in sin (cohabitation). My father has talked with him, but hasn't taken any biblical action to remove him from leadership or from church. The elders don't see a need to do anything either. What should I do? (I'm the youngest and a daughter.) I was told I was taking the letter of the law instead of the spirit of the law.

Q&A question: Church Leader Living in Sin? Letter vs. Spirit

John the Baptist Jesus John the Baptist

About John the Baptist being Jesus’ Cousin: Is it a big deal that John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin? I haven't heard this talked about much; wouldn't that mean that they knew each other when they were kids/before their ministries?

Q&A question: About John the Baptist being Jesus’ Cousin

Acts 2 Acts 4 Acts 2 Acts 4

About the Early Church & Socialism: Should Christians be living like the early Church in a sort of voluntary Socialism as found in Acts 2: 42-47 and Acts 4: 32-37?

Q&A question: About the Early Church & Socialism

MW’s Personal Experience Witnessing: Could you share your most memorable experience in leading someone to the Lord?

Q&A question: MW’s Personal Experience Witnessing

evangelism

About Recent “Deconstruction” Stories: I find myself sympathizing with some who have deconstructed and walked away from the faith (though I don't agree with their decision). How can I keep from deconstructing myself?

Q&A question: About Recent “Deconstruction” Stories

deconstruction

Is Yahweh Only the Father’s Name?: Some people I know say Yahweh is the name of the whole Trinity combined. I thought Yahweh was only the name of the Father (like how Jesus is the name of the Son). What are your thoughts?

Q&A question: Is Yahweh Only the Father’s Name?

Trinity Jesus

About Artaxerxes in Ezra: Are there two Artaxerxes in Ezra, or could it be that there is an interlude in Ezra 4:5-23? Artaxerxes stopped the building, but later seems to endorse it.

Q&A question: About Artaxerxes in Ezra

Are the Church and Israel the Same?: Are the church and Israel the same or different? Is the church the continuation of Israel and heirs of the promises of God to OT Israel?

Q&A question: Are the Church and Israel the Same?

Israel

Can Christians Attend JW Weddings?: Is it ok to attend a wedding of a Jehovah’s Witness? My colleague is a JW and she is getting married in 3 weeks. I was wondering if it’s ok for me to attend because of the belief system.

Q&A question: Can Christians Attend JW Weddings?

Jehovah's Witnesses

2 Corinthians 7 2 Corinthians 7 forgiveness

How to Have Godly Sorrow Over Sin: How do you have a godly sorrow over sin (2 Corinthians 7: 10)? When I sin, I repent, feel really bad, and ask for forgiveness, but eventually fall for the same sin again. Do you just pray for God to give godly sorrow?

Q&A question: How to Have Godly Sorrow Over Sin

About Approving of/Watching Inappropriate Shows: How do you respond to another Christian who thinks that watching movies or shows with nudity/sexual content is a liberty they have in Christ because they do not struggle with lust?

Q&A question: About Approving of/Watching Inappropriate Shows

sexual ethics

Interpreting a Difficult Verse: I’ve read two different views on 1 John 3: 20. 1: If our heart condemns us, how much more will God since He is greater than our heart? 2: Even though we feel guilty, God knows our heart. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Interpreting a Difficult Verse

1 John 3 1 John 3

What does Ecumenical Mean?: I'd rather not identify myself with any particular denomination. What does it mean to be an ecumenical Christian?

Q&A question: What does Ecumenical Mean?

Some Great Wisdom for Us: What’s the greatest lesson of wisdom you’ve learned as you’ve matured in your faith?

Q&A question: Some Great Wisdom for Us

About Believer/Non-Believer Relationships: What should a new Christian do if he or she has been in a relationship for 7+ years with a non-Christian (not married), and the non-Christian doesn't slow down the spiritual growth of the Christian?

Q&A question: About Believer/Non-Believer Relationships

Is it Fair that Some People are Born in Unbelieving Areas?: How is it just that because a person is born in a specific region in the world, that they are more likely to follow the traditions and religion they are raised in and end up going to hell?

Q&A question: Is it Fair that Some People are Born in Unbelieving Areas?

hell

Is the Fire Mentioned in 2 Peter Literal?: In 2 Peter 3: 10 it says that on the "Day of the Lord" God will destroy the world and "its elements" with fire. Is this a literal or figurative fire, and why?

