Search — Theology Explorer

About the “Wages of Sin”: If “the wages of sin is death,” why is there a Hell? When a non-believer dies, why wasn't that debt paid by their death?

Q&A question: About the “Wages of Sin”

hell

How Important is Inerrancy?: I found out that several big teachers and content writers at my church don't believe that the Bible is inerrant? Should I be concerned?

Q&A question: How Important is Inerrancy?

biblical inerrancy

About the “2 or 3 Witnesses” Principle: What is the significance of the Bible saying "2 or 3 witnesses" to establish an accusation, as opposed to saying "2 witnesses" or "3 witnesses"?

Q&A question: About the “2 or 3 Witnesses” Principle

Do Ghosts / Demons Exist?: I have a feeling that something is living in my house that shouldn't be there, and it is taking all the energy out of me! Do ghosts/demons really exist, and how can I get rid of them?

Q&A question: Do Ghosts / Demons Exist?

demons

John 11 resurrection John 11

About Being Alive in Christ/Future Resurrection: Please explain John 11: 25-26, how the first person became dead but believed and the second person being a believer never dies.

Q&A question: About Being Alive in Christ/Future Resurrection

Is Marriage Different Now?: My friend says the definition of marriage evolved over time, and that now it’s a legal contract, but in biblical times she claims it was a social transfer of care. Thus, she believes living with her boyfriend unmarried is biblical. Thoughts?

Q&A question: Is Marriage Different Now?

marriage

Help with Doubts & Unbelief: How do you stop doubting that God exists or that Christianity is the true religion out of many, especially Islam? Sometimes my faith wanders from belief to unbelief. Any tips?

Q&A question: Help with Doubts & Unbelief

Islam

Hebrews 11 Joshua 2 Romans 3 Rahab Hebrews 11 pastoral ministry

Was it Right for Rahab to Lie?: Hebrews 11: 31 says that Rahab's faith saved her. Yet Joshua 2:4-6 shows Rahab lying about the Israelite spies. Romans 3:7-8 condemns good from evil. How do we reconcile this, Pastor Mike?

Q&A question: Was it Right for Rahab to Lie?

About Tithing & “Prosperity” Teachings: My church says a declaration before tithing. Part of it is: "I am believing Him for advancements, God-ideas, blessings & increases, financial freedom, & breakthroughs." Is this a prosperity church red flag?

Q&A question: About Tithing & “Prosperity” Teachings

tithing

Are Murder Mysteries Appropriate for Believers?: I watched your video on Halloween, and I’m wondering what your thoughts are on murder mystery dinner parties (and for that matter, murder mysteries in general). Is it wrong to be entertained by them?

Q&A question: Are Murder Mysteries Appropriate for Believers?

How to Repent When We’re Not “Feeling” It: How do I repent unto salvation (repent and be saved) when I do not want to? I am asking from the current place of being unsaved.

Q&A question: How to Repent When We’re Not “Feeling” It

salvation

About God being our Loving Father: I've been a believer for a very long time, but still struggle with the concept of God as loving Father. Mainly due to my upbringing. How do I overcome this? The doubt is overwhelming.

Q&A question: About God being our Loving Father

doubt and faith

How to Witness to an Angry Person: My friend has left Christianity. His family is a bit extreme and aggressive with their faith, and he says they are what pushed him away from his. If I try to talk with him, he gets angry. What can I do?

Q&A question: How to Witness to an Angry Person

Will Unbelievers Bow?: Does “every knee shall bow” refer to each person when they die and stand before God, or mankind collectively at the return of Jesus? If it's the latter, does this mean unbelievers will be forced to do this?

Q&A question: Will Unbelievers Bow?

Jesus

Anxiety about Repenting of Every Sin: How can I deal with the urge to ask for forgiveness for nearly every intrusive thought, feeling, and temptation? If I'm asking out of anxiety, am I asking in vain? I don't want to treat sin lightly.

Q&A question: Anxiety about Repenting of Every Sin

forgiveness

Can People be Tricked into Hell?: Can people be tricked into Hell, such as people born into false religions or North Korea? If so, how is that fair?

Q&A question: Can People be Tricked into Hell?

hell

Should We Correct Non-Believers’ Sins?: What is the Christian’s role in bringing up non-believers’ specific sins? Should we, at all? I hear people reference John 16:8. How should we best evangelize to non-believers?

Q&A question: Should We Correct Non-Believers’ Sins?

John 16 John 16 angels

Ezekiel salvation baptism prophecy

About Jews, Prophecy, & Baptism: Did the Jews (ex. Nicodemus) understand the prophecies of a future cleansing as involving literal water (ex. Ezekiel 36: 25-27)? A colleague thinks so (she believes baptism is necessary for salvation).

Q&A question: About Jews, Prophecy, & Baptism

Is Hypnosis OK for Christians?: What does the Bible say about hypnosis as a form of medical treatment? I struggle with food addiction and have heard that it can help by reaching the subconscious. However, I want to be super careful not to dip into the supernatural demonic realm that can sometimes happen during yoga sessions when "channeling your inner-self" and "connecting with the universe."

Q&A question: Is Hypnosis OK for Christians?

demons

Should We Pray Once or Repeatedly?: I’ve heard several teachings about prayer and I’m a bit confused. Are we to pray once, believe we have it, and walk in faith? Or should we pray repeatedly until God gives us an answer?

Q&A question: Should We Pray Once or Repeatedly?

prayer

Can We Trust the Lord Through Unanswered Prayer?: Jesus promises to give us what we ask in His name/His will, if we believe it. He also says to “let your yes be yes and your no be no.” Can we really say that God keeps His promises when this doesn't always happen?

Q&A question: Can We Trust the Lord Through Unanswered Prayer?

Jesus prayer

Mike Winger idea 2021-12-10

Biblical Counsel for Self-Harming Habits: I’ve been struggling for years with self-harm and am looking for biblical advice. I'm Baptist and believe we go through hard times, but I am just looking for advice!

Q&A question: Biblical Counsel for Self-Harming Habits

If we Confess our Doubts, Are We Still Saved?: I was having doubts about the atonement, and I was questioning if I really believed it. I had thoughts about me not believing. Am I still saved if confessed those and do believe now?

Q&A question: If we Confess our Doubts, Are We Still Saved?

atonement

Advice for a Difficult Church Situation: My daughter and her father-in-law visited the church I attend. They brought my 3 month old Grandson who was making loud sounds. One of the attendants asked them to leave. Now I have mixed feelings about this church. Should I continue to attend?

Q&A question: Advice for a Difficult Church Situation

What is Love, According to the Bible?: Define love according to the Bible. Is it a feeling? Act? Choice? This is very important to me because it will inform how I view if I was loving or not in situations.

Q&A question: What is Love, According to the Bible?

Should we Choose a Denomination Right Away?: I'm a new convert. I love God. However, since I'm a new convert I haven't "chosen" a denomination yet. Must I hurry and choose one? Right now, I'm just happy reading the Bible, believing, and praying.

Q&A question: Should we Choose a Denomination Right Away?

Lovingly Calling Out Sin: How do I love and exhort a close family member who knows & believes the Gospel but doesn't seem bothered by some sinful choices (e.g., going to rowdy parties, getting drunk)?

Q&A question: Lovingly Calling Out Sin

About Leviathan: What are your thoughts on Leviathan? Do you believe he is an actual creature, or more symbolic? Where is he now?

Q&A question: About Leviathan

What to Do when a Spouse Turns from Faith: What advice do you have for a man who married a Christian but she has turned away from the faith? I struggle with feeling betrayed by her and God, and I worry about raising our newborn in the faith.

Q&A question: What to Do when a Spouse Turns from Faith

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-14

Modesty according to the Bible: What do you believe is the standard of modesty, biblically?

Q&A question: Modesty according to the Bible

Do Pastors Have Authority over Believers?: A lot of people in my circle talk about being under the "covering" and authority of their pastor and elders. Is this a thing?

Q&A question: Do Pastors Have Authority over Believers?

elder qualifications pastoral ministry

How to Respond to Friends’ Ungodly Behavior: How should I respond when hanging out with friends who cuss / curse or play foul music celebrating sinful behavior, some of them being believers?

Q&A question: How to Respond to Friends’ Ungodly Behavior

When to Lovingly tell Someone they’re Deceived: If you spend years lovingly bringing scripture to someone in a religion that corrupts it, hoping to open their eyes but fail, is it wrong to finally say directly they've been deceived, and that the religion is a lie?

Q&A question: When to Lovingly tell Someone they’re Deceived

Can Mental Issues Sometimes be Demonic?: Could my Generalized Anxiety Disorder and OCD be a demonic issue rather than a mental health issue? I'm a believer, but I suffer from both of these issues and I feel trapped.

Q&A question: Can Mental Issues Sometimes be Demonic?

demons

About “Boot Camp” Churches: What is your opinion on "Boot Camp" Churches such as Elevation and Newspring that say that their church is for unbelievers and is not a permanent space for believers to remain?

Q&A question: About “Boot Camp” Churches

Overcoming Fear while Witnessing: I am currently attending a public school, and I’m wondering how I am supposed to speak the Word and truth of God when I fear that I will be shut down if I let my true beliefs be heard. Any advice?

Q&A question: Overcoming Fear while Witnessing

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-28

Judging & Correcting Non-Believers: Are we supposed to judge those outside of the Church, and do we have any right to control/direct what they do (Romans 1: 32; 1 Corinthians 5: 12)?

Q&A question: Judging & Correcting Non-Believers

1 Corinthians 5 Romans 1 1 Corinthians 5 Romans 1

Mike Winger idea 2022-01-28

Theological Differences while Dating: I've just discovered my long-term girlfriend does not believe homosexuality is a sin, and I'm really struggling with anxiety regarding this. Is it wrong to break up over this, and how should I approach this?

Q&A question: Theological Differences while Dating

homosexuality

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-04

Intellectual Agreement vs. Faith in Christ: I believe I'm trusting in Jesus' death and resurrection for salvation, but I have OCD and can't control my thoughts. So how do I know if I'm really trusting, or just agreeing with facts intellectually?

Q&A question: Intellectual Agreement vs. Faith in Christ

Jesus salvation resurrection

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-04

Desire to Believe, but Still Doubtful?: I am very eager to have a relationship with Jesus. However, I still have doubts about the truth of Christianity, and I don’t have full certainty. But people believe their mom loves them. Advice?

Q&A question: Desire to Believe, but Still Doubtful?

Jesus

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

“Being the Light” in Difficult Situations: As a new believer, I feel I won’t be able to go to my sister-in-law’s house again because they smoke weed at every gathering. How do I find balance between being the light & not being in certain situations?

Q&A question: “Being the Light” in Difficult Situations

Mike Winger idea 2022-02-11

Witnessing Well at Work: I've had some really good conversations with friends at work about being a Christian. What are some good tips for me to continue talking to them without it seeming like I'm pushing it on them?

Q&A question: Witnessing Well at Work