Q&A question: Is the Fire Mentioned in 2 Peter Literal?

Peter

Did Jesus’ Family Believe?: Did Jesus' family not believe in Him as Messiah?

Q&A question: Did Jesus’ Family Believe?

Jesus

Ephesians 6 prophecy Ephesians 6

About “Rhema” (Sword of the Spirit): Can you explain the Greek word Rhema in Ephesians 6 when it talks about the “sword of the Spirit is the Word of God?” Is it Scripture, or like a word of wisdom, knowledge, or prophecy?

Q&A question: About “Rhema” (Sword of the Spirit)

Daniel Daniel 3 Daniel Daniel 3 NAR

Who was the 4th Person in the Furnace in Daniel 3?: Referring to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel, who was the fourth person in the furnace? Is this OT evidence of Christ?

Q&A question: Who was the 4th Person in the Furnace in Daniel 3?

Did Jesus Consider the OT to be Scripture?: You said in a past Q&A session that Jude references Enoch, and your best explanation is that it's just to make a point, not to say that Enoch is canon or inerrant. But that's also my conclusion about when Jesus refers to the Old Testament. Isn’t it the same for when Jesus refers to the Old Testament?

Q&A question: Did Jesus Consider the OT to be Scripture?

Jesus Enoch

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?

Romans 1 Romans 1

Discussing a Confusing Verse: What are your thoughts about Matthew 26: 13? You taught earlier that this specific action is not even recorded in all the Gospels, so what does Jesus mean?

Q&A question: Discussing a Confusing Verse

Matthew Jesus Matthew

How did OT Punishments Display God’s Love?: What was the point of capital punishment in OT, which was way too harsh to the point that it was not strictly followed back then? How does it display God's love when people are killed for not obeying?

Q&A question: How did OT Punishments Display God’s Love?

Reconciling Two Verses: How does Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 reconcile with Paul’s statement that “to live is Christ and to die is gain”? Am I misreading it?

Q&A question: Reconciling Two Verses

1 John 4 1 John 4 forgiveness

Overcoming Condemnation/Embracing God’s Grace: I have a good understanding of God’s Love and forgiveness in my head, but I have trouble living as though I believe it in my heart, and I still feel condemned at times (1 John 4: 16-18). Any advice?

Q&A question: Overcoming Condemnation/Embracing God’s Grace

About Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh: What is your opinion on Paul's thorn in the flesh? I heard it was his eyes, maybe from his encounter on the road to Damascus? 1) He had Luke, a doctor, with him during his travels 2) He had others write his letters.

Q&A question: About Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

Galatians 5 pastoral ministry Galatians 5

How to “Walk in the Spirit”: From Galatians 5, what is does it mean to “walk in the Spirit”? And do you have any pastoral advice for a new disciple on this subject?

Q&A question: How to “Walk in the Spirit”

Difference: Doubt vs. Unbelief: What is the difference biblically between doubt & unbelief? Are either of them a sin?

Q&A question: Difference: Doubt vs. Unbelief

doubt and faith

How is the Holy Spirit Received?: How does receiving the Holy Spirit work? In Acts, there are two times the HS is poured out: Jews (Ch. 2) and then Gentiles (Ch. 10), but every other time is passed by laying on of hands (Acts 8: 14-18, 19:6, etc.).

Q&A question: How is the Holy Spirit Received?

Acts 8 Acts 8

Advice for a Difficult College Situation: I have to read “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” for school, but Oprah did a movie on it. Since she denied that Jesus is the only way, I don’t know if I should drop the class. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Advice for a Difficult College Situation

Jesus

About the Timing of our Death: Are our deaths appointed to us in both time and manner? If a person dies being hit by a car on the corner of Times Square, was it always going to end that way?

Q&A question: About the Timing of our Death

death and afterlife

How to Handle Online-Only Congregants: How should churches handle their local online only congregants? This is a big dilemma in my church's leadership right now. (Let's assume that it is safe to return to in-person church.)

Q&A question: How to Handle Online-Only Congregants

About the “Day of the Lord”: What is the day of the Lord?

Q&A question: About the “Day of the Lord”